Tennessee had a brush with March Madness but survived Monday night.
Determined Marquette pursued the Lady Vols across 38 tense minutes before they finally shook free for a 79-70 victory in an NCAA women’s basketball tournament second-round game at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Led by freshman Meighan Simmons’ 18 points, Tennessee (33-2), the top seed in the Dayton Regional, advanced to a regional semifinal game Saturday against the Ohio State-Georgia Tech winner.
Angel Robinson scored 19 for Marquette (24-9), which still was lurking within six points inside the final two minutes.
Although Tennessee bolted to an early 10-2 lead, it became clear shortly thereafter that Marquette wasn’t going to dispatched quick so quickly or easily.
Led by guards McMorris and Robinson, the Golden Eagles stalked the Lady Vols across the first half. Even after UT opened a 23-15 lead on a long 3-pointer by Taber Spani, Marquette came back and pulled even at 30 on a long trey by Courtney Wiebel.
The biggest difference at halftime was UT’s 13 second-chance points, which reflected its 23-13 rebounding advantage.
The inside scoring covered for zero first-half points from Shekinna Stricklen and 1-for-7 shooting by Angie Bjorklund.
Dan Fleser covers Lady Vols basketball. He may be reached at 865-342-6288. Follow him at http://twitter.com/fleserKNS and http://blogs.knoxnews.com/fleser
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
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Comments » 86
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
The LV's better start hitting their posts.
yeah, we won, but not using our posts is just fricking stupid.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
BTW...
P#ss on Duke. That was so disappointing to watch Marist lose in the last 2 minutes after basically owning the game.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
Final...
fire Hamilton's sorry a##. Put Joan in charge.
This day just kinda sucks.
dwa7#337691 writes:
early predict:
Lady Vols 73
O State 70
huntined#565710 writes:
Won by 9 and that may end up being the HIGH for the day..Every game from here on out only get tougher...no more Stetson teams in this now..
stratocaster54 writes:
RE: Pat's Thoughts on Pearl's Firing
I thought Pat spoke volumes during the post-game interview when she left Hamilton out of the phase "I have full faith in the Chancellor and the President" to do the right thing and fire Mike!
stratocaster54 writes:
PS - Go Lady Vols!
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
3 pickup hardbody.
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
We had a chance to blow it open with the 12 point lead. Not sure who it was, but she came down, missed a 3 and Marquette rebounded, then hit their 3............6 point play essentially.
I'm here giving Marquette a lot of credit. However, I'm with Pat in questioning how we allowed M U to penetrate the paint and score, plus knowing which 3 point shooters were hurting us, we didn't defend those shots very well.
Nice to see Kelley hitting 2 free throws and rebounded nicely. I do wonder if the Bruce thing had any impact on the game.......maybe not.
The Stetson game may have spoiled them a bit, so from now on........be ready ! This may have been a good thing to have a close game before hitting the road.
SummittsCourt writes:
Great win! Many will think because we won by only 9 it wasn't. However if you look at it this way you may change your mind. After the cake walk with Stetson, the Lady Vols needed a close game to test them and keep them focused and humble.
Lets go Lady Vols!
Fire Mike Hamilton
Outdated writes:
Give Marquette credit..they were very well coached and played hard..The Lady Vols had a good team effort and excellent defense at the end of the game...
waldeen_hinson#435189 writes:
Congratulations to Pat and the Lady Vols!!
Great win!!
kazoo writes:
Good win against a good, TOUGH Marquette team. But this game really showed how UT's lack of quickness and mediocre guard play. We have NOBODY, except maybe Johnson, who can play man defense. Marquette's players were beating us to the ball and with quickness all night.
Second, while Simmons and Williams can score, our guard play on the whole is shaky. Simmons is not a good passer-simply not a point guard; that is very apparent. And Williams is not a very good defender. Marquette's guards were better than ours, but then we won't play two better guards than those two from Marquette.
And we also saw an issue that has contributed to two straight losses to Baylor--a quiet offensive game by Striklin. I don't think she scored in the first half. She had some good contributions late in the game, and had 10 rebounds, but she and Bjorklund struggled to make a mark on offense--and again, I think it comes back to lack of quickness.
All that said, we can and do throw a lot of people at opponents--and a lot of players contribute in different ways. Johnson was very good overall--didn't get a lot of help inside. Manning contributed nicely. Simmons did want she does best--score.
xvolx writes:
Too bad Baugh can't play more minutes. Williams can't play point and her defense is subpar. Strickland is too slow on defense against quick guards. Bj was taken out by good defense. Simmons is the real deal on offense, but she takes plays off on defense. I would use Avant against Ohio St.. We will have to use Cain, Baugh and Brewer against Ohio St.. We should go with Baugh, Johnson, Strickland, Simmons and Avant. Bring Bj in off the bench when they aren't looking for her. Williams should be playing small forward. I hope we have seen the last of the zone press.
ncvol17 writes:
Hamilton's doing a great job on the women's side..oh wait Joan is in charge there isn't she/
good luck to the lady vols, smooth waters outside the rapids of the men's mess.
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Is Brewer hurt again? I will give major props to Marquette. They played a great game, just glad we played a greater game! Great team effort. Simmons came out firing and had only 1 TO. Glory, Strick, and Manning played well too!
Yes, the games are gonna get tougher, and we need to be ready. Off to the Sweet 16! Way to go Lady Vols!
...on a side note, Fire Mike Hamilton, and Fire Jimmy Cheek.
Theo writes:
Unfortunately didn't get to see the game but not surprised it wasn't a cake walk. Marquette is loaded up with seniors who fight all night. Winning ugly is not a bad thing to bring a little more focus.
Go Lady Vols, take the buckeyes out.
Oh yea ........fire Hamilton,
SoddyVol writes:
Two thing that most stuck out to me was: 1}Marquette coaches had a good game plan with good game management. 2}Except for brief periods, Tenn played only Average defense. Tenn has enough athletic players with basketball skills to have won more easily. They better start playing with more mental concentration to make it to the championship game.
VolunteerLifer writes:
The play of the game was a defensive rebound Glory got very late in the game while Marquette was still threatening. One of their players came over her back and was called for her fifth foul, fouling out. Definitely a warrior's rebound.
If this game isn't played at home, its a loss. I'm still looking for a strong inside game aside from Glory Johnson, who was a beast tonite. We are vulnerable to quick guards who aggressively penetrate. Don't we have any guards who are defensive stoppers? And Kamiko Williams, who I think is a good player, showed me tonite that she is not a point guard. Without Shekkina and Glory and Manning battling so hard, this game is a loss. Right now, I don't see this team as final four material.
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
Congrats on the win! I thought Simmons was pretty good tonight. Kamiko made some awful mistakes! Kamiko defends to close,needs to step back a bit on quick guards like Marquette had. I thought Manning gave some really good minutes. Proud of her as well!
Marquette post outplayed Tennessee's post from tip to finish. That one post player for Marquette did some damage. Our post game was awful! Our defense was awful! The three point defense was awful! Marquette took advantage of it. Cain still missing layups! I thought Vicki should have gotten more playing time.
This small lineup I am not a fan of! It limits our post game. Vicki or Brewer will need to be there with Glory. Stricklen is not the answer in the post. She will pick up quick fouls in there or let her player shoot over her. You don't want to risk your best player in foul trouble trying to defend post players. Stricklen thrives on the wing anyway. She is limited in the post as far as her offense and what she can give the team. Stricklen was also missing and tentative the entire first half. It is tournament time. You have to come to play. There is no time for this. Marquette played a really good game. But I think the lineups used aided in how good they played as well. I personally would like to see Spani, not that she is not playing pretty good ball,but I would like Brewer or Vicki in her spot. Spani is not needed on the floor when you have Strick, Angie and Simmons out there. I would like to see a balanced team on the floor of players in their prospective positions. Our post players are really rusty from sitting so much!
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
I agree that Tenn has enough Athletic players with basketball skills to have won more easily. I think it is the lineups used that hinder this sometimes.
TennVol01 writes:
That was too close. Were the ladies upset over the firing of Bruce Pearl, as much as I was? Hamilton must go!! Are the higher ups at UT blind and deaf??
SummittsCourt writes:
Point guard help is coming next year. you'll see a freshman start almost right away next year at point guard. Until then, we have to accept the good and the bad and be happy there is a lot more good than bad. Never forget two years ago.
Also, if you'll notice the scoreboard, many higher seeded teams are struggling to win tonight. Look at Duke, Stanford was trailing minutes ago. It happens.
SummittsCourt writes:
Apparantly they are deaf, dumb and blind or they are simply ignoring the cries for mike hamilton's head.
go to his facebook page and send him a message - demand he resigns immediately. I did and will continue to do so until he resigns or shuts down his facebook page.
Vols7Twins writes:
way to go Lady Vols. When you make those one and ones down the stretch, You win.
TennVol01 writes:
Will do. Thanks.
tonyvick#213307 writes:
A nine point lead at the end of regulatiom is a win no matter where you are...duh
GOJO writes:
Once more Hamilton picked a heck of a time to make an announcement - - fodder for ESPN.
VolunteerLifer writes:
According to CPS, the point guard she has coming in will start right away. That means that right now she's better than any point guard we have. But it also means we'll have a true freshman running our team. I hope Lauren Avant can make progress this offseason and be ready to be an effective second at pg next year.
r2d2 writes:
I believe that CPS needs to let Alicia Manning start in place of Angie Bjorklund and let Kelley Cain start instead of Taber Spani. She also needs to play a zone defense more often to stop the dribble drive penetration in the paint. Both Bjorklund and Spani play better coming off the bench. The LVs would have lost this game if not for Meighan Simmons and Glory Johnson.
r2d2 writes:
The LVs will not beat Ohio State if they play like they did tonight.
kazoo writes:
It's astounding that Summitt has her pick of players every year but we don't have a decent point guard on the team--and really haven't had a good PG in years. (Bobbitt was pretty good but had to be pulled out of junior college ranks because....we didn't have a point guard. ) It will be doubly annoying if it costs UT a chance to win the title--as it very well might.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
theo...
replay on espn3.com if you have it.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
I've seen her play and she is about average.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
kazoo and xvolx...
some good comments, guys.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
kazoo...
she really DOES NOT get her pick...you'd be surprised at how many kids turn her down.
Some reasons:
-stay close to home
-don't like "defense-first"
-better academics
-don't want to move South
-don't mesh with the kids on their visit
-want to be the star
-want instant playing time
Those are just some reasons players might have for not coming to UT. Pat works very hard to get her recruits, trust me on that one. There aren't many who nowadays just say "ut, sure".
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
Final thought of the day...
I think the death of our men's program (trust me, it is dead. Fan since the 60's, and I know death when I smell it..buzz.....) may in some ways harm both football and the ladies.
Yes, we've weathered bad men's teams in the past, but the competition for talent was less. I live away from Tennessee now, but football and the men's game kept UT relevant in my area, and kept the Tennessee name out there.
Now?? Now, our football sucks, our men's bball just died...and so we have lost an advertising avenue and the 'aura' of university-wide excitement.
Ah, hell: Bruce couldn't handle success, and Hamlton needs to quit and focus on afican missions or whatever.
dammit to hell.
CoachFulmerFan writes:
Does anyone else, like me, think that the lineup CPS used during the SEC tournament was very effective?? It seemed like AB played very well coming off the bench. Maybe CPS considers this strategy again? What do you guys think about that??
Also, Hamilton and Cheek drove the death nail through the men's basketball program today. The NCAA, as far as I'm concerned, has lost all credibility. There seems to be no consistency in their rulings. They let other schools get away with all kinds of stuff, while throwing the book at a coach over what I think could be classified as secondary violations..
CoachFulmerFan writes:
Hey Dead Vol Foul Great points on why some ladies don't want to become Lady Vols, especially the "want to be a star" point. I think this was especially true of Elizabeth Williams, who chose Duke over Tennessee.
richvol writes:
Good win over an excellent team tonight. We would have lost that game last year and will lose going forward if we keep playing like that.
Why have Angie in the game if she's not hitting? She is a defensive liability. Manning should be getting 30 minutes with her abilities and smarts. Aside from a rebound now and then Cain is not accomplishing anything. Glory is far and away the best post. Baugh and Brewer can back her up. Simmons played exceptional tonight and Williams had two turnovers in a row but can score...she also has offense. Spani and Borklund need to come off of screens and off the bench.
Survive and advance.
VolBy3 writes:
Doesn't it also depend on how O State plays? That is why they play the games. The Lady Vols can beat anybody. One game at a time.
adimatteo#261830 writes:
great win, over a very good team, much better than #8 seed.
Reality is, plenty of good teams, lots of good players these days.
To the person who complained about recruiting, what is good for the game is not so good for one or two schools. Yong girls today from other states can grow up and play at their state school now, so many great programs out there. Again good for game, but yes, UT will not be as dominant. Another few years I bet having that one great player will also not guarantee a championship in the womans game.
Parity is slowly increasing, it has been a great ride, we have a great tradition, and STILL have a great program , enjoy it...
Just cannot win them all.
Getting back to this game, nice win, and every game gets tougher in the tournament.
Whether they win it all or not, great group of girls, great season, and yes, they have the ability to win it all, but only one team will...
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
The same can be said if Angel and Mcmorris didnt play well. But point taken. Angie had a off night and Strick was quiet. Still good win to get our ladies tougher for tight games.
rheavol1 writes:
Womans sports a different game. we do not need to start calling for a female to over see mens sports
Fall_Creek_Vols writes:
Survive and advance.
min32926#266113 writes:
Go Lady Vols!
RLL59 writes:
How is it that posters who are outraged anytime someone points out that Coach Summitt is at least partially responsible for Lady Vol problems are among the first to tell her what lineups to use and what defenses to employ?
Players have good and bad nights. Each person's role is decided based on their 'body of work', not how well they shot or played in a particular game. For the most part, the best players start, and the defense a team normally plays is the one which they execute best. Changing that based on a single game performance is the best way to lose...and this is tournament time when one loss means you're out.
While the Lady Vols are seldom quicker than their opponents, other than Kellie, they are not terribly immobile. The problem is they are asked to overguard a quicker opponent who hasn't picked up her dribble. Inevitably, the result is the opponent drives by the defender and puts the entire defense in a bad position. It happened over and over again last night. Kamiko, who has quick hands but slow feet, normally plays away from her opponent in the half court, and her defense looks adequate. Yesterday she guarded closer and was beaten several times. Angie isn't that slow but always overguards, with the expectant results. It's Coach Summitt's philosophy to force the offense and expect help from other teammates. That is not going to change, but it makes her players look like poorer defenders than they really are.
tnseamstress writes:
Great game....very exciting. The crowd was great!! I just wish the university had waited on all the Pearl drama until after they played their game...GO LADY VOLS!
RLL59 writes:
Well thought out, objective post! Lady Vol fans should expect a high degree of success, but not winning a NC doesn't mean the year is a failure. Nor does a high school player's decision to reject the Lady Vols indicate a selfish motive. TN went hard after 4 young women this year and got committments from 3. The one who chose Duke is accused of wanting to be a star; I guess the 3 that chose TN just want to help the Lady Vol program.
One area of disagreement; parity is not developing in the women's game. Take a look at the top teams and you'll see all familiar names. The best players all go to the schools with the winning basketball traditions. There are exceptions, but a general indicator is how easy the top schools went through their conferences. UConn and TN had no close games, and Baylor and Stanford had a few close games only because they had another top 10 school in their conference (Texas A&M, and UCLA)
UTbasketballfan writes:
Lets see one of those champinships!
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