Non-Lady Vol Basketball News 2024-25

[Amb3096]

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

Whoops, yeah. I wasn't clear about that. No, I want UConn seeing a #1 seed as early as possible. The closer they get to the Elite 8, the more likely the chance they get to the FF...especially if Paige is back and has a few more games under her belt. I'm not so confident confident that a #3 can get the job done.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

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.

I mean some here forget that it was a toxic culture and she should be allowed to play to not punish the kid... Oh wait she is hurt and do you really think adding an Evina Westbrook was gonna make this team that much better?

I agree... then why'd he go in a tantrum against UT if she was so damaged anyways.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Whoops, yeah. I wasn't clear about that. No, I want UConn seeing a #1 seed as early as possible. The closer they get to the Elite 8, the more likely the chance they get to the FF...especially if Paige is back and has a few more games under her belt. I'm not so confident confident that a #3 can get the job done.

that's why i want them against number 3 then number 2 then number 1! lol no mercyy

but seriously i want us playing our best basketball which we haven't even seen.

 

[Amb3096]

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.

"Comfortably executing" was probably not the right word. I think what will happen is that SC will out do Tennessee in the defense/rebounding department, and that's what will carry them to the win.

Other than SC, the only SEC teams left that realistically have a shot at Tennessee IMO are LSU and UGA...and I think Tennessee would be the favorite against either. So assuming things play out...SC, Stanford and NCState/Louisville would be the top 3 teams...so it's just a matter of whether Tennessee or the ACC #2 gets the 2nd conference #1. Yeah, could go either way.

 

[Lucy]

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...."

?????????

CTinsider is not a legitimate news source. That is the rag that a new Connie quoted from last week. When I looked at the whole article it had an unbelievable rant calling Pat a jealous witch whose team had been left in the dust etc.
So they don’t have an omsbudsman (sp) doubt they have an editor.

 

[glv98]

Need to clear up, when I said what's wrong w EW may be bc of what happened to her here, I'm referring to lack of development, not injury. I've never been into the drama about where/when/how she got hurt. Unfortunately, we have copious sad examples of careers being ruined here during that time. Most players never fully recover from that.

I have no doubt the chance to take her and rebuild her after the LVs broke her was a huge factor in Geno recruiting her. A combo of the complete lack of development here and GA's failing genius at making players has resulted in the EW we see now.

 

[Volfan2012]

Duke vs Miami at 2 pm today on ACC network.

 

[VolBall09]

Need to clear up, when I said what's wrong w EW may be bc of what happened to her here, I'm referring to lack of development, not injury. I've never been into the drama about where/when/how she got hurt. Unfortunately, we have copious sad examples of careers being ruined here during that time. Most players never fully recover from that.

I have no doubt the chance to take her and rebuild her after the LVs broke her was a huge factor in Geno recruiting her. A combo of the lack of development here and GA's failing genius at making players has resulted in the EW we see now.

I see your point on this. But I also saw Rennia Davis live through the EXACT same situation. Rennia approached it totally different and came out smelling like a rose with a WNBA contract. Rennia embraced herself and the program and let a bad situation make her better. EW did the opposite

 

[lvocd]

I had too much going on yesterday to pay close attention to the Oregon-CT game while it was on, so while all you fine people were asleep in the wee hours I watched it.

Basically, as for CT, my statement when Bueckers went down that if she comes back, her injury will have served only to make the team better, still holds true to my eye.

The former professional point guard Muhl reminded me so much of Bird — first in her looks and then in some of her movements — that I wouldn’t be surprised if I heard she’d modeled her game after Bird’s. No, I am NOT saying I think she is as good as Bird. Just saying I can see that she tries to emulate her, and showed some signs of being an excellent floor general in the future.

Douche Arm is, to my eye, like a Bueckers Lite in her confidence. She is good already, but is going to be great one day. Ugh.

Yoko Ono had a great game — best I ever saw from her. Granted, I admit I haven’t watch her play many games, but of the ones I’ve seen, that was the best. She showed some grittiness and had some terrific finishes under the basket.

The braids-wearing kid sprints the floor really well for a post player, I think. Her teammates missed her for fast-break opportunities a couple of times, IIRC. That’s all I can remember.

Evina looked strangely tentative for parts of the game, and I wondered why. Was she nervous about being home? Weird.

I think they ALL throw crisper chest passes, and better bounce passes, than our Lady Vols throw. Even these kids who are new to getting playing time. And their cuts are still pretty darn sharp. I’ll go ahead and predict that on Feb. 8 they will back door the bejeebus out of Tennessee, because they’ll be drilling the bejeebus out of perfecting that strategy for both SC and us.

Basically, I thought they were a much better team than they showed yesterday. When they couldn’t make their shots they caved, but I see that as mental barrier they are likely to overcome in the coming weeks as they get more and more experience playing together.

When they get everyone back, and even if they just get every back but Bueckers, they’ll be hard to beat — IF they start hitting more outside shots. I could see them eventually being very strong come Tourney time. I hate it. I hate them. Amen.

Lol

 

[Volfan2012]

I hope Evina is getting that UConn degree in something meaningful as of right now I see her WNBA stock falling like a big boulder off a cliff. The last four games she has been close to their worst player and was coming off the bench when Williams could play. I don't see it getting any better for her when Bueckers and Fudd get back along with Williams. She was in a much better position last season for the WNBA draft.

 

[lvocd]

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

Okay. I read that, and all I could think was, “Honey, you just need to come out of the closet. That’s why you feel so ‘different,’ why ‘you never wanted to wear makeup,’ why you ‘didn’t want to go to prom.’”

Evina: You’re not different; you’re just repressed!

 

[glv98]

I see your point on this. But I also saw Rennia Davis live through the EXACT same situation. Rennia approached it totally different and came out smelling like a rose with a WNBA contract. Rennia embraced herself and the program and let a bad situation make her better. EW did the opposite

Yes and I was so thrilled for Rennia, bc she had been down so far previously. I said last year she should write a book about her journey. But her post Holly success is by far the exception, probably bc she did stick it out and experienced the new culture. But it was an awful choice for alot of kids halfway thru their careers who just couldn't take on any more damage. I can never be mad at them for that.

Also, I believe a big part of the mutual animosity btw the Westbrooks and the LV fans is the unfortunate involvement of her Mom on social media arguing with fans. I know that's your baby and I know its infuriating, but parent or player involvement in any social media exchanges (including these) is ill-advised AF.

 

[NeedOrange]

That Geno was always cajoling them into working harder are harder by always saying, “if you want to beat Tennessee …”

I would bet that he was talking about beating Tennessee for a national championship. I remember the days when we thought, if you wanted to win a national championship, you had to beat Tennessee. It was actually a compliment because the Lady Vols were the standard of excellence.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

I had too much going on yesterday to pay close attention to the Oregon-CT game while it was on, so while all you fine people were asleep in the wee hours I watched it.

Basically, as for CT, my statement when Bueckers went down that if she comes back, her injury will have served only to make the team better, still holds true to my eye.

The former professional point guard Muhl reminded me so much of Bird — first in her looks and then in some of her movements — that I wouldn’t be surprised if I heard she’d modeled her game after Bird’s. No, I am NOT saying I think she is as good as Bird. Just saying I can see that she tries to emulate her, and showed some signs of being an excellent floor general in the future.

Douche Arm is, to my eye, like a Bueckers Lite in her confidence. She is good already, but is going to be great one day. Ugh.

Yoko Ono had a great game — best I ever saw from her. Granted, I admit I haven’t watch her play many games, but of the ones I’ve seen, that was the best. She showed some grittiness and had some terrific finishes under the basket.

The braids-wearing kid sprints the floor really well for a post player, I think. Her teammates missed her for fast-break opportunities a couple of times, IIRC. That’s all I can remember.

Evina looked strangely tentative for parts of the game, and I wondered why. Was she nervous about being home? Weird.

I think they ALL throw crisper chest passes, and better bounce passes, than our Lady Vols throw. Even these kids who are new to getting playing time. And their cuts are still pretty darn sharp. I’ll go ahead and predict that on Feb. 8 they will back door the bejeebus out of Tennessee, because they’ll be drilling the bejeebus out of perfecting that strategy for both SC and us.

Basically, I thought they were a much better team than they showed yesterday. When they couldn’t make their shots they caved, but I see that as mental barrier they are likely to overcome in the coming weeks as they get more and more experience playing together.

When they get everyone back, and even if they just get every back but Bueckers, they’ll be hard to beat — IF they start hitting more outside shots. I could see them eventually being very strong come Tourney time. I hate it. I hate them. Amen.

Lol

The one thing that with all their players you left out was their chemistry was off. That can be corrected but before everyone went down something was off with the chemistry. So adding talent back isn't enough it's getting that talent to mesh.

 

[NeedOrange]

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.

The expectation is that Evina, Christyn, and Nika will all come off the bench once Paige and Azzi shake off some rust.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

The expectation is that Evina, Christyn, and Nika will all come off the bench once Paige and Azzi shake off some rust.

That's CRAZY to me that williams would come
off the bench... She is the glue player honestly and she has picked up the slack. Sending a senior to the bench who had been playing well seems crazy. Not my team so in don't really care but i do sorta feel bad for williams as uconn fans have dumped on her continually and she hasn't played at that bad in actuality.

 

[Rixxx]

First of all, I do not know what Kelly is doing with Prince in OR, but she killed Uconn yesterday. I don't know if she plays smaller than what she is, but her nice shot was on. Uconn had no answer for her. Secondly, it is tough playing 9 on 2. Uconn got no offensive support from three of its starters. The bench point differential must have been astronomical. Maybe 20 -0. If that continues, look for multiple losses including TN and SC for sure. Finally, IMO, Bueckers and Fudd have potentially lucrative WNBA/overseas careers in front of them. Rushing back to play this season could be problematic, IMO.

 

[sisaq]

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

Ya another big excuse

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Ya another big excuse

looks like he will get his players back on the court and they can prove it in their play ...

 

[sisaq]

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

So Geno wants us to know that he can't beat any good team with his all American players. Give pat average high school players she fight everyone with it. Compare Uconn team and TN, Uconn team now is far better than most teams in the top 10 Ranking.

 

[lvocd]

The one thing that with all their players you left out was their chemistry was off. That can be corrected but before everyone went down something was off with the chemistry. So adding talent back isn't enough it's getting that talent to mesh.

True. I guess I saw that as being still new to the roles they're now playing. My guess is that the chemistry will improve with time and experience. I hope not, though! lol

Only real chemistry issue I see is sitting in the head coach's chair. That guy has issues.

 

[Amb3096]

The expectation is that Evina, Christyn, and Nika will all come off the bench once Paige and Azzi shake off some rust.

I'll bet money that Christyn isn't coming off the bench even with Paige and Azzi back. She'll continue to start at SG, but will probably have a short leash if she's not productive. I think it's safe to say that Evina will be back to the bench, probably once Christyn comes back. Not sure I understand what Geno sees in Muhl. At least Evina can be a threat to score. Muhl looks like a career 10-12 mpg backup PG.

 

[Amb3096]

@lvocd I think that people aren't giving enough credit also to just how good Oregon is. This was a team that was a preseason top 10 team that was decimated with injuries until just the last 3-4 games. Without Williams, I'd say that Oregon was probably more talented and deeper than UConn. Paopao would be still be the best player on the court, even if Williams was there.

Of the UConn players, it is clear that Ducharme will be a problem for the next several years. Her, Paige and Fudd (if she's as good as advertised) will really cause defenses to spread out and will make for a lot of easy, open looks for their posts.

Play of the game was Edwards with the steal and layup that was waived off due to the 6-steps she took on her way to the hoop. Pretty much summed up UConn's night lol.

 

[Amb3096]

First of all, I do not know what Kelly is doing with Prince in OR, but she killed Uconn yesterday. I don't know if she plays smaller than what she is, but her nice shot was on. Uconn had no answer for her. Secondly, it is tough playing 9 on 2. Uconn got no offensive support from three of its starters. The bench point differential must have been astronomical. Maybe 20 -0. If that continues, look for multiple losses including TN and SC for sure. Finally, IMO, Bueckers and Fudd have potentially lucrative WNBA/overseas careers in front of them. Rushing back to play this season could be problematic, IMO.

I don't think Prince is a center. She's more of a stretch 4. She reminds me a lot of Jantel Lavender. That mid-range jump shot is money, but she's not the kind of player that can physically impose herself on the low block, even if she appears to have the physique for it. On the flip side, she didn't play great defense and ONO was able to score around her several times.

The bench differential here was huge. Prince had 14 and one of the guards hit 2-threes...so I'm guessing the the scoring differential was closer to 30 (Edwards was the only UConn bench player, and she finished with 4). UConn's depth issue is that they have no guards on the bench. They had 3 post players, and 2 of them are projects. If they do get Bueckers back and she is able to pick up where she left off, then yeah...they are a totally different team.

 

[chuckiepoo]

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...."

?????????

…I know, right? Can’t even spell bestest…