Akhator Commits to Kentucky

[mtsuraider06]

I think I remember Pat naming Massengale her point guard before she enrolled. I think it came right after Tenn lost in the NCAA's prior to her freshman year.

Ariel was the only PG we would have...of course she would be playing. We didn't have any other options, other than playing out of position.

 

[rizla]

Here's the real issue:

We have several posters who are crypto-Uconn fans.
Until Holly either makes the Final Four and/or signs a top player, we will be subjected to their denigration of Holly and our Program.

As soon as that happens, they will slink back to Storrs.

Now, let the denials begin.

 

[BMvol27]

When you haven't been in the national title picture in a decade, and fold in the sweet 16 every year, you tend not to get the recruits you used to get. Was that a factor with this prospect? I don't know--but that generally has become an issue for us. We would have never lost recruits to kentucky, south carolina or louisville or others in the past (three programs that have never won squat), but then this is the present--boom.

Well, we've won two national titles in the past decade, and won in the Sweet 16 four out of the past five years. So that part of your post is completely wrong.

 

[volbabyvol]

I don't have the answer. And the discussion today, I thought, was regarding this one particular player.

Recruiting techniques, playing time, better fit for her?

"They have a great academic program," Akhator said. "The players will be graduating with me and I feel that's the right place God wants me to be."

Akhator's choice of Kentucky was also due to the school's nursing program, which she is looking forward to taking part in.

But its becoming a pattern that's why I brought up the previous yrs.
I think we need to consider look into our recruiting techniques when it comes to finding more creative ways to sway recruits which is why I brought up the Butch Jones reference.

She is a rebounding machine I don't how she would not fit our system.

I fear the day we let the cupboard get dry again and have to come in with a baby vol team like we had Post Parker era. That was coming off back to back titles now we are just losing them to anybody.

 

[ivyleague]

But its becoming a pattern that's why I brought up the previous yrs.

It's hardly a pattern. The 2015 class was exceptionally thin at post. UT has some very strong prospects for 2016 and 2017.

I think we need to consider look into our recruiting techniques when it comes to finding more creative ways to sway recruits

I'd love to hear your ideas regarding these "creative ways to sway recruits." What, specifically, are your suggestions?

which is why I brought up the Butch Jones reference.

What do you imagine Butch Jones is doing that Holly isn't?

She is a rebounding machine I don't how she would not fit our system.

It doesn't matter if she would fit UT's system. I'm pretty sure the coaches thought she would fit their system; otherwise, they would not have recruited her. However, UK was her choice. She apparently preferred UK's academic program to UT's, she liked the fact that one of the assistant coaches at UK had a similar cultural background, and she realized she would have a greater shot at a starting position and playing time at UK than at UT.

I fear the day we let the cupboard get dry again and have to come in with a baby vol team like we had Post Parker era. That was coming off back to back titles now we are just losing them to anybody.

The cupboard isn't going to even whiff going dry.

 

[WVU05UT09]

Allow me to break up the intensity of this thread for a chuckle at the strength of academic programs at UK piece in that. Carry on

 

[Slydell]

But its becoming a pattern that's why I brought up the previous yrs.
I think we need to consider look into our recruiting techniques when it comes to finding more creative ways to sway recruits which is why I brought up the Butch Jones reference.

She is a rebounding machine I don't how she would not fit our system.

I fear the day we let the cupboard get dry again and have to come in with a baby vol team like we had Post Parker era. That was coming off back to back titles now we are just losing them to anybody.

Maybe Butch should sit in with the LV's and learn how to win more games?

 

[ivyleague]

Allow me to break up the intensity of this thread for a chuckle at the strength of academic programs at UK piece in that. Carry on

Honestly, if one is looking for a very, very strong academic school, neither UT nor UK is a powerhouse, at least generally speaking. Neither school has that reputation. That said, I'm sure there are certain programs at both schools that are relatively strong compared to others. For example, UT's forensics program is one of the top such programs in the nation; its liberal arts departments, not so much. I don't know much at all about UK other than the fact that it isn't close to being a top-ranked school academically (but then, neither is UT). However, it may very well have a better nursing program than UT; given that that is apparently Akhator's desired field of study, I can certainly see that playing a major role in her decision.

 

[Volfan2012]

All that comes out of this is that we must have some 2016 post players and they are going to have to be SEC ready no projects or learning on the job. All we have is Russell coming back and a tweener in Jones. Holly and company have had some very tough problems getting post players that is obvious. No way they wanted to go into next season with Russell, Graves, and Moore as a backup. So here we go into another season with the fear of one injury making us a very small team again.

 

[WVU05UT09]

Honestly, if one is looking for a very, very strong academic school, neither UT nor UK is a powerhouse, at least generally speaking. Neither school has that reputation. That said, I'm sure there are certain programs at both schools that are relatively strong compared to others. For example, UT's forensics program is one of the top such programs in the nation; its liberal arts departments, not so much. I don't know much at all about UK other than the fact that it isn't close to being a top-ranked school academically (but then, neither is UT). However, it may very well have a better nursing program than UT; given that that is apparently Akhator's desired field of study, I can certainly see that playing a major role in her decision.

Don't bring that serious conversation here--I'm looking for a laugh hahaha.

Texas was the clear academic leader in the group of four. FSU and UT next and then appx 25 spots behind is UK according to the U.S. News & World report.

 

[doggydaddy]

How do you all know for sure that Kentucky said she would start and how do you know that was something she asked from every school?

 

[ivyleague]

How do you all know for sure that Kentucky said she would start and how do you know that was something she asked from every school?

Whether it was explicitly stated or merely implied is irrelevant. The school on her list that is thinnest in the post position at this point is UK. Akhator has two years left, not four, so I'm sure she was looking for a program where she would see a significant amount of immediate playing time and where a starting spot was almost assured. Again, the most likely school is UK. Tennessee isn't loaded at the post position for 2015-16, but Akhator still would have been playing behind Russell and Graves and very likely behind Jones and possibly Nared (depending on how Nared is utilized). Neither playing time nor starting position is guaranteed at any school, but for an incoming post player with only two years of eligibility left, both are far more likely in the foreseeable future at UK than at UT. Akhator may have seen much more playing time at UT in 2016-17, but again, that's dependent upon the incoming 2016 recruits, and UT appears to be in decent position with some top prospects from that class.

Akhator would have been a great pick-up for UT and it's unfortunate that she didn't choose UT. However, it isn't as if UT has no post presence; Graves is a seasoned and hungry player (as well as a very, very good one), Jones is tenacious, and I have a feeling Russell is going to prove to be a force to be reckoned with now that she is fully healthy. Akhator would have been a fantastic addition, but she was needed for depth more than anything. This is in no manner a make-it or break-it issue for UT.

 

[Darth_Vol]

Darth...and what would you have done differently...specifically...to ensure she would have signed with UT?

Specifically, I wouldn't have emphatically announced the signing class was done with the two guards and stated for the record I would not be looking at JUCO's..... only to do a complete 180 late in the process when no unforeseen roster changes have occurred. That fickle attitude can be the razor thin difference in winning and losing a recruit. It's almost as if the coach doesn't know what the hell she's doing, but we know that can't be the case....

 

[doggydaddy]

Whether it was explicitly stated or merely implied is irrelevant. The school on her list that is thinnest in the post position at this point is UK. Akhator has two years left, not four, so I'm sure she was looking for a program where she would see a significant amount of immediate playing time and where a starting spot was almost assured. Again, the most likely school is UK. Tennessee isn't loaded at the post position for 2015-16, but Akhator still would have been playing behind Russell and Graves and very likely behind Jones and possibly Nared (depending on how Nared is utilized). Neither playing time nor starting position is guaranteed at any school, but for an incoming post player with only two years of eligibility left, both are far more likely in the foreseeable future at UK than at UT. Akhator may have seen much more playing time at UT in 2016-17, but again, that's dependent upon the incoming 2016 recruits, and UT appears to be in decent position with some top prospects from that class.

Akhator would have been a great pick-up for UT and it's unfortunate that she didn't choose UT. However, it isn't as if UT has no post presence; Graves is a seasoned and hungry player (as well as a very, very good one), Jones is tenacious, and I have a feeling Russell is going to prove to be a force to be reckoned with now that she is fully healthy. Akhator would have been a fantastic addition, but she was needed for depth more than anything. This is in no manner a make-it or break-it issue for UT.

That doesn't really answer my question. I've read several posts that claimed she asked to start for Tennessee and they said no. And that she asked to start for Kentucky and they said yes.

Looking at the rosters, it's clear they have more room at Kentucky for the JC transfer to start than Tennessee. But my question is not if she would start for either team but that it seemed that some posters know that she specifically made that a requirement.

With only Russell, Graves and Jones (not really the same position) she would seem to have plenty of playing time available.

 

[Darth_Vol]

Maybe Butch should sit in with the LV's and learn how to win more games?

Remind me again how many of Pat's final class was drafted in the WNBA, and how many football Vols were drafted by the NFL last weekend....?

 

[Darth_Vol]

How do you all know for sure that Kentucky said she would start and how do you know that was something she asked from every school?

No one here knows what Holly told her and what Mitchell told her. What we do know is which won her over...

 

[ivyleague]

Specifically, I wouldn't have emphatically announced the signing class was done with the two guards and stated for the record I would not be looking at JUCO's..... only to do a complete 180 late in the process when no unforeseen roster changes have occurred. That fickle attitude can be the razor thin difference in winning and losing a recruit. It's almost as if the coach doesn't know what the hell she's doing, but we know that can't be the case....

Holly knows exactly what she's doing, troll. It's also pretty obvious what YOU'RE doing. Your sole purpose here is to denigrate the Lady Vols program and its coaching staff, the head coach in particular. That's why every single word you type is utterly meaningless and without any merit whatsoever.

 

[Slydell]

Remind me again how many of Pat's final class was drafted in the WNBA, and how many football Vols were drafted by the NFL last weekend....?

Remind me again of Butch's winning percentages and Holly's winning percentages.

 

[ivyleague]

No one here knows what Holly told her and what Mitchell told her. What we do know is which won her over...

We all know you want Holly gone. We all know every post you make is going to be something negative. Nobody cares. Please just shut the hell up already. The more effort you exert, the more good air you waste. So please . . . just move along. I dislike seeing your posts and being reminded that someone like you inhabits the same planet that I do.

 

[Darth_Vol]

Remind me again of Butch's winning percentages and Holly's winning percentages.

Answer my question first, and that will answer yours....

 

[Slydell]

Answer my question first, and that will answer yours....

OK, let's go this route. How many different positions on a football team can be drafted and how many positions on a women's basketball team can be drafted? Neither of us are comparing similar situations. I'll admit that.

 

[ivyleague]

That doesn't really answer my question. I've read several posts that claimed she asked to start for Tennessee and they said no. And that she asked to start for Kentucky and they said yes.

Looking at the rosters, it's clear they have more room at Kentucky for the JC transfer to start than Tennessee. But my question is not if she would start for either team but that it seemed that some posters know that she specifically made that a requirement.

With only Russell, Graves and Jones (not really the same position) she would seem to have plenty of playing time available.

Only those present during her visits to the various schools know exactly what was said or implied. However, the writing on the wall is pretty obvious. The fact is, Akhator was almost guaranteed NOT to be starting at UT, at least during 2015-16, unless she proved to be positively remarkable (and while I'm sure she is very good, I'm not sure she's good enough to take a starting position from Russell or Graves). The same goes for playing time. The fact is, she is more likely to get both at UK than at UT. For a player with only two years of eligibility left, that probably makes a difference. One doesn't have to have it spelled out in so many words to see it. It's obvious. Akhator apparently also liked the fact that one of UK's assistants is also from Africa. All things considered, UK seemed to be the better choice for her.

 

[teacherdean]

I don't know what the problem is but we do seem to be losing out on some recruits to programs that just do not have our history, facility, or fan base. Something just does not seem right. Maybe recruits just do not see us as major players for a national championship. If we lose major recruits in the 2016 class we have issues that need to be fixed. We can't stick our heads in a hole and keep saying it will all be okay. If you look at the 2016 recruiting class many of the major programs have verbals while we have none. Now we can appease ourselves by saying, verbals don't mean anything recruits can change their minds, however, what makes us think they will sign with us? After losing two post to Baylor I think we need to at least wonder where we are headed.

 

[Chris89128]

I don't know what the problem is but we do seem to be losing out on some recruits to programs that just do not have our history, facility, or fan base. Something just does not seem right. Maybe recruits just do not see us as major players for a national championship. If we lose major recruits in the 2016 class we have issues that need to be fixed. We can't stick our heads in a hole and keep saying it will all be okay. If you look at the 2016 recruiting class many of the major programs have verbals while we have none. Now we can appease ourselves by saying, verbals don't mean anything recruits can change their minds, however, what makes us think they will sign with us? After losing two post to Baylor I think we need to at least wonder where we are headed.

You are too obsessed with verbals Look at how the Cooper situation played out. There are plenty of great players still uncommitted for 2016. We are in the mix for many imcluding Slocum, another who re-opened her recruitment, Lets just wait and see how the 2016 class shapes up before we worry.

 

[ivyleague]

I don't know what the problem is

I'm not sure there is one. The 2015 class was very limited when it came to post prospects and UT appears to be in good shape with several 2016 and 2017 prospects.

but we do seem to be losing out on some recruits to programs that just do not have our history,

UT's history was reset to a significant degree when Pat stepped down.

facility,

UT has excellent facilities. However, in 2015, so do most of the Division I programs with which UT competes for recruits.

or fan base.

UT has a large and passionate fan base. A significant portion of the fan base is so fanatical, in fact, that they feel absolutely zero shame in trashing players or denigrating and demeaning the coaches if a game is lost, if it isn't won by enough points, if a recruit chooses another school, etc. "Fire the coach" has become a UT mantra (unwarranted as it is in Holly's case), and one that is not looked upon favorably by recruits or their parents but that is likely relished by the competition. It doesn't help when yet another segment of Vols fan base seems to derive much pleasure in mocking the women's programs or relegating them to second class status behind the football and men's basketball programs. UT fans may be some of the most passionate, but too many of them have also proven to be among the most pessimistic, hateful, despicable human beings on the planet. Frankly, I'm embarrassed by the knowledge that recruits and their parents very well may read this board and several others associated with the UT fan base.

Something just does not seem right. Maybe recruits just do not see us as major players for a national championship.

I don't think that's the case at all.

If we lose major recruits in the 2016 class we have issues that need to be fixed.

Well, not all "major recruits" are going to select Tennessee. That's a given. I think Holly and her staff will wind up with exactly what they need, however.

We can't stick our heads in a hole and keep saying it will all be okay.

Except, it IS okay.

If you look at the 2016 recruiting class many of the major programs have verbals while we have none.

That doesn't mean Tennessee won't get its own verbals in time.

Now we can appease ourselves by saying, verbals don't mean anything recruits can change their minds, however, what makes us think they will sign with us?

What makes you think they won't?

After losing two post to Baylor I think we need to at least wonder where we are headed.

Refer to my above comment about the fan base.