Non-Lady Vol Basketball News 2025-26

You couldn’t be more wrong. I’ve been dreading this since the day KH inexplicably took the job. I absolutely hate seeing her get repeatedly pounded. I just didn’t think it would be this bad this soon
That’s funny, I was exactly the opposite. Ever since I heard the announcement of Kellie taking the job at Missouri, I was not only proud of her, but am excitedly looking forward to this season, even though she wasn’t left much talent, and it’s a rebuild.
 
I had the pleasure (?) of seeing the Syracuse WBB team play an exhibition game tonight against D2 team Daemen University. Despite the final score (98-62, Orange) things were not looking great for Syracuse for most of the game. They seem to be allergic to running plays and relied primarily on a combination of fast break points and players dribbling out the clock on the perimeter then chucking up a shot/attempting to drive it into the crowded paint. Shot selection was mediocre at best. Defense was difficult to measure but it wasn't anything to write home about.

I know it's just an exhibition game but .... so close to the start of the season, it did not inspire any great feelings. The team looks as lackluster as last season, even with some new additions.

Sitting around some Syracuse fans, we chatted quite a bit. Here are some consensus opinions that I agree with:

1. Syracuse lacks an identity and is coasting on past athletic success. They are content for basketball (especially WBB) to languish it mediocrity.
2. Syracuse athletics have been going downhill since they left the Big East. The "big sports" struggle to stay out of the bottom half of the conference, which breeds indifference/disinterest with the fanbase.
3. Coach Jack was a "safe" hire after the scandal with Q. Although she is a "local girl" who is well-liked by the players, the team looks lost under her leadership.
3a. She also seems unable to recruit. However it's unclear if part of this is lack of NIL and/or support from leadership.
3b. If Syracuse fails to make the NCAA tourney again this year, a new coach should be brought in. If Coach Jack stays on indefinitely, look to Syracuse to become even more irrelevant.

We also chatted about conferences and other teams, some of which is just normal fan gossip about players leaving certain programs and why ... one thing we also all agreed on is that the SEC is the best WBB conference in terms of strength and number of quality teams.
I watched a little bit of the livestream, but what did you think of Phelia? I hope she is fully healthy and has a nice season.
 
Can’t compare conferences, of course, but Maryville went 12-8 in their conference, while TN went 8-8 in theirs.

They’re a mediocre Division II team. There is no comparison. Tennessee was a Sweet 16 team with a good SEC record considering the strength of the conference last season and the addition of two top tier teams from another conference.
 
Maryville is the number 84 ranked Division two team by Massey. Looks like Missouri is in for a long season. If you look at the SEC it is Tennessee, Sc, Texas, LSu, Miss, and Oklahoma definitely the top six. Then comes Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Alabama, and Miss St., then Auburn, Florida, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Georgia, and Missouri are teams you should not lose a game to.
I think Georgia should move back into that middle tier this season. They have a really nice group of freshmen plus they brought in Dani Carnegie.
 
I watched a little bit of the livestream, but what did you think of Phelia? I hope she is fully healthy and has a nice season.

She shot the ball well anyhow and that was the biggest concern. She had a retinal detachment and there were questions on whether it might affect her shooting. So far so good.
 
While she is a person on Twitter, I'd say Talia Goodman is hardly a Missouri or SEC fangirl. She may be trying to soften the blow, though, by saying "D2 Maryville (who, by the way, is very good)".


They pay Illinois on Thursday so we'll see how good they really are. They did beat St. Louis (who won their conference tournament that year) two years ago.
 
They pay Illinois on Thursday so we'll see how good they really are. They did beat St. Louis (who won their conference tournament that year) two years ago.
Actually, Mizzou’s point guard last night doesn’t score, and attempted I believe it was a 3, at an important time near the end of the game last night, making her 0-6 for the night. That’s why not having Tyler, the new transfer point guard from Kentucky, really hurt the Tigers last night. Hopefully, Tyler can stay healthy this year.
 


Look at the fans at the Missouri game High school games get more.


Just really not a good sign. Admission was free as well. Robin usually had a good crowd, she really was that program and a fixture in Columbia. Still a little surprised they fired her.

I don’t think Harper will do any more or any less than Robin did.
 
I feel like people are underestimating LSU.

I think Joiner and Koval will make a formidable duo in the post. Joiner is quick and athletic but strong around the rim. Koval has that classic size and finesse Kim loves.

They have some of the best guards in the country in Z. Johnson, Fulwiley and F. Johnson. If they put it all together I think they’ll be the team to beat in the SEC. Not South Carolina or Texas.
 
Just really not a good sign. Admission was free as well. Robin usually had a good crowd, she really was that program and a fixture in Columbia. Still a little surprised they fired her.

I don’t think Harper will do any more or any less than Robin did.
Robin’s program was on a steep decline. It was a no brainer for the AD to look for improvement.
 
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