Lady Vol Press conference.

[alexvol]

MSU and SC weren’t great outside shooting teams but used dribble penetration, ball movement, and bigger guards (SC) to get the ball inside

Can you cite one similar instance when that happened last year in any Lady Vol game ....I will hang up and listen .

 

[gule]

When UT beat USC with DD & Nared taking the ball right at their bigs.

 

[alexvol]

When UT beat USC with DD & Nared taking the ball right at their bigs.

Not really but every one has an opinion.....am not going to debate because you made my point anyway and SC was not in a zone for much of the game.Time will tell how they will attack zones this year .Am anxious to see what adjustments they will make and if the freshmen will be difference makers.

 

[teacherdean]

Warlick has been encouraging, optimistic, and positive every preseason.

Just an observation...

Did anybody notice that Holly sounded a lot better in her presser. She answered question without sounding like she was out to lunch. She did not scratch her head every 5 seconds. She sounded like a real coach. I hope this is a sign of good things to come.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Did anybody notice that Holly sounded a lot better in her presser. She answered question without sounding like she was out to lunch. She did not scratch her head every 5 seconds. She sounded like a real coach. I hope this is a sign of good things to come.

She was very direct and succinct in her answers. The only question that seemed unclear was about who will start. I truly believe she doesn’t know because she is trying to figure out who plays best together. With them being freshman you probably have times where Evina is more consistent, then the next day Annie is a world beater, then they both look good together. Rennia prolly also has days where she can’t miss a shot. The adjustment to foot speed and guarding quicker guards and wings will be an adjustment for the freshman but one that I think they can make an adjustment by the time the SEC schedule rolls around.

 

[PRG]

She was very direct and succinct in her answers. The only question that seemed unclear was about who will start. I truly believe she doesn’t know because she is trying to figure out who plays best together. With them being freshman you probably have times where Evina is more consistent, then the next day Annie is a world beater, then they both look good together. Rennia prolly also has days where she can’t miss a shot. The adjustment to foot speed and guarding quicker guards and wings will be an adjustment for the freshman but one that I think they can make an adjustment by the time the SEC schedule rolls around.

Watching Annie and Evina in the AA games (McDonald and Jordan). I noticed skills that we have not had in awhile.
Westbrook can guard the other teams best scorers!!!
Annie is just as quick on defense as these small point guards that were penetrating our recent guards such as : Middleton , Andrea , (bad knees), Jordan, and even MiMi. This alone is why they will see playing time ...

Evina’s best skill (IMO) is passing. No more throwing the ball in the stands.... 90 mph fast balls wondering why Mercedes can’t catch the ball ? Throwing the ball at the feet of a 6’6” player!!!!

Penetrating a defense!!! Annie will be hard to stay in front of on offense... AND her game is getting inside of a defense and creating havoc. The only player we have had lately to penetrate was DD and she usually pulled up for jumpers instead of taking it to the goal.

Will they be successful? They are Freshmen..... BUT
Better skills than we have had lately ! (JMO)

 

[T_Vol376]

Watching Annie and Evina in the AA games (McDonald and Jordan). I noticed skills that we have not had in awhile.
Westbrook can guard the other teams best scorers!!!
Annie is just as quick on defense as these small point guards that were penetrating our recent guards such as : Middleton , Andrea , (bad knees), Jordan, and even MiMi. This alone is why they will see playing time ...

Evina’s best skill (IMO) is passing. No more throwing the ball in the stands.... 90 mph fast balls wondering why Mercedes can’t catch the ball ? Throwing the ball at the feet of a 6’6” player!!!!

Penetrating a defense!!! Annie will be hard to stay in front of on offense... AND her game is getting inside of a defense and creating havoc. The only player we have had lately to penetrate was DD and she usually pulled up for jumpers instead of taking it to the goal.

Will they be successful? They are Freshmen..... BUT
Better skills than we have had lately ! (JMO)

Thanks for this analysis - very exciting!

 

[Rickster]

I agree that the new players will have the potential to exploit teams both offensively and defensively once they learn the system and commit to moving without the ball on offense and playing lockdown defense. I hope they gel early and play as a team and not as individuals. I’m the eternal optimist but am tempering my expectations. They are freshmen and will play like freshmen as the acclimate to the college game. I do like their confidence though.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Can you cite one similar instance when that happened last year in any Lady Vol game ....I will hang up and listen .

Here you go:

34 paint points, 14 assists, and only hit 5 (only took 9 tots) three pointers... the ball movement and spacing on the floor was a lot better this game. But this game sort of fit the bill that you discussed. Those games were too far and few between. Also the heart and effort was at a max that game for the ladies!

University of Tennessee Athletics

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Can you cite one similar instance when that happened last year in any Lady Vol game ....I will hang up and listen .

Here you go:

34 paint points, 14 assists, and only hit 5 (only took 9 tots) three pointers... the ball movement and spacing on the floor was a lot better this game. But this game sort of fit the bill that you discussed. Those games were too far and few between. Also the heart and effort was at a max that game for the ladies!

University of Tennessee Athletics

 

[Nuyoika]

Here you go:

34 paint points, 14 assists, and only hit 5 (only took 9 tots) three pointers... the ball movement and spacing on the floor was a lot better this game. But this game sort of fit the bill that you discussed. Those games were too far and few between. Also the heart and effort was at a max that game for the ladies!

University of Tennessee Athletics

The biggest difference in that game as opposed to others was Jordan Reynolds. Certainly her best game of the season. Not sure if she had a better game in her career. Miss St. really couldn't handle any of the Tennessee guards that night.

 

[ksl415]

Both players look incredibly more muscular than last year!

Jamie & Mercedes?!

 

[Volfan2012]

The schedule is very positive really gives the freshmen a chance to adapt to the college game and still win. I think these freshmen are really mentally tough and will be better than the group we had last season both in limiting turnovers and scoring at a high efficiency.

 

[tennparker3]

Watching Annie and Evina in the AA games (McDonald and Jordan). I noticed skills that we have not had in awhile.
Westbrook can guard the other teams best scorers!!!
Annie is just as quick on defense as these small point guards that were penetrating our recent guards such as : Middleton , Andrea , (bad knees), Jordan, and even MiMi. This alone is why they will see playing time ...

Evina’s best skill (IMO) is passing. No more throwing the ball in the stands.... 90 mph fast balls wondering why Mercedes can’t catch the ball ? Throwing the ball at the feet of a 6’6” player!!!!

Penetrating a defense!!! Annie will be hard to stay in front of on offense... AND her game is getting inside of a defense and creating havoc. The only player we have had lately to penetrate was DD and she usually pulled up for jumpers instead of taking it to the goal.

Will they be successful? They are Freshmen..... BUT
Better skills than we have had lately ! (JMO)

It's worth mentioning that despite her omission from the U19 team pretty much every observer outside of the selection committee had Evina Westbrook as their most impressive point guard of the tryouts/camp. That included going up against Crystal Dangerfield, Tyasha Harris, Christyn Williams and some other very good college freshmen and fellow 2017 recruits.

Some sources who love to hate on Tennessee (not just now but since forever ago) were shocked she was left off the team. Some did argue that it might have been due to the fact that she is much better when she is running the point position than the off guard spot with the system they wanted and needed her to be able to be stonger at the off guard position... but they were still adamant that she outperformed Tyasha Harris and Crystal Dangerfield at the lead spot.

Chennedy Carter outshined everyone on that team at the World Cup though. SEC has some outstanding freshmen this season.

 

[SCspur]

It's worth mentioning that despite her omission from the U19 team pretty much every observer outside of the selection committee had Evina Westbrook as their most impressive point guard of the tryouts/camp. That included going up against Crystal Dangerfield, Tyasha Harris, Christyn Williams and some other very good college freshmen and fellow 2017 recruits.

Some sources who love to hate on Tennessee (not just now but since forever ago) were shocked she was left off the team. Some did argue that it might have been due to the fact that she is much better when she is running the point position than the off guard spot with the system they wanted and needed her to be able to be stonger at the off guard position... but they were still adamant that she outperformed Tyasha Harris and Crystal Dangerfield at the lead spot.

Chennedy Carter outshined everyone on that team at the World Cup though. SEC has some outstanding freshmen this season.

Who exactly said she outperformed Harris, Dangerfield, Carter, and Sutton?!?! If that's the case she would have made the team. I have a very good friend Based out of Texas who attends all USA training events said Kathleen Doyle, Crystal Dangerfield, and Harris were the best PGs of the trials. Melissa who runs passthaball documented the entire trials and has also been on record stating the best lead guards were Harris, Dangerfield, and Sutton.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Who exactly said she outperformed Harris, Dangerfield, Carter, and Sutton?!?! If that's the case she would have made the team. I have a very good friend Based out of Texas who attends all USA training events said Kathleen Doyle, Crystal Dangerfield, and Harris were the best PGs of the trials. Melissa who runs passthaball documented the entire trials and has also been on record stating the best lead guards were Harris, Dangerfield, and Sutton.

Disclaimer: this response is not to get everyone fired up😂

I don’t really keep up with who out played who in these trials. It’s fun when the ladies make the team as in the case of Jaime and Mercedes this past summer. But we all know Candice Parker should have made the Olympic team over any other forward/Center because what she can do scoring, rebounding, passing, initiating the fast break, guarding on the perimeter, guarding in the post, etc. Not one other player had her skill set (not even Stewart). Yet she still didn’t make the team... soooI can’t say if that’s the case that she would have made the team being the best on the floor because we have seen it happen before! Now if that doesn’t interest you I remember when T. Cooper was cut from the U16 and U19 try out (I think it was) after she outplayed most of the girls per reports. So I can’t say players would def make the squad. USA b-ball has even gone on record of saying we don’t always pick the best players but players that fit whatever criteria they come up with for that day it seems. There are always head scratching decisions made. I am just glad she (E) got on campus this summer as it seems to enhance our chemistry and that no players on any team were truly hurt.

 

[mlindsay]

Disclaimer: this response is not to get everyone fired up😂

I don’t really keep up with who out played who in these trials. It’s fun when the ladies make the team as in the case of Jaime and Mercedes this past summer. But we all know Candice Parker should have made the Olympic team over any other forward/Center because what she can do scoring, rebounding, passing, initiating the fast break, guarding on the perimeter, guarding in the post, etc. Not one other player had her skill set (not even Stewart). Yet she still didn’t make the team... soooI can’t say if that’s the case that she would have made the team being the best on the floor because we have seen it happen before! Now if that doesn’t interest you I remember when T. Cooper was cut from the U16 and U19 try out (I think it was) after she outplayed most of the girls per reports. So I can’t say players would def make the squad. USA b-ball has even gone on record of saying we don’t always pick the best players but players that fit whatever criteria they come up with for that day it seems. There are always head scratching decisions made. I am just glad she (E) got on campus this summer as it seems to enhance our chemistry and that no players on any team were truly hurt.

And her being cut will serve as extra motivation when she goes up against the girls that made it over her! I can guarantee that (not that she needed extra motivation)

 

[T_Vol376]

Disclaimer: this response is not to get everyone fired up😂

I don’t really keep up with who out played who in these trials. It’s fun when the ladies make the team as in the case of Jaime and Mercedes this past summer. But we all know Candice Parker should have made the Olympic team over any other forward/Center because what she can do scoring, rebounding, passing, initiating the fast break, guarding on the perimeter, guarding in the post, etc. Not one other player had her skill set (not even Stewart). Yet she still didn’t make the team... soooI can’t say if that’s the case that she would have made the team being the best on the floor because we have seen it happen before! Now if that doesn’t interest you I remember when T. Cooper was cut from the U16 and U19 try out (I think it was) after she outplayed most of the girls per reports. So I can’t say players would def make the squad. USA b-ball has even gone on record of saying we don’t always pick the best players but players that fit whatever criteria they come up with for that day it seems. There are always head scratching decisions made. I am just glad she (E) got on campus this summer as it seems to enhance our chemistry and that no players on any team were truly hurt.

Great post! And amen on the bolded part!

 

[Volfan2012]

It's worth mentioning that despite her omission from the U19 team pretty much every observer outside of the selection committee had Evina Westbrook as their most impressive point guard of the tryouts/camp. That included going up against Crystal Dangerfield, Tyasha Harris, Christyn Williams and some other very good college freshmen and fellow 2017 recruits.

Some sources who love to hate on Tennessee (not just now but since forever ago) were shocked she was left off the team. Some did argue that it might have been due to the fact that she is much better when she is running the point position than the off guard spot with the system they wanted and needed her to be able to be stonger at the off guard position... but they were still adamant that she outperformed Tyasha Harris and Crystal Dangerfield at the lead spot.

Chennedy Carter outshined everyone on that team at the World Cup though. SEC has some outstanding freshmen this season.

It would be rare for a high school girl to get selected no matter how well she played. There are a lot of politics in picking these teams and it is hard not to say that some coaches are biased in their selections. This being said most always pick the upper classmen just because they have been through the speed of the college game.
The most obvious bias of all time is the non selection of Candace Parker that was way to obvious what was going on there.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

CandAce ^ stupid phone changed it without me even realizing it ! No disrespect CP3! 😎

 

[xtpsrh08123]

Not going to lie , i would take Chennedy before Harris , Dangerfield Or Sutton anyday. This season will let you know why.

 

[SCspur]

Not going to lie , i would take Chennedy before Harris , Dangerfield Or Sutton anyday. This season will let you know why.

Yes she's a better scorer then all 3, and you may say I'm biased which I am LOL, but I'll take Harris anyday. Her IQ and poise is second to none. Her vision reminds me of Lindsay Allen with a better scoring punch. She's going to have a breakout year so be on the lookout 👀

 

[xtpsrh08123]

Yes she's a better scorer then all 3, and you may say I'm biased which I am LOL, but I'll take Harris anyday. Her IQ and poise is second to none. Her vision reminds me of Lindsay Allen with a better scoring punch. She's going to have a breakout year so be on the lookout 👀

I like Harris's poise she plays with , i wish she would be a bit more of an offensive threat though. She was a liability at times on that end especially if she missed her 1st shot or 2 .