Most Improved LV basketball player next year and why?

[LV renaissance]

Despite making this post, I do not have a clear choice. I enjoy imagining each returning player making massive strides. Part of me wants to go with Jillian, as she has so much potential and made nice strides throughout last season. Nevertheless, I really want to go with two players that I perceived to have had mental blocks for most of last year that regressed their development: Puckett or Powell. I will ultimately go with Puckett based on how solid she was as a Freshman (all SEC Freshman team). I remember that Harper mentioned several times when Puckett arrived as a Freshman how high her basketball IQ was. It was clear that anxiety and/or being too much in her head really impacted her play last year. I imagine Harper will really focus on getting her to be one of our main rebounders with the absence of Horston. I think focusing on rebounding is actually a good way to reduce anxiety compared to more complicated tasks such as shooting or making assists. Once the anxiety comes down, her shooting should recover. A secondary factor that I think will help her and the entire team is that I think Wells and Spear will lead the team with poise and calmness, which was a weakness in the team last year. That should settle down everyone in big games.

 

[savannahfan]

Despite making this post, I do not have a clear choice. I enjoy imagining each returning player making massive strides. Part of me wants to go with Jillian, as she has so much potential and made nice strides throughout last season. Nevertheless, I really want to go with two players that I perceived to have had mental blocks for most of last year that regressed their development: Puckett or Powell. I will ultimately go with Puckett based on how solid she was as a Freshman (all SEC Freshman team). I remember that Harper mentioned several times when Puckett arrived as a Freshman how high her basketball IQ was. It was clear that anxiety and/or being too much in her head really impacted her play last year. I imagine Harper will really focus on getting her to be one of our main rebounders with the absence of Horston. I think focusing on rebounding is actually a good way to reduce anxiety compared to more complicated tasks such as shooting or making assists. Once the anxiety comes down, her shooting should recover. A secondary factor that I think will help her and the entire team is that I think Wells and Spear will lead the team with poise and calmness, which was a weakness in the team last year. That should settle down everyone in big games.

Me I expect Stripling (spelling?) She could be a big factor inside this coming season.

 

[KTrain]

Hollingshead & Strip that is actually the 2 that could put the LVs on top if both make big strides.

 

[glv98]

I agree with everyone. Puckett comes out MIP narrowly for me as well, w Jill and Strip a close second. Sara had the most ground to make up, she just had a mostly miserable season last year. Kellie is pairing her up w Rickea for a reason. She'll never have Rickea's physical gifts, who does?, but Sara can definitely learn alot from her. I believe Sara is going to be a very handy versitile utility player this season.

I'm really excited about the Jill/Strip/Key trio down low. Strip looked great physically during the 3x3 tourney, and Jill's moves are getting steadily better and more confident.

Big improvement for Powell would be welcome, but her role may be more as a mentor, and encourager, and worthy backup for Destinee Wells.

 

[volnationnj]

Hollingshead.
I'm not sure how many minutes Key will play but I have a feeling it will be around 20 minutes a game. So between the center and power forward positions I expect Hollingshead to play 30 minutes a game. Enough for her stats to really jump.

 

[37620VOL]

This is kind of crazy because we already know how great she is, but I think it will be Jackson. If she can get a little better at three point shooting and distributing, she has the talent to average a triple double in SEC play. She is going to draw an insane amount of double teams so she can quickly find the open person, be it a post player or a sharpshooter that we've surrounded her with, I expect she'll have a surprising number of assists this year.

 

[dtnvol]

[This is a nice post]...like many, feel Hollingshead will be important...But I also think the emergence of Puckett could be a serious key to the LV success next season...[3 headed monster] Rickea, Jewell & Sara will be formidable...LVFL

 

[Volfan2012]

I think it will be Jill Hollingshead. I think she could be close to a double double player and over 50 percent from the field. I think she is progressing quickly and has that athletic ability to take the next step up to elite status. A player that might surprise is Edie Darby. I think she is a little more athletic than her sister Tess but her small size hinders her. I think she will find some minutes at the point guard spot before she leaves Tennessee. Probably not next season, but in the next seasons after.

 

[lvocd]

Hollingshead and Striplin in a tie, followed by Powell, Edie Darby, Wynn, Puckett.

I love Puckett, but can't see her genetic muscle makeup allowing her to gain the type of quickness she'd need to gain in order to make a giant leap next season.

 

[lvocd]

I somehow left out Tess! Like Puckett, it's doubtful she can add much (if any) quickness in the offseason, but if she's smart she'll work on some fakes and try to add a step-back/side move to get even more shots. I believe she'll still be good for at least two or three treys a game, but she needs to work on moves that'll get her open against stronger competition.

 

[sisaq]

Hollingshead & Strip that is actually the 2 that could put the LVs on top if both make big strides.

Hollingshead really improved., same as Strip

 

[Volfaninfl2]

This is kind of crazy because we already know how great she is, but I think it will be Jackson. If she can get a little better at three point shooting and distributing, she has the talent to average a triple double in SEC play. She is going to draw an insane amount of double teams so she can quickly find the open person, be it a post player or a sharpshooter that we've surrounded her with, I expect she'll have a surprising number of assists this year.

Agree, when Rickea came in last year, she had not played the whole season before, and for whatever reason, it was a slow start. That’s not the case this year. She’s playing with Jewel in the USA games, and will probably start the season in the best physical shape of her life. This will be her team, she’ll have better players around her, and this is her last year in college before going pro. She can shoot from anywhere, and she was always good at giving assists, and getting rebounds. We should see a lot more of Rickea on the floor this coming season, and I can’t wait!

 

[VolFuture]

I’m going Karo and Puckett. Not going to count out Kaiya too I think as her role is defined more she can be a great asset for this team. Karo is a beast and I think her shooting will go under the radar. If Puckett provides energy and rebounding she’ll break out on offense this year

 

[Volfaninfl2]

I think it will be Jill Hollingshead. I think she could be close to a double double player and over 50 percent from the field. I think she is progressing quickly and has that athletic ability to take the next step up to elite status. A player that might surprise is Edie Darby. I think she is a little more athletic than her sister Tess but her small size hinders her. I think she will find some minutes at the point guard spot before she leaves Tennessee. Probably not next season, but in the next seasons after.

You read my mind. Agree about Edie. She’s smart, has shooting moves, can assist, and shoot from outside. Will be interesting to see if she can get some minutes this year.

 

[VolFuture]

You read my mind. Agree about Edie. She’s smart, has shooting moves, can assist, and shoot from outside. Will be interesting to see if she can get some minutes this year.

I really think she’ll be in scholly this year… esp with only 12 and she looks good out there

 

[lvocd]

If I were a player today I'd work on this move every free moment I had until it became second nature:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqySmf5grE-/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

 

[DarkPhoenix]

This is kind of crazy because we already know how great she is, but I think it will be Jackson. If she can get a little better at three point shooting and distributing, she has the talent to average a triple double in SEC play. She is going to draw an insane amount of double teams so she can quickly find the open person, be it a post player or a sharpshooter that we've surrounded her with, I expect she'll have a surprising number of assists this year.

I was going to say the same thing, I think Rickea has another gear she can hit, she can rack up the accolades and take up to the promise land, u need a special player like her to get you there.

 

[stllvf]

who was the player that made the most improvement last year from the previous year?

I once many years ago, asked PHS a similar question on improvement from year to year - her answer re players then on the roster was Holdsclaw.
Thus, we must hope all players will improve but the best will improve even more.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

We lost a lot of rebounding from last year's roster. Someone(s) must make it up. The players who will have the best chances at more rebounds are Jill, Sara, Key, Karo, and Rickea. Puckett doesn't have hops, but neither do a lot of great rebounders. They say it's a matter of want to. Even If Rickea's role is more of a perimeter player, she could still get a lot of boards with her fantastic athletic prowess. The improvement I want to see most in all these players is rebounding.

 

[Memvol44]

Despite making this post, I do not have a clear choice. I enjoy imagining each returning player making massive strides. Part of me wants to go with Jillian, as she has so much potential and made nice strides throughout last season. Nevertheless, I really want to go with two players that I perceived to have had mental blocks for most of last year that regressed their development: Puckett or Powell. I will ultimately go with Puckett based on how solid she was as a Freshman (all SEC Freshman team). I remember that Harper mentioned several times when Puckett arrived as a Freshman how high her basketball IQ was. It was clear that anxiety and/or being too much in her head really impacted her play last year. I imagine Harper will really focus on getting her to be one of our main rebounders with the absence of Horston. I think focusing on rebounding is actually a good way to reduce anxiety compared to more complicated tasks such as shooting or making assists. Once the anxiety comes down, her shooting should recover. A secondary factor that I think will help her and the entire team is that I think Wells and Spear will lead the team with poise and calmness, which was a weakness in the team last year. That should settle down everyone in big games.

Hope it's Sara...we need strong production from her!

 

[Coach Jumper]

It's gonna be Ace who surprises people most. That year up North was good for her. Gave her much needed humility. Now she can unleash the beast that is in her and still remember that there are other beasts around her

 

[Lucy]

This is not about improved as in better play. This year will be about Rikea’s and TK’s leadership. This is their team now!
TK has had a lot of opportunities at UT to develop leadership skills through being on numerous student committees. Can she bring those skills to her team this year. Can she provide the strong and steady leadership needed?
Rikea finally has the opportunity to be the beating heart of her team not just an amazing individual contributor. Rikea may be the smartest kid on the team. Can she harness that intelligence and fierceness to bring her teammates along with her to help the team reach new heights? I believe she will absolutely shine in this role; an experience which will serve her well for the rest of her life!
Excited to see it all unfold!

 

[Majors]

It's gonna be Ace who surprises people most. That year up North was good for her. Gave her much needed humility. Now she can unleash the beast that is in her and still remember that there are other beasts around her

Gave her experience, not sure about the humility part as she knew she was going to a team that wasn’t competing for championships. But agree on the rest…she’ll be able to help the offense play faster as well as provide a faster defense.

 

[Ovol]

Tamari. Losing last year, the comments about her not running or jumping from fans before her condition was known, I think she is gonna light it up.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

We lost a lot of rebounding from last year's roster. Someone(s) must make it up. The players who will have the best chances at more rebounds are Jill, Sara, Key, Karo, and Rickea. Puckett doesn't have hops, but neither do a lot of great rebounders. They say it's a matter of want to. Even If Rickea's role is more of a perimeter player, she could still get a lot of boards with her fantastic athletic prowess. The improvement I want to see most in all these players is rebounding.

Rickea is a very good rebounder, I think she deferred somewhat last year to others to get the rebound. Last year, Sara got in such a habit of blocking so one of our players could grab the rebound, that sometimes she stood there and blocked, when she should have grabbed the rebound herself. She’ll need to change that habit to be a more aggressive rebounder, not just a blocker. Also, Walker used to zip in and grab some rebounds, maybe one or all of our new players can do some of that. I’m sure we’ll make rebounding a priority.