Just a question -- do they teach reading comprehension or critical thinking skills in Tennessee public schools? I assume a vast majority of those responding to this thread are Tennessee educated, so it's a legitimate question. I ask because there is no way any reasonably intelligent person could glean from this very brief interview that the only time the players practice offensive plays or shooting skills is when they go to the gym on their own time to shoot or that Holly, as head coach, doesn't see offensive stagnation as a problem that needs to be remedied. What's more, none of you NegaVols have any idea if what is printed is the sum total of Holly's response to the questions posed, nor do you know if she was asked questions and provided answers that, for whatever reason, didn't wind up in print. Good shooting skills come from practice and repetition (along with natural talent), and much of that IS, in fact, on the player to develop on her own. Holly may very well be demanding that the players devote more practice to developing and enhancing their shooting skills; the fact you didn't read it in so many words doesn't mean that she isn't insisting that it happen or that the team doesn't/isn't/won't practice offensive plays during formal practices. In fact, I'm positive that she is more than aware that the team's offense tended toward stagnant during many games last season, and I am confident she is going to do her best to see to it that that issue is corrected (but again, much of the responsibility does, in fact, lie on the shoulders of the players who must practice their shooting skills). DeShields and Russell (but particularly DeShields) will be prolific scorers; Cooper will likely join their ranks once she gets acclimated to the college game. Others (Graves, for example) also have the potential to be a major pieces of the offense, especially given the fact that a great deal of defensive attention will likely be devoted to Deshields and Russell, which will open things up for Graves and anyone else who happens to be on the court at the same time. There is no reason this team won't be a completely different team offensively next season, and I'm sure Holly realizes that more than anyone.
I took away from this short interview that strong leadership and team unity and cohesiveness are priorities (as they should be), that the team is going devote significant time to drilling game fundamentals, that it is her desire that the team develop a no-fear attitude (and that she feels the uber-competitive DeShields will foster that in spades), that Russell and Jones will for sure be ready to go come November and quite likely Tucker as well, and that she is hopeful Akhator will be in orange in the fall. There is absolutely nothing negative to take away from this interview unless you're just hunting for something negative to b**** about, which, of course, I know provides much delight for the Debbie Downer segment of the fan base.
