Sources Say: Marta Could be Much Better Than Expected

[Coach Jumper]

Plus 6 rebounds, 4 assists and no TOs in 23 and playing with great composure in her very first game. Someone who diminishes such a promising start tells you all you need to know about the current state of certain "fans".

 

[teacherdean]

There is also a chance Kasi could step in as the starting 5. I don't see that happening just strictly for future progress for Key as she is our future in terms of a starting center, but Kasi has been giving Key a huge run for her money. Her conditioning has been extraordinary, and wouldn't surprise me in the least to have them be interchangeable in terms of minutes or at least see a big jump in minutes for Kasi even if Key is still getting the most minutes of the two.

If you saw the game, KK will not be the starting post unless Green or Key are hurt or have foul trouble. She seems to lack that killer instinct and there is not much speed. Marta looks like a potential start and so does Walker. Destiny Salary has some offensive pop. Also Burrell seems posed to have a good year. I know W. Kentucky isn’t the quality of a good power five team but the Ladies looked good after the first quarter. Walker looks like a good point.

 

[Darth_Vol]

Plus 6 rebounds, 4 assists and no TOs in 23 and playing with great composure in her very first game. Someone who diminishes such a promising start tells you all you need to know about the current state of certain "fans".

Not diminishing her start at all, just those ready to anoint her as the next Holdsclaw from it...

 

[Darth_Vol]

I don't know about you Darth but winning by 40 makes me feel pretty dog gone good!

Yes it was certainly nice to play against an inferior team and actually look like it. Much more impressive than the 4 point win they eked out against ETSU in last season's opener...

 

[Amb3096]

If you saw the game, KK will not be the starting post unless Green or Key are hurt or have foul trouble. She seems to lack that killer instinct and there is not much speed. Marta looks like a potential start and so does Walker. Destiny Salary has some offensive pop. Also Burrell seems posed to have a good year. I know W. Kentucky isn’t the quality of a good power five team but the Ladies looked good after the first quarter. Walker looks like a good point.

I thought KK looked good...played aggressively. More of an impact than Keyen in my opinion. I expect that she won't start, but it will be like last year where her and Tamari are essentially co-starters who just about evenly split the minutes at the 5. I did see that Kellie tried having them both in the game at the same time, but I think that clogs up the middle since neither of them have a confident mid-range jumper. My guess is that Walker, Burrell, Davis, Suarez and Key will probably settle into the starting rotation. Horston is odd woman out, which is strange for the team's best player "on paper". She will probably share the 2/3 with Burrell/Davis, and possible PG if Salary doesn't prove to be a reliable backup.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Not diminishing her start at all, just those ready to anoint her as the next Holdsclaw from it...

"those"...Present and accounted for.
I stand behind my prediction proudly that Jordan Horston will be in the Chamique-level before she leaves here.

Not worried,,,and,,,Not sorry !

 

[Rickster]

I think there is a good possibility that Suarez will start in some future games but I like Walker, Horston, Key, Davis and Burrell as regular starters when we play quick athletic teams with Suarez playing the role that Burrell played last year. What the team now has, as opposed to last year, is a much deeper talent pool.

 

[sccshortstop]

If you saw the game, KK will not be the starting post unless Green or Key are hurt or have foul trouble. She seems to lack that killer instinct and there is not much speed. Marta looks like a potential start and so does Walker. Destiny Salary has some offensive pop. Also Burrell seems posed to have a good year. I know W. Kentucky isn’t the quality of a good power five team but the Ladies looked good after the first quarter. Walker looks like a good point.

I really like KK and always have but she was much overhyped and will rarely if ever start a game for us! As far as marta she is much beyond a freshman and you can see her taking a leadership role other night. They said she had played in the pro ranks of sum sort and you can see it in her court presence. One game does not make a year.

 

[Coach Jumper]

I think there is a good possibility that Suarez will start in some future games but I like Walker, Horston, Key, Davis and Burrell as regular starters when we play quick athletic teams with Suarez playing the role that Burrell played last year. What the team now has, as opposed to last year, is a much deeper talent pool.

will miracles ever cease.
I agree with everything you said

 

[teacherdean]

I really like KK and always have but she was much overhyped and will rarely if ever start a game for us! As far as marta she is much beyond a freshman and you can see her taking a leadership role other night. They said she had played in the pro ranks of sum sort and you can see it in her court presence. One game does not make a year.

One game does not make a year but the team looked very good after the first quarter. I also considered the competition. We have a long way to go and time will tell if potential turns into reality. I just hope fans do not get carried away and allow their expectations get out of hand. It is one step at a time.

 

[teacherdean]

I thought KK looked good...played aggressively. More of an impact than Keyen in my opinion. I expect that she won't start, but it will be like last year where her and Tamari are essentially co-starters who just about evenly split the minutes at the 5. I did see that Kellie tried having them both in the game at the same time, but I think that clogs up the middle since neither of them have a confident mid-range jumper. My guess is that Walker, Burrell, Davis, Suarez and Key will probably settle into the starting rotation. Horston is odd woman out, which is strange for the team's best player "on paper". She will probably share the 2/3 with Burrell/Davis, and possible PG if Salary doesn't prove to be a reliable backup.

Yes I agree with most of what you said but KK seems to run out of gas and she fumbled a few balls down low. I just can’t see her being that good against good power five post. I still see Green and Key as the top two post. Walker looked good at point guard and she has some offense. Salary looked good as well. I know the first game was not against a world beater but we do seem to have the potential to be a good offensive team. Only time will tell how it all plays out. Horston is the best player on paper and very athletic, however, she has to learn to use her talent better. I believe she has the talent to be one of the five starters but must improve her turnover issues and be selective as a shooter. I do not see her as a point but more as a shooting guard or a small forward with great jumping ability. The young lady has skills.

 

[madtownvol]

Not diminishing her start at all, just those ready to anoint her as the next Holdsclaw from it...

Well, the title of the thread is "Marta could be much better than expected" not Marta could be the next Holdsclaw. And the vast majority of the posts, post game, are commenting on how Marta looked poised and has an all round skill set that most did not expect. So, one comment making the Holdsclaw comparison is the not "the entire fan base losing its mind" nor does it say diddly squat about the state of the program

But I understand even a modicum of sunny optimism about a promising freshman is much too much for your Dathy dark world and it must be met with ridicule and disdain. So, you do you.

But I agree that is completely unwarranted to anoint Marta as the next Holdsclaw. No, no, no she is going be the Xmen mutant combination of Holdsclaw, Catchings, Parker, Lawson, and the Wolverine. She may puncture a lot of basketballs but it will be worth it.

 

[Darth_Vol]

But I agree that is completely unwarranted to anoint Marta as the next Holdsclaw. No, no, no she is going be the Xmen mutant combination of Holdsclaw, Catchings, Parker, Lawson, and the Wolverine. She may puncture a lot of basketballs but it will be worth it.

You forgot Luka Doncic. And tigers.

There's "better than expected" and there's laughably over the top. It was hardly limited to one comment, and I wasn't even the one who initially called it out.

Fans are starved for another elite program-changing freshman like Pat would bring in. I get it. I mean it is a one game sample size, and I know an undermanned WKU is basically the same as South Carolina and UConn.

She, like some of the other newcomers, had an encouraging debut. I just hope Marta can live up to the Michael Jordan with a mix of LeBron standard some of you have elevated her to...

 

[Volfan2012]

Excellent win but we really can't take to much from that game of even the ETSU game. We have two tough road games to follow and could easily be 2 and 2 after they are played. We'll have to shoot better or if not force the other team into a lot of mistakes. I like this team far better than last year but still nothing to show yet except that we can actually dominate a bad team.

 

[VolBall09]

Excellent win but we really can't take to much from that game of even the ETSU game. We have two tough road games to follow and could easily be 2 and 2 after they are played. We'll have to shoot better or if not force the other team into a lot of mistakes. I like this team far better than last year but still nothing to show yet except that we can actually dominate a bad team.

Agreed. Just so excited basketball is back. I do think we have a good shot at besting both Texas and WV. Texas’ guard play hasn’t been much to write home about and they definitely aren’t playing Schaefer defense yet. Collier will be tough to stop, but we’re one of the few teams that has the size to give it a fair shot.

We are more talented as a whole than WVU. If we play as a unit like we did in the first game we should handle them. Have to stop them in transitions and keep them off the offensive glass.

 

[Rickster]

Would like to have seen that third game under their belt before going on the road but it was not to be.

 

[Amb3096]

Agreed. Just so excited basketball is back. I do think we have a good shot at besting both Texas and WV. Texas’ guard play hasn’t been much to write home about and they definitely aren’t playing Schaefer defense yet. Collier will be tough to stop, but we’re one of the few teams that has the size to give it a fair shot.

We are more talented as a whole than WVU. If we play as a unit like we did in the first game we should handle them. Have to stop them in transitions and keep them off the offensive glass.

WVU is the more winnable game in my opinion, but they do have a lot of size on their team and Esmery Martinez is a strong, physical 4 that will be a handful to bottle up.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

WVU is the more winnable game in my opinion, but they do have a lot of size on their team and Esmery Martinez is a strong, physical 4 that will be a handful to bottle up.

So would a win by the LV make you a stronger believer? I think it will be a good game and both teams will be ranked at seasons end.

 

[Amb3096]

So would a win by the LV make you a stronger believer? I think it will be a good game and both teams will be ranked at seasons end.

It's not that I'm NOT a believer. I think Tennessee is top to bottom a more talented team than WV and they should win this game. Having said that, this is the kind of game that Holly found ways to lose and Kellie hasn't been in a position to prove she can win them...so I'm hoping that the days of Tennessee playing down to the level of their competition is over and they come out and play their best game.

 

[Rickster]

It's not that I'm NOT a believer. I think Tennessee is top to bottom a more talented team than WV and they should win this game. Having said that, this is the kind of game that Holly found ways to lose and Kellie hasn't been in a position to prove she can win them...so I'm hoping that the days of Tennessee playing down to the level of their competition is over and they come out and play their best game.

This is pretty much where I'm at as well. I think the team needs to prove itself. They have lost these type of games under the old staff so I will be much more encouraged it they win and win convincingly.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

It's not that I'm NOT a believer. I think Tennessee is top to bottom a more talented team than WV and they should win this game. Having said that, this is the kind of game that Holly found ways to lose and Kellie hasn't been in a position to prove she can win them...so I'm hoping that the days of Tennessee playing down to the level of their competition is over and they come out and play their best game.

Oh i was talking about the texas game. Hey i’m not a complete believer either but i feel better ... i’m owning my weariness LOL

 

[Amb3096]

Oh i was talking about the texas game. Hey i’m not a complete believer either but i feel better ... i’m owning my weariness LOL

Texas is a different story. I think still think Tennessee is overall more talented than Texas, but the Longhorns have an elite coach and a stud in Collier. I wouldn't be shocked to see Tennessee lose to Texas, but a win against them would go a long way in building a strong resume.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Texas is a different story. I think still think Tennessee is overall more talented than Texas, but the Longhorns have an elite coach and a stud in Collier. I wouldn't be shocked to see Tennessee lose to Texas, but a win against them would go a long way in building a strong resume.

That’s what i was going for... You’re giving them edge due to coaching and i get that. Maybe i shouldn’t of said TN believer as much as a Harper believer? I too have my doubts but have been pleasantly surprised by her rewarding those playing hard in practice and sending a message something holly wouldn’t have done lol... Now the xoxo remain to be seen for sure!

again, not trying to put words in your mouth just wanna be clear

 

[Amb3096]

That’s what i was going for... You’re giving them edge due to coaching and i get that. Maybe i shouldn’t of said TN believer as much as a Harper believer? I too have my doubts but have been pleasantly surprised by her rewarding those playing hard in practice and sending a message something holly wouldn’t have done lol... Now the xoxo remain to be seen for sure!

again, not trying to put words in your mouth just wanna be clear

I don't think I've hidden the fact that Kellie was not my first pick to take over for Holly. If I'm being honest, she wasn't on my list...period. My preference was an established, proven coach. In her time as HC thus far, Kellie hasn't confirmed that I was correct in my original assessment of her...and she hasn't proved me wrong either. She's better than Holly for sure, and she won the games (for the most part) that she was expected to win and lost games against the teams ranked higher than Tennessee (but Arkansas and Kentucky should have been wins...Tennessee had clear inside advantages in both). I'm hoping that this year she does prove me wrong by stealing games against some of the teams picked to finish ahead of Tennessee in the SEC.

 

[creekdipper]

I just hope Marta can live up to the Michael Jordan with a mix of LeBron standard some of you have elevated her to...

But the downside of that would mean that Kellie actually can recruit elite players and utilize their talents.

And then where would we be?