re: Women’s basketball observation

In Kim's prior seasons she didn't really have almost a complete roster overhaul that hadn't played a game for her like she's facing this year. Really only three players (not counting KG) from last year's roster returning. That's a lot of new faces.

So I understand the need for her to see what each player could offer and which combos best worked for the team unit in certain situations. She gave everyone an equal chance and "learned" her team, as she said, in the pre-conference. This should pay dividends around tourney time.

However, the schedule obviously didn't prepare her girls for tough SEC play, ie. how you can't just show up and drive to the hoop at will or maneuver in the post and outjump tall teams like Kentucky for rebounds like you did against SE Louisiana. You can't get away with the constant careless and risky passes against Vandy like you did against Houston Christian, especially when they're looking for them. And you can't bank on every possession being a fast-break layup and rarely playing a contested possession where you don't have to rely on making your 3s.

Although they play really hard and with maximum effort, the team does look tired at the end. Was it wise to play the likes of MW and MF only half of each game in the pre-conference? Can they really suddenly "get in shape" in the next few weeks to pay off at the end? That seems like a lot of sacrificing of SEC games against good teams, and their psyche and attitude could suffer in suddenly losing when they're accustomed to winning and winning easily. Kim was planning that the reduced playing time early would result in less wear and tear on the key bodies down the stretch.

I do disagree with her not playing Bella Hines in the first two games. Why not? She proved herself in my opinion in the preseason. She always brought a spark and hustle and a high basketball IQ. She's tenacious defensively. It would give MW, MF, or FJ a much-needed rest.

Also, the easy scoring resulted in getting into the habit of street ball on offense- they noticeably shared the ball and reversed the ball less in critical situations like the other teams, relying more on MW to make it happen on her own.

In the big picture, it's still early with only two close losses against two really good basketball teams who are Top Ten worthy. But I hope Kim hasn't put her team behind the eight ball too soon where they can't recover in time. They still have Texas twice, Oklahoma on the road, and South Carolina, which looks like it's still rolling despite the injuries. They have Ole Miss on the road and Tennessee.

I think we can kiss the SEC regular season title goodbye and realistically look at a 3 seed, maybe a 4 for the NCAA. If Kim pulls off better than that and win the SEC tourney or make the Final Four, I would have to say that would be one helluva coaching job, especially with brand new players making up 75 percent of the roster. We shall see.

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In Kim's prior seasons she didn't really have almost a complete roster overhaul that hadn't played a game for her like she's facing this year. Really only three players (not counting KG) from last year's roster returning. That's a lot of new faces.

So I understand the need for her to see what each player could offer and which combos best worked for the team unit in certain situations. She gave everyone an equal chance and "learned" her team, as she said, in the pre-conference. This should pay dividends around tourney time.

However, the schedule obviously didn't prepare her girls for tough SEC play, ie. how you can't just show up and drive to the hoop at will or maneuver in the post and outjump tall teams like Kentucky for rebounds like you did against SE Louisiana. You can't get away with the constant careless and risky passes against Vandy like you did against Houston Christian, especially when they're looking for them. And you can't bank on every possession being a fast-break layup and rarely playing a contested possession where you don't have to rely on making your 3s.

Although they play really hard and with maximum effort, the team does look tired at the end. Was it wise to play the likes of MW and MF only half of each game in the pre-conference? Can they really suddenly "get in shape" in the next few weeks to pay off at the end? That seems like a lot of sacrificing of SEC games against good teams, and their psyche and attitude could suffer in suddenly losing when they're accustomed to winning and winning easily. Kim was planning that the reduced playing time early would result in less wear and tear on the key bodies down the stretch.

I do disagree with her not playing Bella Hines in the first two games. Why not? She proved herself in my opinion in the preseason. She always brought a spark and hustle and a high basketball IQ. She's tenacious defensively. It would give MW, MF, or FJ a much-needed rest.

Also, the easy scoring resulted in getting into the habit of street ball on offense- they noticeably shared the ball and reversed the ball less in critical situations like the other teams, relying more on MW to make it happen on her own.

In the big picture, it's still early with only two close losses against two really good basketball teams who are Top Ten worthy. But I hope Kim hasn't put her team behind the eight ball too soon where they can't recover in time. They still have Texas twice, Oklahoma on the road, and South Carolina, which looks like it's still rolling despite the injuries. They have Ole Miss on the road and Tennessee.

I think we can kiss the SEC regular season title goodbye and realistically look at a 3 seed, maybe a 4 for the NCAA. If Kim pulls off better than that and win the SEC tourney or make the Final Four, I would have to say that would be one helluva coaching job, especially with brand new players making up 75 percent of the roster. We shall see

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I couldn't have said it better. I agree with you on all points! Although, I do believe the team is still talented enough to beat the other top teams in the SEC. We shall see if they can get things corrected by then................

But but tRant said this is the most complete team that CKM ever had. Funny how a loss can flip the complete perception of the team.

They could easily be 2-0 in conference play , had the lead late in both games , need to learn to close teams out

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I think it’s exactly what Mulkey said, it’s about toughness. Deciding you won’t be pushed around. Putting yourself in position so you don’t get knocked off your spot. Playing with more aggression and assertiveness.

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Yeah, that's a part of what's missing. The past 2-3 years, LSU had the benefit of a couple of really tough post players in Reese and Morrow. They were a little undersized but were very effective under the goal and excelled at getting position and securing boards.

Sa'Myah Smith and Jersey Wolfenbarger weren't bangers like Reese and Morrow, but I think they both had the potential to be solid contributors this year and either one might've been the difference in changing the outcome of the last two games had they not transferred. Smith was an experienced, steady presence. Wolfenbarger was still learning to play down low (apparently she used to be a guard then had a growth spurt up to 6'5"), but when Morrow missed time last season, I think Jersey came in and was able to put up a double double once or twice herself. Her size would've directly helped against KY, and she would've provided more rim protection against Vandy, which might've impacted a few shots (though turnovers and free throws were a bigger issue in that game).

Koval and Joyner are good enough, and Knox is developing nicely, but if/when Koval gets into foul trouble, we become a little undersized... with Joyner and Knox being just 6'2" and being forwards more than centers, imho. I really wish Jersey, in particular, stayed. She wasn't a banger but she moved well, had good size, and seemed to be improving (not that I'm an expert)... and apparently she may be having some fit / consistency issues at U Tenn, so is still only getting limited minutes.

Edit to add: the lack of size makes it all the more important to play smart and tough under the basket.