ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands - Tennessee was served a heaping helping of Georgetown's defense and the Hoya's Sugar Saturday night.
Neither one went down very well.
Led by Sugar Rodgers' 28 points and relentless pressure, the determined Hoyas pulled off a 69-58 upset of the No. 4 Lady Vols at the Paradise Jam.
Tennessee (6-1) committed 29 turnovers and never led, trailing by as many as 17 points in the second half against the No. 12 Hoyas (5-1).
Glory Johnson had 13 points and Meighan Simmons added 10 for Tennessee. As if the loss didn't hurt enough, guard Shekinna Stricklen tumbled to the court with a 1:01 left and had to be taken off on a stretcher.
After a listless performance in losing to Missouri on Friday, Georgetown was back in form from the start against UT.
The Hoyas struck their first blow from long range. They connected on four of their first eight 3-pointers in bolting to a 16-9 lead.
Most of the damage, though, was done with an aggressive defense. The Hoyas played primarily in a zone alignment but were trapping on the perimeter. They often extended their defense to halfcourt, too.
Whatever the strategy, Georgetown's aggression had the Lady Vols hemorrhaging turnovers. If they weren't rushing into mistakes, they were throwing ill-advised passes that were gobbled up by Georgetown's defenders.
Tennessee's turnover total corresponded nicely with Georgetown's lead. Both were in double figures before halftime.
A Rodgers' 3-pointer gave the Hoyas a 23-13 lead and gave Tennessee its largest deficit of the season. It eventually reached 11 points before UT made a semblance of a stand before the break. It didn't look like a stand, though, not with 6-foot-6 center Kelley Cain tumbling to the floor and doing a full roll-over after a loose-ball scramble.
Dan Fleser covers UT Lady Vols basketball. He may be reached at 865-342-6288. Follow him at http://twitter.com/fleserKNS and http://blogs.knoxnews.com/fleser/
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Comments » 64
dwa7#337691 writes:
oh well..........we need to regroup.
Go L Vols
freestyle writes:
I didn't get to see the game. I hate the lady vols didn't win. It will be a lot of negative comments posted on here. ESPECIALLY ON YAHOO SPORTS.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Tough loss! Pat said the team just wasn't ready to play and lacked leadership when things got tough. This team is still young overall but they are not inexperienced. I didn't get onto the broadcast until the game was nearly over, but I think Pat said Angie only had one shot in the second half. Pat said Angie has to DEMAND the ball, but shame on the rest of them if they weren't looking for her.
Glory Johnson continues to impress. Not only is she getting better all the time as a player, she is very engaging and articulate in her interviews. However, even she had her low moments tonight with seven turnovers. The whole team treated the ball like it was radioactive, with 29 turnovers.
Gotta hope Shekinna isn't seriously injured, but it didn't sound good that they had to take her off the court on a stretcher! Oh, well, back to the drawing boards. No reason why this can't still be a great season, if Shekinna doesn't miss the rest of it, of course!
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
Ouch! This one really hurts because the team was outplayed at every turn of the game, except rebounds. Too many turnovers, bad passes after bad passes. Lady vols got completely outhustled tonight. Georgetown got the loose balls, got the deflections, the steals, and I have to give them props on a well played game. They had a game plan and they executed it. Props to their coach, she did a good job tonight with her team. Nothing worked for the lady vols, nothing! The players seem to get scared when they face a ranked opponent. It is one thing to beat unranked programs, but you have to be ready to play against the ranked one's as well.
I have never seen so many turnovers in one game. The same players making the same mistakes over and over. The players dribbling right into Georgetown's traps. And they paid for it! Stricklen still has jitters against ranked programs running the point. Georgetown did nothing different than Georgia Tech, both pressed the lady vols,but it seems to me because Georgetown was ranked, they crumbled. That number beside a teams name always seem to get to them.
Lady vols shot too many jump shots tonight and not enough passes to the post. None of their shots were really falling, and they kept throwing them up. They passed up open short jumpers at times. They made so many mistakes tonight, can't even list them.
wigmeister writes:
OOPS!!!!
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
I sure hope Stricklen is ok! She went down pretty hard. Hurtful sight to see. I want to give Glory and Simmons a congrats on their awards, and making the tournament team. Well deserved for both of them.
LdyVolFaninKS writes:
I watched the whole game. The Lady Vols came out very uninspired. Hopefully this was just due to fatigue early on in the season and they will learn to adjust to it as the season goes on.
Shekinna hit the floor very hard. There was only one camera angle and we couldn't see very well, but looked to me like she landed on her back. The commentators were saying she landed on her side. Either way, they put her on a backboard, hopefully just as a precaution.
I thought Vicki played a little anxious, but it looked to me like she was moving very well. It sure would be nice to see her play through the season healthy.
Angie...I'm not going to comment. It just wasn't her night. Sure do wish she would step up a little more as our senior leader.
Glory...WOW!! Keep doing the dirty work girl!
Kamiko...???
Simmons...it's going to be a fun 4 years watching this one mature into a great Lady Vol!
I'm not going to be overly critical of their play tonight. It was just one of those games where the other team couldn't miss and we couldn't find the basket. I do have to give props to the Georgetown defense...they were quick and always seem to be on the ball. We do need to find a solution to the half court trap...GT killed us with it!
Vol72 writes:
This was really a tough game to watch. You can tell the Lady Vols were really tired. Some of the turnovers were forced, while some were just because of a lack of effort and focus. I really think that Glory Johnson and Meighan Simmons will lead this team. They are the only two that continue to play with great intensity. They are really in need of a "true" point guard. When other teams see how they responded to Georgetown swarming 1-2-2 zone pressure, the Lady Vols can expect pressure every game from teams with a lot of depth. I think that Kamiko Williams deserve more playing time. While in the game, she would dribble right through the pressure and score. She should be the pg in my opinion. Why keep playing 2-3 zone agaisnt Georgetown when they were continually stroking three-pointers?
BleedsOrangeinMO writes:
Pink I agree with your posts.
I watched the game and Pat did not call a time out (that I do not understand)
and seldom was she or any asst. coach "yelling at the players" in an attempt to change what was happening. Wow, I guess we just were not really but why weren't we? Too much fun in the sun?
The same players constantly made the same poor passes and GT just stepped in and took them the other way. So many things wrong I can't count them and I'm a math major!!! Best case is that the girls learn from this and it does not happen again. GT had a great game plan and it helped to shoot 60% from 3 point range. Maybe they can beat UCONN????
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
I don't know what Angie can do when she is defended heavily. She can demand the ball all she wants too, but the way teams are defending her, she can either take a contested three, or do the wise thing, and pass it. Granted she made mistakes, and passed up some open shots, but the team as a whole made mistakes tonight. They did not set one screen that I can remember! And that zone defense against Georgetown did not work. Sugar shot that to pieces, and so did McNutt! Georgetown found the kinks in that zone, and the backdoor.
Vol72 writes:
Kamiko may have made some mistakes, but she didn't play scared. I agree the way they came out as if they knew they were gonna win. I think that Vicki Baugh will get better as she gets more reps. Angie shot was a little off, but she kept dribbling straight into the traps! They are going to have to go back to the drawing boards and refocus on the basics like sharp passing, post entries, and shot selection. Please learn some kind of full-court press break, instead of passing the ball side to side. Need a zone offense and quit jacking up 3s. All in all the rebounding was the most impressive.
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
I thought Vicki moved pretty well. She has not gotten all of her skills back yet, but with some playing time they will come back to her. She is still a bit rusty, but she showed glimpses tonight of the old Vicki. She just needs more time on the court to get back to playing form. Kelly needs to work on receiving the pass from guards, who in turn needs to learn how to make them. She fumbles with the ball too much and keeps it low, and the opposing guards snatch it. She needs to keep it high! In the past few games, this is something that I have noticed. Nothing a little work can't fix.
go_vols writes:
We're just not ready for prime time. Pat said our team was not ready and lacked leadership. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was her job to get the team ready and choose captain to run the team on the floor. Just wondering. Maybe she'll again kick them out of their locker room to teach them not to lose.
HanQ7 writes:
This is a prime example of what I posted last night, Lady Vols can't take ANY team lightly. I don't care if they playing the worst team in America. They are suppose to give that same effort no matter who they play. They played very timid tonite, and got a rude eye opener. If they go down to Texas in a couple of weeks playing like they played last night...... Texas and Baylor will have a field day. Personally, I think they should win every game b/c they have the talent and the pieces to do so. OAN: Vicki showed glimpses of greatness and she will be back going strong in a matter of games and with Brewer back soon...... LOOK OUT AMERICA! Oh well we lost, lets chase this Championship! Go LADY VOLS
HanQ7 writes:
I agree 100%, I don't know what was up with them being scared. Everybody knows that teams get up and bring their A game when the Lady Vols roll into town. That goes for the best to the worst of teams. I think another thing is that the gaurds are not getting the post players the ball after they've worked hard to get great post position. Glory and Vicki were posting up really hard and the gaurd just kept passing the ball amongst each other thus running down the shot clock. I've seen this over a few games this season.
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
You know HanQ7, I can accept a loss. I live in the real world and know that no team will win every game. But the losses I can't accept are losses like this, where no effort or desire was shown to win. They got behind and panicked. Glory and Vicki posted really hard, and I think Glory said something to Stricklen about it coming down the court after Stricklen looked right in there at her and threw the ball to Angie. That is a lack of guard skills. Granted Stricklen has done a good job at it, but you can see the difference in a guard that leads her team, and one that is doing it because she was appointed. It is not the same. I noticed one time during the game when Stricklen came down the court and picked up her dribble,but she was looking the opposite direction of their basket. Lack of guard knowledge. You want to advance the ball, not throw it away from the basket.
The funny thing is, a press is not hard to break, when you are confident. All it takes is a series of good passes, not sloppy lazy passes. And if you look under the basket, which they rarely do, you will find an open player, or at least she will be in a one on one situation. I saw Cain in that scenario at least a few times when she was in the game. They missed her! A few others as well were missed. A quick cut to the basket everytime will beat that press.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
Not too worried.
We are no UConn yet, but we know that.
You can bet that we will play hard against the big dogs we face.
ladivolfan writes:
Better to get the loss over with before Christmas than after.
nola_vol writes:
Since communication and floor leadership have been points-of-emphasis from the coaching staff, I wonder if CPS hadn't already decided to let them "sink or swim" the next game they got in trouble.
Didn't see the game, but it sounds like they got a vivid lesson in what happens when they don't communicate and when no one on the floor takes control.
QUESTION: Usually, when the shots aren't falling, the LVs generate offense in transition by turning up the defensive pressure. It doesn't sound like that happened last night. Can anyone who saw the game comment?
freestyle writes:
Just ask Pink.
deckermoss writes:
I wanted to come on and express my opinion, but it looks like Pink has done it for me already. We need a point guard, we need a leader, and we need players who are passionate about the game. We have taken players and forced them into roles that do not fit. Angie is a shooting guard. Nothing bad about that, but that is what she is. Shekina, who I pray is ok, is not a point guard. Brianna may not be the smartest player on the team, but at least she knows to take off and dribble down the court. I would much rather have her bringing the ball down and making a few mistakes then have all the mistakes our non-point guards are making.
Glory, Vickie, and Meghan are the only ones who look like they are excited about playing game-after-game. These are the same exact problems we have had from day one three years ago, and not much has changed.I don't know if I can take two more years from these juniors. When you need a freshman to come in and fire up the team, there is something wrong.
I have questioned Pat's decision making the last three years, but now I think she has just accepted the fact that she has tried her best but she cannot play for them. She cannot revoke all there scholarships so maybe she is riding it out until she gets some players who want to play the game. Thanks for listening. I feel much better.
TKO writes:
seems like a different year and the same excuses.
richvol writes:
I do not hope that Strick is hurt but the injury may be enough to let Simmons or Williams take over the point permanently. Strick is out of position at point and does not do a good job of getting the ball to Cain or whoever is playing post. She is a 3 or 4 and that's where she needs to stay.
Angie needs to shoot off of screens and stop this infernal dribbling...the inside game would be much better with inside out 3 point shooting and Glory posting up. She has such great leaping ability it would be easier to toss it into her,let them sag and then push it out to a three point shooter or dish to Cain for a layup.
UT still needs an offensive coach...badly.
LdyVolFaninKS writes:
There was zero defensive intensity on the Lady Vols part. I think most of it was because everything GT put up went in so we got very frustrated. I think one of the 3-pointer's they shot was practically from out of bounds and it fell. GT just had one of those great shooting nights. Plus, they were much quicker on offense than we were on defense.
freestyle writes:
So, what was it? Fatigue,poor shooting, mental toughness,lack of quickness, not willing to defend, no leadership on the floor, players out of position, overrated or what? PLEASE EXPLAIN????
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
It was all of those things you mentioned freestyle. I watched the game also, but it seems like eveyone else has already covered it.
I am always positive, but I must say, that has to be the worst game they have played in the past 3 years or more. Yes, it was THAT bad.
go_vols writes:
I agree with your assessment. Enough already with all the excuses. What is it this time? All of the above you mentioned. In addition, it doesn't appear our players are progressing compared to other teams and that's the coaches responsibility. Pat put this team together, problem is there're simply not that good. Everyone, get ready for a long season of misery.
BleedsOrangeinMO writes:
Mike, Don't mind your comments however, please don't be a smart azz. Yes the Big East is tough, the Lady Vols already defeated one of them this year in their brand new house. By the way, what power house did UCONN play this weekend?
98reax writes:
Two more things I am thankful for. We are not ucon and we have NO fans like mike.
[[[ LdyVolFaninKS writes: ....... I think most of it was because everything GT put up went in so we got very frustrated. I think one of the 3-pointer's they shot was practically from out of bounds and it fell. GT just had one of those great shooting nights. Plus, they were much quicker on offense than we were on defense.]]]
This is it in a sentence or two. Notice, I did not cut & paste the first sentence of LdyVolFaninKS post. I believe they made an attempt. They simply ran into a buzz saw, one which lasted 40 minutes. It happens from time to time and it can be the best lesson that could be learned by the veterans on this team. They meandered thru 3 seasons, 4, for Angie and Syd, not taking on the responsibility of becoming leaders on the court and in the locker room. The valuable lesson hit home in the form of an unexpected beat-down.
The beat down did not happen to a team which was unprepared. It happened to a team overconfident. A team with little emotional support. They had their legs cut out from beneath them before they even knew they were standing, and they had no mental strength to get up.
Usually, the productive runs don't last all game long, nor do the nonproductive ones. This game was a freak. One to learn from and move away from. They will.
However, I don't like the deafening silence regarding Stricklin's injury. I hope, hope, hope she is not seriously injured.
freestyle writes:
It's funny we haven't seen Mike on here in 3 weeks. Since the lady vols didn't prevail in the tourney yesterday, here comes the pest. So of you should get on the yahoo sports website. The comments about Tenn. are ridiculous.
RoadTrip writes:
Agree fully. We know who did not recruit them. Glad DeMoss is back so they will recruit more players with team chemistry in mind.
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
I thought I read the score wrong.
Hmmm..........we blew out Missouri which had beaten Georgetown on Friday, then for whatever reason, didn't show up.
Now, as for you Mr. Troll........called Mike. You just happen to be another troll who goes to the trouble of finding a Vol site, then making an A** of yourself here.
Just a reflection of the jerk coach at U Conn........
a little guy who can't coach in the men's game.
Good bet is Vol fans have better things to do than waste their time reading or posting anything on U Conn's site, IF they even have one.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
Pretty obvious the girls took it for granted.
You don't see that is your issue, not mine.
SummittsCourt writes:
Pat will use game as a great teaching tool and I'm sure they will be much better moving forward. Go Lady Vols!
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
98,
I used to despise UConn's team...but not so much nowadays. Disliking Geno is anyone's right.
However, when I look back at the 'stars' or UConn, and their current roster, I don't see much for them to be ashamed of, certainly no more than us.
Maybe I'm just aging; I care a lot more about the players playing the game than I do about the coaches.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
Possibly; I have real doubts.
Like any other 'average' good team: we play up or down to what we THINK the competition is going to be.
My money says we will play any of the 'top' teams better than we play a 10-20 team.
Pat has a real struggle to not be too harsh, yet get the girls to kick butt every game.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
I have to LMFAO at you gloom and doomers. Hell, if anyone has been harsh at times, I have. Yet, to me, this loss is a 'nothing' except a great tool for Pat.
Do any of you deal with 18-22 year-old kids?? They don't have much memory for bad times. It's a blessing, but can be a curse at times. Well, Pat now has a cr@ppy loss to use for practice motivation.
BTW, did you like Pat's little twist at the rest of the team?? 'Angie needs to DEMAND the ball' translates to 'why in the hell didn't you guys get Angie the ball'??
Classic coaching there.
Some of ya might as well hang it up now if you can't stand the pains of watching this group develop this year.
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Exactly!
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
Glory's interview said it best! It was a lack of confidence. Some people folded.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
"look fool"???
Nice.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
Pretty much why Pat seeks out games where the team has to possibly battle and come from behind.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
Fair point about the Big East right now...I'm not real convinced the SEC is worth a damn other than 2-3 teams. Too much 'the same' all over the conference.
Less convinced that we won't be good or your crappy posts will hold up. You lucked against Baylor (Griner choking at her FT's), but I like what Samarie gave you that game.
kazoo writes:
I couldn't agree more about UT needing an offensive coach! Team offense and team passing have always been GLARING weaknesses of Summit teams. Stricklin is not a PG and never will be--she's a winger--and UT probably will NOT win the national title because they don't have a true PG, despite having a boatload of overall talent. Bjorklund is a catch and shoot player on offense--when she dribbles, bad things often happen. The way to beat a half-court trap is to make quick passes, get the ball to the basket and score. If you beat the perimeter trap, you have a numerical advantage and should score--but you have to have players who can finish.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
Finest post you have ever made.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Tennessee junior guard Shekinna Stricklen was fouled on a shot attempt with 1:01 left in the contest and took a hard fall. She was taken off on a stretcher as a precaution, and as a result of the fall suffered back spasms.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
We need another offensive minded post player like Johnson. Im mean Glory gets it done off. and def. but I believe Brewer is our player that will look to shoot almost everytime near the basket like she did in the SEC tourney last year. I believe Vicki is coming around. Cain worries too much about fouls. And a lot of it is getting them the ball. Good game to learn from before the ladies hit it hard with TX, Baylor, and Stanford because they will be ready to pounce. Not too worried about the SEC this year other than Kentucky. I think our pointguard didnt make the trip. I hope Avant is our PG answer.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
oh i hope its just back spasms too.
tonyvick#213307 writes:
Ahhh, it's just one game where they lost to the better team that night it will be different tomorrow. Everyone is over analyzing and think they are a much better coach than Pat. Go figure.
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
Just got finish watching Stanford and Texas, both look pretty good. I thought Stanford would be weak at the guard, they have a pretty good freshman guard that comes off the bench. Texas uses a four guard linueup and they are quick and good shooters, three point and pure jump shooters. Stanford was just too big for them, and cut them off at every drive they tried to make. The Ogwumike sisters can play. Tough duo to deal with under the basket. Give me Neka Ogwumike anyday to go to war with. Under the basket, she is a beast, and on the boards. Both will be tough, tough, tests for the lady vols. The Texas point guard from Troy Tennessee is tough as nails. That girl can flat out play and shoot for a freshmen. I think she is also leading Texas in scoring.
huntined#565710 writes:
No excuse for this loss.. Just a case of sorry play and sorry coaching..At half they must have read the news paper as they were the same in the second half as the first..
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