Tenn up next

The Horns practice against full court pressure every day. I'm not worried about our guards being able to handle it. Tenn better be ready OUR pressure. They haven't seen anything like it this season, not with the speed, quickness, and help the Horns use.
 
Texas is 8-0 for the season while Tennessee brings in a 7-1 record. They are 2-0 on the road and will look to hand Texas its first home and season defeat. They will come in riding a 5 game winning streak.

Tennessee has two players that have started all eight games: 6-3 Fr. F Glory Johnson and 6-2 Fr. F/G Shekinna Stricklen. They are also the leading scorers at 15.8 and 12.9 ppg, respectively. Vicki Baugh, 6-4 Soph. F/C, has started the last six, which are all the games she has been available. Briana Bass (5-2 Fr. PG) and Angie Bjorklund (6-0 Soph.F/G) started for the first time this season against Middle Tennessee. All 12 players on the Lady Vols roster have played at least 11 minutes per game in every game they have available. Unlike most years when she used 8-9 players, Coach Summitt is playing the entire team so far this season. Due to recovering from injuries, not all 12 have been available all 8 games although they seem to be ready to play at this time. All players are averaging at least 4 ppg with Bjorklund’s 9.7 ppg and Kelley Cain’s (6-6 RS Fr. C) 9.0 ppg the third and fourth best on the team.

There’s a lot of talent on this Lady Vols team but it’s young and they are having trouble making shots although they make that up by volume of shots attempted. Their FG% is a very modest 42%. From BTA, they are hitting a meager 30%. However, Bjorklumd, their top 3pt shooter, is coming of an injury and hit 2-4 in the last game. For the season, she is 4-12 (33%). Sydney Smallbone (5-10 Soph. G) and Stricklen have taken 25 3s, the most on the team. Smallbone is hitting well (40%) while Stricklen is having trouble, making only 24% of her 3s. Bass has hit 5-14 3s (35%). The two have taken 50 of the 112 3s Tenn has attempted. Look for Bjorklund to make up ground as as she plays more minutes. This will be just the fourth game that Bjorklund has played in this season and she appears to be finding her stroke. The Horns will have to be very aware of not losing her on the perimeter. Johnson and Stricklen have taken 94 and 97 FGAs, double what any other Lady Vol has attempted. Between the two, they have taken 36% of all FG attempted.

Baugh (9.2 rpg) and Johnson (8.1 rpg) are the leading rebounders. Their smaller guards, Cait McMahan (5-4 Rd. Soph G), Bass and Smallbone do not rebound well, averaging less than 2 rpg but everyone else is grabbing between 3 and 6 rpg. They hit the boards hard. Johnson and Stricklen also lead the team in steals with 18 and 21 respectively. Either Johnson and Stricklen are first or second in just about every category for the Lady Vols.

The Horns, as they have just about all season, are led in scoring by Brit (17.1 ppg), Kat (12.9 ppg) and Erika (11.8 ppg). Of the other eight players, seven score between 4 and 8 ppg. Four players have between 13 and 10 steals, while three others have 9, 9, and 8. Everyone has at least 3 steals. Lindsey has 20 blocks while Gayle has 19. Gayle has helped to solidify the middle defensively with her presence. Her offense continues to improve. Aubry and Kristen have provided solid defense and decent scoring as the primary backups to Lindsey and Gayle. Six players have at least 11 assists. Carla leads with 48 assists. Carla has a reliable backup in Yvonne who may be a better scorer than Carla. Ashleigh is another high energy backcourt player who can wreck havoc defensively. Her offense is not too shabby either. Both may be quicker than Carla. The team has been outstanding in passing the ball around to look for the best shot. 59% of FGs made by the Horns are assisted. That’s looking for the open teammate. Kat is the top rebounder at 6.6 rpg while nine others average between 3 and 5 rpgs. Everyone rebounds on this team.

Erika (16-41, 39%), Kat (11-30, 37%) and Brit 9-19 (47%) are the top 3pt shooters for the Horns. Every guard and wing has attempted at least six 3s. All but one are hitting between 30 and 63%. Brit, Kat,and Erika have taken 46% of the Horns’ total FG attempted. Kristen, Lindsey, Ashleigh, Earnie, Yvonne, Kat, and Brit are all over 50% on FG%. As a team, the Horns are hitting 50.2% on FGs, 39.5% on 3s, and 70.9% on FTs. Everyone is averaging between 13 and 23 minutes a game.

A look at the stats shows a lot of categories where there is not much difference. The Horns hold the edge in most of them. This should be an interesting game. Tennessee has three post players at 6-3, one at 6-4 and one at 6-6. Two other Fs are 6-1. Two G/F (Bjorklund and Stricklen) are 6-0 and 6-2 respectively. That’s nine of the 12 players that could play in the post. The Horns have two post players at 6-4 and two at 5-3. Two G/Fs are at 6-1 and 6-2. The Horns have six post players including two that play a lot on the perimeter. Conversely, Tenn has 3 Gs with two G/Fs. Texas has 5 Gs with two G/Fs that can play on the perimeter.

Foul trouble (inside for Texas and outside for Tenn) could impact this game. Both teams will push the tempo, looking for fast break points. Rebounding will be important to the outcome. The Horns have a better rebounding margin but Tenn averages more rebounds per game. Both teams go after the ball with passion. That battle should be physical and bruising. Both teams turn the ball over at about the same rate (17.1 for Texas and 16.8 for Tenn) but the Horns force about one more TO per game than do the Lady Vols (22 to 20.8). Blocks will be interesting to watch. Texas has a better average per game—7.1-5.4. Will Lindsey and Gayle be able to hinder shots without getting into foul trouble? 3pt shooting is a big part of both teams offense. Both can put two to three players on the floor at one time that can drain the three. If the perimeter defense is not there for either team, the other will burn them. The Horns have gotten their shots off against all comers so far with motion and screens. Tenn has just gotten their best 3pt shooter in Bjorklund back recently. It will be something to see her and Erika shooting 3s. They are two of the best in the nation. Erika has the quickest release I have seen. I really couldn’t tell about Bjorklund’s release in the eight minutes I was able to watch of the Middle Tenn game.

The Horns have more experience than the Lady Vols. They have a more experienced PG and one of the nation’s best players in Brit. And the juniors and seniors certainly remember the beat downs they have gotten the last three years. It should be one tough game, hopefully a lot more exciting to watch than that Rutgers game a couple of days ago. Both teams are high energy teams so the play should feature a lot of floor burns and dives, always an exciting feature for fans.

FWIW, of the 12 players on the Lady Vol roster, ten were named to a HS AA team, while one was HM HS AA and the 12th was merely an all state player. Of course, that one (Bass) is starting at PG for Lady Vols.


TEAM STATISTICS UT TENN
--------------------------------------------------
SCORING................. 683 633
Points per game....... 85.4 79.1
Scoring margin........ +35.0 +19.4
FIELD GOALS-ATT......... 255-508 223-533
Field goal pct........ .502 .418
3 POINT FG-ATT.......... 49-124 33-112
3-point FG pct........ .395 .295
3-pt FG made per game. 6.1 4.1
FREE THROWS-ATT......... 124-175 154-221
Free throw pct........ .709 .697
F-Throws made per game 15.5 19.3
REBOUNDS................ 374 386
Rebounds per game..... 46.8 48.2
Rebounding margin..... +13.3 +10.4
ASSISTS................. 152 110
Assists per game...... 19.0 13.8
TURNOVERS............... 137 134
Turnovers per game.... 17.1 16.8
Turnover margin....... +4.9 +4.0
Assist/turnover ratio. 1.1 0.8
STEALS.................. 91 89
Steals per game....... 11.4 11.1
BLOCKS.................. 57 43
Blocks per game....... 7.1 5.4
ATTENDANCE.............. 20820 76942
Home games-Avg/Game... 5-4164 6-12824


SCORE BY PERIODS: 1st 2nd Total
------------------------- ---- ---- ----
Texas.................... 317 366 - 683
Tennessee................ 320 313 - 633



The Tennessee site has a great preview for this game. Lots of good info on the history of the series and the coaches.

The Texas site has a Pack the House story up. Hope that’s not supposed to be the preview. Maybe it will be posted later today.

It should be a great game to watch. Tennessee does have a lot of talent. But I will go with talent and experience. I expect the Horns to take a 10+ win Sunday in a very hard fought, entertaining game. The good thing is that both coaches will use this game as a teaching experience, win or lose. A loss by the Horns would not be much of a surprise but disappointing, nonetheless. I can’t wait for Sunday to get here.

Don’t forget that the Texas Rewind (a chance to talk with coaches and the team) will take place after the game in the Lone Star room, just off the Red River entrance. It’s open to the public but seating is limited. So come early to talk about the game after it’s over.

This is Team Night with players and/or coaches wearing their team jersey can get a $5 general admission ticket. Groups of ten or more can purchase a $5 ticket by calling the Texas boxoffice at 512-471-3333 or online at TexasBoxOffice.com. Fans can also purchase an arena reserved ticket by printing from their computer this coupon and presenting it at the ticket office. These are available while the supply lasts.

The game will be carried on Fox Sports with Kevin Eschenfelder and Debbie Antonelli doing the honors. KVET 1300 AM will be carrying the game on radio locally.

Well, can’t think of anything else to put in. For those traveling, both Texas and Tennessee fans, have a safe trip to Austin and back home.

Hookem!
 
nice game preview as always babhorn! statistically it looks to be a great match-up. both teams are coming in with momentum. i think it will come down to the team that can keep their composure, play fast but under control, and stay out of foul trouble.

here is the link for the texassports preview

let's go horns!
hookem.gif
 
Good luck tomorrow against Tennessee. I think Texas wins by at least 10. Pat Summit is a legend, but she lost several starters from last year.

For all who made positive comments about the previous posts, I appreciate it.

The Lady Bears looked solid for one half and then shut down again in the second half today. Kim really has to do some incredible coaching this year to get this bunch to close out games. Very frustrating.
 
Mulkeyway: what are your thoughts on what it will take to get Morrow going this year? She seems to have so much talent but just doesn't show up for some games. I think she is the key to this team staying in the top 10.
 
Morrow is a head case again this year. If she is on, she can win a game by herself. She drives Mulkey crazy.

Congrats on the win today. My first prediction was correct about UT beating Tenn by 10+....on to my next prediction: Texas to make the final four???

I enjoy your posts. TXSCO
 
thanks for the nice posts mulkeyway! and great job of predicting the outcome of the game today...i would love for you to come back and say 'i told you so' if we make the final four. but there is still a lot of basketball to play, so we'll see what happens. i can't wait to see how things play out in the big 12.
 
tott 10....I do not see a team ranked above Texas that they cannot beat. I was at the UT / Tenn game and was impressed by Texas' rebounding. Every time the ball came off of the rim, 3 longhorns were boxing out.

You have a special team. Inside dominance, good outside shooting, and an excellent guard. I hope to return and say "I told you so" about the final four. I hope the lady bears are on the other side of the final four, but I think we are a year or two away.
 
iirc, ASU is top 25, as tall as Tenn with a more experienced set of very good guards if they are all healthy.

Stat, "might make it" just doesn't cut it. You need to come see this bunch. Once you do, you will keep coming back for more.
 
ASU was ranked 21, not sure what they are ranked this week. The only "good" teams they have played are Florida and Oklahoma, both losses, albeit not bad loses. They have a tall lineup (I think I remember that), but we have shown we know what to do with a tall lineup. That's about all I know. It should be a W for Texas
 
OK, so I can definitely go. I know it's last minute but does anyone have an extra ticket (that I'd pay you for, not trying to get a free handout). Seemingly everyone I know has left town and I'd rather meet somebody than just grab a ticket at the door and sit by myself...
 
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