2024 Recruiting Thread

#3,177
#3,177
Dak1219 said:
Of Course, they elevated both of their teams. Morrow was a walking Double-Double (25 & 12) and although their record wasn't over the top, without her they don't win half the games they did win. Same goes for Van Lith. It is what they bring with the players that are already at LSU that makes them extremely dangerous. The same goes for Tennessee. We brought in players (Wells & Spear) that were top 5 scorers in their respective leagues. Their teams weren't put over the top by them alone, but you add them to what we have with Rickea Jackson, Jillian Hollingshed and a Healthy Tamari Key and Tennessee is all of a sudden a top ten possibly top five team with the other moving parts that are already here. And yes, Tara should have played the number 1 ranked, 6 foot 7 high school recruit more than 7-8 minutes per game. Tara went all the way down her bench rather than nurturing the nations top recruit for 2022 and in doing that probably lost her younger sister who is a top 5 recruit in the 2025 class as well. That is a "Mess Up"
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Was just my opinion
 
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#3,178
#3,178
WinnerCircle said:
LSU basically replaced what they loss with Morris, Williams, and Carson graduating. Those players weren’t big names so while it seems these are upgrades it could actually be them breaking even in terms of production on the court.
Watching team USA is a prime example right now of you don’t win with just big names unless they build chemistry and learn how to play together. Tennessee returns the core of rising juniors with Tamari Key also set to join the team following a year long absence. TN beat the nat’l champs in the SEC tourney.
With Rickea coming back and new additions of Jewel Spear, Destinee Wells, and Avery Strickland the team has enough talent and depth to compete with any team in the country. Chemistry, Development, and Luck( yes every team that ever wins a title needs it) are the factors to coming out on top.
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I agree 100% but while I don’t care for Kim she is a heck of a coach. She will find a way to make it work. They may not repeat or face a dramatic upset potentially in the tournament but I anticipate they will be dang good. They were a team with zero depth last year and lacked talent but now have the opposite this year. With all the talk of Morrow and HVL (both good players) I think their freshmen Mikaylah Williams will end up being one of their better and more efficient players. Morrow especially if she regains her freshman form, will be more impactful to me than HVL.

I am still high on TNs roster this year. I like our depth and talent. We need to at least make a deeper run this season. Got to capitalize with Rickea back for her 5th
 
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#3,179
#3,179
WinnerCircle said:
LSU basically replaced what they loss with Morris, Williams, and Carson graduating. Those players weren’t big names so while it seems these are upgrades it could actually be them breaking even in terms of production on the court.
Watching team USA is a prime example right now of you don’t win with just big names unless they build chemistry and learn how to play together. Tennessee returns the core of rising juniors with Tamari Key also set to join the team following a year long absence. TN beat the nat’l champs in the SEC tourney.
With Rickea coming back and new additions of Jewel Spear, Destinee Wells, and Avery Strickland the team has enough talent and depth to compete with any team in the country. Chemistry, Development, and Luck( yes every team that ever wins a title needs it) are the factors to coming out on top.
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Certainly not a better shooting team, but they look to be a lot stronger rebounding if that is even possible. They look to be a powerhouse on the boards and will score a lot of points on second and third chance shots. You can beat them if you can rebound with them. That will be a tall order for us or any team. Reese, Morrow, and Del Rosario are all power rebounders and a tough group to keep off the boards. I can see their three point percentage from the field going way down this season other than Williams no one really scares me out there. Morrow is less than 30 percent and Van Lith has never been that great from that range either.
 
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#3,180
#3,180
Ladyvolfan45 said:
I agree 100% but while I don’t care for Kim she is a heck of a coach. She will find a way to make it work. They may not repeat or face a dramatic upset potentially in the tournament but I anticipate they will be dang good. They were a team with zero depth last year and lacked talent but now have the opposite this year. With all the talk of Morrow and HVL (both good players) I think their freshmen Mikaylah Williams will end up being one of their better and more efficient players. Morrow especially if she regains her freshman form, will be more impactful to me than HVL.

I am still high on TNs roster this year. I like our depth and talent. We need to at least make a deeper run this season. Got to capitalize with Rickea back for her 5th
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We could've used another power rebounder, but it may be ok if Key can play at her past level. Still have a lot of concerns about her being able to get back to where she was now almost two years ago. She is huge for us to get on the boards cause we are quite ordinary when you take her out of the picture on the boards.
 
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#3,183
#3,183
Volfan2012 said:
We could've used another power rebounder, but it may be ok if Key can play at her past level. Still have a lot of concerns about her being able to get back to where she was now almost two years ago. She is huge for us to get on the boards cause we are quite ordinary when you take her out of the picture on the boards.
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This is by far the biggest question mark IMO, who is going to fill the rebounding void? Horston could put up points, but where they will really miss her is on the boards and perimeter defense. Key will help some, but as you mention her health is highly dubious, and even at her best I wouldn't consider her an elite rebounder...
 
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#3,185
#3,185
Darth_Vol said:
This is by far the biggest question mark IMO, who is going to fill the rebounding void? Horston could put up points, but where they will really miss her is on the boards and perimeter defense. Key will help some, but as you mention her health is highly dubious, and even at her best I wouldn't consider her an elite rebounder...
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Certainly the main problem I see with the team is rebounding. We can easily make up Horston's points she usually shot about 17 times for less points scored. She was our best rebounder other than Hollingshead. I can see Jill going for about 8 a game and hopefully Key could make her average of 6 a game that is still not enough and looks like were depending on Striplin and Puckett to be the backup post players cause who else is there? We have Rickea a huge scorer but an average rabounder. I think we'll fare well against most teams, but SC and LSU seem to have a huge advantage and unless we shoot the lights out when we play them going to be hard to win. Stopping either of them looks to be a super big task for us next season. Those second chance points were a big killer for us in to many games last season and I see it being a big problem against some teams we play again.
 
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#3,187
#3,187
Volfan2012 said:
Certainly the main problem I see with the team is rebounding. We can easily make up Horston's points she usually shot about 17 times for less points scored. She was our best rebounder other than Hollingshead. I can see Jill going for about 8 a game and hopefully Key could make her average of 6 a game that is still not enough and looks like were depending on Striplin and Puckett to be the backup post players cause who else is there? We have Rickea a huge scorer but an average rabounder. I think we'll fare well against most teams, but SC and LSU seem to have a huge advantage and unless we shoot the lights out when we play them going to be hard to win. Stopping either of them looks to be a super big task for us next season. Those second chance points were a big killer for us in to many games last season and I see it being a big problem against some teams we play again.
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Not quite accurate stats. Horston averaged 7.1 reb per game, RJ 6.1. Jill was a distant 3rd at 4.4, Key avg around 4 reb in her limited appearances and no one else who returns was close.

IMO the Horston reb loss will have to made up by committee. I guess we could expect one or two more per game fm RJ, which would move her fm "average" to Horston's "elite" status. If Key plays significantly (which I doubt more and more as time passes) that will get us a few more. I also expect Jill and Strip, with extra playing time, to average a couple more reb btwn them. Spear will get more than Darby did. Also, I do think improved shooting will help.

We'll still be at a disadvantge against Cardosa and rebounding savant Angel for sure, as will everyone else. That's where the mere presence of Key would be vital.
 
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#3,188
#3,188
glv98 said:
Not quite accurate stats. Horston averaged 7.1 reb per game, RJ 6.1. Jill was a distant 3rd at 4.4 and no one else was close.

IMO the Horston reb loss will have to made up by committee. I guess we could expect one or two more per game fm RJ, which would move her fm "average" to Horston's "elite" status. If Key plays significantly (which I doubt more and more as time passes) that will get us a few more. I also expect Jill and Strip, with extra playing time, to average a couple more reb btwn them. Spear will get more than Darby did. Also, I do think improved shooting will help.

We'll still be at a disadvantge against Cardosa and rebounding savant Angel for sure, as will everyone else. That's where the mere presence of Key would be vital.
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One of most thoughtful and realistic predictions I’ve read. I think rebounding won’t be a strength early on but certainly not a weakness. Head to head Cardosa didn’t look especially dominant against Striplin or Hollingshead last year. Watch both games and a lot of her offense is 50/50 which isn’t dominant for a 6’7 post player.
The biggest attribute she possesses is agility and as a team strength & conditioning needs to improve for Tennessee which would make them a more formidable opponent against contenders. Tennessee has the talent.
Neither of LSU three bigs on their nat’l title team presented a mismatch in the SEC tourney but they were the most aggressive and made all the 50/50 plays in the post during the 1st half. The 2nd half is where TN dominated LSU. TN has to improve physically in the strength & conditioning area to keep that level of play we saw in the 2nd half for four quarters.
Striplin and others have to play with more grit and they can match most teams inside with our 5 post players including one of only a few elite players in Rickea J.
The only bigs that overmatched Striplin were the #1 draft pick Boston of SC & Kitley of VT. The insertion of Karoline into the starting lineup was totally unforeseen and before the move was made she was probably the 11th or 12th player in the rotation.
To play and be as efficient a starter Karoline Striplin was in her second year bodes well for Tennessee the next two years or three if she stays longer.
Jillian Hollingshead certainly showed she can play at a high level against our toughest competition. Jill has the tools to become an elite offensive post w/ unmatched versatility. That’s why she was picked to represent team USA U21 3x3 team. Striplin played well against Georgia, Ole Miss, Auburn, and others in SEC play. Factor in Sara Puckett and Tamari Key both proven, one as the leading shot blocker in the country who is making a return to the court and the other a former SEC freshmen selection.
TN front court is clearly a strength overall but not perfect with the only question mark surrounding the entire group being the rebounding category.
 
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#3,189
#3,189
glv98 said:
Not quite accurate stats. Horston averaged 7.1 reb per game, RJ 6.1. Jill was a distant 3rd at 4.4, Key avg around 4 reb in her limited appearances and no one else who returns was close.

IMO the Horston reb loss will have to made up by committee. I guess we could expect one or two more per game fm RJ, which would move her fm "average" to Horston's "elite" status. If Key plays significantly (which I doubt more and more as time passes) that will get us a few more. I also expect Jill and Strip, with extra playing time, to average a couple more reb btwn them. Spear will get more than Darby did. Also, I do think improved shooting will help.

We'll still be at a disadvantge against Cardosa and rebounding savant Angel for sure, as will everyone else. That's where the mere presence of Key would be vital.
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With Jill you have to understand the minutes she played came into consideration and with increased time that 4.4 will rise to probably 8 at least. She played a lot of games early where she didn't get a lot of time on the court. Later in the season you can see how her numbers increased a lot because of more minutes.
 
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#3,190
#3,190
glv98 said:
........We'll still be at a disadvantage against Cardosa and rebounding savant Angel for sure, as will everyone else. That's where the mere presence of Key would be vital.
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I have watched both players very closely. With Cardosa it is more of a height advantage than it is a work ethic or goal. Most of her rebound are when her hands are far above those trying to out-reach/jump her...With Reese it is not a savante either, it is the Dennis Rodman approach,,,Find something no one else does well and do it well. Dennis studied tendencies (e.g.. high arc = closer careens,,angle=reverse of that angle,,,what shooters had a tendency to shoot from where and how did most of their misses fall (short =get in the path of the ball, long=get on the opposite side of the goal).

Any of our players could learn to take rebounding to the next level, but it has to be taught,,it is not innate. The player's work ethic and effort is, but the mechanical and mental knowledge is taught...When do you boxout, how do you boxout, who do you box out, at what point do you release your boxout?...mental knowledge like that is not going to come naturally. Reese was taught, Dennis was taught, and a player of Puckett's brains, brawn and instincts could very easily be taught.

But it has to be taught. And by someone who studied it and can relay that knowledge.
 
#3,191
#3,191
I've got the 40 minute totals on our major rebounders of last season. I use 40 minutes as a factor so that every player can be measured evenly not just the games they played in.

Rickea 24.5 forty minute games 215 rebounds for 8.78 per forty
Jordan 23.5 247 10.51
Tamari 4.3 38 8.84
Jill 15 157 10.47
Karo 11.35 100 8.81
Sarah 14.6 98 6.71
Tess 22.4 109 4.87


Karoline was a bit of a surprise as she rebounded per 40 minutes as well as Tamari even though Tamari has a very small factor to determine last season. Rickea was just as good as either of them as well. Jordan as expected was the best but not by much as when you factor in playing time you see that Jill was right there with her. Tess was a little bit of a surprise to be close to five and she played a lot so that is a legitimate stat. Sarah was about where I thought she was and hopefully can still average about 7 per forty minutes next season.

Team really needs a player that goes about 15 per forty, but we'll still be better than most in the SEC the two that we'll have to work hard to stay up will be SC and LSU. I think we'll have the better shooting team of the three teams if we can prevent them from scoring to many second chance points I think we can beat either of them.
 
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#3,192
#3,192
Coach Jumper said:
I have watched both players very closely. With Cardosa it is more of a height advantage than it is a work ethic or goal. Most of her rebound are when her hands are far above those trying to out-reach/jump her...With Reese it is not a savante either, it is the Dennis Rodman approach,,,Find something no one else does well and do it well. Dennis studied tendencies (e.g.. high arc = closer careens,,angle=reverse of that angle,,,what shooters had a tendency to shoot from where and how did most of their misses fall (short =get in the path of the ball, long=get on the opposite side of the goal).

Any of our players could learn to take rebounding to the next level, but it has to be taught,,it is not innate. The player's work ethic and effort is, but the mechanical and mental knowledge is taught...When do you boxout, how do you boxout, who do you box out, at what point do you release your boxout?...mental knowledge like that is not going to come naturally. Reese was taught, Dennis was taught, and a player of Puckett's brains, brawn and instincts could very easily be taught.

But it has to be taught. And by someone who studied it and can relay that knowledge.
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Disagree. I don't think AR studies Jack and I'd be shocked if Rodman ever did. IMO AR has an instinct for positioning and anticipation on the boards that can't be taught. Added to toughness and relentlessness which also seem to be instinctual. Coaching can put her in position to maximize these attributes, but she's just got them to an unusual degree.

Again, I compare it to TK and her uncanny ability to block shots. She just does.

BTW, we have no idea what Cardosa's goal or work ethic is. Seems a good hard worker to me.
 
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#3,193
#3,193
yes rebounding there is a science to it and an art to it the best rebounders have both used to love rodman play he earned his pay under the boards was a bit wacky but a defensive genius charles oakley too wow could he rebound cardosa a good player but can be exploited caitlin clark made her look silly at times in iowa upset
 
#3,194
#3,194
glv98 said:
Disagree.
BTW, we have no idea what Cardosa's goal or work ethic is. Seems a good hard worker to me.
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Not picking on you in particular, but this is the third or fourth post in a row that unintentionally insults the young lady by misspelling her name: Kamilla Cardoso. Or, if you wish to be formal, her entire name is Kamilla Soares Cardoso Silva.
 
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#3,195
#3,195
glv98 said:
Disagree. I don't think AR studies Jack and I'd be shocked if Rodman ever did. IMO AR has an instinct for positioning and anticipation on the boards that can't be taught. Added to toughness and relentlessness which also seem to be instinctual. Coaching can put her in position to maximize these attributes, but she's just got them to an unusual degree.

Again, I compare it to TK and her uncanny ability to block shots. She just does.

BTW, we have no idea what Cardosa's goal or work ethic is. Seems a good hard worker to me.
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be shocked
https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/03/...s-rodman-of-chicago-rules-over-nba-rebounders
 
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#3,197
#3,197
Volfan2012 said:
Certainly the main problem I see with the team is rebounding. We can easily make up Horston's points she usually shot about 17 times for less points scored. She was our best rebounder other than Hollingshead. I can see Jill going for about 8 a game and hopefully Key could make her average of 6 a game that is still not enough and looks like were depending on Striplin and Puckett to be the backup post players cause who else is there? We have Rickea a huge scorer but an average rabounder. I think we'll fare well against most teams, but SC and LSU seem to have a huge advantage and unless we shoot the lights out when we play them going to be hard to win. Stopping either of them looks to be a super big task for us next season. Those second chance points were a big killer for us in to many games last season and I see it being a big problem against some teams we play again.
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Key Averaged 8.1 rebounds per game and Jordan 9.4 their Junior Season together. We didn't get enough games last year with both of them on the floor to make an accurate assessment. Jordan only averaged 7.1 last year because she didn't have Tamari in there clearing the lane for her. Tamari will get hers.
 
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#3,199
#3,199
Dak1219 said:
That is correct and Fla'junae Johnson was a Freshman that Kim Recruited, so none of them had played a minute for LSU, let alone started there prior to last year's season.
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Only Morris (who transferred the year before) the rest of the roster was 9 new players from the portal or from HS ranks who never played with each other before

You can win a national championship via HS recruiting alone or with the portal. I still believe a healthy dose of each is ideal. Having a foundation that you recruit and develop along with portal pieces that add depth and enhance your team seems ideal to me.

College athletics has changed so much over the years. The portal is a giant part of it now. Adjust with it or get left behind.
 
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#3,200
#3,200
Wells and Spear really helped our situation for the next two seasons. We could've used another post player since that didn't happen we are in desperate need to get one in the 2024 class even though we could possibly have all four players that will do most of the post play back for that season as well. Seems our biggest problem after this coming season is to replace Rickea Jackson which will be near impossible to do with any incoming high school player or even a portal player. Cooper would help as she should be reaching her peak by the second season even sitting out she would develop in our program.
 
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