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Tennessee Lady Vols vs. Ole Miss Lady Rebels in Shades of Pink, 9 PM EST: Open Game Thread

Tonight, the Lady Vols continue their quest for the regular season SEC title when they face potential challenger Ole Miss in Oxford.  The Lady Rebels are currently tied with Florida for third in the conference with a record of 6-4; if they wish to win the regular season, they absolutely must beat Tennessee tonight, whose 9-1 conference mark currently has them alone at the top of the pile.

Partly drawing on the popularity of the Lady Vols, the Lady Rebels have chosen tonight as their Breast Cancer Awareness night with the theme, "Tickled Pink at the Pad".  A lot of pink swag will be given away at the game and fundraising will be held to support breast cancer research and treatment.

Stats and analysis follow after the jump:

Star-divide

 Position Name  Experience  Height PPG RPG APG
lady vols logo Angie Bjorklund  Jr  6-0 14.6 2.9 2.5
Alicia Manning So 6-1 4.0 3.7 2.0
Glory Johnson  So  6-3 11.9 8.5 1.1
G-F  Shekinna Stricklen  So  6-2 12.4 6.2 3.8
Kelley Cain  So  6-6 9.9 7.4 0.8
mississippi logo G Bianca Thomas Sr 5-10 21.3 5.7 1.3
G Kayla Melson Jr 5-8 13.7 4.0 6.3
G Shantell Black Sr 5-4 9.8 4.0 4.3
F Nikki Byrd So 6-4 7.8 5.2 0.3
F Katorra Lewis Sr 6-2 5.1 3.7 0.3

 

Charting the matchups is becoming a bit of a broken record with the Lady Vols.  Once again, they have serious size advantages across the board, but are facing a team led by great guard play and heavy perimeter passing.  Tennessee lost to Georgia and nearly lost to Vanderbilt and Florida because of their failure to effectively defend the guards, and having Alicia Manning start instead of Kamiko Williams is an admission that the Lady Vols need all the defensive help they can get.  When Ole Miss has the ball, the Lady Vols will once again have to decide if they're invested enough to go all-out on defense and keep the guards covered, or if the easy looks will appear again.

Despite their lack of height, Ole Miss is a tenacious rebounding team.  They rebound by committee, so the Lady Vols will have to show the discipline to box out everyone on the floor; the one unaccounted-for Lady Rebel will be the one who gets the defensive rebound or the putback opportunity.  This is a pure 'hustle' matchup for Tennessee; with the interior presence of Kelley Cain, Alyssia Brewer, Shekinna Stricklen, and Glory Johnson, they should own the glass.  All that's required is the will.

When Tennessee has the ball, they must get the ball in the paint, where Ole Miss literally has no answer for Kelley Cain.  In fact, Ole Miss would prefer to start a fourth guard (5'-10" Elizabeth Robertson) in place of Katorra Lewis, but may have to make the substitution outlined above just to have a chance in the interior.  Foul trouble could be the end of the Lady Rebels in this game; if Nikki Byrd or Katorra Lewis draw too many whistles, the game will turn ugly fast.

Of course, all this presupposes that the Lady Vols can pass the ball effectively - an assumption that rests on rather shaky ground right now.  The talent is certainly there for Tennessee to win so long as they relax, play fundamental basketball, and minimize mistakes.  But if the Lady Vols try to outsmart themselves and take unnecessary risks, the quick Lady Rebels have the ability to create turnovers and convert them into points.

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Not sure how much of this I'll be around for.

Part of it for sure, but maybe not the entire thing.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 7:14 PM EST reply actions  

I'll be in for it this time.

One of these days, we’ll both be watching the game. And then DC will thaw out or something.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 8:46 PM EST up reply actions  

Actually, due to DC not being thawed out, I'll actually be able to wach most / all of it.

Not planning on working at the office tomorrow, which means I can put that 90+ minutes of commuting to practical use – like sleeping and starting work earlier (so I can finish earlier).

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 8:59 PM EST up reply actions  

sleeping and starting work earlier

Quite possible the most beautiful words ever written.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 9:01 PM EST up reply actions  

I'd almost expect zone on both ends.

Ole Miss may use zone to deny passing lanes to the interior, and I think Tennessee will have to use zone early to contain speed. I’d actually expect Briana Bass to get a good amount of playing time, possibly against Black.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:04 PM EST up reply actions  

It'll depend on how they open with zone, too.

Bass is limited in zone due to her size, but she can play aggressive man if Black gets hot.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:06 PM EST up reply actions  

And so much for that.

Both teams in man.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:07 PM EST up reply actions  

I'll take it.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:06 PM EST up reply actions  

"The team of the future?"

Ole Miss has far more juniors and seniors than UT.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 9:06 PM EST reply actions  

Suggestion:

Don’t even give it to Bjorklund until Cain has 10.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:09 PM EST reply actions  

Heh.

That’d probably get a few easy fouls on Ole Miss as well.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 9:09 PM EST up reply actions  

Bingo.

Stricklen and Cain haven’t had issues, and I can’t imagine Glory will either.

(and as I type that…)

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:10 PM EST up reply actions  

I keep on thinking she's a senior.

Is she going to be refining the moves she has or just making new ones?

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:13 PM EST up reply actions  

Cain's only 7th in the nation in blocks?

Man, she needs to step it up.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:12 PM EST reply actions  

I bet Griner's ahead.

But so much of that is because of the zone defense. UT has been really good at forcing perimeter shots with it.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 9:13 PM EST up reply actions  

And that said 6'9" gal isn't completely dominating.

On a related note, Cain needs 8 more blocks tonight to jump to 6th on the list.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:17 PM EST up reply actions  

Sorry, 9.

Thought she had two blocks already.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:18 PM EST up reply actions  

That was a nice-looking assist.

Three balls are unnecessary, but hey – stretch the defense.

On the plus side, if there was going to be a night for Cain to get a triple-double, an undersized, three-point shooting team would be it.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:19 PM EST reply actions  

Oh great, now Bjorklund's shooting threes.

This is going to be fun.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:26 PM EST up reply actions  

There we go. A foul on Byrd.

Get her in trouble and this thing is over.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 9:28 PM EST reply actions  

Nikki Byrd and Kayla Holloway are both 6'-4"

Kayla doesn’t get many minutes yet, so I assume that she wouldn’t be up to the task if Byrd got in foul trouble.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 9:33 PM EST up reply actions  

Agreed. Solid defense all around.

Now if we can get some interior action, it’ll be all over.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:31 PM EST up reply actions  

If it wasn't for the turnovers, this thing would be approaching ugly right now.

7 on UT to 3 on Ole Miss. But UT is pretty much winning everything else.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 9:31 PM EST reply actions  

On the plus side, holy offensive rebounding advantage Batman!

With two more offensive boards, they’ll tie Ole Miss’ total rebounding output.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:39 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah.

I like the stats for the long haul. The shooting will go up and down for both teams, but the internal game stats almost all favor UT.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 9:40 PM EST up reply actions  

Keep in mind this is one of those 3-4 games where I think perimeter shooting will matter.

The 3-pt. shooting percentage is the one to pay attention to here, oddly.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:42 PM EST up reply actions  

The only effective boxer-outer on Ole Miss is Byrd.

If she’s busy defending Cain on a shot, UT has the easy lanes for rebounds.

Again – can we get Cain the ball a bit more?

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 9:39 PM EST reply actions  

What I was saying earlier about using zone to deny passing lanes has held true.

I think we’ll see it as a halftime adjustment; right now they know they have a huge advantage in the interior, but they have no way to take advantage of it. Bjorklund’s more of a spot-up shooter than a driver (I think), so if we can get penetration and dish that’ll break them, I think. I just don’t know who can do that yet.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:41 PM EST up reply actions  

12 turnovers. Yikes.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:45 PM EST reply actions  

13.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:45 PM EST up reply actions  

They haven't called a single shooting foul on Ole Miss yet.

That’s really surprising, considering the number of offensive rebounds and putbacks by UT.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 9:47 PM EST reply actions  

Not sure how I feel about this first half.

I think the ladies are all right here; I’d be surprised if the turnovers keep at the pace they’ve been at and that rebounding advantage is huge. It comes down to two things:

- Can the ladies find a way to break down the matchup zone Ole Miss is in?
- Will the UT turnover / Ole Miss 3-pointers put enough variance in this game for Ole Miss to pull it out?

That first half went near perfectly for Ole Miss; I doubt that’ll keep up.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:50 PM EST reply actions  

The real question is whether the Lady Vols will get their heads on straight.

We know they can go to sleep on a game. We just don’t have any good way of knowing whether they’ll wake up.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 9:53 PM EST up reply actions  

Eh, Florida was ugly in the first half (I think).

Vanderbilt was tough for about 32 minutes. They don’t need to wake up for long to get it done.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:55 PM EST up reply actions  

Very true.

And it’s almost like they live for these halftime beatdowns from Summitt. “But we NEED to be screamed at to feel good about ourselves!”

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 9:57 PM EST up reply actions  

It’s how they know she cares.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 9:58 PM EST up reply actions  

Nice.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:58 PM EST up reply actions  

It wasn't long ago they were the Baby Vols.

In a year, they may be able to get it themselves.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:58 PM EST up reply actions  

What is it about Louisville and coaching rumors?

Rumors of Pitino to New Jersey, apparently. Not sure I understand why, as Louisville might be a better team this year than that terrible Nets team.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:53 PM EST reply actions  

Random thought on the men:

I’m wondering how much of the disappointment in the men’s team is tied to a number beside their name that they got in part before the season started. It’s neither here nor there, though.

On another note: Cousins is going to be a beast to defend. I’m more worried about him than I am about Wall (and I fear for the men’s guard defense).

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 9:57 PM EST reply actions  

Byrd is down.

Cain just dropped on her head / shoulder. Ouch.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:05 PM EST reply actions  

Missed it.

Had to take care of laundry.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 10:08 PM EST up reply actions  

It's a good thing when the passing works.

I don’t know why they try to get so fancy with their passing sometimes. That’s usually what hurts them the most.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 10:13 PM EST up reply actions  

It's because they think they can, and they're right - sometimes.

Again, next year this team is going to be absurd. Right now they have a recognition of where each other is, but not where the defense is – yet.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:14 PM EST up reply actions  

And that's one step better than they were last year, too.

I agree. This isn’t their year. But next year will be nuts.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 10:15 PM EST up reply actions  

BTW, 28-13 rebounding advantage.

Oh wait, that’s our board-offensive board ratio. It’s actually 28-11.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:13 PM EST reply actions  

They're only 8-21.

It’s the turnovers that are the issue, although they’ve been better.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:20 PM EST up reply actions  

Me neither.

Is it a foul-saving maneuver?

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 10:24 PM EST up reply actions  

I think it's just a change of pace.

It’s forced a few bad passes which should be capitalized on, but that hasn’t happened yet.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:25 PM EST up reply actions  

Shot clock violation!

There we go.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:33 PM EST reply actions  

So 360 is being completely broken

Won’t even start loading right now. I’m hoping cutting the heat off in my house isn’t screwing with the electronic equipment, but the internet seems fine, and electronics should work when it’s 46 degrees. I think it’s the fault of ESPN.

by Incipient_Senescence on Feb 11, 2010 10:34 PM EST reply actions  

That is odd.

I have never had FF problems with 360. Comcast? Yes.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 10:36 PM EST up reply actions  

I have to say, this does feel like one that Tennessee will win.

Unless Ole Miss can stay hot from downtown for all 40 minutes, they can’t keep pace with UT’s interior play and rebounding.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 10:36 PM EST reply actions  

I think they're 11-25.

I’d put ‘em around 38-39% on the game to have a chance to win and they’re above that now, but not by much.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:37 PM EST up reply actions  

All right, so here's what we need:

6-0 run. That’s it, and that’s not hard; it just means Ole Miss missing 2-3 shots in a row and Tennessee hitting a few. We’re really close right now, even if it doesn’t feel like it.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:36 PM EST reply actions  

Anyone know where to find who's working this game?

ESPN play-by-play is down.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Heh.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:49 PM EST up reply actions  

Someone remind me to check this later.

I want to see if the same guys who did this game did the UT-Vandy game.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 11:02 PM EST up reply actions  

Three missed Ole Miss shots in a row.

5-0 run.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:44 PM EST reply actions  

8-0!

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:44 PM EST up reply actions  

16 rebounds for Cain.

I wonder what the Lady Vols record is for one game.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 10:47 PM EST reply actions  

You left out half the story.

Ole Miss only has 18 boards.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:48 PM EST up reply actions  

Ooh!

Please let Cain get 3 more than Ole Miss for the rest of the game…

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 10:48 PM EST up reply actions  

No foul. No foul. No foul. No foul.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 10:52 PM EST reply actions  

Ole Miss ball?

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:54 PM EST up reply actions  

Sounds like it.

Honestly – foul immediately. Don’t let them drain a three at the buzzer here.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:54 PM EST up reply actions  

I know.

I’m okay with this game dragging out.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:55 PM EST up reply actions  

Fair enough

I don’t know that Pat wants to play for OT though.

by Incipient_Senescence on Feb 11, 2010 10:55 PM EST up reply actions  

Doesn't matter now

We have a chance to win. If not. . . that steal. Holy cow that was insane.

by Incipient_Senescence on Feb 11, 2010 10:56 PM EST up reply actions  

Tied.

But at least OT is in our hands.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 10:56 PM EST reply actions  

3JORKLUND!

Okay, that’ll work.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 10:57 PM EST reply actions  

5 for 3?

...and we shall eat only the red skittles...

by thetennesseethumper on Feb 11, 2010 11:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

(#)5 for 3 pointer. 5,4.3, …lame sequence reference. 3jorkland is much better :)

...and we shall eat only the red skittles...

by thetennesseethumper on Feb 11, 2010 11:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

got it.

Just a little slow on the uptake tonight.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 11:35 PM EST up reply actions  

i used the same for chris lofton

...and we shall eat only the red skittles...

by thetennesseethumper on Feb 11, 2010 11:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Oh, right.

Took me a second to catch on.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 11:08 PM EST up reply actions  

These announcers are silly.

I have no fear of a foul, so long as it isn’t in the act of shooting a three.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 11:02 PM EST reply actions  

Announcers and most fans have no understanding of the fouling concept.

Pearl is one of the few coaches who actually gets it, though.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 11:04 PM EST up reply actions  

And that two isn't even guaranteed.

Basically, it can operate like what just happened when Glory knocked it out of bounds to realistically end the game; it bleeds time off the clock without affecting the score. Then, when you’re up 2 or 3 with 1.3-1.5 seconds left and the length of the court, you’ve won – instead of up 2 or 3 with 6 seconds left.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 11:06 PM EST up reply actions  

Coach Cal gets it now too

It only takes one NCAA championship lost to learn that lesson.

by Incipient_Senescence on Feb 11, 2010 11:05 PM EST up reply actions  

Game!

3jorklund for the win.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 11:03 PM EST reply actions  

And there it is.

Tough win, but it’ll work.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Graysnail on Feb 11, 2010 11:03 PM EST reply actions  

Rematch in K'ville to close the regular season, Feb. 28th.

Oh, and this eliminates Ole Miss from the chase for the regular season crown.

by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 11:04 PM EST reply actions  

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