Paige Dauer on why this LV roster looks more like Tennessee

[BruisedOrange]

 

[lvocd]

We all definitely want it to be true that we have a roster full of go-getters who will bleed orange and will make it their mission to perform Kim’s system at peak possible effectiveness. But we also know that saying something and doing something are two different things.

I have never, ever heard anyone say of an incoming Lady Vol signee, whether a freshman out of high school or an upperclassman transfer, that “she is probably not going to give her all, and is unlikely to understand what ‘being a Lady Vol’ is all about.”

No, we always hear and read how terrific they are and will be and are (naturally!) excited to see them play for Tennessee.

My point is that, right now, we only have what they all WANT to be — and I’m sure they are all being 100% honest when they say they are willing to put in the hard work and will be happy to do it. But, again, nobody knows yet, and the only way to back up all the hopeful projections will be to see them actually playing together and actually doing what they say now they are willing and able to do.

I literally sometimes find myself saying a little prayer for these young women that they will be able to handle the pressure coming their way. There is going to be a lot on them, and while they may think they know about it, they really don’t know yet.

 

[birdie74]

There have been instances when incoming transfers were known to have attitude issues and involved in locker room problems - with troublesome parents or guardians. Hopefully, these issues will not exist with this group…

 

[creekdipper]

Let's hope the "got a screw loose" turns out to be an asset rather than a prescient assessment in hindsight.

 

[lvocd]

There have been instances when incoming transfers were known to have attitude issues and involved in locker room problems - with troublesome parents or guardians. Hopefully, these issues will not exist with this group…

Ahhh, yes. That‘s true, at least of one player I know of. We’d all probably agree, though, that the overwhelming majority come in with high hopes of being the players who will “get Tennessee back to where it belongs.”

 

[Tnphil]

Hoping this bunch other than having athletic ability has character....Some of the last bunch was severely lacking in that department.

 

[volsagain]

Let's hope the "got a screw loose" turns out to be an asset rather than a prescient assessment in hindsight.

It's not really a loose screw to give 100% effort, it's what you should do to be a real teammate and become a real team. I think probably 99% of the players in my time gave 100% through the years players are lead to think putting to much energy into defense will tire you out and make you less effective on offense. That's what subbing is for to give rest and refresh also instructions on what to look for. Let's hope they all have the right mentality to be great teammates and represent the University in high standards.

 

[madtownvol]

We all definitely want it to be true that we have a roster full of go-getters who will bleed orange and will make it their mission to perform Kim’s system at peak possible effectiveness. But we also know that saying something and doing something are two different things.

I have never, ever heard anyone say of an incoming Lady Vol signee, whether a freshman out of high school or an upperclassman transfer, that “she is probably not going to give her all, and is unlikely to understand what ‘being a Lady Vol’ is all about.”

No, we always hear and read how terrific they are and will be and are (naturally!) excited to see them play for Tennessee.

My point is that, right now, we only have what they all WANT to be — and I’m sure they are all being 100% honest when they say they are willing to put in the hard work and will be happy to do it. But, again, nobody knows yet, and the only way to back up all the hopeful projections will be to see them actually playing together and actually doing what they say now they are willing and able to do.

I literally sometimes find myself saying a little prayer for these young women that they will be able to handle the pressure coming their way. There is going to be a lot on them, and while they may think they know about it, they really don’t know yet.

Excellent point and beyond that, it is kind of the narrative that just about every team uses in the off season. You just don't hear ,"yeah we are gonna suck this next season cause we brought in a bunch of dead beats." Everyone (more or less) is running high on optimism and touting their "plan for success" next season.

But like Mike Tyson famously said, "Everybody's got a plan till you get punched in the face."

 

[BruisedOrange]

One thing I think we know is that--whereas last year CKC was leaning on her assistants with SEC-level recruiting experience to select and recruit--these girls were selected and recruited with much more hands-on, anti-selling input from CKC herself.

Another thing I think we know is that these girls have been identified and selected for being different in their mental-emotional makeup than the previous roster. Not judging, just saying different.

We all know the one thing we can't predict. At least, not until we get into February.
(Ha! You know we'll be predicting March Madness results before we even reach December!)

But isn't that the best part of being a fan, the not knowing how the season will unfold, who the stars will be, what identity the team will evolve into, or how individual players will improve through the season?

For better or worse, and more than ever, team building is a one-year cycle of seeing how much lightning a coach can catch in a bottle (without getting burned).

 

[Voltopia]

I don't know if the roster makes sense or not, but I continue to believe that things could have been a whole lot worse this offseason and it certainly wasn't going to get better with the old roster, so in that light the roster "makes sense" enough to me.

 

[adam.vol]

I’ll be glad if the players hustle and play smart the whole game, as if the team record actually means something to them.

 

[RAVOL]

I’ll be glad if the players hustle and play smart the whole game, as if the team record actually means something to them.

I believe this is the year. One thing for sure Kim will go back to hard work in off season. That to me was her biggest mistake and she admits such because during these training sessions who you will be on court during season reveals itself. Looking forward to the season and what unfolds . In CHRIST Alone

 

[KTrain]

I’ll be glad if the players hustle and play smart the whole game, as if the team record actually means something to them

Yep, I saw a lot of dribblers blow by about every player at some point and beat them down the court while dribbling. The posture was terrible and mostly following/trailing and reaching in and adding up the fouls that gave free throws to opposing teams in bunches all year.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

I literally sometimes find myself saying a little prayer for these young women that they will be able to handle the pressure coming their way. There is going to be a lot on them, and while they may think they know about it, they really don’t know yet.

Sometimes not knowing what you don't know is a good thing. They will start the season like wild horses and if they learn how to lean on each other when the brick walls hit they will make it. Lets hope Kim and the staff prepare them well.

 

[1morevol]

Ahhh, yes. That‘s true, at least of one player I" know of. We’d all probably agree, though, that the overwhelming majority come in with high hopes of being the players who will “get Tennessee back to where it belongs.”

"get Tennessee back to where it belongs"- I find myself pondering exactly where that is in this modern era and expect it's why you put it in quotation marks. I wonder what the consensus would be on Lady Vol fan's expectations and how realistic they may or not be.

 

[all_volz]

Ahhh, yes. That‘s true, at least of one player I know of. We’d all probably agree, though, that the overwhelming majority come in with high hopes of being the players who will “get Tennessee back to where it belongs.”

Who?

 

[madtownvol]

"get Tennessee back to where it belongs"- I find myself pondering exactly where that is in this modern era and expect it's why you put it in quotation marks. I wonder what the consensus would be on Lady Vol fan's expectations and how realistic they may or not be.

I think you have to determine the baseline. Based on our history, some think our baseline should be Uconn and South Carolina-- the two teams who have regularly been in the FF over the last 10 seasons. .

When you look below those two programs, there is a lot of variation. For example, it will be interesting to see what UCLA looks like this season after most of their key players have left.

Consistency in making the S16 might be the realistic baseline (and regularly top 4 in conference).

 

[1morevol]

I think you have to determine the baseline. Based on our history, some think our baseline should be Uconn and South Carolina-- the two teams who have regularly been in the FF over the last 10 seasons. .

When you look below those two programs, there is a lot of variation. For example, it will be interesting to see what UCLA looks like this season after most of their key players have left.

Consistency in making the S16 might be the realistic baseline (and regularly top 4 in conference).

That's about right for me. An occasional trip above that with a shot at a national championship maybe. I think the transfer portal will spell the end of the dynasties unless a school is willing to outspend everybody year after year. It will be interesting to see what happens when Geno hangs it up and whether Dawn can sustain her level of success.

 

[1reVOLver]

"get Tennessee back to where it belongs"

A few delusional drive-by fans might say NC. They will be disappointed for the foreseeable future.

S16/E8 every year for a while. Attainable but not easy.

FF The real target. Will take time and work and maybe even some staff changes. Any team making the Final Four should have a realistic shot at the NC.

 

[BruisedOrange]

"get Tennessee back to where it belongs"- I find myself pondering exactly where that is in this modern era and expect it's why you put it in quotation marks. I wonder what the consensus would be on Lady Vol fan's expectations and how realistic they may or not be.

Back in the day, I'd guess a top-10 or better preseason ranking was kind of our earned-over-time level of respect.

But in this roster-fluid NIL era, pre-season rankings have little meaning. With teams being assembled each year rather than built and developed over time, maybe the only realistic measure is how good your team has become by the end of the season. So maybe getting to the Elite-8 semi-regularly would be the modern equivalent of "where the Lady Vols brand belongs."

But no matter how strong the brand, or how admired the head coach, or how respected the program, purchasing power can make the final determination on how good of a team can be assembled--especially if a special player is involved.

I'd love to see the NCAA Tournament brackets include each team's average dollars per player ratio. At least fans would know who the true cinderella teams are, and neutral fans would likely cheer against the Big Donor teams, creating a kind of naturally enforced rebalancing during the tournament.

 

[1reVOLver]

I'd love to see the NCAA Tournament brackets include each team's average dollars per player ratio. At least fans would know who the true cinderella teams are, and neutral fans would likely cheer against the Big Donor teams, creating a kind of naturally enforced rebalancing during the tournament.

I was right with you until this paragraph. It needs a little clarification.

If average dollars per player ratio requires divulging or pointing at
individual player pay from House Settlement revenue sharing, that is ok for any state school “student/athlete/employee”. It won't fly for Rice, Vandy, Bowdoin or Gonzaga, private institutions all.
As to privately negotiated NIL contracts, the player has an absolute right to tell us to micturate vertically on a rope. It is their private deal.
Collectives? I don’t know. They are sort of ugly hybrid slush funds
operating sanctimoniously under NIL.

More to be told.

Speaking of which, today’s On3 has a summary of a bi-partisan bill to try to restore order. Senators introduce bipartisan college sports bill with transfer, coaching movement enforcement


That has enough good and bad provisions to set the pigeon amongst the pusseycats, as they were wont to say in the olde country.