Lady J's: Game 19 vs Virginia, Jan. 17 Sun., 2pm (ESPN-3)

[GTJT622]

The Lady J's coming off a big home win over the Cheaters now turn around and host the French. France leads the all-time series, 53-16, but the LJ's have dominated it over recent years. Tech has won 4 straight, 6 of the last 7 and 7 of the last 9. Tech is 7-2 in the series in the last 9 on Cremins Court as well.

The French are 12-6 overall and 2-2 in the ACC. They are coming off an 18-pt loss to Louisville at home Thursday evening. They opened the ACC schedule 2 weeks ago with an impressive 20-pt victory at home over Miami. They've also lost by 30+ at home to Notre Dame and defeated Wake on the road by 2. This is only their 2nd road ACC game of the season.

The Hoos are missing Faith Randolph who broke her thumb in the Notre Dame game. Randolph, a 5'10" Senior Guard, is the 2nd leading scorer on the team chipping in 13.3 ppg. The only other 2 double digit scorers for UVA are leading scorer, 5'7" Sophomore Point Guard, Mikayla Venson, at 15.2 ppg and 6'2" Sophomore Forward Lauren Moses at 10.6 ppg.

The Hoos lost their 2nd leading scorer, Sarah Imovbioh, in the offseason as she chose to transfer to South Carolina (and become a teammate of former Jacket, Kaela Davis). Imovbioh averaged a double-double last year and would've been a huge presence in the paint for them this year...something they are missing. They are a perimeter shooting focused team.

6'1" Sophomore Guard, Aliyah Huland El, is averaging 9.8 ppg, but the Lady J's need to defend her at all times. She has already led the French in scoring in 5 games this year including two 20-pt games. She will now step in the starting role in place of the aforementioned injured Randolph.

5'8" Junior Guard, Breyana Mason, is also a starter and chips in around 9 ppg. Their post starter is 6'1" Junior Sydney Umeri, who is from Acworth and attended The Lovett School. Tech should have an advantage in the post with Rogers and O'Neil. UVA misses Imovbioh greatly, IMO.

With no midweek game next week, the Lady J's can head into a few days off from games to refresh the legs and minds a bit with a brighter outlook on things with a second straight win Sunday. Game 20 on deck as we approach the two-thirds mark to the regular season is a very winnable game at Clemson on Sunday, Jan. 20. The Lady J's haven't lost at Clemson in 10 years. The opportunity is right in front of this team to get on a nice roll here and claw their way back into the middle division range of the ACC in the next 2-3 weeks.

I look forward to the game. Hopefully I can sync the ESPN-3 video with Beesball Richard's call via WREK. Go Lady J's!!

 

[JacketFan61]

I won't miss Imovbioh in a UVA uniform at all. Thanks for the intell on the French. We need to build off of Thursday night's success and keep getting the dubs. Watch for me on on TV.

 

[Buzzforlife]

Have you noticed that both of our hoop teams are 11-7, 1-4 in the league?
Not boasting about it, mind you.

 

[GTJT622]

Have you noticed that both of our hoop teams are 11-7, 1-4 in the league?
Not boasting about it, mind you.

After having a night to sleep on it, wake up this morning to a beautiful snow falling here at the double wide (that I won't have to shovel...those are my favorites) and drinking a cup of Joe, I have been able to partially get the really bad taste and frustration of yesterday out of my mind. I look forward to today's Lady J's game and especially knowing that beesball is right around corner. I'm starting to resign myself to a few spring sports are about our only chance to root for consistent winners anymore at Tech. Heck, maybe the Softbees will actually win more games than lose this spring too. *SIGH*

Go Lady J's!!

 

[GTJT622]

The French came out hot as a firecracker, but a 20-12 second quarter has us with a 3-pt lead at the half. First 4 minutes of the 2nd half might be the difference.

 

[JacketFan61]

Who is on the radio broadcast with Richard?

 

[GTJT622]

Couldn't sync it up today, but supposed to be Fallon Stokes.

 

[GTJT622]

Looks like a dude sitting over there by Richard, so I will SWAG it and say Winston Churchill.

 

[GTJT622]

It might be helpful to start doubling Venson. She is eating our lunch and appetizer for dinner.

 

[GTJT622]

LOL! Just when you think you've seen it all in terms of pitiful WBB officiating, we get a shot clock violation call when the shot clock had not even reached zero. Amazing, but believable when it comes to these putrid referees.

 

[GTJT622]

Not looking good. Another turd sandwich served up by a Tech team in consecutive days on Cremins Court. Damn.

Hoping we can make a valiant run over the last bit here, but it starts on the defensive end by getting some stops and we aren't doing it.

 

[GTJT622]

Getting run out of our own building now. Pretty awful showing by the LJ's.

11-8 overall and 1-5 in the ACC. Worse, this is a French team missing one of their best players and they are making it look rather easy. Finishing over .500 may be a challenge for this team at this point.

Since making the Sweet 16 with that special senior class, we will have missed the NCAAT entirely for 3 of the last 4 years. Pretty sad that this once-proud program is declining at the pace it is.

 

[Buzzforlife]

That looked like Kurt Hoyt. Richard wins the "hair contest", point Musterer!

Once-proud, that sounds like my employment career.

 

[kurtinatlanta]

That looked like Kurt Hoyt. Richard wins the "hair contest", point Musterer!

Once-proud, that sounds like my employment career.

He's always won the "hair contest". I'm more in the Jay Bilas league there.

 

[Buzzforlife]

Kurt, listening to you over the years, I would put your raw intelligence above Bilas. An extreme compliment. You and Richard should be doing the Men's games, too. Brandon is no R.M. and Waters could never shine your shoes, let alone that beautiful scalp.

 

[GTJT622]

Amen to that, brotha! Preach it!

To me, Richard is the real "Voice of the Yellow Jackets" and Kurt is a close second. I much prefer listening to those guys call games.

 

[GTJT622]

UVA shot 54% from the field. We have a grad transfer that played 34 minutes. If yall see something that she is contributing that warrants that much playing time, please let me know. I remain completely unimpressed with her. Played absolutely no defense today whatsoever either.

I realize Kat has been struggling of late. I wonder if she is in Coach Jo's doghouse or something. She got 4 minutes on the court today.

Not sure what this team's identity is anymore. It used to be about gritty defense, hustle, and constant pressure applied. We made up for often lack of size or at times talent with busting their guts at all times. We pressed only at the very end today once the game was pretty much decided. Seems like the identity as far as I can figure it now is striking out in recruiting of local stud players annually, playing matador defense, and leaning on one player to be the offense constantly (without Aaliyah this year how much more sad would it be?).

 

[Buzzforlife]

Man, you summed up my rant after the game to a person connected to the team. What the heck is our identity? We had 3 or more go to players in the past. Where did that go? How did a tall, good shot selector like Kat get whisked aside? The gritty defense is gone. No true pivot has been developed. We may not ever get a Griner, but we can have some Goodlet.

 

[GTJT622]

At 11-8/1-5 and going nowhere but the basement of the ACC fast, it is time to start playing the young'uns. I can understand our 2 seniors starting and playing 30+ minutes. Can't understand the other one who won't be here next year getting much more than 15. Based on what I see on the court, can't see any minutes TBH.

Fortune won't get any better on the bench. Neither will Howard, though she got a few minutes yesterday. Kat is our only projected senior next year - unless we bring in another grad transfer rental.

 

[Buzzforlife]

I'm 100% behind your plan.

You probably make too much to consider being an Asst. Coach(and she doesn't much listen to them, most of the time), however we always have an opening after the season-very gender friendly. GTJT622, you are a defensive-minded stalwart, you are needed! Stech might volunteer some of his time for free-throw coaching, I will work out a deal at GT Distributors for the Beer Cans, if they are still in business off Monroe Drive.