CannonVol80
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Former Lady Vol Shalon Pillow
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W.TN.Orange Blood
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BruisedOrange
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Any idea why Pillow was let go?
While ignoring the "wimmen" remark, I think this is a legitimate question: Is "non-athletic appearance" considered a handicap on the recruiting trail?
As for MTSU, Insell continues to upgrade his staff. Someday they're gonna break through and land a top-40 player with size. Things will get interesting then. They've been the largest school (student pop.) in Tennessee for awhile now. Only things holding them down are proximity to UK & UT, and their conference strength--which may be upgraded soon, too.
There are interesting parallels between MTSU and Louisiana Tech (also in Conference USA). Tyler Summitt has assembled a top staff in Ruston, but must recruit against LSU, Baylor, and A&M.
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mtsuraider06
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Technically, we have the highest undergrad population in the state. When factoring in total students i.e. undergrad, grad, law, medicine, etc. Tennessee has around 8k more students. I'm definitely happy to be out of the horrible SunBelt conference. CUSA offers much more competition to us, which is great. I know Insell was recruiting Middleton very hard, but she was too good to go to MTSU. Same with MeMe Jackson & Dangerfield. China Dow was our first top 100 recruit, and she will be a sophomore.
stllvf
StlLVF Saw first game in 1976
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Insell has done what many middle level college coaches don't do. He has recognized what is possible in attracting players. And his reputation allows him to schedule enough well-known teams to be attractive. And with a few upsets and many close games he is successful. Note I'm leaving out that he is a good person and excellent coach.
Pillow was recruited with Snow and IMO she never got sufficient playing time to excel. Snow was a work and personality in progress as she matured.
Pillow was recruited with Snow and IMO she never got sufficient playing time to excel. Snow was a work and personality in progress as she matured.
I'll offer my opinion on this matter--I actually live in Lexington and have heard some things in regards to the recent changes. There is one critical piece of information that you need to consider along with three subsequent events that took place after Pillow was let go. The important fact to also consider is that assistant Jeff House's contract was also not renewed (i.e. sacked). Then four subsequent events happened, most of which were known before Pillow and House were dismissed.
1. Pre-dismissal - UK loses to UT in SEC Championship game (4th loss in last 5 years). UK easily dismissed by Baylor in the Sweet Sixteen after winning in Dallas in 3OT in late December. Game is an illustration of what great coaches do with new lineups/players (Mulkey) versus what Mitchell has done with multiple seniors who have played together for years. UK can't seem to go over the hump.
2. Post-Dismissal - UK largely struck out on all the big recruiting targets in the 2014 class. They landed only 2 players--#20 and #66 while Tennessee and South Carolina have landed more top 100 players and better quality players.
3. Post-Dismissal - Asi'a Wilson announces the worst kept secret in Womens Basketball and signs with South Carolina giving them #1, #7, #32, and #35 ranked players. South Carolina will open up a talent gap with UK in subsequent years.
4. Post-Dismissal - Diamond DeShields goes to Tennessee confirming rumors that we're surfacing--according to Debbie Antoinelli--as early as mid-February. In addition to upcoming recruits plus the signing of Te'a Cooper the writing is also on the wall with regards to the coming talent gap in the UK vs. UT rosters.
In summary, based on the events listed above I think there is only one conclusion--Mitchell sees the writing on the wall and knows he has to get better recruits or it is over for awhile. I question the moves though because the replacement coaches are not big names and lack the cache of bench coaches at SC or UT. The whole thing wreaks of panic.
1. Pre-dismissal - UK loses to UT in SEC Championship game (4th loss in last 5 years). UK easily dismissed by Baylor in the Sweet Sixteen after winning in Dallas in 3OT in late December. Game is an illustration of what great coaches do with new lineups/players (Mulkey) versus what Mitchell has done with multiple seniors who have played together for years. UK can't seem to go over the hump.
2. Post-Dismissal - UK largely struck out on all the big recruiting targets in the 2014 class. They landed only 2 players--#20 and #66 while Tennessee and South Carolina have landed more top 100 players and better quality players.
3. Post-Dismissal - Asi'a Wilson announces the worst kept secret in Womens Basketball and signs with South Carolina giving them #1, #7, #32, and #35 ranked players. South Carolina will open up a talent gap with UK in subsequent years.
4. Post-Dismissal - Diamond DeShields goes to Tennessee confirming rumors that we're surfacing--according to Debbie Antoinelli--as early as mid-February. In addition to upcoming recruits plus the signing of Te'a Cooper the writing is also on the wall with regards to the coming talent gap in the UK vs. UT rosters.
In summary, based on the events listed above I think there is only one conclusion--Mitchell sees the writing on the wall and knows he has to get better recruits or it is over for awhile. I question the moves though because the replacement coaches are not big names and lack the cache of bench coaches at SC or UT. The whole thing wreaks of panic.
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