Non-Lady Vol Basketball News 2025-26

Gabby looked much better in the first game. A lot of hype seemed to be around her eclipsing 1000 points, but she had a lot of looks that she normally hits. UGA will be fine and just need to settle down, because we missed tons of easy layups. Coombs will continue to make an impact for us, along with Morrison (if she can stay healthy). Morrison has been injured every summer except her initial summer as a freshman. This is one of the most talented squads Joni has had since she has been in Athens. Javyn looked great in the game against Mercer, but forced some shots that were not in the flow of the offense against Tech. Bates has improved over the summer as well. Georgia’s speed and depth is gonna wear down teams that do not have a deep bench. We are so much better in transition and if the three ball starts to fall for Barker and Connally we will be that much better.

I like Morrison but am in love with Staiti. I watch Georgia’s games just for her. She’s so composed in the paint, blocks shots and can hit the jumper. I just don’t think Georgia has the shooters to contend with better teams.
 
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It feels like Autumn Newby (Vandy) and Jordan Lewis (bama) have been in college FOREVER. Both of them have given us fits. Ready for them to graduate. Was looking around at other games and could have sworn the two of them should have graduated. Guess not though lol
 
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Caitlin Clarke (Iowa) and Hailey Van Lithe (Louisville) have to be the most impressive freshmen in the country so far in this early season. Check out some of their highlights and box scores if you haven’t
 
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I am really enjoying all this positive coverage about Nikki McCray during halftime of this MissState v. New Orleans game. Any time a native Tennessean does well I’m happy, but Nikki is just extra special. 😄
 
And speaking of Mississippi State, I don’t think there is anyone on that team who isn’t quick and can jump out of the gym. Lady Vols are definitely going to have to bring their best game to stay with the Bulldogs. 😲
 
I haven’t seen many games this year, but Mississippi State is by far the best team, top to bottom, I’ve seen yet. I believe they look better than they did last year and could beat anyone in the country. ANYone.
 
I haven’t seen many games this year, but Mississippi State is by far the best team, top to bottom, I’ve seen yet. I believe they look better than they did last year and could beat anyone in the country. ANYone.
JaMya Mingo Young is easily the most improved player in the SEC so far. The also have that high-low down pat and do a great job of making the extra pass. Myah Taylor is probably the best pure PG in the SEC in terms of running the offense. And that's not even mentioning Carter and Rickea.

Nikki must be shaking her head and laughing at her fortune of inheriting such a loaded roster. I agree that they can beat anyone. SC will more than have their hands full with them.
 
JaMya Mingo Young is easily the most improved player in the SEC so far. The also have that high-low down pat and do a great job of making the extra pass. Myah Taylor is probably the best pure PG in the SEC in terms of running the offense. And that's not even mentioning Carter and Rickea.

Nikki must be shaking her head and laughing at her fortune of inheriting such a loaded roster. I agree that they can beat anyone. SC will more than have their hands full with them.

Is that including Rae Burrell because right now she is showing me something...
 
Is that including Rae Burrell because right now she is showing me something...

Mingo Young is showing the kind of improvement that Rae did from her freshman year straight to now. I wasn't impressed with her last year: Turnover prone, poor shooter, bad decision maker. I figured she would be fighting for minutes as Taylor's backup and fighting for extra minutes at SG against Matharu and Hayes. But in two games, she's averaging 15.5 pts shooting 85%, 8.5 rbds and 5 assists. And both games were nearly identical. Clearly that FG% won't keep, but she is playing flat out right now.
 
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Caitlin Clarke (Iowa) and Hailey Van Lithe (Louisville) have to be the most impressive freshmen in the country so far in this early season. Check out some of their highlights and box scores if you haven’t

I didn't expect it, but I was really hoping we could land one of those two.

Van Lith is the type of player who sells tickets and puts butts in the stands.
 
Is that including Rae Burrell because right now she is showing me something...

You weren’t asking me, but as much as I adore Rae Burrell and her energy, her confidence and her willingness to take over a game, she still hasn’t completely broken the habit of occasionally driving a tad out-of-control into traffic. She’s only done it a couple of times this year, but I’m gonna need Rae to work on that. Once she cuts that wince-inducing behavior out, and if she’ll pick it up on the boards a little, I’ll be willing to put money on Rae against anybody. I love Rae and she is amazing, but it’s actually good news that she is this good even though she still has plenty of room for improvement.
 
I like Morrison but am in love with Staiti. I watch Georgia’s games just for her. She’s so composed in the paint, blocks shots and can hit the jumper. I just don’t think Georgia has the shooters to contend with better teams.

I enjoy watching Staiti as well. Really think if she carries on like she has been the last 15 games or so she has a real shot at making a WNBA roster. She can hit the 3 and she’s pretty agile at her size.

Definitely don’t have consistent enough shooters to contend every night. Their guards are very hot and cold.
 
You weren’t asking me, but as much as I adore Rae Burrell and her energy, her confidence and her willingness to take over a game, she still hasn’t completely broken the habit of occasionally driving a tad out-of-control into traffic. She’s only done it a couple of times this year, but I’m gonna need Rae to work on that. Once she cuts that wince-inducing behavior out, and if she’ll pick it up on the boards a little, I’ll be willing to put money on Rae against anybody. I love Rae and she is amazing, but it’s actually good news that she is this good even though she still has plenty of room for improvement.

Very true but their sample sizes are identical and i was asking because they said they would make her most improved through the games we played...
 
I didn't expect it, but I was really hoping we could land one of those two.

Van Lith is the type of player who sells tickets and puts butts in the stands.

I was too, still sad about Hailey. Really would have loved to have her. Always figured Caitlin was headed to Iowa. Clark’s passing ability is insane for a freshman. To have 30 points and 13 assists in your second career game against a pretty tough opponent is wild.
 
I enjoy watching Staiti as well. Really think if she carries on like she has been the last 15 games or so she has a real shot at making a WNBA roster.

I think so, too. I’d love that for her because she has clearly worked extremely hard to grow her game. I remember how clunky she was as a freshman. She had the size, but she was timid. No more!
 
JaMya Mingo Young is easily the most improved player in the SEC so far. The also have that high-low down pat and do a great job of making the extra pass. Myah Taylor is probably the best pure PG in the SEC in terms of running the offense. And that's not even mentioning Carter and Rickea.

Nikki must be shaking her head and laughing at her fortune of inheriting such a loaded roster. I agree that they can beat anyone. SC will more than have their hands full with them.

Yeah they are going to have a great season. We will see how McCray holds up in two or three seasons. She has the benefit of having inherited all those players they landed after their two Natty games. She also inherited a great, positive culture.

Poor Kellie was left with a mess, I’m really hopeful we have somewhat of a turn around this season. I like the looks of this team but after watching everyone else I think we will finish right about where we did last year. Hope we get at least 1 or 2 wins we aren’t supposed to get though. A marquee win over someone like SC or UCONN would have me over the moon. Never hurts to dream lol.
 
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I think so, too. I’d love that for her because she has clearly worked extremely hard to grow her game. I remember how clunky she was as a freshman. She had the size, but she was timid. No more!

Yes, she’s a totally different player now. They said she went to Joni about halfway through the SEC season last year and told her she “thought she could do more.” Girl why were you hiding it !?!?!? Lol
 
Yeah they are going to have a great season. We will see how McCray holds up in two or three seasons right now. Has the benefit of having inherited all those players they landed after their two Natty games. She also inherited a great, positive culture.

Poor Kellie was left with a mess, I’m really hopeful we somewhat of a turn around this season. I like the looks of this team but after watching everyone else I think we will finish right about where we did last year. Hope we get at least 1 or 2 wins we aren’t supposed to get though. A marquee win over someone like SC or UCONN would have me over the moon. Never hurts to dream lol.
we will be top 4 SEC
we should be top 4
if
 
Which is where we finished last year. Tied for third. I do think this team could take a run in the SEC tournament (God willing we have one). Whereas I did not have any expectation of that last season.
depends on how the vision is for this org
is it going to be a team on a mission
or
a team of missionaries

I see us as 8 deep right now possibly nine
but if we play to let everybody get minutes,,,
 
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