Lady Vols Take on the Auburn Lady Tigers, 7 PM in Knoxville
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 6:43 PM EST
in Lady Vols Basketball
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PrintThe Lady Vols will defend their home court tonight as they take on Auburn in a normally-exciting conference matchup. Tonight, the good gals are expected to win, mostly due to the huge roster turnover in Auburn, where they lose four starters from last year. But Auburn has a way of saving their best game for Tennessee (DeWanna Bonner should ring a bell for Lady Vols fans), and the current players would love nothing more than to salvage their 11-9 season with a major upset in TBA.
Angie Bjorlkund will be back in the starting lineup after a much improved performance against LSU on Sunday. Sydney Smallbone will continue to start for the Ladies in place of Taber Spani, who is still dealing with turf toe. Auburn will look for leadership from guard Alli Smalley, who leads the team in points and is second in assists. In the interior, KeKe Carrier will match up against Kelley Cain in a battle of the rights to the initials K.C. Carrier has logged 47 blocks already this year, and is the centerpiece of the Auburn defense in the interior. The Lady Tigers absolutely need a big game from Carrier tonight if they want to have a chance of keeping up with the Lady Vols.
Go Lady Vols!
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The game's on ESPN360, btw.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Thanks.
I’m running behind, and obviously didn’t get the full preview done.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 6:47 PM EST up reply actions
Not a problem.
I imagine CBS ’net radio is out there as well. Not sure about the FSN group.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
Glory Johnson is really good in the interior.
Kind of a women’s Dennis Rodman without all the baggage.
An early 3 for Bjorklund. Good.
BTW, what is it about TBA that visitors seemingly shoot about 85% from 3 all the time?
Seems like Auburn is doing the typical "hang when you're overmatched" thing.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
One big difference in this game: Auburn has KeKe, but UT has Kelley AND Alyssia.
That should become huge by the second half.
Which is why I'm not too concerned.
Early 3-balls will peter out, although they scare the tar out of you.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 7:28 PM EST up reply actions
Take your 3s and love 'em.
That was fun. Up 9 now; here we go. Those of you that like seeing Tennessee win big should tune in, um, now.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
That was almost a great defensive possession.
Auburn was trying to dribble drive, but the gals did a great job of moving laterally to combat it … until about 7 seconds left on the shot clock when they were able to attack. But the 15 seconds prior were great, oh well.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Up 10 at the under 8.
It’s a slow outplaying, so far.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Slow but steady, at least.
Not a bad game from them so far. Not bad at all.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 7:38 PM EST up reply actions
I'm okay with going Nick Saban on this game.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 7:42 PM EST up reply actions
Me too.
This defense is absolutely great.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 7:42 PM EST up reply actions
Shot clock violation!
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 7:51 PM EST up reply actions
Nice cut by Manning on that shot.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
No kidding.
I like to see her succeed on offense. She works so hard on defense that I always hope she gets some rewards for it.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 7:43 PM EST up reply actions
Finishing this thought: An Ole Miss loss and a UT win gives the Ladies sole possession of first in the conference. Georgia losing to MSU would be a perfect ending to the day.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
That was impressive.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 7:48 PM EST up reply actions
You can say that again
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 7:52 PM EST up reply actions
Know what I like about that quick shot there?
It guarantees UT getting the last shot of the half. Very smart play.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Agreed. Too often, that third-to-last possession becomes a second-to-last possession because the players don't pay attention.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 7:53 PM EST up reply actions
It's the little things that make a great coach.
You know that’s been drilled into the kids at great length. That didn’t even feel rushed.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 7:54 PM EST up reply actions
43-25 at the half.
To be fair, Auburn does have their best player on the bench, but let’s be honest: it doesn’t matter. Auburn isn’t going to come back against the kind of D the Ladies are playing right now.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Agreed.
Even when KeKe comes back in, she still has to fend off both Cain and Brewer. And that’s just not going to happen.
The only hope for them is that KeKe’s return will cause Tennessee to pull in the defense (which it will), which will give Smalley more room to shoot three’s. If she can continue her 60% pace, that could help their score in a hurry.
But it won’t be enough.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 7:57 PM EST up reply actions
Know what makes it hard to come back from being down 18?
When your opponent has nearly as many offensive boards (9) as you have period (12). Fun fact: Tennessee has equaled Auburn’s boards at Tennessee’s end (both teams with 9 boards off UT misses).
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:01 PM EST up reply actions
I'm thinking that was a point of emphasis after the Georgia game.
Different as night and day out there.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 8:03 PM EST up reply actions
I'm trying to figure out what the Ladies can even work on in the 2nd half.
Maybe don’t get as many shots blocked? I mean, I’m nearly out of ideas (I think that 4-7 from three is a fluke) and it’s not like they’ve lacked for defensive intensity.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:05 PM EST up reply actions
Ooh. Coolness:
Glory is on pace for a double-double (8 points, 5 rebounds), as is Alyssia Brewer (7 points, 5 rebounds). Cain is close, with 5 points a 4 rebounds.
If the second half really broke well, the Lady Vols could have three double-doubles.
I'd like to hope they don't miss that many shots, but duly noted.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:05 PM EST up reply actions
I'm voting for shot clock violations. Sorry.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:07 PM EST up reply actions
KeKe Carrier ...isn't fast.
Delayed fastbreaks ahoy!
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
That was a pretty nice turnaround move she put on her defender. Juke knocked her way out of position and it was an open turnaround.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:13 PM EST up reply actions
And Auburn is panicking.
They gave up a perfectly open layup for a three-point attempt. And missed.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 8:14 PM EST up reply actions
But Glory wasn't paying attention on the ensuing possession.
Maybe Pat wanted someone to give them something to work on.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:15 PM EST up reply actions
There we go. 3 on Carrier.
She just can’t be expected to fend off Johnson, Cain, and Brewer in the interior. And there’s nobody sufficient to help.
I like having Glory go against KeKe.
She’s so much more mobile than KeKe and can easily pop her for her fourth if she stays in.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Oh, THAT was agonizing.
I was hoping for the fourth shot clock violation so badly there.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
you must be lagging me a bit.
are you using the ‘go live’ button after commercial breaks?
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 8:18 PM EST up reply actions
I hadn't even thought about that, so no.
That was also a bit of a delayed reaction.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:19 PM EST up reply actions
Put Brewer in!
Or just take Glory out when she gets 10 boards and let Cain go nuts. I’m not picky.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:19 PM EST up reply actions
Okay, take Bjorklund out.
Save some threes for later.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Unrelated: we just picked up Georgia RB Raijon Neal.
4 stars.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Carry on.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:22 PM EST up reply actions
This team is still pretty young, right?
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
The only thing we're missing is an ankle-breaker.
I think that Bass will get there, but probably not this year.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 8:28 PM EST up reply actions
No seniors though, right?
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:30 PM EST up reply actions
Brewer's apparently trying to get Glory a double-double as fast as possible.
That’s why she just chucked it out of bounds. Really.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Anytime anybody's getting a board I'm flipping over to the box score.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Glory's got her double-double now.
Brewer’s close, and if Stricklen goes nuts on the glass she has a shot. I think Glory has to go out for the game for Cain to have a chance, though.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
And Manning with 5 boards as well.
I love the defense in this game.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 8:29 PM EST up reply actions
And with 3 fouls, Cain will only be in when Carrier is in.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 8:30 PM EST up reply actions
Are they going with that defensive match-up?
They’ve just been collapsing hard whenever Carrier gets the ball and it’s worked well.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:31 PM EST up reply actions
Favorite stat of the game so far:
UT offensive boards: 14
Auburn defensive boards: 12
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
The only downside - if this even counts - is the low number of assists.
Only 13 so far. I know that Summitt would like to see more.
But 35 boards. Yikes.
Bjorklund's just mean.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
So is Stricklen.
Save some for later, y’all.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:38 PM EST up reply actions
Is there someone else we're after from GA?
I think it’s plainly obvious I have no idea about these things.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:40 PM EST up reply actions
Da'Rick Rogers, the WR who played high school ball with Nash Nance.
He was/is a UGA commit, but is now entirely up in the air about it.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 8:41 PM EST up reply actions
Any offensive linemen?
I’m much less concerned about the health of the skill positions.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:43 PM EST up reply actions
Out of GA? I've lost track at the moment.
But there is James Stone back on the table – and looking more likely every day.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 8:45 PM EST up reply actions
I feel like the plethora of threes is just overkill.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
The downside of playing safe and still hitting everything.
Not passing inside avoids turnovers, but yeah, overkill.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 8:50 PM EST up reply actions
"about to be over"?
This was over at the 10 minute mark of the first half. The rest of the game was just overkill. Fun, but overkill.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
But important from a 'play all 40 minutes' p.o.v.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 8:52 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, but I meant for the audience.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:53 PM EST up reply actions
With that being said, I wanted the final margin at 30+.
Oh well. I can’t complain (Bjorklund made more threes than Auburn).
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:53 PM EST up reply actions
which is saying something the way Auburn started the game.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 8:53 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, but that's also why teams who open strong from 3 don't scare me too much.
It’s so hard to keep that up for an entire game, and when it does it’s rare. (This is why I’m a bit annoyed the Ladies blew one of their “hot 3” games on this game.)
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:56 PM EST up reply actions
Auburn finally came back to out-rebound UT at Tennessee's offensive end.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
dang.
I blame the perimeter passing at the end. Kept everybody away from the rim.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 8:55 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, that was totally it.
The frustrating thing is it was totally possible had they decided to not keep trying to push it inside.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 8:58 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah.
But I’m glad they didn’t risk any injuries late. Sacrificing some stats is worth having healthy gals for the next game.
by David Hooper on Jan 28, 2010 9:04 PM EST up reply actions
I know I'm somewhere past the splitting hairs stage, being annoyed over this.
That being said, I agree; it would’ve been fun but not at the expense of an injury.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 28, 2010 9:08 PM EST up reply actions
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