Caleb Calhoun article

[mcannon1]

Tennessee Lady Vols may have best team since last Final Four appearance

 

[savannahfan]

And then comes SC and we will see. Not that losing would end the world, but it will show these ladies that the top 3-4 teams in the country can do. I think they would take a lose to SC to heart and mind and learn just how much more they needed to bare down. Not saying a lose in likely or wanted but there could be an invaluable lesson to be experienced. Now who knows, beat SC and the NCAA championship my be a clear image on the horizon.

 

[lvocd]

Tennessee still has work to do before anyone can truly proclaim them to be "back to where they were in the Summitt days," but they are most definitely trending in the right direction.

A highly competitive, no-collapsing E8 finish this year would push the program forward another giant step.

But I think the Lady Vols' next Final Four appearance will be when talk of being "back" is when it will really be true. We're getting there, though!!! There are some aspects of "back" that are very, verrrrry close, such as the competitive spirit and the players' belief in their coaching staff. Those two things right there are amazing to me.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Tennessee still has work to do before anyone can truly proclaim them to be "back to where they were in the Summitt days," but they are most definitely trending in the right direction.

A highly competitive, no-collapsing E8 finish this year would push the program forward another giant step.

But I think the Lady Vols' next Final Four appearance will be when talk of being "back" is when it will really be true. We're getting there, though!!! There are some aspects of "back" that are very, verrrrry close, such as the competitive spirit and the players' belief in their coaching staff. Those two things right there are amazing to me.

I can see u wanting to commit to being "back"'so bad you can taste it but that lingering feeling of doubt is one that i think we all have in the pits of our stomachs. I can say i am finally getting less and less anxious when games arrive

 

[lvocd]

I can see u wanting to commit to being "back"'so bad you can taste it but that lingering feeling of doubt is one that i think we all have in the pits of our stomachs. I can say i am finally getting less and less anxious when games arrive

lol I do struggle!

But, in all honesty Tennessee has yet to play (outside of Stanford) the games that will be the most challenging for them, so I feel it's a good idea to see how they fare against South Carolina, LSU and Missouri first. Any or all three of those games could end up being losses in a terrible streak, and if they are that'll cause a total meltdown in the coverage and perception game.

Better to see if they can win at LEAST one, and preferably two, of those games before we say we're "back."

 

[Amb3096]

lol I do struggle!

But, in all honesty Tennessee has yet to play (outside of Stanford) the games that will be the most challenging for them, so I feel it's a good idea to see how they fare against South Carolina, LSU and Missouri first. Any or all three of those games could end up being losses in a terrible streak, and if they are that'll cause a total meltdown in the coverage and perception game.

Better to see if they can win at LEAST one, and preferably two, of those games before we say we're "back."

I think Georgia and Texas were a good barometer for them. IMO, they are at the same level as LSU or Mizzou. Same with Ole Miss. They aren't that upper UPPER echelon, but it's good that Tennessee is showing they can beat the teams right behind them. Maybe they won't win it all, but they are a legit FF team and E8 should be their minimum bar...which is something I couldn't imagine saying at the start of the season when Rae got injured in the first game. Hats off to Kellie and the team for really putting it all together this season!

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Caleb does not write many positive articles on TN sports or at least he has not for the FB team. Likes to take a minor thing as a starter being hurt and write an article about what a catastrophic thing it is. I know he is trying for click bait articles but he can be a real drama queen.

 

[Memvol44]

Tennessee still has work to do before anyone can truly proclaim them to be "back to where they were in the Summitt days," but they are most definitely trending in the right direction.

A highly competitive, no-collapsing E8 finish this year would push the program forward another giant step.

But I think the Lady Vols' next Final Four appearance will be when talk of being "back" is when it will really be true. We're getting there, though!!! There are some aspects of "back" that are very, verrrrry close, such as the competitive spirit and the players' belief in their coaching staff. Those two things right there are amazing to me.

Need to amp up recruiting before we can say we're back ..

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

lol I do struggle!

But, in all honesty Tennessee has yet to play (outside of Stanford) the games that will be the most challenging for them, so I feel it's a good idea to see how they fare against South Carolina, LSU and Missouri first. Any or all three of those games could end up being losses in a terrible streak, and if they are that'll cause a total meltdown in the coverage and perception game.

Better to see if they can win at LEAST one, and preferably two, of those games before we say we're "back."

See i think we forget that we played Texas without Rae( they aren't slouches) and other NCAA tourney worthy type teams. To me that was going to be difficult and this team formed its identity. UGA was rocking in an away game where things didn't go our way.

I think it's human to say well this team or the next one will be more challenging after we beat an opponent. I think it's the shell shock of the past couple years! But i agree with you it's hard to completely shake and this upcoming stretch will be a good test.

I will say i am completely confident that we might have a slide but it won't be that dreaded 6 game slide

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Need to amp up recruiting before we can say we're back ..

hypothetical, if they got to a final 4 this year with the recruits that are here can we say it then?

What is the bar for "we are back"? this is a great topic and i am intrigued on the different perspectives (hmmm a poll maybe).

 

[TMvol10]

It likely won’t happen but man how good would this team be next year if Rae came back to make up for being injured/playing at less than 100% this year? I’d put them as preseason final four contenders

 

[Amb3096]

hypothetical, if they got to a final 4 this year with the recruits that are here can we say it then?

What is the bar for "we are back"? this is a great topic and i am intrigued on the different perspectives (hmmm a poll maybe).

My bar is a trend, not an isolated season. There's no doubt that this has been a great season. Kellie needs to make it the norm and not the exception, and that means another 1-2 years with similar results while being a force on the recruiting trail and giving hope that the good times will keep on rolling.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

My bar is a trend, not an isolated season. There's no doubt that this has been a great season. Kellie needs to make it the norm and not the exception, and that means another 1-2 years with similar results while being a force on the recruiting trail and giving hope that the good times will keep on rolling.

Hmm interesting . If kellie signs one HS player but then brings in players that can help from the portal is that being a force on the recruiting trail? Or are you looking at it from a high school prospects? What defines a force on the recruiting trail?

Some very good points though

 

[Amb3096]

Hmm interesting . If kellie signs one HS player but then brings in players that can help from the portal is that being a force on the recruiting trail? Or are you looking at it from a high school prospects? What defines a force on the recruiting trail?

Some very good points though

Doesn't matter if it's a HS recruit or another Alexus Dye. As long as she's able to replenish the cupboard with players that can keep the team in the upper echelons. I'd think that recruits would want some consolation that they won't end up in the same situation that Rickea was in this year.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Doesn't matter if it's a HS recruit or another Alexus Dye. As long as she's able to replenish the cupboard with players that can keep the team in the upper echelons. I'd think that recruits would want some consolation that they won't end up in the same situation that Rickea was in this year.

That's what i was getting at. Kellie did a PHENOMENAL job bringing in Alexus Dye along with Green and Walker. Might not have been hot takes when the signings happened but looking back perfect pieces for this moment.

I think Kellie has proved she is a good recruited (not elite) but can coach with the pieces she acquires.

 

[BruisedOrange]

I guess my hesitancy to put high expectations on this team in postseason (while thoroughly enjoying their accomplishments to date!) is based on two things:

1. Turnovers still appear to be part of our identity, rather than something that occurs due to lapses or substitutions.

2. Have we (and I don't know--it's an honest question) yet faced a team that plays in-your-face man defense? ...that doesn't sag into the lane to help, but stays with our perimeter shooters?

 

[Old Geezer]

Caleb Calhoun articles are middle school essays. Half his words are extraneous and he only states what is easy. He really ought to proofread before publishing.

 

[chuckiepoo]

I guess my hesitancy to put high expectations on this team in postseason (while thoroughly enjoying their accomplishments to date!) is based on two things:

1. Turnovers still appear to be part of our identity, rather than something that occurs due to lapses or substitutions.

2. Have we (and I don't know--it's an honest question) yet faced a team that plays in-your-face man defense? ...that doesn't sag into the lane to help, but stays with our perimeter shooters?

I’d think Ole Miss fits the bill for 2.

 

[lvocd]

I think Georgia and Texas were a good barometer for them. IMO, they are at the same level as LSU or Mizzou. Same with Ole Miss. They aren't that upper UPPER echelon, but it's good that Tennessee is showing they can beat the teams right behind them. Maybe they won't win it all, but they are a legit FF team and E8 should be their minimum bar...which is something I couldn't imagine saying at the start of the season when Rae got injured in the first game. Hats off to Kellie and the team for really putting it all together this season!

Georgia, of course! Hard to believe I left out that game. They were a true barometer. Ole Miss is really good, but to me they weren't a team I was deeply worried about losing to. I wasn't 100% confident, but I was a good 85.

Missouri, LSU and South Carolina? In the hours before those games I can be found crouched in a corner with a paper bag cupped to my mouth, rocking back-and-forth and back-and-forth and back-and-forth and back-and-forth and back-and-forth.

 

[lvocd]

Need to amp up recruiting before we can say we're back ..

The way I see it, if we reach the FF with the players we have, then do we reallllllly need to amp up the recruiting? I mean, wouldn't getting to the FF indicate recruiting is going very well? Maybe not the players everyone expected would get a program to the FF, but obviously indicating the RIGHT players were recruited?

 

[LadyOrange]

Kellie took a mid-major to the Sweet 16. That. Is. Coaching.

 

[BruisedOrange]

The way I see it, if we reach the FF with the players we have, then do we reallllllly need to amp up the recruiting? I mean, wouldn't getting to the FF indicate recruiting is going very well? Maybe not the players everyone expected would get a program to the FF, but obviously indicating the RIGHT players were recruited?

Great points!

Maybe the courtside writers & talkers can evolve to differentiate between "elite recruiters" and elite team-builders.

 

[BruisedOrange]

[...] In the hours before those games I can be found crouched in a corner with a paper bag cupped to my mouth, rocking back-and-forth and back-and-forth and back-and-forth and back-and-forth and back-and-forth.

Terrific word-picture!
A photo of the same would be the quintessential VolNation avatar.

 

[Amb3096]

The way I see it, if we reach the FF with the players we have, then do we reallllllly need to amp up the recruiting? I mean, wouldn't getting to the FF indicate recruiting is going very well? Maybe not the players everyone expected would get a program to the FF, but obviously indicating the RIGHT players were recruited?

Yes, because a succession plan is needed for the #2 rated HS player and the 6'7 defensive stopper. When they graduate after next season, will the players remaining be able to keep Tennessee as a top 5 team? Whether it's by recruiting an elite HS player or a difference maker in the portal...bottom line is that Kellie will need to attract the best of the best to come to Tennessee.

 

[madtownvol]

My bar is a trend, not an isolated season. There's no doubt that this has been a great season. Kellie needs to make it the norm and not the exception, and that means another 1-2 years with similar results while being a force on the recruiting trail and giving hope that the good times will keep on rolling.

Agreed, it is about sustained excellence. Kellie has the program trending in the right direction but "being back" is an outcome you can't judge without several years of data points.