SEC Women's Basketball Championship: Tennessee Lady Vols vs. Kentucky Wildcats
by David Hooper on Mar 7, 2010 4:00 PM EST
in Lady Vols Basketball
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PrintTIME: 6:30 PM EST
TV: ESPN2
INTERNET: ESPN360
RADIO / INTERNET RADIO: LADY VOLS NETWORK
| Position | Name | Experience | Height | PPG | RPG | APG | |
 |
G | Angie Bjorklund | Jr | 6-0 | 14.3 | 2.8 | 2.7 |
| G | Alicia Manning | So | 6-1 | 5.2 | 4.8 | 2.2 | |
| F | Alyssia Brewer | So | 6-3 | 10.3 | 5.8 | 0.9 | |
| G-F | Shekinna Stricklen | So | 6-2 | 12.5 | 6.0 | 3.8 | |
| C | Kelley Cain | So | 6-6 | 10.2 | 7.6 | 0.7 | |
 |
G | A'dia Mathies | Fr | 5-9 | 13.2 | 4.8 | 2.4 |
| F | Victoria Dunlap | Jr | 6-1 | 17.6 | 8.4 | 1.2 | |
| G | Amber Smith | Jr | 5-6 | 9.7 | 2.7 | 4.3 | |
| G | Keyla Snowden | So | 5-7 | 6.2 | 0.8 | 0.3 | |
| G | Amani Franklin | Sr | 5-11 | 7.5 | 6.6 | 0.5 |
Could it really be any other way?
Tennessee and Kentucky have formed a great rivalry on the men's side of the ball. With Pearl having brought Tennessee into national prominence and Calipari having become the gasoline so casually tossed onto a well-lit fire, the two fanbases are primed for a roundball border war.
In women's basketball, the roles are reversed; Tennessee is the longstanding legacy powerhouse while Kentucky is the upstart. In fact, Kentucky's last (and only) trip to the SEC finals was in 1982 and this year's squad was picked to finish 11th in the conference during the preseason. Matt Mitchell earned his coach of the year honors by transforming the forgotten pack into a rather exciting group of players who are now the SEC's best hopes at stopping the Summitt juggernaut.
The key to Kentucky's success (and, by extention, to stopping them) centers around two players.
Victoria Dunlap is the unquestioned leader of the team. The junior forward is the interior presence of the Wildcats and leads the team in points, rebounds, and is second in minutes played. Everything on their offense ultimately runs through her. (The only other Wildcat over 6 feet tall who gets significant minutes is Lydia Watkins, a 6'-1" forward who gets about 16 minutes a game.) To see Dunlap's importance to the team, look at their semifinal matchup on Saturday: against Mississippi State, Dunlap had a dismal first half with only four points; Kentucky trailed the Lady Bulldogs 35-24. In the second half, Dunlap scored over 10 points before the first media timeout and Kentucky outpaced MSU 52-30 to win the game.
Shut down Dunlap, and you shut down Kentucky.
Dunlap's safety valve is hotshot freshman A'dia Mathies - a 5'-9" guard with a lot of athletic ability and a knack for playmaking. Mathies is the team leader in minutes played and is the heart of Kentucky's perimeter offense. If Dunlap is double-teamed, Mathies is the one who breaks loose for three-point shots or for penetration off the dribble. The combination of Dunlap and Mathies make up the 1-2 punch in Kentucky's offense that has propelled them to the championship game.
Unfortunately for Kentucky, Tennessee appears primed to handle their two best players. The interior force of Kelley Cain, Alyssia Brewer, and Glory Johnson has thus far been unstoppable for the SEC. Likewise, Alicia Manning and Glory Johnson have shown the intensity and aggressiveness needed to shut down an opponent's top perimeter player. Can Kentucky break through Summitt's formidable defense? Likewise, can they disrupt Tennessee's very potent offense?
GO LADY VOLS!
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Pregame: all about Victoria Dunlap.
Y’all keep it up.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Also, Glory Johnson doesn't exist anymore per ESPN.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 6:36 PM EST up reply actions
Should be a good one, I'd hope.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 6:40 PM EST up reply actions
Ouch, two early on Cain.
Not even at the under-4 – get ready for a diet of Glory Johnson and Alicia Manning.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
It's always fun to break a press.
(plus, Glory Johnson is pretty good)
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
It's like Kentucky forgets Stricklen is a converted 2.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Glory Johnson re-emerged for a bit.
Foul trouble is looking like it’ll rear its head, as both Cain and Johnson have 2. We’ll be seeing a lot of Spani, Manning, and Brewer.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 6:55 PM EST up reply actions
BTW: rebounding. It matters.
12-3 edge on the boards for Tennessee so far.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
I actually like Kentucky's gameplan.
Trap whenever possible and force UT to make tougher passes than they’re comfortable with. The only problem is they’ve given up some serious bunnies in the process.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
If someone can explain to me how Bjorklund committed that first foul, I'd appreciate it.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
BTW, Spani made a FG at 8:47.
I bring this up because Cara Capuano is convinced UT hasn’t made a FG in 9 minutes.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
The Ladies' offense looks frantic.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
This isn't typical.
Kentucky’s suckered them into playing fast – which Tennessee can do, but it’s not where they’re best.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 7:13 PM EST up reply actions
Kamiko Wiliams is growing up in a hurry.
Now, about that A/TO ratio…
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Look at the shot quality.
They’re not getting good looks on most of those shots – bad arcs; it almost looks like they’re trying to draw fouls or something.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 7:19 PM EST up reply actions
They're using a "shoot as soon as you find an open spot" strategy, which ...well, they're better than that.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 7:20 PM EST up reply actions
Vicki Baugh(!) sighting
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
ACL tear, I believe.
She was just on the bench. (hoop would know more than I would)
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 7:24 PM EST up reply actions
Aside from the boards, that couldn't have gone much worse.
Still, Tennessee’s up 35-29 – this pace favors Kentucky heavily. They’ve really controlled the flow of play and kept Tennessee out of their preferred offense. The defense looks ….decent; Kentucky’s getting good enough looks but the key is they’re only getting one look most of the time. That’s why the ladies aren’t down by 8.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Cain and Johnson in the interior to open the second half.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Cain just equalizes fouls on Dunlap.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 7:39 PM EST up reply actions
Well, at least they're calling it evenly.
Stricklen charged there.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 7:51 PM EST up reply actions
Just got back from dinner
I’m seeing negative things here. What’s up?
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 7, 2010 7:49 PM EST up reply actions
Kentucky's dictating pace and the ladies just don't look good right now at all.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, we're losing
That’s one thing that’s up I guess.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 7, 2010 7:50 PM EST reply actions
But watch how they're pursuing. Constant double-teams.
Tennessee needs to get better with pass …well, pass protection. Too many turnovers from errant passes that didn’t need to be errant.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 7:52 PM EST up reply actions
It's been an issue all season.
Some games are better than others; I’ll leave it as an exercise for the viewer where this game falls on the scale.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 7:53 PM EST up reply actions
Amber Smith picks up her 4th.
Next: Dunlap’s third, please?
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Nope, Mathies' second.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 7:53 PM EST up reply actions
She needs a few more inches on her vertical to dunk that
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 7:57 PM EST up reply actions
Big three by Stricklen there
(also, that runout by Glory Johnson? That’s why I want her to figure out her talents; she’s the most talented player on the court once she figures that out)
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
How have they been outrebounding us this half?
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 7, 2010 7:59 PM EST reply actions
Better timing and some threes, basically.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 8:00 PM EST up reply actions
On both teams right now.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 8:03 PM EST up reply actions
Man, this is not Cara Capuano's night.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Okay, THAT was a bailout call.
That was pretty bad.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Glory's 3rd?
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 8:07 PM EST up reply actions
All I'll say on it:
“that” implies something happened.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 8:07 PM EST up reply actions
Point taken
At least in the ordinary language. I was trying to use “that” to denote a state of affairs. . . I apologize. I just got back from a philosophy conference.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 7, 2010 8:08 PM EST up reply actions
I used it in a similar context above
but “that” in my case referred to the call, not to anything Glory Johnson did or didn’t do.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 8:09 PM EST up reply actions
Well, strictly speaking it was over-and-back....
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 8:11 PM EST up reply actions
Kids: Kamiko is on toinght.
We haven’t seen this before.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
The 3kinna was her first assist, but two steals against no TOs yet.
Not to mention 8 points and 5(!) boards.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 8:13 PM EST up reply actions
If we turn it over 15 times, we won't beat UCONN or Stanford
Isn’t it strange how different our worried counterfactuals are with the women’s and men’s teams?
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 7, 2010 8:13 PM EST reply actions
The performance tonight won't get the ladies to the Final Four.
But this isn’t their best work.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 8:14 PM EST up reply actions
I know it isn't
But it’d still get us to the Elite Eight.
I was just thinking about how when we were disappointed with the guys (against Arkansas), we said that the performance won’t win a game in the tournament. With the women, we say it won’t win more than three.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 7, 2010 8:16 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah.
It’s the weight of expectations. On the plus side:
- we know the ladies can play much better than this.
- this is a neutral site game.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 8:19 PM EST up reply actions
Also, the ladies are 14-17 from the line.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 8:35 PM EST up reply actions
Dunlap with the foul
Is that three? Or four? I guess three since they didn’t make a big deal out of it.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 7, 2010 8:19 PM EST reply actions
It's three.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 8:20 PM EST up reply actions
Same move as her missed layup from before.
I think Glory needs a higher degree of difficulty to make shots.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 8:21 PM EST up reply actions
Example: that offensive board.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 8:22 PM EST up reply actions
I think Glory's just working on a hesitation move for a layup.
Can she work on it in practice, please?
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
I've been more impressed with Kamiko, to be honest.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 8:24 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I haven't seen the whole thing
But Stricklen has made some great plays since I turned it on.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 7, 2010 8:31 PM EST up reply actions
Kentucky has a giant folder marked "Learning Experience"
Being that one starter in this game is a senior, methinks we’ll be seeing this bunch again with titles on the line.
Likely, but hopefully the ladies have the same folder.
They have one more senior starter than the ladies do.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 8:29 PM EST up reply actions
If they ever establish the necessary consistency and culture up there
Kentucky could hang around for a long time in women’s basketball…but yeah, our inexperience has a little more raw talent mixed in
Capuano nearly gave me a heart attack.
Two “fouls” on Glory Johnson would’ve just been too much.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Wow
A 10 point lead with 90 seconds should’ve been over. But perhaps it isn’t.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 7, 2010 8:32 PM EST reply actions
In a callback to last year:
Baby’s First Championship. But this is most definitely not last year’s team.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Like ETSU did
It’d be a heck of a year for East Tennessee.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 7, 2010 8:41 PM EST up reply actions
Holly Rowe: Do you deserve a number 1 seed?
Pat Summitt: Absolutely! What do you think?!
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 7, 2010 8:40 PM EST reply actions
I was hoping for Pat to stare her down, but that was pretty entertaining all the same.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 7, 2010 8:41 PM EST up reply actions
That was pretty lame.....lol......Pat should have gone Billy Gillispie on her.....lol
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
great game folks......we just didnt have enough gas....or height......congrats
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
we actually did a women's game blog.......1st one.....maybe we can challenge ol Pat
for a while anyway……
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
Thanks
As we were talking about earlier, you have the pieces in place to hang around and be a major player for a long time. Good game.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 7, 2010 8:46 PM EST up reply actions
much appreciated....I hope the new recruits and some more size inside will be more help
next year….you guys are as big in the women’s team as we are on the mens side…..I think if you get UCONN into a head game you might have a shot at them.
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
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