Non-Lady Vol Basketball News 2024-25

[ncteacher88]

I would give her coach of the yr. After 6 top starters left, I thought oh they will win a couple games this year that's it. Impressive...Uconn on the other hand making all the excuses after loosing 2 stars. Marryland lost 6..players

I understand your anti-UConn bias, but you are not comparing apples to apples. Losing six players at the end of a season and then re-stacking your roster through transfer portal is completely different than losing two key players right before the start of the season, and then losing most of your starters for long stretches during the season. 10 of the 12 players have missed at least two games this year, with many missing double digit games. They had to postpone a game due to lack of players, and once started a point guard that was destined for a community college until she was grabbed as a last second emergency replacement.

Try being objective for a second, and choose any women’s basketball team in the country and remove two of their top six players for the season. Then remove two starters for 15 games each. Then remove the point guard for several games. Remove a sometimes starter, who averaged almost 20 points per game over a 10 game stretch last year. Then periodically remove everybody else on the roster for at least two games. Which team, playing one of the top OOC schedules, would not be happy being 21-5 heading into their conference tournament, with one cupcake game remaining.

Example: If we choose South Carolina. Zia Cooke (Starting point guard Paige Bueckers) and Cardoza (first big off the bench ) are out for the season. Aliyah Boston (Starting center Dorka Juahz) misses 16 games. Beal misses 19 games and counting (Azzi at 18 ppg equally better than Beal as Boston is better than Dorka). Amihere (Caroline Ducharme) misses 16 games. Then Feagan, Hall, Fletcher, Watkins and Saxton all miss at least two games. Raven Johnson plays but is so banged up her shooting percentage drops precipitously. Thompson has to start at point guard against top ten opponent Maryland, and also has the shoot free throws with seconds left against a top 25 ranked opponent. Do you think South Carolina would be happy being 21-5 under those circumstances? It kind of puts things in perspective. Hate them or really hate them, what UConn has done is actually pretty remarkable under the circumstances.

 

[Rooster1]

I understand your anti-UConn bias, but you are not comparing apples to apples. Losing six players at the end of a season and then re-stacking your roster through transfer portal is completely different than losing two key players right before the start of the season, and then losing most of your starters for long stretches during the season. 10 of the 12 players have missed at least two games this year, with many missing double digit games. They had to postpone a game due to lack of players, and once started a point guard that was destined for a community college until she was grabbed as a last second emergency replacement.

Try being objective for a second, and choose any women’s basketball team in the country and remove two of their top six players for the season. Then remove two starters for 15 games each. Then remove the point guard for several games. Remove a sometimes starter, who averaged almost 20 points per game over a 10 game stretch last year. Then periodically remove everybody else on the roster for at least two games. Which team, playing one of the top OOC schedules, would not be happy being 21-5 heading into their conference tournament, with one cupcake game remaining.

Example: If we choose South Carolina. Zia Cooke (Starting point guard Paige Bueckers) and Cardoza (first big off the bench ) are out for the season. Aliyah Boston (Starting center Dorka Juahz) misses 16 games. Beal misses 19 games and counting (Azzi at 18 ppg equally better than Beal as Boston is better than Dorka). Amihere (Caroline Ducharme) misses 16 games. Then Feagan, Hall, Fletcher, Watkins and Saxton all miss at least two games. Raven Johnson plays but is so banged up her shooting percentage drops precipitously. Thompson has to start at point guard against top ten opponent Maryland, and also has the shoot free throws with seconds left against a top 25 ranked opponent. Do you think South Carolina would be happy being 21-5 under those circumstances? It kind of puts things in perspective. Hate them or really hate them, what UConn has done is actually pretty remarkable under the circumstances.

Who is the big from Uconn lost for the season that you compare to losing a Cardoso? I’ll hang up and listen….and as good as Azzi is offensively, saying she impacts a game more than Beal is debatable, Beal may be top 5 in WBB in defense as well as other intangibles. Azzi is at best a notch below average defensively at this point. Uconn fans never consider anything other than offensive abilities, it is a mistake. If I am coaching in a big game and you offer me Azzi or Beal, I think I lean Beal for all the things she brings to the game. She can absolutely shut down the opposing players best offensive weapon, Azzi? No way. In fact, against SC, Azzi has faced defense that has made her a spectator for large swaths of the games. The angle Uconn goes with is that she was too young in the first game last year and then she was feeling under the weather in the championship game, whatever, Beal was more impactful in all of the games where they have played against each other so far. Results matter.

 

[ncteacher88]

I guess what most people wonder is WHY "he has no bench." These bench players are being coached by the most successful coach in the women's game, and they are practicing with and against many of the best players in this country

Geno has personally answered this question numerous times. He feels that even run down his starters are still more productive than what he would get putting in the subs he has available. I personally feel he could steal a few minutes with Patterson, Deberry, or Bettencourt, but then again I have not won 11 national championships and I’m not privy to what goes on in practice each and every day. This answer has been repeated many times, people overlook the fact that his bench does not consist of the six through 9 players on the team, but the very end of the bench, including, as has been noted, a 17-year-old who was on her way to a community college in Florida.

 

[Rooster1]

Geno has personally answered this question numerous times. He feels that even run down his starters are still more productive than what he would get putting in the subs he has available. I personally feel he could steal a few minutes with Patterson, Deberry, or Bettencourt, but then again I have not won 11 national championships and I’m not privy to what goes on in practice each and every day. This answer has been repeated many times, people overlook the fact that his bench does not consist of the six through 9 players on the team, but the very end of the bench, including, as has been noted, a 17-year-old who was on her way to a community college in Florida.

You forget the two AA highly recruited players he does not trust and who have been kept in the cobwebs while his starting 5 have been worn down this year. Can he not coach those two up enough to give some meaningful minutes and rest his starters so they are not running on empty all the time?

 

[ncteacher88]

Who is the big from Uconn lost for the season that you compare to losing a Cardoso? I’ll hang up and listen….and as good as Azzi is offensively, saying she impacts a game more than Beal is debatable, Beal may be top 5 in WBB in defense as well as other intangibles. Azzi is at best a notch below average defensively at this point. Uconn fans never consider anything other than offensive abilities, it is a mistake. If I am coaching in a big game and you offer me Azzi or Beal, I think I lean Beal for all the things she brings to the game.

Ice Brady was the number five recruit coming out of high school, and was talked about as a possible starter, but definitely the first big off of the bench. Azzi Fudd is actually considered a good defensive player. However, I think you’re being a little bit over critical, and nitpicking little differences, as it’s impossible to compare exactly the importantance one player means to a team compared to another. My post was meant to give some level of comparison, although not exact. However, you clearly understood the point of just how much firepower and talent this year’s UConn team has lost due to injury, and are just trying to twist a narrative with minor points. “If the glove doesn’t fit than the entire premise has to be wrong.” And, if you wanted to be nitpicky, why not give Paige Beckers credit for being far superior to Zia Cooke. (my post considered this an equal trade as I was not being nitpicky) The other poster made it seem like UConn‘s complaints were invalid and minor inconveniences. The fact remains, any team that suffered this level of misfortune or missing players would be happy being 21-5 playing with that schedule, and in any other universe would be applauded for what they’ve accomplished this year under the circumstances.

 

[ncteacher88]

You forget the two AA highly recruited players he does not trust and who have been kept in the cobwebs while his starting 5 have been worn down this year. Can he not coach those two up enough to give some meaningful minutes and rest his starters so they are not running on empty all the time?

Question asked. Question answered. (my previous post)

 

[Rooster1]

Ice Brady was the number five recruit coming out of high school, and was talked about as a possible starter, but definitely the first big off of the bench. Azzi Fudd is actually considered a good defensive player. However, I think you’re being a little bit over critical, and nitpicking little differences, as it’s impossible to compare exactly the importantance one player means to a team compared to another. My post was meant to give some level of comparison, although not exact. However, you clearly understood the point of just how much firepower and talent this year’s UConn team has lost due to injury, and are just trying to twist a narrative with minor points. “ If the glove doesn’t fit than the entire premise has to be wrong.” The other poster made it seem like UConn‘s complaints were invalid and minor inconveniences. The fact remains, any team that suffered this level of misfortune or missing players would be happy being 21-0 playing with that schedule, and in any other universe would be applauded for what they’ve accomplished this year under the circumstances.

Ice was highly rated, nobody knows what her production would have been, just like the two AA’s sitting on your bench not worthy of a few minutes each game. Cardoso was ALL ACC defensive freshman of year before coming to SC and as a Junior now you cannot claim Ice would have been anywhere near her level of play, she would have struggled to see the floor at Uconn. Get real.

 

[ncteacher88]

Ice was highly rated, nobody knows what her production would have been, just like the two AA’s sitting on your bench not worthy of a few minutes each game. Cardoso was ALL ACC defensive freshman of year before coming to SC and as a Junior now you cannot claim Ice would have been anywhere near her level of play, she would have struggled to see the floor at Uconn. Get real.

Every indication from the early season practices claimed that she was fighting for a starting position, while Deberry and Patterson were reported as being exactly as they are now; Paterson athletic but raw, and Deberry lacking in what was necessary to see the court. This information came from UConn coach’s reports, and UConn reporters privy to this inside information. However, I will concede that Cardoza was a known quantity while ice Brady was not. However, as noted in my last post, you are nitpicking one comparison without nitpicking how much better Paige Bueckers is than Zia Cooke, when I listed them equally, because it did not change the big picture message. The entire post was just meant to show just how great the losses were. You cannot even admit that any other team in the country that suffered those levels of losses would be happy with where they are now, but instead focus on one little aspect to try to prove the entire premise is incorrect. Talk about getting real. (Your argumentative words, not mine ) Any objective person that looks at the level of loss UConn had this year if extrapolated to another program would be impressed with how much they have achieved under the circumstances.

 

[ttharp]

Yeah, I need Ole Miss to do us a solid today. Georgia is playing really well as of late. They’re playing SC tough early on - just like they did back in January. Don’t want them on our side of the bracket.

 

[djtee]

Olivia Miles did she just tear her ACL ? did not look good i hope not

 

[djtee]

Olivia Miles the good news she walked off but in pain

 

[Volfan2012]

Yeah, I need Ole Miss to do us a solid today. Georgia is playing really well as of late. They’re playing SC tough early on - just like they did back in January. Don’t want them on our side of the bracket.

I think were going to lose no matter who we play. All the probable opponents have improved while we haven't improved any that I can tell. Team can't play defense and to many unforced errors and mental mistakes. I guess it would be Bama or Miss St if Ole Miss wins and chances don't look any better with either of them as an opponent.

 

[Rooster1]

Every indication from the early season practices claimed that she was fighting for a starting position, while Deberry and Patterson were reported as being exactly as they are now; Paterson athletic but raw, and Deberry lacking in what was necessary to see the court. This information came from UConn coach’s reports, and UConn reporters privy to this inside information. However, I will concede that Cardoza was a known quantity while ice Brady was not. However, as noted in my last post, you are nitpicking one comparison without nitpicking how much better Paige Bueckers is then Zia Cooke, when I listed them equally, because it did not change the big picture message. The entire post was just meant to show just how great the losses were. You cannot even admit that any other team in the country that suffered those levels of losses would be happy with where they are now, but instead focus on one little aspect to try to prove the entire premise is incorrect. Talk about getting real. (Your argumentative words, not mine ) Any objective person that looks at the level of loss UConn had this year if extrapolated to another program would be impressed with how much they have achieved under the circumstances.

No, you said Azzi equally better than Beal…..I think there is debate there for all around game at this point. As for Ice, claim all the preseason hype you want, it’s speculation, Cardoso was proven before season started so it was also a bad analogy. Nobody is trying to say Paige isn’t the biggest loss in WBB this year, she is. And nobody is trying to say Uconn hasn’t had to endure the most injuries this year, they have. But those two AA players rotting on the bench are either not as elite as they were recruited or the Uconn way Is not conducive to getting some quality minutes from them as the starting 5 wears down. Btw, Cooke is a way better defender than Paige, and that has some merit you overlook.

 

[ttharp]

I think were going to lose no matter who we play. All the probable opponents have improved while we haven't improved any that I can tell. Team can't play defense and to many unforced errors and mental mistakes. I guess it would be Bama or Miss St if Ole Miss wins and chances don't look any better with either of them as an opponent.

If Ole Miss wins, neither Georgia nor Miss State would be on our side of the bracket. Miss St would be the 5th seed. Bama would be the 6th.

But yeah, I agree- the LVs haven’t shown much improvement which doesn’t bode well for a deep tournament run. It’s also about matchups, and we matchup better with Bama and team they will play Thursday night if the current bracket holds.

 

[ncteacher88]

No, you said Azzi equally better than Beal…..I think there is debate there for all around game at this point.

I did say Azzi Fudd was better than Beal. I would stick by that claim. I would much rather have a healthy Azzi Fudd on my team than Beal. Can’t really speak for anyone else, but other than you, I do not know anyone that would choose Beal over Fudd. Then again there are probably Connecticut fans that would rather have had Jacque Fernandez over Candace Parker, or Tennessee fans that would’ve chosen April McDivitt over Diana Taurasi. Not everyone is able to be objective.

However, I am more than willing to listen to your comparisons. Choose South Carolina and do a comparison. (I’m estimating missed games because I don’t want to look it up and not choosing Tennessee because that hits too close to home)

Paige B (season)
Ice Brady (season)
Dorka Juhasz (16 games)
Caroline Ducharme (19 games)
Azzi Fudd (19 & counting)
Aubrey Griffin (a few)
Nika Muhl (2 games)
Paterson (2 games)

Regardless of who you match up with who, any team missing comparable players would be happy with a 21-5 record.

 

[Max Roguespierre]

Every indication from the early season practices claimed that she was fighting for a starting position, while Deberry and Patterson were reported as being exactly as they are now; Paterson athletic but raw, and Deberry lacking in what was necessary to see the court. This information came from UConn coach’s reports, and UConn reporters privy to this inside information. However, I will concede that Cardoza was a known quantity while ice Brady was not. However, as noted in my last post, you are nitpicking one comparison without nitpicking how much better Paige Bueckers is then Zia Cooke, when I listed them equally, because it did not change the big picture message. The entire post was just meant to show just how great the losses were. You cannot even admit that any other team in the country that suffered those levels of losses would be happy with where they are now, but instead focus on one little aspect to try to prove the entire premise is incorrect. Talk about getting real. (Your argumentative words, not mine ) Any objective person that looks at the level of loss UConn had this year if extrapolated to another program would be impressed with how much they have achieved under the circumstances.

I don't think that anyone has denied that UConn has faced major injury issues this season, or that they haven't had significant lineup challenges as a result. No one can reasonably question Auriemma's record or excellence as a coach. Where the questions and second-guessing come in is with regards to the obvious mental and physical exhaustion of his team. Auriemma is a demanding coach who expects his players to play a certain way and up to a certain standard. Given the challenges this season, he appears to have rolled the dice both in terms of how aggressively injured players were brought back and how many minutes trusted players were asked to play. Resting his starters more and using untrusted substitutes might have cost the Huskies a win or two. In retrospect those wins were lost anyway in addition to the the team's visible fatigue over several weeks now.

UConn supporters can argue that Auriemma's decisions were, under the circumstances, reasonable and informed. It is difficult to make the case, however, that they were not risky or that they have worked out optimally. UConn is one of the best coached and most talented teams in the country and if the Huskies find a second wind come tournament play the current struggles will be likely forgotten. Which does not invalidate the questions and criticism that Auriemma's decisions have drawn.

As a final point, comparing a freshman who hasn't seen any floor time in a competitive game to an established, dominant, post player is completely ridiculous. Regardless of rumors of how good she has looked in practice.

 

[enigma]

Olivia Miles the good news she walked off but in pain

In most cases, the injured person can still walk with the torn knee ligament.

 

[glv98]

If Ole Miss wins, neither Georgia nor Miss State would be on our side of the bracket. Miss St would be the 5th seed. Bama would be the 6th.

But yeah, I agree- the LVs haven’t shown much improvement which doesn’t bode well for a deep tournament run. It’s also about matchups, and we matchup better with Bama and team they will play Thursday night if the current bracket holds.

I thought the LVs showed alot of improvement at Arkansas and even some in the Auburn game. We beat all the possible first round opponents by double digits (except Miss St the last time) and none were in doubt at the end. I realize some of them are playing better, but one thing they all have in common is none could stop Rickea. None of the lesser SEC can and if one thing has improved on our side, it's her. If she can just get a decent level of scoring support I think we win this game against any of them. That said, I prefer Alabama.

 

[glv98]

So Car/Georgia game eerily reminiscent. Geo fast start than bad 2nd qtr and the margin stretching going into fourth. Probably about a 15 pt win, Dawn having zero need to annilihate any other SEC teams right now.

 

[th2421]

If Ole Miss wins, neither Georgia nor Miss State would be on our side of the bracket. Miss St would be the 5th seed. Bama would be the 6th.

Is that true? I tried to do the math the other day and couldn't come up with a scenario that didn't end up with Georgia being the 6 seed, but I could definitely be wrong.

Edit: I might not have correctly considered the possibility that Alabama beats Ole Miss.

 

[djtee]

In most cases, the injured person can still walk with the torn knee ligament.

Oh did not know that i hope that`s not the case

 

[glv98]

If Ole Miss wins, neither Georgia nor Miss State would be on our side of the bracket. Miss St would be the 5th seed. Bama would be the 6th.

So Georgia 7th seed? Sure hope you're right. Rather play Bama. Brittany Davis is a load though.

 

[Rooster1]

So Car/Georgia game eerily reminiscent. Geo fast start than bad 2nd qtr and the margin stretching going into fourth. Probably about a 15 pt win, Dawn having zero need to annilihate any other SEC teams right now.

There are more fouls called on UGA in this game, but that is t a ref thing, it is being called fairly.

 

[ncteacher88]

As a final point, comparing a freshman who hasn't seen any floor time in a competitive game to an established, dominant, post player is completely ridiculous. Regardless of rumors of how good she has looked in practice.

As I stated, it was not an exact science. The reason I matched those two up, they were both slated to be the first person off the bench. Just like I matched up the two point guards even though one is considerably better than the other. I also matched up the two centers even though one is considerably better than the other. It was a generalization in an effort to give some perspective on just how much they have lost. Again, it was in response to one poster who lamented at the point that some UConn fans have “cried” about the loss of two players, as if their complaints were not justified. I have also clearly stated, and I have stuck by my contention that I would’ve preferred Patterson, DeBerry, and Betancourt saw more playing time. However, I generally do not second guess coaches or referees. As someone who has coached basketball, it is so much easier to make decisions watching game film than it is at game speed, and the same is true of referees. I have heard the argument that it would be better to lose some games while using substitutes, than to win while wearing down your starters, from both UConn supporters and supporters of other programs. We will not know the answer to this question until April.

 

[Gilmore]

NC Duke, not impressed with either today. Call it great defense or lots of sloppy play, not sure.