Non-Lady Vol Basketball News 2023-24

[glv98]

I don’t take nothing in that post serious. Being heartbroken is a joke. It’s clearly an aim to always elevate any player that signs elsewhere and heavily downplay the multiple Top 20 players currently at Tennessee in addition to the two Top 50 HS commits including the Top 10-15 commit Mia Pauldo being a mirror image of Rori Harmon. Mia and Rori rankings are nearly identical out of high school so to say they in Harmon and Booker exist on a whole different level is invalid. Talaysia Cooper and Ruby Whitehorn are ranked nearly identical to Booker out of high school and have yet to play a single game in a Tennessee jersey. Samara Spencer also similar to Rori right now at Tennessee has one of the highest accolades you can earn in the SEC as a former Freshman of the Year. If you can see the talent at Texas there’s nothing logical about dismissing the talent at Tennessee and incoming “game” changers.

Relax dude, it's all just opinion. Which is what this board exists for. In this case, I hope you're right and I'm wrong.

But being heartbroken about Maddy Booker is neither a joke nor invalid. We came within a whisker.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Relax dude, it's all just opinion. Which is what this board exists for. In this case, I hope you're right and I'm wrong.

But being heartbroken about Maddy Booker is neither a joke nor invalid. We came within a whisker.

Again, what are you talking about? You clearly discredit players on a team you claim to support just to reply its “opinion base” when shown illogical. To tell others to relax as if you sense frustration through the internet is just a cop out when proven wrong. I’m far from not being relaxed as we type. That doesn’t mean I don’t find this repeated aim to downplay the talent at Tennesse “bogus” and “unwarranted”.

 

[NoBackBoard]

I hate to hear of any player, for any team, suffering a season-ending injury.

I also hate it when I have no idea who the player is without having to bounce off onto another Web search because there's only the player's team name, number and illegible signature shown to identify them.

Sometimes I have time to do the extra work, but more often after seeing a post like this one I just throw my hands up and say to myself, "Gosh. I hate it for you, whoever you are, and hope for whoever you are to have a quick recovery."

You are hilarious! And I will chalk it up that I have to laugh to keep from crying

 

[Dak1219]

Interesting. She’s listed at 5’6. You don’t see any reason to critique this smallish guard having to transition to the SEC? Considering she’s a former Top 10-15ish guard which you stated reasons where other similar players weren’t “game” changers.
Booker is also a Top 10-15ish guard. How does she transition to the SEC?
Really promising freshman year. Still waiting to see if Texas is a true contender following their NCAA tourney performance.

Booker is 6-1 with handles and vision like a point guard and played that position successfully last year. She is a true SEC-type player at 6-1 who was recruited to play the wing but was forced to the point due to injury. There is no way you can begin to compare either of the twins to her. She will probably be one of the better players in the SEC this year. Depending on Harmon's knee, she should be a solid point guard, but she was a 3 level scorer in high school who scored 2500+ points for one of the best programs in Texas and the country. Don't expect her to do anything more in the SEC than she did in the Big 12 and probably less on the scoring side of things. In the Big 12, her shooting percentages against larger guards is not great and won't be any better against SEC guards. Jordan Walker all 5-8 of her held Harmon to 3-16 shooting the last time Tennessee played Texas. Amoore (Ky), Johnson (SC), Sheppard (LSU) Tear-Poa (LSU) Johnson (LSU) Williams (LSU) etc and the list goes on right through the SEC are highly skilled bigger guards. These twins are going to need to be Tameka Johnson or Shannon Bobbitt like to be successful in the SEC. I think the last successful small guard in the SEC was Morgan Williams at 5-5 playing for Vic Shaffer and she really didn't come around until her senior year. I can't think of any other ones under 5-8 or 5-9 to be on an All SEC team in quite a while. I wouldn't mind Hannah Hindago, but she is a very rare specimen at this level for her size.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Booker is 6-1 with handles and vision like a point guard and played that position successfully last year. She is a true SEC-type player at 6-1 who was recruited to play the wing but was forced to the point due to injury. There is no way you can begin to compare either of the twins to her. She will probably be one of the better players in the SEC this year.

I’m not sure what you read in that quoted post to make you think I was comparing the twins to Madison Booker. It’s sort of mind boggling to see that post reference any comparison that was made between the twins and Booker. I clearly stated Rori.

In another point, I was referring to the posters constant focus on rankings of Top 10 - 20 players. And in that case you are wrong, Booker was ranked #12 and Mia Pauldo is ranked #13 so there is a comparison.

I later in a separate post stated Ruby Whitehorn and Talaysia Cooper rankings were nearly identical to Booker and both are guards with size at 5’11 and 6’0. Neither Cooper or Whitehorn have played a game at Tennessee and I believe will thrive in the historic LV program as former McDonald All-Americans.

 

[ttharp]

I’m not sure what you read in that quoted post to make you think I was comparing the twins to Madison Booker. It’s sort of mind boggling to see that post reference any comparison that was made between the twins and Booker. I clearly stated Rori.

In another point, I was referring to the posters constant focus on rankings of Top 10 - 20 players. And in that case you are wrong, Booker was ranked #12 and Mia Pauldo is ranked #13 so there is a comparison.

I later in a separate post stated Ruby Whitehorn and Talaysia Cooper rankings were nearly identical to Booker and both are guards with size at 5’11 and 6’0. Neither Cooper or Whitehorn have played a game at Tennessee and I believe will thrive in the historic LV program as former McDonald All-Americans.

I agree.

Rori Harmon was ranked 10th in her class. She landed at a program that’s a good FIT based on Vic’s system. While we haven’t seen CKC’s system on this stage, Mia (and Mya) perfectly FIT the system she’s looking to implement. I also believe Mia is among the ELITE in this class. Wanna guess who was ranked 13th in the 2023 class? Malaysia Fulwiley. She’s 5-6 and GENERATIONAL.

And while we’re at it, did our resident Rori Harmon stan dig up her 3pt shooting percentages?

 

[CoryDallasLV]

I agree.

Rori Harmon was ranked 10th in her class. She landed at a program that’s a good FIT based on Vic’s system. While we haven’t seen CKC’s system on this stage, Mia (and Mya) perfectly FIT the system she’s looking to implement. I also believe Mia is among the ELITE in this class. Wanna guess who was ranked 13th in the 2023 class? Malaysia Fulwiley. She’s 5-6 and GENERATIONAL.

And while we’re at it, did our resident Rori Harmon stan dig up her 3pt shooting percentages?

Rori was probably one of the top 5 players in college basketball before her ACL injury last year and proved it in the court. With her Texas was probably in the Final Four at the very least last year. Not sure what pre college rankings have to do with any of this. Harmon and Booker have proven how good they are in college against the best teams and best players. The Pauldos will have their chance to prove it too, but I would rather wait until they do before I anoint them better than two of the games current best players.

 

[ttharp]

Rori was probably one of the top 5 players in college basketball before her ACL injury last year and proved it in the court. With her Texas was probably in the Final Four at the very least last year. Not sure what pre college rankings have to do with any of this. Harmon and Booker have proven how good they are in college against the best teams and best players. The Pauldos will have their chance to prove it too, but I would rather wait until they do before I anoint them better than two of the games current best players.

The initial conversation was centered around HS rankings, and if players in the top 10-20 could be considered elite.

 

[Dak1219]

I agree.

Rori Harmon was ranked 10th in her class. She landed at a program that’s a good FIT based on Vic’s system. While we haven’t seen CKC’s system on this stage, Mia (and Mya) perfectly FIT the system she’s looking to implement. I also believe Mia is among the ELITE in this class. Wanna guess who was ranked 13th in the 2023 class? Malaysia Fulwiley. She’s 5-6 and GENERATIONAL.

And while we’re at it, did our resident Rori Harmon stan dig up her 3pt shooting percentages?

Harmon hasn't shot the 3 above 32%. 22-23 her sophomore season was 15.7% and last season was ended way too early.

 

[Dak1219]

I agree.

Rori Harmon was ranked 10th in her class. She landed at a program that’s a good FIT based on Vic’s system. While we haven’t seen CKC’s system on this stage, Mia (and Mya) perfectly FIT the system she’s looking to implement. I also believe Mia is among the ELITE in this class. Wanna guess who was ranked 13th in the 2023 class? Malaysia Fulwiley. She’s 5-6 and GENERATIONAL.

And while we’re at it, did our resident Rori Harmon stan dig up her 3pt shooting percentages?

Malaysia is 5-10 and can grab the rim. I'm unsure where 5-6 came from unless South Carolina gives her 4 additional inches. You are right about her being generational though. She is good and will only continue to get better.

 

[ttharp]

Malaysia is 5-10 and can grab the rim. I'm unsure where 5-6 came from unless South Carolina gives her 4 additional inches. You are right about her being generational though. She is good and will only continue to get better.

Gotcha. She’s 5-6 per hoopgurlz. 5-10 per SC’s website.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Gotcha. She’s 5-6 per hoopgurlz. 5-10 per SC’s website.

5’8 possibly… more likely 5’7.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

I agree.

Rori Harmon was ranked 10th in her class. She landed at a program that’s a good FIT based on Vic’s system. While we haven’t seen CKC’s system on this stage, Mia (and Mya) perfectly FIT the system she’s looking to implement. I also believe Mia is among the ELITE in this class. Wanna guess who was ranked 13th in the 2023 class? Malaysia Fulwiley. She’s 5-6 and GENERATIONAL.

And while we’re at it, did our resident Rori Harmon stan dig up her 3pt shooting percentages?

There is just this tendency of some posters on the forum to elevate players from opposing teams.. today it happens to be Texas.
Nothing against either player, but I’ve seen them enough to take all of what has been said with a grain of salt.
The SEC will be a competitive league. No player or team will have a talent edge when they face the 2024-2025 Tennessee team.
Samara Spencer has accomplished as much as Rori in her three years as a starter in the SEC.

 

[ttharp]

The SEC will be a competitive league. No player or team will have a talent edge when they face the 2024-2025 Tennessee team.
Samara Spencer has accomplished as much as Rori in her three years as a starter in the SEC.

I still think South Carolina has the talent edge over us. We might be the most athletic team though.

To Rori’s credit, she does have two All-American Honorable Mention honors, along with B12 honors. So, in terms of accolades, she has the edge.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

I still think South Carolina has the talent edge over us. We might be the most athletic team though.

To Rori’s credit, she does have two All-American Honorable Mention honors, along with B12 honors. So, in terms of accolades, she has the edge.

Keep in mind when people earn accolades like All-American and All-Conference most of the time it’s based on the team’s performance.
For instance, Rickea Jackson and Jordan Horston never earned 1st or 2nd team All-American honors despite being better and having better careers than most of the AA selections who were picked ahead of them.
As I stated, Samara Spencer earned Freshman of the Year (an individual award) despite being on a team that wasn’t one of the best due to her on-court performance.
She has accomplished as much as any guard in the SEC during her career as a three year starter.
Talent wise if healthy this 2024-2025 Tennessee team matches up with any team. The on-court chemistry, free throw shooting, and depth will be the key.

 

[0311]

Booker is 6-1 with handles and vision like a point guard and played that position successfully last year. She is a true SEC-type player at 6-1 who was recruited to play the wing but was forced to the point due to injury. There is no way you can begin to compare either of the twins to her. She will probably be one of the better players in the SEC this year. Depending on Harmon's knee, she should be a solid point guard, but she was a 3 level scorer in high school who scored 2500+ points for one of the best programs in Texas and the country. Don't expect her to do anything more in the SEC than she did in the Big 12 and probably less on the scoring side of things. In the Big 12, her shooting percentages against larger guards is not great and won't be any better against SEC guards. Jordan Walker all 5-8 of her held Harmon to 3-16 shooting the last time Tennessee played Texas. Amoore (Ky), Johnson (SC), Sheppard (LSU) Tear-Poa (LSU) Johnson (LSU) Williams (LSU) etc and the list goes on right through the SEC are highly skilled bigger guards. These twins are going to need to be Tameka Johnson or Shannon Bobbitt like to be successful in the SEC. I think the last successful small guard in the SEC was Morgan Williams at 5-5 playing for Vic Shaffer and she really didn't come around until her senior year. I can't think of any other ones under 5-8 or 5-9 to be on an All SEC team in quite a while. I wouldn't mind Hannah Hindago, but she is a very rare specimen at this level for her size.

I believe the mens team has a small point guard, can’t recall his exact height, maybe 6’7, no that's not right, maybe 5’8. I think his last name begins with a Z. I think he was the SEC defensive player of the year. I think if coach C thinks the twins ( both are short) can cause havoc on the other teams the Lady Vols play, I’ll roll with her judgement. By the way, I thought Coach C was a home run hire when announced and got burned by almost everyone on here. Just one old Jarheads opinion!

 

[VolBall09]

Interesting. She’s listed at 5’6. You don’t see any reason to critique this smallish guard having to transition to the SEC? Considering she’s a former Top 10-15ish guard which you stated reasons where other similar players weren’t “game” changers.
Booker is also a Top 10-15ish guard. How does she transition to the SEC?
Really promising freshman year. Still waiting to see if Texas is a true contender following their NCAA tourney performance.

Harmon will never be the same after that knee. Too small to recover from what it does to you. I’m afraid Wells will have the same problem. ACL tears seem to affect smaller players more significantly. They never get the same speed or lift back and they do not have other ways to make up for it.

She’ll still be a huge key to what Texas does but I do not think she will be the same player we saw before.

 

[Rooster1]

Interesting. She’s listed at 5’6. You don’t see any reason to critique this smallish guard having to transition to the SEC? Considering she’s a former Top 10-15ish guard which you stated reasons where other similar players weren’t “game” changers.
Booker is also a Top 10-15ish guard. How does she transition to the SEC?
Really promising freshman year. Still waiting to see if Texas is a true contender following their NCAA tourney performance.

Unless I’m wrong, Texas is a contender.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Unless I’m wrong, Texas is a contender.

dOn’T cHeW nO? oNlY rOckY toP iz eLiTe!

Sorry. Couldn’t help myself…

 

[Rooster1]

I agree.

Rori Harmon was ranked 10th in her class. She landed at a program that’s a good FIT based on Vic’s system. While we haven’t seen CKC’s system on this stage, Mia (and Mya) perfectly FIT the system she’s looking to implement. I also believe Mia is among the ELITE in this class. Wanna guess who was ranked 13th in the 2023 class? Malaysia Fulwiley. She’s 5-6 and GENERATIONAL.

And while we’re at it, did our resident Rori Harmon stan dig up her 3pt shooting percentages?

Actually, Fulwiley is 5’10”.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Actually, Fulwiley is 5’10”.

Ugh. I’m no Rori-Stan but those 3 point numbers don’t look that good. I’m ciphering 7/22 on threes for 32%

Rori Harmon 2023-24 Stats per Game - NCAAW - ESPN

The 2023-24 NCAAW season stats per game for Rori Harmon of the Texas Longhorns on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

 

[sgacock]

Ugh. I’m no Rori-Stan but those 3 point numbers don’t look that good. I’m ciphering 7/22 on threes for 32%

Rori Harmon 2023-24 Stats per Game - NCAAW - ESPN

The 2023-24 NCAAW season stats per game for Rori Harmon of the Texas Longhorns on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

Which is about average for 3 point shooters. People throw around 40% like it’s average. It’s not. That’s exceptional

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

dOn’T cHeW nO? oNlY rOckY toP iz eLiTe!

Sorry. Couldn’t help myself…

Just call me the “fact checker”!

 

[Dak1219]

Ugh. I’m no Rori-Stan but those 3 point numbers don’t look that good. I’m ciphering 7/22 on threes for 32%

Rori Harmon 2023-24 Stats per Game - NCAAW - ESPN

The 2023-24 NCAAW season stats per game for Rori Harmon of the Texas Longhorns on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

That was against the non-conference schedule. The year prior in a full season, she shot 15.7% from three.

 

[chuckiepoo]

That was against the non-conference schedule. The year prior in a full season, she shot 15.7% from three.

…woof. No wonder espn avoided sharing that data in the game log.

Found it. Had to adjust the year. Lots of 0-fers in 22-23.