2022 Recruits

[Voluble2]

I'm going to trust the coaches instead of the rankings and if I get let down so be it.

This assumes the coaches are choosing lower ranked players over elite ones, which is obviously not the case, and is frankly insulting to the staff. It also assumes they get anyone they want from the lower ranked players, which also isn't the case. They may be way down their own board of who they want for all you know.

If there is one phrase that is a sure sign recruiting is not going well it is "I trust the coaches over the rankings." If you were to do a correlation study of message boards you would probably find the frequency of that phrase, or its equivalents, highly correlates with failure on the court or football field a couple of years down the road so hopefully we won't be hearing it very often.

The truth is that everyone knows who the really good players are, and everyone who wants to win goes after them. We aren't missing out on the elite players for a lack of pursuing them. That would be coaching malpractice, and I have more faith in Kellie than that.

To change the topic, one thing that no one has mentioned is how COVID has affected our recruiting in that we can't show recruits that more people come to our games than the typical phone booth's worth which show up for most women's programs. We haven't been able to get them on campus and let them experience the big game atmosphere. Every program looks the same through a computer screen. That is a big selling point we have not been able to showcase. So are our facilities. Combine that with the obvious player development we are seeing under Kellie and we have a lot to sell. Hopefully, we will start getting more traction soon.

 

[Coach Jumper]

This assumes the coaches are choosing lower ranked players over elite ones, which is obviously not the case, and is frankly insulting to the staff. It also assumes they get anyone they want from the lower ranked players, which also isn't the case. They may be way down their own board of who they want for all you know.

If there is one phrase that is a sure sign recruiting is not going well it is "I trust the coaches over the rankings." If you were to do a correlation study of message boards you would probably find the frequency of that phrase, or its equivalents, highly correlates with failure on the court or football field a couple of years down the road so hopefully we won't be hearing it very often.

The truth is that everyone knows who the really good players are, and everyone who wants to win goes after them. We aren't missing out on the elite players for a lack of pursuing them. That would be coaching malpractice, and I have more faith in Kellie than that.

To change the topic, one thing that no one has mentioned is how COVID has affected our recruiting in that we can't show recruits that more people come to our games than the typical phone booth's worth which show up for most women's programs. We haven't been able to get them on campus and let them experience the big game atmosphere. Every program looks the same through a computer screen. That is a big selling point we have not been able to showcase. So are our facilities. Combine that with the obvious player development we are seeing under Kellie and we have a lot to sell. Hopefully, we will start getting more traction soon.

True, everyone knows who the really good players are,, but not everyone knows who the really good players are going to be (e.g.. Rae Burrell)...It is up to the coaches to be able to seek out the players with the potential to learn as well as the players who have had good teaching already.

I believe I can take any good athlete and turn them into a baller,,, if they have drive, smarts and desire to do so,,,,any athlete?

Its often about the racehorses,,,but sometimes its just about heart.
Paige Beukkers is not an imposing athlete,, yet look at what she is doing
Heart!

 

[Volfan2012]

This assumes the coaches are choosing lower ranked players over elite ones, which is obviously not the case, and is frankly insulting to the staff. It also assumes they get anyone they want from the lower ranked players, which also isn't the case. They may be way down their own board of who they want for all you know.

If there is one phrase that is a sure sign recruiting is not going well it is "I trust the coaches over the rankings." If you were to do a correlation study of message boards you would probably find the frequency of that phrase, or its equivalents, highly correlates with failure on the court or football field a couple of years down the road so hopefully we won't be hearing it very often.

The truth is that everyone knows who the really good players are, and everyone who wants to win goes after them. We aren't missing out on the elite players for a lack of pursuing them. That would be coaching malpractice, and I have more faith in Kellie than that.

To change the topic, one thing that no one has mentioned is how COVID has affected our recruiting in that we can't show recruits that more people come to our games than the typical phone booth's worth which show up for most women's programs. We haven't been able to get them on campus and let them experience the big game atmosphere. Every program looks the same through a computer screen. That is a big selling point we have not been able to showcase. So are our facilities. Combine that with the obvious player development we are seeing under Kellie and we have a lot to sell. Hopefully, we will start getting more traction soon.

What happens is they offer a numerous amount of players and the ones that commit first get the scholarships. They have players at certain positions listed as 123 and hold to see what the number one does before accepting a commitment from a lower ranked player. In the case of Striplin and Puckett their commitments were going to be accepted from day one. Miles was a wait and see what other players do and she was the last commit accepted. We also waited on Key, Rivers, and McPherson to make a decision and took the commitment of Wynn. The point being of course you offer the higher ranked players but what exactly do you do more than was done to get them to commit to you. Key knew Tennessee inside out but chose the home state school. McPherson also liked NC better was down to them and Tennessee. The coaches are working hard working to get the top players the problem is way to many schools are well ahead of us in the game. Many have been able to close their borders and get their top ranked players to stay at home. We had the fourteenth ranked class in 2021 or ninth ranked if you go with another service. That was second in the SEC but well behind SC. We don't know yet where it will be this year. I know getting in the top five again is going to take a while. Whether fans like in or not were in a rebuild that will take a few years. We've been passed by schools like Baylor, UConn, SC, Stanford, Louisville and even Maryland. That is where the top ranked players are going. Were going to have to get it done like NC State, Arkansas, Texas A&M and a few others for a while. We may still be in it for a couple players in the top twenty but I wouldn't get my hopes up. I think again our recruits for 2022 will come from the top fifty not looking great to get anyone in the top twenty. Half have already committed and the other half only three or four have us still on their list. Many teams like A&m, Arkansas, others are staying in the game through the transfers portal that is where were going to have to do it. A lot of schools are over recruiting because all the top ranked players want to go there. So the transfer portal is probably where were going to have to get better. We know who the freshmen are coming in they will offer some far better bench help but I know we need a player that can make a difference and that will have to be a transfer.

 

[37620VOL]

I have to admit I cannot comprehend how Holly could real in 5 stars. What does a recruit see in Holly and not see in Kelly?

On the other hand, Holly mostly signed "flawed" 5 stars. They looked the part but shot poorly, had personality issues, or low BB IQ. IMO her only legit Major 5 Stars were: Davis, Russel, and Diamond --- I'm talking truly elite players.

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

I have to admit I cannot comprehend how Holly could real in 5 stars. What does a recruit see in Holly and not see in Kelly?

On the other hand, Holly mostly signed "flawed" 5 stars. They looked the part but shot poorly, had personality issues, or low BB IQ. IMO her only legit Major 5 Stars were: Davis, Russel, and Diamond --- I'm talking truly elite players.

what do they see in Holly??

 

[Amb3096]

I have to admit I cannot comprehend how Holly could real in 5 stars. What does a recruit see in Holly and not see in Kelly?

On the other hand, Holly mostly signed "flawed" 5 stars. They looked the part but shot poorly, had personality issues, or low BB IQ. IMO her only legit Major 5 Stars were: Davis, Russel, and Diamond --- I'm talking truly elite players.

Players looked flawed because they had a bad coach. Te'a Cooper, Anastasia Hayes, Evina Westbrook, and Alexa Middleton all became far better players once they got away from Holly.

I can see why players would want to play for Holly. She's likeable, was Pat's longtime assistant, and it's Tennessee. Unfortunately, it's been so long since Tennessee was relevant that Kellie can't rely on just the history of the program anymore. It sucks that the kids that would normally have Tennessee in their top 5 have put South Carolina there instead.

It's a tricky chicken vs. egg game for Kellie. She needs the top recruits to win the SEC/make the Final Four, but the top recruits are likely to look elsewhere until she wins the SEC/makes the Final Four.

 

[37620VOL]

Players looked flawed because they had a bad coach. Te'a Cooper, Anastasia Hayes, Evina Westbrook, and Alexa Middleton all became far better players once they got away from Holly.

Cooper wasn't great at SC. She continued to shoot poorly and averaged 22 minutes per game.
Hayes plays for MTSU - she is a good player not even near elite.
Westbrook is a role player at UCONN and continues to shoot a poor percentage even as a role player.
Middleton was a really good shooter but she's not even close to an elite player or recruit.

 

[Volfan2012]

Cooper wasn't great at SC. She continued to shoot poorly and averaged 22 minutes per game.
Hayes plays for MTSU - she is a good player not even near elite.
Westbrook is a role player at UCONN and continues to shoot a poor percentage even as a role player.
Middleton was a really good shooter but she's not even close to an elite player or recruit.

Could get a huge list up of five star players rated by Hoopgurlz that played way below their ranking and not just the ones that went to Tennessee. There are numerous players that played better than their ranking and the same that didn't.

 

[Amb3096]

Cooper wasn't great at SC. She continued to shoot poorly and averaged 22 minutes per game.
Hayes plays for MTSU - she is a good player not even near elite.
Westbrook is a role player at UCONN and continues to shoot a poor percentage even as a role player.
Middleton was a really good shooter but she's not even close to an elite player or recruit.

FG% for all of these players went way up since they left Holly. Even Te'a's average season at SC was far better than her year at Tennessee, and she was elite by the time she graduated Baylor.

Not sure what your definition is for elite, but I would say that if any of the incoming recruits can produce next year even what these players did under Holly, then that would be exceeding expectations.

 

[Terrells Bay88]

Cooper wasn't great at SC. She continued to shoot poorly and averaged 22 minutes per game.
Hayes plays for MTSU - she is a good player not even near elite.
Westbrook is a role player at UCONN and continues to shoot a poor percentage even as a role player.
Middleton was a really good shooter but she's not even close to an elite player or recruit.

Cooper was 1st team Big 12 and the Newcomer of the year at Baylor. She shot .413 from 3 at Baylor.
Annie is POY of C-USA.
MTSU Lady Raider Anastasia Hayes named C-USA Player of the Year

 

[djtee]

Look out for Ole Miss with Janiah Barker. Georgia is in there pretty deep as well. I am sure there are others but Ole Miss appears to have the edge at the moment with her old AAU Coach on staff for Coach Yo.

If she lands in OLD or GA that will be a crushing blow to Kellie and TN then we will know there is a problem

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

Look out for Ole Miss with Janiah Barker. Georgia is in there pretty deep as well. I am sure there are others but Ole Miss appears to have the edge at the moment with her old AAU Coach on staff for Coach Yo.

she is very lovey dovey with coach Yo on social media

 

[djtee]

she is very lovey dovey with coach Yo on social media

I hear you if she do lands there look out the balance of power no more

 

[37620VOL]

FG% for all of these players went way up since they left Holly. Even Te'a's average season at SC was far better than her year at Tennessee, and she was elite by the time she graduated Baylor.

Not sure what your definition is for elite, but I would say that if any of the incoming recruits can produce next year even what these players did under Holly, then that would be exceeding expectations.

I didn't follow Cooper at Baylor, but looked it up, and yes, she exploded there. So her career was 3 crappy years and then bang, elite. I wonder what sparked the change for her.

Elite is the type of recruit that would make Darth stand down on Kelly's recruiting. I can think of 4 that Holly signed that at the time they signed I considered them elite: Diamond, Westbrook, Davis, and Russell. 2 of those four were wasted at UT. Some of the older ones I get fuzzy on whether they signed for Pat or Holly.

And I'll say this too, Kelly has signed some elite shooters but it's yet to be seen if they are well-rounded or are they more limited, like Middleton.

 

[Volfan2012]

Cooper was 1st team Big 12 and the Newcomer of the year at Baylor. She shot .413 from 3 at Baylor.
Annie is POY of C-USA.
MTSU Lady Raider Anastasia Hayes named C-USA Player of the Year

If your not going to have a game by the time your a fifth year senior your never going to have it. Congrats to her for working on her three pointer to go from where she was as a freshmen to that last year at Baylor. The point being made was not how she ended up but how she started. She was supposed to be lightning and thunder with her high ranking and turned out to be a light drizzle. Players can improve and become players Burrell was ranked 116 by one service would qualify as a five star now. I think any player in the top 100 can become a very effective player in college if they are willing to work and have a coach that knows how to develop their abilities. Women's basketball is becoming a lot like the men's game as far as how talent depth has enormously increased. There may be seven or eight elite players that a far more talented than anybody else then you may get into another 60 or 70 that are very near equal and that is what I believe has happened in the women's game.

 

[Amb3096]

I didn't follow Cooper at Baylor, but looked it up, and yes, she exploded there. So her career was 3 crappy years and then bang, elite. I wonder what sparked the change for her.

Elite is the type of recruit that would make Darth stand down on Kelly's recruiting. I can think of 4 that Holly signed that at the time they signed I considered them elite: Diamond, Westbrook, Davis, and Russell. 2 of those four were wasted at UT. Some of the older ones I get fuzzy on whether they signed for Pat or Holly.

And I'll say this too, Kelly has signed some elite shooters but it's yet to be seen if they are well-rounded or are they more limited, like Middleton.

Te'a Cooper - 1 crappy year at Tennessee, 1 year modest improvement at SC, then 1 year elite status at Baylor. She only played 3 years. I think what sparked the change for her was that Holly couldn't coach year 1, Dawn's system was not a good fit for her year 2, and Baylor was a good fit team-wise and coaching wise year 3.

Westbrook was as good as Davis was for her 2 years at Tennessee. They were co-leading scorers as sophomores, and she probably saved Holly's job her freshman year with some much needed star performances in games that Tennessee absolutely needed to win.

Some other elites that were signed by Holly include: Cooper (McD AA MVP), Hayes (say what you will, but she has lived up to her ranking), Bashaara Graves (#5 in her class, NFOY, Pat-recruit but Holly had to convince her to stay), Jaime Nared (#6 in her class), Zaay Green (top 10 player, solid freshman year, injured before transferring), Mimi Collins (McD AA, doing quite well at Maryland in her 2nd year playing after transferring) and Jordan Horston (#2 in her class, jury still out). Holly couldn't coach, but she could sure recruit with the best of them.

As far as Kellie, I don't know which elite shooters you are referring to. Not Tess Darby or Jessie Rennie...neither of them are good enough overall that they will be impact players. Maybe Puckett and Pissott, but they would both be coming in less-heralded than Alexa Middleton was, so not a sure thing either.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Te'a Cooper - 1 crappy year at Tennessee, 1 year modest improvement at SC, then 1 year elite status at Baylor. She only played 3 years. I think what sparked the change for her was that Holly couldn't coach year 1, Dawn's system was not a good fit for her year 2, and Baylor was a good fit team-wise and coaching wise year 3.

Westbrook was as good as Davis was for her 2 years at Tennessee. They were co-leading scorers as sophomores, and she probably saved Holly's job her freshman year with some much needed star performances in games that Tennessee absolutely needed to win.

Some other elites that were signed by Holly include: Cooper (McD AA MVP), Hayes (say what you will, but she has lived up to her ranking), Bashaara Graves (#5 in her class, NFOY, Pat-recruit but Holly had to convince her to stay), Jaime Nared (#6 in her class), Zaay Green (top 10 player, solid freshman year, injured before transferring), Mimi Collins (McD AA, doing quite well at Maryland in her 2nd year playing after transferring) and Jordan Horston (#2 in her class, jury still out). Holly couldn't coach, but she could sure recruit with the best of them.

As far as Kellie, I don't know which elite shooters you are referring to. Not Tess Darby or Jessie Rennie...neither of them are good enough overall that they will be impact players. Maybe Puckett and Pissott, but they would both be coming in less-heralded than Alexa Middleton was, so not a sure thing either.

With Te’a let’s just cut the $**+... lol she was kicked outta TN because she fought her teammate... Then essentially wouldn’t do what needed to be done at SC so she had to transfer again. While she was coming off of injury I am pretty sure i read where both parties thought it was in her best interest to transfer. That’s a nice way coaches have to sugar coat things. Then thankfully she ends up at Baylor where she was able to produce.

Westbrook and Davis were not as good as each other their first years Davis was actually a better scorer and rebounder and more efficient than Evina. While
Evina was more of the distributor. I think they were both impactful but Davis seemed a step ahead ... Now Westbrook had some big games her sophomore year but their first two years when you look at the overall averages do not equate.

 

[37620VOL]

If Holly gets credit for Graves, then Kelly has to get credit for Key and Horston staying. I did like Westbrook so I'll give you that one - I liked Diamond too. Nared annoyed the heck out of me, I won't give you that one - she scored on volume. Zaay - crappy shooter. Collins remains to be seen but at least would have been a serviceable post.

And I think you're saying the same thing I'm thinking on Kelly's shooters. Can they get open? Defend? I don't know.

I worry a little about Kelly's recruiting too, especially losing Key's sister which was shocking to me. I just don't get it. Watch a Holly post game, then a Kelly post game - I know who I would want to play for. Maybe Holly had some secret sauce on her in-home visits. Whatever it was, Kelly needs some of it in the next 22 and 23 classes for sure.

 

[Volfan2012]

With Te’a let’s just cut the $**+... lol she was kicked outta TN because she fought her teammate... Then essentially wouldn’t do what needed to be done at SC so she had to transfer again. While she was coming off of injury I am pretty sure i read where both parties thought it was in her best interest to transfer. That’s a nice way coaches have to sugar coat things. Then thankfully she ends up at Baylor where she was able to produce.

Westbrook and Davis were not as good as each other their first years Davis was actually a better scorer and rebounder and more efficient than Evina. While
Evina was more of the distributor. I think they were both impactful but Davis seemed a step ahead ... Now Westbrook had some big games her sophomore year but their first two years when you look at the overall averages do not equate.

Davis shot 47 percent the first two seasons and Evina barely made it past 40 percent. Rebound were not even close. Evina was the best assist person but that was her job she was playing point guard. So no way Davis wasn't better than Evina the first two seasons the stats say it all and she still has Evina's number today turned out to be a far better player than Evina even if ranked lower by the services.

 

[Amb3096]

With Te’a let’s just cut the $**+... lol she was kicked outta TN because she fought her teammate... Then essentially wouldn’t do what needed to be done at SC so she had to transfer again. While she was coming off of injury I am pretty sure i read where both parties thought it was in her best interest to transfer. That’s a nice way coaches have to sugar coat things. Then thankfully she ends up at Baylor where she was able to produce.

Not pretending that Te'a wasn't a head case and a drama queen. She was both. But she was also an elite-level talent. Took awhile to pull it out of her, but even at SC when she was causing drama, she was playing decent ball. Not exceptional, but not bad either for a player coming off 2-year layoff from college ball. She showed at Baylor and now with the LA Sparks that she has got game. Anyone who denies that she was a very talented player isn't looking.

Westbrook and Davis were not as good as each other their first years Davis was actually a better scorer and rebounder and more efficient than Evina. While
Evina was more of the distributor. I think they were both impactful but Davis seemed a step ahead ... Now Westbrook had some big games her sophomore year but their first two years when you look at the overall averages do not equate.

True...my point is that Evina wasn't a bust at Tennessee. Rennia got out of the gates faster than her and is overall the better player, but calling Evina a bust is not accurate.

 

[Volfan2012]

If Holly gets credit for Graves, then Kelly has to get credit for Key and Horston staying. I did like Westbrook so I'll give you that one - I liked Diamond too. Nared annoyed the heck out of me, I won't give you that one - she scored on volume. Zaay - crappy shooter. Collins remains to be seen but at least would have been a serviceable post.

And I think you're saying the same thing I'm thinking on Kelly's shooters. Can they get open? Defend? I don't know.

I worry a little about Kelly's recruiting too, especially losing Key's sister which was shocking to me. I just don't get it. Watch a Holly post game, then a Kelly post game - I know who I would want to play for. Maybe Holly had some secret sauce on her in-home visits. Whatever it was, Kelly needs some of it in the next 22 and 23 classes for sure.

Other than maybe trying to pay Key a lot of money for her to sign I have no idea what else the staff could've done to sign her. They were at almost every game she stayed up at Tennessee a lot while in high school. They pulled out everything but the money bag which is illegal and she decided to go to North Carolina very close to where they live. I think more interesting is how Holly got Key to Tennessee very glad she did.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Not pretending that Te'a wasn't a head case and a drama queen. She was both. But she was also an elite-level talent. Took awhile to pull it out of her, but even at SC when she was causing drama, she was playing decent ball. Not exceptional, but not bad either for a player coming off 2-year layoff from college ball. She showed at Baylor and now with the LA Sparks that she has got game. Anyone who denies that she was a very talented player isn't looking.



True...my point is that Evina wasn't a bust at Tennessee. Rennia got out of the gates faster than her and is overall the better player, but calling Evina a bust is not accurate.

Nah, not a bust but i’m not gonna downplay Rennia by calling them on par either lol

 

[Amb3096]

Nah, not a bust but i’m not gonna downplay Rennia by calling them on par either lol

Fair point, I don't disagree. I just went by scoring average their sophomore year in my reference to Evina being a disaster, but yes...Rennia has been consistently a better player year over year.

 

[Volfan2012]

The sad thing is Kellie and the staff have come very close with some top ranked players just always one or two more teams they liked better. That continues in 2022 top five or at least top ten with some players and if I'm honest don't really believe we'll get any of them. Maybe Smith and one of the guards were in on going to be interesting to see if we can get three players in this class. I don't think they want to sign any unranked players this time so it may turn out that Pissott is the entire class we'll see.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Other than maybe trying to pay Key a lot of money for her to sign I have no idea what else the staff could've done to sign her. They were at almost every game she stayed up at Tennessee a lot while in high school. They pulled out everything but the money bag which is illegal and she decided to go to North Carolina very close to where they live. I think more interesting is how Holly got Key to Tennessee very glad she did.

That Jordan brand has a pull to it! watch how it works for UCLA who just became a jordan school...

I wonder if she wanted to stay home and if that’s the case i’m wondering is she kicking herself because NC st is rollin’!