South Carolina is about to take the attendance title away

[Cockhornleghorn]

Those who are praising what they perceive to be Dawn Staley's superior recruiting abilities also seem to conveniently forget that she only signed one guard for 2015 (and not a highly ranked guard at that) and, as far as I know, has no verbals for 2016. A'ja Wilson chose to stay in-state, so that was a prize get for Staley, but it wasn't unexpected. I'm not convinced that Staley's stellar recruiting efforts had all that much to do with A'ja Wilson choosing South Carolina; I think Wilson wanted to be at South Carolina regardless, and the fact that USC is a program on the upswing just made her decision that much easier. Both of Holly's commits for 2015 are ranked far above the one player Dawn signed in that class. I realize Tennessee doesn't have any verbals -- yet -- for the class of 2016, but I think the staff is working exceptionally hard to land a post (or two) in that class and I believe there are also a number of highly ranked prospects in the 2017 class taking a hard look at Tennessee. Staley's got a great team right now and, barring catastrophe, they should be highly ranked and very competitive for the next few years, but she has yet to prove she can sustain that success through great recruiting. I certainly don't think anyone can make a reasonable case that she has out-recruited Holly. She landed the number one recruit in the 2014 class, but Holly got two top five recruits in the 2013 class (including the number one overall). . . actually, there are three in the 2013 class if you count Tucker, who I believe was also a top five recruit; a top five recruit in Nard for the 2014 class; and a top ten (or top five, depending on the ranking service) recruit who also happens to be an incredible scoring point guard for the 2015 class and who should absolutely be ranked within the top five of any service that doesn't already have her ranked that high.

Dawn didn't want to sign a lot of players for 2015. The one player she signed was the top point guard in Canada this year and recruiting services don't follow Canadian players that much. She starts for their Junior National Team.

 

[VOL720]

We were discussing Dawn vs. Holly in recruiting. I said then and still think USC has the more talented roster this year and proved it quite definitively today. More talent = better recruiter. I'm not arguing this is a symbolic passing of the torch, it is way to early for that.

You also notice Dawn has crazy depth at every position. You can complain about injuries all you want... but some of us noted many months ago that not landing a post for this class was an epic fail by Holly that would bite her in the butt. And guess what, we could very well be having this same discussion next year. Pat didn't make excuses, she got players. And when she had trouble should would venture outside the box (JUCO). If Holly is having trouble with injuries, maybe she should keep a deeper roster....

I see you answer certian questions only. By signing a post this class would of did nothing to help in the SEC Tourney. They can't suit up until next season. The top players Dawn signed are right from the state of South Carolina! Tennessee's 2011 signing class (current seniors) was ranked #1while SC's class wasn't even ranked! The 2012 signing class of Graves, Carter and Jones was a top 5 class, SC's class was not ranked in the top 25. Tennessee's 2013 signing class was in the top 3 with the overall #1 player, SC's class not even close. Tennessee's 2014 signing class ranked top 10, but SC's was ranked #1. Tennessee's 2015 signing class ranked in the top 15 while SC's class wasn't ranked at all. But you keep stating that Dawn is out recruiting Tennessee! A depleted roster is not an excuse, it's reality. You just don't want to give Holly or these players any credit when they have no bad losses and haved played the toughest schedule in the country. You can keep saying you don't love SC, but clearly you are not a fan of the Lady Vols.

 

[stubbs9]

A loss should motivate us to be better fans and hope our players/coaches learn from it rather than bash them when they lose and praise them when they win.

 

[Darth_Vol]

By signing a post this class would of did nothing to help in the SEC Tourney. They can't suit up until next season.

No, Holly doomed this team by failing to land a post with the current freshman. Failing to sign one this year could very well doom next season.

The top players Dawn signed are right from the state of South Carolina!

So? The state of Tennessee has two of the top 10 players in the upcoming class. Guess how many are going to Tennessee?

Tennessee's 2011 signing class (current seniors) was ranked #1while SC's class wasn't even ranked! The 2012 signing class of Graves, Carter and Jones was a top 5 class, SC's class was not ranked in the top 25. Tennessee's 2013 signing class was in the top 3 with the overall #1 player, SC's class not even close. Tennessee's 2014 signing class ranked top 10, but SC's was ranked #1. Tennessee's 2015 signing class ranked in the top 15 while SC's class wasn't ranked at all. But you keep stating that Dawn is out recruiting Tennessee!

You and others keep droning on and on about recruiting rankings as if they actually mean anything. Tiffany Mitchell will be going for her third consecutive SEC POY next season, what was she ranked coming out of high school? What was Welch ranked? You don't think these players start at Tennessee? Holly getting the better players *on paper* means nothing. Take off your orange classes and you could objectively see any coach would take USC's roster over Tennessee this year.

A depleted roster is not an excuse, it's reality.

So is the reality that Holly has failed to address it in recruiting. Serious question: how confident are you that Russell, an injury prone center, will stay completely healthy for the entire season? When/if she goes down, Holly apologists will make the same injury excuses next year.....

 

[therealitytheory]

Tennessee's 2011 signing class (current seniors) was ranked #1while SC's class wasn't even ranked! The 2012 signing class of Graves, Carter and Jones was a top 5 class, SC's class was not ranked in the top 25. Tennessee's 2013 signing class was in the top 3 with the overall #1 player, SC's class not even close. Tennessee's 2014 signing class ranked top 10, but SC's was ranked #1.

Staley took over an SEC cellar-dweller, so most people would forgive her for having some unranked recruiting classes (loved the exclamation, though). The fact that she brought in a #1 class later...with no banners or fanbase to point to has to count for something.

Holly had the chance to likewise build a program from scratch but she passed. The fact that she only has a handful of years as a HC is a concern for some, myself included. If that is construed as an agenda then I'm okay with that.

 

[ChattyVolfan]

Mercedes Russell, an injury prone center.....

Honest question...I keep hearing this over and over about Russell being injury prone. Did she have a lot of injuries in HS before the foot injury? I know the bad feet, but it has been corrected and hopefully she can get back to the player she was before, but besides that, did she have a ton of other injuries or something? I know feet are not a good thing to have problems with but the way people talk, you'd think she would have missed half of her playing career so far.

 

[Darth_Vol]

Honest question...I keep hearing this over and over about Russell being injury prone. Did she have a lot of injuries in HS before the foot injury? I know the bad feet, but it has been corrected and hopefully she can get back to the player she was before, but besides that, did she have a ton of other injuries or something? I know feet are not a good thing to have problems with but the way people talk, you'd think she would have missed half of her playing career so far.

She has been here two seasons and hasn't been fully healthy in either one. You tell me if she's injury prone.

We all know how critically important high school rankings are. Given Russell's performance as a freshman relative to her HS ranking, she must have been REALLY hurting bad....

 

[stubbs9]

Only time will tell. No one knows the true facts.

 

[Ladyvolfan4ever]

You and others keep droning on and on about recruiting rankings as if they actually mean anything. Tiffany Mitchell will be going for her third consecutive SEC POY next season, what was she ranked coming out of high school? What was Welch ranked? You don't think these players start at Tennessee? Holly getting the better players *on paper* means nothing. Take off your orange classes and you could objectively see any coach would take USC's roster over Tennessee this year..

Tiffany Mitchelle will have competition for POY in SEC next year. Her name is Diamond who was NATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR LAST YEAR.

 

[Franklin Pierce]

Welch will no longer be on the Upstart's roster next season. That will hurt.

 

[VOL720]

She has been here two seasons and hasn't been fully healthy in either one. You tell me if she's injury prone.

We all know how critically important high school rankings are. Given Russell's performance as a freshman relative to her HS ranking, she must have been REALLY hurting bad....

Russell played on two bad feet as a freshman and you could tell the way she ran up and down to court. She did not have any major injuries in high school. I don't understand how you would draw the conclusion that she is injury prone. But then again you do like to stir the pot based on nonsense. We have two top players in the state that didn't come to Tennessee for apparent reasons. Dangerfield knew she would not start at the point guard position and would see limited minutes with Cooper and Reynolds playing the 1. There was little chance she was coming when she said UConn was always her dream school. Carter knows that DeShields, Nared and Jackson plays the wing position and she stated that she wanted to stay very close to home. Before you starting accusing me of having orange colored glasses, please check the facts. Besides Cuevas, majority of SC's recruits are resides very close to the state of South Carolina. You can say what you want, but if our roster was fully healthy plus the addition of DeShields coaches would pick Tennessee's roster of South Carolina's. I guarantee you Dawn does not have to endure the dirty tactics opposing staffs uses to try to steer recruits away or deal with handlers that want certain things in return. Now you take off your foolish glasses that is causing you to mutter out ridiculous comments based on nonsense just to stir the pot. If you feel Tennessee is not up to your fake passionate fan standards, go cheer for another team. You are not forced to support or cheer for the Lady Vols. Its one thing to discuss basketball, but you have showed your true colors. You hate Tennessee and want them so bad to not be near the top. You pretend like you care, but we see right through you.

 

[Darth_Vol]

Russell played on two bad feet as a freshman and you could tell the way she ran up and down to court. She did not have any major injuries in high school. I don't understand how you would draw the conclusion that she is injury prone. But then again you do like to stir the pot based on nonsense.

'Mercedes has a history of orthopedic problems with her feet that our sports medicine staff is working to correct"... Holly on Russell's redshirt.

 

[therealitytheory]

'Mercedes has a history of orthopedic problems with her feet that our sports medicine staff is working to correct"... Holly on Russell's redshirt.

Game. Set. Match.

 

[VOL720]

'Mercedes has a history of orthopedic problems with her feet that our sports medicine staff is working to correct"... Holly on Russell's redshirt.

Yes, but my question is how serious are the problems. Orthopedic problems can be something serious or minor feet problems. By saying she is injury prone, you are portraying she is frequently injured and has constantly being sidelined because of her feet. That's simply not true. This girl has played with bunions for a long period of time and I can only imagine she couldn't continue to play at an elite level and endure the pain. She may have had foot problems, but please show me where she has been constantly sidelined because of injury. If they have fixed the problem, at least wait and see how she respond before you declare her a liability. Why do you care anyways? Are you afraid the problem has been fixed and Tennessee could possibly have an elite post presence?

 

[therealitytheory]

Yes, but my question is how serious are the problems. Orthopedic problems can be something serious or minor feet problems. By saying she is injury prone, you are portraying she is frequently injured and has constantly being sidelined because of her feet. That's simply not true. This girl has played with bunions for a long period of time and I can only imagine she couldn't continue to play at an elite level and endure the pain. She may have had foot problems, but please show me where she has been constantly sidelined because of injury. If they have fixed the problem, at least wait and see how she respond before you declare her a liability. Why do you care anyways? Are you afraid the problem has been fixed and Tennessee could possibly have an elite post presence?

Dude. Show some pride.

 

[LadyVol1908]

Dude. Show some pride.

He/She is by taking up for Mercedes!!!!!

 

[VOL720]

Dude. Show some pride.

Please tell me how I'm not. If you are referring to me going back and forth with Darth, I'm just stating facts because a lot of fans are so tired of his ridiculous negative comments. He is not a Lady Vol fan and is trying to imply that Dawn and SC has surpassed Tennessee in recruiting and as a program. When you and I know that is simply not true. My thing is how can you make that judgement when Tennessee's roster is depleted this season. When Tennessee had its entire roster last season they defeated South Carolina. If stating facts to reveal a troll who obviously has angenda posting here and taking up for a team that you have been cheering for a very long time is not showing pride, please tell me what is.

 

[Franklin Pierce]

I was one of Mercedes biggest critics last season, and said so on this board. I did not know at the time that she had problems with her feet.

I am hoping that those problems are over and done with. I also hope that she works extremely hard over the spring and summer to improve her strength, conditioning, and basketball skills. Unlike a few on this board; I will be pulling hard for her to succeed.

Mercedes is very important to the Lady Vols next season and beyond.

 

[Darth_Vol]

Dude. Show some pride.

I almost feel sorry for him. And for Russell's "bunions"....

 

[VOL720]

I almost feel sorry for him. And for Russell's "bunions"....

Lol! Don't feel sorry for me or her "bunions." I feel sorry for someone like you, who has probably not played any sport at a high level, to have to go out the way to pretend to be a fan of the Lady Vols, but only post what the coaching staff and players are doing wrong. The same coach who beat Georgia and Kentucky 3 times this season, played the toughest schedule in the country, co-champions of the SEC, took her depleted and beat up team to the SEC Tourney Championship game which ran out of gas in the 2nd half. Tennessee can only go up from this season with all the talent they have coming next season. Holly Warlick is NOT Pat Summitt, but she has improved and has her team playing better each year. I don't care if she was handed a talented roster, people fell to realize she had no prior head coaching experience. Being an assistant is very different from being the head coach especially with the standards and expectations Tennessee. Just admit that you are a troll that solely post here for certain reasons and not to discuss basketball. Out of all your post, you posted some ridiculous stuff, but have never said I am a fan of the Lady Vols and I hope Holly can get them back to Final Four. Is it because you know that you'll be dishonest to yourself posting such things?

 

[Franklin Pierce]

Lol! Don't feel sorry for me or her "bunions." I feel sorry for someone like you, who has probably not played any sport at a high level, to have to go out the way to pretend to be a fan of the Lady Vols, but only post what the coaching staff and players are doing wrong. The same coach who beat Georgia and Kentucky 3 times this season, played the toughest schedule in the country, co-champions of the SEC, took her depleted and beat up team to the SEC Tourney Championship game which ran out of gas in the 2nd half. Tennessee can only go up from this season with all the talent they have coming next season. Holly Warlick is NOT Pat Summitt, but she has improved and has her team playing better each year. I don't care if she was handed a talented roster, people fell to realize she had no prior head coaching experience. Being an assistant is very different from being the head coach especially with the standards and expectations Tennessee. Just admit that you are a troll that solely post here for certain reasons and not to discuss basketball. Out of all your post, you posted some ridiculous stuff, but have never said I am a fan of the Lady Vols and I hope Holly can get them back to Final Four. Is it because you know that you'll be dishonest to yourself posting such things?

I am honestly beginning to believe that DARTHVOL is only PRETENDING to be a Lady Vol fan.

Either that, or he is Masking some personal issue he has with Holly, by attacking her coaching and recruiting.

 

[Darth_Vol]

I am honestly beginning to believe that DARTHVOL is only PRETENDING to be a Lady Vol fan.

Either that, or he is Masking some personal issue he has with Holly, by attacking her coaching and recruiting.

Or it could be a Lady Vol fan pissed off that the coach could very well blow another season by failing to add a low post presence. Deshields is terrific, but she isn't going to win a title without help down low.

Candace Parker had no chance at a title her first year because Wiley-Gatewood bailed and left the team without a point guard. Pat went out and fixed that with a JUCO. I still haven't heard a great plan for next year if Russell can't go for any part of the season.....?

 

[VOL720]

I am honestly beginning to believe that DARTHVOL is only PRETENDING to be a Lady Vol fan.

Either that, or he is Masking some personal issue he has with Holly, by attacking her coaching and recruiting.

He is a pretender. Pay attention to all of his comments. Probably a person that have never played any sport at a high level. People know future recruits may read message boards and he seemed like a troll that solely comes here to point every negative thing possibly to paint Tennessee and Holly in a negative light. He never says anything good about Holly or the Lady Vols even after they played a very tough seasons, battled with players sidelined all season long and was still ranked #5.

 

[madtownvol]

Yes, but my question is how serious are the problems. Orthopedic problems can be something serious or minor feet problems. By saying she is injury prone, you are portraying she is frequently injured and has constantly being sidelined because of her feet. That's simply not true. This girl has played with bunions for a long period of time and I can only imagine she couldn't continue to play at an elite level and endure the pain. She may have had foot problems, but please show me where she has been constantly sidelined because of injury. If they have fixed the problem, at least wait and see how she respond before you declare her a liability. Why do you care anyways? Are you afraid the problem has been fixed and Tennessee could possibly have an elite post presence?

I didn't know that bunions were her exact problem but that makes a lot of sense. If that is the case, they were obviously severe which can create all kinds of issues beyond pain because her overall body mechanics would be distorted.

The surgery itself is significant because bones have to be broken and re-aligned and then there is the process of the tendons adjusting to the new alignment and so forth. But, it is a surgery that has a very high success rate.

She could look like a very different player next year.

 

[brassie]

UT's attendance peaked at 15,356 in 2006. With the exception of a large uptick in Coach Summitt's final season it has declined since then. Last years attendance was 11,038. That's a decline of 28% over a 9 year span.

The attendance situation at UConn is similar except the decline has been even larger. They peaked at 13,435 in 2004. Last year's home attendance was 8,313. That's a 38% decline over an 11 year span.

The NCAA attendance numbers have been essentially flat over the same period. While UConn and UT have lost fans others top teams like Louisville (+758%), Notre Dame (+31%) and SC (+248%) have made significant gains.

The numbers are from the NCAA WCBB Attendance page.