Tennessee at Duke [Archive] - HoopScoop Forums

Bball Girl

01-22-2006, 11:15 AM

Thanks ESPN for Big Monday on ESPN2, it's very cool to have the top women's teams on prime time

From Mechelle
Vols, Devils stage one big talent show (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/columns/story?columnist=voepel_mechelle&id=2300821)

It's great talent vs. great talent. Parker has been everything advertised. Alexis Hornbuckle has, Summitt said, taken a lot of responsibility for maintaining the relentless, aggressive, all-out-all-the-time, smart play that has been Tennessee's hallmark. Shanna Zolman can at any time pop the 3-pointer that has the big dagger. Nicky Anosike and Sidney Spencer are big-impact players as well.

On the Duke side, Monique Currie -- whom Goestenkors really thought would leave for the WNBA after last season -- returned as a fifth-year senior and has so much big-game experience. And she's working on her master's degree.

The Duke post game -- led by Mistie Williams, Chante Black and Alison Bales -- can be very formidable. The engine for the Blue Devils, though, is point guard Lindsey Harding. Suspended for undisclosed reasons last season, Harding has returned to make Duke the high-octane offensive team that it is. And defensively, she does exactly what Goestenkors needs, too.

Because there are so many good players on both sides, there could be one not mentioned here who ends up being the key factor.

But whatever happens, we know this much: At tipoff, on national television, one of the coolest hoops venues in America will be pandemonium. Another memorable game for Summitt -- and everybody else who loves sports at its best.

Dale8R

01-22-2006, 11:23 AM

I haven't rooted for Tennessee in a good long while, not since the time of Laurie Milligan, one of my all-time favorites.

BUT there are exceptions, and this is certainly one of them.

Bball Girl

01-22-2006, 11:27 AM

I haven't rooted for Tennessee in a good long while, not since the time of Laurie Milligan, one of my all-time favorites.

BUT there are exceptions, and this is certainly one of them.

Yep, Go Lady Vols! If Duke wins, there will be 2 unbeatens in the ACC until UNC & Duke play each other on the 29th. I hope that game will be on tv too.

walkaway

01-22-2006, 11:58 AM

Eh ... call me a homer, say I hold grudges, whatever.

Get 'em DUKE!!!!!

(Maybe I'm turning anarchist in my old age. I think I would be unable to watch a Tenn-U-CON game, because I wouldn't want either team to win. I am so sick of the everlasting "Omigosh it's Tennessee, of course they're entitled to the National Championship, how dare anybody challenge them" hype; and then there's U-CON. Although, satisfyingly, without Taurasi they're proving merely mortal humans again...

My beloved came up with a -- somewhat facetious -- solution to a similar dilemna for me last night when I said had always rooted for whoever was playing Texas, and was going to have trouble with the :ut: vs :bu: games this year because of that, by suggesting the game should go into so many overtimes everybody on both sides fouled out.

I mean to say, it's time the East Coast and the major media realized there's more to women's college basketball than the SEC and ACC. LSU notwithstanding, there *are* other teams on the floor at least twice weekly from November through the end of February, and I'm tired of the Big Orange and the Huskies sucking all the air out of the known universe. Why can't a Courtney Paris get some love nationally?
Where's the notice for the Salukis' stellar performance? Does anybody who doesn't post here even know who LaToya Davis *is*? Nebraska has a legit FOY candidate in No. 23 (I'm assuming CP3'll pick up B-12 POY when I say this) from what I saw last night -- their Griffin is amazing. Am I the only person on the planet paying attention to Tulane's struggles this year?

It's discouraging, sometimes, to care about things the major media don't make a profit on, isn't it?

Bball Girl

01-22-2006, 03:35 PM

Well I stopped liking Duke after the Duke/Tech game here at the Pit. Duke deserved the win and Tech the loss, but I didn't like the lack of sportsmanship demonstrated by Coach G during that game, so I've held my own grudge.

Courtney is getting tons of national press. I agree that Davis is overlooked but some is due to Tech's record this season and because Tech doesn't do a good job selling their players. Look at the difference in the OU and Texas web sites and ours.

There are some great freshman around the country this season...and while I think Griffin is great, I'm not ready to compare her to Parker or Paris yet.

Tennessee has played an incredible schedule (as has Texas) unscathed. I get irritated with their fans and sometimes with the hype but they have a great team and Pat has done so much for WBB.

walkaway

01-22-2006, 03:45 PM

I know, but I lay part of that loss on the cornrows Cisti had on ... never mind, it was a bad game on Tech's part.

Now about LR marketing ... well, anything I say anywhere on that will be darn near incivil, because frankly right now the TTU Athletics Office is all about 'mikeleach.com' and everything else makes its own publicity (and bless the staff's heart at Tech, they sure could use a web-savvy hand *somewhere* in the LR organization).

oooooh LSU 65, Georgia 64, Final!

Bball Girl

01-22-2006, 04:02 PM

mikeleach.com

LOl! Actually I think we would have won that game had Jia had her head in that game...but none the less it is the place I learned to dislike Duke and Mistie Williams? (nee Bass?)

RamPuppy

01-22-2006, 07:31 PM

LOl! Actually I think we would have won that game had Jia had her head in that game...but none the less it is the place I learned to dislike Duke and Mistie Williams? (nee Bass?)

Yes, I was about to say, it was Jia. If I remember she had only like 2 points when she was averaging atleast over 15 or 16 a game. I remember that like it was yesterday. Oh I was so mad.

But anywho, I am rooting for the Dukies tomorrow. I have nothing against the Tennessee team or Pat Summit, I just have resentment towards their fans. The ones on the ESPN boards who constantly say that Candace Parker is the best women's basketball player of all time. We all know this isn't true. I would pay a whole lot to see Candace Parker go one on one against Lisa Leslie and let's see if she even scores. :)
Lisa Leslie has more experience, yes, so Candace Parker can't be the best player, yet. Do I think she will be? No. I think she will be great, but not the best. I want to see her against Courtney Paris and then Courtney will get the recognition she deserves.

Anyway, I'm ranting again.

Go Duke! Beat the cocky Vols!

Oh, and wreck'em tech! :TTU:

BeBe

01-22-2006, 07:37 PM

Well, I'll be on the rooting for Tennessee side of this game. I cannot root for Duke for anything at least until the bad taste of the Emily Waner fiasco is gone ... and I have no idea when that will be. Certainly not before she graduates.

Does Duke play UConn this year? Oh my... what a dilemma that would be for me.

Jimi

01-22-2006, 07:59 PM

I have to go with the Vols in this one. I think Pat Summit has been good for the game and earned her stripes. GO Vols!

Gator

01-22-2006, 08:53 PM

I'll be thinking Orange too. I not only admire Pat but have a soft spot for Tennessee fans. I was in the Smokeys a couple of years ago when OU played in Knoxville pre season. There I was, crimson and cream, yelling my head off anytime anything good happened for OU and was treated very very well by the orange around me. Had a great time, only diminished by the score at the end. I remember being surprised at one of the final 4's by the attitude of some Tennessee fans who assumed everyone in the place would be yelling for whoever they played. They thought that everyone disliked Pat and Tennessee because of their long dominance.

YCN

01-22-2006, 08:55 PM

If the home team wins, I think it would be pretty safe to say that there will be no unbeaten teams this year. I can't see anybody getting through that ACC minefield unbeaten this year, not even Duke and North Carolina.

35TangoTango

01-22-2006, 08:58 PM

I have yet to see Coach G's teams beat a team they weren't supposed to beat handily. Lots of talent on both sides, but COACHING wins this for Tennessee.

swok34

01-22-2006, 09:01 PM

Hmmmmm, I'm impartial :cool:

Can they both lose?

BBallFanatic

01-22-2006, 09:18 PM

Hmmmmm, I'm impartial :cool:

Can they both lose?

I'm with you! :)

Bball Girl

01-23-2006, 05:32 PM

Kicking this up..

Texas had a heck of a non-conference schedule playing these 2 and UConn.

SWMNBN predicts a Tennessee victory...
Talent will carry Tennessee past Duke (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/columns/story?columnist=lieberman_nancy&id=2297062)

BearLady

01-23-2006, 06:02 PM

I like both teams. However I will be pulling for the Lady Vols to come out on top tonight. I just think their schedule, their big game experience over the long term and their coach give them the edge.

Scamp

01-23-2006, 06:22 PM

Graham Hays of ESPN.com's Page 2 thinks "Summitt could've done even more." He thinks Pat should have taken on a men's team. I seem to remember she was offered just that--the Tennessee men's team--and turned it down. Why do so many people think that coaching women is a lesser career? :confused:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hays/060123

Bball Girl

01-23-2006, 06:32 PM

Thanks for the link. I have mixed feelings... I see where you're coming from but I thought this article was more about giving women coaches a choice.

There are plenty of men who coach women's teams by choice, not because they can't coach the men. Why shouldn't a woman have the same choice. It would be an awesome day to have both NC's coached by women

He also says
The only real blames lies with the athletic departments that haven't extended offers to other female candidates, leaving us to debate whether the perfect candidate has a responsibility to force the hand of the establishment.

The world of sports wouldn't change overnight if a woman coached a prominent men's program; it wouldn't even change dramatically if she led that team to the Final Four and beyond. But success would change attitudes and open doors, allowing women the same choice male coaches have. Hopefully for the women's game, talented young female coaches would opt to stay in the women's game. But they should have that choice.

YCN

01-23-2006, 06:34 PM

I'm anxious to watch this game, it has the potential to be a real classic. I've seen a little bit of vulnerability lately in the Vols, I think that losing SWG may affect them over the long run more than they realize.

We'll see. I have no favorites in this game, although I really like the play of multiple players on each team.

YCN

01-23-2006, 06:35 PM

Thanks for the link. I have mixed feelings... I see where you're coming from.

There are plenty of men who coach women's teams by choice, not because they can't coach the men. Why shouldn't a woman have the same choice. It would be an awesome day to have both NC's coached by womenI her first couple of years her roster would probably drop down to about 7 players, because a lot of men's players couldn't handle the kind of discipline she requires in her players.

After that, she'd probably win championships, just like she's done with the women's team.

BearLady

01-23-2006, 07:22 PM

News Flash to Mark Jones

Next Monday's matchup of Baylor vs LSU is NOT a repeat of last year's championship game. Check your facts, pbp guy. :rolleyes:

sybarite

01-23-2006, 07:32 PM

Interesting first half. For those of you who seem to like fashion analyses, I preferred the gray pin-sripe of Pat, but she could have used a different color blouse for some contrast. Gail's outfit was more mundane and colorless, but her hairstyle had more flair. Now, on to the game.

Tennessee is a top five team? The team that I'm watching tonight is no match for Ohio State, UConn, Michigan State, LSU, Baylor, or OU. I don't know about NC. Tennessee has a bunch of kids who are used to getting to the basket. Keep them away, and their shots are as flat as day old beer. I have yet to see Tennessee hit anything from outside five feet.

It isn't the Duke defense that is creating turnovers. In fact, these teams look like OU--unforced errors. Duke is playing smarter, and they have some kids who can shoot. I don't know if Tennessee does yet. Duke is a contender. At this point, Tennessee needs to get its act together.

I did like what both coaches had to say. Pat reamed somebody for not hustling. Gail took someone out for making a silly shot. Gail has used a strategy that is actually producing Duke turnovers. They may be driving inside, but getting into the lane is simply causing Duke turnovers, unless it comes from the baseline. They don't need to get that deep where there are three Tennessee players waiting on them.

YCN

01-23-2006, 07:36 PM

News Flash to Mark Jones

Next Monday's matchup of Baylor vs LSU is NOT a repeat of last year's championship game. Check your facts, pbp guy. :rolleyes:There's a whole lot of gushing going on for a game between two teams that have had a bucketfull of "duh" moments in the first half. I've seen games between inexperienced junior high players that had fewer clueless passes in a single half.

Both coaches must be tearing their hair out right now, for as incredibly gifted as both teams are, if neither one really learns how to play within a coherent team concept, the top of the peak won't belong to either team.

All that talent in a short-barrelled shotgun, it's impressive but not terribly effective outside of short range. And that's the thinking we've been seeing on the court tonight. This isn't a contest of greater athleticism, it's about who has the team tools to get it done.

Bball Girl

01-23-2006, 07:53 PM

wwi_flying_ace_17

01-23-2006, 07:56 PM

This would be even better if Mark Jones would quit making corny comments.

YCN

01-23-2006, 07:59 PM

I don't agree that playing like a team is the problem.

Duke is playing like a team and Tenn is playing really rattled. Duke's making some GREAT passes and getting some great cuts. Their defense is making it really hard for Tenn to find good shots.

Great atmosphere for WBB...look at all those students! It's been sold out for a while.Duke played very helter-skelter in the first half, and has really settled down in the second.

Only the even more helter-skelter play of Tennessee allowed Duke to take a good lead at halftime. Right now Duke owns Tennessee, but we aren't seeing anything close to the kind of teamwork that will deserve the title this year, and that's no disrespect to either team, because the skills are there.

giraffespots

01-23-2006, 08:04 PM

Anyone just see Nikki McCray sitting with Candace Parker's mother?

Jennifer

01-23-2006, 08:08 PM

BearLady

01-23-2006, 08:10 PM

Still clueless . . .

Mark Jones, at just over 8 minutes to go in the second half, is still referring to next Monday's Big Game between Baylor and LSU as the re-match of last year's final.

Who does your research, big guy?

And as for your sidekick, it's not "her and so and so". Correct grammar is "She and so and so."

Give me a break! For all the big bucks you're no doubt pulling down, somebody needs to work doubly hard with you.

giraffespots

01-23-2006, 08:11 PM

That was a CRAP call. CP did NOT touch her ANYWHERE.

Bball Girl

01-23-2006, 08:14 PM

Tenn has Tech's disease...maybe the FT bug has traveled across the Mississippi and will leave us alone :)

Call me silly.....but Duke looks pretty darn good to me.

YCN

01-23-2006, 08:16 PM

Abby Waner is a terrific player. But she's been in and out of her starting lineup this year, on a gifted Duke team.

But there's zero doubt in my mind that Erika and Courtney are better, even as good as Waner is.

UT is getting crushed because of a total lack of team concept. We see this over and over again: Texas Western over Kentucky, Baylor over LSU, Duke over the Vols.

I'd also go as far as to say that there might even be two or three more Big 12 frosh that will be better players than Waner in her career. It's here, it's right now. We won't take the back seat on the bus.

ChipperF1

01-23-2006, 08:21 PM

swok34

01-23-2006, 08:25 PM

I LOVE Waner...Duke is kicking Tennessee in the mouth. Wow, I'm really surprised at this game and it being such a blowout.

Could the Dookies have won at Tennessee?

Bball Girl

01-23-2006, 08:26 PM

Respectfully, I don't buy the "lack of team concept". I'm not even sure I know what that means. Tennessee definately wasn't on the same page and I thought they needed a PG tonite.

Harding played great...Duke's going to be hard to beat, but if anyone can do it, Ivory and the 'Heels may be able to come Sunday.

Next Big Monday...Baylor at LSU should be a great game.

ChipperF1

01-23-2006, 08:26 PM

"Could the Dookies have won at Tennessee?

It doesn't matter. They won where the game is played.

YCN

01-23-2006, 08:27 PM

Tennessee's shown a lot of "team concept" throughout this season. Tonight, they getting rolled by a Duke team that wants this game and wants this season.

I asked if Duke would come out strong and not get intimidated. They answered that hardcore tonight, especially Lindsay Harding.

Duke went out and played tonight.

Tennessee's biggest problem? Youth at some key positions who haven't been punched in the mouth in the college game.

Tonight Alexis and Candace got punched in the mouth.At least OU and Baylor can say they haven't lost by 23 points this year. :)

There was a lot of pretty and a lot of ugly in that game. We might disagree about things, but we have not begun to determine who's going to win the title this year.

RamPuppy

01-23-2006, 08:27 PM

Could the Dookies have won at Tennessee?

I have no doubt in my mind that they could and would if the game was in Knoxville. They did last year, and that was WITHOUT Harding.

swok34

01-23-2006, 08:30 PM

It mattered to me, chipper.....it's why I asked the question.

Thank you, Ram Puppy, for answering my question...this is the first time I've even come close to watching Duke play and I wasn't really watching. I haven't watched Tennessee a lot and I was really surprised that the score was so out of whack.

BearLady

01-23-2006, 08:36 PM

Overall this was a pretty surprising margin of victory for Duke. Give them credit. They played well.

But the game may just prove to be the intangible that springs Tennessee into another gear heading into post-season. Though losing is never fun, I doubt that Pat could have scripted it any better.

YCN

01-23-2006, 08:40 PM

If I was going to bet the farm right here and now on any team to win the whole shebang, it would be Carolina. I think they win this next game, and it could be a rout.

Bball Girl

01-23-2006, 08:40 PM

Tennessee seems to have lost their defense...it showed in the Vandy game and really bit them tonight.

23 no but didn't UConn beat OU by 20? But I don't understand what that has to do with this game tonight and I won't even try to speculate :confused:

Duke impressed me tonight and I don't care much for them.

Tennessee seemed rattled by the noise and the crowd early one...maybe they would have been more settled at home. But Duke looked realy hard to beat to me no matter where they played.

sybarite

01-23-2006, 08:48 PM

I thought Tennessee played like a bunch of high school All-Americans who were used to being able to use their athletic ability to drive to the basket and control the backboards. When DUke said no, Tennessee didn't know where to go. I think this may help Pat get through to them.

YCN

01-23-2006, 08:48 PM

It's true Bball Girl, OU lost at Storrs by 20 points in mid-November.

If you accept that OU is not a good team, then you must pick a different team to win the conference, that's the requirement. I'd suggest UT.

But I think that OU will play pretty hard against them in Norman, although nothing much would surprise me. If OU wins it is probably an indicator that OU is likely to win the Big 12, but there are too many games left to make that kind of prediction.

But at this time I'm going to say that I'm not over-awed by any team out there. Regardless of who comes out on top of the heap in the Big 12, I think we have an excellent chance to show people that they should not underestimate us this year. We are better than what most people believe we are, and I'm absolutely certain of it.

TXSNOS

01-23-2006, 08:59 PM

News Flash to Mark Jones

Next Monday's matchup of Baylor vs LSU is NOT a repeat of last year's championship game. Check your facts, pbp guy. :rolleyes:

And he didn't say it just once. I heard him say at least 3 times. You'd think the other announcer or someone on the production staff would clue him in.

wwi_flying_ace_17

01-23-2006, 09:00 PM

Tennessee seemed rattled by the noise and the crowd early one...maybe they would have been more settled at home. But Duke looked realy hard to beat to me no matter where they played.

All teams better be prepared for crowd noise come tournament time. Regionals are in The Pit (I'm not going to try and spell the city), San Antonio, Bridgeport [Connecticut], and Cleveland.

This assumption of mine could prove to be completely wrong since it's only January. I am thinking that most of these teams better not count on an extremely strong home court advantage to pull them through (UConn being the exception since most likely they will be in Bridgeport). I remember a few years ago when Tennessee didn't leave Knoxville until they left for the Final Four. There are teams that are easily within driving distance of the Regional locations.

walkaway

01-23-2006, 09:02 PM

Well, I have to apologize to everybody here. Seriously.

I had hoped for a game that was settled in the last 10 seconds and was a defensive showcase.
The Big 12 has spoilt me.

Having said, that, however ... 22 turnovers? Whoa. Something wasn't right, there!

TXSNOS

01-23-2006, 09:07 PM

Tennessee needs a point guard.

Jimi

01-23-2006, 09:11 PM

The problem for Tennessee imho was not on offense so much as defense. They were chasing a lot rather than being able to stay in front of their player. They also were screened off alot. Duke made them look slow and I doubt that's their usual situation. I am most definately not a Duke fan but Duke impressed me. Aren't you glad you are are not on the bus or whatever mode of transport Tenn uses to go back to Knoxville. I would not imagine that to be a happy trip.

I love it that this game was featured by ESPN on big monday. As much as the Cameron Crazies irritate me from time to time I love the atmosphere they created for WCBB. All those young people, male and female, hopping up and down and hollering their lungs out could not make a bigger statement that WOMEN'S basketball is cool and it matters.

Kudos to both Coaches for playing this game. It was non-con and neither one really needed to play it.

sybarite

01-23-2006, 09:12 PM

22 turnovers is an average night for OU. They just don't know how to play with 22 turnovers. We can give them more experience at it.

Jimi

01-23-2006, 09:33 PM

22 turnovers is an average night for OU. They just don't know how to play with 22 turnovers. We can give them more experience at it.
LOL
If that does not work maybe my Wildcats could pass on a pointer or two. ;)

Waylontheman

01-23-2006, 09:34 PM

The comment about UConn being "mortal" humans without DT. They went to the Sweet Sixteen last year and last time I checked they are a top ten team.

Tennessee hasn't won since 98! UConn 04, people need to get off the fact that Pat has won 900 and realize that she is stubborn. Geno will be just fine with Tina Charles in the paint next year(if Maya Moore picks UConn we are all in trouble!)

Waner should have been in the Big 12 plain and simple. She seems to think Duke is the place to win a title........when March comes and GG is drawing up the game plan she will quickly see its not the place!

BeBe

01-23-2006, 10:26 PM

Just got home and tuned into the game a short while ago.
I heard the announcers refer to the Waner girl from CO as 'the best hs hoops player in the nation' last year. That threw me; I've seen 2 big 12 players referred to as such--you know who. I knew Waner was a top recruit, and many teams would be thrilled to have her, but didn't know she was higher regarded than 2 of our own. Was that just hyping or what?
I know that Abby Waner won at least 2 National High School Player of the Year awards for 2005... one was Gatorade HS POY and the other McDonald's HS POY.

There seem to be many groups that name HS POY winners. Erica A. won the award from Parade Magazine and the WBCA while Courtney won the award from USA Today and Naismith. There may even be others around too.

swok34

01-23-2006, 10:30 PM

Does Emily Waner play much?

I really try to keep up with these out of conference games, but bike riding takes precedence for me and I'm just missing out on Big Monday.

Jennifer

01-23-2006, 10:33 PM

I know that Abby Waner won at least 2 National High School Player of the Year awards for 2005... one was Gatorade HS POY and the other McDonald's HS POY.

THanks for the clarification. Maybe I suffer from 'selective listening' as many of my students do and missed that last year. :D

giraffespots

01-23-2006, 10:34 PM

The comment about UConn being "mortal" humans without DT. They went to the Sweet Sixteen last year and last time I checked they are a top ten team.

With DT, they won 3 out of 4 titles, (am I correct in this?) went undefeated, etc. = invincible

Without DT, they got knocked out at Sweet Sixteen, are top 10 team this year (as opposed to being #1 all year) = mortal.

hoops4her

01-23-2006, 11:02 PM

Weeks ago, Stacey Dales-Schuman said that Duke was a better team than Tennessee. She's looking even brighter tonight.

Meanwhile, if anyone wants to read SWMNBN being wrong again, here's a link to her predicting that Tennessee would win, and why.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/columns/story?columnist=lieberman_nancy&id=2297062

Here's a clip:

"So there I was, sitting at home watching ESPN2's women's basketball coverage a couple weeks back.

And there was my peer, analyst Stacey Dales-Schuman, proclaiming that Duke, not Tennessee, should be the nation's No. 1-ranked team. Both teams were (and remain) unbeaten and loaded with talent. But Duke's superior depth and experience, Dales-Schuman asserted, gave the Blue Devils the edge over the talent-laden but much younger Lady Vols.

Like myself, Dales-Schuman has tremendous respect for both programs and their coaches, Pat Summitt of Tennessee and Gail Goestenkors of Duke.

But when it comes to the talent vs. experience debate, I always prefer to turn to coaching legend John Wooden. When asked long ago whether he favored one or the other, Wooden replied, "Talent will always gain experience. So I would play talent first."

And that is why Tennessee will win Monday's showdown in Durham, N.C., when No. 2 Duke hosts the top-ranked Lady Vols (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m. ET)."

sybarite

01-23-2006, 11:06 PM

Talent will gain experience under John Wooden. It takes longer under everyone else.

YCN

01-23-2006, 11:12 PM

I flat out told some Vols fans that if their players don't give up the showboat routine and accept that PHS is the leader of their team, then they have zero chance of winning the title this year.

And I don't think I was being arrogant, and I don't think what I said was wrong. I heard a bunch of comments about how CP3 told her team how disappointed she was in their play tonight, and all I could think of was that she had no right to say that to her teammates, when she didn't play well herself tonight.

I think that Tennessee, although fabulously talented, has some very serious chemistry and leadership issues.

I vote thumbs down on a championship for them this year.

sybarite

01-23-2006, 11:16 PM

YCN

01-24-2006, 08:06 AM

The team that I saw tonight doesn't make the Elite Eight. The Tennessee that I saw tonight couldn't beat Texas, Baylor, or OU. I'm not sure they could take K-State. Candace is not as good as Sophia, LaToya, or Tiffany, and they play the same position. The only similarity between Candace and Courtney is they both are pretty bad at shooting free throws.At least Parker hit half her free throws (2-4). The rest of the Tennessee team hit exactly zero.

That's horrid. If you knew in advance that a team as good as Tennessee was going to shoot 20% from the stripe, it seems like you would consider a foul a pretty good tradeoff for avoiding the point blank bucket.

And something I want to say about what I noticed about Tennessee. Summit roasted them during a timeout regarding their mistakes and lack of teamwork, and told them what they needed to do to win. So Tennessee goes back out onto the court, and proceeds to do exactly the same as they did before the TO.

How frustrating it must be to have a team, give them direction, and then see them give no indication that they heard a single word you said.

Scamp

01-24-2006, 08:06 AM

All of the above and...

Shanna Zolman's line in the box score is nothing but zeros. :confused: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/boxscore?gid=200601230173

BearLady

01-24-2006, 08:16 AM

Pat's remarks afterwards were interesting:

"Losing's one thing," Summitt said. "Losing the way we lost is something quite different. It's unacceptable in this program. So we will learn from it."

BearLady

01-24-2006, 08:18 AM

Bob_Ballew

01-24-2006, 08:23 AM

During the Baylor OU game last week, the person sitting next to me said "Tennessee is going to win it all this year". I proceeded to say that Duke may have something to say about that.

I thought Coach G did a great job of X's and O's last night. Defense and ball movement made the difference. Summitt spent the entire night trying to get her team into the game, not bothering with the X's and O's. She couldn't because her team was in a fog. I also wonder how this game would have played out in Knoxville. The Cameron Crazies were really into this game and it had to have made a difference. The players were really fired up and the crowd returned the favor.

The Duke UNC game will be a good one. I look for Duke to win this one as well. I really like UNC, but Duke impressed me more than UNC did the last time I watched them. Duke is strong at all positions.

wwi_flying_ace_17

01-24-2006, 10:05 AM

Bball Girl

01-24-2006, 10:10 AM

The team you saw tonight is probably NOT the team we will see in March. You can say whatever you want about UConn and Tenn, but Geno and Pat always seem to get the most out of their kids in March when it REALLY matters.

BeBe

01-24-2006, 10:11 AM

Does Emily Waner play much?

swok, she had been starting at the 2 spot earlier in the year, with Curry sliding over to the 3. I believe I heard last night that Coach G had decided to go with a different opening lineup in the last few games, but I didn't catch who started in her place.
Bear Lady .. that's Abby Waner, Emily's little sis. She's been playing a lot and has started quite a few games at the 2 spot.

Swok ... I think Emily has mostly been on the bench. I noticed that she did not play at all in the Tenn game yesterday, even after it was clearly a win. She's averaging about 9 minutes a game over the whole season and about 2.5 ppg. How many of those minutes were in the early blow-outs of way over-matched opponents I don't know, but I would suspect that most of them were there.

swok34

01-24-2006, 10:13 AM

thank you for the info, bearlady.......and bebe.

I hope to actually watch the Duke/UNC game on Sunday.

To have fans like the Dookies have is something that would be cool to see
in any arena for a women's basketball game.

BearLady

01-24-2006, 10:34 AM

Thanks, bebe. You're right! Just goes to show what happens when I try to do too many things at one time. :)

BeBe

01-24-2006, 10:45 AM

To have fans like the Dookies have is something that would be cool to see in any arena for a women's basketball game.
You know, I think that's a relatively new thing for them. If I recall correctly, (and we can believe the commentators last night) 2 years ago when Tenn played at Duke was the first time the " Cameron Crazies" were out in support of women's basketball. I remember some comments to the effect that it actually threw the Duke team off to be playing in front of them since they hadn't done it before.

Also, in general, attendance at Cameron has been good but not been the greatest for WBB. Several of the Big 12 teams regularly do better. They averaged about 5000 a game last year, with their largest crowd at 8240.

swok34

01-24-2006, 10:50 AM

I recall a few years back when Duke had reached the Final Four and was headed to San Antonio, but their men had lost and were headed home:

There was a huge crowd to welcome the men back to town, but no one was there for the women and they were the one's that were still playing.
I'm glad the attitude has changed.

35TangoTango

01-24-2006, 11:37 AM

It was mentioned occasionally in the broadcast, but there is something about this Duke team compared to the ones where they had Beard and Tillis. That team I did not trust when it came to a big game like this. This team does seem to have that confidence that I don't remember seeing in other Duke teams.

What you said.

That's exactly it. Based on those past Duke teams, I thought Tennessee would win this game handily, But this is a different Duke team; poised, confident, and working together.

Tennessee is a team sorely in need of a point guard and some leadership.

BeBe

01-24-2006, 12:03 PM

Tennessee is a team sorely in need of a point guard and some leadership.
That was so clearly the case last night. Which makes the ostensible reason for SWG's leaving (being asked to be a role player; not getting enough time) seem even more ridiculous to me. There had to be something else going on that we will likely never know.

sybarite

01-24-2006, 12:10 PM

I think Pat has some All-American egos to deal with, and their egos appear to exceed their talent and desire.

BeBe

01-24-2006, 12:22 PM

Thanks, bebe. You're right! Just goes to show what happens when I try to do too many things at one time. :)
I'm sure I'm a bit more tuned in to what the Waners are doing than the average fan. I must admit to a bit of spite in my soul that is glad to see that Emily is getting mostly bench time, since she left CU and transferred to Duke to be able to "play with her sister".

Gator

01-24-2006, 04:45 PM

I watched the game and was stunned. However, I stumbled across this Pat interview and was impressed, as I usually am, by her reaction. Bottom line, she said she wasn't surprised except by the magnitude, she had been telling her team they were winning with offense and that it wasn't enough, that defense was their weak point and someday they would run up against a good team when their offense wasn't working and they would finally understand .... Not an exact quote, but if you want to hear it in her words .....

http://68.156.229.10/~coachsummitt/0506/audio/summittjan23.mp3

I bet they will attack their defense practices with a new "understanding" now - grin.

BEAR SKIN

01-24-2006, 04:48 PM

Saw the game last night but wasn't watching too closely. Just does my heart good to see so many Tenn Fans complaining of "bad calls" -- (even though it seems unlikely there were enough to cause such a lopsided score). Maybe they will stop accusing BU fans of "whining" about THE BAD CALL in 2004.

sybarite

01-24-2006, 05:11 PM

I thought it was called evenly. Pat is right. Duke didn't let Tennessee go to the bucket, and Tennessee didn't have any other game plan.

YCN

01-24-2006, 07:14 PM

Regarding North Carolina at Duke, we shouldn't forget that NC beat Duke all three times they played last year, and while Duke is seriously improved this year, so is North Carolina. And they've played in front of the Cameron Crazies on more than one occasion.

Count me as skeptical of Tar Heel win, because coming off one of their biggest wins in history in a game, that while dazzling wasn't really a great game by either team, and you have a recipe for a home loss.

Hopefully that kind of reaction won't occur to the Sooners tomorrow. (And if I see another article with "Lady Sooners" in it, I'm going to get seriously irritated...)

Bball Girl

01-24-2006, 07:23 PM

kate dawg

01-25-2006, 12:35 PM

hi everyone...long time no messages from yours truly. Over a year probably. But I thought i would reinitiate myself by chiming in on this thread because i'm looking forward to Duke vs. UNC on Sunday evening.

Both teams are improved, but I would put forth that Duke is more improved than UNC by mere presence of Lindsey Harding at point guard. If memory serves me from watching the Dukies last year, they really struggled with Wanisha Smith and Jess Foley having to run the point. I think LH has been establishing herself as one of the top PGs in the land...she defended so well vs Tenn that I think she gives Latta all she can handle. I see Duke winning this one..no way they drop four in a row to the Tar Heels.

As for prior posts in this thread re: Abby Waner as a top player in hs hoop last year...she was Gatorade POY and McD's POY so yes, that does put her in the same echelon as Courthey and Erika. As far as her contributions to her team as compared to Courtney and Erika...Abby has a lot more talent around her, so she's not asked to put forth the dights that Courtney and Erika MUST get to keep their teams successful. I think you'll see Abby over the years continuing to be in the same ballpark as those two and others. Much like Swok, i love her game and will continue to follow Duke to follow Abby AND Emily.

Bball Girl

01-26-2006, 01:31 PM

From Mechele's ESPN article
Duke too much for Tenn (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/columns/story?columnist=voepel_mechelle&id=2303717)

The Cameron Crazies student section was well-prepared for Hornbuckle, giving her the kind of grief opposing men's players typically endure. The Crazies taunted Hornbuckle with empty Wal-Mart bags and chanted, "Wal-Mart!" and "Rollback prices!"

Hornbuckle was arrested for misdemeanor shoplifting at the end of her senior year of high school from a Wal-Mart in her home state of West Virginia. It appeared to be just a senior-prank thing, something for which Hornbuckle was sincerely contrite and embarrassed. The case was resolved with community service and a fine.

Mocking someone's troubles isn't the classiest thing to do -- but it showed that Duke's students were treating the opposing team just like they would for their beloved men's program. And love or hate the Crazies, anytime you have this kind of atmosphere for a women's game, it's something special.

Hornbuckle said the crowd "didn't influence us at all," which is preposterous. Understandably, players rarely want to acknowledge that an outside source like a bunch of blue-wigged, face-painted, clapping, yelling, jumping, stomping loonies would get in their heads. But they did. And the Blue Devils got in Tennessee's pockets. Figuratively speaking, of course. Duke got 15 steals, eight of them by Harding.