2024 Transfer Portal

[glv98]

We were spolied by Rickea, that's for sure. In my opinion she was, by FAR, the best portal transfer in the history of portal transfers. And she was ours! OMG I sometimes still can't believe our good fortune there!

The thought of no longer having Rickea Jackson to depend on is going to ruin my whole dang summer because I'm not feeling good our chances of having another fantastic portal season. First of all, there's never going to be another Rickea Jackson in there. We've already been to the top of the mountain. I don't even have a "in a perfect world"-type player in mind.

I'm so depressed.

Feel ya. So much. And still depressed we couldn't have done more while she was here. And depressed bc I know there will be no one even in the RIckea universe in the portal. But still, we have to look for some kind of reliable scoring. I'm worried that's going to be a huge problem next year.

 

[Lucy]

It is, of course, debatable but I maintain many of the guards struggles are due to poor coaching. We just do not have enough movement in our offense and they allow themselves to be guarded.

Spear in particular, that was the scout on her this season. If you just stand close to her and half deny her the ball she is NOT going to work to get open. That has to change for next season.

To me that’s something the coach has to address with the player, and maybe they were, but it sure doesn’t make it to the floor. So there is a disconnect there. Just like with the turnovers, we hear one thing and see another, it’s just not a priority for this staff or it would be better disciplined.

It seemed to me turnovers improved dramatically over the season.

 

[glv98]

It seemed to me turnovers improved dramatically over the season.

And interestingly, some of our lowest turnover games were losses. Go figure.

 

[VolBall09]

It seemed to me turnovers improved dramatically over the season.

They did improve but I wouldn’t say dramatically so. We still had 15 a game which was too many for a team with this bad transition defense.

 

[VolBall09]

With volume shooting. IMO not the kind of elite scorer we need.

You keep saying elite scorer.

Please, do tell who you have your eye on. Because you don’t seem pleased with anyone else’s suggestion but certainly aren’t offering anything yourself.

 

[House|RockyTop]

Also, this is the best core Tennessee has returning in three seasons. I laid out the facts in a separate post and multiple posters engaged and seemed to agree. No reason to even give thought to some kind of projection of the drop off constantly spoken about by certain posters for the upcoming season. Players graduate every year. Teams look different and fill spots while nobody is watching. Completely different from what is predicted by fanatics both good and bad. Tennessee will fill their roster through the portal with success as has been the case every year. Two key pieces have set during games on the sideline, developing behind the scenes in practice, and learning the system in Talaysia Cooper and Kaniya Boyd. The media and fans could predict Tennessee to finish dead last and I will be in front row watching the show. I can not wait for the 2024-2025 season on Rocky Top.

 

[glv98]

You keep saying elite scorer.

Please, do tell who you have your eye on. Because you don’t seem pleased with anyone else’s suggestion but certainly aren’t offering anything yourself.

Unfortunately, I can't produce one. Any more than any of you guys can produce our next home run hire coach.

All I'm doing is joining the discussion about our roster needs for next year's teams. IMO reliable scoring and true young post is everything. If the reliable scoring against elite competition grows from within, great. But I sure wouldn't want to bet the season on it.

 

[VolBall09]

Unfortunately, I can't produce one. Any more than any of you guys can produce our next home run hire coach.

All I'm doing is joining the discussion about our roster needs for next year's teams. IMO reliable scoring and true young post is everything. If the reliable scoring against elite competition grows from within, great. But I sure wouldn't want to bet the season on it.

Becky Hammon or Dawn Staley. It’s pretty easy actually. Those are really the only two names in the business who could make an immediate impact. Both have a history of championship success and both are being paid less than we could afford to throw at them.

Plus the SC AD and Staley aren’t always on super friendly terms. The fan base there has started to turn on her some too which is crazy considering South Carolina was nothing before she arrived in Columbia.

 

[FormerLadyVolFan]

...and neither are ever coming to Tennessee.

Becky Hammon or Dawn Staley. It’s pretty easy actually. Those are really the only two names in the business who could make an immediate impact. Both have a history of championship success and both are being paid less than we could afford to throw at them.

Plus the SC AD and Staley aren’t always on super friendly terms. The fan base there has started to turn on her some too which is crazy considering South Carolina was nothing before she arrived in Columbia.

 

[VolBall09]

...and neither are ever coming to Tennessee.

Your insider information has been SO spot on.

Mr “her job is definitely not in trouble.”

Her job is DEFINITELY in trouble.

The only person who provides actual insider info here from time to time is DeerPark and their info isn’t what it used to be because I believe they said their connection is no longer there.

We’re all just fans speculating with slightly more or less information at this point. Since the AD change and the turnover that came with that there is little to no real info that leaks anymore.

 

[glv98]

Becky Hammon or Dawn Staley. It’s pretty easy actually

OK then, for my elite scorer I want JuJu Watkins and for my quality young post I want Audi Crooks. It's pretty easy actually.

Even if whacky otherworldly.

 

[VolBall09]

OK then, for my elite scorer I want JuJu Watkins and for my quality young post I want Audi Crooks. It's pretty easy actually.

Even if whacky otherworldly.

That’s more like it! Nothing wrong with dreaming big glv98. Only way to get there is to believe you can.

 

[glv98]

Her job is DEFINITELY in trouble.

Wait - we know that how? BC it's in trouble in the social media arena? I don't think we DEFINITELY know her job is/was in trouble w her bosses at all.

We’re all just fans speculating with slightly more or less information at this point

Right. Meaning we don't know anything DEFINITELY.

 

[Klclark]

Thanks for the info. I also think if anyone is going into the portal it will be soon or not at all. KJH has a very low transfer rate so far, really just players at the very end of the bench or special situations like Marta. She also has a very high stay rate. I'm trying to remember if anyone other than Jordy has not used their fifth year.

Rae

 

[DarkPhoenix]

She has been her for a while and has never looked athletic, or run the floor and quite honestly she misses layups to the point she should not be in the game. She can block shots I will give her that, but she has a long way to go before she is capable of helping us deep In The tourney.

I won’t mention all the other flaws but she can ba a decent backup playing about 10 mins a game.

 

[VolBall09]

Wait - we know that how? BC it's in trouble in the social media arena? I don't think we DEFINITELY know her job is/was in trouble w her bosses at all.

Right. Meaning we don't know anything DEFINITELY.

Denying that she’s in the hot seat at this point is silly. You’ve been around. No AD who is content with their coach goes this long without a statement of congratulations or support after the season is over.

Feels way more like he put the Harpers on the back burner while the men were still competing but will now be meeting with them and addressing things.

Wouldn’t expect any announcement today but I’d be shocked if Kellie does not have a meeting on the books with him and Plowman today.

 

[FormerLadyVolFan]

Really?! Attack me because I poo-pooed your delusional post? I've got pretty good sources, but Danny plays it close to the vest and I would be shocked if he made any kind of change based on what I've heard/know. Maybe you need to take a breath and step back a while...

Your insider information has been SO spot on.

Mr “her job is definitely not in trouble.”

Her job is DEFINITELY in trouble.

The only person who provides actual insider info here from time to time is DeerPark and their info isn’t what it used to be because I believe they said their connection is no longer there.

We’re all just fans speculating with slightly more or less information at this point. Since the AD change and the turnover that came with that there is little to no real info that leaks anymore.

 

[Volfan2012]

Certainly consistent scoring at all positions is the goal. But we don't have that really at any position on our current roster. Jewel is closest and we know how that turned out. Are Cooper and Whitehorn proven consistent scorers against elite defenses? Again, we can hope, and we better hope, but my kingdom for a proven elite scorer. Which I know doesn't grow on trees.

Jewell was a consistent scorer, but she had a tendency to disappear and not take shots. Her 1.29 was better than Rickeas 1.23 but unlike Rickea she would stop shooting. Rickea just keeps putting them up until she gets in a groove.

 

[glv98]

Rae

Yes thanks. I forgot Rae, we discussed upthread. Rae was a bit of a special case, she was post serious injury and pre NIL. Every reason to go on to the W. Where she's struggled mightily to hold a spot, but seems to have gotten a foothold now w the Sparks. Had a really nice run in whatever that league is that runs at the same time as March Madness for reasons I can't imagine.

 

[VolBall09]

Really?! Attack me because I poopooed your delusional post? I've got pretty good sources, but Danny plays it close to the vest and I would be shocked if he made any kind of change based on what I've heard/know. Maybe you need to take a breath and step back a while...

Not hyperventilating over here. You’re the one reading too much into my posts lol.

You’re also the one “attacking” anyone who thinks they are on their way out. Simply responding to someone isn’t an attack. I don’t view your responses as an attack, it’s just civil discourse in a fan message board.

My position for months now has been that the Harpers were in the hot seat. This shouldn’t surprise or offend you anymore. White watched the same season we all did, he didn’t like the product either. Guarantee you that.

 

[glv98]

Jewell was a consistent scorer, but she had a tendency to disappear and not take shots. Her 1.29 was better than Rickeas 1.23 but unlike Rickea she would stop shooting. Rickea just keeps putting them up until she gets in a groove.

I think it's fair to say both Jewel and Sara often had trouble getting their shots up against elite defenses. Both with and without Rickea on the floor. Hopefully they can make that jump forward next season. And I still want one more proven, reliable scorer.

 

[VolBall09]

I think Amoore is heading to LSU

If she does, look out. She and Kim will be dynamite together I think, very coachable player with a high skill set.

Again, won’t be supposed to see VanLith in the portal again. Just does not seem to have been a good fit for her. Her tears on the bench the other day were hard to see, she just doesn’t do it how Kim wants though and doesn’t understand that a coach like Kim is just gonna sit your butt down and play someone else if you won’t listen.

If you noticed, after VanLith was benched LSU got back in the game, seized control and then Kim gave her another opportunity later and she played better. Mulkey doesn’t reward bad play with more minutes and I’ve always loved that in a coach.

 

[Amb3096]

May have been talking about LP Lane?

LPL's scoring took a hit, but she did a really good job with running the offense. I think she had the all time assists in a year record at MSST, beating Jazmun Holmes who was an exceptional playmaking guard.

 

[House|RockyTop]

This is why having experience playing a sport on any level is important. Because before you assess any task and individual players you need to have an understanding of what it takes to perform it. People keep talking about scorers and players performance against competition. Here is the issue, basketball is a team sport. Jewel Spear first year at Tennessee saw her field goal percentage improve. Rebounding improve. Some people seem to expect her for whatever reason to score 15-20 points in an offense exclusively built to feed the post as the #1 and #2 option no matter the competition. Against SC, Jewel Spear drove the ball at will against the nations top defense into a 6’7 center with no issue. Are folks on here so smart or the opposite to suggest that Jewel Spear does not have the capacity to do this night in and night out? Score against elite competition? Or based from logic admit that Tennessee adjusted in some games while in others reverted back to their old ways. Jewel Spear played within this system. She did what was asked. Same as Jordan Horston. Same as Rae Burrell. Guards aren’t the #1 or even #2 options in the current offensive system and hopefully that changes to help this team become more diverse as opposed to one dimensional offensively.

 

[VolBall09]

Also, I hope Kenny Brooks has one heck of a time recruiting at Kentucky. More and more things you hear about him I just really don’t care for the guy at this point. Ask me that a year ago and I give you a different answer. At this point it seems like he creates a lot of the drama his program encounter though.