Yes, yes, Kentucky finally beat the Lady Volunteers by one point on KY's home floor. The final nail of the ref assisted win was with a minute left in the game. Kinna was backing into the paint, the KY player flops on her back, and the refs give KY an academy award by calling a charge against UT's Kinna Strickland. It doesn't matter that there was no foul. (just like it didn't matter last week when the Broncos lined up in an illegal formation; that wasn't flagged) Kentucky regains possession and they win by one. Yes we missed a lot of defensive assignments and I don't remember a poorer shooting night. At one point we got 5 offensive rebounds within spitting distance of the basket and couldn't buy two points. We left 7 points at the free throw line on missed shots. We only hit 23 baskets out of sixty tries and had 20 turnovers. We didn't play well and Kentucky fans will point to their little guard that we let fly with 34 points.
After having said all of that and after losing our first SEC game in two years (36 wins to 0 losses), I have to look at the stats. We were higher than Kentucky in every stat of the game except one. Free Throws!!!! This is where we lost the game. Gimmie shots. No matter what level basketball you play or watch, elementary school all the way to the pros, free throws can and usually will win or lose the game. Our shooting percentage was better across the board. We took and made more shots throughout the game in every area but Free Throws. We had more assists, more blocked shots and more points off turnovers... We had fewer made free throws. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7... we left seven points at the line and lost by one. If I were the coach I would be having 10 Lady Vols shooting 500 free throws a day. Part of today's game is so much better than it was when I played, but without solid fundamental skills a team can not hope to win a National Championship. If you can't hit your free throws you will lose the close ones. I am feeling really good about the fact that the Kentucky players, who mauled our players all night long didn't cause any serious injuries. The game looked more like Rugby than basketball.
Finally, I want to apologize to Vanderbilt University in advance, because Sunday afternoon all the frustration from losing this game to Kentucky will bring the wrath of the Lady Vols down on your head when you walk into Thompson Bowling Arena. The Summitt will be shaking the rafters. I think I can go out on a limb and say we won't lose this SEC game.
Points: Us 60 Them: 61
Field Goals Made-Attempted Us: 23-60 (.383) Them: 20-58 (.345)
3P Made-Attempted Us: 2-7 (.286) Them: 4-21 (.190)
Free Throws Made-Attempted Us: 12-19 (.632) Them: 17-22 (.773)
Personal Fouls Us: 17 Them: 18
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