2017-2018 Lineup, expectations, goals

[mlindsay]

Davis is a wing. You'd be doing her like Nared doesn't want to be done. Nared and/or Davis at the four would work if we want to press/trap defensively and want to uptempo on offense, while running a 4-Out 1-In offense in the half court.

Davis is a lot more active than Nared is and is also a better shot blocker. She is thin but with KK (who unlike Russell) is going to challenge a shot (or knock over anybody that comes in her paint) I can get away with Davis at the 4 for stretches. I would also press a lot with the second unit because Westbrook and Hayes are pesky defenders and if you add MeMe to the mix (instead of Middleton) you have scrappy players who know they must make the most of their time before the starters return.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

And we both know that Kortney has never moved on the court on offense. She just hangs out behind the arc and hopes the defense forgot about her and jacks up the ball whenever and wherever it gets to her. That only works in NBA 2K games.

I agree with both of you guys... AM was the one to hit the three with most consistency off the screen BUT the "bigs" didn't set many screens for the shooters to get open either. However that inbounds play where MR sets the screen for DD and she comes in bounds and scores worked pretty well. I mean they could run that play multiple times a game until the opponent stopped it DD was consistent with the 10-12 foot pull up jumper. I think because of Rennia Davis shot mechanics being pretty darn good and her being 6'2" her coming off screens or the elevator double door screen could be a good look for her. Once Te'a gets back and comfortable hopefully she will play under control and her driving to the hoop will cause defenses to collapse and she can kick the ball to the open shooter! She reminds me of a YOUNG John wall who had to hone those skills and now he drives with a purpose and every teammate who has come to play with him in Washington in the past two years has come to see their shooting percentage (especially 3 point) go up! When I saw the sports news people break that down I immediately thought te'a could play that same style and washington wiz play both two bigs and 4 out and 1 in style.

 

[armchair]

So you missed the countless number of plays where they ran Middleton, Dunbar, and Jackson off screens for open 3s and they missed them. Idk how many times I saw a set play where all 3 were ran off a screen to the corner for a wide open 3. Middleton was the only one to hit them at a consistent clip this year.

Holly shrieks "Inside Outtttttttttt" because that's where your highest percentage of shots are being made. It's really simple math, and honestly Holly isn't the only coach to preach that philosophy...yet she's the only one that gets lambasted for it.

doesn't work. Perhaps you missed the fact that we lost 13 games this year and did not even finish in the top 25--5th seed in the SEC tourney. Why would you run screens for Jackson, who is NOT a good shooter? And Dunbar? Hard to run screens for somebody who averaged, what, 2 minutes of playing time per game? She never played. You can see how badly coached we are when we play offense--too much dribbling, players keeping the ball too long, indecision, hesitation. We had some good stretches of offensive play but we could not sustain it and follow it with stretches of terrible play. We're not tight, not efficient, lack a real sense of purpose. It's why we are where we are as a program.

 

[volfanIND]

This is fun to do in the off season, but my thoughts over the summer will be that Holly will put a lineup on the floor that will compete. Regardless of Fresh, Soph, Junior, Senior. I want to see Tennessee basketball going back to Tennessee basketball when our team was tough, strong, and competed on every play. With a line up of 13 players, I know we will have at least 5 players come to play every game. It would also be nice to have a consistent line-up of a group that will be committed to play hard.

 

[bobkitten]

Some of you have much more confidence than I in Te'a and her ability to handle the ball without losing it and dribble penetration without charging. Then there are the passing problems. I doubt she will remain a starter.

I hope the new post will be aggressive and a "bring it on" kind of player, not one who generally avoids contact and anything that looks like a foul. Perhaps with the Mtumbo attitude of "not in my house/paint."

 

[HoopDR]

So you missed the countless number of plays where they ran Middleton, Dunbar, and Jackson off screens for open 3s and they missed them. Idk how many times I saw a set play where all 3 were ran off a screen to the corner for a wide open 3. Middleton was the only one to hit them at a consistent clip this year.

Holly shrieks "Inside Outtttttttttt" because that's where your highest percentage of shots are being made. It's really simple math, and honestly Holly isn't the only coach to preach that philosophy...yet she's the only one that gets lambasted for it.

I agree that the inside shot is your highest percentage. But lets do the math.
Mercedes shot 56% for the year. That means for every 10 shots she took she would on average score 11.2 pts. Mercedes took 354 shots on the year.

Middleton shot 39% from the arc for the year. That means for every 10 shots she took from behind the arc she would on average score 11.7 pts. Middleton took 108 shots from behind the arc on the year.

That is a difference in 17% for a .5 point difference.

I did see players (Middleton included) run the baseline from corner to corner. I did not see any screens in that motion. I saw players look to get 3-point shots based solely on ball movement.

 

[Smallvol#1]

I agree that the inside shot is your highest percentage. But lets do the math.
Mercedes shot 56% for the year. That means for every 10 shots she took she would on average score 11.2 pts. Mercedes took 354 shots on the year.

Middleton shot 39% from the arc for the year. That means for every 10 shots she took from behind the arc she would on average score 11.7 pts. Middleton took 108 shots from behind the arc on the year.

That is a difference in 17% for a .5 point difference.

I did see players (Middleton included) run the baseline from corner to corner. I did not see any screens in that motion. I saw players look to get 3-point shots based solely on ball movement.

Ouch. What are you a doctor of? Mathematics?☺ Always have liked Alexa. CoachJ...input?

 

[VollyParton]

This is fun to do in the off season, but my thoughts over the summer will be that Holly will put a lineup on the floor that will compete. Regardless of Fresh, Soph, Junior, Senior. I want to see Tennessee basketball going back to Tennessee basketball when our team was tough, strong, and competed on every play. With a line up of 13 players, I know we will have at least 5 players come to play every game. It would also be nice to have a consistent line-up of a group that will be committed to play hard.

You're thinking like I am. There are a number of good possible line-ups with the 13 we will have next year, but want Holly to find the starting line-up that comes roaring out of the lockerroom and buries the opposition in the first 5 minutes. I am so done with slow starts, bad quarters, playing down to the competition, relying on fiery half-time speeches & adjustments (that are no longer reliable). The CP years were the start of the trend of starting slow, playing catch-up and then putting the other team away (maybe). In Pat's last few seasons, she lamented players that were too nice and too laid back (Angie). Holly has had many players that talk a bigger game than they typically play, and oh how they've learned their lesson this time and will never let the team down again (Ariel, Cierra). We need some fire from the get-go, and line-ups/combinations that keep the flame going thoughout 4 quarters.

I get it that it works better if players start their own engines, rather than the coach having to grab someone by the jersey, throw a cup of water in the lockerroom, slam a clipboard, etc. We just haven't had much success at self-starting.

We also need some luck with injuries for a change.

We'll see!
GLV!!!

 

[NoBackBoard]

My hope:

PG: Westbrook
SG: Cooper
SF: DeShields
PF: Nared
C: Russell

If Holly doesn't play Westbrook at PG, she should transfer. It would mean Holly has no clue what to do with her but other coaches certainly would. Should be an interesting season.

 

[armchair]

My hope:

PG: Westbrook
SG: Cooper
SF: DeShields
PF: Nared
C: Russell

If Holly doesn't play Westbrook at PG, she should transfer. It would mean Holly has no clue what to do with her but other coaches certainly would. Should be an interesting season.

Cooper can play shooting guard? Hasn't she been a PG most of her young BB career, or no? Can she dependably hit outside shots? That's what we need at the 2--a shooter/scorer/defender.

 

[NoBackBoard]

Cooper can play shooting guard? Hasn't she been a PG most of her young BB career, or no? Can she dependably hit outside shots? That's what we need at the 2--a shooter/scorer/defender.

I think she'll do a horrible job running our offense so that's the best place to put her. She played more like a sg her freshmen year anyway.

 

[gule]

what offense would that be? we don't got no stinkin offense.

 

[ksl415]

-Starting 5-
Cooper
DeShields
Nared
Russell

These are shoe ins IMO. With that other starting spot going to either Westbrook or Green.

 

[LA Vol]

Te'a is a wild card. Really no way to know if she has fully recuperated and developed into a consistent floor leader. Isn't she more of a mid-range shooter?

Westbrook will get a lot of minutes whether she starts or not-- Hayes, too.

 

[gule]

I fully expect Russell will play a much more physical style next season knowing that she has backups who can come in when she gets tired or in foul trouble. She really needs to turn it loose.

 

[Bernard]

I haven't made a comment on this page since early february because the season was so disappointing, some great wins were overshadowed by too many disappointing loses, period!! Its all about preparing and getting ready for your next opponent (everyone seen what happened to UCONN), Its called COACHING!!. Welcome back DD and MR, your leadership is a must for these incoming freshmen. Please, Please, stop putting added pressure on the incoming freshmen, they all have a ways to go (No CP is coming through that door!!) Starting 5 for next season, Cooper, DD, JN, MR and Green. This is our best lineup, and should strike some fear into there opponents because everyone is in there natural positions. JN must play at SF period, she played out of position all last season. IF they go small then u can use her at PF with one big in the game. We will have solid backups at each position, they will battle it out in practice for playing time!! Finally can everyone stay healthy so HW will not have anymore excuses for why we didnt win a SEC title or reach the Final Four, this is it!!!

 

[mikey2smart]

For those of you that blame the coach for EVERYTHING, I have a question... Is Geno to blame for UConn losing to Miss St.? Because I'm sure he didn't draw a play to leave 12.3 seconds left on the clock. If we are going to hold a coach's feet to the fire, we need to hold them all to the same standard. All this praise for Vic Schaffer and deservingly so for the game plan but he had a few bad losses during the season as well. Oh let's not forget UConn almost lost to Tulane as well. Perspective of things tend to weigh our outlook on situations and I have to say... most you could use a shift in your perspective on things.

 

[Amb3096]

For those of you that blame the coach for EVERYTHING, I have a question... Is Geno to blame for UConn losing to Miss St.? Because I'm sure he didn't draw a play to leave 12.3 seconds left on the clock. If we are going to hold a coach's feet to the fire, we need to hold them all to the same standard. All this praise for Vic Schaffer and deservingly so for the game plan but he had a few bad losses during the season as well. Oh let's not forget UConn almost lost to Tulane as well. Perspective of things tend to weigh our outlook on situations and I have to say... most you could use a shift in your perspective on things.

Are you really comparing Holly with her 12 losses this season to coaches that lost 1 and 5 (3 to the NC team) times respectively? I think you might need to shift your perspective on things.

To answer your question, if Geno or Vic made the same mistakes over and over and over again over the course of 2 seasons, continued to lose to teams that aren't even good enough for the NCAAT, continually struggles against conference cellar dwellers, repeatedly failed to motivate their teams to perform at a high level on a semi-consistent basis, and can barely scrape to 20 wins on the season with a team stacked with HS AAs, then yes...I would blame Geno and Vic for a poor coaching job.

For the record, Vic had one bad loss this year...to Tennessee.

 

[mikey2smart]

Are you really comparing Holly with her 12 losses this season to coaches that lost 1 and 5 (3 to the NC team) times respectively? I think you might need to shift your perspective on things.

To answer your question, if Geno or Vic made the same mistakes over and over and over again over the course of 2 seasons, continued to lose to teams that aren't even good enough for the NCAAT, continually struggles against conference cellar dwellers, and can barely scrape to 20 wins on the season with a team stacked with HS AAs, then yes...I would blame Geno and Vic for a poor coaching job.

For the record, Vic had one bad loss this year...to Tennessee.

Here you go shifting the conversation to try and make your point. It was a simple question... obviously that was too hard for you so here I'll dummy it down for you... Is Geno to blame for UCONN losing to Miss St.? Answer just that question.

 

[mikey2smart]

Are you really comparing Holly with her 12 losses this season to coaches that lost 1 and 5 (3 to the NC team) times respectively? I think you might need to shift your perspective on things.

To answer your question, if Geno or Vic made the same mistakes over and over and over again over the course of 2 seasons, continued to lose to teams that aren't even good enough for the NCAAT, continually struggles against conference cellar dwellers, repeatedly failed to motivate their teams to perform at a high level on a semi-consistent basis, and can barely scrape to 20 wins on the season with a team stacked with HS AAs, then yes...I would blame Geno and Vic for a poor coaching job.

For the record, Vic had one bad loss this year...to Tennessee.

He lost to Kentucky. That was by my count 2.

 

[Amb3096]

He lost to Kentucky. That was by my count 2.

Kentucky was a ranked team on the road.

Tennessee was the only inexcusable loss this season.

 

[Amb3096]

Here you go shifting the conversation to try and make your point. It was a simple question... obviously that was too hard for you so here I'll dummy it down for you... Is Geno to blame for UCONN losing to Miss St.? Answer just that question.

I'm not shifting the conversation. I'm providing context. Do you want me to dummy it down further so you can understand?

Sorry...just saw your username. Isn't it ironic...a little tooooo ironic...don't you think?

 

[mikey2smart]

I'm not shifting the conversation. I'm providing context. Do you want me to dummy it down further so you can understand?

Sorry...just saw your username. Isn't it ironic...a little tooooo ironic...don't you think?

Personal attacks on my username doesn't effect me one bit. Again you still provided everything but an answer to the question. Simple answer is you're not going to answer anything that proves you have no clue what you are talking about. Got it! Good talk!

 

[Amb3096]

Personal attacks on my username doesn't effect me one bit. Again you still provided everything but an answer to the question. Simple answer is you're not going to answer anything that proves you have no clue what you are talking about. Got it! Good talk!

I'll play. A single data point is not enough to determine whether someone is a good coach. So it is impossible to answer the question without more evidence to support or dispute the hypothesis. In order to make the determination, one has to look at the total body of work. Given that Geno won 111 straight games, then the obvious answer is that he is an excellent coach. Now, if he had, oh, 26 losses over a two year period...many to teams less talented and not tournament worthy...in spite of having one of the most talented rosters in the country, then I would say he's a terrible coach.

 

[mikey2smart]

I'll play. A single data point is not enough to determine whether someone is a good coach. So it is impossible to answer the question without more evidence to support or dispute the hypothesis. In order to make the determination, one has to look at the total body of work. Given that Geno won 111 straight games, then the obvious answer is that he is an excellent coach. Now, if he had, oh, 26 losses over a two year period...many to teams less talented and not tournament worthy...in spite of having one of the most talented rosters in the country, then I would say he's a terrible coach.

We are not talking about body of work, we are talking about one game. You like to avoid questions that are simple to answer. Is the lost UConn suffered the fault of Geno? Yes or no? Circle one.