SOUTH BEND, Ind. — It didn’t feel like the dead of winter outside, not with rain falling throughout the day.
The biggest chill was left for inside Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion on Monday night, whenever Tennessee was shooting.
The Lady Vols aimed and misfired over and over against the Irish and paid a steep price, losing 72-44 before a noisy sellout crowd of 9,149.
The point total was the lowest in Tennessee women’s basketball history. The margin of defeat was the second worst of all time, trailing only a 31-point loss to Texas in 1984.
Led by Skylar Diggins’ 27 points, No. 2 Notre Dame (20-1) surged after a sluggish first half, shooting 67.9 percent from the floor after halftime (19 for 28) primarily by piling up 48 paint points.
The Lady Vols’ frustration was evident during the game and their embarrassment was apparent afterward. UT associate head coach Holly Warlick’s began her postgame remarks by apologizing for Tennessee’s play, saying the team didn’t compete.
“I think we gave up early in the game and we should’ve never given up,’’ said guard Meighan Simmons, who scored a team-high 13 points. “That’s not what Tennessee does. Tennessee plays until the last buzzer and we didn’t do that today.”
No. 7 Tennessee (14-5) shot 20 percent from the floor (7 for 35) for the first half and never elevated its accuracy above 30 percent. The final tally was a chilly, season-low 27.9 percent (17 for 61).
Senior forwards Glory Johnson and Shekinna Stricklen shot a combined 5 for 22. Even Simmons needed 15 shots for her points.
No Lady Vol managed to reach 50 percent accuracy. Reserve forward Vicki Baugh came the closest, scoring eight points on 4 for 9 shooting.
On top of all that, UT was 7 for 16 from the free-throw line.
“It took our energy,’’ Johnson said of Tennessee’s shooting woes. “There was no positive energy on the floor. Eventually, everyone just started yelling at each other and that’s not how our team is. You can’t do anything with negative energy.”
UT went deep into its roster early, searching for any sort of shooting spark. Junior guard Taber Spani, who returned to practice Sunday for the first time since Christmas break, made her first game appearance since Dec. 20 at Stanford. But the junior guard missed her only two attempts.
“If I felt if I could’ve scored, I might’ve gone in the game,’’ Warlick said. “But my eligibility is up.”
About the only person to have anything conciliatory to say on Tennessee’s behalf was Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw, who referenced UT’s recent injuries.
“They were banged up a bit coming in,” she said.
They were really banged up leaving, but not until the second half
The Irish weren’t exactly on target, either, at the outset, hitting at a 35.5 percent clip (11 for 31) for the first 20 minutes. They also committed 10 of their 19 turnovers. Their lead didn’t reach double figures until two Diggins free throws sent them to the locker room with a 28-18 advantage.
“We made some mistakes on transitions where we usually make better decisions as a team,” Diggins said. “Coach told us to not get discouraged and to keep attacking. We just had to stay in attack mode.”
When the Irish’s attack was finished, the humbled Lady Vols were left in shambles, stumped for a better mode of play.
“They forced us into a lot of hurried plays and I don’t have an answer for that today,’’ Warlick said. “We just didn’t compete and we didn’t play and Notre Dame had a whole lot to do with it.”
Dan Fleser 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 » 174
BruisedOrange writes:
Lots to be said, but let's start with something that we can change tomorrow: screens serve no purpose if you don't rub off your defender on them.
But why is this still an issue? There's nothing wrong with out offense... if only it's executed.
Why is it still not being executed? Very sorry to say this, but that's a coaching question.
TheStupidPolice writes:
This program has a lot of questions going forward and DeMoss and Warlick are not the answers.
FearlessFreep writes:
Wow. P O U N D E D.
A lot to correct. Hate to say it, but LVs aren't in the upper-tier this year - they're squarely in the second group but nowhere near being competitive with the top squads.
clvolfan writes:
Think it was Al Brown who was on board when the Vols won several championships,and in many circles,was said to be responsible for much of the success.If,and when Pat steps down,I certainly would give him a call to be her successor.He's worked with the rest of the staff,so it seems like they would be able to work together.
OrangeCrush writes:
Pathetic! We looked slow, out of position, and tired.
I have never seen the LadyVols allow so many layups.
Glory Johnson is the only person that's is giving 120%
wigmeister writes:
Sad game. They had better players. They had better plays. They were more aggressive. They were much quicker. They were coached better. (Hate to say that) They showed us that we no longer play upper tier B-Ball. We are good. But we have dropped a level. Hopefully we can regain some of that before the SEC tourney. If not, we not only will lose the automatic bid, but will be shuffled down in the pecking order. Unfortunately, did not see much on the positive side to even mention. Just sad!
VolinTally writes:
The Lady Vols had a lot going against them coming in, but once again, you gotta question this kind of game preparation. I said it last year when they lost to ND in the Elite 8 -- the coaches seem incapable of coming up with an offensive game plan. Preach defense and rebounding all you want, but the team that wins is the one with the most points at the end. And the game plans don't adapt as the games goes along, or at least, they don't adapt quickly enough before the other team responds.
I know that people on here will immediately rush to the defense of the coaches and bash the players, but once again, all that talent on the floor and a game strategy that seems incapable of putting it to work? That's a coaching deficiency. It's doubly frustrating knowing that the heralded recruitment class of 2008 is graduating, and there doesn't seem to be the same level of talent coming in. Games like this sure don't help recruiting either. Connecticut, Baylor, ND, Duke, and Maryland are poised to reign women's college basketball in the next few years.
Sorry about the rant. I expected much more this season, but with everything going on with CPS, I can't help but question the future of Lady Vols basketball. I'm not counting them out, but it's just disappointing.
OrangeCrush writes:
My feelings exactly.
rogatl2002#222395 writes:
WE ARE THE WORST COACHED OFFENSIVE TEAM IN THE TOP 50. There is no coaching. Leave Simmons in when she is jacking up shots. How frustrated does Glory Johnson have to be when she is working her tail off to get position and MS just runs down and jacks one up. We have no clue how to run a half-court offense. The player go throughout the sets but have no idea where the shots are. We have the most talented team top to bottom in the country but this coaching staff has no idea how to use the talent. it's time form holly and dean to move on. stricken the PRE-SEASON SEC PLATER OF THE YEAR barely touched the ball. i have been a huge LV fan for 30 years no and there is no bigger fan of CPS but she is not coaching this team. She just sits there stone faced on the sideline while the team if falling part and needs a leader to grab them, look them in the eye and keep them together. holy is just not that leader.
voloffaith writes:
Not this year not this team. The disparity is too great to be a player in the end. The lackluster defense,poor ball security and no real go to player spells handwriting on the wall. Not predicting,but looks like Coach Summitt's swan song this year. I'm hoping the blowout partly with Shekkina and Glory not full strength and Taber barely there. Even healthy I don't think so tonight. Feel for Coach Summitt as it appears this team just doesn't have that special feel about them. I'll support and hope they all get healthy and get some semblance of team chemistry by SEC tourney time. I predicted double digit if we didin't bring A game and wish I had been wrong.... :(
orangecountyvols writes:
Crushed is very accurate. 20% shooting in first half.........40 % at the line. Glory plays hard, but bless her heart, cannot shoot free throws.
We missed so many layups......well, it looked like me out there. Notre Dame made layups which resembled pre game warmups,
Notre Dame a fine team notwithstanding........
this game made the girls in Orange look like some of the teams we used to do the same way !
If any nets are cut down..........we have a long way to go. The round ball game of pass, catch, and shoot was displayed to perfection by N D.
pomp_and_circumstance writes:
LV want make it to sweet 16 this year.
richvol writes:
I think what we just witnessed confirms what I have been saying for two years now...our recruiting is not good and the coaching is not what it use to be. Notre Dame schooled UT on how to pass the ball and had much better players as well.
The era of UT being a top tier program is over until we change the coaching and recruit much better. There is no other way to say it...face reality.
423tiger18 writes:
Simmons led with 13 points but she shot like 40 times...as the tv announcers said, How can she continue to shoot with 20 seconds on the shot clock and not let the SEC Player of the Year even touch the ball...Simmons needs to sit a while....not the only problem by any means, but a glaring one.
halloffamebowler writes:
Pat is playing no part as a bench Coach.
Very poor play by the ladies tonight.Could this be the worse shooting Lady Vol team ever? Completely out of control play for the entire game.
Turn overs that weren't forced.This is a very hard team to watch. This bunch of Girls are going nowhere this year.They will not win the SEC regular title nor will they win the SEC tournament unless there is great improvement.
coffy73 writes:
I remember when some of these players were freshmen and I was always, oh they'll get better. Then I said the same when they were sophomores. Well, this team has gone in the other direction and gotten worse! How!? I sure hope Warlick isn't Pat's successor; the team doesn't even react to her.
RoadTrip writes:
A non-motion, motion offense is not an offense. It reminds me of what Pearl's half court offense did not do - score. The defense against good teams is a step slow and they do not play the ball. Coach Zo could help out with that if they ask.
It's time to stop talking about how great the program is since it is starting to clearly decline. Honor Pat and hope they do the best they can until a new staff can come in and right the ship.
tomkats3242 writes:
The most over rated player in womens college basketball is Johnson. She COULD be good if her head was on straight and played both ends of the game. She reads too much about herself. The whole team is overrated and it is not the coachs fault as they cannot get the players to play Tennessee ball at all. They are not team players and they think they are the stars. There are NO stars this year. Manning comes close but not all the time. They will have to improve in a hurry or they will be home during the playoffs. I bleed orange but know enough ball to know this teams lacks leadership and I don't know if it is Pats fault with all she is going through or if the girls just don't respect Tennessee enough to play and die for the orange.
oldvolsfan writes:
pat must be checking to see if warlick and demoss can coach and this shows that they will not get it done they failed the test
VolinTally writes:
I'm glad you mentioned CPS because who exactly is coaching this team now? I think it sends exactly the wrong message with her sitting on the sidelines like an elderly grandmother at a family picnic. It probably sounds disrespectful and I apologize if it does. I appreciate the heck out of who she is, what she's done and what she'll continue to do, but it's just become uncomfortable to watch. And Holly Warlick on the sidelines coaching during these disasters doesn't help.
Volinflan writes:
If the All Americans were picked from these two teams the Vols would have had a couple on the Third Team. They all stunk! I just couldn't find anything to be positive about, and I watched carefully. Notre Dame was better, (way better) at every position. You just knew at the start of the game when some of our "All American" seniors still didn't know that you have to dribble before you start running down the court. I think it was four straight turnovers, three walking.
I guess my positive - put Burdick in the starting lineup. Not in Manning's place, Strickland's place.
OrangeCrush writes:
Glory Johnson overrated? My friend I'm not sure what game you were watching, but you need to get an eye examination.
Volinflan writes:
Just So, MeThinks!
tomkats3242 writes:
My biggest disappointment in womens basketball is the refs. They use the quota system and do not assign good refs to call the girls game. It appears to be home cooking at every game I watched this year. It appears that there has to be one lady official and one that is a minority at everygame to meet the quota. Why the NCAA don't do something about it is because of the money and their requirement to meet a quota for each game. I have seen many good women officials call high school games but they are not used to call college games.
chaos001 writes:
Absolutely embarrassing.
How can CPS end her career with such a group of girls who have been cursed with underperforming since day one? She deserved better than this.
Pathetic excuse of a recruiting class. Good riddance!
coffy73 writes:
Glory is a superb athlete, but her shooting hasn't improved at ALL! Yeah, she can jump high and does it a lot, but this isn't volleyball and at some point needs to put the ball in the basket, which she can't even do at the FT line.
richvol writes:
Glory is not overrated...Stricklen on the other hand is. I don't think she scored a single point tonight and she is the "player of the year". She is a senior and should be calling for the ball and insisting that she gets it. Massengale will not shoot and none of the girls can pass the ball. That is a coaching problem...period. Simmons makes me sick to watch her play so selfishly.
huntined#565710 writes:
SIMPLE THESE YOUNG LADIES JUST CAN'T SHOOT THE BALL!!!! They need to get some 3 star recruits to go with what we have coming back that can shoot the ball and coach them up. They are just not good enough to play with the top teams right now..and will not be ready by tournament time either..seems these assistants have made a good living off of Pat's coaching in years past but can't seem to be a factor on their on...Got to regroup as we have a lot of SEC ball coming fast!!
VolinTally writes:
There it is >> Defending the coaches and steamrolling the players. "Tennessee ball" doesn't mean anything in today's context. Other teams are simply developing better programs (with a lot of credit to CPS), and "Tennessee ball" doesn't mean the same as it once did.
It's not possible, but I'd like to see this team in the hands of another coaching staff just to see the results. In fact, we will see that but not all together. I expect Johnson to go pretty high in the WNBA draft, and I also expect her to do really good things in the WNBA. Overrated? No. Under-utilized? Yes. And "die for the orange?" That's pretty strong language for a sport based on game strategy. When you get outplayed and outcoached, you're gonna lose even if you bleed on the court. It's not a gladiator movie.
coffy73 writes:
Seriously. How many times has CPS said she had to remind these girls that just putting on the Tenn. jersey isn't gonna cut it? That it takes much more to get to the top? This group is so weak mentally, it's just so frustrating for fans that have been behind this team for years, decades even!
Razor784 writes:
He was an awesome motivator, but I think he's like Holly and Mickie, he's a good 2nd in command, but not sure he's the answer as a head coach. Not sure what's wrong with this year's team, when these seniors were incoming freshman they were the number 1 class in the country, but they've never put it together on the court for some reason.
liferjarhead writes:
I said last week something seems was wrong with this team. They just seem tired and not to play with the enthusiasm or heart we have seen in years past.
flatrock writes:
Most ineptly-prepared LV team I have ever seen especially on the perimeter.
The staff continues to attempt to play pressure defense, hoping to mask LV's total lack of half-court offense. Trouble is Ariel is painfully slow on defense and M. Simmons- who has the quickness to be an outstanding defender but is fundamentally a mess. Suggestion: play a sagging man-to-man defense and, on offense, run EVERY possession thru Strickland and Johnson. The only LV perimeter player who can dibble-penetrate is Kamiko, who continues to get the instant hook after ONE mistake (while others buzz around like thirsty flies at a watermelon cutting). Go figure.
frblalack writes:
Hard to watch this one! Whatever happened to passing the ball, making back door cuts, screening for a shooter, give & go...oh it does still exist....played by Notre Dame.
As long as the coaches allow Simmons to play out of control bless her heart, and not encourage passing to create open shots...like I said it was a hard game to watch. Honestly there has got to be better teamwork.
Vol for Life
OrangeCrush writes:
I'll give you that, but she's the ONLY one giving 120% on every play. When the big games come along, Strick and Simmons disappear.
kazoo writes:
Don't blame the players: This is a VERY POORLY COACHED team--and frankly it has been for years. We have twice the RAW talent as ND-but the Irish are well coached and well drilled, and UT is CLUELESS when it comes to the fundamentals. Seriously, this team is weak FUNDAMENTALLY in every aspect of the game. Bad coaching is the issue.
The half-court offense is TERRIBLE--and has been for years. They make two passes and then everybody gets confused and what follows is a turnover or bad shot/miss. They were CLUELESS after the game was about 7 minutes old! Manning--senior--was as nervous as a church mouse taking shots. Missed four easy shot early, maybe five. Why--at this point in her career--does she not have any confidence shooting a 10-foot shot?
Neither Baugh nor Johnson has any idea how to play offensively in the paint! Not only do they not know the most basic offensive moves, but they do things--like trying to dribble in the paint--they you are explicitly taught NOT to do starting in the 3rd grade!
Johnson gets fouled more than anybody--but she costs they team about 8 to 10 points a game with her lousy FT shooting! Why? Poor fundamentals! She doesn't have a bad stroke, really--but she doesn't bend her knees, doesn't take a breath to relax her body and rushes her shot. With a focus on the fundies of shooting free throws she could be--should be--shooting 15 percentage points higher. She is NOT getting the coaching.
Massengale had a horrible game. ND was pressuring the ball. She is a good ball handler, with a wide body--and she should have taken the ball hard to the basket! Obvious! Didn't do it. Worse, Massengale played lazy defense and let her opponent take the ball to the basket on her all night! Generally, any team that knows how to run sets and is well-drilled will get a layup against us as we ALWAYS lose somebody close to the basket after about four/five passes and a couple of picks.
We see what happens every time UT plays a well-coached, solid team. We get beat because we are not well coached--and I fear the program is going to be in some serious trouble soon. I love PS, but it's time for her to take her bows and resign--and I was saying that before her health issue emerged. The game has passed her by. This program BADLY needs some FRESH coaching blood. Cronin needs to get a handle on this if she wants to keep the program on top.
The Summitt diehards tell us to blame the players, that we don't have any stars. Really? Does Notre Dame? It's coaching. These team needs a MASSIVE dose of hard-nosed fundamentals.
richvol writes:
Simmons needs to be benched until she learns to play with teammates. Stricklen needs to toughen up. She disappears in big games.
rockypop writes:
This team did not look at all like a Lady Vols' team. Confused. Out of synch. Horrible shooting. No defense. Tentative. Out hustled. And, to wrap it up, out-coached and out-recruited. Coach Summitt has said that she doesn't want or expect a mulligan for what she is facing, so let's hope that her indomitable spirit and pride can one more time find a way to breathe fire and focus into this team so they can finish like Lady Vols.
itsgolden writes:
this team has to rank right up there with the worst ever. they are clueless and reacting only to what other teams do instead of taking it to the other team. everybody is out of sync and act as if they have never played together. this team will never gel. they never play hard and are out run by other teams. no switching on screens, no stopping penetration, no going after loose balls. awful even watching this team, it's as if the top tier teams are playing an exhibition game with this team. this team plays the game too slow. they stand around too much watching the game instead of playing. on offense, the defense know what they plan to do because they stand around looking at each other. oh well, get used to it because it won't get much better. the years of lady vols basketball being the measuring rod are over. succession planning is not on anyone's agenda; therefore, an even worse team will be on the floor next year.
Vol72 writes:
I totally agree. We need a young and energetic coaching staff that is going to show energy!
richvol writes:
Agree with everything you said...especially the coaching. I have been harping on this for two years.
Volinflan writes:
O heck! if 2 of the three refs had been Tennessee assistant coaches Notre Dame would still have kicked out behinds. Wasn't about Foul calling tonight. Perhaps some foul playing.
itsgolden writes:
17 missed layups, we obviously haven't learned from mistakes of the very recent past. 28% shooting...yikes! i say carry the girls to the ocean and let 'em throw rocks.
dirislr#209355 writes:
Boy I wish Pat could still coach this team. Worst lady vol team I can remember.
underthehill writes:
Offense bad..Defense worse..I've never seen any Lady Vol team give up this many back door cuts..or beat this many times down the floor..This should've been stopped with one timeout..ND did not have better athletes..they were better prepared and played harder...
r2d2 writes:
You are absolutely correct! The game has passed by CPS. The LVs have as much talent as ND if not more. They are poorly coached. I believe The LVs are more talented than UCONN. The difference is coaching. The LVs need a coach with a winning record like Wes Moore of UTC.
kazoo writes:
Maybe it was because she was coming off her knee injury, but Sticklin DOES have a very marked tendency to play hard for about one half per game--and needless to say that doesn't cut it on a team that badly needs her scoring. She's the best player on the court--and yet I did not notice her in the first seven minutes of the game. One of the MANY issues with this team.
I actually though Simmons played well in the first 10 minutes of the game. She missed some shots, but she showed a more diverse offensive game--drove to the basket, pulled up for two or three short/mid-range shots. She wasn't just hoisting up three-pointers--which is often her tendency. She missed some, but I saw some intelligence to her play. I didn't really watch the game after the 15 minute mark of the first half--we were THAT bad.
GONAVY (Inactive) writes:
Please, please,...tell me you're not blaming any part of this sad debacle on the referees?
butch31 writes:
I agree with most of everything I'm reading...so here's my break down:
1. Conditioning issues - Vicki, Shekinna, Ariel & Taber.
2. Defensive Issues - The 4 people plus Alicia.
3. Shooting Issues - Ariel, Meighan
Kamiko, & Shekinna
4. Coaching issues - Dean, Mickie, Holly - know your personnel.
5. Team chemistry issues - Shekinna, Vicki, Meighan, Alicia, and Taber.
I saw bad coaching and poor team play. Everyone knows Notre Dame is a managed team. They run their set plays, screens & play solid defense, until u break down.
Tonight what I saw POOR CONDITIONING, POOR COMMUNICATION, and POOR CHEMISTRY. I saw Meighan getting it done on the offensive side, and Glory on the defensive side of things. After the 10 minute mark, I see that those two got tired of the BS, and that's when things started to unravel. Glory had 7 rebounds, Meighan had 8 points by the ten minute mark. No one else was doing ANYTHING. Until this situation is cleared up, we will have bad team chemistry.
The seniors: Vicki, Shekinna, Glory, Alicia, and Briana should be the starters the rest of the season, let them get this ship right!
Ariel needs to come off the bench, I see bad defense from her, and at this point in the season, she should be getting better defensively. I like the way she runs the point, but Briana brings more energy.
Alicia needed to be pulled at the 1st tv timeout. I am still trying to figure out why Glory kept getting back screened, freeing up Devereaux Peters? Where was the help...*(Alicia & Shekinna)* were just standing around!
I guess since UT drops to 14-5, the seniors need to have a meeting, the captains: Glory, Taber & Alicia need to be called out *(THIS IS RIDICULOUS)* obviously Shekinna does not plan on having a great senior season.
A national T.V. Game and we chose tonight to look our worst ever. Mickie & Holly, I have to question them LOL...This is ridiculous. Obviously no one is helping our shooters, no one is helping out with conditioning either. Shekinna & Vicki are two of the LAZIEST players I have ever seen. How do u correct this? Cut their minutes.
I rather see Burdick, Harrison and Bass get those minutes. At least they will play hard.
Finally, I am sick of that 2-3/3-2 Zone defense, are we playing this because we have poor conditioning from certain individuals? If so, sit them on the bench until we get them caught up with the rest of the team. UConn, Rutgers, Stanford, Baylor, Notre Dame are all playing great. We're NOT. WE HAVE THE BETTER ATHLETES, but for some reason, we don't want to put the work in.
I think I know where coach Summit is coming from. In the past there have been complaints about her being to harsh, and now that she is softer, the ladies are taking advantage of it.
No team shooting in the 20-30 percentile will win championships.
I know UConn fans are out celebrating tonight, just know that, this was our worst performance ever. Good teams bounce back quickly!!!
Mike_In_Storrs_CT writes:
Where is Butch, guess he/she doesnt have much to say now, LOL.. What a big mouth..
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