Alexa Middleton

Status
Not open for further replies.
#76
#76
There have been many games that should have been over by the first half in which Tennessee let the other team hang around way longer than they should have. That forced Holly to keep the starters in and play 30+ minutes.

The difference with UConn is that they go straight for the jugular so that the majority of games are over by the beginning of the second half, and the starters can rest while the reserves get valuable game time.

There are plenty of SEC teams (Auburn, Alabama, Missouri, Florida, Vandy off the top of my head) that Tennessee should be able to plow through, but they keep playing down to their level. Once the team starts playing to kill, the reserves will play more.

As far as next year's rotation, Cooper and Deshields will essentially take over for Ariel and Burdick. Nared will get her 12 minutes at the SF and probably another 8 minutes at PF. Middleton will probably continue to get 10-12 minutes at SG. I will guess that Tucker, Dunbar and Jackson will probably not see much court time, unless Tucker becomes a regular part of the rotation from now until the end of the season.

This may be a wild statement, however, the lower teams in the SEC would be near the top of the AAC. Now I do agree that we have a tendency to lack the killer instinct of a UCONN. That has a lot to do with coaching style. Genno gets on his players butt if they screw up. He pushes his players if they are up by 1 or 100, Holly, on the other hand, appears to push very little, even if a player makes a major screw up. I can't project what she does in practice, but on the sideline she is not as fired up as a Genno, Mulkey, Staley, and even McGraw of ND who is very stern with her players. I know that a few on this site will get on my case, however, I wonder if Holly is getting everything out of her players that they are capable of giving.

It is hard to believe that two 5 stars (Nared/Middleton) would come to the next level and look like 1 stars. A lot of us are starting to blame players and throwing them under the bus for their lack of production. Not every 5 star fits into a particular system but may be great in another system. I hate to mention this, they might just be freshmen making freshmen mistakes. Before we all get excited and pencil the Lady Vols into the 2016 final 4, we may be facing the same issues next year.
 
Last edited:
#77
#77
This may be a wild statement, however, the lower teams in the SEC would be near the top of the AAC. Now I do agree that we have a tendency to lack the killer instinct of a UCONN. That has a lot to do with coaching style. Genno gets on his players butt if they screw up. He pushes his players if they are up by 1 or 100, Holly, on the other hand, appears to push very little, even if a player makes a major screw up. I can't project what she does in practice, but on the sideline she is not as fired up as a Genno, Mulkey, Staley, and even McGraw of ND who is very stern with her players. I know that a few on this site will get on my case, however, I wonder if Holly is getting everything out of her players that they are capable of giving.

It is hard to believe that two 5 stars (Nared/Middleton) would come to the next level and look like 1 stars. A lot of us are starting to blame players and throwing them under the bus for their lack of production. Not every 5 star fits into a particular system but may be great in another system. I hate to mention this, they might just be freshmen making freshmen mistakes. Before we all get excited and pencil the Lady Vols into the 2016 final 4, we may be facing the same issues next year.

I don't think Nared or Middleton look like 1 star players. The problem is that there are other 5 star players ahead of them in the rotation. At this point, there's no reason to play Middleton ahead of Massengale, or Nared ahead of Burdick. Both seniors are playing at a very high level, so they will get their minutes. The problem is that in games where the seniors were not at the top of their game, the two freshmen played like freshmen.

If Tennessee gets in a situation where they can rest the starters and Massengale because they've built a big lead, then Middleton/Nared/Dunbar will get lots of minutes. Until Tennessee plays a complete game for 40 minutes, then they won't have time to build up Holly's confidence.

It's different for other freshmen. Brianna Turner and Kia Nurse walked into open starting roles vacated by Seniors with no proven successors. A'ja Wilson isn't starting, but the player ahead of her on the depth chart was not an elite recruit and has not been an elite player over her first two years. Nared/Middleton have not had that luxury.

Where it gets difficult is where Massengale/Burdick depart only to be replaced by Cooper/Deshields. They will have a hard time getting 20+ minutes a game unless they start playing at another level.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#78
#78
Playing time didn't seem to matter too much when Summitt was recruiting class after class. You have some players that are ME players that only want to be the star of the team that will only see the second round of the WNIT. Then you those who buy into the team concept knowing that they can't win on their own. So they recruit girls just as good as they are if not better than them to play for a goal of winning a championship. From the outside looking in this team is so selfless. From the starters to the bench no matter who scores the points; they are truly happy for each other.

Pat had her share of players who were unhappy with playing time. April McDivitt, and Tasheika Morris come to mind. Both would have wasted their college careers if they stayed at Tennessee. Both ended up having very good college careers at their new schools. And there's nothing wrong with that.

The problem with Tennessee right now is that there are plenty of teams that most of the players could start for who are also E8 or S16 caliber teams. If Tennessee starts winning championships or getting to the F4 with some consistency, then it's a different story. Until then, there's no compelling reason for most 5 star players to hang out at the end of the bench when they could be playing big minutes for other schools that are just as good.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#79
#79
I love Alexa Middleton but she is just too slow to be a big time guard, with the speed of Cooper next year it will be very obvious, also the same with Jordan Reynolds and I love her also. Tennessee will be a very fast team next with, Cooper, DeShields, Carter, Jones, and Tucker, they will play a very fast game.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#80
#80
I love Alexa Middleton but she is just too slow to be a big time guard, with the speed of Cooper next year it will be very obvious, also the same with Jordan Reynolds and I love her also. Tennessee will be a very fast team next with, Cooper, DeShields, Carter, Jones, and Tucker, they will play a very fast game.

There are plenty of players that didn't have foot speed that were very good college players. Novosel from ND a few years ago was one such example. If you have high basketball IQ and are skilled, a good coach can work around athletic limitations. Probably won't be enough to make the WNBA, but enough to be a very good college player.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#81
#81
I don't think Nared or Middleton look like 1 star players. The problem is that there are other 5 star players ahead of them in the rotation. At this point, there's no reason to play Middleton ahead of Massengale, or Nared ahead of Burdick. Both seniors are playing at a very high level, so they will get their minutes. The problem is that in games where the seniors were not at the top of their game, the two freshmen played like freshmen.

If Tennessee gets in a situation where they can rest the starters and Massengale because they've built a big lead, then Middleton/Nared/Dunbar will get lots of minutes. Until Tennessee plays a complete game for 40 minutes, then they won't have time to build up Holly's confidence.

It's different for other freshmen. Brianna Turner and Kia Nurse walked into open starting roles vacated by Seniors with no proven successors. A'ja Wilson isn't starting, but the player ahead of her on the depth chart was not an elite recruit and has not been an elite player over her first two years. Nared/Middleton have not had that luxury.

Where it gets difficult is where Massengale/Burdick depart only to be replaced by Cooper/Deshields. They will have a hard time getting 20+ minutes a game unless they start playing at another level.

I really was not trying to say any thing ugly about Nared or Middleton. I just feel that some of us are expecting way too much from the young ladies. I have not given up on either one. I believe that both have potential.
 
#82
#82
I really was not trying to say any thing ugly about Nared or Middleton. I just feel that some of us are expecting way too much from the young ladies. I have not given up on either one. I believe that both have potential.

If they were starters playing 30 minutes per game, then I can see why there would be high expectations. But with Massengale and Burdick, who have both been solid this year, ahead of them in the rotation? Unless those two fall by the wayside, then I can't see either player at more than 10-12 minutes per game, and it's going to be hard to see what they are capable of with such limited minutes...especially if Holly will opt to go with the experienced players in tight games.

For me, ultimately, if they can come in and not lose a lead, then they are contributors. I think it will be hard for either of them to get enough playing time to merit post season honors, but they will add depth and talent to the rotation.
 
#83
#83
Whoa, this really is not rocket science. Without the freshman and Jones, the LVs have a seven women rotation-Starters + Ariel and Nia.

Looking ahead, injuries, illness and foul trouble can happen in a big game (say a Sweet 16 match-up). So, you need players who can come in and do a job (recall Vicki Baugh as a difference making freshman in the NCAA, right up to her career changing knee injury in the championship game).

Looking down the bench, Jannah is looking more and more like a player for next season in terms of her recovery/confidence timeline; Dunbar needs a lot of speed and conditioning development work before she is ready to stay on the floor against top flight comp. Middleton and Nared are the two who are showing signs of being capable role players. Jamie is I think coming along quite rapidly; Middleton is coming around but she will benefit from an off-season of speed and conditioning work. So, i don't think it is about playing Nared over Burdick or Middleton over Reynolds etc but rather having players who can fill gaps when needed.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#84
#84
Middleton is a step slow, has been all season. Her twitch muscles are not as fast as her competition. Perhaps she will improve in the off season, but she has her limitations.

Nared is starting to look better...She was way to casual, now she is playing with a little more urgency...Has potential.

Dunbar is still a work in progress...She can shoot, but her opposites blow by her...She will be best at the 4 on defense and shoot as a 3....But she may develop.

All 3 freshmen, play like freshmen...That is not a bad thing.
 
#85
#85
Whoa, this really is not rocket science. Without the freshman and Jones, the LVs have a seven women rotation-Starters + Ariel and Nia.

Looking ahead, injuries, illness and foul trouble can happen in a big game (say a Sweet 16 match-up). So, you need players who can come in and do a job (recall Vicki Baugh as difference making freshman in the NCAA, right up to her career changing knee injury in the championship game).

Looking down the bench, Jannah is looking more and more like a player for next season in terms of her recovery/confidence timeline; Dunbar needs a lot of speed and conditioning development work before she is ready to stay on the floor against top flight comp. Middleton and Nared are the two who are showing signs of being capable role players. Jamie is I think coming quite rapidly; Middleton is coming around but she will benefit from an off-season of speed and conditioning work. So, i don't think it is about playing Nared over Burdick or Middleton over Reynolds etc but rather having players who can fill gaps when needed.

Mad town you hit the nail right on the head. A lot of the fUture for our young players will depend upon how hard they work this off season getting ready for next year. They need to get stronger and work on speed and agility, shooting practice is not going to hurt either. I see lots of potential for this team. We still need to fine another big girl who has size and can control the post on both ends of the court. I still think the JC route is not a bad way to go. A few of the top ten teams seem to have out recruited us for the big girls. One example is Baylor, with three post size players from the 2015 class. I would love to see McGowan, with her 6' 7" frame, come our way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#86
#86
Can anyone tell me if we tried to recruit Cheyenne Hooper? She is a Knoxville girl who is a 6'6" post player who signed with K-State.
 
#88
#88
The thing with Middleton is she might not be the quickest but she has very good skills and is smart. Everybody probably remembers she won the skills competition at the McDonalds which is speed and accuracy. She will utilize these skills better to her advantage as she develops and compensates for a lack of quickness. There are a lot of great guards who haven't been particularly quick. Like GT said she's just a freshman.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#89
#89
The thing with Middleton is she might not be the quickest but she has very good skills and is smart. Everybody probably remembers she won the skills competition at the McDonalds which is speed and accuracy. She will utilize these skills better to her advantage as she develops and compensates for a lack of quickness. There are a lot of great guards who haven't been particularly quick. Like GT said she's just a freshman.

I agree Sandvol, I think that we need to practice a little more patiences, especially with Middleton and Nared. I believe that Nared was the MVP in the same game in which Middleton won the skills contests. Wasn't Middleton the first in history to win both skills contests? Both just need to improve their confidence and work hard this summer. With what we will have next year it is quite possible that the final 4 will not only be an expectation, but a reality.
 
#92
#92
Nared had one of her better games the other night. She might be starting to turn the corner. Middleton had better games earlier in the year and has seemed to hit a wall.

She needs to do whatever Carter did to improve her shot and build confidence. Middleton didn't shoot a good percentage in high school so she was unlikely to move up a level and do better. She needs to work on that because it is an area where she can make an improvement this year. Her speed and experience issues will take longer to overcome, but the confidence she would get from hitting a few shots might do wonders for the rest of her game as well.

Freshmen often hit a wall during the season. We will have to wait and see if it is because of inherent shortcomings or if it is just the typical freshman slump. Regardless of what her ceiling may or may not be, she needs to play better and she can play better.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#93
#93
well surprise,surprise Alexa is playing like a freshman :) she has hit the Freshman wall or what ever it is, I think she needs some more confidence in her 3pt shots,as you have noticed they will kick the ball out to her and she will be wide open,think about it and pass the ball instead of shooting it

she will get over it sooner or later,she is on the big stage now and her lack of confidence is showing up

I would like to see Dunbar get some more playing time,when she is in you can tell she is hustling hard,but playing time will come more often,I assume with doing better in practice,which is determining playing time,i would assume

Nared is coming along just fine,she is starting to earn more playing time as the year goes along,which is great for her future as a Lady Vol

and lets not forget that the Lady Vols aren't getting big enough leads for the freshman to get a lot more playing time,but I think they are coming along just fine,but who knows what the future holds for them

it is a time for them to learn and get adjusted to the speed and physicality of SEC Womens Basketball,I do wish them and all the Lady Vols the best
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#94
#94
She doesn't have to be great right now by her junior she will be solid. Fight through it Alexa. I like this freshman class.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#95
#95
as far as 'looks", Ya'll are leaving ashley robinson outta the convo...she's
model material.

 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#97
#97
2 turnovers in 10 minutes today.

I think she will find her role.

Yes she is young. At times she is very impressive. Now she plays fast and careless. She will get better and will be a really good guard in the future.

Today was 2 turnovers in 6 minutes.

I give the Coach the blame on some of that. Putting her in to handle the ball at the end of the 1st half??
The coach 'knows' we have better options.

THAT was a very poor decision....She ain't ready!........yet
 
#98
#98
Today was 2 turnovers in 6 minutes.

I give the Coach the blame on some of that. Putting her in to handle the ball at the end of the 1st half??
The coach 'knows' we have better options.

THAT was a very poor decision....She ain't ready!........yet

If she's not ready to play against a mediocre cellar dweller SEC foe, then she will never be ready.

An opponent like Florida should be the perfect showcase for why she should playa against KY, TAMU or Miss State...not a justification foe Holly to keep her on the bench in the big games.
 
#99
#99
Middleton just seems so unsure of her game right now it seems..she passes up great perimeter looks then proceeds to dribble the ball until she turns it over or drives the ball into the teeth of the defense where her shot is either stuffed, or it's such a awkward shot it just has no chance of going in. This wasn't the case at the beginning when she started. The 20 point game she had seems like a distant memory. Just curious as to why she went away from what was working for her to start the season. I think she will turn out to be a very good player for us in the long run though.
 
It's like she tells them don't shoot until Izzy touches the ball. We pass up good shots to get a terrible result. Anyone remember the interview that Amass gave she said Holly told them not to shoot the three then she came out and went like 4/6 shooting. I'm saying maybe Hollys gotten into Lex head and she's thinking too much. We see her driving to the basket knowing that's not her strong suit. Holly's just have to let her play her game have her sitting in the corner waiting to shoot while the opponent is sitting in a zone.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

VN Store



Back
Top