Texas @ Tennessee

[Bball Girl]

Wow...what a week Texas has coming up. At Tenn tonite and Duke coming for a visit on Sunday.

What's your take on this game?

[BBallFanatic]

I would love nothing more than to see Texas beat Tennessee, but I don't think its going to happen. I pick Tennessee by 20.

[swok34]

What's your take on this game?

OUCH :( :( :(

Still too young into the Longhorn season. Are Tiffany and Nina healed? They will be crucial.

[brolewis]

I gotta say that I wish this meeting was later in the season. I think that Tennessee has the upper hand since they will be playing at home and the Texas freshmen are still learning Texas ball. I hope they can pull it off, but I think that realistically it will be a close game with Tenn coming out on top.

[swok34]

By the way, TV ALERT..........6 pm central time ESPN2

[carolann]

I have not ever read exactly what Nina's "knee problem' is but I gather that it is something she will have to contend with all season. Tiffany hasn't had a "signature game" this season. Tonight would be a good time to have one.

I don't have high hopes for this one. I think this will be another "learning experience."

[elfdenmom]

Go Horns!!!! Shock everyone and beat Tennessee!!!! :ut:

I won't be able to see the game since I will be watching my Lady Raiders. :D

[swok34]

http://espn-att.starwave.com/media/ncw/2005/1201/photo/a_jackson_412.jpg

Where does ESPN get some of these photos? I think this is the worst picture I've ever seen of Jackson.


Tennessee hopes to end skid vs. Texas (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/news/story?id=2243628)

Live Stats (http://utladyvols.collegesports.com/)

[Bob_Ballew]

Are you sure that is Jackson in the photo?

[swok34]

That's what ESPN says, but they may be mistaken....doesn't LOOK like her to me.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/womenbb/index

[BBallFanatic]

Doesn't look like her to me either, but you are right....it says that's who it is!

[TXSNOS]

It looks like Jackson to me [although it doesn't "look" like Jackson if you know what I mean :) ]. Looks like her cheeks are puffed out and that she's holding her breath and getting ready to really exhale.

[BaylorGalMulkeyFan]

Come on Texas beat Tennessee ! It would be awesome to see. :bu:

[Jimi]

Come on Texas beat Tennessee ! It would be awesome to see. :bu:

There ya go! We 100% agree on THAT.

GO LONGHORNS!!!!

[YCN]

Texas is really out of sync early. A 13-0 start by Tennessee is not a good sign for UT's chances to win this game.

[Bball Girl]

Texas is playing better...oops as I say that UT allows an uncontested 3. Come on 'Horns

[brolewis]

40-26 Tenn

I really haven't been that impressed with the game. Texas is still trying to find their rhythm. The commentators did comment that being 18 behind isn't necessary a write-off since Baylor pulled back with Georgia. I think that Texas could still pull it off if hey will just get focused.

[brolewis]

44-28 Tenn at the half. Nothing impressive yet. Hopefully Jody will inspire the girls at half and we'll see a second half explosion.

[YCN]

If Texas doesn't learn to take better care of the basketball, they are in for a long year. Way too many unnecessary turnovers, and also far too many unguarded shots for Tennessee.

[brolewis]

If Texas doesn't learn to take better care of the basketball, they are in for a long year. Way too many unnecessary turnovers, and also far too many unguarded shots for Tennessee.
And it seems like a lot of those turnovers are Tennessee rebounds off of bad shots by Texas. The Lady Horns are having a hard time even making short jump shots and layups. Hopefully these are just early year jitters that will work out through the year.

[Peaceplease]

right now, texas is outmatched..........but with norman and jackson l00% and some games under their belt with all those freshmen.............think texas will get much better............with that said.....tenn looks good.........zolman looks better than last year, more assured....of course, parker looks pretty good.........tenn is my early favorite to win it all...........though, of course, i hope i am wrong

[BearLady]

Yes, am afraid the 'Horns were outmatched tonight. But I still enjoyed seeing the freshmen. As someone said earlier, Cortijo is so scrappy. I love that. And Lindsey seems to match that type of play.

Keep up that spirit! The season is early and I have a feeling it won't be long before things start to gel. I can remember just a few years ago when Nina was a freshman; the team got off to a very slow start and it seemed like everyone was ready to write them off. Didn't happen though. Same can be said for a couple of years ago. They'll get through it . . . and some of us are going to pay big-time when conference rolls around. ;)

[vickie1ok]

Two things stood out to me. TU: 45 boards, UT: 25. TU: 21 assists, UT: 7.

[ChipperF1]

1.Tennessee is lethal when everybody is healthy.
They swarmed the basketball. They executed on offense and defense. They played smart, physical basketball and they put each other in the best positions to show what they could do.
The rebounding margin was a crazy 45-25, and I was surprised how close the margin was. It seemed every time there was a loose ball on the floor, a Lady Vol was picking it up.

2. Candace Parker: WOW!
17 points, 14 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 assists...and a lot of hustle, footwork and desire. She was channeling some Scottie Pippen tonight. Do a lot of different things well and getting aggressive.
That is what I enjoyed seeing the most. Most freshmen have to learn about desire on defense. This concept seemed to be hard-wired in her.
I'm impressed.

3. Arriran and Cortijo: True Grit.
Texas did not lose by 41 because they were inept, they lost because of inexperience and ill-health.
What impressed me was the Baby Longhorns Backcourt of Erica Arriaran and Carla Cortijo. They have a lot of athleticism. The skills are coming rapidly, and I liked how they kept at it and kept fighting. Those two didn't quit and the team follow suit.
There was a moment late first half, where Cortijo got a little flustered. Jody Conradt took her out, calmed her down a little bit and Cortijo went back out later and executed. Arriaran had moment in the second half, where she had a shot blocked. She chased after the ball, caught the ball and went right back at the person who blocked her. That's a show of competitiveness and heart. I respect that and like it.
I saw more resilience and heart in this one game by those two than I've seen in Kiera Hardy in three seasons.
Arriaran and Cortijo are kids I'm going to watch and root for.

4. Texas is two healthy nannies away from these Baby Longhorns doing great things.
Nina Norman wasn't 100% tonight and it showed. She still gave it a game effort, but that wasn't the #22 who is normally nails at both ends.
Tiffany Jackson played beat-up, too and it showed. She wanted to get to the hole, but a combination of that staunch Lady Vol defense and her body not doing what she wants it to made it difficult.
If these two get up to 95% even, it'll make a world of difference because they have the young kid around them who want it.

5. The Longhorns seemed soft inside.
Ashley Lindsey and Dario Mielosynska got bumped around a lot tonight and seem to shrink away at point instead of stand in and battle. Nicky Anosike, Tye'sha Fluker and Candace Parker where able to post them up. They were able to advance their position inside and where able to keep them boxed out. I guess I've been used to Stacy Stephens-style competitiveness for too long. With Jackson hurting, both of them really have to but the muscle in the paint and tonight I didn't see that to level you need. That is an area that has to improve.

OVERALL OUTLOOK: Tennessee sent an early message that they have a point to prove. I'm looking forward to their sunday mix with Stanford. I'm sure Tara VanDerveer was watching tonight with a Maalox cocktail in hand. Tara, I think you and Amy Tucker can forget about sleep for a few days.

Texas got hit hard, and the road doesn;t get easier with Duke coming into Austin Sunday. Any chance at a Texas win begins with the entire team coming in with the spirit of competitiveness Cortijo and Arriaran showed.

There was a lot of potential and performance on the floor for the burnt orange, but those zeros I saw in the rebound column for a lot of people paint a picture of a sissy candypants team. Those words and "Texas Longhorns Womens Basketball" don't go together very well.

[vickie1ok]

Chip, I'm like you, TN is awesome. My number 1 team, to be sure. Pat has amazing talent, and we know she can coach.

[sybarite]

Tennessee always seems to be the best team in November and December. No telling who will emerge by March. Right now, Tennessee is awesome, and Texas is hurting and inexperienced. It might be a good match in the sweet sixteen.

[Waylontheman]

Yes all we have to hear about is Tennessee and Pat Summitt....blah blah.

Lets look at abit about the facts about Pat that never get mentioned.

So you beat an unexperienced Texas squad Pat........dang your now 1-3 against the real UT in the last 4 years. Congrats!

Geno owns you. Even if you rallied off 2 W's this year he still would. You have 6 he has 5. I think he will pass you quicker than you want to realize.

Wow all those years coaching and 6 titles? I saw an argument on the ESPN board about how KMR was a better coach than PHS and Vol fans were freaking out. Hmm took KMR 4 years to get one. Bet Pat wishes she could say that.

Stratch the crap she did everything for WBB. Blah blah. Collecting talent and making anyone who doesn't pay much attention to WCBB think that noone but Tenn wins it each year is not that great for the game.

At least I don't have to hear about how Pat doesn't have a "Star" this year(love how the couple years she has did so well blah blah and didn't have a true star....I guess 8-10 MCDD AA on the roster isn't a star?)



Sorry for my erupting but I used to use Pat as a role model but after her snide remarks after "The Call" in 04 I could care less if they win a game in Knoxville.

[ChipperF1]

"after her snide remarks after "The Call" in 04 I could care less if they win a game in Knoxville.

Am I curious, what snide remarks are you referring to?

[Scamp]

At the half, Kara Lawson was very high on UCLA. ESPN2 showed some video of the UCLA guards appearing to shoot the lights out at Baylor. But, as we all know, Baylor defeated UCLA 93-85. :bu:

[BearLady]

Yes, glad that Baylor got the victory over UCLA . . . however Willis and Quinn did have pretty fair games that night. I too noticed that film from the Baylor game was used for that segment.

BTW, I enjoyed Kara Lawson as the studio analyst. She seemed very comfortable and provided good insight. And for a 'newbie' in that setting, she didn't seem hestitant at all. Hope that we see more of her in that role. Also makes me wonder about SDS' role?

[swok34]

Also makes me wonder about SDS' role?

I don't know for sure, but would suspect she is somewhere doing a game and had a schedule conflict. They may have wanted Kara because of the Tennessee tie.

[carolann]

You all are being too kind to the Longhorns. I guess that's alright because I don't think anyone else will be. I haven't seen such a complete collapse since a game in Waco before the arrival of Stacy Stephens in Austin.

I will say that Tennessee is very, very, good. It's amazing how much better players like Shanna Zolman look with a Candace Parker on the floor. You don't want to say it but how else can you say it? Candace does things with the ball that you've only seen men do. What is scary is that Candace has not yet needed to overtly take over a game. Does anyone think she couldn't?

Duke @ Texas

I want to see:

(1) Staying together as a team regardless of what happens (no players freelancing)
(2) Rebounding

If Texas is down by by say 30 + points in the last five minutes, try bearing down on defense, rebounding, slowing things down. Instead of jacking up silly, useless shots, see if you can dig in and keep the other team below 100 points. That's the only point in the game that I'd rather see more experienced players in the game rather than giving game experience to the young players.

My starting line-up -

Nina, Carla, Erika, Tiffany, and Ashley. Bring Daria off the bench at some point and see if she happens to be hitting any shots on Sunday.

Bench Players - You want some time? We could use some REBOUNDING and general grit inside.

I'm really sad about Coco's knee problems. With this young team, I love what Coco brings to the floor even if she never scores a point or takes a shot.

Nina's condition has finally been given a name in the press (I don't remember seeing it before). She has tendonitis. As I understand it, that means I shouldn't expect to see the Nina of old this year because she can't get the only thing that will really help - rest.

[35TangoTango]

Carolann, I think your analysis is right on the money. And the tendonitis is terrible news about Nina; and terrible news for Texas, because (IMO) this year, as Nina goes, so go the horns.

[Bball Girl]

Didn't Texas beat Tenn by 20+ a couple of years ago?

I saw a young team full of promise and enthusiasm with some ailing elders. TJ didn't seem like herself, Nina and Coco are ailing too.

I loved Jody's analogy to a basket of puppies...trying to keep all 7 puppies doing the same thing and the same time...instead of 2 puppies sleeping, 2 ready to play and 3 over chewing on each others ears.

Ericka and Carla are something else and are playing with a great deal of poise for young'uns. They're going to be fun to watch.

[swok34]

wow, Candace Parker. I think the rule of the 05/06 season: avoid all individuals with the initials of CP.

That's the first time I've seen her play and she is a very special player that doesn't come along very often.

Tennessee is scary excellent. I haven't seen Duke play this year, but to see this Tennessee team playing together so well in the early season is as I mentioned, scary excellent.

What a tough schedule for freshmen. Who set this thing up? They have no chance of developing any confidence.

[brolewis]

wow, Candace Parker. I think the rule of the 05/06 season: avoid all individuals with the initials of CP.
To me the amazing/scary rule is avoid all freshmen with the initials of CP. Freshmen are supposed to be learning the game, not running the show. These kids (and I have to remind myself of that) are making such a hugh impact its simply amazing.

[swok34]

Tennessee, which had lost four straight against No. 18 Texas, ended a four-game skid against the Longhorns

[Bob_Ballew]

Carolann, I agree with your anaylsis. Texas has a lot of work to do. I know Condrat will get them ready for conference play.

At this point in the season, Tennessee is really looking awesome. This was my first chance to see Parker in action. She is going to be a great one. I was really impressed with Hornbuckle and Gatewood. They made things happen for the Lady Vols. You could almost feel the confidence oozing from the screen, from each of the Lady Vol players. It seemed like they knew they were going to execute on each play and their defense was smothering at times. Wow. :eek:

I sure hope Duke thinks Sunday's game will be a cake-walk and the Longhorns show them how tough it is to play in Austin, TX. :)

[JohnHenry]

That was a 100% Grade-A ol' fashioned Rocky Top ass whippin' if I ever saw one. Ever phase of the game - from start to finish.

Rebounding 101, today. Ball movement and defensive Communication, tomorrow.
Play better (for the love of God) at home on Sunday.

swok, phooey on that confidence-building nonsense. Hurt or not, young or not, this is a team full of top D-1 talent, who came here to play with the best and against the best. They got smoked last night, and if they don't want it to happen again, they need to get busy playing the way they're capable.

I said a while back that this was going to be a rough December, and last night we saw a Tennesse team that was healthy, enormously talented, and experienced, and who badly wanted to beat Texas after 4 straight losses to us. They absolutely brought their A-game last night and we wilted under the heat. It was not pretty.

But we can't help but get better when we play against the best. That's how you get a brutally honest assessment of what you have to do as a team to compete for championships.

As far as Sunday goes, I say to heck with shooting the damn ball altogether, carolann. I just want to see this team play Texas defense, together, for a full 40 minutes, and keep putting Cortijo, Boyd, Williams and Robinson out there to put on the pressure and get in the flow of things. I want to see K-Rob and Ash and TJ and Aubrey crashing the boards after every single shot. Use our fouls - show the Dukies that if they're gonna whip us, they're gonna have to take some lumps first. I'm with Chipper on that one - I don't wanna see any shrinking violets in the paint. If Daria or anyone else is not gonna crash and go toe-to-toe in there, sit them down. Every loose ball should be ours. Every shot should be contested.

I don't mind losing so much if we fight like dogs and keep our honor. We did that some last night, but not nearly enough. You have to fight like a PACK of dogs - not a loose gathering of lone wolves.

Let's get it together, Longhorns. You didn't come to Austin to get humiliated on national television. Show some pride, some smarts, and some guts on Sunday.

[BaylorGalMulkeyFan]

I told all you guys a long time ago how special Candace Parker is, now you know what I've known for a long time.

[35TangoTango]

I told all you guys a long time ago how special Candace Parker is, now you know what I've known for a long time.

Well, it's not like Parker single-handedly went out and beat Texas. Yes, she plays like a guy. But she's just one of many excellent players on that team. Actually the one that impressed me the most was Hornbuckle. But yes, Candace is special. For freshmen with the initials CP, I would definitely put her in the top two! ;)

[Bball Girl]

Yes, she plays like a guy.

No Soonerman, she's better than that...she plays like a girl!!

Yep both CP's are pretty special.

[YCN]

Mention was made of SDS earlier in this thread, and I suspect she was doing something similar to what she was doing last night - sideline reporting at the Fresno State-La Tech WAC football game.

BTW, she got splattered on the sideline in that game, I saw the video on ESPN Sportscenter. She was well back from the sideline and a player came streaking out of bounds and absolutely leveled her, looked just like an open-field tackle.

I'm pretty sure she was OK, there was no mention of her being hurt, but I bet she'll be watching a bit more carefully at her next sideline assignment. :eek:

[Scamp]

Yes, she plays like a guy.

No Soonerman, she's better than that...she plays like a girl!!

No, soonerman and Bball Girl, Candace Parker plays like a woman! ;)