Non-Lady Vol Basketball News 2024-25

[VolBall09]

I'm surprised they showed her face. It seemed to me that they showed Bueckers after every UConn score. Sometimes they put the camera on her 3 times within 25 seconds.

Yes, I zoned out for a while because it was just Pam Ward yammering with a shot of Paige Bueckers. Meanwhile Oregon was handing them their a** on the court.

Show the game!

 

[lvocd]

Put full court press on Oregon until final seconds. A bit much, IMO. Guess that made the score look better to lose by 13 instead of the 20 they were behind a good part of the game. Playing to the pollsters I suppose.

As much as I detest Auriemma, I can’t fault him for taking every opportunity to get his players some practice against a live opponent in that situation. I haven’t looked at their schedule, but it may be that he thought his players might not get to practice that against a decent opponent for a while.

He’ll start the “if we want to beat Tennessee”specific practices beginning tomorrow.

I don’t know how many posters here will remember this, but back in the day, at the height of the Tennessee-Connecticut rivalry, one of his players let the cat out of the bag one day by talking about how they practice to beat Tennessee all year long. That Geno was always cajoling them into working harder are harder by always saying, “if you want to beat Tennessee …”

So I’m only half joking that he might start that up again, because I GUARANTEE YOU that of all the games left on their schedule, Geno Auriemma and all of Husky Nation want to beat Tennessee more than anyone else. I might not even be wrong if I said that if they were given the choice of losing 8 more games but trouncing Tennessee, or winning all of their remaining games but Tennessee trounces them, most of them would choose to lose 8 more games rather than lose to Tennessee.

 

[lvocd]

What is U of Connecticut paying Auriemma these days, anyway? A couple of million dollars a year? And twice already this season he has called himself out for doing a bad job? "Sh!tty," even? If I were the president of that university I'd be trying to figure out a way to dock his pay. I mean, I agree that he IS doing a sh!tty job, mainly because he throws his players under the bus at every turn, but still. How indispensable must he think he is in knowing he's still going to get to take all that money for doing a sh!tty job?

As for Evina, whose decision to transfer I supported after the abuse she unfairly (IMO) took as a player at Tennessee after the infamous locker-room interview, I truly feel bad that she appears to be struggling a bit. Learning the age-old lesson "the grass is not always greener on the other side" is never easy, but sometimes it's just plain sad.

I know she's not sorry at all, and I'm happy for her that she made the best decision for her and her family. But still ... I will personally always wonder if she would have turned it around under Harper. Some here think she wouldn't have and believe she had an attitude problem, but I'm not inclined to agree. I think her spirit was broken under the weight of Holly's shortcomings, and she couldn't take it anymore.

I still can't be mad at her for that.

Allllllll that said, come February 8 I want the Lady Vols to whup her and her Huskies until they cry. lol

 

[FrozenLVFan]

To me it’s different. TK and Emily needed to develop.

Prince has all the tools and just doesn’t use them. She has no motor. Prince could be an EDD type player with an extra 2”.

Prince didn't need to develop? After the horrific injury and negligent medical care she received? She's lucky she can even walk. She was a big part of Oregon's win over AZ just days ago.

 

[creekdipper]

Still time for you to win poster of the year, too.

 

[Volfan2012]

UConn is going to get Beuckers and Fudd back before the season is over. So even though they are not looking that great now those two will do quite a bit to turn it around. I wouldn't want to be the higher seed in the bracket they get in. I look for Evina to go back to the bench when they are both back on the team. She was coming off the bench until this game probably got to start because Williams was out.

 

[creekdipper]

This is a perfect example of why many basketball fans despise the man. Wooden had an incredible run, but very few were revolted by his character or accused him of being classless.

Auriemma's public mind games with his players is reminiscent of domestic abusers. Sarcastically "take the blame" for perceived failings of the partner, who then pleads, "No, no...it was all my fault for burning the roast! Don't give up on me! I'l do better, I promise!" Or like the dad who withholds his love in order to get the child to be "perfect" and lose weight. Then, after that manipulating tactic, switch to publicly humiliating then within their earshot ("the really good guards are on the bench").

Auriemma's defenders will point to his record and say he's just pushing buttons to make them mad and get them in an "I'll show you!" mode, which past players have admitted got the results he wanted. And if anyone couldn't take "the treatment," well, they just aren't cut out for "the Husky Way." Bob Knight had his defenders, too, after he wiped his butt in the locker room and then showed it to his players to illustrate how they were playing, threw a chair across the floor, throttled one of his players, etc. By whatever means necessary, right?

CONN likes to brag about how their program provides the most pressure in all of women's basketball. But if this is what it takes to win ball games, well, that just screams "toxic culture." I can't imagine any parent wanting to see his daughter subjected to this on a daily basis, even if that parent could stomach the rest of the coach's repulsive personality.

As Horston said about Kellie, "She knows us individually, and she knows when to push us and when to get on us and when to pull back and encourage us. And I really appreciate that." I can't imagine Kellie ever publicly insulting her players in a presser or interview. And, as fans, we can really appreciate that.

 

[FormerLadyVolFan]

Interesting article about Evina's return to her home state of Oregon (before the game)

As UConn’s Evina Westbrook returns home to Oregon, she’s celebrating what made her different

 

[creekdipper]

Interesting article about Evina's return to her home state of Oregon (before the game)

As UConn’s Evina Westbrook returns home to Oregon, she’s celebrating what made her different

There are quite a few weird things to dissect in that article, but on a grammatical note, I have to wonder if "CTInsider" employs editors.

"...one of the bests...."

?????????

 

[LV renaissance]

UConn is going to get Beuckers and Fudd back before the season is over. So even though they are not looking that great now those two will do quite a bit to turn it around. I wouldn't want to be the higher seed in the bracket they get in. I look for Evina to go back to the bench when they are both back on the team. She was coming off the bench until this game probably got to start because Williams was out.

Yes, can you imagine being a 3 seed and having to play the 6 seed UCONN with their players back just to make it to the Sweet 16. As much as people around here want them to fall as low as possible while their players are out, I don't think it would be fair to other teams if a reloaded UCONN team's seeding is based solely on how they were when they were depleted.

 

[Amb3096]

Yes, can you imagine being a 3 seed and having to play the 6 seed UCONN with their players back just to make it to the Sweet 16. As much as people around here want them to fall as low as possible while their players are out, I don't think it would be fair to other teams if a reloaded UCONN team's seeding is based solely on how they were when they were depleted.

I for one am hoping for a #4 seed. In any #1's bracket other than NC State's...

 

[glv98]

As for Evina, whose decision to transfer I supported after the abuse she unfairly (IMO) took as a player at Tennessee after the infamous locker-room interview, I truly feel bad that she appears to be struggling a bit. Learning the age-old lesson "the grass is not always greener on the other side" is never easy, but sometimes it's just plain sad.

I know she's not sorry at all, and I'm happy for her that she made the best decision for her and her family. But still ... I will personally always wonder if she would have turned it around under Harper. Some here think she wouldn't have and believe she had an attitude problem, but I'm not inclined to agree. I think her spirit was broken under the weight of Holly's shortcomings, and she couldn't take it anymore.

I still can't be mad at her for that.
a
Allllllll that said, come February 8 I want the Lady Vols to whup her and her Huskies until they cry. lol

Exactly! The locker room quote (a hesitant answer to a leading question at a very emotional time) was very unfairly blown up by LV fans. I've never understood why EW got so much less sympathy for having the first half of her career ruined than all the others got, except of course for the understandable yet incendiary transfer to UConn. So many spirits broken, so much potential wasted, so many sad walks down the Jamie Nared Trail of Tears. I'm happy for any player who salvaged anything of that mess.

If EW is coming up a little short of her recruiting billing now, there's every possibility its bc of what happened here, not what happened there. I just can't be happy about that.

As far as Geno continuing the press late in the game, ya'll know full well if he had fallen back and played passive you would have accused him of giving up. And if he hadn't blamed his own shittyness, you would have accused him of throwing his players under the bus. Obviously, this is a crossroad for Geno. At this point in his career, he just might not have the energy or want to needed to adapt to all the new coaching variables - transfers, covid, parity etc. If not I wish him a good retirement. And I wish Chris Daily a Holly-like experience as successor to the legend.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Yes, can you imagine being a 3 seed and having to play the 6 seed UCONN with their players back just to make it to the Sweet 16. As much as people around here want them to fall as low as possible while their players are out, I don't think it would be fair to other teams if a reloaded UCONN team's seeding is based solely on how they were when they were depleted.

Another poster said this and i agree you need to place them where they ARE not where they can be potentially. We all get they will be better with Paige back and Williams back.

Considering they are gonna be in the bridgeport region regardless is anything really fair LOL...

Even with that being said if uconn takes of business in the Big East alone i can see them being a 3/4 seed especially if they are playing well. While there might not be another ranked team in the conference if they are playing well going into the NCAA tourney i think the committee will take that into account.

PS I would personally love to see a 3/6 game with someone like LSU and Uconn to get to a sweet 16. That would actually be a really good game even if uconn had all their players back

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Exactly! The locker room quote (a hesitant answer to a leading question at a very emotional time) was very unfairly blown up by LV fans. I've never understood why EW got so much less sympathy for having the first half of her career ruined than all the others got, except of course for the understandable yet incendiary transfer to UConn. So many spirits broken, so much potential wasted, so many sad walks down the Jamie Nared Trail of Tears. I'm happy for any player who salvaged anything of that mess.

If EW is coming up a little short of her recruiting billing now, there's every possibility its bc of what happened here, not what happened there. I just can't be happy about that.

As far as Geno continuing the press late in the game, ya'll know full well if he had fallen back and played passive you would have accused him of giving up. And if he hadn't blamed his own shittyness, you would have accused him of throwing his players under the bus. Obviously, this is a crossroad for Geno. At this point in his career, he just might not have the energy or want to needed to adapt to all the new coaching variables - transfers, covid, parity etc. If not I wish him a good retirement. And I wish Chris Daily a Holly-like experience as successor to the legend.

I agree... It is a possibility of what happened here but also her progress/production HERE put her on Geno's radar to go there. If she wants the number 2 recruit putting up crappy numbers when she left he wouldn't of taken a sniff at her let's be honest.

I am one of those that don't disagree in her assessment of things having to change. What i will say is Evina is catching some flack for the #sorrynotsorry hashtag which was taken as a dig at fans. Yes she was younger and people were talking about her but when you and your family perpetuate things like that it does leave you open to criticisms like yesterday.

Geno calling Tennessee's culture toxic might have been from what Evina told him and was her experience (which i would not take away from her).... but it didn't age to well when he is 1. calling his players dummies 2. telling them to go drown themselves in the ocean 3. telling women that no one listens to them so they might as well shut up.

Again, i am not discrediting Westbrook's experience here because i would never want to take that young ladies voice away and i truly believe a change was needed in the end (and thrilled with the change we made) but Mimi Collins left in a totally different manner to a coach many do NOT care for when it comes to TN and while she didn't go to Geno it just felt different.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

I for one am hoping for a #4 seed. In any #1's bracket other than NC State's...

Nope... #3 LSU vs #6 uconn. Let the buddies duel it out to the

 

[VolBall09]

I agree... It is a possibility of what happened here but also her progress/production HERE put her on Geno's radar to go there. If she wants the number 2 recruit putting up crappy numbers when she left he wouldn't of taken a sniff at her let's be honest.

I am one of those that don't disagree in her assessment of things having to change. What i will say is Evina is catching some flack for the #sorrynotsorry hashtag which was taken as a dig at fans. Yes she was younger and people were talking about her but when you and your family perpetuate things like that it does leave you open to criticisms like yesterday.

Geno calling Tennessee's culture toxic might have been from what Evina told him and was her experience (which i would not take away from her).... but it didn't age to well when he is 1. calling his players dummies 2. telling them to go drown themselves in the ocean 3. telling women that no one listens to them so they might as well shut up.

Again, i am not discrediting Westbrook's experience here because i would never want to take that young ladies voice away and i truly believe a change was needed in the end (and thrilled with the change we made) but Mimi Collins left in a totally different manner to a coach many do NOT care for when it comes to TN and while she didn't go to Geno it just felt different.

strong dislike for her. Felt she stirred up a lot of the problems the program had but took zero personal accountability.

Also, remember how pious her interviews were at UCONN after the transfer. She got asked a lot of questions and her answers were snotty and immature every time. Sticking her nose up in the air.

That same attitude has never changed and has landed her right where she is now. I maintain she’ll never have a pro career, which is a shame, but she quite clearly doesn’t have any desire to be any better than she ever has been.

 

[VolBall09]

I for one am hoping for a #4 seed. In any #1's bracket other than NC State's...

If we win the games we should going forward I don’t think we get less than a 3 seed unless we lay and egg in the SEC tournament.

Realistically this is the first time in years we are in a position to play ourselves into a 1 seed. For about the last decade we have been out of it by February.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

strong dislike for her. Felt she stirred up a lot of the problems the program had but took zero personal accountability.

Also, remember how pious her interviews were at UCONN after the transfer. She got asked a lot of questions and her answers were snotty and immature every time. Sticking her nose up in the air.

That same attitude has never changed and has landed her right where she is now. I maintain she’ll never have a pro career, which is a shame, but she quite clearly doesn’t have any desire to be any better than she ever has been.

i do remember her getting asked questions and instead of just focusing on the questions there were some subtle and not so subtle digs at her previous team.

I would be sick to think she got hurt here and that's the reason her career is off track like another poster said but i also know players transfer to get there career back on track and have done so successfully repeatedly. However, i also lok at the Fudd situation and there was an injury she kept playing on so it isn't just TN

 

[Amb3096]

If we win the games we should going forward I don’t think we get less than a 3 seed unless we lay and egg in the SEC tournament.

Realistically this is the first time in years we are in a position to play ourselves into a 1 seed. For about the last decade we have been out of it by February.

I think a #2 seed is a strong possibility. I think they will finish with 2 regular season conference losses (SC and either UGA/LSU) and runner up in the SEC tourney (to SC). If they take care of business, and they've been doing it to date, I don't see how they aren't a #2 seed. Win the games I mentioned above, and yes, a #1 is in play. I can't think of the last time they were a #1 or in contention. Maybe Simmon's senior year? I just don't think that SC is a good matchup for them. They both have the same strengths, but I think SC will be more comfortable executing.

The must-win game IMO is vs. UConn. I'm assuming Fudd will be back, but not Bueckers. Tennessee needs to take them out.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

If we win the games we should going forward I don’t think we get less than a 3 seed unless we lay and egg in the SEC tournament.

Realistically this is the first time in years we are in a position to play ourselves into a 1 seed. For about the last decade we have been out of it by February.

I think this was in reference to uconn's bracket and seeding. He wants them as a #4 seed to have to play essentially two tough games (be #1 and potentially #2) to make the road tougher to get to a final 4

again i'm petitioning 3 vs 6 (uconn) match up with LSU then they still gotta play a 2 seed and then another seed to get to the final 4

As much as i hate to admit it this year LSU is gonna be a tough out and they would play them in their home court

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

I think a #2 seed is a strong possibility. I think they will finish with 2 regular season conference losses (SC and either UGA/LSU) and runner up in the SEC tourney (to SC). If they take care of business, and they've been doing it to date, I don't see how they aren't a #2 seed. Win the games I mentioned above, and yes, a #1 is in play. I can't think of the last time they were a #1 or in contention. Maybe Simmon's senior year? I just don't think that SC is a good matchup for them. They both have the same strengths, but I think SC will be more comfortable executing.

The must-win game IMO is vs. UConn. I'm assuming Fudd will be back, but not Bueckers. Tennessee needs to take them out.

I wouldn't say more comfortable executing because that's why teams have been able to stick with them as closely as they have. I will say they are playing at home which works in their favor.

If the only team we lose to is SC from here on out i think we get a 1 seed even with 3 losses because 2 would be to SC. If we happen to beat SC one time (yes i'm manifesting it) i think we get a one seed.

While seedings are great i worry more about match ups. I don't want to be in death row like last years bracket. I'm not scared of any team but i hope there is a little more balance to brackets this year.

 

[creekdipper]

And if he hadn't blamed his own shittyness, you would have accused him of throwing his players under the bus.

Ummm...somehow, I misinterpreted the comment "the really good guards aren't playing" as an illustration of "throwing players under the bus." Especially given their high-ratings and the fact that each was, to quote the "experts," "a highly-coveted recruit" coming out of high school.

As to his sarcastic characterization of his coaching abilities, well...anyone who thinks he was being serious hasn't been paying attention.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Ummm...somehow, I misinterpreted the comment "the really good guards aren't playing" as an illustration of "throwing players under the bus." Especially given their high-ratings and the fact that each was, to quote the "experts," "a highly-coveted recruit" coming out of high school.

As to his sarcastic characterization of his coaching abilities, well...anyone who thinks he was being serious hasn't been paying attention.

To sum it up... he threw them under the bus anyways ? For anyone who cares

 

[VolBall09]

i do remember her getting asked questions and instead of just focusing on the questions there were some subtle and not so subtle digs at her previous team.

I would be sick to think she got hurt here and that's the reason her career is off track like another poster said but i also know players transfer to get there career back on track and have done so successfully repeatedly. However, i also lok at the Fudd situation and there was an injury she kept playing on so it isn't just TN

All that injury ish is total BS in my opinion. I mean look, Bueckers just had SURGERY and they are trying to rush her back.

If they had been able to get EW a waiver do you think she wouldn’t have played on that same knee? Because I do. The only reason she ended up going ahead with the procedure was because she was not going to be able to play to start with.

The only reason that became a narrative is because Geno is a petulant child and when he didn’t get his way he did his usual….threw someone under the bus. Which happened to be the entire Tennessee program.

 

[creekdipper]

Evina currently has her own thread on the BY.