Tennessee Lady Vols vs. Ole Miss Lady Rebels in Shades of Pink, 9 PM EST: Open Game Thread
by Hooper on Feb 11, 2010 7:00 PM EST
in Lady Vols Basketball
211 comments
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:
| Position | Name | Experience | Height | PPG | RPG | APG | |
 |
G | Angie Bjorklund | Jr | 6-0 | 14.6 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| G | Alicia Manning | So | 6-1 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 2.0 | |
| F | Glory Johnson | So | 6-3 | 11.9 | 8.5 | 1.1 | |
| G-F | Shekinna Stricklen | So | 6-2 | 12.4 | 6.2 | 3.8 | |
| C | Kelley Cain | So | 6-6 | 9.9 | 7.4 | 0.8 | |
 |
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.
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.
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.
Yeah, it's a nice combo.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Turns out the Metro station I need to get to for work is closed anyway in the morning.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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.
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.
And so much for that.
Both teams in man.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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.
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.
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.
Ole Miss is dangerous from behind the arc, but:
no attempts from inside the arc yet.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
[insert typical comment on 3-pt. percentage in the early game here]
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Ole Miss: 4-8 from beyond the arc.
1-5 inside. See above.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Okay, Ole Miss is shooting better from the perimeter than they are the interior.
Odd.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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.
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.
That didn't take long to find.
Yup, you were right – among others.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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.
Sorry, 9.
Thought she had two blocks already.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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.
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.
Yeah, not sure I exactly agree with that one....
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Bianca Thomas, bricklayer.
This won’t last, though.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Do they have anyone with height on the bench?
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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.
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.
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.
Was that Cain running down to prevent a fast-break?
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
She was keeping stride with one of Ole Miss' guards.
It was just bizarre to see; I didn’t know she had that much speed.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Hey look, it's the Vandy sequence!
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
12 turnovers. Yikes.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!”
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.
Among other things, Ole Miss had a 2.5 A-T ratio.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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.
Isn't that just one issue? :)
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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.
Byrd is down.
Cain just dropped on her head / shoulder. Ouch.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
I think once she shakes it off she'll be back in though.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Nice movement on that possession. Keep it up.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cain makes it look so easy when she has height and position.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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.
I don't expect to see the zone much past the 12-minute TV-TO.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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.
Just got back from bible study
Score?
by Incipient_Senescence on Feb 11, 2010 10:25 PM EST reply actions
Wow
You scared the heck out of me.
by Incipient_Senescence on Feb 11, 2010 10:28 PM EST up reply actions
Close. 43-39 Ole Miss.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
That starts with motion on offense that we're not seeing.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Loose-ball reachin, I presume. Something like that.
I’m not sure what this is about.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
They thought it might've been a flagrant?
Um, okay.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
I can't see how that wasn't a foul.
We’re even.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Is Glory injured?
We haven’t heard anything from her.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
I can't think of how long it's been since I've seen her.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Shot clock violation!
There we go.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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
Well it works in Safari
So it was Firefox’s fault.
by Incipient_Senescence on Feb 11, 2010 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
This is my first problem with it as well
Which is why it took me so long to try in Safari.
by Incipient_Senescence on Feb 11, 2010 10:38 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.
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.
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.
Miss. State with a 19-2 FT disparity over the Rebels on the men's side.
Rebels are down by 12.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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.
I meant the Ole Miss - MSU men's game, sorry.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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.
Almost made that
But got to the line.
by Incipient_Senescence on Feb 11, 2010 10:42 PM EST 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.
I would've taken 6-0, but this works too.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
I can agree with that.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Doesn't work from the line though
2/7? Those are men’s numbers.
by Incipient_Senescence on Feb 11, 2010 10:50 PM EST up reply actions
Well, she's not Bjork1und.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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.
Ole Miss ball?
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Yeah
We missed a short hook shot.
by Incipient_Senescence 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.
I know.
I’m okay with this game dragging out.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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
I know, that was wholly unpleasant.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
To be fair, I didn't know there was a shot clock disparity.
But …point made, I guess.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Man, that was an inopportune time for a Firefox crash.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
If only UT had someone on the interior....
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Good timing on coining this one
by Incipient_Senescence on Feb 11, 2010 10:59 PM EST up reply actions
3JORKLUND!
Okay, that’ll work.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Man, that was from like 21' too.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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
Do a little king arthur
Five!
Three sir!
Right, three!
by Incipient_Senescence on Feb 11, 2010 11:14 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.
Is this announcer an Ole Miss grad?
by Incipient_Senescence on Feb 11, 2010 10:59 PM EST 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.
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.
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.
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
Okay, let's just wrap this one up
We don’t need to play the last .7 seconds.
by Incipient_Senescence on Feb 11, 2010 11:02 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.
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.
You gonna be all right on the writeup, hoop?
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Cool, thought so but wanted to check first.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
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