SEC Women's Basketball Tournament: Tennessee / Auburn Game Thread
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 12:00 PM EST
in Lady Vols Basketball
204 comments
 |
March 7, 2009 |
 |
|
22-9 (9-5)
19(AP) 24(USA Today) |
28-2 (12-2)
6(AP) 5(USA Today) |
| Tennessee |
Ht.
|
Wt.
|
Yr.
|
PPG
|
RPG
|
APG
|
|
| G | 5 Angie Bjorklund |
6-0
|
-
|
So.
|
11.5
|
3.0
|
2.7
|
| F/G | 25 Glory Johnson |
6-3
|
-
|
Fr.
|
10.6
|
7.1
|
0.7
|
| F/G |
40 Shekinna Stricklen |
6-2
|
-
|
Fr.
|
13.2
|
6.0
|
3.1
|
| F/C | 2/44 Alex Fuller |
6-3
|
-
|
Sr.
|
8.0
|
6.2
|
1.4
|
| C |
52 Kelley Cain |
6-6
|
-
|
Fr.
|
8.3
|
5.2
|
0.6
|
| Auburn |
Ht.
|
Wt.
|
Yr.
|
PPG
|
RPG
|
APG
|
|
| G |
24 DeWanna Bonner |
6-4
|
-
|
Sr.
|
21.3
|
8.7
|
1.6
|
| F | 1 Trevesha Jackson |
6-0
|
-
|
Sr.
|
6.9
|
5.0
|
0.4
|
| G |
5 Alli Smalley |
5-8
|
-
|
So.
|
11.9
|
2.7
|
2.1
|
| G |
12 Sherell Hobbs |
5-11
|
-
|
Sr.
|
12.3
|
4.6
|
1.0
|
| G |
44 Whitney Boddie |
5-9
|
-
|
Sr.
|
11.0
|
4.5
|
8.2
|
(Note: Stats do not include Friday's performances; neither do they include SEC tournament wins in the conference records.)
With the season-ending win over Vanderbilt and the tournament win over Florida, Tennessee now has solid arguments to be ranked higher than both of those teams in the NCAA tournament. Factor in the strength of schedule argument, and it's almost assured that they'll be given better consideration than every SEC team except Auburn.
Now they face that same Auburn, who has only lost to Georgia and Vanderbilt in road games. Realistically, there's no way to actually pass Auburn in NCAA seeding, but a win against Auburn would both bring tremendous confidence to a young team and give Tennessee some strong arguments that they have fixed much of their season's problems and are a much more dangerous tournament team than their record would suggest.
But Tennessee first must learn how to stop Bonner. The 6-4 guard (!) just broke the Auburn school record for career points last night, and she dished out 35 against Tennessee in their previous meeting this year. Somebody besides Bass will have to step up on defense (unless Bass can figure out how to guard somebody a full foot taller than herself). If they can contain Bonner and minimize the turnovers on offense, the Lady Vols have a real chance. to avenge one more loss and move to the SEC finals.
In the previous two tournament games, some Ladies have stepped up while others have stumbled. Some, like Bjorklund, have been in both positions already. Tonight against Auburn, they'll need a solid team effort to win. It's something they can do; all they have to do is keep focused, play smart, and limit the turnovers.
GO LADY VOLS!!!
0 recs |
204 comments
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Fuller should get the Bonner assignment.
She has the ability to play inside/outside against Bonner, and Cain looks lost when she gets more than 8 feet out from the basket (understandably). Switch Cain to Jackson and hope for the best.
Bonner scares me on the other side, too; hopefully she’ll get Stricklen as a defensive assignment which means Cain gets 6 inches and reach against Jackson. We have height throughout the lineup, but I’m a little worried. This is going to be Alex Fuller’s game.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 12:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Of course, by only being a little worried I mean I don't expect much.
We can move up to the 4 line if we win out, I suspect, so a win here is just a bonus for me. Not a huge amount of difference between the 4 and the 5 (honestly, I think we have a 25% chance at a 4 right now), but those two games at home could be big for this team.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 12:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
One thing that sticks out to me
Our starting lineup: 4 seniors and a sophomore
Your starting lineup: 3 freshmen (freshwomen?), 1 sophomore and 1 senior
So, I think Auburn is the better team this year, but Tennessee is in a fantastic position to be very good for the next few years.
War Eagle!
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 7, 2009 3:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Should be a good game, though.
Stick around if you like. We’ll naturally be pulling for our Ladies, but the animosities that get built up with the men’s sports don’t happen here. (Except for UConn, which Auburn isn’t.)
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 6:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And does this mean you're around for the game?
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 6:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I'm back.
The movie was alright, but the director completely missed the point of the book.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 6:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That was kind of what I've heard.
I’ll probably still see it anyway, but not this weekend.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 6:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It's typical director "I can improve this" syndrome.
I’ll leave the details out, though. Even if you didn’t mind, other people probably don’t want any spoilers.
Special effects are well-done, though. Of course, that’s about all Hollywood does well anymore.
/rant
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 6:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd expect that from Frank Miller.
I’ll leave it at that.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 6:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I take it you're a graphic novel guy, eh?
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not as much as you'd think.
I love his ability to construct shots, but his ability to hold a plot is a bit lacking.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Starters:
Glory Johnson
Alex Fuller
Kelley Cain :-D
Shekinna Stricklen (guard)
Angie Bjorklund
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 6:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Looks like she re-aggravated her knee.
Well, it sounds like that at least.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Can't put weight on the knee yet.
Moving slowly so far; hopefully she’ll be back for the second half.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No, neutral radio feed.
Pretty quality so far.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 6:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Send Cain to the locker room for the half.
Keep your heads on straight, girls, and keep it within play when Cain gets back.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 6:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That's our best offensive advantage.
This puts Fuller on Bonner, which I wanted to see anyway. It’s up to Stricklen and Bjorklund to carry the offensive load for now.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 6:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Stepping up.
Four points so far and drew a foul to boot.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 6:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Smalley with the foul.
aka not Bonner.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 6:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That's unfortunate, in a way.
Getting Bonner in foul trouble would be a bit too much to hope for, though.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 6:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Keep it together, y'all.
Miniature 4-0 run for Auburn, but more importantly Bjorklund has two now.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 6:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Grr.
BJ with 2 fouls already. This is not starting well.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 6:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Without Cain, they're having a hard time figuring out an inside game.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 6:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Brewer's doing a good job in her absence.
I think – and I say this without actually seeing the game – Johnson and Stricklen need to be able to drive.
And have we heard anything from Fuller?
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like she's playing off Jackson.
For reasons I’ve stated before, I’m not too happy with this.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Every little bit helps.
Right now we need the trainers to be the all-stars, though. We can keep it close in the meantime, I think.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Is this Auburn's best shot?
Maybe more importantly, is this our best shot with the personnel we have?
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 6:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Are we at a break?
I stepped out for a second and the audio’s gone.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 6:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Cain's getting a MRI.
There’s a machine in-house.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Don't have a good feeling about this game right now.
The discombobulation is back.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 7:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Remember that Stricklen's struggled in the first half these last few games.
I don’t expect much from her for the time being, and Bjorklund’s been quiet. Given that and Cain’s injury, this is as good as I can expect.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
BTW, I think Joel's the one who changed the title.
I just now noticed the email. Thanks.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 7:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
He did.
I caught him online before anyone else probably noticed. I admire the hubris, though.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I just wish it was hubris.
I mistakenly wrote the whole thing for LSU because I wasn’t paying attention. I’m just happy I corrected the rest of it.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 7:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In postgame yesterday,
the coaches noted that Florida was only defending UT on defense for 8-10 seconds at a time in the second half. That allowed Florida to build an offensive rhythm that helped them crawl back into the game. I wonder if they’re instructed to bleed time to keep Auburn on defense longer.
If so, could they start working the defense for an open look just a little sooner?
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 7:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I haven't been paying that much attention to the clock.
It’s tough to track that listening to the game only. It seems like Auburn’s been playing tight D so far, so I don’t think that’ll work for now.
BTW, Brewer on Bonner now.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In your men's news;
South Carolina wins.
Auburn(!) wins over LSU.
Florida wins over Kentucky. Can’t spell “sucking it up” without UK.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Charge on Stricklen.
Sounded, um, debatable.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Mickey's not even being diplomatic about that, either.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 7:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Y'all not watching it?
You’re missing one of the “Daves.”
by wvvol on Mar 7, 2009 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Neither do I.
I don’t have cable TV. It’s not worth the price.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 7:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I have cable, I just don't have all the channels.
I watch enough sports to justify it, and Center Ice is a lifesaver for me, but I miss games like this. Apparently if I had the Fox Sports Network package, I could be watching.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
DirecTV gives you like 904 Fox Sports channels
but the good stuff is usually blacked out on the ones outside your area. I’m glad the SEC hasn’t blacked this out.
by wvvol on Mar 7, 2009 7:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Unfortunately, no.
We’ll be getting dinner ready soon, so I’m not at the Library. That means Comcast internet, which means no ’360.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Apparently Bonner might've done the same thing on the other end, but wasn't called.
Didn’t see, so I can’t make a judgment.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Give 'em credit.
They’re fighting hard, even after losing Cain so quickly.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 7:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I still don't know if this is their best punch.
I think they can pull this off without Cain, though. We’ll see.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What happened to Big Momma Cain?
She go to work?
by wvvol on Mar 7, 2009 7:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Went down with an aggravated knee.
They’re MRI’ing it.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 7:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
As we speak?
They got a portable MRI or something?
by wvvol on Mar 7, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That's pretty impressive
Aren’t they expensive?
by wvvol on Mar 7, 2009 7:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think so.
I’m not sure why they have one.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Landed badly on her knee.
She’s in the back getting a MRI. Hopefully she’s okay and the trainers can work a miracle.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fuller's on the board.
Apparently Auburn brought in a widebody (Carrier?).
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Pssst.
We have a bench. That bench has scored 15 points. That’s a good thing.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
And in your "100% from the field watch":
Manning’s 3-3.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Dave just said he was handed a note saying BMC might be back.
by wvvol on Mar 7, 2009 7:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Kelley Cain:
probable for second half action.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'm going to have one heck of a halftime post.
Suffice to say I think we’re in great, great shape.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Go for it.
I’m helping cook a bit, so I wasn’t planning on any formal thing anyhow.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 7:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes.
Basically, it’s a beef and noodle soup. Our version includes green onions and water chestnuts.
The coolest part is that you put raw meat into it right before you set it on the table. It’s cut very thin, so the near-boiling water cooks it very quickly.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 7:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It's supposed to be spicy as hell.
I haven’t had it before, but there are more than a few people at work who like it.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Culinary Queen helps out:
The Mrs. says our stuff is more like Pho Tai, which isn’t as spicy. Pho Bo usually has meatballs and is much spicier.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 7:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'll be damned.
Sounds good.
You ought start a franchise. Pho King.
by wvvol on Mar 7, 2009 7:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
heh.
It’s not always spicy, and it usually isn’t when you get it at a restaurant. But it’s awesome stuff. Very clean taste, and usually one of the cheaper meals on the menu at restaurants. Also, it’s really filling.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 7:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This game brought to you by Visa.
Nothing but charge.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
So.
We’re up by 5. Cain’s been out most of the game, Glory Johnson has 3 fouls and 4 points. Stricklen has 2 fouls and 4 points. Bjorklund has two fouls and no points. Bonner has 14 points and is 7 off from her average.
Cain’s probable for the second half. We know we’ll see Bjorklund again. Stricklen’s been a second-half player the last few games. Glory is, well, Glory. And Brewer almost has a double-double.
In other words, we’re up by 5 and we still haven’t thrown our best punch yet.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Love that.
The team has played one of their best weeks all year this last week.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 7:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If we pull this game out, the ball has to go to the bench.
18 points off the bench in the first half is huge. I want to see Brewer get her double-double, but I want to see Cain back.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I know.
Normally the bench isn’t known for their massive contributions. I’m sure KenPom has some stats on average bench points per game, but from what I can tell, 18 is good.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Coach Summitt does a lot of "half-time speech" on TV stuff.
Whatever that’s called?
by wvvol on Mar 7, 2009 7:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'm hearing people cheer.
They must not be UT fans.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 7:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
2 points and 2 fouls.
Um. Just because you have 5 to give doesn’t mean you need to race to 5.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Mickey seems to think it was a bad call.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 7:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Again, not sure either way.
Generally speaking, on radio I’ll trust the refs because I don’t know either way.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Another charge.
Someone tell me that wasn’t on Glory.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This is the Auburn run.
11-2 since the half started.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don't know if it's sloppy play or what.
I suspect – and I’d love to see more info on it – the Auburn vets know how to draw fouls or make it look like they’ve been fouled more than the Vols do at this point.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Stricklen with 3 now.
All the starters have at least 2, but nobody’s hit the dreaded 4 yet.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Careful.
Can’t let this game get past 10 or 12 down at this point; Auburn’s too good to let this happen.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bonner with 3, I think.
I can’t tell the difference between Bonner and Boddie unless I’m paying close attention, though.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Looks like the call was on Hobbs.
Way to go, announcer.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Cain seems on to be on Bonner.
Not a big fan of this.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 7:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Stricklen is having a terrible game.
Airballed a 6 footer. We need someone to get hot in a hurry.
by wvvol on Mar 7, 2009 7:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Need to hold Auburn on a few occasions, too.
This is bad Tennessee.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 8:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A minute ago Dave said of the 23 fouls called, 10 were offensive.
We’ve had 2 offensive fouls since then.
by wvvol on Mar 7, 2009 8:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
We've stopped the bleeding for now.
There’s ground to make up, and it needs to come from somewhere. Bjorklund found her touch.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 8:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Get Stricklen outta there
Another airball after not running the offense just chucking it up.
by wvvol on Mar 7, 2009 8:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Or just try to play with 4.
Stricklen’s taking (and missing) a shot every time she touches the ball.
by wvvol on Mar 7, 2009 8:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Brewer threatened to whip that woman ref's ass so she relented on the foul call.
by wvvol on Mar 7, 2009 8:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If you could see that shot, you'd think
this game is over. Girl just made a 270 degree 15 footer.
by wvvol on Mar 7, 2009 8:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Farewell, Auburn seniors.
We’re not going to miss you. At all.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 8:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Brewer misses both foul shots.
It’s bath time for the baby girl. Have a good evening fellas!
by wvvol on Mar 7, 2009 8:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Guess it's time to try that 5 seed on for size.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 8:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That's fine. So long as they're not in the same bracket as UConn.
I may be the only person who’s happy that series is cancelled. It got to be too much of a circus with all the drama the netwroks tried to play out of it.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 8:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Ted Valentine Path to Success, it would seem.
31 fouls called already.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 8:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Dinner's up.
I’m going to have to sign out. Hopefully the bad juju goes with me and a miracle comeback happens.
Either way, thanks for swinging by. Always appreciated.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 8:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The foul total for this game is going to be obscene.
I suspect we’ll see more fouls than there were minutes played.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 8:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
3 games in 3 days.
Wonder if they only had 100 minutes in them.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 8:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Auburn moves on.
78-58. I wonder if the gals just ran out of gas; Auburn’s good, but they’re not 25-points-better-in-a-half good. The time off can’t help but be a good thing.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 8:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wanna to a post-mortem?
I’ll front it when I can, but we’re going to be out for a while this evening. If not, don’t worry about it; I’ll tap something up when we get back.
by Hooper on Mar 7, 2009 8:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nobody else saw the game, right?
I can do one.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Unrelated, but:
Hey, 200 comments on a Lady Vols game. Not bad.
by Graysnail on Mar 7, 2009 8:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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