mlindsay
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I have been one of Holly's (not much so her staff especially after seeing the progress Te'a has been making after spending more time with Jolette and how much Nia has progressed which has to be Lockwood's doing) biggest doubters. To some degree I still think she is in over her head and would prefer a change, but since I know it wont happen anytime soon. I am trying to keep the faith. I know it is only Alabama (our most recent win) but seeing how we competed against ND, Kentucky, and Miss St (both games we should have won) I have faith that we can still be a player come tournament time (if we can get there). In order for that to happen I am going to go over a player by player (as well as coaches) assessment on how we can get it done. Please feel free to post your agreements (or disagreements at the end)
1. Carter-Needs to understand that we need her to score and distribute, she has a great shot (but is very reluctant to shoot) we can not continue to have our "starting PG" filling up the box score with 3-5 points and 0 assist.
2. Reynolds-Continue to attack, I think she is more hungry coming off the bench and I hope Holly recognizes that, for some reason she just plays better when she doesn't start and sometimes you just need a player who can come off the bench and light it up. She has a great mid-range game that she just needs to utilize more often
3. Te'a- A "star" is starting to shine! The player we all hoped she'd be/become is starting to show before our eyes. After looking horrible she decided to spend more time in the gym with Coach Law and it has paid dividends. I have yet to see anybody be able to stop her from getting to the rim and with her shot (although funny looking) starting to fall, she could be just what the Dr. ordered to change our season.
4.Middleton-Shoot the damn ball! We don't need you to penetrate or facilitate, we need you to do what Shana Zolman, Taber Spanni, Angie Bjokland use to do find the open spot on the 3point line and when its passed to you shoot the ball! You have to be one of our 3pt Specialist!
5.MeMe Jackson-continue to study the game and be a force on the defensive end when you get into the game! Take the toughest defensive assignment and do the dirty work required to propel us forward. Similar to how she performed in High School
6. Dunbar-Continue to shoot the 3! When you get in (which I don't know why it's not more often) look to get open and don't hesitate (which I know you wont) to shoot the 3! You also have 5 fouls, use them (if the person you are guarding is too tough of an assignment for you just not in a shooting situation.
7. Nia-Continue to hustle and contest shots! That's one advantage you have over all of our post (outside of Jasmine) You have a knack for the offensive rebound and you also aren't afraid to try to block any shot that comes your way (which is what I wish Russell would do more of) Force Holly to have to give you minutes by continuing what you have been doing. Try to get 6 rebounds and a couple of blocks a game and she will have no choice but to play you.
8. Jamie-Look to score, when you are hungry like you were in the second quarter against Bama, we are a deadly team. We can not have you disappear as you are one of our best offensive players. There is no reason you shouldn't be putting up double figures in scoring and atleast 7 to 8 rebounds a game. Show everyone why you was such a high recruit.
9. Jasmine-Just get healthy! I hope this last concussion isn't going to end your career as a Lady Vol and that we are using it to get you another year of eligibility (since we didn't get any of the post players from the 2016 recruiting class) Athletically, you are better than any of the 2016 post (outside of probably Holmes who's headed to Texas). If we were able to get another year for you, your impact could probably have the same impact Morgan Tuck has for UConn! Even with Stewart and Jefferson leaving she would be around to still help Geno with a very young team next season.
10. Graves-Play like you want to be a first round draft pick in the WNBA! Get on the boards (be relentless) and take the open 15 footer. You have shown recently that you can hit that shot and with you being able to do so would make teams come out of the zone/stop double teaming Russell. We become a much scarier team if you play like the "Beast" you were your freshman year!
11. Russell-Dominate! At 6'6" there is nobody your size in the conference (outside of McCowen) and very few with your skill set. We need the Olympics Russell the double double (along with 3 to 4 blocks) a game Russell. That's one thing that made Kelly Cain (who was limited offensively because she was a little overweight and slow) such a force for us because people knew if they drove past a defender she was back there waiting. They don't fear you and that has to change. Teams/guards have to be afraid to come into the paint. That what made Baylor (when Griner was there) so scary because after a few block shots players became afraid to challenge her! We need that from you Russell!
12. Diamond-Loosen up! I don't know what you were promised or what you were told it would be when you got here. But please get with the program. Attack the basket and give us what we need to be successful! You have it in you, for some reason you are over thinking the game. We are a great team if you show up to play. We are an okay team when you disappear. We have seen flashes (this year and at UNC) that you could be the best player (outside of maybe Stewart) in College Basketball but you have to prove that. Stop letting everything get to you and just play the game of basketball. The game we all know you love.
Coaches
Holly-Let the girls play! Stop trying to force an offensive philosophy that you haven't yet created! Take this season to let the girls run and get to know their strengths and weaknesses and utilize your offseason to talk to or bring in a brilliant offensive mind.
Elzy-Lay down the law. You have the fire, Since Holy wont yell you dig up in the girls behind when they aren't doing well or whats asked of them to do. We need a good cop and bad cop and since Holly only knows how to be the Good cop, we need you to become the bad cop.
Law-Continue to work with Te'a and also focus on MeMe and Middleton! We have some young guard talent and you have coached some of the best college guards (during that era) who have transitioned to the wnba (or currently play overseas) Cappie Pondexter, Essence Carson, Matee Ajavon, Ephiphany Prince (recruited her but never got to coach her because she then took the Illinois Job)
Dean Lockwood-There is a reason Pat had you on her staff coaching her Post Players, can you please show us why? Russell has developed a little but she looks like she has regress under this staff's tutelage compared to the coaching she got during the Olympic games and something has to change. She is a key piece for us and if she can up her play/play like the Olympic Russell we will be hard to stop!
Lastly my new line-ups would be (although I don't see it happening)
Starters/Bench
PG-Cooper/Reynolds
SG-Carter/Middleton/MeMe
SF-Dunbar/Diamond/MeMe
PF-Nared/Graves/Jones (if she plays again this year)
C-Russell/Moore
I think having Graves come off the bench with Diamond would make the second unit more explosive. We also have a shot blocker back there for when Diamond decides to loathe on defense. Starting Dunbar at the 3 will give us someone who isn't afraid to shoot the 3 in the starting lineup! Holly spends far too much time trying to make a Reynolds/Carter back court work that it hurts us as neither are willing to score and when you have starters who are deferring (2 of them) it hurts your offense. Te'a isn't afraid to score and Kortney isn't afraid to shoot and when Te'a penetrate and kicks, Carter and Dunbar should be wide open. Nared at the 4 also gives us the 4 out 1 in look we could be scary using! I know this is a long post and many may not read or disagree. But I think we could be scary if things fall into play. Look at Louisville who took their bumps in the beginning and look how they are responding now (I know it is with a better coach) but you can't tell me they have superior talent than we do?
1. Carter-Needs to understand that we need her to score and distribute, she has a great shot (but is very reluctant to shoot) we can not continue to have our "starting PG" filling up the box score with 3-5 points and 0 assist.
2. Reynolds-Continue to attack, I think she is more hungry coming off the bench and I hope Holly recognizes that, for some reason she just plays better when she doesn't start and sometimes you just need a player who can come off the bench and light it up. She has a great mid-range game that she just needs to utilize more often
3. Te'a- A "star" is starting to shine! The player we all hoped she'd be/become is starting to show before our eyes. After looking horrible she decided to spend more time in the gym with Coach Law and it has paid dividends. I have yet to see anybody be able to stop her from getting to the rim and with her shot (although funny looking) starting to fall, she could be just what the Dr. ordered to change our season.
4.Middleton-Shoot the damn ball! We don't need you to penetrate or facilitate, we need you to do what Shana Zolman, Taber Spanni, Angie Bjokland use to do find the open spot on the 3point line and when its passed to you shoot the ball! You have to be one of our 3pt Specialist!
5.MeMe Jackson-continue to study the game and be a force on the defensive end when you get into the game! Take the toughest defensive assignment and do the dirty work required to propel us forward. Similar to how she performed in High School
6. Dunbar-Continue to shoot the 3! When you get in (which I don't know why it's not more often) look to get open and don't hesitate (which I know you wont) to shoot the 3! You also have 5 fouls, use them (if the person you are guarding is too tough of an assignment for you just not in a shooting situation.
7. Nia-Continue to hustle and contest shots! That's one advantage you have over all of our post (outside of Jasmine) You have a knack for the offensive rebound and you also aren't afraid to try to block any shot that comes your way (which is what I wish Russell would do more of) Force Holly to have to give you minutes by continuing what you have been doing. Try to get 6 rebounds and a couple of blocks a game and she will have no choice but to play you.
8. Jamie-Look to score, when you are hungry like you were in the second quarter against Bama, we are a deadly team. We can not have you disappear as you are one of our best offensive players. There is no reason you shouldn't be putting up double figures in scoring and atleast 7 to 8 rebounds a game. Show everyone why you was such a high recruit.
9. Jasmine-Just get healthy! I hope this last concussion isn't going to end your career as a Lady Vol and that we are using it to get you another year of eligibility (since we didn't get any of the post players from the 2016 recruiting class) Athletically, you are better than any of the 2016 post (outside of probably Holmes who's headed to Texas). If we were able to get another year for you, your impact could probably have the same impact Morgan Tuck has for UConn! Even with Stewart and Jefferson leaving she would be around to still help Geno with a very young team next season.
10. Graves-Play like you want to be a first round draft pick in the WNBA! Get on the boards (be relentless) and take the open 15 footer. You have shown recently that you can hit that shot and with you being able to do so would make teams come out of the zone/stop double teaming Russell. We become a much scarier team if you play like the "Beast" you were your freshman year!
11. Russell-Dominate! At 6'6" there is nobody your size in the conference (outside of McCowen) and very few with your skill set. We need the Olympics Russell the double double (along with 3 to 4 blocks) a game Russell. That's one thing that made Kelly Cain (who was limited offensively because she was a little overweight and slow) such a force for us because people knew if they drove past a defender she was back there waiting. They don't fear you and that has to change. Teams/guards have to be afraid to come into the paint. That what made Baylor (when Griner was there) so scary because after a few block shots players became afraid to challenge her! We need that from you Russell!
12. Diamond-Loosen up! I don't know what you were promised or what you were told it would be when you got here. But please get with the program. Attack the basket and give us what we need to be successful! You have it in you, for some reason you are over thinking the game. We are a great team if you show up to play. We are an okay team when you disappear. We have seen flashes (this year and at UNC) that you could be the best player (outside of maybe Stewart) in College Basketball but you have to prove that. Stop letting everything get to you and just play the game of basketball. The game we all know you love.
Coaches
Holly-Let the girls play! Stop trying to force an offensive philosophy that you haven't yet created! Take this season to let the girls run and get to know their strengths and weaknesses and utilize your offseason to talk to or bring in a brilliant offensive mind.
Elzy-Lay down the law. You have the fire, Since Holy wont yell you dig up in the girls behind when they aren't doing well or whats asked of them to do. We need a good cop and bad cop and since Holly only knows how to be the Good cop, we need you to become the bad cop.
Law-Continue to work with Te'a and also focus on MeMe and Middleton! We have some young guard talent and you have coached some of the best college guards (during that era) who have transitioned to the wnba (or currently play overseas) Cappie Pondexter, Essence Carson, Matee Ajavon, Ephiphany Prince (recruited her but never got to coach her because she then took the Illinois Job)
Dean Lockwood-There is a reason Pat had you on her staff coaching her Post Players, can you please show us why? Russell has developed a little but she looks like she has regress under this staff's tutelage compared to the coaching she got during the Olympic games and something has to change. She is a key piece for us and if she can up her play/play like the Olympic Russell we will be hard to stop!
Lastly my new line-ups would be (although I don't see it happening)
Starters/Bench
PG-Cooper/Reynolds
SG-Carter/Middleton/MeMe
SF-Dunbar/Diamond/MeMe
PF-Nared/Graves/Jones (if she plays again this year)
C-Russell/Moore
I think having Graves come off the bench with Diamond would make the second unit more explosive. We also have a shot blocker back there for when Diamond decides to loathe on defense. Starting Dunbar at the 3 will give us someone who isn't afraid to shoot the 3 in the starting lineup! Holly spends far too much time trying to make a Reynolds/Carter back court work that it hurts us as neither are willing to score and when you have starters who are deferring (2 of them) it hurts your offense. Te'a isn't afraid to score and Kortney isn't afraid to shoot and when Te'a penetrate and kicks, Carter and Dunbar should be wide open. Nared at the 4 also gives us the 4 out 1 in look we could be scary using! I know this is a long post and many may not read or disagree. But I think we could be scary if things fall into play. Look at Louisville who took their bumps in the beginning and look how they are responding now (I know it is with a better coach) but you can't tell me they have superior talent than we do?
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