Allisha Gray and Kaela Davis declare for WNBA draft *RUMOR*

[T.J.]

I hate to be a Negative Nancy but why would we compete for a title next year? We had Diamond and Mercedes this year and we didn't really accomplish a lot. Why will next year be different? Holly is still the coach. The offense will be hit or miss (mostly miss) with lots of standing around and double digit turnovers. The defense will be wildly inconsistent, too. The coaching staff will never demand excellence. They just don't know how.

Sure, we'll have some good wins because when your team is full of All Americans, you sometimes find a way to succeed in SPITE of your coach, but unfortunately, I don't see how or why we'd consistently put together enough wins to be ranked top 5 or win the SEC regular season or SEC tournament title or make the Final 4. We just don't have the coaching staff to get that consistency and haven't since 2008.

If coach Muffet McGraw or Wes Moore were transferring to coach the exact same players, I'd be excited. Otherwise, I'm strapped in for a season exactly like the one we just finished. I'd love to be wrong, but definition of insanity ...

You said it best.

 

[jwhite9]

Yes, Holly's back, but there's still hope that problems can be addressed and changes will be made. New assistants can be brought in, players can work on their game during the offseason, leadership (lacking this year) can step up, talented freshmen can provide a boost of energy and confidence, Te'a and Green can make a difference, former LVs can provide motivation and this very talented group can figure out how to come together into a cohesive team that works together and plays to win every game.

And if none of that gives you hope, then ask yourself: do we have 30 points sitting on the bench? Because the Big 3 are back and they average 50 points a game. If all that talent-- Middleton, Dunbar, Jackson, Cooper, Green, Westbrook, Hayes, Davis, KK and Harris-- can contribute a combined 25-35 points a game, the LVs have the firepower to beat anybody.

NOT TO MENTION WE CAN FINALLY GET BACK TO OUR FULL COURT PRESS BY BEING AGGRESSIVE CREATING TURNOVERS FOR EASY BASKETS. We couldn't do that with 7 players and fatigue. Now we have about 10 to 12 players that will actually see court time!!!

 

[madtownvol]

Good to know we only have 99 years to go!!!

I think the timeline will be shorter than that.

Any comments on prognosis that Nared would take a grad student transfer, that DD and MR would go pro, and that others in the recruiting class would renege. If i recall, you also had Cooper and maybe Jackson transferring as well.

You must be bummed about all the "good" news of late.

 

[ATLVolFan06]

Cherry picking Holly positives does not change the fact that for the last 2 seasons Tennessee has lost a total of 26 games while looking like a team with no direction on the court. :crazy:

Its not about cherry picking, its about being objective and delivering a fair critique/assesment.

 

[HoopDR]

I think the timeline will be shorter than that.

Any comments on prognosis that Nared would take a grad student transfer, that DD and MR would go pro, and that others in the recruiting class would renege. If i recall, you also had Cooper and maybe Jackson transferring as well.

You must be bummed about all the "good" news of late.

Reading and discerning: two equally beneficial talents.

I merely stated that those options were being discussed within the program. I however did not claim to have any knowledge of their decision, nor did I make a prediction of the actual decision.

 

[Vols4life]

If we can't win the SEC next season regular and conference tourney....Holly is really terrible

 

[T.J.]

Its not about cherry picking, its about being objective and delivering a fair critique/assesment.

It's not fair that Holly is still the coach after tearing the Tennessee program in half. Now we have to wait and see if she can put it back together with the return of Diamond, Mercedes, Jaime and the four incoming freshmen next season.

I'm hoping that she can. But I don't think that she can. If that makes any sense.

 

[madtownvol]

Reading and discerning: two equally beneficial talents.

I merely stated that those options were being discussed within the program. I however did not claim to have any knowledge of their decision, nor did I make a prediction of the actual decision.

Believe me I understand your rhetorical move.

Some people say.....[insert unsubstantiated rumor in hopes of sparking controversy]. Such a post allows one to express negative, combative, poisonous views while denying culpability:

"Oh, little ole innocent me, I was just reporting what other people say..."

Sorry Hoops, if you report unsubstantiated rumors about "options being discussed in the program," you have to take some responsibility for doing so. I am sure lots of stuff gets discussed in "the program" [a vague term which could include anyone from coaches, players, parents, former players, fans, media, janitorial staff at Thompson-Boling; the folks who launder the uniforms, the Smokey mascot, media interns, and on and on.]

But YOU selected, highlighted and amplified "options" that insinuated the implosion of the team's roster, which just happens to align with the wishes of the Holly haters.

I would imagine that "the program" was also discussing "options" about Mercedes and Diamond returning, getting Te'a ready for her PG role, making sure that Nared holds up better over the course of the season and integrating the incoming freshman class into the rotation. Funny, those options did not get mentioned.

BTW, some people say that you may have just invented these rumors yourself to stir the proverbial pot.....

 

[NoBackBoard]

don't worry! We bring back holly!!

😂😂😂😂😂😂

 

[Nute Gunray]

If we can't win the SEC next season regular and conference tourney....Holly is really terrible

She is really terrible, as a coach not as a person.

 

[Volfan2012]

Currie will make a move if she doesn't win next season until then maybe we should support the team and the six players we are adding to the roster. I believe they will make the difference for us.

 

[HoopDR]

Believe me I understand your rhetorical move.

Some people say.....[insert unsubstantiated rumor in hopes of sparking controversy]. Such a post allows one to express negative, combative, poisonous views while denying culpability:

"Oh, little ole innocent me, I was just reporting what other people say..."

Sorry Hoops, if you report unsubstantiated rumors about "options being discussed in the program," you have to take some responsibility for doing so. I am sure lots of stuff gets discussed in "the program" [a vague term which could include anyone from coaches, players, parents, former players, fans, media, janitorial staff at Thompson-Boling; the folks who launder the uniforms, the Smokey mascot, media interns, and on and on.]

But YOU selected, highlighted and amplified "options" that insinuated the implosion of the team's roster, which just happens to align with the wishes of the Holly haters.

I would imagine that "the program" was also discussing "options" about Mercedes and Diamond returning, getting Te'a ready for her PG role, making sure that Nared holds up better over the course of the season and integrating the incoming freshman class into the rotation. Funny, those options did not get mentioned.

BTW, some people say that you may have just invented these rumors yourself to stir the proverbial pot.....

I hear ya MTV. I have tried to be direct when pointing out where my information came from without naming any names. I have also refrained from posting the "negative" information I am told also.

I will dial it back!

 

[madtownvol]

I hear ya MTV. I have tried to be direct when pointing out where my information came from without naming any names. I have also refrained from posting the "negative" information I am told also.

I will dial it back!

Good on you HoopDR!. :dance2:

 

[ladyvosl23]

She needs to be very competitive in sec and 30 wins will keep her job for a good while 25 wins she is safe but I do want a sec ship but ms state will be tough

 

[ladyvosl23]

And let's not act like South Carolina will be trash

 

[ladyvosl23]

I believe like holly has said these past five years have been the most influential compared to last 25 I believe we will be a lot better next year

 

[blackv]

We will have top 3 talent. We have no coaching.

 

[vettefool]

Yes, Holly's back, but there's still hope that problems can be addressed and changes will be made. New assistants can be brought in, players can work on their game during the offseason, leadership (lacking this year) can step up, talented freshmen can provide a boost of energy and confidence, Te'a and Green can make a difference, former LVs can provide motivation and this very talented group can figure out how to come together into a cohesive team that works together and plays to win every game.

And if none of that gives you hope, then ask yourself: do we have 30 points sitting on the bench? Because the Big 3 are back and they average 50 points a game. If all that talent-- Middleton, Dunbar, Jackson, Cooper, Green, Westbrook, Hayes, Davis, KK and Harris-- can contribute a combined 25-35 points a game, the LVs have the firepower to beat anybody.

dream on. chw is still on the bench too.

 

[clkou]

Either youre just being negative or you missed a few games. I have been critcal of the staff and holly but i also know how to give them credit.

I watched most of the games and I have given them credit with recruiting great players. They just don't know what to do with them when they get them.

2016 recruiting was awful, they redeem themselves by adding a new coach and getting the #1 ranked class.

The 2016 class had NOTHING to do with this season. We had Diamond, Mercedes, and Nared. It should have been a wrap. Both Pat and Geno would have made the Final 4 and likely a championship with this team. This coaching staff got us bounced in the second round in the first time in school history.

Secondly, the offense was so much better this year, they actually ran sets, they set screens, players moved without the ball, a zone defense didnt kill us this year... The offense looked much better than last years.

That's a bit of a loaded analysis. I mean, yes, we may have been better but we've sunk so low that it's hard not to get better. Turnovers did seem down but they were incredibly high before. Our assist to turnover ratio was 1.09. That seems pretty awful. We shot 33% from the field which was acceptable at my high school, but seems pretty marginal for a program that has a reputation for good outside shooting. If you just give it the eye test, we never consistently had rhythm on offense or an identify and those are something a 5th year head coach should have by now.

You also mentioned muffet McGraw, well Holly out coached her this year. Holly's game management was much better....

Completely disagree. If Holly had Notre Dame's player and Muffet had our players, Muffet would have SPANKED them. The Lady Vols were superior player for player. Muffet does MORE with LESS. Holly does LESS with MORE. Despite that Notre Dame was consistently ranked higher than us, had a better seed in the tournament, AND went farther in the tournament. And, again, if Muffet had been our head coach, we likely would have made the Final 4 or national championship IMO.

 

[LadyVol1908]

I watched most of the games and I have given them credit with recruiting great players. They just don't know what to do with them when they get them.

The 2016 class had NOTHING to do with this season. We had Diamond, Mercedes, and Nared. It should have been a wrap. Both Pat and Geno would have made the Final 4 and likely a championship with this team. This coaching staff got us bounced in the second round in the first time in school history.

That's a bit of a loaded analysis. I mean, yes, we may have been better but we've sunk so low that it's hard not to get better. Turnovers did seem down but they were incredibly high before. Our assist to turnover ratio was 1.09. That seems pretty awful. We shot 33% from the field which was acceptable at my high school, but seems pretty marginal for a program that has a reputation for good outside shooting. If you just give it the eye test, we never consistently had rhythm on offense or an identify and those are something a 5th year head coach should have by now.

Completely disagree. If Holly had Notre Dame's player and Muffet had our players, Muffet would have SPANKED them. The Lady Vols were superior player for player. Muffet does MORE with LESS. Holly does LESS with MORE. Despite that Notre Dame was consistently ranked higher than us, had a better seed in the tournament, AND went farther in the tournament. And, again, if Muffet had been our head coach, we likely would have made the Final 4 or national championship IMO.

Why do you keep saying "our" as if you're a fan???

 

[clkou]

I'm one of the biggest Lady Vols fans and have been following the team pretty closely since the Cinderella Season in 1997. I also DEFENDED Holly during her first 4 years as a coach because I didn't feel you could make an accurate judgement until she had time to get her players and her system. But, the sands in the hourglass have expired. I believe we've got all we're ever going to get and positive thinking isn't going to change that. Imagine if your son or daughter had an abusive teacher in school. You wouldn't sit by and say "give the teacher a chance". You'd try to get that teacher fired because you care about your child.

Enabling and supporting amateur hour at the coaching level doesn't make a you a fan. It's actually the opposite. It makes you LESS of a fan. If watching this team UNNECESSARILY keep falling from grace and sitting idly by making excuses and burying your head in the sand and criticizing those of us with eyes and common sense, then it makes you more of a UCONN fan in my mind.

If anyone can look at the results of the last 5 years with the talent they have and think that's a success, then I don't respect your knowledge of basketball or competitive sports in general. If anyone thinks the results with this coaching staff are going to change, then you have to come to grips with what and why it will be different? We have already have great players. The coaching staff have already had time to put in her system. After next year we lose Nared, Mercedes, and Diamond.

 

[volman128]

And let's not act like South Carolina will be trash

They won't be trash but let's not act like they won't be returning two of their best three players next season.

We're going to see what Wilson is really made of now. It's going to be a tough road to ho for her next season. The team is squarely on her shoulders.

 

[volman128]

BTW, some people say that you may have just invented these rumors yourself to stir the proverbial pot.....

It wasn't invented. They both explored the option of transferring at the end of last season. People who have even a smidge of knowledge of the inside of the program know this.

Since you want to act like your old pal Maria, maybe you should ask her about it.

 

[bballnut90]

They won't be trash but let's not act like they won't be returning two of their best three players next season.

We're going to see what Wilson is really made of now. It's going to be a tough road to ho for her next season. The team is squarely on her shoulders.

They lose 3 of their 4 best players but return a lot of good core players and it'll mean more touches for Wilson. They have Dawn coaching too. They'll be quite good.

I'm not sure why a lot of people still doubt A'ja's talents. I thought she was overhyped as a frosh, but she made huge strides as a sophomore, and this year she put a loaded team on her back and guided them to a championship. She isn't flashy but she has developed into a very physical 4 with a great build and a good faceup game. She had some of her best games in the biggest moments (see Final Four/Championship) and has turned into one of the best shot blockers in the country. Take away her three best scorers and she'll be more of a focal point offensively.

Her skill set reminds me of a poor man's Breanna Stewart or Candace Parker in that she has great size and length, a faceup game, has good handles for her size, is capable of being a dominant shot blocker, and is developing into a good passer. She also works her tail off and it's quite clear she's motivated to be a star.

 

[Rickster]

They won't be trash but let's not act like they won't be returning two of their best three players next season.

We're going to see what Wilson is really made of now. It's going to be a tough road to ho for her next season. The team is squarely on her shoulders.

Agree except for one thing. It is "row to hoe" and not "road to ho." Never seen anyone hoeing a road.