Mercedes Russell

[Orange_Mamba]

From what I've seen in the practice videos, she's moving well. I just hope when she comes back next year that we don't stop trying to get Graves involved like we did with Izzy. Mercedes and Bash would be a great tandem in the post and high post area.

 

[LasVegasBill23]

I'm glad this thread was started.....honestly what are you all's expectations of Russell next year? I'm quite optimistic she will no doubt be a threat for us both defensively and offensively just due to her height alone. However, I have been thinking, she is coming off of foot surgery which is quite significant for a tall post player who no doubt will have to deal with constant beatings in the SEC next year, what will she really be able to do....what are you all's thoughts. Will she be a double double machine? Will she lead the teams in blocks? Will she be a legitimate scoring option in the post for us? Will she play soft, will she play hard? If Bashaara keeps her incredible feat of offensive performances throughout the tournament going, one can only imagine how much that will help her confidence going into next year, will she go back to deferring cause we have another legitimate post on the floor?


I feel expectations are really high for not only Diamond next year but for Mercedes as well and I think she knows it. I know Diamond will most definitely help us get back to "ELITE" status but a lot, a lot depends on Mercedes Russell and how she develops over the summer and into next year. If Mercedes can come in and give us 12-13.0 points per game and 6-8.0 rebounds......I'm ever so hopeful and full of confidence that we'll be singing high high praises to this team next year.

I am right with you LV1908...... so much in terms of expectations.... really is not fair, but I am sure Mercedes expects it..... In college hoops, the pivot spot is the toughest to develop, yet the fans are all in a tizzy about planning the following year's successes..... I include myself in this bunch..... let's hope Mercedes can put her talents to good use and her feet are in good shape.

 

[Franklin Pierce]

Message for Mercedes:

"A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses those skills to accomplish his goals."
LARRY BIRD

 

[volfanIND]

From my understanding, Mercedes is almost 100%? She is participating in full practices, but the decision to redshirt was because she was going to miss 75% of the season.

I don't think we are going to see another winded Kelly Cain running up and down the floor, and my expectation is she will be ready to go full speed (for someone at 6'6)
I definitely could be wrong on where she is on her recovery though, but I do know for sure she participates in every practice.

 

[governmentmule]

it will be great to get Mercedes back into the line up next year,it is good to hear that she is going full tilt in practice this year

hopefully she will be a solid double double player each and every game next year and a shot blocking machine

your right armchair,she will need some solid coaching from Lockwood,hopefully the high low post play will work good with Graves handling the ball

and they quit forcing dumb passes inside,they have done that so much this year,at times I can't believe some of the passes they throw for turnovers

and what has happened to a turnaround fade shot from the post ? you seldom a good fade shot these days

 

[Pat4life]

She is pretty fluid for a 6'5" player, people will be surprise by her mobility, her game extend from basket to 12 to 15 feet.

Now she will have the space in the paint to showcase her skill set with us, our offense not being focus on two low block players.

Yeah, I am excited by Mercedes cos she wants to be good and she not scared of hard work. The next couple years should be some good years for wcbb, kind like mid 00s.

Tucker is our trump card, if she still have her explosiveness, and can still shoot lights out, hmmmm and her competitiveness, we will be able to compete with anyone cos there are going to be a lot athletic, skilled, teams the next years for sure, a lot with depth.

 

[LVJeff]

Tucker is our trump card, if she still have her explosiveness, and can still shoot lights out, hmmmm and her competitiveness, we will be able to compete with anyone...

By the beginning of the upcoming 2015 season, it will have been what, 2 and 1/2 years if not longer, since Tucker played any significant minutes in a game. I am going to wait and see what she can contribute.

 

[governmentmule]

I do hope that Tucker is ready to play some aggressive basketball by mid season,it will take her some time to get back into basketball shape.hopefully she does quickly

 

[Putbacks]

Looking a lot bigger and stronger after sitting out a year. Impressed how her upper body has developed still a summer to get even stronger.

..and it looks like Izzy's knee (in the background) is healing nicely...

 

[madtownvol]

Looking a lot bigger and stronger after sitting out a year. Impressed how her upper body has developed still a summer to get even stronger.

Is this picture the one you meant to post? I ask because it is not a recent one. It was taken on March 29, 2014. So, no matter how much her upper body may have developed in her off season and rehab period, this picture can not show it.

Holly Warlick says Mercedes Russell expected to redshirt this season - News Sentinel Story

 

[madtownvol]

..and it looks like Izzy's knee (in the background) is healing nicely...

No, Izzy walking in the background should be a cue that something is amiss with this picture (HINT, it was taken March 29, 2014).

It is a KNS picture whose caption reads:

Tennessee assistant coach Dean Lockwood drills with Tennessee center Mercedes Russell (21) during practice on Saturday, March 29, 2014 in Louisville, KY at the KFC Yum! Center. Tennessee plays Maryland in the NCAA Sweet 16 game on Sunday. (SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL)

 

[Orange_Mamba]

Well good thing is we won't have to wait until next season to see how she nor Jannah plays.

 

[Putbacks]

No, Izzy walking in the background should be a cue that something is amiss with this picture (HINT, it was taken March 29, 2014).

It is a KNS picture whose caption reads:

Tennessee assistant coach Dean Lockwood drills with Tennessee center Mercedes Russell (21) during practice on Saturday, March 29, 2014 in Louisville, KY at the KFC Yum! Center. Tennessee plays Maryland in the NCAA Sweet 16 game on Sunday. (SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL)

Ya' think? Duh!

 

[Franklin Pierce]

This is what Mercedes will be saying to her team mates during games next season:

"Ya'll want to win? Then give me the ball and get out of the way."

 

[Vol4Real]

This is what Mercedes will be saying to her team mates during games next season:

"Ya'll want to win? Then give me the ball and get out of the way."

I hope she does have that swagger.