Sweet Sixteen, Again: Lady Vols vs. Baylor Lady Bears
by David Hooper on Mar 27, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
in Lady Vols Basketball
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| Position | Name | Experience | Height | PPG | RPG | APG | |
 |
G | Angie Bjorklund | Jr | 6-0 | 14.0 | 2.8 | 2.7 |
| G | Alicia Manning | So | 6-1 | 5.4 | 5.1 | 2.3 | |
| F | Alyssia Brewer | So | 6-3 | 10.3 | 5.9 | 0.9 | |
| G-F | Shekinna Stricklen | So | 6-2 | 12.6 | 6.1 | 3.8 | |
| C | Kelley Cain | So | 6-6 | 10.5 | 7.6 | 0.7 | |
 |
C | Brittney Griner | Fr | 6'-8"!!1! | 18.4 | 8.5 | 1.0 |
| F | Morghan Medlock | Sr | 6-1 | 9.8 | 7.6 | 0.8 | |
| G | Kelli Griffin | Jr | 5-8 | 7.9 | 4.9 | 5.1 | |
| G | Shanay Washington | Fr | 6-1 | 7.8 | 3.3 | 1.6 | |
| G | Melissa Jones | Jr | 5-10 | 10.7 | 6.6 | 3.0 |
An in-depth analysis of Baylor and this game may be found here. In that write-up, I did not mention how The Griner may be stopped, but for somebody who's supposed to be as physically intimidating as Griner, she doesn't really care for a lot of contact and physical play. It sounds odd, but I think it makes sense in a certain light: her height and long arms are great for rebounding and blocking, but become a liability when players get in too close to her. If her arms are up to block a shot and an opposing player gets in close to her, she doesn't have the space to bring her arms back down for pass defense. Also, when players are in close to her, their elbows and shoulders come into her ribs and torso, whereas most players have their chest and shoulders absorbing the blows. Like a boxer taking repeated body blows, that has to get tiring after a while, especially since she's thin.
So, having dissected how to stop everybody else on Baylor, the key to Griner is to keep in close to her and cut off her space - something that both Cain and Brewer have excelled at this season. Add Manning's tenacity in close quarters, and the Lady Vols have absolutely no reason to lose this game. That's not saying that Baylor can't pull off the upset, but this really is Tennessee's game to lose.
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Hey!
Did y’all know Baylor has a 6’8" basketball player??
"I condone fun things" ~~ Cortland Finnegan
Hello ladies. Look at your man, now back to me, now back at your man, now back to me. Sadly, he isn't me.
Hoop, you need to bold Griner's height.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
I actually waffled on that quite a bit
but … ok.
by David Hooper on Mar 27, 2010 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Excellent.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 27, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, Holly Rowe, foul trouble is an issue for Cain.
UT has no interior depth.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Outrebounded 5-0
That can’t last.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 12:10 PM EDT reply actions
Okay, that's two on Cain.
Not …sure about that, but I can see over the back.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Dubious, but whatever.
And Johnson is helping UT outrun Baylor at the moment, so maybe this’ll work out for a while.
by David Hooper on Mar 27, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice speed move on Griner there.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 27, 2010 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't even know who that Spaney kid is
But I like her.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 12:17 PM EDT reply actions
She's as about as prototypically Summit-esque as you can get.
Daughter of a farmer, limitless work ethic.
by David Hooper on Mar 27, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay, I confess...
I don’t follow the Lady Vols nearly as closely as the guys, but I just wanted to drop in to say that the Baylor coach’s outfit is horrible. Is is satin? Is it leather? Is it vinyl? One thing for sure — it’s ugly.
Also, not sure if yall noticed, but Baylor has a player who is probably like, 6’8" or something?
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Heh
True story: overheard this morning as my wife was talking to her dad on the phone:
“SIX EIGHT?!!!!??”
Will try to pop in later, assuming I don’t cut off both my hands trying to install new lawn mower blades.
by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 27, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Griner could cut off both her hands
and still have an 80" wingspan, DID YOU KNOW?!
________________________________
I will give my shirt for Tennessee today.
by Holly Anderson on Mar 27, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Success!
Still have both hands, which puts me at probably 49".
by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 27, 2010 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe during the offseason, Baylor will learn that the paint isn't a KOA campground.
2 three-second violations in short order.
You'd figure Griner is so tall she could just straddle the paint.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 27, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Indeed
And I wish Bobby and Melvin shot with the consistency of Shekinna.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Wouldn't it be great
If San Diego State beat Duke in the 2nd game of the day? Rematch from the men’s side!
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 12:26 PM EDT reply actions
I like the scheming this half.
Summitt’s giving various defenses a look and seeing how Baylor responds. UT should have a nice portfolio to review during halftime. I’m getting more and more optimistic.
Summitt's outcoaching someone?
::shockedface::
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 27, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Lookit that crowd shot!
Makes me want a creamsicle.
________________________________
I will give my shirt for Tennessee today.
by Holly Anderson on Mar 27, 2010 12:29 PM EDT reply actions
This is good.
After Baylor’s opening run, the Ladies have taken over.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
That was a dumb foul by Brewer.
I find it hard to believe Griner has a consistent jumpshot when she’s been taller than everyone she’s ever played against.
(you know, because she’s 12’11" – er, 6’8".)
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Strickl3n!
(yeah, I dunno if that works)
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
It might be; I just forgot
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 27, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't tell
Just lost 360 for whatever reason.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
They don't have a 10 second rule in women's ball?
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 12:47 PM EDT reply actions
Nope.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 27, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Main, Cain is going to hear it.
Summitt calling out Cain in the halftime talk.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
UT has to be happy to be only behind by 2, given the way they played.
Baylor shot 46% in the half. That’s way too high for a team that is as bad from long range as they are.
Baylor's bench is 6-8 (2-2 from beyond the arc).
Guess what I think about how sustainable that is?
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Sustainable as the lifestyle of the average person who doesn't live in San Francisco?
:-p
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Sustainable as clear-cutting the Amazon.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 27, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Sustainable as Seth Davis saying something positive about the men's team.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 27, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
It's a sign!
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 27, 2010 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
After that Summitt bio, she stared down the camera crew until they just left their stuff there.
Free camera equipment!
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 27, 2010 12:58 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Wow, I just saw that
360 is more behind than usual
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
If anybody needs a brief break from this frustrating game
The new diary entry from UTSports.com is available here. What a fun group of guys, I’ve really enjoyed the ride and hope we can keep it going for another week!
The Vols went on a run while I was watching this.
In a related story, I’m going to keep re-watching it until the end of the game.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 27, 2010 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Great move by Manning!
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Yikes
I see what sddbaker’s talking about with that coach. It’s like she’s been bronzed.
by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 27, 2010 1:30 PM EDT reply actions
3 on Griner.
DId someone else hear a class bell ring?
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
On the first day
Of Spring Break Passover Break? Heck no.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
It's more of an after-school special today.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 27, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm just rubbing it in
I love getting Jewish holidays! No class until the Thursday after Easter.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Has it been this close all game?
Looking like both teams are fighting hard.
by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 27, 2010 1:30 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 27, 2010 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
At the moment, this feels like the Lady Vols about midseason.
A second half surge in a game that was closer than it should have been. Let’s see if it pans out.
If you haven’t seen the video from Yesterday from utsports.tv, go watch it ASAP. It’s great.
Love the swagger by the Vols after we won, especially from the guys like Swipa, Hall, and Goins.
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
Swipa's "HOW BOUT MY CHEERING?" was kind of awesome.
That, and Maze lifting Chism on his own.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 27, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah it was.
Love Swipa.
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
by bobo_the_vol on Mar 27, 2010 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I know
I feel like I should start worrying now, but Ithink I used it all up on the men.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice steal
Good block by Baylro though
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 1:39 PM EDT reply actions
Man, UT has been drawing fouls in a hurry lately.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Stricklen needs to hit her FTs this time
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 1:41 PM EDT reply actions
Griner's done a really good job shooting FTs today.
10-11.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Hardly.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 27, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
This is Baylor's last run.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Naw
Summit and the Baby Vols gonna step it up while I step out!
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
by bobo_the_vol on Mar 27, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it's over
How did this happen?
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Did they really just run the Axe shampoo commercial three times in a row
On one commercial break?
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 1:46 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah
They’re on a 16-1 run. How did we let this happen?
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think UT's taken a pure vertical shot in the last 5 minutes.
Nearly every shot is a fadeaway. If that happens – in any game – it’s asking for trouble. As much as I hate to say, it’s over.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Well, it's official
The men have gone farther in the NCAA Tournament than the Ladies. Has that ever happened before?
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 1:52 PM EDT reply actions
Rucker seems to think so, but I'm not sure when it happened.
Would’ve had to be pre-Summitt.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 27, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Since the start of the Women's NCAA Tournament, it can't have happened
The women have been to the Sweet 16 or farther every year except last year, but of course the men lost in the first round, too.
I agree with Rucker's disbelief
Pat has done a great coaching job with this team, and they were just coming together. Where on earth did this come from?
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 1:55 PM EDT reply actions
To be fair, Griner played out of her mind.
That, coupled with the bench scoring, was enough to do it for Baylor.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
I just hope Baylor does this to Duke/SDSU and UCONN as well
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 27, 2010 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
True
But those final eight minutes. Wow. Tennessee hadn’t had a stretch like that since the Stanford game (and before then, since last year).
by David Hooper on Mar 27, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
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