By the time Tennessee's charter flight reached Knoxville on Monday night, Holly Warlick had compiled 1½ pages worth of notes regarding Tennessee's 72-44 loss to Notre Dame.
And the Lady Vols' associate head coach only had gotten through her team's first-half play on defense.
She'll be hard pressed to be as comprehensive about Tennessee's offense. The points added up to the lowest single-game total in program history, setting the stage for the second-biggest margin of defeat.
At any rate, Warlick is determined to get as much out of the one-sided outcome as possible.
"This game is not going to die," she said. "(The players) are going to be reminded of it on a daily basis. It's an embarrassment to our program and our tradition."
Warlick realizes that some observers will see the rout in relation to coach Pat Summitt, who has ceded considerable responsibilities to Warlick and her assistants as she deals with early onset dementia. Warlick conceded to the challenge of this situation at the season's start and doesn't characterize it any differently now.
But she doesn't think that present circumstances, no matter how unusual or unfortunate, explain why the players didn't sprint back on defense right from the very first Notre Dame possession.
"When it comes down to it, you've got to play," Warlick said. "You've got to respect what's written across your chest. You have to respect yourself. We don't have a lot of trust in each other.
"(The players) can't use the excuse of Pat's situation. It comes down to playing hard with high energy. It's not a laid-back sport."
"If anything, you'd think (Pat's situation) would boost team effort. This has been a recurring situation for four years. I don't think we've played up to our ability for going on to
four years."
Monday's unraveling had a familiar pattern. Missed shots begot low energy and wayward focus. Senior forward Glory Johnson said that the team didn't follow the scouting report defense and teammate Meighan Simmons backed her contention with details.
"We didn't bring everything over into the game that we did in practice," the sophomore guard said. "We worked on back screens and they kept back screening us and getting Skylar (Diggins) open when we know that they were going to do that. We didn't execute like we were supposed to."
For their part, Warlick said that the coaches are in the process of reviewing their approach. They're considering meeting with players in smaller groups. More sprinting drills and dialing up the practice tempo are under consideration, too.
"We're going to step back and look at how we can do things differently," she said. "We'll learn from it, but (the players) have to learn from it, too.
"It's motivated us as coaches. Hopefully it motivates them."
Johnson and Simmons indicated that the players need to spend more time individually, working on their games.
Said Warlick: "We've got to figure it out."
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Comments » 112
heyitsme writes:
Looks like an equal embarrassment on the men's side at Vanderbilt...
volaholic45 writes:
Agree with heyitsme. The men are seeing the women's embarrassment and raising them a humiliation. 20%? We can shoot that bad, and add 2 dozen turnovers.
That aside, it's good to see Warlick advocating a little long-term memory. The LV's not only got beat - they let themselves, their coaches, the program, and their fans down with their half-hearted effort. Maybe that ought to be remembered rather than forgotten 10 minutes after the game.
Caspian writes:
I don't see Warlick ever being able to step into Summitt's role. She's a good assistant with remarkable loyalty, but not a head coach. She lives, eats, sleeps Lady Vol basketball. She shouldn't be having to "figure it out". She should have seen it before it even manifested itself.
reg_mza#219136 writes:
"If anything, you'd think (Pat's situation) would boost team effort. This has been a recurring situation for four years. I don't think we've played up to our ability for going on to four years."
Now that's a sick burn. She didn't say it's a recurring issue this year. She recognizes that this whole senior bunch has been doing this for all four years as all the fans have seen, known, and commented on. When a coach goes that far, they are really frustrated and upset by effort and performance.
clvolfan writes:
Embarrassment yes,and it sure looks like we are in for many more from both BB Vols this season.This mens team has averages 23 points in first half on all 4 road games.Maymon is the only one in bb condition,body and head.
How can you be so bad every other game? Stokes is showing,so far in this game,he has a long way to be ready for big boy BB..I know I'll catch it for saying that,especially since some already have him a one half and done-long season ahead.
richvol writes:
Yes its been a problem for four years...and it's the coaches fault. It started by signing players that don't play with all their heart and are selfish. It's in your lap Holly and I don't have any faith in your ability to fix it.
sol_way writes:
I am suprised UTs assistants are so caught off guard by the teams lousy play . They have played this bad several games this year . Last night they just played poorly against a very good team. I was more concerned with the poor interview Warlick gave after the game. She actually looked speechless , shocked , and i dont even think this is the worst game they have played this year . Apparently she just needed a big margin on the scoreboard to figure it out .
volfanincarolina writes:
I agree on the statement it has been going on the last 4 years. It seems to me that we were scared last night. Let me say that should never be as teams were scared of Tenn. when they came out for warm ups. Teams were beat already at that time. Those days are gone and we act like we are scared when we play a top team. Just play lv,s you have the talent and go out there and play with authority. With the talent we have it is a disgrace for us to play like you did last night.
JimmyJoe writes:
Holly you are correct it is an embarrassment.
oldster writes:
Were I the coach (and I am sure the team and the fans are glad I am not), these young ladies would soon learn to their exhausted dismay how I react to an embarrassment. I would have all the team, except one player run suicides while that one made 10 straight free-throws. I would give them a water break and get another free throw player while the rest run suicides. I would keep that up until everyone had made 10 straight free throws. I would have Glory Johnson go last. I would estimate that the team would be running suicides up to gametime for their next game. Make open shots or give up the game.
oldster writes:
When Dooley says things like this, he gets castigated for throwing his team under the bus.
RashaadSalabeb writes:
I have all the faith in the world the coaches will fix this problem. I know what I used to do....run the hell out of them. Everybody has a bad game....let's see what we do the next time we face them. We will face them again this year!
Go Lady Vols! Let's see what you're made of!
SummerfieldVol writes:
I don't know how long Tennessee's practice is 2hours or 3 hours or what ever,but what ever it is, split it up to 1 hour of defense and 1 hour of offense for example. I would put a big emphasis on foul shots. We looked terrible offensively against Notre Dame. Need to get back to basics, how to make a lay up, how to pass the ball at least four times, to find the open player for the best shot, how to run plays, not just run and gun,or I have the ball and I am going to shoot. A team plays like it is coached. If you put all the practice time on defense then you are limiting your offense or just the opposite if you put all the time on offense. You have to coach what type team you want, Pat has alway put a emphasis on Defense, that just will not work today, to much talent and speed to just play defense.
clvolfan writes:
I am so glad to hear someone say that.Saban bereates his team,the Bear did it,the general did it,but CDD is not allwed to.
coffy73 writes:
The coaches have tried so many things with this team and nothing has worked. This team will get better when they recruit better, mentally stronger players period. They've been lectured and glared at by coach summitt, before her illness, they've been locked out of the locker room, they've gone through strength training and team building exercises as exhibited in that video shown at the beginning of that season after the first round ncaa loss. I don't know what more can be done, we just have to wait for better players to come along, but will the good ones want to come to Tenn. if CPS isn't coaching anymore? Time will tell.
HtownVol writes:
Was the womens game as bad as the mens tonight vs Vandy? I turned away from the womens game early.
Watched the entire mens game and it was the worst thing I have seen in a long time.
Is it possible to teach the mens team how to execute a simple pass? They sure can not do it.
CrankE writes:
The Lady Vols are playing like they've been coached. That was an easy thing to say when banners were being hoisted all the time. It's more difficult to say when the same program is losing by 30, but it's no less true.
Coaching and recruiting feed each other. For the last few years-YEARS mind you, we've heard about the low level of point guard play, the poor shooting, and the lack of motion for the Lady Vols. Has anything changed in all that time? We saw it again against ND. And we're going to keep on seeing it until UT does something different.
Allow me to be "that guy" and just ask the question; Should Pat Summitt continue to coach as long as she wants to regardless of the results?
It is already breaking hearts and will break more no matter what happens and no matter how Pat leaves the whistle. But it is going to happen. It is a disservice to Pat, to the Lady Vols, and to the University to pretend otherwise. If there is a plan for transition and succession, I believe now is the time to hoist the colors and let fly.
CrankE writes:
Maybe Ceramic Orange Dog can help.
dwa7#337691 writes:
Men BB also bad tonight. Man, a bad UT BB week and it will get worse!!!!!!
movol53 writes:
Did we just witness the Last Whimper? I truly hope that the UT @ Notre Dame game was not the Last Whimper of one of the most fantastic runs in sports. This decline did not just occur over night. This decline had its roots in the 2008 Championship. We lost all five of our starters and the remaining players were very young and were unable (or unwilling) to put in the time and effort to continue the great tradition of Lady Vols basketball. Since then, well before Pat’s announcement, there has been a very slow and almost imperceptible decline. Many things have contributed to where we are now. Some will say it’s the coaches’ fault for not “coaching up” or developing the players. Others will point to the fact that several coaches have come and gone. And still others will fault the coaches because they no longer have the ability to “see the intangibles” while recruiting players. Sadly, there is no stat that measures heart and drive and the desire to improve beyond one’s dreams. Yes, it is the coaches’ responsibility to develop the players however; the players must also have the desire to become better than they themselves thought they could be. Some people just do not wish to be pushed even if it is to improve. Once a player starts to see the “pushing” as tiresome instead of a personal challenge then that player no longer will respond - - they reached their plateau. Is this where this team is with its leaders? Coaches can teach how to set a screen but it is up to the players to execute the play. I’ve seldom seen the players from the last four years respond positively to a loss from a ranked team. They may play better the next game however, they don’t seem to carry that “lesson over”. Recruiting has become much more competitive and difficult as there are more programs following the path that Pat established over the years and at the high school level there are many more players than ever to evaluate. Over the last four years, all Lady Vol fans have tried to rationalize why this decline has been taking place; each of us has our own theories. We have all been very blessed to watch Pat Summit and her Lady Vols grow and become successful both on and off the court. Sadly it appears the run at being at the very top of Woman’s basketball for over 30 years is over. Will this program return to greatness or did we just witness the Last Whimper?
MrBamSeydu writes:
Holly Warlick is not cut out to be the head coach at Tennessee. Period. The only reason Micki DeMoss isn't the coach in waiting is because she left for a few years and coached elsewhere. Warlick is only being handed the reigns because of her loyalty. But loyalty doesn't win games.
How do you have something like 8 or 9 HS All Americans on your roster and lose to ANYONE by 30 points. Stanford and Notre Dame both put them to shame.
UCONN will definitely overtake UT as the known women's basketball power. They have recruited better players and they are a machine. You will never see UCONN lose by 30 points to anyone. And I hate them so that's painful to say.
vollaw writes:
Agree!
kaida71 writes:
They are gonna be out of the top 10 by next week and if this keeps up you can kiss the SEC title goodbye...
DroopyDrawers writes:
When Pat retires I hope we can get Nikki Calkwell. Keep Holly and Dean as assistants.
tn88volfan writes:
Lady Vols have not been the same since Candace Parker left early for the wnba, another year of her leadership would have done a lot for the program.
kazoo writes:
This team is poorly coached--period--as anyone who knows anything about basketball can see. It is not fundamentally sound. The half-court offense has been TERRIBLE for years--and we see it every time the Vols play a good team. On top of that, this team doesn't play good defense--a bad combo, to say the least. ND's McGraw simply schooled our coaches. To say that we need some fresh coaching blood is an understatement. Truly, PS needs to retire--she has been brilliant but has coached too long--and Cronin needs to go out and find the best youngish coach (35 to 45) she can find. The time is now.
arkyvol writes:
replacing pat will be like replacing wooden, bryant, or rockne. that era is over. the best that can be hoped is that a good coach can be had, somebody like the coach at baylor. failing that, the program is going to settle in at a level we aren't used to.
oldster writes:
Please note that all the observations that Holly had made were about defense. This gives further support to my belief and contention that this coaching staff is completely careless about offense. They do not care if the team shoots 5% as long as they play good defense.
wigmeister writes:
The coaches have been here. The players have been here. I am so tired of hearing everyone connected with the team continually saying that they are much better players than they show. They aren't. They only are as good as their record indicates, and no better. This program is broken. Things that are broken, many times, can be fixed. I do not believe this program can be fixed this year to get back to the elite status we once were in. There are too many long term problems to overcome. The players think they are entitled. There is no entitlement for wearing that jersey. The successful teams of the past didn't get there because of entitlement. They got there because of hard work, heart, and an unwavering desire to be the best. The coaches can not seem to communicate to the players, and that is a fatal flaw right now in the program. This coaching staff, at this moment, has not been able to turn the apathy and feeling they are better than they are, around. We also do not really have a true leader on this team. A lot of talk, a lot of excuses, but no action!
carmine writes:
i dont care what you say, the one who puts the ball in the hole the most (scores) will win the game. Defense be darned. It is important, but if LV's aren't playing the stingy defense of old, they need to put it in the hole--and that is not happening. These young ladies are not true ballers if they let players who are not heralded all-american beat them by 30 points. LV's always get All-Americans and get beat by regular players who just have the skill, heart, and desire to not be beat!!!! The senior players play like they have done their time, and are ready to move on, so they dont put out like the upcoming players. GJ plays good, but she needs to stop flopping every time she shoots a layup, stop jumping into the other player to draw a foul cause the refs aint buying that, it makes her fall on the floor, and she will most likely miss the layup. I dont have enough time to start on the others, but I bleed orange, These players must have been over-rated b4 they were signed, and now the truth comes out.
You cant put a mule in horse harness and expect something else LOL.
Theo writes:
You know I don't know that I think Holly should be our next HC. But I sure as he77 know she doesn't deserve your dumb a55 comments. She has been an integral part of virtually all of our NCs as well as an All American, Olympian etc. In short, if your sorry existence has achieved 10% of what she has I would be surprised.
Did it ever occur to you that she has not been a head coach before? Could you possibly understand that perhaps the current situation with Pat as HC in title but not in actuality is a difficult situation to coach in? Your personal attack is disgusting and so far below the respect and affection that Holly's loyalty and effort deserve. Your stupid post is typical of the negative, cynical posts you leave on the men's threads all the time. Please take your sorry self somewhere else but on a Vol site.
Theo writes:
Oh yeah, I forgot to say that my response would be mild compared to what Pat Summit would say to you regarding your comments. But trust me, I would pay money to hear it.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
I believe Nikki Caldwell or Kim Mulky would come here given a good salary. Especially if Baylor wins out this year and Griner leaves for the WNBA. I would try for Brenda Freise at MD or the coach at MTSU. But we need a Nick Saban type name to bring in recruits, no doubt about it. Not to jump to football but the reason Bama is going to win it all next year and years to come is because they have about 12 bluechippers coming because of the name Nick Saban and Bama. Tennessee lady Vols has to be on the mind of each 5* HS recruit if we wanna win championships . After CPS is retired the playing field will finally be level. The great will be gone. But our program has to stand strong.
jgl#233810 writes:
Apparently there's a considerable gap between recruiting HS A-A's and recruiting players with an adequate amount of heart & smarts to maintain the standards set by the Lady Vols over the years.
1968Vol writes:
Take their name as well as Tennessee off their jersey. After last nights performance, they do not deserve to have their name associated with
Tennessee (Lady Vols)
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Just a little note that heart and not talent wins games. Tennessee had 5 players in the top 20 recruiting class of 08. ND one in the top 50 ...Natalie Novosel #45. Tennessee has 13 total since the class of 08. ND ....3 Skylar Diggins#3 and Kayla McBride #20. You can't just come to TN and expect to be great. You have to play great and play with heart. Somewhere the girls lost that and I'm afraid our coaches gave up on them.
drum56 writes:
Fire the whole staff!! Throw big money at a big time coach!!
tturley#297658 writes:
I think Holly is a good coach, but she is too "nice" to be a fire-breathing, stare-mongering, ash-kicking coach, which is exactly what this laid-back team needs (ex-Glory and Meghan).
dewey0022 writes:
I couldn't agree with you more. Yes, championships can be won and lost on the defensive end of a basketball court, however, a great offense will always beat a great defense. The game has changed tremendously since say the 1980's where great defense would win 99.9% of the time because there were few female basketball players with a fraction of the skill sets that the players have now a days. Bottom line, if you can't score, you cannot win. Defense is extremely important, but so is the ability to run a play and score the basketball. It makes me wonder why the number one and two ranked players are beginning to choose other schools (Uconn, Baylor, Stanford)? All of our all american players who by the way became all americans because of their offensive abilities tend to regress in their offensive skill set after a year or two at tennessee. Hearing coaches say, "well we got Pratt pavillion" and that is where they should be working on their offense just isn't cutting it. The notre dame game is a fine example of this. 8 All Americans on this team whose offensive games should improve at the college level but fail to do so because the coaches refuse to have little or no ability to help them develop in this part of their game. The game is evolving and defense alone will not get it done. As much as I love the Tennessee lady Vols basketball program, if I were a great offensive player comming out of high school, there would be no way I would go to tennessee. Go to the UCONN's of the NCAA. They like to score points there. And let me tell you, I am definately not a Uconn fan, but they obviously teach offense and probably practice it in practice. In my view, defensive teams are teams without scorers that must keep the game low and close for a chance to win. This team has way to many that could be great scorers for defense to be the only focus even if the program was built on defense. EVOLVE WITH THE GAME OR GET OUT OF IT!!!! I hope I never see another spectacle like the one that happened out of Notre Dame again. Terrible display and the coaches can blame whom or whatever they would like, but bottom line, this is a coach problem that is happening. Unbelievable Warlick was still harping on the defense. They only scored 44 points and held Notre Dame under their scoring average. Should start teaching some offense and stop using Pratt Pravillion as an excuse not to. That all. Go Vols!!!
hcjournals#206623 writes:
Uhhh..Tap on the breaks...Didn't we win the national championship the year we lost 10 games? Nobody plays the schedule we do. Nobody has the athletes we do. Nobody has the heart we do. Stay tuned. Low point right now will hurt and will also toughen us up. Everyday is everyday......
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
I just watched video clips of this Merecedes Russell kid and I see one thing. Dominate scorer in the paint! TN needs this girl! She plays like Stefanie Dolson and Kelly Cain, strong to the basket. Very smooth post moves and knows how to use the glass. Man why can't our girls learn how to use the glass?! The glass is your friend . It's like its not cool to bank it anymore. Anyway checkout hoopgurls.com . We need some height . I think we will be good getting Graves as some say she plays great defence like Glory.
butch31 writes:
I am so glad coach Warlick address this nightmare of a game last night. We were nervous, and looked like a deer in headlights LOL! Glory, Meighan, and Briana came to play last night. The rest of the team was OUT TO LUNCH.
It would been better if Shekinna sat out. Shekinna brought nothing to that game. This team is NOT in shape at all. Vicki, Alicia, Taber, Shekinna, Ariel, and Isabelle all need to put in extra work doing sprints. SMDH, we're in the midst of NCAA selections, and people are NOT in shape.
The offense would be right, if we decided to get the ball in the post, Glory gets to the foul line an awful lot, if we make her happy, she will make her free throws, LOL.
Meighan started off really good, she had no bad passes, no rushed shots, and at the 10 minute mark in the 1st half, the wheels came off!
Glory, Alicia, Briana, Shekinna , and Vicki need to to right this ship ASAP. They need to get a rope, and cut into 11 pieces, each player gets a piece, so they call hold the rope for their teammate. If one person lets go of the rope, the rest of the team falls to their death. The moral of the rope is each player will be *(RESPONSIBLE)* saving their teammates life by holding the rope. This will bring the players a whole lot closer.
I see this team in the final 4 this year, I see the coming on strong. The Notre Dame game can be thrown in the garbage. We all know UT is better.
CaliVOL2 writes:
Is what's wrong with this program that the players are unclear who the coach is? I think Holly could be an excellent head coach; however she has not yet been given that opportunity. Don't judge her too harshly, yet.
volfan73120#211815 writes:
Kazoo You've been around since April 15,2009, and you have said the same thing over and over again. Many of your post contain paragraphs about the size of the above. You are always trying too tell Pat what to do. In this post you are also trying to tell Cronin what to do. Pat and Joan can take care of themselves with out any help from you.
After the Notre Dame game last night, You made 5 post to the story about the game that totaled 18 paragraphs. It was nothing but yada, yada, yada over and over again. You had the crux of these post in your first post on April 15,2009. This has been 36 months of the same thing. You're trying to make your point the hard way. You're trying to imply that you know a lot about basketball. I'll put Pat's record up against yours any day. You claim to be an alum. If this is so, your 456 posts over the last 33 months would show you are a traitor to your school.
carmine writes:
I am not really complaining that they lost the game. You are right, you can lose a bunch of games and win the tournament, and team can be beat on a good night, but to lose by that many points is ridiculous. TN needs to stop playing people out of their natural positions, for one thing. This has improved a lot this year. And not let the bigs think they are guards and bring the ball up court or stand on the perimeter and jack up 3's, all the bigs need to be under the rim, rebounding and making layups. The 1970 antiquated game plan to let people run to their assigned spots and jack up threes is out moded/dated, and doesnt work. Whatever happened to making the most 2 pointers and using the three to pad the lead, not make the three the main way of scoring points? I agree, these girls dont play with heart, or "refuse to lose". But this is only a game. But to lose by this many points---sheesh!!!!! Let's hope they break the 20 game barrier this year, hahaha.
CaliVOL2 writes:
CPS has earned the right to coach as long as she wishes!
gerryblack writes:
Sometimes it's the facts that disturb us the most as in your case. The whole coaching staff will be replaced next year. Book it.
flatrock writes:
Yet another classless effort by B_B...
flatrock writes:
Could it be that the heart of this team has been compromised by the handling of Meighan and Ariel over the past 2 years? This is absolutely no knock on them- they both appear to be giving as much effort as any of their teammates - but to assign a player a starting spot while she is still in high school, and to coddle a player who continues to spiral out of control after 50 games seem so un-Lady Vol-like to me. Meanwhile, the others seem to be under the tough-love rules that built this program. Sure is easy to see from the outside- just wonder how it looks from the team huddle...
butch31 writes:
Defense wins games...If they guard Skylar Diggins who had 27 points last night , and Deveraux Peters 16 points and 16 rebounds, we win that game!
We box out Britey Griner, double team her, guess what? We beat Baylor.
We stop the Kentucky guard who shreded us for 27 points, we beat them.
Stanford's Nemekadi Oguimeke goes postal for 42 points, if we guarded her, we beat Stanford.
If we would of ever gotten off the bus we would of beat Virginia...
DEFENSE wins games, and offense sells tickets, but rebounds wins championships!!! Don't ever kid yourself!
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