Players discuss last year vs this year.

#2
#2
The player questions session was so enjoyable! Gosh, we sure do have an adorable team to follow. 🧑 The excitement they're all feeling? I am right there with them on that!

I may have to watch that another time or two. πŸ€—
 
#3
#3
Impressive group of Lady Vols! If you have checked out of the Lady Vols due to frustration with recent teams, this year is your opportunity to reconnect at the beginning of what will be a multiple national championship winning run by the next legendary coach, Kim Caldwell. You don’t want to miss this.
 
#4
#4
The title of this thread seems like a deliberate attempt at pot stirring. Very little of the player interviews were about that comparison and when that was brought up they didn't have anything bad to say. None of the transfers disparaged their former programs either. Maybe move on?

I did really enjoy the player interviews bc there are several players I'd never heard from before. As always, they are a very impressive group of young ladies. Loved Boyd's short and sweet answers: yep, nope, maybe. No wasted motion. OTOH there's Latham, who appears very thoughtful, "Let me tell you a quick story".

One I didn't like was Spencer's. Very sharp, very well spoken young lady, but I could have sure done without hearing her say CKC's system was almost exactly like the one she played in at Arkansas. I've spent the last 6 months convincing myself that was not the case.

Impressed w Kaiya being so upbeat, what a ray of sunshine she is. Impressed w Coops goal - a natty of course! Love Sara and the Darbys saying how much they've loved their time here and how it always was and always will be Tennessee for them.
 
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#6
#6
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#7
#7
One I didn't like was Spencer's. Very sharp, very well spoken young lady, but I could have sure done without hearing her say CKC's system was almost exactly like the one she played in at Arkansas. I've spent the last 6 months convincing myself that was not the case.

When I heard that I immediately thought, "Oh gawd. Glv98 is NOT going to like that one bit!"

We'll just have to wait and see. 😰

I do love this group already. I wonder if some of the ones we didn't see (Whitehorn, Wells, Strickland, Aydele -- and Hollingshead we already know of) are the ones Kim was referring to when she said we were currently a little "banged up."

Hopefully we are not quite THAT banged up! But we're Tennessee, so nothing "injury" surprises me anymore.

Oh PLEEEEAAAAASE, basketball gods, let Kaiya be the only sacrifice you need from the Lady Vols this season. You know this program has given more than its fairvshare over the years. Give us a break!

Here, basketball gods, take these instead:

πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’ Six beautiful diamond rings! Aren't they nice?
πŸ€πŸ€πŸ€πŸ€πŸ€ A lifetime supply of four-leaf clovers!
🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩 A dozen chocolate glazed Krispy Kremes!
🍾🍾 All the champagne you want!
πŸ›· A new snow sled! Wouldn't that be fun?!
🎫🎫 Lifetime supply of tickets for you and another sport's god to any concerts you choose!
✈️ Free airfare for life!
πŸ’΅πŸ’΅πŸ’΅πŸ’΅πŸ’΅πŸ’΅πŸ’°πŸ’°πŸ’°πŸ’΅πŸ’΅πŸ’΅πŸ’°πŸ’°πŸ’° Lots of cold, hard cash!
 
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#8
#8
When I heard that I immediately thought, "Oh gawd. Glv98 is NOT going to like that one bit!"
LOL, sometimes I see things posted and think of you or Lucy immediately.
I wonder if some of the ones we didn't see (Whitehorn, Wells, Strickland, Aydele -- and Hollingshead we already know of) are the ones Kim was referring to when she said we were currently a little "banged up."
Here's one I saw of Ruby:
 
#9
#9
Some of the most intriguing parts:

Who can give anyone on the team buckets, any day of the week?​

Talaysia Cooper: 7 votes
Jewel Spear: 6 votes
Also receiving votes: Ruby Whitehorn, Tess Darby
Tennessee guard Talaysia Cooper (55) practices after the Lady Vols' media day at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2023.


Who do you hate going up against in one-on-ones the most?​

Talaysia Cooper: 6 votes
"She's just long as a defender. She makes me better though, so I appreciate it." β€” Jewel Spear
Favor Ayodele: 4 votes
"I'd say either Favor or Sara, they like to throw elbows." β€” Destinee Wells
Sara Puckett: 3 votes
"Sara, she's too physical. She's going to knock you over, them elbows are coming." β€” Ruby Whitehorn
Also receiving votes: Jewel Spear, Samara Spencer, Kaniya Boyd
"Nobody, but if I had to pick, I'd probably say Sam (Spencer). She matches my speed really well and she's really crafty about sticking her hand on the ball." β€” Kaiya Wynn

Who's most likely to make a WNBA roster?​

Jewel Spear: 9 votes
Talaysia Cooper: 4 votes
Everybody: 5 votes
Also receiving votes: Sara Puckett
COOPER:Inside Talaysia Cooper's journey from Turbeville, South Carolina, to Lady Vols basketball

Who are you trusting with the game-winning shot?​

Jewel Spear: 14 votes
"The way she's been shooting the basketball in practice, she should be (a popular answer)." β€” Tess Darby
"I'm putting all my money on Jewel." β€” Jillian Hollingshead
Talaysia Cooper: 3 votes

Sara Puckett: 2 votes
"Me and Sara, because she's done it before." β€” Jewel Spear
Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.
https://popup.taboola.com/en
 
#10
#10
I'm pretty sure Talaysia Cooper is the real deal. I saw her play in person for the first time last year at a practice. It was only on the scout team, but I immediately had the same impression as the first time I saw Rickea play in person. This is a diifferent level of elite athleticism, just in the way they move around the court. Not even necessarily the way they shoot etc., just the raw stuff. Looks like her teammates feel that way too.
 
#11
#11
The title of this thread seems like a deliberate attempt at pot stirring. Very little of the player interviews was about that comparison and when that was brought up they didn't have anything bad to say. None of the transfers disparaged their former programs either. Maybe move on?

I did really enjoy the player interviews bc there are several players I'd never heard from before. As always, they are a very impressive group of young ladies. Loved Boyd's short and sweet answers: yep, nope, maybe. No wasted motion. OTOH there's Latham, who appears very thoughtful, "Let me tell you a quick story".

One I didn't like was Spencer's. Very sharp, very well spoken young lady, but I could have sure done without hearing her say CKC's system was almost exactly like the one she played in at Arkansas. I've spent the last 6 months convincing myself that was not the case.

Impressed w Kaiya being so upbeat, what a ray of sunshine she is. Impressed w Coops goal - a natty of course! Love Sara and the Darbys saying how much they've loved their time here and how it always was and always will be Tennessee for them.
98, am I sensing BLVS creeping in? Just kidding!
I was actually struck by that response, as well; but in a bit more of a positive way. I think she was actually quite discreet, if not coy in her comparison. Notice she used the word "similar." Of course, she (and all of them) "likes to play like that;" and that similarity was likely very appealing to her, and probably the deciding factor in her choice of schools. I think that Coach Kim has stressed defense and rebounding, well beyond what she had previously experienced. Again, similar, but definitely NOT Arkansas. She is critical for us, for skills and leadership, but most-specifically in aiding the transition for Cooper and Boyd. The SEC margins - at least one-through-ten, are so thin.

She also called Coach Kim "honorable." "...because, not a lot of people would take a job like this." I didn't take that as a negative. She - Sam Spencer - has given this a lot of thought. On, and, I love your Boyd-to-Latham contrast.

And, just when so many long-time Lady Vols fans want to "move on from our past," Alyssa, and Samara specifically mentioned our tradition/history as plusses. Most of all, I agree in full with your overall take: "They are a very impressive group of young ladies."
 
#12
#12
98, am I sensing BLVS creeping in? Just kidding!
I was actually struck by that response, as well; but in a bit more of a positive way. I think she was actually quite discreet, if not coy in her comparison. Notice she used the word "similar." Of course, she (and all of them) "likes to play like that;" and that similarity was likely very appealing to her, and probably the deciding factor in her choice of schools. I think that Coach Kim has stressed defense and rebounding, well beyond what she had previously experienced. Again, similar, but definitely NOT Arkansas. She is critical for us, for skills and leadership, but most-specifically in aiding the transition for Cooper and Boyd. The SEC margins - at least one-through-ten, are so thin.
Krich, after witnessing that bloody 1.1 sec on that cursed day last March in the darkened state of So Car, I'm permanently in BVS.

I loved Spencer's comments, first time I'd really heard her discuss being here. I agree she's going to be a huge factor and her SEC experience is a big plus. The part that got my BVS hopping was when she said she had an easy transition to CKC's system bc it was so much like Arky's. Hopefully only with a better roster and a better coach.
She also called Coach Kim "honorable." "...because, not a lot of people would take a job like this." I didn't take that as a negative. She - Sam Spencer - has given this a lot of though
Not a negative at all; in fact, my favorite part maybe of all the interviews. Very impressive point of view and she's right, one thing for sure about CKC she's sure not afraid of taking on a challenge. Also liked the pov that it's all new so being a new player would actually be easier.
And, just when so many long-time Lady Vols fans want to "move on from our past," Alyssa, and Samara specifically mentioned our tradition/history as plusses
I thought the same thing. Walking down that hallway full of natty goodies still works! Just have to update it now.
 
#13
#13
Krich, after witnessing that bloody 1.1 sec on that cursed day last March in the darkened state of So Car, I'm permanently in BVS.

I loved Spencer's comments, first time I'd really heard her discuss being here. I agree she's going to be a huge factor and her SEC experience is a big plus. The part that got my BVS hopping was when she said she had an easy transition to CKC's system bc it was so much like Arky's. Hopefully only with a better roster and a better coach.

Not a negative at all; in fact, my favorite part maybe of all the interviews. Very impressive point of view and she's right, one thing for sure about CKC she's sure not afraid of taking on a challenge. Also liked the pov that it's all new so being a new player would actually be easier.

I thought the same thing. Walking down that hallway full of natty goodies still works! Just have to update it now.
Yeah, the β€œhonorable” statement stung a little at first. But yeah, who could reasonably follow Pat? No one. But some can get closer than others.
 
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#14
#14
One I didn't like was Spencer's. Very sharp, very well spoken young lady, but I could have sure done without hearing her say CKC's system was almost exactly like the one she played in at Arkansas. I've spent the last 6 months convincing myself that was not the case.
Actual quote: "...not that different from Arkansas."
🩺Maybe you better play it safe and go ahead and follow BVS protocols, at least through the weekend.

We're gonna need you to be at 100% for the November Ordeal-by-Horrendousness and December's Horrendo-thon.
 
#15
#15
Actual quote: "...not that different from Arkansas."
🩺Maybe you better play it safe and go ahead and follow BVS protocols, at least through the weekend.

We're gonna need you to be at 100% for the November Ordeal-by-Horrendousness and December's Horrendo-thon.
🀣🀣🀣

…relax. πŸ˜‰
 
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#17
#17
Actual quote: "...not that different from Arkansas."
🩺Maybe you better play it safe and go ahead and follow BVS protocols, at least through the weekend.

We're gonna need you to be at 100% for the November Ordeal-by-Horrendousness and December's Horrendo-thon.
almost exactly like and not that different are not that different.
 
#22
#22
LOL, sometimes I see things posted and think of you or Lucy immediately.

Here's one I saw of Ruby:

And I’m sure you think of us only in the most complimentary ways!
I’m thinking we need a thread this year totally devoted to banner etiquette!
 
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