2021 Lady Vol Recruiting Thread

[Hangtyme24]

Tough to take a player based on need when you think you have a good shot at a difference maker in that role. Part of the art in recruiting is managing it so you can let it play out with the difference maker. Would be exciting to land that kid.

So what do you do if Miles say she wants to commit before McPherson. Do you wait to here from McPherson first? How would that make Miles fill? Or would you take first guard who commits first?

 

[Coach Jumper]

So what do you do if Miles say she wants to commit before McPherson. Do you wait to here from McPherson first? How would that make Miles fill? Or would you take first guard who commits first?

If you covet one more than the other and you are privy to her "private between you and her, already made choice to play for you" and know that she is building anticipation for the masses,,,you wait for her and let the other player know she should make another choice.

If you are working "one" and she is laying back and making you wait for personal drama for both coach and fans,,you let that one go somewhere else because you have already given her more leverage than a player should have.

If both recruits are indeed equal your coaching eye then you take the one that commits first because they have shown you the highest level of commitment by choosing you.

 

[GameTime]

 

[stllvf]

the logic of coach Jumper's response is understandable if and only if the LVs have two choices/recruits.

Personally, I expect that the LVs are considering, communicating with more that two possible PGs. It is not yet June, signing is November, 5+ months no on-campus visits have been taken.

 

[lfvol]

If you covet one more than the other and you are privy to her "private between you and her, already made choice to play for you" and know that she is building anticipation for the masses,,,you wait for her and let the other player know she should make another choice.

If you are working "one" and she is laying back and making you wait for personal drama for both coach and fans,,you let that one go somewhere else because you have already given her more leverage than a player should have.

If both recruits are indeed equal your coaching eye then you take the one that commits first because they have shown you the highest level of commitment by choosing you.

Or, a variation based on needing some time to make sure we have room or perhaps suggesting visiting in person so both sides can be sure. The later is very reasonable given covid-19.

 

[Coach Jumper]

UT 2021 Prospects as of May28
(HoopGurlz, Prospects, BlueStar, ASGR)
Guards:
K. McPherson, 15-H, 11-P, 21-BS, 7-ASGR
O.M. Gordon, 33-H, 25-P, 28-BS, 47-ASGR
“Mo” Wiggins, 50-H, 53-P, 26-ASGR
B Miles, 46-H
J. Shavers, 60-H, 67-ASGR
Bigs:
T. Key, 22-H, 16-P, 25-BS, 18-ASGR
J. Hollingshead, 31-H, 34-P, 16-BS, 5-ASGR

Potential top 5 recruiting class for the Lady Vols
(verbal commit)
S. Puckett, 62-H, 21-P, 41-BS
K. Wynn, 23H, 39-BS, 51-ASGR
K. Striplin, 48H, 35P, 68-BS

 

[JohnTN]

UT 2021 Prospects as of May28
(HoopGurlz, Prospects, BlueStar, ASGR)
Guards:
K. McPherson, 15-H, 11-P, 21-BS, 7-ASGR
O.M. Gordon, 33-H, 25-P, 28-BS, 47-ASGR
“Mo” Wiggins, 50-H, 53-P, 26-ASGR
B Miles, 46-H
J. Shavers, 60-H, 67-ASGR
Bigs:
T. Key, 22-H, 16-P, 25-BS, 18-ASGR
J. Hollingshead, 31-H, 34-P, 16-BS, 5-ASGR

Potential top 5 recruiting class for the Lady Vols
(signed)
S. Puckett, 62-H, 21-P, 41-BS
K. Wynn, 23H, 39-BS, 51-ASGR
K. Striplin, 48H, 35P, 68-BS

Signed? Verbal commitments.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Signed? Verbal commitments.

good catch

 

[Coach Jumper]

UT 2021 Prospects as of May28
(HoopGurlz, Prospects, BlueStar, ASGR)
Guards:
K. McPherson, 15-H, 11-P, 21-BS, 7-ASGR
O.M. Gordon, 33-H, 25-P, 28-BS, 47-ASGR
“Mo” Wiggins, 50-H, 53-P, 26-ASGR
B Miles, 46-H
J. Shavers, 60-H, 67-ASGR
Bigs:
T. Key, 22-H, 16-P, 25-BS, 18-ASGR
J. Hollingshead, 31-H, 34-P, 16-BS, 5-ASGR

Potential top 5 recruiting class for the Lady Vols
(Verbal Commits)
S. Puckett, 62-H, 21-P, 41-BS
K. Wynn, 23H, 39-BS, 51-ASGR
K. Striplin, 48H, 35P, 68-BS

 

[Volfan2012]

So what do you do if Miles say she wants to commit before McPherson. Do you wait to here from McPherson first? How would that make Miles fill? Or would you take first guard who commits first?

I think if they have an unconditional offer and want to commit then you certainly are accepting otherwise there would be no offer in the first place. Schools usually offer around 50 in basketball and the first ones to accept are the ones that get the scholarships. When you get all the players you are taking in a class then all the other offers become void.

 

[Rickster]

Or, in the case of silent commits, do you continue to recruit even though the position is filled? How does that scenario play out?

 

[Coach Jumper]

Or, in the case of silent commits, do you continue to recruit even though the position is filled? How does that scenario play out?

If you plan on carrying more than one commit at that position. yes,,,But if you're dangling a carrot just to prevent other programs from getting the recruit's attention, this is where the term unscrupulous recruiting/recruiter applies as it stifles the advancement of the athlete

 

[creekdipper]

Or, in the case of silent commits, do you continue to recruit even though the position is filled? How does that scenario play out?

Good question.

As Jumper pointed out, there's a juggling act required in recruiting. We used to be where the privileged few still reside...basically getting our pick and turning away recruits we'd give our eyeteeth for today. Now we're in the position of wanting the best talent available but not being able to afford being shut out, either. As much anxiety as silent commits cause us antsy fans, it's worth the wait if we can strengthen the team. And thete's always chance of a player decommitting from another school if circumstamces chance or a portal player suddenly becoming available.

Do announcements of solid prospects help influence others who are concerned about winning? Or do they negatively influence athletes whose priority is seeing the floor early?

 

[Coach Jumper]

Good question.

As Jumper pointed out, there's a juggling act required in recruiting. We used to be where the privileged few still reside...basically getting our pick and turning away recruits we'd give our eyeteeth for today. Now we're in the position of wanting the best talent available but not being able to afford being shut out, either. As much anxiety as silent commits cause us antsy fans, it's worth the wait if we can strengthen the team. And thete's always chance of a player decommitting from another school if circumstamces chance or a portal player suddenly becoming available.

Do announcements of solid prospects help influence others who are concerned about winning? Or do they negatively influence athletes whose priority is seeing the floor early?

We are in an environment of the "instant gratification generation" athlete...that said, unless you have definitive silent commits who are waiting on a specific time to commit to your program, you WANT those announcements early.

I have little doubt that Striplin's verbal influenced Puckett's decision
I have little doubt that Wynn's verbal will influence Miles' decision
I have no confirmation, but a sneaky suspicion that several recruits are waiting to see how the Teonni situation will play out

I also have little doubt that Coach K already knows how most of these pending decisions will play out already, but has to keep her cards close to her chest in agreement with the recruit's agreed upon coach/player silent conversational commit and public announcement thereof

 

[Volfan2012]

Or, in the case of silent commits, do you continue to recruit even though the position is filled? How does that scenario play out?

I think you do have a situation where with both silent and public commits that you get a commitment from a player that you wanted more later in the year you might encourage one of the present commits to look elsewhere. It happens in football all the time. Right now Tennessee has 24 commits and I doubt they all will be here come signing day as other players make their decision schools and players will find a way to let some players move on to another location. Women's basketball this happens a lot less but does happen.

 

[krichunaka]

Or, in the case of silent commits, do you continue to recruit even though the position is filled? How does that scenario play out?

Good question.

Hey, it's just me thinking out loud again, however ...If Teonni is still on the board, and if we are in her top schools, I would wait ...until 5 November; and I feel certain we'll have an open spot, regardless of how many will have committed - Silent, or otherwise. I do not think that (a silent commitment) is the case with Miss Teonni Key. No reason for it. More bluntly, she can go anywhere she wants. And all of them/us will wait. Does anybody here really think Kentucky wouldn't wait? Or UNC? Or, UNCS? It's just that simple. Because she's That Good! And, she's that good a person. And, I think that Kaiya, and Karoline, and Sara, et al understand this, and will all be delighted if Teonni commits ...on signing day.

IMO, there are a few (potential) game changers in this class (regardless of their ranking) beyond the ones previously mentioned. Not to call names, but (I think) Arkansas signed one of them. As did Gonzaza. I also think that, even at 21, Sara Puckett is underrated.

All that to say: (Again, just my opinion) Teonni Key could very well be the best player in this class (I think Volfan2012 said the same thing recently. If it was someone else, please forgive me). She is absolutely loaded with that awful word, "Potential."

Yep. Patiently waiting.

 

[Amb3096]

All that to say: (Again, just my opinion) Teonni Key could very well be the best player in this class (I think Volfan2012 said the same thing recently. If it was someone else, please forgive me). She is absolutely loaded with that awful word, "Potential."

Better thank Azzi Fudd? Bold statement!

 

[Bballnut1952]

Better thank Azzi Fudd? Bold statement!

And far from the truth. Love the younger Key's game, but Fudd is the better player.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

And far from the truth. Love the younger Key's game, but Fudd is the better player.

So if I may chime in @krichunaka said possible best player because of POTENTIAL. Didn’t say she was the best player now. Sabrina Ioenescu is clearly the best player in her class but she wasn’t ranked #1.

I get what they were saying because of her 6’4” frame and skill set she could be the best in her class as could Rivers, or Fudd, or anybody else.

No where did I see where they posted she was the best right now...

 

[GameTime]

They are far different type of players....
Key is wing or post, while Fudd is strictly back court....

I expect to see Fudd in a UConn jersey soon enough...

I dread seeing Key in anything but a Lady Vol Jersey...

 

[Amb3096]

I expect to see Fudd in a UConn jersey soon enough...

Ok, people need to stop saying that. I want to be able to look forward to watching WCBB for the next few years.

 

[Bballnut1952]

So if I may chime in @krichunaka said possible best player because of POTENTIAL. Didn’t say she was the best player now. Sabrina Ioenescu is clearly the best player in her class but she wasn’t ranked #1.

I get what they were saying because of her 6’4” frame and skill set she could be the best in her class as could Rivers, or Fudd, or anybody else.

No where did I see where they posted she was the best right now...

"Teonni Key could very well be the best player in this class"

He added "potential" at the end.

 

[Bballnut1952]

Ok, people need to stop saying that. I want to be able to look forward to watching WCBB for the next few years.

UConn fans are going crazy right about now with their panties in a bunch because she hasn't verbaled yet. That is the best part of waiting for her to commit..lol.

 

[Volfan2012]

My take is that Fudd is the most skilled shooter and very excellent passer in this year's class. She certainly is not the most athletic player in the class and there are several players that can top her in athleticism. Of course shooting the ball and being able to score is what basketball is all about and she is certainly a top player in those categories. Key has the best basketball body still needs skills development and needs to become a better shooter. She could see this all come together in a couple seasons and if that happens try to guard a 6'4" player with advanced skills that can play inside out.

 

[Bballnut1952]

My take is that Fudd is the most skilled shooter and very excellent passer in this year's class. She certainly is not the most athletic player in the class and there are several players that can top her in athleticism. Of course shooting the ball and being able to score is what basketball is all about and she is certainly a top player in those categories.

I'm not sure who you have been watching, but she is plenty athletic.