Game Thread: Lady Vols host Auburn, Thursday, Feb 13 at 6:30 ET. SECN+

[madtownvol]

Of our transfers, Zee really is the one who seems to be blossoming into an elite player. Latham has been solid but .she is playing at a level you would have expected from her Syracuse stats. But Zee has gone up a level (or two) as the season has progressed.

 

[Orange.]

Maybe this will light a fire under her.

 

[lvocd]

Mad, in addition to Zee, I'm gonna say Samara and Ruby. What's making Spearman stand out so much in minds right now is that she came into her current power so suddenly. We got to see the light switch turn on for her when those things typically happen gradually.

But Spencer and Whitehorn have been pretty steady all season -- thank God. Cooper, Spencer, Whitehorn and Spearman: no telling what our win/loss record would look like without any one of those four.

I couldn't be happief with this team's progress, and they still have room to grow. I think they will, too, which is as exciting to me as anything LV related in more than a decade. If they keep improving, they'll have as good a chance as anybody to make a deep run. Man, that's a great feeling.

 

[PRG]

Maybe this will light a fire under her.

The best thing about this player ! She has two more years with Cooper and whatever else the coaches can bring in …

 

[PRG]

Of our transfers, Zee really is the one who seems to be blossoming into an elite player. Latham has been solid but .she is playing at a level you would have expected from her Syracuse stats. But Zee has gone up a level (or two) as the season has progressed.

Mad… don’t forget Latham is a Sophomore! Two more years!

 

[Coach Jumper]

Maybe this will light a fire under her.

Her fire is lit, her energy and effort is never lacking,,,she's young,,,a lot can happen over the summer

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Of our transfers, Zee really is the one who seems to be blossoming into an elite player. Latham has been solid but .she is playing at a level you would have expected from her Syracuse stats. But Zee has gone up a level (or two) as the season has progressed.

Ruby Whitehorn has as good of a case as Lazaria Spearman to make this claim. I don’t think it’s completely true as it relates to Samara Spencer either. She won SEC FOY at Arkansas. She has a really good resume as a four year starter at PG in the SEC. She just hasn’t really played on a good team with expectations late in the season until now. I also think her injury early in the season slowed down her productivity. Lazaria does have more of a leader mentality to compete against the best night in and night out. If she develops this mindset consistently then the LVs will increase their chances to get close to their ceiling as a contender this season.
As for Alyssa Latham, she still has the most upside of any of the portal additions and it comes down to how well the staff helps her adjust to the system.
She fits the system in some ways but has to be coached and developed offensively at her position in an uptempo scheme.
She’s not a catch and shoot player or a player that is comfortable dribbling out on the perimeter as a forward.

 

[Orange.]

Her fire is lit, her energy and effort is never lacking,,,she's young,,,a lot can happen over the summer

Yes, and it’s good and encouraging to see her as literally the face of the program for today’s game in that post! Go LVs!

 

[madtownvol]

Mad, in addition to Zee, I'm gonna say Samara and Ruby. What's making Spearman stand out so much in minds right now is that she came into her current power so suddenly. We got to see the light switch turn on for her when those things typically happen gradually.

But Spencer and Whitehorn have been pretty steady all season -- thank God. Cooper, Spencer, Whitehorn and Spearman: no telling what our win/loss record would look like without any one of those four.

I couldn't be happief with this team's progress, and they still have room to grow. I think they will, too, which is as exciting to me as anything LV related in more than a decade. If they keep improving, they'll have as good a chance as anybody to make a deep run. Man, that's a great feeling.

Fully agree. I was thinking about our post players- though Alyssa is more of wing. I would still give the imaginary most improved transfer player award to Zee. Ruby’s game has become more well rounded but she was a proven scorer. Samara was a really good PG At Arkansas. I think this system suits her better and she is shooting better but I think Zee’ step forward is still larger. But quibbles aside, the improvement curve is excellent across the board.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Alyssa Latham is a natural forward. The way this system uses the 4 spot fits wing players which is why it’s taking Latham this season to adjust her play. Shes been strong on the boards in recent games. Needs to figure out how to dial it back and not pick up quick fouls defensively. She really gets after it defensively.
With her size, versatility, length, and quickness she can play the 3-5 but is a forward in all aspects of the position.
Her upside is limitless!

 

[Coach Jumper]

Alyssa Latham is a natural forward. The way this system uses the 4 spot fits wing players which is why it’s taken Latham this season to adjust her play. She’s been strong on the boards in recent games. Needs to figure out how to dial it back and not pick up quick fouls defensively. She really gets after it defensively.
With her size, versatility, length, and quickness she can play the 3-5 but is a forward in all aspects of the position.
Her upside is limitless!

she is truly a remarkable athletic specimen for a female 6'2 ish...she has the structure to be a Cooper/Fla'Jae type of player,,,only need to work on offensive skills and confidence.