Non-Lady Vol Basketball News 2023-24

[lvocd]

It's still, very very early in the season, and by the time NCAA Tournament time comes around, Watkins and Southern Cal could totally trade spaces with Hidalgo and Notre Dame in a re-match. It's still way too soon to seriously judge individual players, teams or coaches. By the end of January we'll have enough information to work with. Gotta give everyone time to get it together.

 

[glv98]

It's still, very very early in the season, and by the time NCAA Tournament time comes around, Watkins and Southern Cal could totally trade spaces with Hidalgo and Notre Dame in a re-match. It's still way too soon to seriously judge individual players, teams or coaches. By the end of January we'll have enough information to work with. Gotta give everyone time to get it together.

I think w JuJu it's the lack of progress from last year. Five games in you can see the trend. She was supposed to be developing her left hand this summer but so far she's very predictable to the right. And still inefficient. Their only play for her is forced hero ball.

Also alarming to see KiKi looking pretty ordinary. Big regression fm last time we saw her.

Obviously they don't have a clue how to use either of them outside of JuJu iso ball. Remember last year our coaches talked about how they worked hard to use Rickea in lots of different ways, to move her around alot, find her spots. And they did that pretty successfully. Maybe USC can grow into that over the course of the season. Yesterday, even Gotleib said, they got exposed.

 

[lvocd]

I think w JuJu it's the lack of progress from last year. Five games in you can see the trend. She was supposed to be developing her left hand this summer but so far she's very predictable to the right. And still inefficient. Their only play for her is forced hero ball.

Also alarming to see KiKi looking pretty ordinary. Big regression fm last time we saw her.

Obviously they don't have a clue how to use either of them outside of JuJu iso ball. Remember last year our coaches talked about how they worked hard to use Rickea in lots of different ways, to move her around alot, find her spots. And they did that pretty successfully. Maybe USC can grow into that over the course of the season. Yesterday, even Gotleib said, they got exposed.

Ahhhh, I see. I was not around to watch that game yesterday, but plan to watch it today.

I wonder if JuJu reverted back to old, bad habits under the pressure as natural athletes sometimes do? She really does need to work on that left hand, else when she eventually reaches the pros she'll regret it.

Which reminds me: I sure hope Rickea is working on her handle these days because it's her one glaring weakness. Particularly when she attempts that spin move in traffic.

Anyway, back to college ball. I'm shocked to hear Kiki appeared to have regressed. Might have to go ahead and find that game and watch. At least I HOPE I can find a replay somewhere.

 

[VolBall09]

I think w JuJu it's the lack of progress from last year. Five games in you can see the trend. She was supposed to be developing her left hand this summer but so far she's very predictable to the right. And still inefficient. Their only play for her is forced hero ball.

Also alarming to see KiKi looking pretty ordinary. Big regression fm last time we saw her.

Obviously they don't have a clue how to use either of them outside of JuJu iso ball. Remember last year our coaches talked about how they worked hard to use Rickea in lots of different ways, to move her around alot, find her spots. And they did that pretty successfully. Maybe USC can grow into that over the course of the season. Yesterday, even Gotleib said, they got exposed.

Tara was an expert at making average players look excellent. That is why, imo, many of her players did not stick in the pros. She was such a fabulous Xs and Os coach and knew how to quarterback players into success.

Her TEAMS were incredible, not necessarily individual players. Best individual player I think she ever coached was Candice Wiggins. The Ice/Ace battles were lit .

Been several others leave Stanford the last 5 years or so who looked on track to be great there and didn’t do much at their next destination. Including a couple guards who went to Notre Dame. Just not the same at all.

 

[lvocd]

Tara was an expert at making average players look excellent. That is why, imo, many of her players did not stick in the pros. She was such a fabulous Xs and Os coach and knew how to quarterback players into success.

Her TEAMS were incredible, not necessarily individual plays. Best individual player I think she ever coached was Candice Wiggins. The Ice/Ace battles were lit .

Been several others leave Stanford the last 5 years or so who looked on track to be great there and didn’t do much at their next destination. Including a couple guards who went to Notre Dame. Just not the same at all.

Gosh, I need to really think about Stanford's all-time best players, but off the too of my head Kate Starbird sure was special. Jennifer Azzi. Nicole Powell. Nneka Ogwumike. Kristin Fokl.

There were so many great players, but I think you're right about Tara's coaching was outstanding. I miss her already.

 

[glv98]

I wonder if JuJu reverted back to old, bad habits under the pressure as natural athletes sometimes do? She really does need to work on that left hand, else when she eventually reaches the pros she'll regret it.

Which reminds me: I sure hope Rickea is working on her handle these days because it's her one glaring weakness. Particularly when she attempts that spin move in traffic.

JuJu hasn't really reverted, she was high volume/low percentage last yr. Was supposed to have that worked out this year. She's very talented, she very well may improve. But she needs coaches who have a better plan for her.

Every one of the 500 times Rickea has been asked what she's working on during the offseason she has said handles every single time. She should also be working hard on 3 pt shooting with this new coach they're getting. She ended up shooting a decent %, but isn't very consistent. Never has been.

 

[Rooster1]

Good interview from Coach Close before the big matchup. I like her, nice personality. I have been open about my feelings on this game at UCLA, think the streak may end today. SC needs more time to figure out things in the absence of Cardosa and UCLA seems to be already firing on all cylinders. Betts is playing like the best player in the country right now and their front court starts at 6’7, 6’4 and 6’4 with plenty of perimeter three point shooters. SC will need a huge game from PaoPao, Tessa and Fulwiley from outside and somehow find a way to slow Betts down in the paint. I’m not optimistic tbh, but SC has such a good defense that they should be able to keep it close, then anything can happen. Fulwiley usually shows out in the big games, maybe Dawn will play her more than 16 minutes today

 

[VolBall09]

Good interview from Coach Close before the big matchup. I like her, nice personality. I have been open about my feelings on this game at UCLA, think the streak may end today. SC needs more time to figure out things in the absence of Cardosa and UCLA seems to be already firing on all cylinders. Betts is playing like the best player in the country right now and their front court starts at 6’7, 6’4 and 6’4 with plenty of perimeter three point shooters. SC will need a huge game from PaoPao, Tessa and Fulwiley from outside and somehow find a way to slow Betts down in the paint. I’m not optimistic tbh, but SC has such a good defense that they should be able to keep it close, then anything can happen. Fulwiley usually shows out in the big games, maybe Dawn will play her more than 16 minutes today

I think yall win by 15

 

[VolBall09]

Anyone know what’s up with Cotie McMahon? I just noticed she didn’t play in Ohio State’s last game and isn’t playing today. If she’s out for an extended period they are cooked. They haven’t looked very good at all to me and she is by far their best player.

I’ll also put $100 down right now that Cambridge ends up being a Lady Vol.

 

[Rooster1]

I think yall win by 15

When SC played Oregon State in the EE, 6’3 Gardner rained threes. She plays for UCLA now and is shooting 55% from three. Nobody with that length on the SC roster is a good defensive matchup for her and it pulls a big out of the paint, opening up space for Betts. Barker is a handful also at 6’4 and UCLA has 4 other players 6’3-6’4 or taller in addition to Betts. The one thing that SC has the advantage on today is bench depth, UCLA only goes 8 deep right now in production, but that is still pretty good.

 

[VolBall09]

Walz having to burn a timeout early against South Florida. He is not happy with his team. Loafing around out there, zero energy, turnovers and bad shots to start.

They are super young but just don’t look good at all.

 

[VolBall09]

When SC played Oregon State in the EE, 6’3 Gardner rained threes. She plays for UCLA now and is shooting 55% from three. Nobody with that length on the SC roster is a good defensive matchup for her and it pulls a big out of the paint, opening up space for Betts. Barker is a handful also at 6’4 and UCLA has 4 other players 6’3-6’4 or taller in addition to Betts. The one thing that SC has the advantage on today is bench depth, UCLA only goes 8 deep right now in production, but that is still pretty good.

That is correct, she is a superb three point shooter. The lack of guard play from UCLA is why I think you win pretty easily. They cannot keep up with the SC guards defensively.

Also think your 4 players matchup really well with Gardiner. Have to make her uncomfortable and can’t give her space. She is pretty much ONLY a three point shooter right now. No ability to put the ball down, no reason to give a player like that enough space to get a shot off. She’ll have to pass or turnover it over.

 

[ttharp]

I think yall win by 15

Agreed! It’s comes down to the coaching matchup for me, and it’s not even close.

 

[VolBall09]

Agreed! It’s comes down to the coaching matchup for me, and it’s not even close.

Pun intended lol

 

[Terrells Bay88]

Villanova defeated Texas A&M 65-57 last night. I like Joni Taylor for superficial reasons but she can't coached up talent. Villanova plays North Carolina today at 4:00 EST and that's a game they have a good chance of winning.

 

[dlhx]

Jeff Walz has a good one in Imari Berry.

 

[VolBall09]

Villanova defeated Texas A&M 65-57 last night. I like Joni Taylor for superficial reasons but she can't coached up talent. Villanova plays North Carolina today at 4:00 EST and that's a game they have a good chance of winning.

She never could, been saying that for YEARS. I’ll never understand why A&M hired her. She wasted more quality talent at UGA than any SEC coach I can remember.

During her time there Georgia was an absolute hotbed of talent for HS wbb, she did a great job keeping talent home but did ZERO with them.

 

[Rooster1]

Freshman Jaloni Cambridge at Ohio State is dealing again, she really is something. So much young talent all across the nation, good sign for WBB, only getting better.

 

[ttharp]

Pun intended lol

Oooppp. I promise you I didn’t catch that when I typed it

 

[Rooster1]

She never could, been saying that for YEARS. I’ll never understand why A&M hired her. She wasted more quality talent at UGA than any SEC coach I can remember.

During her time there Georgia was an absolute hotbed of talent for HS wbb, she did a great job keeping talent home but did ZERO with them.

She is quite literally a subpar coach at the D1 level. Seems more concerned about her gameday look than anything else. I hate to be harsh like that, but I see no redeeming coaching qualities in her at this level. Like 09 said, she does not develop talent. As for aTm admin, they hired Jimbo to a mega contract, nuff said.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Ahhhh, I see. I was not around to watch that game yesterday, but plan to watch it today.

I wonder if JuJu reverted back to old, bad habits under the pressure as natural athletes sometimes do? She really does need to work on that left hand, else when she eventually reaches the pros she'll regret it.

Which reminds me: I sure hope Rickea is working on her handle these days because it's her one glaring weakness. Particularly when she attempts that spin move in traffic.

Anyway, back to college ball. I'm shocked to hear Kiki appeared to have regressed. Might have to go ahead and find that game and watch. At least I HOPE I can find a replay somewhere.

Kiki has‘t regressed, the coach doesn’t use her the right way at all. Kiki isn’t a player u just stick in the post, her best spot is in the mid range where she makes quick decision, jab step and drive, jab step pull up, or hit the open player. This video shows Kiki at her best spots on the floor. I have yet to see this coach get her the ball in this way.

 

[Rooster1]

Anyone know what’s up with Cotie McMahon? I just noticed she didn’t play in Ohio State’s last game and isn’t playing today. If she’s out for an extended period they are cooked. They haven’t looked very good at all to me and she is by far their best player.

I’ll also put $100 down right now that Cambridge ends up being a Lady Vol.

I’ll take that bet 09. We can do Venmo or similar if you like.


Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said McMahon remains day-to-day with a lower-leg injury. The forward sustained the injury in practice ahead of the Ohio game, and it's unclear if she'll be available for Sunday's matchup with Bowling Green. "She fairly limited at this point,"

 

[1reVOLver]

SC needs more time to figure out things in the absence of CardosO and UCLA seems to be already firing on all cylinders. Betts is playing like the best player in the country right now and their front court starts at 6’7, 6’4 and 6’4 with plenty of perimeter three point shooters. SC will need a huge game from PaoPao, Tessa and Fulwiley from outside and somehow find a way to slow Betts down in the paint.

 

[Rooster1]

Merci mon ami, merci d'avoir corrigé mon orthographe

 

[VolBall09]

I’ll take that bet 09. We can do Venmo or similar if you like.


Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said McMahon remains day-to-day with a lower-leg injury. The forward sustained the injury in practice ahead of the Ohio game, and it's unclear if she'll be available for Sunday's matchup with Bowling Green. "She fairly limited at this point,"

We’ve seen this song and dance before. Doesn’t sound good. I’ll bet she’s worse than day to day. He just doesn’t want teams to know because they are a sitting duck without her. They’ll string it along as long as they can.