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January 3, 2012
Knoxville, TN 7:00 PM EST TV: SportSouth / Lady Vols Network Internet Audio: Lady Vols Network Live Stats: GameTracker |
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8-3 |
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8-3 |
On paper, this is another game everybody expects the Lady Vols to win. Perhaps the two most interesting storylines are that they'll meet old teammate Faith Dupree, who transferred to Chattanooga after barely arriving at Tennessee, and that this game is sandwiched between the first two SEC games of the season. It's yet another tournament prep built into the schedule (whether by design or by incidence) that will test their resolve when they play Georgia on Thursday, but today is about focusing on the present and not allowing an in-state opponent to surprise them in a trap game.
| Position | Name | Experience | Height | PPG | RPG | APG | |
|
G | Meighan Simmons | So | 5-10 | 11.3 | 2.7 | 1.9 |
| F | Glory Johnson | Sr | 6-2 | 13.9 | 8.9 | 1.2 | |
| PG | Ariel Massengale | Fr | 5-7 | 6.4 | 2.8 | 4.8 | |
| G-F | Shekinna Stricklen | Sr | 6-2 | 16.5 | 6.6 | 1.6 | |
| F | Alicia Manning | Sr | 6-1 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 1.8 | |
|
F | Whitney Hood | Sr | 6-2 | 11.8 | 6.7 | 1.4 |
| G | Kayla Christopher | Jr | 5-9 | 10.9 | 3.1 | 2.4 | |
| G | Kylie Lambert | Jr | 5-11 | 10.5 | 7.3 | 1.5 | |
| F | Taylor Hall | So | 6-1 | 9.4 | 8.6 | 1.6 | |
| G | Tenisha Townsend | Sr | 5-6 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 2.1 |
(Commentary by Chris.)
After the Ladies dominated Auburn on the road, I feel a bit better now about their chances. Granted, it's just Auburn, but it's still a good sign. Good teams act like good teams, no matter when. Meanwhile, UT-Chattanooga? At home, no less? This just screams massacre, and there's not much that can be done about it. Win huge on the road when you're supposed to win huge and you'll get the benefit of the doubt. Simple, ain't it?
Vicki Baugh is still struggling to acclimate herself, but she should enjoy a height advantage, which is a neat plus when she comes off the bench (looks like Manning gets the start again, which is great. It also probably bears further discussion, too, but that's for another time). As far as the rest goes, rotation will be big - not for tonight, but for down the road. Georgia and Kentucky are coming up soon. Look for a Manning, Stricklen, and Massengale-fueled early burst and plenty of rest in the second half. Ideally, this should be put to bed by halftime. Last year was a 104-40 beat down; I don't think it'll be quite that easy unless Simmons finds her touch (hint: I don't think that), but it'll still get ugly fast.
Chris: 93-42, Ladies. Bass in at 10 minutes in the first half.
Hooper: 88-53 Ladies. Bass in at the under-8 media timeout of the first half.
0 recs | 131 comments
Ah, Mickey.
It’s been a while, sir.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Per Dean, we're going to see some trapping.
Hopefully it’ll go better than the last few times.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
It will.
But whether that means anything regarding better opponents is a different story.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Who was that who dunked in that intro screen?
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Missed it.
In a related story, will be back and forth for probably the first 20 minutes (real-time, not game).
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
k
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Spani out for two weeks means missing Georgia, Kentucky, Vandy, and maybe LSU.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
uhoh.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
I really wish we had a shotclock on the screen.
I have a feeling the trap will be far more effective next year when the 10 second rule kicks in.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
$immons
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
$$immons
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Yeah, apparently I need to call her out in pregame more often.
I’m learning from the master.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
heh
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Ma$sengale
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Really good defense so far. A bit ragged on passing.
Johnson is in beast mode early.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
That said, the passes to the post are mostly working so far.
And some of the inside-out play has been terrific.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Baugh in at 12:32.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Ma$$engale.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Wow.
Massengale and Simmons all alone with the ball under their own basket. Ariel passes to Meighan. Missed layup.
I think I’ve heard this story before. /ugh
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
/piddle
(I actually missed this; I was picking up laundry.)
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Did you see the Johnson steal/layin?
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Missed it.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Johnson was guarding about 25 feet from the basket and tipped the ball away from the player.
Jumped over the girl to get to the ball and could have tried for a dunk if she wanted, but opted for the layup.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
That's happening this year, right?
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
It better.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
23-8 at the under-12. 4-4 from three.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
And Johnson is leading with 2 assists. (2 inside-out passes for threes.)
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
This is unfair.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Bass is in. 9:10 in the first.
I think we split that one.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
I was so close, too.
Actually, kind of nailed the opening to this game, minus the Simmons-ishness.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
You tend to be better at that than me.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
The "Game Flow" on GameTracker is, um, interesting.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
countdown to liftoff.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
KAMIKO!
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
WOO!
That was unexpected.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
We had BassWatch,
no idea we needed KamikoVision™.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
5 seconds in, 1 rebound and 2 points.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
And a steal and a turnover.
Stat hog, that.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Happy to be back, it would seem.
I wasn’t at the computer when she subbed in and I heard the crowd roar. I was confused, since Bass was already in.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
So theories:
- this team is much better with Ariel starting.
- this team needs Manning in the starting five.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Seems so.
We may find out on Thursday.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Ummmmmm ...pace?
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Gimme a sec.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
102-25
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Instantaneous pace when I asked that question:
undefined.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Had Chattanooga not scored when I was getting it, I would have said 102-8.
/shiftyeyes.gif
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
If Kamiko keeps up,
we can rotate Stricklen over to the wing to cover the absence of Spani, and let Williams handle the rotation with the guards.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Yeah, Kamiko playing means the rest of this game is worth watching.
That being said, I think Stricklen is better as a flex 3 than a spot-up wing shooter.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Insteresting halftime stat:
Who will have the most minutes?
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Well, Simmons, but she's only at 13.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Everyone between 7 and 13 minutes.
Yeah, that’s one way to keep everyone rested.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Bad traveling call.
She didn’t even take an extra step.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Yeah, but: score.
Not gonna get mad over that one.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
No, not mad.
Just observation.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Mickey, on the other hand...
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
<3 you, Mickey.
50-16 and he’s railing on a bad traveling call.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Halftime stats:
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Alternatively:
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
You could've just posted a big orange block, too.
…wait. THE LADIES ARE ONLY REBOUNDING 75% OF THEIR MISSES I DON’T KNOW IF THEY’RE READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
CLAAAAAAY
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Favorite stats of the half:
- bench scoring > UTC scoring
- non-run score: 20-16
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
So the 9 minutes most favorable to Chatt belong to the Ladies.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
It's even worse when you see blocks (5-0), steals (6-3), and assists (9-2).
Of course, it’s hard to get assists when you make 6 field goals.
… we have more assists than they have field goals.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
See, this is why I posted Elmo for the halftime stats.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Elmo has a good X supplier.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Men's swim coachJohn Trembley just got canned...
Hart has his work cut out for him.
It was for “gross misconduct”, whatever that means.
Caban - January 3, 2012
I heard he was fired on the radio
but hadn’t heard any details.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Yeah, I saw Rucker's tweet.
I’m gonna guess that gets ugly, but we may not hear about it.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
His page on utsports...
is already gone.
Got a feeling it’s definitely going to be something nasty.
Caban - January 3, 2012
Jojhnson and Harrison both on pace for double-doubles
with 11 and 9 minutes, respectively.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Okay, so if Kamiko's healthy, we have a Death Star again.
Also, this is what good teams do to bad teams at home.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
I've been waiting for a game like this.
Hence why my guess was closer than yours.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
I'm also thisclose to writing off UGA as a 15-point win.
This team is so good at home.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Alternative, disturbing followup:
Baylor is absurdly good.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Second follow-up:
I turn into Will in a hurry once I see the pieces in place.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Both are valid.
Baylor was at full strength. Tennessee wasn’t. And Tennessee lost that game more than Baylor won it. And Baylor is absurdly good.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Regardless, not sure I want them again.
Well, I’d want them again under one circumstance: you-know-who after.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Part of me wants to be in you-know-who's bracket
to keep them out of the Final Four, period.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
To preserve that record, too?
I can get behind this.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
If we were going to postgame this, I'd have started writing around the 8 minute mark.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Yeah, not gonna bother.
After Georgia makes more sense.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Only for Miko coming back.
Which: hey look, 2-deep at guards while keeping Stricklen at the 3!
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Alternatively:
Rotation by platoon. Team A and Team B.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Mickey has questionable pronunciation of "bench".
I heard “Tennessee’s b***h outscored Chattanooga’s b***h 21-6”.
o.O
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Can I just fast-forward to when Kamiko comes back in?
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
KamikoVision: 12 minutes to go.
;-)
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
AAAH THAT WAS IT :(
I think she bailed out halfway up.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Agreed.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
WOW. Mickey backed off the criticism due to the scoreboard.
Mayans were right.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Should we just give the breadsticks to Kamiko and call that?
I hadn’t heard anything about her being back.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Sounds good.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
And I hadn't heard anything either. Even Mickey sounded a bit surprised.
A tune-up for Georgia, I believe.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
12-14 from the charity stripe so far.
Who is this team?
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Okay, I could use a little bit of defense.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
These refs are a bit touchy.
Both sides.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Glory has 12 boards and 10 points.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Ma$$$engale.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Please Ariel don't hurt 'em.
Sheesh.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Let's see if Kamiko comes in now.
Either way, I anticipate several subsitutions and several starters to take their bow.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Johnson's done for the day, I'm sure.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Yup.
I suspect Massengale’s only getting a couple more minutes; Stricklen might make it to the 6.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
It's time to pull her.
It’s like she’s tired.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Yeah, I think she's got to the under-8 and Bass is in.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
HOW DO I BASKETBALL?
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Bass checking in at the next stop.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
ERRYBODY ON THE COURT GET DERPY
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
They had too much of whatever Elmo was having.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
I think CPS joked(!) that they needed to give her something to mad about.
Mission accomplished!
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
That's twice now that the Lady Vols knocking the ball OOB has resulted in the Lady Vols getting the ball.
Two shotclock violations – one on an inbounds and one on a shot block.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
A misleading...
statistic I just found.
It took the Lady Vols 5 seasons of playing basketball to record their first win.
Caban - January 3, 2012
Heh.
I’d love to hear more of that one.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Also...
does anyone own a good telescope?
I want to buy, but am a bit clueless.
I also want to attempt to MAKE one in the future.
Caban - January 3, 2012
I can't help you.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Nope, unfortunately.
Probably would freak my neighbors out, though.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Ba$s
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
BA$$!
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
DEFENSE!
Come on, you only have five more points to give.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Four points.
Come on.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
This is close.
Too close.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
And yes, it's come down to rooting for my score.
And Kamiko. Plus seeing if Bass can break double-digits.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
:-(
aw.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
The nice thing about starting Manning
is that you don’t have 5 players expecting to take the shot every possession.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Ba$$$!
Who knew there was another three-point specialist off the bench?
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
90-47 final.
We split that as well.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
I'll let you have it on grounds of the differential.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
oh,
;-)
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Future programming.
I can set up the Georgia thread, but I may attend that one. Haven’t decided yet.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Atmosphere should be good if you can make it.
Hey Joel: can you get Hoop a press pass? ;-)
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
Hey, Bud's gone.
Anything is possible. ;-)
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
Well, I'm out.
’night all.
David Hooper - January 3, 2012
See ya.
Chris Pendley - January 3, 2012
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