Non-Lady Vol Basketball News 2024-25

[chuckiepoo]

She’s a junior in high school…it’s creepy, I don’t care how you try to slice it.

I'm pretty sure we all agree on the matter in retrospect. Where is the venom toward the source, rather than toward fellow forum members?

 

[stlvolsfan]

I'm pretty sure we all agree on the matter in retrospect. Where is the venom toward the source, rather than toward fellow forum members?

The source is gross as well….but they’re not on here to call out.

 

[chuckiepoo]

The boneyard comments are priceless.

 

[J-Dog 1313]

I’m shocked at the play of Christyn Willams. She, much like Megan Walker have never lived up to their potential.

Your point is well taken. This goes to show that recruiting should be much more than just top 5 or 10 ratings. I believe the LVs Class of 2021 will prove this point.

 

[creekdipper]

I'm pretty sure we all agree on the matter in retrospect. Where is the venom toward the source, rather than toward fellow forum members?

Have refrained from commenting in order to let sleeping dogs lie, but I fail to see what was "creepy" in any of the comments.

 

[Lucy]

Have refrained from commenting in order to let sleeping dogs lie, but I fail to see what was "creepy" in any of the comments.

Minor females having their looks and presentation being commented on by older men. I think there is a real sensitivity to that in light of online predators, Jeffrey Epstein types etc.

 

[creekdipper]

I understand that (and as a coach had to deal with the "presentation" aspect re: choices of game uniforms, regulation of practice apparel, pregame attire, etc. for girls' volleyball, basketball, and softball teams). I saw coaches allowing their female middle school (basketball) athletes to practice in sports bras and raised objections to that as being inappropriate. I have been a vocal critic of over-revealing and uncomfortable attire for female athletes that were not matched by their male counterparts and seemed to serve no athletic purpose...and applauded and have been encouraged by recent female athletes and teams who have defied requirements that they wear skimpy attire in competition.

So, speaking as someone who had to enforce teenage dress codes and someone old enough to be this young lady's great-grandfather, let's address the elephant in the room. The problem of sexualization of minor females in media and advertising is not new (and now we can add the explosion of exploitation on the internet and social media). And the particular focus given to females athletes' appearance contrasted with the focus on male athletes' sports performance still goes on (although even male earning power can be enhanced by looks that the masses find appealing). As someone else pointed out, it's naive not to think that sports agents and companies won't capitalize on their clients' looks, and many athletes will not only go along with this approach because it's financially lucrative but because it's personally flattering.

The comments by others made were, in my view, simply factual observations. The picture was a "glamour" shot. It did indeed look like an older model at first glance, and not like a high school athlete . It is the type of look that gathers a big social media following (Hailey Van Lith didn't have a huge amount of followers simply due to her basketball skills). No one made comments about the girl's body or made suggestive remarks as far as I could tell. I would say my attempt at a joke about her uniform being too small would come closest, and in hindsight, I can see that someone might find that to be offensive. I've commented in the past about how silly I find the "rolled-up" shorts look to be, essentially appearing like a diaper to my eyes (and I've been told that it's the athletes' business how they wear their shorts, so I know opinions vary). At any rate, the critique of the uniform seems to get lumped in with the person.

So, having been one of the offending parties, I'll address the elephant. The picture in question, IMO, was a poor choice to accompany the announcement of the accomplishment. The athlete pictured has a wide number of pictures available, from game shots to the familiar studio poses with basketballs, aggressive stances, etc. that we typically see. The picture chosen is vastly different from the majority of her "basketball" photos which seem to emphasize or at least include the sports angle over the personal appearance angle. The contrasting approaches are night and day, and it seems disingenuous to purposely choose a photo emphasizing physical appearance and then expect people to ignore the presentation...especially since the presentation seems to be exactly the reason the photo was chosen. It has everything in common with the athlete's non-sports, "social" pics as opposed to her "sports" pics (even the posed ones). In other words, any "sexualizing" of the minor comes from the photo itself.

But the lesson seems to be not to comment, good or bad, about the appearance or presentation, even tangentially, of any minor athlete. I would note that no specific or even general comments about the athlete were made other than the observation that she looked like a "model" in the pic. Given that there are many minors who are professional models and that athletes do themselves sometimes appear as professional fashion models, it seems not only to be an innocuous observation but one with which most would agree without finding it the least bit "creepy."

Anyway, just a perspective. I'd wager that most of us will never again comment about either uniforms or appearances in this forum, even for college athletes.

 

[Rooster1]

Heading there as we speak to read all the posts

Tread lightly……I was banned last night for replying to a poster there who said he wanted to see GT and SC again this season. My reply? “Oh, you will see SC again.”

 

[Volfan2012]

Just one game they could turn the season around and UConn will still win the Big East. I see them even when Beuckers and Fudd's return as weak in the post and a team that will have a tough time against any team that has strong post play.

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

Arkansas nearly lost to SWAC Jackson State 66-62

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

 

[sisaq]

I heard Geno all last yr..."We're very young " ..Be4 season starts this yr " oh this is the best I've had for long time ". And u refused to talk to media. They should be penalized

 

[creekdipper]

I believe they'll beat an injury-depleted UCLA, lose to Louisville, and then still be favored against BE opponents even with the roster as is. That is, unless they just mentally fold and fall apart. Not likely to happen.

 

[LVsinceJV]

I wanted to get excited about us being ranked above Connecticut on Massey today, but then I saw UNC at #3 lol. Maybe the computer needs a software update or something

 

[SandyO]

No pity for UCONN idc who they’re missing. They are playing primarily two seniors, two 6th years including their “PG,” along with a sophomore with good experience and a talented freshman. That’s a lot more experience than we’ve got ATM.

This!

I know Holly got much of the blame but I think EW showed last night why the teams she led as pg weren’t successful. I had PTSD just watching her. lol

 

[glv98]

I understand that (and as a coach had to deal with the "presentation" aspect re: choices of game uniforms, regulation of practice apparel, pregame attire, etc. for girls' volleyball, basketball, and softball teams). I saw coaches allowing their female middle school (basketball) athletes to practice in sports bras and raised objections to that as being inappropriate. I have been a vocal critic of over-revealing and uncomfortable attire for female athletes that were not matched by their male counterparts and seemed to serve no athletic purpose...and applauded and have been encouraged by recent female athletes and teams who have defied requirements that they wear skimpy attire in competition.

So, speaking as someone who had to enforce teenage dress codes and someone old enough to be this young lady's great-grandfather, let's address the elephant in the room. The problem of sexualization of minor females in media and advertising is not new (and now we can add the explosion of exploitation on the internet and social media). And the particular focus given to females athletes' appearance contrasted with the focus on male athletes' sports performance still goes on (although even male earning power can be enhanced by looks that the masses find appealing). As someone else pointed out, it's naive not to think that sports agents and companies won't capitalize on their clients' looks, and many athletes will not only go along with this approach because it's financially lucrative but because it's personally flattering.

The comments by others made were, in my view, simply factual observations. The picture was a "glamour" shot. It did indeed look like an older model at first glance, and not like a high school athlete . It is the type of look that gathers a big social media following (Hailey Van Lith didn't have a huge amount of followers simply due to her basketball skills). No one made comments about the girl's body or made suggestive remarks as far as I could tell. I would say my attempt at a joke about her uniform being too small would come closest, and in hindsight, I can see that someone might find that to be offensive. I've commented in the past about how silly I find the "rolled-up" shorts look to be, essentially appearing like a diaper to my eyes (and I've been told that it's the athletes' business how they wear their shorts, so I know opinions vary). At any rate, the critique of the uniform seems to get lumped in with the person.

So, having been one of the offending parties, I'll address the elephant. The picture in question, IMO, was a poor choice to accompany the announcement of the accomplishment. The athlete pictured has a wide number of pictures available, from game shots to the familiar studio poses with basketballs, aggressive stances, etc. that we typically see. The picture chosen is vastly different from the majority of her "basketball" photos which seem to emphasize or at least include the sports angle over the personal appearance angle. The contrasting approaches are night and day, and it seems disingenuous to purposely choose a photo emphasizing physical appearance and then expect people to ignore the presentation...especially since the presentation seems to be exactly the reason the photo was chosen. It has everything in common with the athlete's non-sports, "social" pics as opposed to her "sports" pics (even the posed ones). In other words, any "sexualizing" of the minor comes from the photo itself.

But the lesson seems to be not to comment, good or bad, about the appearance or presentation, even tangentially, of any minor athlete. I would note that no specific or even general comments about the athlete were made other than the observation that she looked like a "model" in the pic. Given that there are many minors who are professional models and that athletes do themselves sometimes appear as professional fashion models, it seems not only to be an innocuous observation but one with which most would agree without finding it the least bit "creepy."

Anyway, just a perspective. I'd wager that most of us will never again comment about either uniforms or appearances in this forum, even for college athletes.

Great post, thank you. Sadly, your solution, just to avoid any discussion is the normal reaction. But IMO the basic concept, which the finger-wagging replies apparently missed, is very important. We are not the ones sexualizing. We are the ones calling it out. We said NIL would do it and here they are, doing it.

If we really want an elephant in the room discussion, we'd discuss how the athletes play into that dynamic with pose and picture choice. But that's one we REALLY better leave alone bc it so often gets interpreted as victim blaming.

 

[sisaq]

This!

I know Holly got much of the blame but I think EW showed last night why the teams she led as pg weren’t successful. I had PTSD just watching her. lol

I saw Holly's team with Mercedes and I wonder wat Kellie would do with that team.

 

[LVsinceJV]

As much as the hockey style substitutions in games against weak teams can be irritating, I'm appreciating how much playing time (most of) our bench has actually had. You don't have anyone coming in after a star is injured needing to dust off the cobwebs during an important matchup.

 

[glv98]

She’s a junior in high school…it’s creepy, I don’t care how you try to slice it.

Last time on this, and possibly I'm insensitive, but how is pointing out that NIL is sexualizing their choices just as we predicted, creepy on our part? This needs to be discussed, not censored.

P.S. Geno not sending anyone out for media after a disappointing loss is total BS, total classless. Let's see if ole Geno has any desire left to climb out of a hole. Right now it doesn't look like it.

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

I wanted to get excited about us being ranked above Connecticut on Massey today, but then I saw UNC at #3 lol. Maybe the computer needs a software update or something

one thing you can count on Coach Banghart doing is putting a cupcake schedule together year after year

 

[Rooster1]

UConn won 4 out of 5 championships from 1999-2004. Then didn't win for 4 years.

They went Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Elite Eight and Final Four.

Then they won four straight during the Stewart years.

Now they haven't won in four years but they went to the final four every time.

He keeps recruiting at the highest level. I wouldn't count on that championship drought lasting.

All facts except for the last sentence.

Oh I get that they are still breaking records, just the wrong kind lately. Side note, with PB they scored 3 points in the 4th vs. SC. Without PB they scored 5 pts in the 4th versus GT. All facts.

 

[Amb3096]

I believe they'll beat an injury-depleted UCLA, lose to Louisville, and then still be favored against BE opponents even with the roster as is. That is, unless they just mentally fold and fall apart. Not likely to happen.

They may not be able to score enough to stay with DePaul. I won't be surprised to see them take a loss in that game if either Muhl or Fudd is still out.

 

[Amb3096]

Oh I get that they are still breaking records, just the wrong kind lately. Side note, with PB they scored 3 points in the 4th vs. SC. Without PB they scored 5 pts in the 4th versus GT. All facts.

In fairness to UConn, SC is on a different level than GT. But both games show what happens to UConn when Paige is absent (GT) or cold (SC); they have a hard time consistently running their offense and getting in position to score.

 

[Terrells Bay88]

Tread lightly……I was banned last night for replying to a poster there who said he wanted to see GT and SC again this season. My reply? “Oh, you will see SC again.”

Husky Nan said in so many words that she was banning any fan of other teams that was going to post about GT-UConn game.

 

[creekdipper]

Husky Nan said in so many words that she was banning any fan of other teams that was going to post about GT-UConn game.

Wight privilege.