Akhator Commits to Kentucky

[stubbs9]

UGH! I was hoping we would get her.

 

[Eric Viesturs]

And, by the way, you can save this drivel. Were you denied tenure?

Ha-ha, nice try.

In response to your earlier unsupported claim, I don't have a negative view of university professors, and my view is hardly insupportable. Many do enjoy teaching. Whatever gave you the impression I thought otherwise?

However, this is badly off-topic - sorry but I couldn't help but respond.

 

[Eric Viesturs]

Well......duhhhh. "In the past" Tennessee was winning 8 NCs and setting the standard for WCBB while programs like UK, USC, and UL were fielding mediocre teams and mediocre successes. That's like saying back in the past when it was 2+2 it equaled 4 but now that it's 2+3 it equals 5. What else would it equal?

And that's not saying that UT has really fallen that much. The landscape has changed: UConn is the big dog these days, like UT was the big dog that chased away LA-Tech. But UT is still a powerhouse program that has only slipped slightly and is still just on the precipice of returning to it's former level. It could happen next season. Y'all have the excellent conference to play in, the excellent history and tradition, and the excellent resources and fan support to keep the program very close to the top. LA Tech was the type of program that once certain head coaches retired or left, everyone said "well that's the end of that". That doesn't have to happen with UT...

In the case of UK and USC, these are 2 programs that has risen in recent seasons to challenge UT for supremacy in the SEC, and sort of look them in the eye. So yes of course now that they can offer the same competitive opportunities that UT can offer prospects, they will have success over UT on the recruiting trail. And yes of course back in the past when they couldn't, they didn't. That's 2+3 = 5 stuff right there. You know, what Sherlock Holmes always told Watson? When Auburn, LSU, and UGA were having their big runs in the 80s and 90s, didn't they "steal" top recruits from UT from time to time? Or keep UT from "stealing" the prospects from them?

Don't forget that South Carolina was also heavily recruiting Akhator at one point, until late in April she dropped them from her list of finalists. Luckily for Staley and the Gamecocks they secured the services of former Hoo Imovbioh for next season. Then they'll go searching for other bigs to recruit in 2016.

Next season UT will have:

6-3 Sr. C Nia Moore
6-6 Jr. C Mercedes Russell
6-2 Sr. F Bashaara Graves
6-2 Sr. F Jasmine Jones
6-2 So. G/F Jamie Nared
6-2 So. G/F Kortney Dunbar

If the 6-2 girls are honestly measured, they can provide depth in the post and help the centers defend the paint and rebound. 6-2 may not be elite height, but it's not bad height at all, and UT has a bunch of them. In the 2013-14 season, South Carolina platooned 6-4 Coates and 6-4 Ibiam at C, and had 6-0 Welch providing assistance at the 4 spot. And they had no one else on the bench after them, and they were a dominant presence in the paint with just those 3 players that season. UT will have much better depth than that next season....

As for UK, they will have:

6-6 Sr. C Ivana Jakubcova
6-3 So. C Alyssa Rice
6-2 So. F/C Alexis Jennings
6-2 Fr. P Batouly Camara


So yes UT has better depth in 6-2 or taller players for next season than UK has. Even adding Akhator doesn't change that. I agree that Akhator choosing UK has more to do with her feeling more comfortable there than any guarantees that were given to her. I doubt very seriously that any program in the SEC or ACC would let a player start or even play substantially even if they didn't practice or prepare as hard as the other girls on the team. So UT telling it's prospects that if they practice hard they will earn playing time isn't exactly a novel approach to just that program....

Nice post.

Before last season started, I predicted, in writing, that the LVs would be in the top 4 for the season. I ended up being wrong, but not far off, and I contend if Izzy hadn't gotten hurt, I would have been spot on.

Next season looks even stronger, with some obvious questions which need sorting out, but I see, barring injury, the LVs in Indy.

That said, I can't help but wonder if you might rethink your metaphor. Surely " just on the precipice" isn't what you mean?

There has been a lot of thoughtful analysis in this thread, although one has to sort through a bit of dross to find it.

Is it reasonable to be disappointed that Akhator chose KY over the LVS? Certainly. Does it justify the rending of garments and gnashing of teeth some are engaging in? Hardly. As someone pointed out, she isn't the next Parker. I don't think she is the next Izzy. She might be a useful addition to the program, but it looks like she evaluated the pluses and minuses of the finalists, and concluded that KY is a better fit. That seems like a logical conclusion and it doesn't mean she concluded KY is a superior wbb school to Tennessee.

 

[kvol1987]

People keep wondering why in 2014 and 2015 UT have had problems recruiting post players ... do any of these players names ring a bell - Nia Moore, Mercedes Russell, Bashaara Graves, Jasmine Jones, Izzy Harrison, Cierra Burdick? These are six 4s and 5s we have had on the roster the last two years and incoming freshman ladies are becoming more and more like the mens' side - they want playing time or want to be at a school close to home because all schools these days get exposure if you are in a major conference. Even with Harrison and Burdick gone, other teams are using those numbers to recruit against the Lady Vols and the only way to get a kid to come play behind other good players is if you are making final fours and winning championships. The Lady Vols are poised to make that step next year with a healthy Russell and Deshields leading the charge plus with Moore and Graves in their last year and only Russell and Jones remaining, the odds are in the Lady Vols favor to get some highly ranked post players signed for 2016 and 2017.

 

[Bob Mueller]

Ouch

 

[meyers7]

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.

Not sure why you think that.
2015 - Top 50 posts - Brown, Hearn, Mompremier, Fraser, McCowan, Anigwe, Degrate, Strother, Starks and Porter. That's 10 in the top 50 with Brown, Hearn, Mompremier, Fraser, Anigwe and Strother as McD AA's.

for comparison 2014 had - J White, Rice, C White, Stevens, OLiver, and Hilsman. 6 in top 50 with J White, Rice, C. White as McD AA's

2013 had - Russell, Cooper, Coates, Nelson, Jones, and Terry. 6 in top 50 with Russell, Cooper, and Coates as McD AA's.

So actually 2015 wasn't thin in the post, but one of the deeper post classes in awhile.

 

[VOL720]

Not sure why you think that.
2015 - Top 50 posts - Brown, Hearn, Mompremier, Fraser, McCowan, Anigwe, Degrate, Strother, Starks and Porter. That's 10 in the top 50 with Brown, Hearn, Mompremier, Fraser, Anigwe and Strother as McD AA's.

for comparison 2014 had - J White, Rice, C White, Stevens, OLiver, and Hilsman. 6 in top 50 with J White, Rice, C. White as McD AA's

2013 had - Russell, Cooper, Coates, Nelson, Jones, and Terry. 6 in top 50 with Russell, Cooper, and Coates as McD AA's.

So actually 2015 wasn't thin in the post, but one of the deeper post classes in awhile.

Just because a recruiting service, especially ESPN Hoopgurlz, have a player ranked at a certain number doesn't make that player a top prospect or not. Coaches are the best evaluators and knows what prospects fit their style of play.

 

[clkou]

A JUCO player didn't pick TN. Big deal.

 

[meyers7]

Just because a recruiting service, especially ESPN Hoopgurlz, have a player ranked at a certain number doesn't make that player a top prospect or not. Coaches are the best evaluators and knows what prospects fit their style of play.

That isn't just Hoopgurlz, that's a combined ranking of Hoopgurlz, Bluestar, ASGR, Prospect Nation, and Fullcourt. Kinda covers all the bases. Along with McD's recognition.

But really it was more a comparison of the years, showing 2015 wasn't as what was implied, "thin in the post".

 

[Unimane]

Actually, colleges and universities should be about education to everyone associated with them. That is their number one, primary purpose -- to provide students with an education. When a university places more emphasis on athletics than on academics, it loses its fundamental purpose and its respectability. My degree from Harvard will open doors that a degree from UT would immediately slam shut. That is the way it is.

You underestimate the reality of what could have happened BECAUSE she left. The mere fact that she left could have been the kiss of death for the program (no matter what kind of shape it was in at the moment of her departure). Over the course of the past three years, the program could started a descent into oblivion. Holly has prevented that from happening, and the program continues to be very strong under her leadership. Holly was put in a tremendously difficult position and she has handled it expertly (despite what some of her detractors want to think). She isn't Pat, but then, no one is.

You just can never resist that urge, can you?

There is also a great amount of space in between a "kiss of death" and continuing the caliber of coaching that the program is accustomed to seeing and expecting. The fact that the program didn't wither and die a LA Tech-style death is but a small mark in favor of Warlick that any number of coaches could have accomplished.

 

[governmentmule]

Volbabyvol wrote "I will continue to listen to comments like:
1.Moving on
2.Not a true LV
3.She would not get PT
4.etc

Instead of tackling the real issue here"

I too get sick and tired of hearing the excuses. But what do you think is the real issue?

she wanted to play for Ky,since there are ites to home for her ?

I do wish her well




but not against the Lady Vols

 

[Sandvol]

You just can never resist that urge, can you?

There is also a great amount of space in between a "kiss of death" and continuing the caliber of coaching that the program is accustomed to seeing and expecting. The fact that the program didn't wither and die a LA Tech-style death is but a small mark in favor of Warlick that any number of coaches could have accomplished.

I think she appears to be improving and developing as a head coach. I'm going to resist making a conclusion about her for a couple of more years. She needs to improve some aspects of her recruiting although she has gotten some very good players and she needs to improve the fundamentals of her players better-specifically passing and shooting. She seems to be pretty good coaching defensive and rebounds.

 

[Sandvol]

she wanted to play for Ky,since there are ites to home for her ?

I do wish her well




but not against the Lady Vols

Gosh, took me about 15 seconds to figure out what ites is.

 

[Sandvol]

P.S.-Also, Brend Frese has got her number. Totally dominates Holly. Probably with less talent.