Non-Lady Vol Basketball News 2023-24

[PG1]

Unless they have to play Arkansas.

I watched that UCONN Arkansas game dang Arkansas could not miss. Arkansas would have beat anyone that night.

 

[PG1]

Bueckers is definitely the real deal. Makes it a little sweeter and the rivalry a little more interesting that we handed her probably her toughest night so far. She still hit the big shot but she earned every bit of it.

I thought we executed much better against UCONN than SC did. Kept waiting for Staley to adjust to some things and she didn’t. The turnovers and missed layups were killer. Henderson with 8 TOs is just inexcusable.

We’re we using Wilson b-ball’s vs UCONN? PB may not be comfortable with Wilson balls

 

[PG1]

View attachment 349702I’m screaming at these banner pictures on Twitter! .

Honestly though, South Carolina should have won this game handily, that’s what they get for calling us “Turnover Tennessee”..... Henderson KILLED them tonight with her turnovers!

Missing point blank shots.....we should understand some of their pain in this loss, they had an off night and still managed to stay in the game. Had Rennia had her usual night, we could’ve pulled out the win against them as well.

Side note : I hate to say it but I’m sold on Bueckers.

Besides Bueckers UCONN had an off night shooting as well. So if UCONN was hitting their shots they could have won by 20

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

if the Wilson ball the key to SC success maybe these dang Nike balls are why we have Turnover problems lol Kellie needs to see if she can use Wilson balls in games

 

[Amb3096]

Besides Bueckers UCONN had an off night shooting as well. So if UCONN was hitting their shots they could have won by 20

I've reconsidered my previous assessment of Paige's performance against Tennessee. She missed shots that she was making last night with Beal all over her, so I would say it was a combination of nerves and a poor shooting night in Knoxville. I don't think she would have a similarly bad shooting game if they played again.

The SC turnovers and point blank layups were just part of the off night that they had. It was across the board. Even Aliyah wasn't as good as she normally is. They (especially the starting guards) were pretty awful last night.

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

maybe we are stuck with Nike balls because we are a Nike school

 

[mlindsay]

She do and keep an eye on the portal when that class do come in 6-3 So Malu Tshitenge did not play in the win over NC St not sure if she is injured or just did not play ?. I know her playing time has been cut in half this year.

Deja Kelly has also been coming off the bench also

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

I've reconsidered my previous assessment of Paige's performance against Tennessee. She missed shots that she was making last night with Beal all over her, so I would say it was a combination of nerves and a poor shooting night in Knoxville. I don't think she would have a similarly bad shooting game if they played again.

i would also say UTs defense had a hand in that as well the girl is a shot maker and all you can do is make it difficult. TN has more length on the perimeter to help contest. She missed some shots that night for sure and i am sure playing in front of the crowd had something to do with it for sure. I just don’t think UTs defense gets enough credit all around (not saying this is you).

I am actually interested in how the defense will hold up coming off a COVID pause... UK hasn’t played in awhile either so maybe it balances out but UK had the ability to work on some things.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Deja Kelly has also been coming off the bench also

She was supposed to be the player that elevated them this year too as a freshman !

 

[mlindsay]

She was supposed to be the player that elevated them this year too as a freshman !

Yes she was, in her early games (the 3 I watched) she was trying to get hers instead of playing within the flow of the team and I think that hurt them and her, Carolina has a few key Veterans (Bailey and Watts) who she often did not get the ball too, even at times when they had the advantage offensively. It will be interesting to see how a few of these teams handle certain players at the end of the year

 

[NeedOrange]

Dawn twice blamed the loss on the ball AND her players inability to adapt to the ball.
A good coach knows that and will practice with the opposition's ball before the game. (UConn does)
A good coach doesn't blame a loss on her players inability to adapt.
A good coach prepares her team for the obvious obstacles.

Actually Dawn was only one letter off in her opinion.
Henderson's problems weren't with Nike; her problem was Nika (Muhl).

 

[Amb3096]

Dawn twice blamed the loss on the ball AND her players inability to adapt to the ball.
A good coach knows that and will practice with the opposition's ball before the game. (UConn does)
A good coach doesn't blame a loss on her players inability to adapt.
A good coach prepares her team for the obvious obstacles.

Actually Dawn was only one letter off in her opinion.
Henderson's problems weren't with Nike; her problem was Nika (Muhl).

If Henderson was wearing Nike sneakers, her problems were partially attributed to Nike controlling her feet and causing her to slide all over the place out of control and turn the ball over.

Nika had her moments on defense, but Henderson has only herself to blame. Poor decision making, played like a bull in a china shop...she was awful.

 

[Rickster]

removed

 

[NeedOrange]

My thoughts:
The 3 freshmen have become the heart of the UConn team.
Edwards and Muhl bring a fire that has been lacking in Geno's recent teams.

Evina landed badly in the opening minutes injuring her knee and was limited.
But at crunch time Geno had her back in because she is still the leader of this team.

'It's the ball' - a classless comment. South Carolina plays with the Nike ball at every Nike school
Aaliyah Boston very classy in defeat. Remarkable lady.

A very ugly exciting game. I hear a lot of consternation about missed layups.
But If UConn was just average in uncontested 3's all the layups would not have changed the outcome.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Yes she was, in her early games (the 3 I watched) she was trying to get hers instead of playing within the flow of the team and I think that hurt them and her, Carolina has a few key Veterans (Bailey and Watts) who she often did not get the ball too, even at times when they had the advantage offensively. It will be interesting to see how a few of these teams handle certain players at the end of the year

That transfer from Illini was a good pick up and Watts seems to have regained footing. I wonder will both come back with the incoming freshman class. She has some (Banghart) has some good ingredients to make some noise.

I think we will see some big names in the 22’ class who will appreciate what Kellie has done.

On another note I asked some of my athletes does it make a difference what company sponsors what school and interestingly enough coaching wax the first thing but company sponsorship was the second choice I say that because that Jordan symbol carries some power! Watch how it works in the favor of UCLA who is going from UnderArmor to jordan sponsorship.

 

[VolBall09]

Chances that Westbrook comes back for her final season?

I think Geno probably wants her out. He’ll never admit it, but bringing her to Storrs was mostly just a fun slap in the face to Tennessee for him. Guarantee you. (Yes I believe he’s that petty) She doesn’t fit his system and never will. His words say one thing and his actions say another. He’s tried to move her around and keep her on the court but she just isn’t that athletic or that tough. She’s supposed to be a captain and she got benched in arguably their biggest game of the season.

Tried to have her play the 4 and that was an absolute joke lol. She ended up on the bench in favor of a bunch of Freshman. With the addition of Poffenbarger, Ducharme, Fudd, and DeBerry I don’t see her playing time increasing. Pretty clear he likes Muhl at the point and Bueckers at the 2 or switching back and forth. Don’t see that changing the next four seasons. Nika’s the best perimeter defender they have so she’ll be getting more and more time. She was a big reason they won yesterday.

My bet: Evina leaves and goes to play professionally in Europe for a season or two. Much like Diamond DeShields except I don’t think we’ll ever see Evina in the W. She has no WNBA stock from what I can gather. She’s slow and inconsistent with a bad knee.

 

[mlindsay]

That transfer from Illini was a good pick up and Watts seems to have regained footing. I wonder will both come back with the incoming freshman class. She has some (Banghart) has some good ingredients to make some noise.

I think we will see some big names in the 22’ class who will appreciate what Kellie has done.

On another note I asked some of my athletes does it make a difference what company sponsors what school and interestingly enough coaching wax the first thing but company sponsorship was the second choice I say that because that Jordan symbol carries some power! Watch how it works in the favor of UCLA who is going from UnderArmor to jordan sponsorship.

It definitely works in their favor, College athletes get a lot of free basketball gear and being able to get Jordan shoes to wear holds a lot of weight.

I think Kellie start to see the classes that will get us back in the conversation as contender because she has shown that she has the team and program heading in the right direction and players know what playing for a program like UT & Uconn can do for them outside of basketball.

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

yeah I dont see Evina playing in the WNBA

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

whoah UCLA lost a highly rated international 2020 commit who is from Australia and is in a losing legal battle with United Sates Department of Homeland Security..she has been trying to enter the country but has been denied several times

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

makes me glad we were able to get Marta out of Spain before the season started

 

[mlindsay]

Chances that Westbrook comes back for her final season?

I think Geno probably wants her out. He’ll never admit it, but bringing her to Storrs was mostly just a fun slap in the face to Tennessee for him. Guarantee you. (Yes I believe he’s that petty) She doesn’t fit his system and never will. His words say one thing and his actions say another. He’s tried to move her around and keep her on the court but she just isn’t that athletic or that tough. She’s supposed to be a captain and she got benched in arguably their biggest game of the season.

Tried to have her play the 4 and that was an absolute joke lol. She ended up on the bench in favor of a bunch of Freshman. With the addition of Poffenbarger, Ducharme, Fudd, and DeBerry I don’t see her playing time increasing. Pretty clear he likes Muhl at the point and Bueckers at the 2 or switching back and forth. Don’t see that changing the next four seasons. Nika’s the best perimeter defender they have so she’ll be getting more and more time. She was a big reason they won yesterday.

My bet: Evina leaves and goes to play professionally in Europe for a season or two. Much like Diamond DeShields except I don’t think we’ll ever see Evina in the W. She has no WNBA stock from what I can gather. She’s slow and inconsistent with a bad knee.

Yea I think he'll have a conversation with her and suggest that she try her chances at the next level or her and her family will see the writing on the wall and she'll grad transfer closer to home (Oregon State? Gonzaga?) or like you say spend time overseas

Unfortunately her having no value in the WNBA in your opinion (I agree) wont matter because someone would draft her because she played at UConn (Kaleena Mosequda Lewis, Ketia Swainer, Kelly Faris, Saniya Chong to name a few)

 

[VolBall09]

Yea I think he'll have a conversation with her and suggest that she try her chances at the next level or her and her family will see the writing on the wall and she'll grad transfer closer to home (Oregon State? Gonzaga?) or like you say spend time overseas

Unfortunately her having no value in the WNBA in your opinion (I agree) wont matter because someone would draft her because she played at UConn (Kaleena Mosequda Lewis, Ketia Swainer, Kelly Faris, Saniya Chong to name a few)

I think you’re spot on with the grad transfer. Could see her at either of those schools. Both of them would have been a much better fit for her when she left UT. Gonzaga especially would suit her style and they don’t play in such an athletic conference.

Yes. I was actually thinking of Chong as I wrote a lot of that. Her career looked a lot like this season has for Evina. She was a nice player but she was just not athletic enough for Geno’s system. Dealt with a nagging, chronic IT band problem that limited her defensively and kept her out quite a bit. I was surprised when she was drafted and didn’t figure she’d play very long.

KML was a pure shooter but could never stay physically fit or she could have done well in the W.

 

[Amb3096]

Chances that Westbrook comes back for her final season?

I think Geno probably wants her out. He’ll never admit it, but bringing her to Storrs was mostly just a fun slap in the face to Tennessee for him. Guarantee you. (Yes I believe he’s that petty) She doesn’t fit his system and never will. His words say one thing and his actions say another. He’s tried to move her around and keep her on the court but she just isn’t that athletic or that tough. She’s supposed to be a captain and she got benched in arguably their biggest game of the season.

Tried to have her play the 4 and that was an absolute joke lol. She ended up on the bench in favor of a bunch of Freshman. With the addition of Poffenbarger, Ducharme, Fudd, and DeBerry I don’t see her playing time increasing. Pretty clear he likes Muhl at the point and Bueckers at the 2 or switching back and forth. Don’t see that changing the next four seasons. Nika’s the best perimeter defender they have so she’ll be getting more and more time. She was a big reason they won yesterday.

My bet: Evina leaves and goes to play professionally in Europe for a season or two. Much like Diamond DeShields except I don’t think we’ll ever see Evina in the W. She has no WNBA stock from what I can gather. She’s slow and inconsistent with a bad knee.

I think it's a bit much to say that Evina was nothing more than a petty scholarship offer. She was the #2 rated player in her class, she was coming off a solid sophomore year, and she's had a good season so far. UConn doesn't win the game against Tennessee without her timely scoring and court management. SC is just a really bad matchup for playing Evina at the 4, but she can get away with it (and do pretty well) against most other teams.

I do agree that with Muhl starting to show up as more of a natural PG/better defender, Fudd and a slew of wings coming in next year, and enough post options to play a true 4 /5 combination (I can't imagine Edwards/ONO not being the starting frontcourt next year)...the writing is on the wall for Evina if she wants to continue to play meaningful minutes. For that matter, the same is also true for Christyn Williams.

My prediction is that Evina grad transfers and Christyn foolishly stays and sees her minutes cut in half. If Fudd is projected as even better than Paige, I can't see a scenario where Fudd is playing 30 min/game by the start of conference play. Muhl/Bueckers/Fudd is the UConn backcourt of the future.

 

[mlindsay]

I think you’re spot on with the grad transfer. Could see her at either of those schools. Both of them would have been a much better fit for her when she left UT. Gonzaga especially would suit her style and they don’t play in such an athletic conference.

Yes. I was actually thinking of Chong as I wrote a lot of that. Her career looked a lot like this season has for Evina. She was a nice player but she was just not athletic enough for Geno’s system. Dealt with a nagging, chronic IT band problem that limited her defensively and kept her out quite a bit. I was surprised when she was drafted and didn’t figure she’d play very long.

KML was a pure shooter but could never stay physically fit or she could have done well in the W.

I agree but the fact she is still in the league and still has the same issue (not physically fit) screams she's still there because of who she played for

 

[Amb3096]

Yes. I was actually thinking of Chong as I wrote a lot of that. Her career looked a lot like this season has for Evina. She was a nice player but she was just not athletic enough for Geno’s system. Dealt with a nagging, chronic IT band problem that limited her defensively and kept her out quite a bit. I was surprised when she was drafted and didn’t figure she’d play very long.

KML was a pure shooter but could never stay physically fit or she could have done well in the W.

I don't know what happened to Chong after year 1 in the WNBA, but she was good enough to beat out the team captain/starting PG for a roster spot on the Wings (forgot her name...the blonde Aussie). I don't know if she got injured or got drafted over, but she had her moments in her first year.

I don't know if KML would have gotten fast enough and good enough on defense even if she lost weight. In the WNBA, she was a one-trick pony. Camp out on the 3-point line and fire away. Except she barely makes any of them. It amazes me that she's still in the league. It amazes me even more that a professional basketball player can continue to show up year after year to training camp being basically obese without having the coach read her the riot act. Shoni Schimmel did that a couple of years in a row and finally got cut, even though she was a really talented player.