Lady Vols Recruiting Info

[Volfan2012]

I agree they can't reach their top potential as freshmen. They can come in and be better than players already on the roster. One could argue that thus far Diamond's best season was her freshman season. Players like Parker, Moore, Stewart, Ogumwike started as freshmen. My expectations is that one or two of these players will be better than our roster players and could possibly start. I expect all four will get a lot of playing time based totally on their basketball skills.

 

[Pat4life]

Do you know if any of the players have said that they felt hostage, because we've been known as an inside/out team for years now....yet they still came.

some of the things, they say. lol :loco:

Its like they want to get their point across but its exaggerated truth of lies. U ain't gotta lie craig?

 

[Pat4life]

I agree they can't reach their top potential as freshmen. They can come in and be better than players already on the roster. One could argue that thus far Diamond's best season was her freshman season. Players like Parker, Moore, Stewart, Ogumwike started as freshmen. My expectations is that one or two of these players will be better than our roster players and could possibly start. I expect all four will get a lot of playing time based totally on their basketball skills.

Nice Post.

My thinking too, I think Davis and Westbrook will be pushing for time for sure at 2 to four spot, unless Nared and Diamond solidifies their play this year, like ALL SEC performers.

Westbrook and Davis should be pushing for time at the 3 spots, I see at least one of those young ladies starting or both.

Especially if their competitive fire, match their skill set, both hate to lose, will do everything it takes to not to lose. I like that, wish I saw more of that from our current players.

See, that was Te'a, that was Meme (soph) in high school. We prolly miss a lil of Te'a's toughness for sure.

 

[mlindsay]

Do you know if any of the players have said that they felt hostage, because we've been known as an inside/out team for years now....yet they still came.

Other coaches and WNBA analysts have still listed Diamond as the potential Top pick of the draft when many of you dog her around here! You can be an inside out team and that is not a problem, the problem is when you have advantages elsewhere and you don't take advantage of them, that's holding talent hostage! Allow certain plays to play how they are comfortable playing instead of forcing them to play how you want them to play! John Thompson (Georgetown Hall of Fame Coach) had Big Man after Big Man (Ewing, Mutumbo, Alonzo Mourning) and they were dominant, when he got Allen Iverson, he didn't force Allen Iverson to conform to dumping the ball into a Post Player (although that had been the way his teams were always constructed) he allowed Allen Iverson to be Iverson and look at how it turned out for Coach Thompson, Iverson, & Georgetown at the time! Play your players to their strengths while helping them correct their weakness. But I digress because some of you think every observation is a bash Holly observation! We are bringing talent in, let the talent perform and not have them seconding guess if they are even able of playing

 

[Chris89128]

There is a difference between observations and constantly ripping everything Holly does or doesn't do ad nauseum. Plenty of people strictly focus on the latter.

 

[Pat4life]

And with Tea coming back off injury, Annie will be pushing for playing time at the point, mane look at all that competition for playing time.

 

[T_Vol376]

There is a difference between observations and constantly ripping everything Holly does or doesn't do ad nauseum. Plenty of people strictly focus on the latter.

Exactly and they mock and attack people who defend Holly. They have the right to their opinion but anyone who disagrees gets blasted and needled about why they support her. The more they say against her, the more I root for her. The haters and armchair coaches and critics that won't give her any credit for anything positive whatsoever can kiss my ass. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Volfan2012]

https://www.facebook.com/thisisinsidertravel/videos/1629837434010086/


Being against or for Holly is like a Japanese peddling rollercoaster ride.

 

[LadyVol1908]

Other coaches and WNBA analysts have still listed Diamond as the potential Top pick of the draft when many of you dog her around here! You can be an inside out team and that is not a problem, the problem is when you have advantages elsewhere and you don't take advantage of them, that's holding talent hostage! Allow certain plays to play how they are comfortable playing instead of forcing them to play how you want them to play! John Thompson (Georgetown Hall of Fame Coach) had Big Man after Big Man (Ewing, Mutumbo, Alonzo Mourning) and they were dominant, when he got Allen Iverson, he didn't force Allen Iverson to conform to dumping the ball into a Post Player (although that had been the way his teams were always constructed) he allowed Allen Iverson to be Iverson and look at how it turned out for Coach Thompson, Iverson, & Georgetown at the time! Play your players to their strengths while helping them correct their weakness. But I digress because some of you think every observation is a bash Holly observation! We are bringing talent in, let the talent perform and not have them seconding guess if they are even able of playing

WTF!!!! You act like our inside players take 100% of the shots! When you have inside players making over 50% of their shots.....why in the HELL would you not want them to take the majority....it's simple math. That's beside the point though, when Mercedes isn't taking the shots....it's our guards taking and missing open shots, or taking contested shots and missing them. Either way, EVERY BODY is getting their fair share of shots on the team...some are making them, some are missing. Whose being held hostage here????? Being held hostage would insinuate that Holly is telling them not to take any shots, not to "play their game" and just let Cedes take all the shots....man get real!!!

Everyone raise their hand if they think Diamond will be the #1 pick in the draft, based on her play so far this season......

Diamond is only garnering this attention because of her freshman year and it's a weak draft class this year. She just doesn't do it for me yet, to others she may, but in my eyes she still needs more time in college before I can anoint her the #1 overall draft pick for this class or even next if she decides to stay (which she will) Diamond looks like she's been playing the way she's wanted to play since she's arrived at Tenn, so you don't think she's one of the ones being "held hostage" do you???

 

[LVJeff]

Other coaches and WNBA analysts have still listed Diamond as the potential Top pick of the draft when many of you dog her around here! You can be an inside out team and that is not a problem, the problem is when you have advantages elsewhere and you don't take advantage of them, that's holding talent hostage! Allow certain plays to play how they are comfortable playing instead of forcing them to play how you want them to play! John Thompson (Georgetown Hall of Fame Coach) had Big Man after Big Man (Ewing, Mutumbo, Alonzo Mourning) and they were dominant, when he got Allen Iverson, he didn't force Allen Iverson to conform to dumping the ball into a Post Player (although that had been the way his teams were always constructed) he allowed Allen Iverson to be Iverson and look at how it turned out for Coach Thompson, Iverson, & Georgetown at the time! Play your players to their strengths while helping them correct their weakness. But I digress because some of you think every observation is a bash Holly observation! We are bringing talent in, let the talent perform and not have them seconding guess if they are even able of playing

If I remember correctly Georgetown went to three final fours and won one championship with Ewing. With Iverson, Georgetown went to a couple of sweet 16's and then he bailed for the NBA.

I preferred the Ewing-led teams.

 

[Bernard]

Having the No1 recruiting class in the country, doesn't mean a NCAA championship is going to be handed to us. Lets let, these young ladies come in and find their niche. It is enough pressure on them already ( from the lofty rankings) . We will be much better next year because all four of these young ladies posses what we need. Westbrook, can play 4 positions, her biggest attributes are (finding the open man) outstanding passer and her will to win. Hayes, outstanding floor general, can break defenses down and get to the rim (just ask their rival Blackmon from last yr.) Davis, its not a shot that she doesn't like, cold blooded with ice in her veins ( the scorer we desperately needed). K.K, she reminds me of Brown from Baylor, wants she gets it in the paint, because of her size and strength, she will be a load to handle. Finally all for of these ladies have won high school championships, Westbrook and K.K trying to 3 peat!! and all 4 of them get after you defensively. Happy holidays ladies, welcome to ROCKY TOP, your winning attitudes are contagious. This class will bring in another strong recruiting class for 2018!! Remember these players, Ododa, loves playing with Tea and Diamond. DeCosta, loves playing with Westbrook. Dixon, loves playing with Hayes, and all of those guards from the state of TN, (Massengill, Balagun, Howard, Levy. Cambridge, and Alexander) have close ties with Hayes. I see that we our covering our basis pretty well.

 

[mlindsay]

WTF!!!! You act like our inside players take 100% of the shots! When you have inside players making over 50% of their shots.....why in the HELL would you not want them to take the majority....it's simple math. That's beside the point though, when Mercedes isn't taking the shots....it's our guards taking and missing open shots, or taking contested shots and missing them. Either way, EVERY BODY is getting their fair share of shots on the team...some are making them, some are missing. Whose being held hostage here????? Being held hostage would insinuate that Holly is telling them not to take any shots, not to "play their game" and just let Cedes take all the shots....man get real!!!

Everyone raise their hand if they think Diamond will be the #1 pick in the draft, based on her play so far this season......

Diamond is only garnering this attention because of her freshman year and it's a weak draft class this year. She just doesn't do it for me yet, to others she may, but in my eyes she still needs more time in college before I can anoint her the #1 overall draft pick for this class or even next if she decides to stay (which she will) Diamond looks like she's been playing the way she's wanted to play since she's arrived at Tenn, so you don't think she's one of the ones being "held hostage" do you???

Half the damn team is being held hostage and aren't being coached to their strengths, and her freshman year shows that the talent is there (right or wrong)?

I'm seeing teams with far less talent than we have out performing us and that is a problem but you dumb homers do see it!

Coaches with the level of talent we have don't struggle against teams like James Madison or lose to Penn State.

What's going to be the excuse if we lose Sunday and fall out of the Top 25 at 3-2 on the season?

Are you 100% positive we win the game?

A game in the past where we would be favored by 20plus and we are only favored by 8

 

[mlindsay]

WTF!!!! You act like our inside players take 100% of the shots! When you have inside players making over 50% of their shots.....why in the HELL would you not want them to take the majority....it's simple math. That's beside the point though, when Mercedes isn't taking the shots....it's our guards taking and missing open shots, or taking contested shots and missing them. Either way, EVERY BODY is getting their fair share of shots on the team...some are making them, some are missing. Whose being held hostage here????? Being held hostage would insinuate that Holly is telling them not to take any shots, not to "play their game" and just let Cedes take all the shots....man get real!!!

Everyone raise their hand if they think Diamond will be the #1 pick in the draft, based on her play so far this season......

Diamond is only garnering this attention because of her freshman year and it's a weak draft class this year. She just doesn't do it for me yet, to others she may, but in my eyes she still needs more time in college before I can anoint her the #1 overall draft pick for this class or even next if she decides to stay (which she will) Diamond looks like she's been playing the way she's wanted to play since she's arrived at Tenn, so you don't think she's one of the ones being "held hostage" do you???

And to further answer your question about Diamond;

WNBA prospects to watch ? PART I - Swish Appeal

She was also voted the 8th best player in the Top 25 players in the country!

espnW's top 25 women's college basketball players for 2016-17

Where is Russell (who is also eligible for the draft) on either list and for it to be a weak class still says a lot because people like you don't think she is talented

 

[LadyVol1908]

Half the damn team is being held hostage and aren't being coached to their strengths, and her freshman year shows that the talent is there (right or wrong)?

I'm seeing teams with far less talent than we have out performing us and that is a problem but you dumb homers do see it!

Coaches with the level of talent we have don't struggle against teams like James Madison or lose to Penn State.

What's going to be the excuse if we lose Sunday and fall out of the Top 25 at 3-2 on the season?

Are you 100% positive we win the game?

A game in the past where we would be favored by 20plus and we are only favored by 8

You see teams with more talented guards that are beating us......

I'm far from a "dumb homer"...I'm just a person whom doesn't share your opinion, but if you think that's being a "dumb homer", then so be it......I'll take it and wear it proudly because your opinions of Holly and the teams has been some of the DUMBEST post I've seen on this sight this year so hey, I guess we're on the same page here!

I don't know what's going to be the excuse if we lose Sunday....if the girls are missing open shots, not cutting in the zone, and playing with no effort then I guess you can go ahead and get your essays together to combat anything anyone says if it's not BASHING HOLLY because of the loss!

That's your problem, living in the past!!! We have a standard yes, but this team won't meet it this year....it's quite obvious! We do not have the guards and Defense to win a championship. There are teams that are far more talented than we are, you seem to be the "dumb homer" at this point...This is our reality and people need to face it....stop living in the past!!!

 

[LadyVol1908]

And to further answer your question about Diamond;

WNBA prospects to watch ? PART I - Swish Appeal

She was also voted the 8th best player in the Top 25 players in the country!

espnW's top 25 women's college basketball players for 2016-17

Where is Russell (who is also eligible for the draft) on either list and for it to be a weak class still says a lot because people like you don't think she is talented

When did I say Diamond isn't talented?????? I'm not questioning her talent, she just hasn't put it all together at Tenn yet....that's all I'm saying.

Russell isn't ready yet either imo so I don't expect to see her on these list....BUT I think I'm missing your point, because you posting articles doesn't really answer my question....I am a "dumb homer" though so can you help me out here, what are these articles supposed to be showing me regarding Diamond being "held hostage"????

 

[LVJeff]

... and her freshman year shows that the talent is there (right or wrong)? ...

If you're speaking of Diamond, then her numbers at Tennessee are almost identical to her numbers her freshman year at North Carolina. I think one of the differences at North Carolina was that North Carolina had better guard play while Diamond was there. They actually had a good point guard, didn't they? Tennessee doesn't.

 

[mlindsay]

If you're speaking of Diamond, then her numbers at Tennessee are almost identical to her numbers her freshman year at North Carolina. I think one of the differences at North Carolina was that North Carolina had better guard play while Diamond was there. They actually had a good point guard, didn't they? Tennessee doesn't.

Wasn't Holly a Point Guard? Coach Law was also a Point Guard correct? Their job is to coach them up/develop them into better players. There are teams playing without talent at key positions and their teams are still getting it done! Geno has 3 of his Wings (Collier, Williams, & Samuelson) playing PF & C and they haven't lost a beat, has he made excuses about his players lacking effort/wanting to compete? We will see what happens Sunday and I truly hope we have improved and win because a lost at Va Tech will definitely be a problem no matter how you slice it!

 

[cwbytruckers]

(We will see what happens Sunday and I truly hope we have improved and win because a lost at Va Tech will definitely be a problem no matter how you slice it!)

That's not a problem. That's a disaster.

 

[VOL720]

Wasn't Holly a Point Guard? Coach Law was also a Point Guard correct? Their job is to coach them up/develop them into better players. There are teams playing without talent at key positions and their teams are still getting it done! Geno has 3 of his Wings (Collier, Williams, & Samuelson) playing PF & C and they haven't lost a beat, has he made excuses about his players lacking effort/wanting to compete? We will see what happens Sunday and I truly hope we have improved and win because a lost at Va Tech will definitely be a problem no matter how you slice it!

Geno is in a league of his own when it comes to coaching and as a basketball mind. The next closest is Tara Vanderveer and Muffett McGraw. Then there's a major drop off. I hate it for UConn once he retires because no one will be able to come in behind him and have that type of success. Again I say I'm not a coach, but I think some feelings need to be hurt on this team. The guard play has been consistently inconsistent. I'm sorry, but Reynolds needs to give way more. It's sad to say if Hayes was a Freshman and was on this team, I'll have more confidence in her than our Senior point guard. Some of this play is from being lazy. If the starting five would perform consistently the Lady Vols will win a lot of games, if not we will see the same results as last season.

 

[LadyVol1908]

Geno is in a league of his own when it comes to coaching and as a basketball mind. The next closest is Tara Vanderveer and Muffett McGraw. Then there's a major drop off. I hate it for UConn once he retires because no one will be able to come in behind him and have that type of success. Again I say I'm not a coach, but I think some feelings need to be hurt on this team. The guard play has been consistently inconsistent. I'm sorry, but Reynolds needs to give way more. It's sad to say if Hayes was a Freshman and was on this team, I'll have more confidence in her than our Senior point guard. Some of this play is from being lazy. If the starting five would perform consistently the Lady Vols will win a lot of games, if not we will see the same results as last season.

No its ALL Holly! You see the same thing I see on the court but trust me, it's Holly's fault that they play lazy. (all sarcasm)

 

[mlindsay]

No its ALL Holly! You see the same thing I see on the court buy trust me, it's Holly's fault that they play lazy. (all sarcasm)

It's Holly's fault because she is the coach and continues to tolerate it, that is where the problem is! If Reynolds, Diamond, or whomever else is playing lazy you sit them and go with the players that are going to respond to you! Nobody said it was all on Holly but to continue to allow it to be a problem and respond with an I don't know is a problem. As stated Pat would take names off the back of the jerseys, make them do their own laundry and a list of other things. Not saying Holly hasn't done that but there are noticeable things that aren't being done yet some folk sit and praise Holly like she's doing the best she can is the problem (or maybe it is the best she can).


People say Harris isn't ready but if Harris is going to put forth more effort than someone else who is playing but not giving effort then why play her?

We keep saying next year and making excuses for Holly and yet it seems like we are getting worst before we are getting better. The incoming class is problem but you can have all the talent in the world and don't get it done! I am done with it though, I will keep quiet about Holly and what she's doing and re-evaluate her at the end of the year!

 

[LadyVol1908]

It's Holly's fault because she is the coach and continues to tolerate it, that is where the problem is! If Reynolds, Diamond, or whomever else is playing lazy you sit them and go with the players that are going to respond to you! Nobody said it was all on Holly but to continue to allow it to be a problem and respond with an I don't know is a problem. As stated Pat would take names off the back of the jerseys, make them do their own laundry and a list of other things. Not saying Holly hasn't done that but there are noticeable things that aren't being done yet some folk sit and praise Holly like she's doing the best she can is the problem (or maybe it is the best she can).


People say Harris isn't ready but if Harris is going to put forth more effort than someone else who is playing but not giving effort then why play her?

We keep saying next year and making excuses for Holly and yet it seems like we are getting worst before we are getting better. The incoming class is problem but you can have all the talent in the world and don't get it done! I am done with it though, I will keep quiet about Holly and what she's doing and re-evaluate her at the end of the year!

Bro we don't have the depth to sit the unresponsive ones this year, that's the problem....Carter and Cooper arent available....so who do you play that will actually be effective against a team with quality guard play? We've seen Holly sit players for playing crappy haven't we???? Does she have the luxury to do that this year....no, will she next year, yes!

However once she starts doing that, she'll then be bashed for shuffling players in and out! It's a never ending cycle with some posters unfortunately

 

[LVJeff]

Wasn't Holly a Point Guard? Coach Law was also a Point Guard correct? Their job is to coach them up/develop them into better players...

I agree. I wish the guard play, especially point guard, was better. (Perhaps the old saying you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear applies here). All I was attempting to do was offer an explanation for why DeShields wasn't having the impact at TN she had at UNC. Perhaps there was better overall guard play at UNC.

 

[Nute Gunray]

Geno is in a league of his own when it comes to coaching and as a basketball mind. The next closest is Tara Vanderveer and Muffett McGraw. Then there's a major drop off. I hate it for UConn once he retires because no one will be able to come in behind him and have that type of success. Again I say I'm not a coach, but I think some feelings need to be hurt on this team. The guard play has been consistently inconsistent. I'm sorry, but Reynolds needs to give way more. It's sad to say if Hayes was a Freshman and was on this team, I'll have more confidence in her than our Senior point guard. Some of this play is from being lazy. If the starting five would perform consistently the Lady Vols will win a lot of games, if not we will see the same results as last season.

You are 100% correct when you say that the LV can win a lot more games if the starting 5 perform more consistent. The starting 5 scored 11 points in the PSU loss (minus Russell and Nared).

 

[Volfan2012]

The team we lost to Penn State just lost to Georgetown by 14.