SEC Preseason Picks: Tennessee #2, Diamond 1st Team

[mtsuraider06]

PRESEASON MEDIA POLL

Order of Finish
1. South Carolina (265)
2. Tennessee (248)
3. Mississippi State (215)
4. Texas A&M (207)
5. Kentucky (205)
6. Ole Miss (169)
7. Missouri (165)
8. Arkansas (138)
T9. Georgia ( 128)
T9. LSU (128)
11. Vanderbilt ( 80)
12. Florida (78)
13. Auburn (65)
14. Alabama (34)

Preseason Player of the Year
Tiffany Mitchell, South Carolina

Preseason All-SEC
Makayla Epps, Kentucky
Victoria Vivians, Mississippi State
Alaina Coates, South Carolina
Tiffany Mitchell, South Carolina
A’ja Wilson, South Carolina
Diamond DeShields, Tennessee

http://www.utsports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/102015aaa.html

 

[Benionsopinion]

Everything is conjecture at this stage and it's fun to look at these type things. Even more fun will be seeing it played out on the floor. Thanks,Raider, for all the info you provide.

 

[cwbytruckers]

Finally something Bama sucks at.

 

[Ladyvol777]

No way is Kentucky number 5, they should be # 3. The Tennessee and South Carolina battle will go on all year for # 1 spot. They both may get a # 1 seat in the tournament.

 

[Teejay5952]

I think the media forgot how good diamond is, she will be sec player of the year maybe even the national player of the year

 

[volcrazy89]

No way is Kentucky number 5, they should be # 3.

In what parallel universe?

 

[Amb3096]

I think the media forgot how good diamond is, she will be sec player of the year maybe even the national player of the year

Mitchell deserves pre-season POY by virtue of the fact that she's won it 2 years in a row. Truthfully, I would be surprised if she doesn't win it again this year. But if someone is primed to challenge her, I think it is Diamond.

Diamond over Breanna Stewart for NPOY? Highly unlikely unless Stewart gets hurt.

 

[Teejay5952]

Mitchell deserves pre-season POY by virtue of the fact that she's won it 2 years in a row. Truthfully, I would be surprised if she doesn't win it again this year. But if someone is primed to challenge her, I think it is Diamond.

Diamond over Breanna Stewart for NPOY? Highly unlikely unless Stewart gets hurt.

You're probably right about Stewart but the players around Breanna Stewart makes her look good & the terrible teams they play, when she plays against teams that are big & physical she struggles like in the championship game when Brianna turner held her to only 8 points. She just isn't that skilled to me & it will show when she gets in the Wnba. Diamond is way more skilled than both Stewart & Mitchell she is easily the most explosive & versatile player in college right now she can play 1-4 on both ends

 

[Amb3096]

You're probably right about Stewart but the players around Breanna Stewart makes her look good & the terrible teams they play, when she plays against teams that are big & physical she struggles like in the championship game when Brianna turner held her to only 8 points. She just isn't that skilled to me & it will show when she gets in the Wnba. Diamond is way more skilled than both Stewart & Mitchell she is easily the most explosive & versatile player in college right now she can play 1-4 on both ends

I think you're selling Stewart short. Way short. Even if UConn doesn't win the NC, she will be considered one of the greatest college bball players of all time. She can play inside, outside and can dominate on both ends of the court. She will start right away in the WNBA and will be an impact player on day 1.

She didn't have her best game against ND in the Championship, but she didn't have exactly a bad game either when you look at her rebounding and defense. And despite the creampuff conference schedule, she still dominated SC's massive frontcourt.

I doubt you would find a single college or WNBA coach that will agree with your assertion that Diamond is way more skilled than Stewart. She's a freak of nature. I remember thoroughly enjoying watching Stewart struggle midway through her freshman year, but have had to shut up since because she's delivered. She is an amazing, amazing player. Diamond is a great player, but she's not on Breanna's level. No one in WCBB is.

 

[Ladyvolfan4ever]

I think you're selling Stewart short. Way short. Even if UConn doesn't win the NC, she will be considered one of the greatest college bball players of all time. She can play inside, outside and can dominate on both ends of the court. She will start right away in the WNBA and will be an impact player on day 1.

She didn't have her best game against ND in the Championship, but she didn't have exactly a bad game either when you look at her rebounding and defense. And despite the creampuff conference schedule, she still dominated SC's massive frontcourt.

I doubt you would find a single college or WNBA coach that will agree with your assertion that Diamond is way more skilled than Stewart. She's a freak of nature. I remember thoroughly enjoying watching Stewart struggle midway through her freshman year, but have had to shut up since because she's delivered. She is an amazing, amazing player. Diamond is a great player, but she's not on Breanna's level. No one in WCBB is.

How do you know Diamond isn't as good as Stewart? Diamond has only played her Freshman year and was the National POY. YOU SAID steward struggled her freshman year. #NUFSAID

 

[Teejay5952]

I think you're selling Stewart short. Way short. Even if UConn doesn't win the NC, she will be considered one of the greatest college bball players of all time. She can play inside, outside and can dominate on both ends of the court. She will start right away in the WNBA and will be an impact player on day 1.

She didn't have her best game against ND in the Championship, but she didn't have exactly a bad game either when you look at her rebounding and defense. And despite the creampuff conference schedule, she still dominated SC's massive frontcourt.

I doubt you would find a single college or WNBA coach that will agree with your assertion that Diamond is way more skilled than Stewart. She's a freak of nature. I remember thoroughly enjoying watching Stewart struggle midway through her freshman year, but have had to shut up since because she's delivered. She is an amazing, amazing player. Diamond is a great player, but she's not on Breanna's level. No one in WCBB is.

What exactly does breanna does that makes her so dominant? Most of her points comes from the guards breaking down the defense & giving her wide open shots, she doesn't have any back to the basket moves or dribbling skills, she struggle in the USA games this summer because of the athleticism & physicality & those are the type of players she will face every night in the wnba.

Diamond on the other hand isn't lacking in any area of the game, did you forget her freshman year wnba coaches said she could be drafted in the top with the really good 2014 class. I will take diamond over her any day but that's just my unpopular opinion lol

 

[volcrazy89]

I happen to think Stewart is amazing. I also happen to think Diamond is a caliber of player on her level ... and I say that without hesitation.

 

[Amb3096]

How do you know Diamond isn't as good as Stewart? Diamond has only played her Freshman year and was the National POY. YOU SAID steward struggled her freshman year. #NUFSAID

And Stewart picked it up at the end of the year and ended up with a National Championship and FF Most Outstanding Player Award #NUFSAID.

What exactly does breanna does that makes her so dominant? Most of her points comes from the guards breaking down the defense & giving her wide open shots, she doesn't have any back to the basket moves or dribbling skills, she struggle in the USA games this summer because of the athleticism & physicality & those are the type of players she will face every night in the wnba.

Diamond on the other hand isn't lacking in any area of the game, did you forget her freshman year wnba coaches said she could be drafted in the top with the really good 2014 class. I will take diamond over her any day but that's just my unpopular opinion lol

I'm not sure where you saw that she struggled in USA basketball. She averaged 19 pts/8 rbs in the Pan Am games.

Stewart is a classic stretch four. She doesn't need back to the basket moves (although she seems to have no problems scoring in the low post). Her dribbling skills aren't at the level of a similar sized player like Candace Parker, but they aren't exactly bad. She was averaging like 3 assists per game and could consistently create her own shot off the bounce. She has a ridiculous wingspan that lets her shoot over most any players. Her athleticism is off the chart. And she is an amazing help defender and has superb timing with her shot-blockiing.

I think Diamond is a great player and she is the first legit go-to player Tennessee has had since Parker. But IMO, Stewart is a level above. She's not a great shooter, and her shot selection leaves something to be desired (sometimes got a bit Simmons-ish with some quick shooting). I wish somehow Breanna would have found her way in Knoxville.

 

[volcrazy89]

Let's just calm our tits for a second and not act like Stewart set the WCBB world on fire from the first game she played at UConn. She didn't. As a matter of fact many UConn fans were whining about her play for much of her freshman season. She's not the same player now that she was then.

Let's give Diamond some time before we got spouting off how good of a shooter she is or what her shot selection is like. In reality ... we don't know. "Is" is present tense ... and what we are going off of is past tense by two years. She's played one year of college, with a leg injury and a broken hand, in a very unstructured system at UNC.

 

[BengalHuskie]

You're probably right about Stewart but the players around Breanna Stewart makes her look good & the terrible teams they play, when she plays against teams that are big & physical she struggles like in the championship game when Brianna turner held her to only 8 points. She just isn't that skilled to me & it will show when she gets in the Wnba. Diamond is way more skilled than both Stewart & Mitchell she is easily the most explosive & versatile player in college right now she can play 1-4 on both ends

Sure the players around Stewie make her look good but she does the same for them in return. I'm pretty sure you can make your case for Diamond without trying to diminish Stewie's talent. You bring up the championship game and her "8 points" (so happy offense isn't the only way to help your team win) but fail to mention she injured her ankle with under 10 minutes left in the 1st half (+playing 39 min btw) and still helped her team by cleaning the glass with 15 rebounds. But here are her numbers against a few "big & physical" teams:

Stanford - 23p 10r 3a 1b 2s
Notre Dame - 15p 9r 2a
South Carolina - 22p 8r 1a 5b
Texas - 31p 12r 7a 3b 2s
Dayton - 23p 16r 1a 4b 1s
Maryland - 25p 8r 3a 4b 2s
Notre Dame - 8p 15r 4b 2s

The only thing I can take away from this is that Notre Dame finally learned how to keep her numbers in check after getting burned two final 4s in a row.

I'm sure she'll adjust when she gets to the wnba.

Stewie struggled in Jan & Feb of her freshman year however her first 10 games at UCONN were pretty decent averaging 17p 7r 1a 2b 1s

 

[Volfan2012]

Diamond hasn't played a game in two years it is going to take some time to get back to elite status. I expect she will be really good but if she isn't a super star early everyone needs to stay calm. She also has those nagging injuries and it is tough to play in pain and I expect that they will flare up a few times this season.
She is not the only talent on the team and I expect Russell, Carter, and several others to have big seasons.
I like the fact we have SC at home and that game could possibly decide the league championship. I look forward to the season.

 

[gule]

Finally something Bama sucks at.

besides tooth brushing, that is! lol

 

[volfanIND]

I think Kentucky dropped because their backcourt is going to suffer this season.
Their "star" guard just got booted off the team.
Kentucky Wildcats dismiss Chrishae Rowe
All they have left is two-left feat Epps with guard experience, and shoots-2-much Thompson. Unless he changes their offense (last year their top 4 scorers were all guards Epps leading the way), I think they will end up like they did last year ... in a 3 way tie for 4th pace .... and that's just gross.

 

[stubbs9]

I think Kentucky dropped because their backcourt is going to suffer this season.
Their "star" guard just got booted off the team.
Kentucky Wildcats dismiss Chrishae Rowe
All they have left is two-left feat Epps with guard experience, and shoots-2-much Thompson. Unless he changes their offense (last year their top 4 scorers were all guards Epps leading the way), I think they will end up like they did last year ... in a 3 way tie for 4th pace .... and that's just gross.

They also have Harper.

 

[brassie]

Stewart's game has really grown since her freshman season. Part of the reason that she had difficulties early on is that Auriemma wanted her to play the game his way and she wanted to play it her way.

 

[gule]

no one cares about u cons

 

[Ladyvolfan4ever]

I think Kentucky dropped because their backcourt is going to suffer this season.
Their "star" guard just got booted off the team.
Kentucky Wildcats dismiss Chrishae Rowe
All they have left is two-left feat Epps with guard experience, and shoots-2-much Thompson. Unless he changes their offense (last year their top 4 scorers were all guards Epps leading the way), I think they will end up like they did last year ... in a 3 way tie for 4th pace .... and that's just gross.

I saw where Epps has been suspended from the team for drinking charges in her hometown in April. She is earning her way back and will miss 1 or 2 games to start the season. All the charges have been expunged after her community service. No link but GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND.

 

[Martic]

I think you're selling Stewart short. Way short. Even if UConn doesn't win ither when you look at her rebounding and defense. And despite the creampuff conference schedule, she still dominated SC's massive frontcourt.

I doubt you would find a single college or WNBA coach that will agree with your assertion that Diamond is way more skilled than Stewart. She's a freak of nature. I remember thoroughly enjoying watching Stewart struggle midway through her freshman year, but have had to shut up since because she's delivered. She is an amazing, amazing player. Diamond is a great player, but she's not on Breanna's level. No one in WCBB the NC, she will be considered one of the greatest college bball players of all time. She can play inside, outside and can dominate on both ends of the court. She will start right away in the WNBA and will be an impact player on day

I hate to agree with your statement but I do think Stewie looked vulnerable in those games she played(usa basketball) in this summer

 

[Martic]

And Stewart picked it up at the end of the year and ended up with a National Championship and FF Most Outstanding Player Award #NUFSAID.



I'm not sure where you saw that she struggled in USA basketball. She averaged 19 pts/8 rbs in the Pan Am games.

Stewart is a classic stretch four. She doesn't need back to the basket moves (although she seems to have no problems scoring in the low post). Her dribbling skills aren't at the level of a similar sized player like Candace Parker, but they aren't exactly bad. She was averaging like 3 assists per game and could consistently create her own shot off the bounce. She has a ridiculous wingspan that lets her shoot over most any players. Her athleticism is off the chart. And she is an amazing help defender and has superb timing with her shot-blockiing.

I think Diamond is a great player and she is the first legit go-to player Tennessee has had since Parker. But IMO, Stewart is a level above. She's not a great shooter, and her shot selection leaves something to be desired (sometimes got a bit Simmons-ish with some quick shooting). I wish somehow Breanna would have found her way in Knoxville.

She may have had those stats but if you watched any of those games on television you would have seen she didn't play that well. I was really surprised.

 

[stubbs9]

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