madtownvol
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Ten games in, we can start to make some comparisons and projects. In this assessment, I am not taking into account important intangibles like team chemistry, competitive attitude, or work ethic (though it is pretty clear that this years team has a big edge in those categories). Rather, I am evaluating our player quality on a position by position basis (and assuming no major injuries and a reasonable freshman learning curve).
Lets start with the easy ones:
Mercedes 2017-18 is clearly an improved player from last season. Better hands, better footwork around the rim, getting up and down the court better, and a more physical presence in the paint.
Meme 2017-18 is a strong candidate for most improved player. She looks like an entirely different player from last year. 2016-17 her defense, despite her reputation as a stopper, often was lagging (giving up the baseline; being caught out of position). This season, she has been a rock solid defender this year and her offensive game has gone from spotty to pretty darn consistent. She can get to the rim; hit mid rangers; and her three has become a shot that defenses have to respect.
Evina and Annie are major upgrades over Reynolds and Middleton (and no disrespect to Jordan and Alexa; they were good contributors to the team last year). However, these freshman are just on a different plane of ability.
When all is said and done, I believe Green will also be an upgrade over Nunn (who again was a valuable contributor last season). I think Cheridene is more athletic and has a better touch than Schaquilla. When we add KK into the mix, this years team is much better in terms of the back-up post and PF slots than the 2016-17 team.
Nared 2017-2018 is a better version of go to player Diamond 2016-17. Jamie probably wont make as many highlight reel plays as DD but in terms of night in and night out consistent high level performance, it will be Jamie all the way.
The trickier ones:
Who will be this years version of Nared (2016-17)that is, the third component of our offensive big three? Rennia Davis looks like the most likely candidate. Davis has sky is the limit potential but she is not nearly as polished as the junior version of Nared. I think Davis may be a comparatively better rebounder and could become a better inside scorer than Jamie was last year. However, RDs overall offensive game is not of the same caliber (one caveat is that Daviss jumper actually looks pretty good and I expect that some of her threes will start falling). On balance, particularly if Davis fast tracks over the course of the season, this gap may not be too big but I think this is one position where the 2016-17 would have a moderate advantage.
And what kind of gap is left by Tea Cooper's transfer? One unknown in that equation is her recovery from the ACL injury. Sometimes players bounce back as though nothing ever happened and others struggle in their return season to regain form and confidence. Lets assume that Tea is on the positive side of the recovery curve. She showed promise as a freshman but (projecting based on the ten games), I dont think she will measure up to the freshman standard being set by Evina and Annie. So where would Cooper fit in 2017-2018 rotation? No way does she start over Westbrook. Hayes would still be my first choice off the bench. I would not cut Memes minutes either. So, my estimate is that Tea would add valuable depth to the team and would be a role player who comes in to provide a spark. But barring injury, I dont think she would be essential to the teams overall success. She would make the 2017-18 better from a talent standpoint but given the number of game minutes and three quality guards who would be ahead of her in the rotation, it would have been a small increment.
KD and Harris both look to be improved. I think KD may become that give us a spark role player but I think she still can only succeed against certain kinds of match-ups. Harris as well can have an impact in some games when the match-ups play to her strengths. From what I can tell both players have embraced their roles on the team and so edge to 2017-2018.
Coaching.
Holly seems to have a better connection with this group of players than last year. I think Holly works better with players who are highly self-motivated and competitive. Maybe CPS could instill those attributes into players but that is just not Hollys forte. However, her softer approach works well with players who dont need a drill sergeant and she is getting great results so far. Edge 2017-18 Holly.
Bridgette Gordon Her hire is a big upgrade over Jolette Law. If anyone channels the spirit of CPS, it's Gordon. I could easily see in 3 or 4 years, Holly handing the reigns over to Gordon, who would definitely keep the Summitt legacy alive.
So, yeah I am psyched about this years team.
Volnation board:
Much improved from last season; more passion; more excitement; more balanced evaluations; better troll control. Go LVs!!
Lets start with the easy ones:
Mercedes 2017-18 is clearly an improved player from last season. Better hands, better footwork around the rim, getting up and down the court better, and a more physical presence in the paint.
Meme 2017-18 is a strong candidate for most improved player. She looks like an entirely different player from last year. 2016-17 her defense, despite her reputation as a stopper, often was lagging (giving up the baseline; being caught out of position). This season, she has been a rock solid defender this year and her offensive game has gone from spotty to pretty darn consistent. She can get to the rim; hit mid rangers; and her three has become a shot that defenses have to respect.
Evina and Annie are major upgrades over Reynolds and Middleton (and no disrespect to Jordan and Alexa; they were good contributors to the team last year). However, these freshman are just on a different plane of ability.
When all is said and done, I believe Green will also be an upgrade over Nunn (who again was a valuable contributor last season). I think Cheridene is more athletic and has a better touch than Schaquilla. When we add KK into the mix, this years team is much better in terms of the back-up post and PF slots than the 2016-17 team.
Nared 2017-2018 is a better version of go to player Diamond 2016-17. Jamie probably wont make as many highlight reel plays as DD but in terms of night in and night out consistent high level performance, it will be Jamie all the way.
The trickier ones:
Who will be this years version of Nared (2016-17)that is, the third component of our offensive big three? Rennia Davis looks like the most likely candidate. Davis has sky is the limit potential but she is not nearly as polished as the junior version of Nared. I think Davis may be a comparatively better rebounder and could become a better inside scorer than Jamie was last year. However, RDs overall offensive game is not of the same caliber (one caveat is that Daviss jumper actually looks pretty good and I expect that some of her threes will start falling). On balance, particularly if Davis fast tracks over the course of the season, this gap may not be too big but I think this is one position where the 2016-17 would have a moderate advantage.
And what kind of gap is left by Tea Cooper's transfer? One unknown in that equation is her recovery from the ACL injury. Sometimes players bounce back as though nothing ever happened and others struggle in their return season to regain form and confidence. Lets assume that Tea is on the positive side of the recovery curve. She showed promise as a freshman but (projecting based on the ten games), I dont think she will measure up to the freshman standard being set by Evina and Annie. So where would Cooper fit in 2017-2018 rotation? No way does she start over Westbrook. Hayes would still be my first choice off the bench. I would not cut Memes minutes either. So, my estimate is that Tea would add valuable depth to the team and would be a role player who comes in to provide a spark. But barring injury, I dont think she would be essential to the teams overall success. She would make the 2017-18 better from a talent standpoint but given the number of game minutes and three quality guards who would be ahead of her in the rotation, it would have been a small increment.
KD and Harris both look to be improved. I think KD may become that give us a spark role player but I think she still can only succeed against certain kinds of match-ups. Harris as well can have an impact in some games when the match-ups play to her strengths. From what I can tell both players have embraced their roles on the team and so edge to 2017-2018.
Coaching.
Holly seems to have a better connection with this group of players than last year. I think Holly works better with players who are highly self-motivated and competitive. Maybe CPS could instill those attributes into players but that is just not Hollys forte. However, her softer approach works well with players who dont need a drill sergeant and she is getting great results so far. Edge 2017-18 Holly.
Bridgette Gordon Her hire is a big upgrade over Jolette Law. If anyone channels the spirit of CPS, it's Gordon. I could easily see in 3 or 4 years, Holly handing the reigns over to Gordon, who would definitely keep the Summitt legacy alive.
So, yeah I am psyched about this years team.
Volnation board:
Much improved from last season; more passion; more excitement; more balanced evaluations; better troll control. Go LVs!!
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