Off-season Injuries

#126
#126
Orange_Mamba said:
Who backs up your two post once they get in foul trouble.
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with my starting rotation intact, Kamera spells the low-post. Kortney the high post (She could -pick and roll- out instead of in). Jaime at SF/SG and Meme for PGorSG.. The Jamie/Meme call would be based on the need.

And, all this could change over the span of a practice/game, or two... That's Basketball!
 
#128
#128
Coach Jumper said:
Nope, I stand by this lineup right now.
It is how I would run them out the gate, until something changed my mind.

PG- Reynolds
SG-Middleton
Wing-Deshields
Low-Post-Russell
High-Post-Nunn

Reynolds has shown back up for this season, after her summer with a stronger body. I think she has something to prove.Middleton is looking to shoot. Her confidence is high. This WILL be DD's season to shine. She knows it. I know it...Merce will continue from where she left off in the playoffs and finally realize how to use her athleticism and play to her potential...and Shaqui is backy... She will give this team something it hasn't had in a while...Controlled-meanness. T look into this girl's eyes is to see ferocity.

Jaime needs some moxey... If a defender gets in her way on a drive she freezes... Technique will teach her how to use the defender to rotate on her flight. Once she learns how to do this, she begin to look for someone to run over.

Kamera Harris is the x-factor for me. She's a banger. A low-post imposer who seemingly love to initiate contact in the low-post. (I love this)... Kortney Dunbar has got to either extend her game or be better at what it is. If your game is to be a shooter, then hit those shots. I want my gunner to be 45% or better from anywhere past mid-court and to be able to hit anywhere from paint-to-arc. That's why I like Alexa, she is comfortable from both spacings.

Meme Jackson,,,I know she was looking for someone to learn from. And that was ALL I saw that she needed. If she got that teaching, she can be a very game-changing player. She can give us a Moriah Jefferson type guard.
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A good read. Except for your take on Kortney Dunbar. She wasn't in most games long enough to take advantage of what you posted. But when she did get in games long enough she was our leading scorer. The girl can play unfortunately for her she's on a team with the wrong coach. No need to go into details as you already know them.
 
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#129
#129
T.J. said:
A good read. Except for your take on Kortney Dunbar. She wasn't in most games long enough to take advantage of what you posted. But when she did get in games long enough she was our leading scorer. The girl can play unfortunately for her she's on a team with the wrong coach. No need to go into details as you already know them.
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I agree to an extent. When a player is put in certain situations, like trying to save an out-of-hand game... The thought process is much different. (They need me to score NOW!!!, versus, I need to work for an open look). Trouble was, when I saw her play, teams would give her open looks because she wasn't in a mindset to excel... But then again,,, that is exactly when you HAVE to excel, if that is YOUR contribution to the game.
 
#130
#130
Coach Jumper said:
I agree to an extent. When a player is put in certain situations, like trying to save an out-of-hand game... The thought process is much different. (They need me to score NOW!!!, versus, I need to work for an open look). Trouble was, when I saw her play, teams would give her open looks because she wasn't in a mindset to excel... But then again,,, that is exactly when you HAVE to excel, if that is YOUR contribution to the game.
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Yeah that goes back to coaching. When the LVs were in trouble of losing close games Holly would insert Kortney who has been warming the bench for most of the game. Only to hit the hardwood running to hit 3pt shots ftw. Kortney has feelings I'm sure and resentful comes to mind.

Don't ever forget that Holly Warlick is The Lady Vols coach. Keep that in mind when posting your thoughts with all things Tennessee Lady Vol basketball. If you don't you are living in a fantasy world. Hoping. Wishing. Praying that Tennessee is the team you would like it to be. :crazy:

For the record I sincerely hope that I am wrong about Holly. :unsure::cray:
 
#131
#131
T.J. said:
Yeah that goes back to coaching. When the LVs were in trouble of losing close games Holly would insert Kortney who has been warming the bench for most of the game. Only to hit the hardwood running to hit 3pt shots ftw. Kortney has feelings I'm sure and resentful comes to mind.

Don't ever forget that Holly Warlick is The Lady Vols coach. Keep that in mind when posting your thoughts with all things Tennessee Lady Vol basketball. If you don't you are living in a fantasy world. Hoping. Wishing. Praying that Tennessee is the team you would like it to be. :crazy:

For the record I sincerely hope that I am wrong about Holly. :unsure::cray:
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Kortney is not resentful.....she is close to holly and working hard to EARN a bigger role on this team.
 
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#132
#132
volbeast33 said:
Kortney is not resentful.....she is close to holly and working hard to EARN a bigger role on this team.
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that's not what either of us are saying... We ar eboth saying that it is a different mindset going into a game to, shoot for score versus shoot to catch up.
 
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#133
#133
Coach Jumper said:
that's not what either of us are saying... We ar eboth saying that it is a different mindset going into a game to, shoot for score versus shoot to catch up.
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He specifically said kortney had feelings and insinuated that she was resentful.... I know that is not true... Kortney knows what she has to do to earn more playing time. It is hard to come in at end of games but kortney had not shown she deserved more time. I think she will be more of a productive member this year.
 
#134
#134
volbeast33 said:
He specifically said kortney had feelings and insinuated that she was resentful.... I know that is not true... Kortney knows what she has to do to earn more playing time. It is hard to come in at end of games but kortney had not shown she deserved more time. I think she will be more of a productive member this year.
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Yeah I seen that.

Kortney has had a LV history unlike any I have ever seen here. She comes off the bench to a roar of support, yet, from a coaching standpoint, with limitations.

That is a tough sell for a coach. How do I use a crowd favorite, who's game has grown so little?

The answer lies in Kortney, though, not in Holly.
Its up to Kortney to grow in her individual game in the off-season, like the others do. . . Two of these players have shown me, personally, that they would take the initiative and looked for skill-growth., It is up to her to do the same. . . Players are built in the off-season, teams during the season.
 
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#138
#138
volbeast33 said:
He specifically said kortney had feelings and insinuated that she was resentful.... I know that is not true... Kortney knows what she has to do to earn more playing time. It is hard to come in at end of games but kortney had not shown she deserved more time. I think she will be more of a productive member this year.
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I can't speak for Kortney I don't even know her. I'm coming from a fan's perspective. I stand corrected if you or anyone else misunderstood what I meant to say.

I resent Holly for not putting Kortney into games where she could had taken advantage of her 3pt skills. I could go on but why bother.

Good luck to Kortney and all the Lady Vols this season. Now if Holly would just get out of their way and let them BALL. That is all....:)
 
#140
#140
Darth_Vol said:
Didn't say it was, just saying I don't see any similarities between the two players. If we're referencing former LV point guards, Kellie Jolly might be a more realistic template for Middleton...
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I see Middleton as a PG, only if Jordan gets in a fix. AM could excel at SG. It would allow her to concentrate on her shooting. . . .And folks,,,, that IS a glaring weakness in this team that HAS to be addressed.

Yes Kortney can launch them, but a SG has to be able to ball-fake or shot-fake and 1-2 dribble to an open spot, or, better yet, to be able to take it through an open lane to the hoop. I have seen this ability in AM. Not seen it yet in KD.
 
#141
#141
Middleton will HAVE to be a shooting guard on this team because we have no one else. She is more naturally a point guard--she is heady, pretty good ball handler and understands the game, how to use a bounce pass, etc.--but the Vols will need her to score more this year; there is no doubt about that. She's got a nice shooting stroke and just needs more confidence when shooting. Her problem is that she's not very tall or very quick; she can take the ball to the basket, but I wouldn't call her a natural scorer or 2 guard by any stretch.

IMO, she needs be a spot-up 3-point shooter for us this year as that is shaping up to be a glaring weakness. The three-point shot is important in basketball. Good teams will make several a game--that's how we lost to syracuse--and if you are not making threes you will lose to good teams that do make them. This is particularly a problem because UT has not been an efficient offensive team for a long time. If we had a dependably good (2-point) shooting percentage, then our 3-point issues wouldn't be so problematic. But we are not efficient on offense, and that compounds our problems with playing good teams that can make threes.
 
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#142
#142
armchair said:
Middleton will HAVE to be a shooting guard on this team because we have no one else. She is more naturally a point guard--she is heady, pretty good ball handler and understands the game, how to use a bounce pass, etc.--but the Vols will need her to score more this year; there is no doubt about that. She's got a nice shooting stroke and just needs more confidence when shooting. Her problem is that she's not very tall or very quick; she can take the ball to the basket, but I wouldn't call her a natural scorer or 2 guard by any stretch.

IMO, she needs be a spot-up 3-point shooter for us this year as that is shaping up to be a glaring weakness. The three-point shot is important in basketball. Good teams will make several a game--that's how we lost to syracuse--and if you are not making threes you will lose to good teams that do make them. This is particularly a problem because UT has not been an efficient offensive team for a long time. If we had a dependably good (2-point) shooting percentage, then our 3-point issues wouldn't be so problematic. But we are not efficient on offense, and that compounds our problems with playing good teams that can make threes.
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agreed on all counts.
AM wants to be a PG but for this team, the door is wide open at SG, particularly the 3pt-shooter. I have suggested to her to focus on her shooting and to not let people dictate her confidence.

Stature is less important to me at SG since SG's are successful based on movement and work-ethic. Plus, of this league, I like a big-guard at point anyway.

Unfortunately, my influence was only for a session, and very limited now, so I can't have the influence I need to aid her.
 
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#144
#144
armchair said:
Middleton will HAVE to be a shooting guard on this team because we have no one else. She is more naturally a point guard--she is heady, pretty good ball handler and understands the game, how to use a bounce pass, etc.--but the Vols will need her to score more this year; there is no doubt about that. She's got a nice shooting stroke and just needs more confidence when shooting. Her problem is that she's not very tall or very quick; she can take the ball to the basket, but I wouldn't call her a natural scorer or 2 guard by any stretch.

IMO, she needs be a spot-up 3-point shooter for us this year as that is shaping up to be a glaring weakness. The three-point shot is important in basketball. Good teams will make several a game--that's how we lost to syracuse--and if you are not making threes you will lose to good teams that do make them. This is particularly a problem because UT has not been an efficient offensive team for a long time. If we had a dependably good (2-point) shooting percentage, then our 3-point issues wouldn't be so problematic. But we are not efficient on offense, and that compounds our problems with playing good teams that can make threes.
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They have to run plays for her. Tennessee had one of the premier 3-pt shooters in Angie Bjorklund, and wasted her as a spot up shooter. They never ran plays for her; just the same "inside OUT" garbage and hope she could get off her shot before the defense collapsed.

If Holly doesn't learn an offensive play other than "inside OUT...INSIDE OUT!!!!!", then Middleton as a spot up shooter will be a waste.
 
#145
#145
I think opponents will throw zones against the outside shooters to force them to make shots. I think our zones should allow Mercedes to sweep the boards for rebounds that will generate fast break opportunities. The team has to be conditioned to run for 40 minutes, with no hockey line changes after 5 minutes. TN was very successful last year when they pushed the ball. Holly needs to practice fast breaks with no dribbling. All five involved, which includes the bigs as trailers.
 
#146
#146
Rixxx said:
I think opponents will throw zones against the outside shooters to force them to make shots. I think our zones should allow Mercedes to sweep the boards for rebounds that will generate fast break opportunities. The team has to be conditioned to run for 40 minutes, with no hockey line changes after 5 minutes. TN was very successful last year when they pushed the ball. Holly needs to practice fast breaks with no dribbling. All five involved, which includes the bigs as trailers.
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Outside shooting isn't the only way to beat a zone... There are two other very effective ways to beat it... High paint or backdoor cuts and using the Tim Duncan bank-shot ( teaching your post player to do this so she can shoot over a defender).

Man I just don't get it.
With the studs we have on this team RIGHT now, everybody should be fearing us.

Diamond, Russell, Nared, Shaqui, Reynolds, Middleton, Jackson, Harris, Dunbar.... We could get a couple of walk-ons to rest us in blowouts. With Greene and Cooper mending for next year.

There are a ton of programs who would gladly switch places with us.
 
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#147
#147
You are 100% correct CJ. It will be interesting to see what this staff gets out of this group. I think it's a very important year for Holly and will determine her longevity as coach of the Lady Vols especially with a new AD coming on board.
 
#148
#148
Orange Maniac said:
You are 100% correct CJ. It will be interesting to see what this staff gets out of this group. I think it's a very important year for Holly and will determine her longevity as coach of the Lady Vols especially with a new AD coming on board.
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LV's have their own department AD in Michael Beaumont...I think that is why Dave Hart was so hands off.
 
#149
#149
Amb3096 said:
They have to run plays for her. Tennessee had one of the premier 3-pt shooters in Angie Bjorklund, and wasted her as a spot up shooter. They never ran plays for her; just the same "inside OUT" garbage and hope she could get off her shot before the defense collapsed.

If Holly doesn't learn an offensive play other than "inside OUT...INSIDE OUT!!!!!", then Middleton as a spot up shooter will be a waste.
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with being a spot-up shooter. In fact, most good teams have them. Players sometimes become spot shooters because they don't have the quicks or ball-handling/play-making skills to take defenders off the dribble. But they can shoot. And that defined Bjorklund--a shooter who lacked quicks. It also defined former guard Zolman, who was not quick or athletic but could shoot if left alone and made a lot of three-point shots. Burdick was a good spot-up shooter. Spot-up shooters are also valuable against zone defenses: they find their spot, get the ball and go up for the shot. Middleton is not going to wow people with her quicks, either. Dunbar is another spot-up shooter--who has to play more this year. It doesn't matter how you're described if you can put the freakin' ball in the basket.

I agree that our inside-out offense often sux, but I expect that we'll be seeing a lot of it this year--as usual. Warlick doesn't know much else.
 
#150
#150
I am going to hold on to a little bit of optimism..... I have no idea what it might be, but I have heard more than once, CHW say she is doing a lot of film study because she is wanting to do some things very differently this year.
 
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