Game Thread: Lady Vols v Belmont, Home, Thurs. Nov 13th, 7PM, SEC Network

#557
#557
DeerPark12 said:
I wasn’t insulting her, just pointing out what we all knew, which was that she wasn’t a fit for this system. Not every player is a fit for every system. She was a great fit for what Kellie recruited her to do, which was to fill the Tess Darby role of being exclusively a perimeter player that the offense worked to get open and hit for a quick catch-and-shoot three. It’s not Avery’s fault that the system changed to one that doesn’t mesh with her skill set.

That said, I disagree that this team would be better this year having a player that doesn’t do what the system needs. She’s found a great landing spot that will showcase her skills and rely on those skills.
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OK, you didn't insult her; just like, a few months ago, when you made the preposterous assertion that both Sara and Jewell were "twice as fast as her, and it isn't even close." I would take the former high school track star in that one every time. At any rate, I doubt that you or I will be part of Coach Kim's recruiting committee, so, no big deal; just you, taking the opportunity to offer you unbiased opinion. Ironic, isn't it, that Coach Caldwell actually asked her to stay?

Oh, and "that said" I specifically referred to this team, at this particular time in this particular season, in which case, we could have most-certainly used her hustle and marksmanship. You conveniently chose to ignore the particulars of my reference.

Finally, for you, or anyone (I'm sorry, friends) who ever refers to any player on any team as someone who "stands in the corner," you should know that when this occurs, the fault (or credit) ALWAYS rests with the Coach. The movement, or lack thereof is a primary component to the success or failure of any offense; especially an "effort based" offense like ours. Again, my problem with your original criticism is that it was curiously selective to a particular player, and disregards the countless times current Lady Vols have done likewise.

Cheers, DeerPark!
 
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#558
#558
Lucy said:
I am assuming because it seems unlikely her hair grew that much since March. Plus it has a weird look to it, kind of stringy . Kind of like Christie Noem’s.
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Arkansas state police where looking for a white car
Tracking apple air tag
Wrong white car .
Women is suing Razorback State Police
Only if she done hair different would that made difference Lazy?
Cops only was looking for a car didn't have suspect description.
 
#560
#560
krichunaka said:
OK, you didn't insult her; just like, a few months ago, when you made the preposterous assertion that both Sara and Jewell were "twice as fast as her, and it isn't even close." I would take the former high school track star in that one every time. At any rate, I doubt that you or I will be part of Coach Kim's recruiting committee, so, no big deal; just you, taking the opportunity to offer you unbiased opinion. Ironic, isn't it, that Coach Caldwell actually asked her to stay?

Oh, and "that said" I specifically referred to this team, at this particular time in this particular season, in which case, we could have most-certainly used her hustle and marksmanship. You conveniently chose to ignore the particulars of my reference.

Finally, for you, or anyone (I'm sorry, friends) who ever refers to any player on any team as someone who "stands in the corner," you should know that when this occurs, the fault (or credit) ALWAYS rests with the Coach. The movement, or lack thereof is a primary component to the success or failure of any offense; especially an "effort based" offense like ours. Again, my problem with your original criticism is that it was curiously selective to a particular player, and disregards the countless times current Lady Vols have done likewise.

Cheers, DeerPark!
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Hope ya feel better. 💐 😘

In my experience, its been a rare occasion that DP takes a hard negative stance on a player. We all have our moments… still looking for a three point shooter.
 
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#562
#562
krichunaka said:
OK, you didn't insult her; just like, a few months ago, when you made the preposterous assertion that both Sara and Jewell were "twice as fast as her, and it isn't even close." I would take the former high school track star in that one every time. At any rate, I doubt that you or I will be part of Coach Kim's recruiting committee, so, no big deal; just you, taking the opportunity to offer you unbiased opinion. Ironic, isn't it, that Coach Caldwell actually asked her to stay?

Oh, and "that said" I specifically referred to this team, at this particular time in this particular season, in which case, we could have most-certainly used her hustle and marksmanship. You conveniently chose to ignore the particulars of my reference.

Finally, for you, or anyone (I'm sorry, friends) who ever refers to any player on any team as someone who "stands in the corner," you should know that when this occurs, the fault (or credit) ALWAYS rests with the Coach. The movement, or lack thereof is a primary component to the success or failure of any offense; especially an "effort based" offense like ours. Again, my problem with your original criticism is that it was curiously selective to a particular player, and disregards the countless times current Lady Vols have done likewise.

Cheers, DeerPark!
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Having an opinion on the player’s physical abilities is not insulting them. You’re taking it personally, so I assume you have some sort of personal connection to her. That’s fine, you just aren’t understanding what I’m saying and are choosing to shape it as a personal attack, which it isn’t. I don’t personally attack 18 to 22 year-old females for not being good at a sport. I do evaluate their abilities because this is a sports discussion board, you’re free to disagree with my evaluation. Strickland is still a D1 player at one of the top mid majors in the country, meaning that she is one of the top 1,000 or so female basketball players on the planet.

Like I said, I believe that all 13 of the current players on this team are more physically talented and are better overall basketball players than she is. To your point, I believe all 13 of them are more physically talented and better basketball players than Jewel or Sara are/were, for that matter. They all aren’t executing currently at as high of level as we saw those two at times, but I believe that’s where their ceiling is by the end of the year.
 
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#563
#563
chuckiepoo said:
Hope ya feel better. 💐 😘

In my experience, its been a rare occasion that DP takes a hard negative stance on a player. We all have our moments… still looking for a three point shooter.
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I’m not taking a hard negative stance on her. She isn’t as good as any of the current players on the roster. The fact that she was able to hit almost as many three-pointers in the game the other night as she did for Tennessee all of last season doesn’t change that fact.

She is going to have a lot of success at Belmont this year. That doesn’t mean that she would have been in the rotation here if she had stayed. If she projected to be a rotational piece here, then she would likely have stayed or transferred to another SEC school, rather than Belmont. It’s OK to play a larger role at a smaller school. She’s going to have a lot of success doing that, and I think everyone should be happy for her.
 
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#564
#564
DeerPark12 said:
I’m not taking a hard negative stance on her. She isn’t as good as any of the current players on the roster. The fact that she was able to hit almost as many three-pointers in the game the other night as she did for Tennessee all of last season doesn’t change that fact.

She is going to have a lot of success at Belmont this year. That doesn’t mean that she would have been in the rotation here if she had stayed. If she projected to be a rotational piece here, then she would likely have stayed or transferred to another SEC school, rather than Belmont. It’s OK to play a larger role at a smaller school. She’s going to have a lot of success doing that, and I think everyone should be happy for her.
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But did she really get a fair shake, never being given a chance to step up big in big games? She only appeared in 19 of 34 games last season, and only averaged 5.8 minutes in those games. Considering she only played 111 minutes the entire season, her averages were very respectable IMO, and even though we will obviously never know, I will never not think the kid was way more capable of providing more help to the LVs than the staff(s) gave her minutes to show.
 
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#565
#565
DeerPark12 said:
.... Strickland is still a D1 player at one of the top mid majors in the country, meaning that she is one of the top 1,000 or so female basketball players on the planet.

Like I said, I believe that all 13 of the current players on this team are more physically talented and are better overall basketball players than she is. .... They all aren’t executing currently at as high of level as we saw those two at times, but I believe that’s where their ceiling is by the end of the year.
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Agree fully with the top statement, although lvocd brings up a very valid point. She was also a more aggressive and much quicker player than Sara and Tess and was definitely under-used.
lvocd said:
But did she really get a fair shake, never being given a chance to step up big in big games?..
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Better than the 13 present players I have trouble with,,,I would take her over 2 of our current players and if she was the same height that number would be 3.
 
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#566
#566
Coach Jumper said:
Agree fully with the top statement, although lvocd brings up a very valid point. She was also a more aggressive and much quicker player than Sara and Tess and was definitely under-used.


Better than the 13 present players I have trouble with,,,I would take her over 2 of our current players and if she was the same height that number would be 3.
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I hate to fall back on the concept, but I’ll trust the staff and relax. 😎

I definitely wish her the best!
 
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#567
#567
chuckiepoo said:
I hate to fall back on the concept, but I’ll trust the staff and relax. 😎

I definitely wish her the best!
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Staffs make mistakes, too. Sometimes they get a wrong idea about someone in their heads, it sticks, and they dismiss players as not good enough. It happens.

Even Pat Summitt did this. For instance, something about both Jennifer Azzi and Alana Beard got stuck in her head and she decided not even to bother recruiting either player, and both players reportedly really wanted to be Lady Vols. Both of those players that Pat didn't think were good enough to play at Tennessee went on to become National Players of the Year at Stanford and Duke. Azzi, as we know, was from Knoxville. She was amazing, yet Pat didn't think she was good enough. Ugh.

I'm not suggesting Avery is on par with the greats in the game, but I'll always believe she was underused at Tennessee.
 
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#568
#568
Really can't take to much out of the way Avery played against us. She has not been all that great over the entire season for them.

www.espn.com

Avery Strickland - Belmont Bruins Guard - ESPN

View the profile of Belmont Bruins Guard Avery Strickland on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.
www.espn.com www.espn.com

36.8 percent overall and without her performance against us would be closer to 30 percent. We just decided not to guard her until she made several threes.
 
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#569
#569
An intersting facet of our three point shooting is what promise Mia holds. She already shoots well, but there were pivotal parts of our three close games that she buried a three. The threes against UTM and Belmony didn't count due to a simultaneous offensive foul way away from Mia. The crux is that the combo of being a good 3 point shooter and having a killer instinct is impressive and will likely win us some games over her career.
 
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#570
#570
DeerPark12 said:
Having an opinion on the player’s physical abilities is not insulting them. You’re taking it personally, so I assume you have some sort of personal connection to her. That’s fine, you just aren’t understanding what I’m saying and are choosing to shape it as a personal attack, which it isn’t. I don’t personally attack 18 to 22 year-old females for not being good at a sport. I do evaluate their abilities because this is a sports discussion board, you’re free to disagree with my evaluation. Strickland is still a D1 player at one of the top mid majors in the country, meaning that she is one of the top 1,000 or so female basketball players on the planet.

Like I said, I believe that all 13 of the current players on this team are more physically talented and are better overall basketball players than she is. To your point, I believe all 13 of them are more physically talented and better basketball players than Jewel or Sara are/were, for that matter. They all aren’t executing currently at as high of level as we saw those two at times, but I believe that’s where their ceiling is by the end of the year.
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Thanks for responding. A couple things for the record, then perhaps we can move on to our next "State Championship" game:
1)I consider you one of the most valuable "resources" on this, and for that matter, the softball board. I am immediately intrigued when I see your name, and I think I've "liked" a huge number of your posts, due to your communication skills and that trustworthiness. Which is why I thought your "faster than" comparison was so odd, or, dumb, for that matter. That post, couple with what I thought was an unnecessary shot at Avery during the Belmont game seemed a bit biased. Upon further consideration, you still have my respect, and my apologies for any/all misunderstandings. Likewise, I can see how someone would think that my positive remarks about Avery - "She was the second best player on the court in that particular game at that particular point of this season" might have been interpreted as a bit overboard. I tried to add enough context to my claims which you and others chose to ignore; primarily that, OUR players were more guilty of "standing and waiting" while Avery literally moved and found open shots, and drove the court and hit the buzzer beater, but, oh well.

2) I have zero connections to Avery Strickland, or any other Lady Vol. In full disclosure, I've met Ralph Weekly, and briefly discussed our Military Experiences while at last season's Western Carolina softball game. What a man? Oh, and Karlyn Pickens said, "Hi, how are y'all?" to me and my son. She's precious like that. More seriously, I don't know any of the Lady Vols; however, I enjoy watching the games, and LOVE the recruiting/portal seasons most of all.

Finally, like lvocd, I think that several players, to include Avery Strickland, and going back to The Great One's days, could have been better utilized; and that some were favored; but we could say that about practically every coach, in every sport, at every level. On that note, I feel strongly that rosters IN ALL SPORTS should be cut significantly, and for varying reasons; but, another subject for another time.

Again, I really appreciate your involvement within this little club.
 
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#571
#571
lvocd said:
But did she really get a fair shake, never being given a chance to step up big in big games? She only appeared in 19 of 34 games last season, and only averaged 5.8 minutes in those games. Considering she only played 111 minutes the entire season, her averages were very respectable IMO, and even though we will obviously never know, I will never not think the kid was way more capable of providing more help to the LVs than the staff(s) gave her minutes to show.
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You earn your right to perform and get minutes in big games in practice. I’m not there to watch practice, I haven’t seen a basketball team practice at Tennessee since Candace was playing. But all I can fall back on is the evaluation of two different coaching staffs that did watch every minute of every practice and didn’t give her those minutes. Perhaps she would have performed better in big games if she had been allowed to go out there and play. But we don’t know that and can’t know that because for whatever reason she didn’t give either staff the confidence to put her out there like the staff at Pittsburgh had in her as a freshman and the staff at Belmont has in her now as a graduate.

Not every situation is right for every player. That’s not her fault or the coaching staff’s fault or the previous coaching staff’s fault, it just didn’t work out. Now she has the opportunity to have a big year somewhere else, and again, I think everyone here is rooting for her to do exactly that. Particularly now that Tennessee won’t see her again.
 
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#572
#572
lvocd said:
Staffs make mistakes, too. Sometimes they get a wrong idea about someone in their heads, it sticks, and they dismiss players as not good enough. It happens.

Even Pat Summitt did this. For instance, something about both Jennifer Azzi and Alana Beard got stuck in her head and she decided not even to bother recruiting either player, and both players reportedly really wanted to be Lady Vols. Both of those players that Pat didn't think were good enough to play at Tennessee went on to become National Players of the Year at Stanford and Duke. Azzi, as we know, was from Knoxville. She was amazing, yet Pat didn't think she was good enough. Ugh.

I'm not suggesting Avery is on par with the greats in the game, but I'll always believe she was underused at Tennessee.
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She had a good game against us. Our defense was soft and giving up wide perimeter shots, which she knocked down. Her full length drive was nice too but again, it was aided by an insane defensive lapse.

You have to assess a player over a broader set of data points and not just anchor on their best game ever.
 
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#573
#573
madtownvol said:
She had a good game against us. Our defense was soft and giving up wide perimeter shots, which she knocked down. Her full length drive was nice too but again, it was aided by an insane defensive lap.

You have to assess a player over a broader set of data points and not just anchor on their best game ever.
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I'm not anchoring my opinion about Strickland based on that one game.
 
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