Non-Lady Vol Basketball News 2024-25

#24,003
#24,003
NoBackBoard said:
You think LSU has the best chance of beating SC? I’m trying to think of which team in or out of conference can knock them off. So far only teams that come to mind are Stanford & UCONN.
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Oh i think the lady vols def have a shot. Especially if we keep jelling... I'm saying that with all seriousness too
 
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#24,004
#24,004
VolBall09 said:
She can take two steps and leap
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Your right. It's just like a layup. Technically it's a step and a half for a player in motion. Because of the speed of the player they are determined to gain possession in the air. The first foot to touch after the catch, possession is secured, is the pivot foot and cannot move to another position on the floor (can't be dragged or stepped) The second foot to touch down is the first step. The player can then leap, or 'eurostep', and must be rid of the ball before the pivot foot touches the floor. At least that's how I remember it. It was a long time ago and far far away.
 
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#24,007
#24,007
NoBackBoard said:
Rebounding is the story for any team looking to beat SC. Really have to limit their O boards and need posts that can get the SC bigs in foul trouble.
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NBB,
One of my least concerns for the SC team is if some of the bigs get in foul trouble. That may sound ludicrous, but if Boston or Cardoso (or even both) were to experience foul trouble I am one of the fans that thinks Amihere, Feagin and Watkins would get more PT and that might not be such a bad thing imo. Those 3 go 6’4, 6’4 and 6’3 and are capable of holding down the post positions and then some. Watkins and Amihere have the highest verticals on the team and all three are always crashing the boards and looking for offense down low. All three excel at shot blocking also.

What I worry about is that Cooke and Beal have to continue hitting threes while teams pack the paint and play 1-2-2 zones with doubles on Boston. So far those two are hitting a bit over 38% on the season from three and neither has a history of being consistent with that shot, i.e. they are streaky shooters historically. Hall is helpful with the 3 at times when she plays also, but on a night when Cooke is off SC will need to find a different offensive approach against these packed defenses because Fletcher and Johnson are no help from outside. Johnson in particular is no offensive threat at all, very disappointed in her offensive game. Fulwiley will leap her next season.

For the poster who suggested employing full court press against SC, many teams have tried that already, the guards all have great handles and know how to break a press and get the ball down low quickly where the bigs are waiting in one on one coverage so teams that try that have put the brakes on it quickly after getting burned for several quick baskets down low. What everyone does now is immediately race 3 players downcourt to fill up the paint and have their guards pick up defense around mid court to prevent SC from running while keeping the paint packed at all times and forcing a half court offense by SC.
 
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#24,009
#24,009
That 1-2-2 zone where the back 2 double on Boston is the most effective defense against SC and it works well to limit their offense, taking Boston out of the game offensively. Not only does that zone allow a double team on Boston, the middle 2 deny entry passes in to her. Teams will likely keep employing it, and on a night where the outside shots aren’t falling for SC the other team will keep it close with a chance to win the game, especially if it is a team that is shooting well from outside.

It will always be hard to score on SC in the paint, but a team like Uconn or Indiana for example, that can light it up from outside is the worry. I’m not sure yet how LSU will play SC, but I suspect that will be a war down low where they try to match SC in the paint and on the boards. But LSU has three big time 3 point shooters as well. The only player SC has that can guard Reese effectively is Amihere, who can match her length and athleticism. I expect Amihere to get that assignment.

Ideally, Staley would start Amihere over Saxton and let Amihere blanket Reese from the tip off. Saxton gets the 5th year senior treatment and always gets the start, but she holds SC back offensively and doesn’t have the athleticism to guard Reese. Beal will be needed to cover one of the two SG/wings they employ. LSU is a very difficult matchup for any team, they can drain threes and crash the boards.
 
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#24,010
#24,010
Rooster1 said:
That 1-2-2 zone where the back 2 double on Boston is the most effective defense against SC and it works well to limit their offense, taking Boston out of the game offensively. Teams will likely keep employing it, and on a night where the outside shots aren’t falling for SC the other team will keep it close with a chance to win the game, especially if it is a team that is shooting well from outside. It will always be hard to score on SC in the paint, but a team like Uconn or Indiana for example, that can light it up from outside is the worry.
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To get teams out of that zone pg Fletcher & Johnson need to start knocking down shots.
 
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#24,011
#24,011
djtee said:
To get teams out of that zone pg Fletcher & Johnson need to start knocking down shots.
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Fletcher is ok at 12-14 foot type shots, she is hesitant to shoot though. Johnson doesn’t have any outside shooting touch at all. Teams don’t even have to assign a full time defender to her. Raven was the top rated PG in her class, and she does have elite handles and passing, but she was way over rated based upon the fact that her offense from HS never translated to college and tbh, that is a really big deficiency at this level.

I would rather Cooper get her minutes at this point, she is excellent defensively and has a nice offensive game. Fulwiley is likely the future PG with Coop moving to SG. It’s early, but I think Raven is a role player at this level going forward, she is shooting under 10% from three and under 25% overall. Her shot mechanics are quite bad imo, I don’t see her ever being a scoring threat tbh.
 
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#24,012
#24,012
Rooster1 said:
Fletcher is ok at 12-14 foot type shots, she is hesitant to shoot though. Johnson doesn’t have any outside shooting touch at all. Teams don’t even have to assign a full time defender to her. Raven was the top rated PG in her class, and she does have elite handles and passing, but she was way over rated based upon the fact that her offense from HS never translated to college and tbh, that is a really big deficiency at this level.

I would rather Cooper get her minutes at this point, she is excellent defensively and has a nice offensive game. Fulwiley is likely the future PG with Coop moving to SG. It’s early, but I think Raven is a role player at this level going forward, she is shooting under 10% from three and under 25% overall. Her shot mechanics are quite bad imo, I don’t see her ever being a scoring threat tbh.
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True on R. Johnson and she must get that shooting % up if she want`s to be the pg. Fulwiley will get her shot at that position. SG marke it down 5-11 Tessa Johnson is the sniper of the class of 2023 MDAA she just dropped 51 in her last game. You think Cooke can shoot the rock this young lady can fill it to. And is very athletic.
 
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#24,013
#24,013
Rooster1 said:
Fletcher is ok at 12-14 foot type shots, she is hesitant to shoot though. Johnson doesn’t have any outside shooting touch at all. Teams don’t even have to assign a full time defender to her. Raven was the top rated PG in her class, and she does have elite handles and passing, but she was way over rated based upon the fact that her offense from HS never translated to college and tbh, that is a really big deficiency at this level.

I would rather Cooper get her minutes at this point, she is excellent defensively and has a nice offensive game. Fulwiley is likely the future PG with Coop moving to SG. It’s early, but I think Raven is a role player at this level going forward, she is shooting under 10% from three and under 25% overall. Her shot mechanics are quite bad imo, I don’t see her ever being a scoring threat tbh.
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I guess you forgot Raven is coming off a major injury. She probably won’t be 100% percent until next season, so this early judgment is kid of crazy. Also Fulwiley was recruited to be a SG at SC so there’s that.
 
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#24,014
#24,014
Mr.Pivot said:
I guess you forgot Raven is coming off a major injury. She probably won’t be 100% percent until next season, so this early judgment is kid of crazy. Also Fulwiley was recruited to be a SG at SC so there’s that.
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Yes she is coming off a major injury, And she is playing now without the knee brace and yes not at full speed yet. But when she is on the court she need to be able to hit some of the open shots that teams are giving her right now she is almost under 10%. As for 5-6 5-7 Fulwiley she will play the pg at SC. Tessa is the best shooter in the entire class of 2023 hands down and will get lots of playing time. We can agree to disagree,
 
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#24,016
#24,016
djtee said:
Yes she is coming off a major injury, And she is playing now without the knee brace and yes not at full speed yet. But when she is on the court she need to be able to hit some of the open shots that teams are giving her right now she is almost under 10%. As for 5-6 5-7 Fulwiley she will play the pg at SC. Tessa is the best shooter in the entire class of 2023 hands down and will get lots of playing time. We can agree to disagree,
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I’m not disagreeing just stating something that’s obvious. I know Fulwiley personally, her trainer Marseilles Brown is my son’s trainer, and I can definitely tell you that she isn’t 5-6/7 more like 5-9 and definitely was recruited to be a scorer at SC. She may run point depending on need at the time but Dawn recruited her to be a SG or CG rather than being a PG.
 
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#24,018
#24,018
LadyVol1908 said:
I mean, outside of Boston, Cooke, and Cardosa, you could say the same of South Carolina….I’ll give S.C. the SLIGHT edge because of Amihere, she’s not a “meh” player.
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Can you though? SC has the best bench in the country. LSU bench isn’t nearly close and they haven’t played close to the same level of competition SC has. That’s the separation IMO because they haven’t had foul problems yet this year but when they do how will Kim respond when she has to go to her bench?
 
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#24,019
#24,019
Mr.Pivot said:
I’m not disagreeing just stating something that’s obvious. I know Fulwiley personally, her trainer Marseilles Brown is my son’s trainer, and I can definitely tell you that she isn’t 5-6/7 more like 5-9 and definitely was recruited to be a scorer at SC. She may run point depending on need at the time but Dawn recruited her to be a SG or CG rather than being a PG.
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I agree with you Fulwiley was recruited to be shooting guard. But with only one pg on the roster next in Raven that might be a problem? Tessa can play pg to But i think Dawn will use her at the 2g most because of her ability to stretch the defense and get to the basket,
 
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#24,020
#24,020
djtee said:
I agree with you Fulwiley was recruited to be shooting guard. But with only one pg on the roster next in Raven that might be a problem? Tessa can play pg to But i think Dawn will use her at the 2g most because of her ability to stretch the defense and get to the basket,
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Talaysia Cooper actually plays some backup point this year so I suppose she’ll be the second pg on the roster next season. I too think Tessa can definitely play point but her role as a shooter will have more value than anything else. Actually I’m all for Fulwiley playing point but I see Dawn using her the same ways she’s used Zia these past years.
 
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#24,021
#24,021
At UConn the hits just keep on coming. Caroline Ducharme is not available for tonight's game. She is undergoing concussion protocol. SHe is averaging 8.6 ppg (15 ppg in the last 2 games). I don't know if either Fudd or Griffin will dress.
 
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#24,022
#24,022
brassie said:
At UConn the hits just keep on coming. Caroline Ducharme is not available for tonight's game. She is undergoing concussion protocol. SHe is averaging 8.6 ppg (15 ppg in the last 2 games). I don't know if either Fudd or Griffin will dress.
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They will still be there in March. The bench is getting a lot of experience.
 
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#24,023
#24,023
Mr.Pivot said:
I’m not disagreeing just stating something that’s obvious. I know Fulwiley personally, her trainer Marseilles Brown is my son’s trainer, and I can definitely tell you that she isn’t 5-6/7 more like 5-9 and definitely was recruited to be a scorer at SC. She may run point depending on need at the time but Dawn recruited her to be a SG or CG rather than being a PG.
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@Mr.Pivot

Respect your insight and opinion. Coop is a capable PG as we have seen this year, her game is best when she is creating at the SG spot, and you are probably correct in saying Fulwiley is the same. I just don’t think Dawn can stick with Raven as the starting PG next year unless she has a dramatic turn around in offensive ability. I understand we are only 14 mos. from her knee injury…but she is moving around pretty well and has displayed her dribbling, passing and court vision skills well so far this year. She just cannot shoot a lick. She is dead last in points per minutes played on the entire team, including Thompson, and it’s not close.

I would compare her shooting this year to Rivers last season, who got into an early funk and never recovered all year, often throwing up air balls, like Raven does this year. Rivers has recovered some this year at NCSU, she is playing starters minutes with Diamond injured, but she has never recovered her HS outside shot In college. She has scored some at NCSU (averaging close to 9 PPG now) but most of that is on drives and points around the hoop. She shoots over 50% now from the field, but again it’s almost all slashes and drives close in. Rivers shoots 54% for free throws and 27% for threes this year.

Rivers has a lot of great skills other than outside shooting though and is a really good player obviously, and perhaps Raven will find some offense eventually, but she does not have the same skills as Rivers around the hoop or when driving to the basket. Rivers is an elite athlete, Raven is not that type of athlete. Rivers will and is converting her game to a slasher, and she will likely grow into a 12-15 PPG player eventually, she has already had a 22 point game this year.

I don’t think Raven is ever more than a 4-6 PPG type college player tbh, but maybe her passing and court awareness will be enough for Dawn to place her as the starting PG next year, time will tell. Raven is excellent at assists which would lend to her being in the mix at PG in spite of her offense, her passing skills could easily become 6-7 assists per game. Thanks for your input on the subject matter with Fulwiley btw, much appreciated. Good luck to your son.
 
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