You're right, we disagree and that's fine.
I wasn't making a head-to-head comparison, I'm speaking about the difference between
High School BB and
Major College BB in the SEC, perhaps
The Toughest conference there is. Going from High School to College is a challenge for the Most Talented of Players coming in. You are no longer
The Big Fish in the Little Pond. You're now
A Fish in
The Vast Deep Ocean!
The players that you're comparing Justine to has been on a college campus for at Least 3 years, starting Several BB games last year all the way through the
Sweet Sixteen. Justine hasn't faced that type of competition,
EVER. Kellie Knows what she has in
Tess and Jo Jo. She also knows what
Marta was as a freshman before injuries and surgery,
ALL SEC Freshman First Team! There is only one returning player that wasn't injured who didn't see significant playing time down the stretch,
Jessie. Everyone Else is simply on a higher curve because of experience.
Justine just may carve out some good minutes next season. However, I doubt very seriously if she will get more minutes than
a 6 year Senior who has started for 2 years at UT And 2 More at her previous college,
in Jo Jo. As far as her being The First Wing off the bench
Sara and Marta, if healthy, will have a great deal to say about that. Personally, when I saw Justine play in the
Mickey D AA Game, She didn't jump off the screen when surrounded by some of the
Best High School players in Her Class. Granted, these games are overshadowed by the
"Ball-Hogs" playing point guard. But, when
CP3 and others were there, They stood out.
Rickea Jackson and Horston stood out when they played in that game.
Jaime Nared, Evina Westbrook, Tamari, Mercedes Russell, Glory Johnson, etc.,
ALL stood out when they were playing in that game. Heck,
Alexa Middlebrook stood out in
Her MCD AA Game! I didn't see that from
Justine. I did noticed
3 things about Her:
1. Her willingness to pass the ball.
2. She has a smooth shot and
Deep range from well beyond the arc.
3. How slightly built she is. She will Definitely need to get stronger to compete in the
SEC. Even Her
High School Stats don't scream -
First Year Phenom on a Senior Laden Top 5 SEC Team
In her freshman year,
Marta looked like She belonged from the beginning. Last year,
Sara looked like She belonged from the start.
Jo Jo, looks like she belongs, even though She's been playing out of position and while still not Fully recovered from
2 ACL's.-
(And people need to STOP Downing this Kid because of the fact She's had to play out of position for 90% of Her time here at UT! She is a Shooting gaurd, that CAN play some Point Guard, Not a TRUE Point Guard!) Last season,
Tess, in a role that she didn't expect, despite some down performances, looked like she belonged.
Brooklyn, looked like she belonged, despite her smaller stature.
Justine will have to show that She
belongs in the
SEC. Comparing
Justine to
Sara, I feel that
Justine will struggle until she shows that she can handle the Physicality of college ball.
Sara, when I first saw her step on
Rocky Top, She stood out and she showed from the start that she could handle the physicality.
Everything that I've seen from Justine makes me glad that She's a Lady Vol, and I will be rooting hard for Her
EVERY year that She's on
Rocky Top! It's obvious that You really like her. However, Again, You are projecting a young lady's High School Success to
D1, Major College BB and there is No Way that you can say that She will be able to translate that to her Very First Year in the
Rugged SEC. If this team wasn't as
LOADED & STACKED as it is going to be next season, my thoughts would be different. But it is
INDEED, LOADED & STACKED!!! As things stand with regard to
Justine's Freshman College Campaign, I'll believe that she will be first Wing off the bench when I see it.
ALSKI
!
