Basketball lineup questions...
- Thread starter armchair
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Tenn has 4 players who have played together for 2 seasons and 3 seniors who have been together for 3. They should be a well-oiled machine and I doubt anyone will start over them. They need 2 scorers to go with Harrison. Massengale and either of the forwards are as good options as any of the bench players. Of course one or more of the freshmen could emerge but counting on that with any team is a longshot.
Frankly I don't see Jones ever being more than a spot player. She's strong, athletic and a good rebounder but her ball skills are not at a collegiate level. I haven't seen Moore enough to have an opinion but the fact that she rarely plays says it all.
The only question IMO is who starts for Simmons. That will emerge in practice. Maybe they can slip DD out there in a Groucho Marx mask
Frankly I don't see Jones ever being more than a spot player. She's strong, athletic and a good rebounder but her ball skills are not at a collegiate level. I haven't seen Moore enough to have an opinion but the fact that she rarely plays says it all.
The only question IMO is who starts for Simmons. That will emerge in practice. Maybe they can slip DD out there in a Groucho Marx mask
Tenn has 4 players who have played together for 2 seasons and 3 seniors who have been together for 3. They should be a well-oiled machine and I doubt anyone will start over them. They need 2 scorers to go with Harrison. Massengale and either of the forwards are as good options as any of the bench players. Of course one or more of the freshmen could emerge but counting on that with any team is a longshot.
Frankly I don't see Jones ever being more than a spot player. She's strong, athletic and a good rebounder but her ball skills are not at a collegiate level. I haven't seen Moore enough to have an opinion but the fact that she rarely plays says it all.
The only question IMO is who starts for Simmons. That will emerge in practice. Maybe they can slip DD out there in a Groucho Marx mask
A combination of a healthy Jannah Tucker and Jordan Reynolds should make up for Simmons' loss. If they can get 10 pts from Tucker and 7 pts from Reynolds per game, I think they will be in good shape from SG spot. Massengale and Carter should be able to combine for another 20 points per game at the PG position. Harrison will get her 15 pts or so from the C.
That leaves the two forwards. Graves was hot and cold. She could be hot against good teams, but frigid against weak teams. If she can be consistent, then teams wouldn't be able to pack it in the paint and smother Izzy.
Burdick at the wing was the biggest liability last year. She is not ready for prime time. I don't care if she's the returning starter at her position. She didn't make the team better. I expect her to start, but I hope that either Nared, Tucker or Reynolds takes her starting spot by the time SEC play starts. Her and Jones can join Graves/Harrison in the frontcourt rotation. God knows they need the depth at this point...
I don't expect much from Dunbar this year. If she averaged 6 pts per game, that would be awesome!
If Burdick was a better player, I would agree with you. Truthfully, Nared doesn't have to be All-World to take her spot...it's not like Burdick is Kaleena Mosqueda Lewis or anything. All she has to prove is that she's not terrified of the big stage and can play her game no matter who the opponent.
armchair
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Tucker hasn't played basketball in two years and has not played a single game of college basketball,and she's coming off a knee injury. Anybody who thinks she's going to be a big contributor is not being very realistic.
Massengale and Carter will both start because they are two of the best and most experienced players on the team--Massengale at PG and Carter at the 2. I'll be shocked if it is anything different. Harrison of course will start.
That leaves the forward positions up for grabs--small and power. I assume Graves will get first shot at the 4 because she has started at that spot for two years even though her offensive game is WEAK. She gets offensive rebounds but that's about it--not a good passer or a natural scorer. If I'm Warlick I'm putting Jones in that spot and let the best player win the spot. Jones's ball skills are terrible but she has size, athleticism and, unlike Graves, she has some scoring ability. She could help more close to the basket than Graves, IMO.
Burdick will play but where? She has some skills but is inconsistent and doesn't seem a natural at any position.
With Russell out the Vols will need offensive cohesion and chemistry more than ever; will need to become a better passing team. Unfortunately, that's not been a strength of our coaching staff for a long time.
Massengale and Carter will both start because they are two of the best and most experienced players on the team--Massengale at PG and Carter at the 2. I'll be shocked if it is anything different. Harrison of course will start.
That leaves the forward positions up for grabs--small and power. I assume Graves will get first shot at the 4 because she has started at that spot for two years even though her offensive game is WEAK. She gets offensive rebounds but that's about it--not a good passer or a natural scorer. If I'm Warlick I'm putting Jones in that spot and let the best player win the spot. Jones's ball skills are terrible but she has size, athleticism and, unlike Graves, she has some scoring ability. She could help more close to the basket than Graves, IMO.
Burdick will play but where? She has some skills but is inconsistent and doesn't seem a natural at any position.
With Russell out the Vols will need offensive cohesion and chemistry more than ever; will need to become a better passing team. Unfortunately, that's not been a strength of our coaching staff for a long time.
armchair
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