Transfer Portal 22-23

[Coach Jumper]

Then why wasn't she finishing and scoring at a high level at Pitt if she is that type of player? I watched a couple of full games when they signed her of her time at Pitt. She sits out on the 3 point line, doesn't play good defense, not a great passer, doesn't handle the ball often, and runs the court half speed half the time. Let's blame all that on Pitt's coach and call it a day, but she is no faster than Tess on defense and doesn't react as quickly nor is she as aggressive. Hopefully, she proves us all wrong, but I don't see it this year and maybe never at Tennessee. I stick by the Sydney Smallbone comparison with not quite as good of a shot.

I coached her,,,did you

 

[Volfan2012]

Then why wasn't she finishing and scoring at a high level at Pitt if she is that type of player? I watched a couple of full games when they signed her of her time at Pitt. She sits out on the 3 point line, doesn't play good defense, not a great passer, doesn't handle the ball often, and runs the court half speed half the time. Let's blame all that on Pitt's coach and call it a day, but she is no faster than Tess on defense and doesn't react as quickly nor is she as aggressive. Hopefully, she proves us all wrong, but I don't see it this year and maybe never at Tennessee. I stick by the Sydney Smallbone comparison with not quite as good of a shot.

She sits out on the three point line because that is what the coaches of that team wanted her to do. Plus don't forget that she was a freshman last year and in the last part of the season was going for about 10 ppg and 38 percent from the three. She got better as the season progressed. She is not going to be a super star player, but she is fairly quick and is a superior three point shooter. She could play a viable role for the team as three point shooting was not always great or efficient. Along with Destinee and Tess we now have three which can make them around 40 percent of the time. That is a lot better than having just one.

 

[Majors]

She sits out on the three point line because that is what the coaches of that team wanted her to do. Plus don't forget that she was a freshman last year and in the last part of the season was going for about 10 ppg and 38 percent from the three. She got better as the season progressed. She is not going to be a super star player, but she is fairly quick and is a superior three point shooter. She could play a viable role for the team as three point shooting was not always great or efficient. Along with Destinee and Tess we now have three which can make them around 40 percent of the time. That is a lot better than having just one.

That freshman part seems to fly over many here looking at her numbers. She played on a bad team and made the most of what she was given. If she gives same numbers here at Tennessee that’s positive bench play missing from last years team.

 

[Majors]

I coached her,,,did you

I did, another time in another sport.

 

[th2421]

Top players we're still waiting on (from ESPN's transfer rankings):

• Hailey Van Lith (presumably headed to LSU)
• Aneesah Morrow (LSU, SC, or USC)
• Lexi Donarski (maybe Indiana, but also visiting LSU later this month)
• Endyia Rogers (??)
• Te-Hina Paopao (SC?)
• Shayeann Day-Wilson (...also SC?)
• Kennedy Fauntleroy (??)
• Lauren Park-Lane (Mississippi State...?)
• Darrione Rogers (??)
• Erynn Barnum (Mississippi State...?)
• Aicha Coulibaly (TAMU or Tennesssee?)
• Kayla Padilla (someone mentioned USC?)
• Taina Mair (??)
• Lauren Ware (??)
• Kaitlyn Davis (??)

 

[chuckiepoo]

Top players we're still waiting on (from ESPN's transfer rankings):

• Hailey Van Lith (presumably headed to LSU)
• Aneesah Morrow (LSU, SC, or USC)
• Lexi Donarski (maybe Indiana, but also visiting LSU later this month)
• Endyia Rogers (??)
• Te-Hina Paopao (SC?)
• Shayeann Day-Wilson (...also SC?)
• Kennedy Fauntleroy (??)
• Lauren Park-Lane (Mississippi State...?)
• Darrione Rogers (??)
• Erynn Barnum (Mississippi State...?)
• Aicha Coulibaly (TAMU or Tennesssee?)
• Kayla Padilla (someone mentioned USC?)
• Taina Mair (??)
• Lauren Ware (??)
• Kaitlyn Davis (??)

Good stuff! Thanks.

 

[glv98]

How many game changers do you need on a team to be successful? This isn't to start an argument but i am actually curious as to what people think.

For me it's 1-2 (maybe 3). To me it is more of the system fit than anything. Game changers can be on both sides of the ball. We know Rickea is a game changer and a healthy TK is a game changer on the defensive side because at her best she is the best defensive post in the league. I look at a team like indiana who had a great system but maybe 1-2 game changers. Before their star player got hurt they were rolling. Iowa had one real game changer with a post that was good! LSU had 2 game changers but people who stepped up when called upon (Carson was a game changer in the Natty).

Uconn has always played 6-7 players a lot of minutes. All their players are really good and they've got superstars out of HS but maybe 1-2 of them keep that title when they step into uconn. They all are just really good at what they do.

So for TN Rickea is rickea and if she improves even more and plays hungry she is even more of a game changer. Now, the part is going to be who is going to be the game changer or two with who is on the roster. Wells can be a steadying hand at PG in my books that is huge game changer as we will have someone who can consistently score from the spot and keep defenders honest. She should keep the ball in her hands as she is also a good FT shooter. Jill is going to have the opportunity to be a game changer as well. Hopefully we see a healthy inshape TK by seasons end and the team will have enough time to gel with her being back.

This isn't to say I don't want another piece or 2 (because i do) on the roster i just want them to be the right piece. A solid contributor or 2 who adds to our depth and isn't a cancer on the team would help tremendously because you never know the impact of that type of player ( for us that's been Snoop, Jill, etc) .

Great post, interesting topic. It's all still new and different philosophies are out there. Some, like Kim, say take every good to great player who will sign and let the rest sort itself out. Kind of crazy not to take advantage of that, especially during your shiny new toy phase. Others, like analytical, slow to change KJH are more careful with team "chemistry".

Specifically to the LVs, IMO there are two things that should not be "recruited over": Rickea's shots and Jill's development. So that does kind of eliminate another high volume shooter and mins consumer such as Morrow. While technically Powell and (hopefully, pls Lord) Tess did get recruited over, those will probably be shared postions and the current players can still be expected to contribute situationally. So yeah, grab that solid defender, quick, decent 3 shooting, good teammate off guard and we're ready.

 

[Volfan2012]

Top players we're still waiting on (from ESPN's transfer rankings):

• Hailey Van Lith (presumably headed to LSU)
• Aneesah Morrow (LSU, SC, or USC)
• Lexi Donarski (maybe Indiana, but also visiting LSU later this month)
• Endyia Rogers (??)
• Te-Hina Paopao (SC?)
• Shayeann Day-Wilson (...also SC?)
• Kennedy Fauntleroy (??)
• Lauren Park-Lane (Mississippi State...?)
• Darrione Rogers (??)
• Erynn Barnum (Mississippi State...?)
• Aicha Coulibaly (TAMU or Tennesssee?)
• Kayla Padilla (someone mentioned USC?)
• Taina Mair (??)
• Lauren Ware (??)
• Kaitlyn Davis (??)

Five other players someone should look at are Shay Bolin number 33 on the 2022 Hoopfgurlz top 100 didn't hardly play at all for Duke. Jordyn Merritt was a very good player before an injury played end of season for Florida. Denae Fritz a combo guard that started for Iowa State only a freshman. Imani Lester number 57 on the top 100 Hoopgurlz list out of Louisville. Indya Nivar number 20 in the top 2022 top 100 out of Stanford.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

I think we’re going to be sh$$ out of luck if you know what I mean not many game changers left

I think you’re right, I can’t believe we struck out on all of them.

 

[Volfan2012]

Pitt vs Ga Tech was one of Ace's best games of last season. Well worth watching her play in this one she was really knocking down the three.

 

[VolFuture]

Five other players someone should look at are Shay Bolin number 33 on the 2022 Hoopfgurlz top 100 didn't hardly play at all for Duke. Jordyn Merritt was a very good player before an injury played end of season for Florida. Denae Fritz a combo guard that started for Iowa State only a freshman. Imani Lester number 57 on the top 100 Hoopgurlz list out of Louisville. Indya Nivar number 20 in the top 2022 top 100 out of Stanford.

Shay Bolin would be great we def need younger players

 

[DarkPhoenix]

How many game changers do you need on a team to be successful? This isn't to start an argument but i am actually curious as to what people think.

For me it's 1-2 (maybe 3). To me it is more of the system fit than anything. Game changers can be on both sides of the ball. We know Rickea is a game changer and a healthy TK is a game changer on the defensive side because at her best she is the best defensive post in the league. I look at a team like indiana who had a great system but maybe 1-2 game changers. Before their star player got hurt they were rolling. Iowa had one real game changer with a post that was good! LSU had 2 game changers but people who stepped up when called upon (Carson was a game changer in the Natty).

Uconn has always played 6-7 players a lot of minutes. All their players are really good and they've got superstars out of HS but maybe 1-2 of them keep that title when they step into uconn. They all are just really good at what they do.

So for TN Rickea is rickea and if she improves even more and plays hungry she is even more of a game changer. Now, the part is going to be who is going to be the game changer or two with who is on the roster. Wells can be a steadying hand at PG in my books that is huge game changer as we will have someone who can consistently score from the spot and keep defenders honest. She should keep the ball in her hands as she is also a good FT shooter. Jill is going to have the opportunity to be a game changer as well. Hopefully we see a healthy inshape TK by seasons end and the team will have enough time to gel with her being back.

This isn't to say I don't want another piece or 2 (because i do) on the roster i just want them to be the right piece. A solid contributor or 2 who adds to our depth and isn't a cancer on the team would help tremendously because you never know the impact of that type of player ( for us that's been Snoop, Jill, etc) .

Let me put it this way, we have one offensive game changer and that’s Rickea, I think u need at a minimum 2 but 3 would be nice. She’s the only player I can give the ball and say get me a bucket at anytime including big games. The reason I was high on Jefferson and Padilla was because they can score at every level and are big time shot makers, something g we need on this team.

Rickea needs to play with more intensity and be more selfish in my opinion. She needs to put up more shots and demand excellence from her team and also instill the confidence in them. She’s the type of talent that can carry a team to a final four but she would need to have some legendary performances to do that.

 

[VolFuture]

Five other players someone should look at are Shay Bolin number 33 on the 2022 Hoopfgurlz top 100 didn't hardly play at all for Duke. Jordyn Merritt was a very good player before an injury played end of season for Florida. Denae Fritz a combo guard that started for Iowa State only a freshman. Imani Lester number 57 on the top 100 Hoopgurlz list out of Louisville. Indya Nivar number 20 in the top 2022 top 100 out of Stanford.

Heard Nivar was expected to head back home to a NC school UNC Duke NC State

 

[Volfan2012]

Shay Bolin would be great we def need younger players

All these players except Merritt have a lot of eligibility left. Nivar is potentially as good as any guard in the portal. She couldn't play much because of the strong logjam of guards with more experience at Stanford. She was in sort of a Justine Pissott situation could not see the floor enough to prove herself. Imani Lester is super talented post player. I would certainly be glad to have either Bolin or Lester.

 

[Volfan2012]

Heard Nivar was expected to head back home to a NC school UNC Duke NC State

They are getting a really potentially great player.

 

[Volfan2012]

Let me put it this way, we have one offensive game changer and that’s Rickea, I think u need at a minimum 2 but 3 would be nice. She’s the only player I can give the ball and say get me a bucket at anytime including big games. The reason I was high on Jefferson and Padilla was because they can score at every level and are big time shot makers, something g we need on this team.

Rickea needs to play with more intensity and be more selfish in my opinion. She needs to put up more shots and demand excellence from her team and also instill the confidence in them. She’s the type of talent that can carry a team to a final four but she would need to have some legendary performances to do that.

You don't know if that will be true for next season Jill Hollingshead was getting close to that level and I think she will get there next season. Wells is certainly a player that can go off for 20 to 25 anytime she steps on the court. Her offensive efficiency is higher than Rickea's. Wells will be an excellent offensive help for Rickea and Jill could be a lot better things change over a summer players can get a lot better.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Let me put it this way, we have one offensive game changer and that’s Rickea, I think u need at a minimum 2 but 3 would be nice. She’s the only player I can give the ball and say get me a bucket at anytime including big games. The reason I was high on Jefferson and Padilla was because they can score at every level and are big time shot makers, something g we need on this team.

Rickea needs to play with more intensity and be more selfish in my opinion. She needs to put up more shots and demand excellence from her team and also instill the confidence in them. She’s the type of talent that can carry a team to a final four but she would need to have some legendary performances to do that.

Fair enough. But i think we are going to have other people that score and the scoring is going to be more spread out. I also think Destinee can score from the PG spot. I think we are going to be better than people are giving us credit for or freaking out over. Thanks for your input

 

[DarkPhoenix]

You don't know if that will be true for next season Jill Hollingshead was getting close to that level and I think she will get there next season. Wells is certainly a player that can go off for 20 to 25 anytime she steps on the court. Her offensive efficiency is higher than Rickea's. Wells will be an excellent offensive help for Rickea and Jill could be a lot better things change over a summer players can get a lot better.

Jill was showing some promise, she just needs to be more patient and learn to pass the ball back out when doubled, she does force a lot of shots up instead of passing back out and resetting. Yes Wells may have some good games, but can she score 20-25 in big games and against elite Pg’s is the question. I have no doubt that Rickea can score 20-25 or anyone in the country.

I feel like we loss a lot of games because of the scoring droughts last season, Guards have the ball in their hands most of the time, and that’s why u need an elite scorer from that position, they need to be able to create for other and for themselves at all times.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Fair enough. But i think we are going to have other people that score and the scoring is going to be more spread out. I also think Destinee can score from the PG spot. I think we are going to be better than people are giving us credit for or freaking out over. Thanks for your input

We all are hoping for the best, nice talking to u as well.

 

[Darth_Vol]

Crow is a dish best served cold. Let's see how all this plays out this upcoming season. GBO.

Look, Wells was a good get and a very encouraging start to the portal season for Kellie. Strickland was obviously a desperation take after some of the bigger fish they were targeting moved on. And oh by the way, Pissott - the one and only All-American Kellie has been able to land out of high school and arguably the player with the highest ceiling for improvement on the team - inexplicably left. And we know now the reason wasn't the imminent arrival of an upgrade from the portal like so many here speculated... something doesn't pass the smell test here.

Meanwhile LSU and South Carolina seem on the verge of landing the likes of HVL and Morrow. I find it hard to see a compelling argument that Kellie is any closer now to closing the gap with the teams ahead of her. And unless you're happy with third place finishes and Sweet 16 ceilings - which evidently many here are - I'm not sure how you couldn't feel disappointment with Kellie's offseason portal recruiting...

 

[mudcat1973]

does anyone know if one of tenn 3 transfer girls has visit somewhere besides rocky top? Could one or more stay?

 

[Volfan2012]

does anyone know if one of tenn 3 transfer girls has visit somewhere besides rocky top? Could one or more stay?

None that I have heard have anything yet. I don't think two of them would be asked to stay. One might. When you get in the portal you lose your scholarship and have to be invited back.

 

[mudcat1973]

marta , brook

None that I have heard have anything yet. I don't think two of them would be asked to stay. One might. When you get in the portal you lose your scholarship and have to be invited back.

marta , brookynn , justine still on tenn roster utsports.com. seen somewhere else other schools drop players off roster when players enter portal. do not know how many schools are like kellie and tenn. but kellie not close door on any of the three. give tenn credit for letting them stay in school why they look for a new school.

 

[Volfan2012]

marta , brook
marta , brookynn , justine still on tenn roster utsports.com. seen somewhere else other schools drop players off roster when players enter portal. do not know how many schools are like kellie and tenn. but kellie not close door on any of the three. give tenn credit for letting them stay in school why they look for a new school.

They just haven't updated it yet. I disagree think she has closed the door on two of them.

 

[therickbol]

I coached her,,,did you

This post is soooo Coach Jumper vibes.