Which should tell everybody the state of the LV program. Talent fluctuates with every program. But the LV's have been in a downward trajectory for a number of years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJUhlRoBL8MSo actual current college teams with # of wnba players in order:
UCONN - 14
Maryland - 8
Rutgers - 7
Duke - 7
Notre Dame - 5
UNC - 5
Tennessee - 4 (was at 5 before yesterday, and at 6 -Burdick - before 2 weeks ago)
Baylor - 4
Standford - 4
Rest are all 3 or less
So at the start of the season only 4 other school's had more, it's unfortunate with Simmons and Burdick, but both could be picked up by someone else. We will see, but it doesn't look like our 4 players puts us at the bottom at all, but actually looking at the numbers, Tennessee is still relevant school in the WNBA.
(for the future, Diamond, Nared and Russell will all be in the WNBA next year) I can't think of any other D1 school that will have 3 players drafted in the 1st round right now???
reflect the struggling nature of the program. It shows that our recruiting--and in particular our talent evaluation-- hasn't been stellar--and that our player development hasn't been very good, either, especially of course at the guard position. Think about this: How many UT guards have played consistently in the WNBA--or even overseas--in the last, say, 15 years? Our guard situation has been b-a-d. It isn't easy to get established in pro basketball, granted, but this nevertheless points up our talent and development issues.
So actual current college teams with # of wnba players in order:
UCONN - 14
Maryland - 8
Rutgers - 7
Duke - 7
Notre Dame - 5
UNC - 5
Tennessee - 4 (was at 5 before yesterday, and at 6 -Burdick - before 2 weeks ago)
Baylor - 4
Standford - 4
Rest are all 3 or less
So at the start of the season only 4 other school's had more, it's unfortunate with Simmons and Burdick, but both could be picked up by someone else. We will see, but it doesn't look like our 4 players puts us at the bottom at all, but actually looking at the numbers, Tennessee is still relevant school in the WNBA.
(for the future, Diamond, Nared and Russell will all be in the WNBA next year) I can't think of any other D1 school that will have 3 players drafted in the 1st round right now???
And no recruits at all from the Holly Warlick era. This should tell folks a lot.
reflect the struggling nature of the program. It shows that our recruiting--and in particular our talent evaluation-- hasn't been stellar--and that our player development hasn't been very good, either, especially of course at the guard position. Think about this: How many UT guards have played consistently in the WNBA--or even overseas--in the last, say, 15 years? Our guard situation has been b-a-d. It isn't easy to get established in pro basketball, granted, but this nevertheless points up our talent and development issues.
Not many recruits from the Holly Warlick era have had a chance to get to the WNBA. Her first recruiting class was Mercedes Russell, Jannah Tucker, and Jordan Reynolds. Two of them are still in college. The only one that's failed to make the WNBA was Jordan.
Several years ago a UConn fan posted here that UTenn was quickly losing ground in the WCBB arena and the primary reason was the inability or even unwillingness to recruit and develope first rate guards. All you have to do is look at the poor assist and A/TO numbers that UTenn has put up over the last 10-15 years.
He/she took a lot of flack from UTenn fans but it seems that the analysis was spot on. The game has evolved tremendously from the rebound and pound it into the post philosophy of the 80s and 90s.
I agree the game has evolved. Yes, PG is the most important position. Where I differ is that there needs to be at least 3 PG in the lineup. The days of 1 person performing traditional PG roles is fading. In fact having 5 players on the court with PG skills is not out of the question. Some might be 6'4 or better but the bigs are expected to handle the ball, come out to shoot 3s,and bring the ball up the court - do everything PGs generally do.Whether that fan was right or wrong, i really do think that 1. yes the game has evolved over the last decade or two, and 2. the position of PG is the most important position onb the team, no question about it.
I agree the game has evolved. Yes, PG is the most important position. Where I differ is that there needs to be at least 3 PG in the lineup. The days of 1 person performing traditional PG roles is fading. In fact having 5 players on the court with PG skills is not out of the question. Some might be 6'4 or better but the bigs are expected to handle the ball, come out to shoot 3s,and bring the ball up the court - do everything PGs generally do.