Kellie Harper discussion/debate thread [merged]

[Rooster1]

Again, I'm not talking "should". I'm talking what will happen, or in this case will not.

I still maintain there is almost zero chance KJH is replaced after this season. 2025 earliest.

Regarding Cooper, sounds like she's right in the mold of so many of our players, talented but raw and limited in some areas. Only I think Cooper may have more of an upside than alot of our other "projects". When I saw her practice I could immediately see from how she moved and reacted she has elite physical skills. She was playing with the scout team and was actually shooting well, has a nice looking stroke.

Be nice if Coop could play the 3 position. Next yr we have only Sara at forward and she'll be a Sr.

She might could play the 3, athletic enough to play anywhere outside of the 4-5 spots. Her natural spot is as a 2 and a backup 1, but if her shooting % gets better she could easily perform at the 3, but again, I would not want to pressure her early to be a shooter, that is the part of her game that likely needs the polish and comfort time to get confidence. She has pretty good handles btw.

I only add these notes on Coop as someone who watched her very closely her frosh year, a ton of upside obviously. Again, she will remind you of Rivers a lot once you see her play for the LV’s, similar type game. First instinct on offense is to slash to the hoop, defensively can guard anyone. Outside shot is not naturally her first thought or fluid yet…but that may have changed already since I watched her last.

 

[Rooster1]

I've been a fan of coop, since I saw her 2 years before she ever signed up for college basketball.

She will be the second coming of Jordan horston ... mark my words.t

Jordy had a diff game CJ, I don’t quite see the comparison, again, she is more like Rivers in many ways. Prob why she and Rivers both left SC, not so much the backlog of players in front of them, but just a diff style than DS was used to implementing, and that is not a knock on either. They are both really good players that need the ball in their hands a lot in a marquee role to reach their potential and needed to gain confidence by being given those roles and that was not going to happen at SC. It was best for both to leave SC for their own personal growth. Hated to see them leave as a SC fan but fully understood.

Rivers is now flourishing at NCSU filling a marquee role with the ball in her hands a bunch, I believe that is what Coop needs as well to reach her potential. Some players need that kind of role to maximize.

 

[YankeeVol]

Again, I'm not talking "should". I'm talking what will happen, or in this case will not.

I still maintain there is almost zero chance KJH is replaced after this season. 2025 earliest.

Regarding Cooper, sounds like she's right in the mold of so many of our players, talented but raw and limited in some areas. Only I think Cooper may have more of an upside than alot of our other "projects". When I saw her practice I could immediately see from how she moved and reacted she has elite physical skills. She was playing with the scout team and was actually shooting well, has a nice looking stroke.

Be nice if Coop could play the 3 position. Next yr we have only Sara at forward and she'll be a Sr.

If she misses the tourney for the first time in school history, I'd bet she's gone

 

[Rooster1]

If she misses the tourney for the first time in school history, I'd bet she's gone

You can’t be the first ever LV coach to miss the tourney, ever, and survive can you? Not after 5 years….having said that, I think her team rallies and makes the tourney and maybe even a decent seed. Her teams seem to play better as the season moves along. Would not surprise me if UT makes a strong run through the conference again this year. I think they will knock off a few teams this year that are ranked higher in conference, maybe more than a few.

If RJ gets cooking in any game, the LV’s are in it to the end. At 100% form and health her fadeaway is unblockable and it’s money. She is better than most projected above her in the draft. Best pure shooter from midrange in the game of WBB. $

 

[YankeeVol]

You can’t be the first ever LV coach to miss the tourney, ever, and survive can you? Not after 5 years….having said that, I think her team rallies and makes the tourney and maybe even a decent seed. Her teams seem to play better as the season moves along.

Exactly.

If she makes it cool, she gets one more year. It's got to be a deep run at that point though.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

Have patience and let her finish her contract in 2028. Use all that payout money as signing bonus for next coach. It’s going to take it all to get someone to dig out of the mess left.

Besides I’m sure she can turn it around by 2028 and all this discussion will have been moot.

I am tired of hearing one more year. I do not see progress in coaching decisions, oncourt decisions by team, turnovers, fundamental offensive or defensive play. That is what a coach is paid to do and I don’t see improvement and I’m not looking at W-Ls.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Jordy had a diff game CJ, I don’t quite see the comparison, again, she is more like Rivers in many ways. Prob why she and Rivers both left SC, not so much the backlog of players in front of them, but just a diff style than DS was used to implementing, and that is not a knock on either. They are both really good players that need the ball in their hands a lot in a marquee role to reach their potential and needed to gain confidence by being given those roles and that was not going to happen at SC. It was best for both to leave SC for their own personal growth. Hated to see them leave as a SC fan but fully understood.

Rivers is now flourishing at NCSU filling a marquee role with the ball in her hands a bunch, I believe that is what Coop needs as well to reach her potential. Some players need that kind of role to maximize.

Jordy played point all through HS and became a combo-guard in college,,,Based on size, athleticism and my own viewing of Coop in the Exposure circuit,,,she has all the tools and attributes to become a Jordanesque player

 

[Wilk5]

Tess Darby on the year so far:
27% FG
25% FT

 

[Rooster1]

Jordy played point all through HS and became a combo-guard in college,,,Based on size, athleticism and my own viewing of Coop in the Exposure circuit,,,she has all the tools and attributes to become a Jordanesque player

Probably what we are disconnecting on here is the timing of each player and when they were/are ready for a big role. Jordy, as a true frosh on a veteran team averaged around 26 min/game and a little over 10 PPG, she was ready out the gate to contribute in a significant way. Coop as a true freshman was not in that same league as Jordy. It did take Jordan until her Jr year to break out, so maybe Cooper will able to duplicate next year in her third year, but my point was I think she is more raw than Jordan was at the same stage. They attack differently on offense, it’s hard to say tbh if Cooper can reach that lofty comparison you compare her to, perhaps.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Probably what we are disconnecting on here is the timing of each player and when they were/are ready for a big role. Jordy, as a true frosh on a veteran team averaged around 26 min/game and a little over 10 PPG, she was ready out the gate to contribute in a significant way. Coop as a true freshman was not in that same league as Jordy. It did take Jordan until her Jr year to break out, so maybe Cooper will able to duplicate next year in her third year, but my point was I think she is more raw than Jordan was at the same stage. They attack differently on offense, it’s hard to say tbh if Cooper can reach that lofty comparison you compare her to, perhaps.

we'll just have to wait and see Roo
A lot will happen between now and "fly the Coop" time

 

[Volfan2012]

Agree to disagree. I think they make the tourney. But even if not, I don't think they're ready to hire a new coach in a few months. I think the process would begin, but I'd bet the house she gets another year.

Better to get the next hire right than to get it quick.

You don't know how much I hope your right on this. I just have to disagree with the part that if she doesn't make the tourney. We disagree on that alone and I hope I am wrong.

 

[Volfan2012]

All good points but we don't know what next year's team will look like with Cooper and more adjusted Spear, freshman Boyd, and improved returners and of course, we have to await the transfer portal magic, where finding another PG becomes a priority.

I think the team will be similar to this one as to what we know at this time. Returnees Striplin, Puckett, Wynn, Darby, Hollingshead, Spear, Ace add Cooper and Boyd. Wells is returning not adding her as ACL's usually take more that 11 months in most cases. Not adding Tamari even though she is eligible to return. I think finding one or two elite portal players makes this a good team if it avoids injuries. If they all can play and are healthy. If Cooper is going to be able to play a big role she will be ready by next season. If she is not ready to play elite ball by November she will never be able to get there. She has nothing to do except develop her game from here until next November. Boyd has a knee injury I'm thinking not an acl and she will be ready to go by November. Add a top post player or two could make this a very good team.

 

[turbovol]

Probably what we are disconnecting on here is the timing of each player and when they were/are ready for a big role. Jordy, as a true frosh on a veteran team averaged around 26 min/game and a little over 10 PPG, she was ready out the gate to contribute in a significant way. Coop as a true freshman was not in that same league as Jordy. It did take Jordan until her Jr year to break out, so maybe Cooper will able to duplicate next year in her third year, but my point was I think she is more raw than Jordan was at the same stage. They attack differently on offense, it’s hard to say tbh if Cooper can reach that lofty comparison you compare her to, perhaps.

Horston is talented, of course, but she has a problem with decision-making on the court and a helter-skelter style. Made too many bad decisions with the ball during her UT career. Would make a couple of nice baskets, then give the ball away with a crazy shot or bad pass on the next two possessions. She had 6 TOs in her last Seattle game, I noticed. Good player, excellent athlete, just needs to be smarter with her decisions.

 

[turbovol]

I think the team will be similar to this one as to what we know at this time. Returnees Striplin, Puckett, Wynn, Darby, Hollingshead, Spear, Ace add Cooper and Boyd. Wells is returning not adding her as ACL's usually take more that 11 months in most cases. Not adding Tamari even though she is eligible to return. I think finding one or two elite portal players makes this a good team if it avoids injuries. If they all can play and are healthy. If Cooper is going to be able to play a big role she will be ready by next season. If she is not ready to play elite ball by November she will never be able to get there. She has nothing to do except develop her game from here until next November. Boyd has a knee injury I'm thinking not an acl and she will be ready to go by November. Add a top post player or two could make this a very good team.

Vols need an athletic forward or two. Have one on the team now in Jackson. Puckett has skills but lacks some athleticism. That is basically all we have at the wing position, with a little Darby at times, but she is not a real wing player.

 

[Volfan2012]

Vols need an athletic forward or two. Have one on the team now in Jackson. Puckett has skills but lacks some athleticism. That is basically all we have at the wing position, with a little Darby at times, but she is not a real wing player.

We do need one at that position although I think Cooper might be a candidate for the three. I know we need a big center Jill has not been effective she is a junior so probably what your going to get. I would like to see Striplin be a stretch four if we had someone to play the five. Might need to get a point or combo guard as both Wells and Boyd have knee injuries and Powell is out of eligibility.

 

[Coach Jumper]

We do need one at that position although I think Cooper might be a candidate for the three. I know we need a big center Jill has not been effective she is a junior so probably what your going to get. I would like to see Striplin be a stretch four if we had someone to play the five. Might need to get a point or combo guard as both Wells and Boyd have knee injuries and Powell is out of eligibility.

Jill is not effective because she's playing out of her natural position. Everybody wants to put her as a center, but she is a natural forward....just Like justine comma she is very tall but she is also mentally a guard

 

[Volfan2012]

Jill is not effective because she's playing out of her natural position. Everybody wants to put her as a center, but she is a natural forward....just Like justine comma she is very tall but she is also mentally a guard

We don't have a center is why she is playing there same for Striplin. Tamari is a center can't play much. Were loaded with stretch fours forced to play center and that has been a problem.

 

[Wilk5]

Poor roster management. The staff has known we would be without a 100% TK for over a year now and failed to add another center to the roster. Recruiting at an all time low level for this program. Unacceptable at THIS program.

 

[Coach Jumper]

We don't have a center is why she is playing there same for Striplin. Tamari is a center can't play much. Were loaded with stretch fours forced to play center and that has been a problem.

Poor roster management. The staff has known we would be without a 100% TK for over a year now and failed to add another center to the roster. Recruiting at an all time low level for this program. Unacceptable at THIS program.

Both are right. Before Jillian ever got here, tape should have been watched and assessed.
You can't assume height is for tall people
Justine was 6'4" and she was a pure SG
Jillian is 6'4ish and she is a SF/St F/PF not a C
While Karo is a solid 6'1-2" and she is comfortable playing PF or C

 

[Darth_Vol]

Poor roster management. The staff has known we would be without a 100% TK for over a year now and failed to add another center to the roster. Recruiting at an all time low level for this program. Unacceptable at THIS program.

I guess she assumed having the best post coach in the country on her staff could offset the recruiting misses....

 

[Go aeiou]

I guess she assumed having the best post coach in the country on her staff could offset the recruiting misses....

And that post coach is?

 

[turbovol]

Jill is not effective because she's playing out of her natural position. Everybody wants to put her as a center, but she is a natural forward....just Like justine comma she is very tall but she is also mentally a guard

She has not been effective at all this year--and it's not all to do with playing center. What I've seen is a lack of aggressiveness.

 

[VOLPAT]

Tess Darby on the year so far:
27% FG
25% FT

Is she getting her shot coached out of her?

 

[glv98]

Is she getting her shot coached out of her?

Streeetchh. Tess' shot has not changed and she's always been streaky. Just hasn't hit an 'on' streak yet this year.

Is Kellie responsible for this cold weather we're having in December as well?

 

[chuckiepoo]

Streeetchh. Tess' shot has not changed and she's always been streaky. Just hasn't hit an 'on' streak yet this year.

Is Kellie responsible for this cold weather we're having in December as well?