Thoughts On Next Years Roster

[mlindsay]

From the way things are looking (Title IX Lawsuit and Teams play in SEC Tournament) Holly will return next season (although I think we need to go in another direction if we want to return to the Lady Vols that we are use to). Based on her return I wanted to look at the roster and share my thoughts of how the team will look next season.

Leaving
Graves (Graduation/WNBA)
Moore (Graduation/Overseas)
Jones (Graduation/Track and Field)
Dunbar(Transfers due to lack of playing time)
Nared (Transfers to be close to home and wants to be "the star")

Incoming
Transfers
Taya Reimer 6’4” P Graduate Transfer from Notre Dame (2013 Hoop Gurlz #4th ranked player which is the same recruiting class as Diamond and Mercedes she would have 2 years left to play and could play immediately next year. Part of her issue is that she has been played mostly at the 5 spot backing up Achonwa (When she was there) and starting at the 5 while turner played the 4. Her entire basketball career she played the 3 or 4 spot and had been playing out of shape due to the position she’d been asked to play by Muffet. If we land her it would give us 3 of the top 4 recruits from the 2013 class and another McDonalds All American that Holly could throw in people face that she has the liberty to coach. With the graduations of Moore, Graves, and Jones (career ending injury/graduation) she would start at the position she wants to play and has played her best at.

2016 Recruits
Tyasha Harris PG 5’10” Hoop Gurlz Rank #27 (8th ranked PG) has the size that Tennessee prefers at the guard spot and was looking at Ohio State heavy until they got Calhorne (Transfer from Duke) along with Linnae Harper (Transfer from Kentucky) and Kiara Lewis (6th ranked PG). She is looking at other SEC Schools (Kentucky and SC) and it would be nice for us to steal her away from them. With next season being Reynolds and Carter’s last year. She is a great ball handler and looked to distribute the ball but while also score if she has too (something we seem to lack from Reynolds and Carter) I could see SC as the only competition to getting her because she can go there and be an instant starter at the PG spot with them losing Sessions and I don’t think Staley trust Cuevaus (check the spelling) enough to run the point for the team she will have next season

Arella Guirantes W 5’11” Hoop Gurlz Rank #99 (17th ranked Wing) She is a flat out scorer and would give us much needed help on the wing should we lose a few players due to transfer (Dunbar may be gone for sure at least I would since I can’t grace the floor on a team that needs points and I am a sharp shooter behind the arc. I also think Nared transfers to Washington to be closer to home and to play on the team that her sister is the Director of Player Development). We don’t have many players who want to score and look to score this would be a huge asset next season.

Felicia Aiyeotan P 6’9” Hoop Gurlz Unranked (15th Ranked Post) She is 6’9” (some places have listed her at 6’10”/6’11”) enough said! With Nancy Mulkey heading to Oklahoma and McCowen (6’7” at Missippi State) and Brown (6’7”at Baylor) I would love nothing more than to have a 6’9”/6’10” Post to back up our 6’6” Post. She runs the floor and blocks a lot of shots which is what you need and your perimeter players won’t have to truly follow their players into the paint (as seen with Brittany Griner when she was at Baylor) because the player they are guarding would be afraid to attack which would be a game changer for us. She also can dunk which is another plus). Not to mention she was one time a Top 100 recruit and has only played the game for a few years).

Emily Schubert P 6’4” Hoop Gurlz Unranked (49th Ranked Post) her stock is rising and she would provide us help at the 5 spot backing up Russell. Russell would have to see a lot of minutes and would have some one who is a little strong on the block to spell her. She’s also a local kid which hopefully works in our favor and because we were one of the first Major D1 schools showing interest right around the time her stock started rising I hope it means something to her.

Kamera Harris P 6’3” Hoop Gurlz Unranked (Broke Brittany Griner’s record for most block in a game with 28)
She came to see us play in the SEC tournament and she was at the A&M game (a game we won) she was able to see how many blocks Russell and Nia got combined (3) and how many they left unblocked and realizes she could clean up when Diamond (or any of the other players allow a person to beat them off the dribble) One thing about her that unlike Mercedes she is going to contend/challenge every shot that comes her way and she rarely fouls doing so. She would be able to back up Reimer as well as spend sometime backing up Russell also.

With these moves our 2016 Roster would look like this;

Name Height Position Class
Aiyeotan 6’9” C FR
Carter 5’9” G RS SR
Cooper 5’8” G SO
DeShields 6’1” G RS JR
Guirantes 5’11” G/F FR
K.Harris 6’3” F FR
T.Harris 5’10 G FR
Jackson 5’11” G/F SO
Middleton 5’9” G SO
Reimer 6’4” F GS (Grad Student)
Reynolds 5’11” G SR
Russell 6’6” C RS JR
Schubert 6’4” F/C FR

With this roster we lose Dunbar and Nared but we add much needed Post help and it keeps us in the running for top prospects in the 2017 class because essentially if Holly stays Diamond, Reimer, and Russell could all declare for next years draft and you would also lose Carter and Reynolds (graduation) which would free up 5 roster spaces to still try to land Dorie Harrison, Maya Dodson, KK and the others who have shown interest in UT.

Feel Free to share your thoughts below!

 

[LVCT]

Great job!!! Definitely a recuitment class strategy that should be considered!!

 

[madtownvol]

Leaving
Graves (Graduation/WNBA)
Moore (Graduation/Overseas)
Jones (Graduation/Track and Field)
Dunbar(Transfers due to lack of playing time)
Nared (Transfers to be close to home and wants to be "the star")

Really? If Dunbar keeps putting in the work (her improvement curve from last year is pretty good), she could have a big role next season. Nared has a starting spot and is a key player in the rotation. Why speculate that they are going to transfer and further suggest that Nared is motivated by such egocentric goals? In so doing, you are just adding more poison to the well.

 

[mlindsay]

Really? If Dunbar keeps putting in the work (her improvement curve from last year is pretty good), she could have a big role next season. Nared has a starting spot and is a key player in the rotation. Why speculate that they are going to transfer and further suggest that Nared is motivated by such egocentric goals? In so doing, you are just adding more poison to the well.

I didn't say they would, its a hypothetical which I stated. It has been evident that Nared is unhappy/a little homesick and with her sister being the director of personell there and her dad a former coach there and them landing as a Top 25 team this season to go with the class they have coming in and the one they landed this past season she would certainly consider it. Have you also seen how she has played recently, it is rare that she passes the ball when it is in here hand, she is use to being the star (remember she was the only girl on an all boy team and the league wanted to throw her out which got her known in the media outlets prior to coming here). As for Dunbar she would be foolish to return knowing that Holly has an emphasis on playing defense and since she struggles there she will more than likely be like Moore and rarely see the floor. She could transfer somewhere like ND (where they love outside shooters) or Depaul (both are closer to home) sit out a year and their coaches (McGraw and Bruno) would know how to utilize her.

 

[LVJeff]

...It has been evident that Nared is unhappy...

Source?

 

[madtownvol]

I didn't say they would, its a hypothetical which I stated. It has been evident that Nared is unhappy/a little homesick and with her sister being the director of personell there and her dad a former coach there and them landing as a Top 25 team this season to go with the class they have coming in and the one they landed this past season she would certainly consider it. Have you also seen how she has played recently, it is rare that she passes the ball when it is in here hand, she is use to being the star (remember she was the only girl on an all boy team and the league wanted to throw her out which got her known in the media outlets prior to coming here). As for Dunbar she would be foolish to return knowing that Holly has an emphasis on playing defense and since she struggles there she will more than likely be like Moore and rarely see the floor. She could transfer somewhere like ND (where they love outside shooters) or Depaul (both are closer to home) sit out a year and their coaches (McGraw and Bruno) would know how to utilize her.

Yes, that is why I used the word “speculate” in my response to you. However, there is not much meaningful difference between a statement (a public posting suggesting that X will happen) and a hypothetical which you then back up with all kinds of presumed “reasons.”

Per your additional reasons, I have seen Nared play and she passes just fine. Against MSU, no one on the team was passing very effectively because the defense shut down the passing lanes. I would also bet $ that CWS has asked Nared to be more aggressive offensively. Per Dunbar, I am just sure a Muffet McGraw would give huge chunks of time to someone who gives up more points on defense than she is going to score; Here is the rub, ND has players who can shoot the three and play defense and create their own shot (rather than standing 30 feet from the rim so as to be left wide open). Dunbar has a lot work to do. And I am betting she has the fortitude to put in the work and earn a spot on this roster. Per Nared, she does all the hard work of crashing the boards, giving great effort and so on. And she looks plenty happy when the team is winning and not so much so when losing (what else would you expect?)

Here is the thing; you are projecting your OWN frustrations about CHW onto the players—I want Holly gone SOOOOOH BAAAAAAHD I could just scream and if I were a player, I would transfer RIGHT NOW!!!!!. But you don’t know diddly about these players' interpersonal relations, their ties to each other and the program; their athletes’ determination to show that they can be great in this program and so on. As a result, you assume the worst about these players and spread negative innuendo about them, by name, on this message board. That is not fair to these players.

 

[cwbytruckers]

I would be happy with that recruiting class

 

[orangeluvr]

From the way things are looking (Title IX Lawsuit and Teams play in SEC Tournament) Holly will return next season (although I think we need to go in another direction if we want to return to the Lady Vols that we are use to). Based on her return I wanted to look at the roster and share my thoughts of how the team will look next season.

Leaving
Graves (Graduation/WNBA)
Moore (Graduation/Overseas)
Jones (Graduation/Track and Field)
Dunbar(Transfers due to lack of playing time)
Nared (Transfers to be close to home and wants to be "the star")

Incoming
Transfers
Taya Reimer 6’4” P Graduate Transfer from Notre Dame (2013 Hoop Gurlz #4th ranked player which is the same recruiting class as Diamond and Mercedes she would have 2 years left to play and could play immediately next year. Part of her issue is that she has been played mostly at the 5 spot backing up Achonwa (When she was there) and starting at the 5 while turner played the 4. Her entire basketball career she played the 3 or 4 spot and had been playing out of shape due to the position she’d been asked to play by Muffet. If we land her it would give us 3 of the top 4 recruits from the 2013 class and another McDonalds All American that Holly could throw in people face that she has the liberty to coach. With the graduations of Moore, Graves, and Jones (career ending injury/graduation) she would start at the position she wants to play and has played her best at.

2016 Recruits
Tyasha Harris PG 5’10” Hoop Gurlz Rank #27 (8th ranked PG) has the size that Tennessee prefers at the guard spot and was looking at Ohio State heavy until they got Calhorne (Transfer from Duke) along with Linnae Harper (Transfer from Kentucky) and Kiara Lewis (6th ranked PG). She is looking at other SEC Schools (Kentucky and SC) and it would be nice for us to steal her away from them. With next season being Reynolds and Carter’s last year. She is a great ball handler and looked to distribute the ball but while also score if she has too (something we seem to lack from Reynolds and Carter) I could see SC as the only competition to getting her because she can go there and be an instant starter at the PG spot with them losing Sessions and I don’t think Staley trust Cuevaus (check the spelling) enough to run the point for the team she will have next season

Arella Guirantes W 5’11” Hoop Gurlz Rank #99 (17th ranked Wing) She is a flat out scorer and would give us much needed help on the wing should we lose a few players due to transfer (Dunbar may be gone for sure at least I would since I can’t grace the floor on a team that needs points and I am a sharp shooter behind the arc. I also think Nared transfers to Washington to be closer to home and to play on the team that her sister is the Director of Player Development). We don’t have many players who want to score and look to score this would be a huge asset next season.

Felicia Aiyeotan P 6’9” Hoop Gurlz Unranked (15th Ranked Post) She is 6’9” (some places have listed her at 6’10”/6’11”) enough said! With Nancy Mulkey heading to Oklahoma and McCowen (6’7” at Missippi State) and Brown (6’7”at Baylor) I would love nothing more than to have a 6’9”/6’10” Post to back up our 6’6” Post. She runs the floor and blocks a lot of shots which is what you need and your perimeter players won’t have to truly follow their players into the paint (as seen with Brittany Griner when she was at Baylor) because the player they are guarding would be afraid to attack which would be a game changer for us. She also can dunk which is another plus). Not to mention she was one time a Top 100 recruit and has only played the game for a few years).

Emily Schubert P 6’4” Hoop Gurlz Unranked (49th Ranked Post) her stock is rising and she would provide us help at the 5 spot backing up Russell. Russell would have to see a lot of minutes and would have some one who is a little strong on the block to spell her. She’s also a local kid which hopefully works in our favor and because we were one of the first Major D1 schools showing interest right around the time her stock started rising I hope it means something to her.

Kamera Harris P 6’3” Hoop Gurlz Unranked (Broke Brittany Griner’s record for most block in a game with 28)
She came to see us play in the SEC tournament and she was at the A&M game (a game we won) she was able to see how many blocks Russell and Nia got combined (3) and how many they left unblocked and realizes she could clean up when Diamond (or any of the other players allow a person to beat them off the dribble) One thing about her that unlike Mercedes she is going to contend/challenge every shot that comes her way and she rarely fouls doing so. She would be able to back up Reimer as well as spend sometime backing up Russell also.

With these moves our 2016 Roster would look like this;

Name Height Position Class
Aiyeotan 6’9” C FR
Carter 5’9” G RS SR
Cooper 5’8” G SO
DeShields 6’1” G RS JR
Guirantes 5’11” G/F FR
K.Harris 6’3” F FR
T.Harris 5’10 G FR
Jackson 5’11” G/F SO
Middleton 5’9” G SO
Reimer 6’4” F GS (Grad Student)
Reynolds 5’11” G SR
Russell 6’6” C RS JR
Schubert 6’4” F/C FR

With this roster we lose Dunbar and Nared but we add much needed Post help and it keeps us in the running for top prospects in the 2017 class because essentially if Holly stays Diamond, Reimer, and Russell could all declare for next years draft and you would also lose Carter and Reynolds (graduation) which would free up 5 roster spaces to still try to land Dorie Harrison, Maya Dodson, KK and the others who have shown interest in UT.

Feel Free to share your thoughts below!

When you make predictions sometimes you wind up with egg on your face. :question:

 

[Volfan2012]

I think Reimer has re-enrolled at Notre Dame and is planning on playing two years she has left there.

 

[mlindsay]

Yes, that is why I used the word “speculate” in my response to you. However, there is not much meaningful difference between a statement (a public posting suggesting that X will happen) and a hypothetical which you then back up with all kinds of presumed “reasons.”

Per your additional reasons, I have seen Nared play and she passes just fine. Against MSU, no one on the team was passing very effectively because the defense shut down the passing lanes. I would also bet $ that CWS has asked Nared to be more aggressive offensively. Per Dunbar, I am just sure a Muffet McGraw would give huge chunks of time to someone who gives up more points on defense than she is going to score; Here is the rub, ND has players who can shoot the three and play defense and create their own shot (rather than standing 30 feet from the rim so as to be left wide open). Dunbar has a lot work to do. And I am betting she has the fortitude to put in the work and earn a spot on this roster. Per Nared, she does all the hard work of crashing the boards, giving great effort and so on. And she looks plenty happy when the team is winning and not so much so when losing (what else would you expect?)

Here is the thing; you are projecting your OWN frustrations about CHW onto the players—I want Holly gone SOOOOOH BAAAAAAHD I could just scream and if I were a player, I would transfer RIGHT NOW!!!!!. But you don’t know diddly about these players' interpersonal relations, their ties to each other and the program; their athletes’ determination to show that they can be great in this program and so on. As a result, you assume the worst about these players and spread negative innuendo about them, by name, on this message board. That is not fair to these players.

McGraw keeps her players in more than a minute to see if they can redeem themselves from any mistakes they've made on the defensive and offensive end she doesn't just pull them at the sign of the first mistake so Dunbar will be allowed to get a feel for the game. She would also have a post player in Turner who blocks shots consistently unlike Russell so should she get beat she has that defensive stopper to help out on defense. No matter how much you work on your game in practice if you aren't given real life chances how can you improve. Looking back at the last 6 games (most teams played Zone against us) she played less than 50 minutes in those games combined (the Miss. St. game she didn't play at all). You tell me, would you stay on a team where you're getting less than 8 minutes a game when you know your team needs a scorer and you can light it up from behind the arc?

And I never assumed worst nor did I say Nared isn't a team player I said she wants to be the star. There are plenty of players who have played this game that wants to be the star that doesn't mean they don't like their teammates. I will not get into the how I know she is happy or not but where she is being asked to play is not where she intended to play coming here and it's hurting her ability to showcase the type of offensive player she is, which is why you have saw her taking more 3PT shots and trying to go coast to coast. She is a 3 and has spent most of the season (due to injury of Jones) playing the 4 spot (either backing up Graves or Playing beside her when Russell is on the bench, she started at the 3 in place of Diamond but would later be benched when Holly realized she has to start Diamond) she is a slasher and with the lack of recruits in the 2016 class and the loss of Jones, Graves, and Moore she will spend most of her time next season at the starting 4 spot. Especially if Holly uses this starting 5 next season;

PG-Reynolds
SG-Carter
SF-Diamond
PF-Nared
C-Russell

Also do you really you think they (Nared or Jamie) will be able to guard A'Ja Wilson (or any of the other top 4's we will face) in the Post next season (which is where they would play/defend because you know Diamond is going to guard Kaela Davis)

 

[mlindsay]

I think Reimer has re-enrolled at Notre Dame and is planning on playing two years she has left there.

She never left classes she just left the team. She is working to finish her degree in May so that she can go to any school she desires. She wanted to sit out and rest this year and hope to get a medical redshirt to play two years but McGraw told her they would access the situation at the end of the year and I guess that wasn't the answer she wanted to hear. It's in this article;

Taya Reimer planning to transfer from Notre Dame - Notre Dame Insider: Womens

 

[Volfan2012]

She never left classes she just left the team. She is working to finish her degree in May so that she can go to any school she desires. She wanted to sit out and rest this year and hope to get a medical redshirt to play two years but McGraw told her they would access the situation at the end of the year and I guess that wasn't the answer she wanted to hear. It's in this article;

Taya Reimer planning to transfer from Notre Dame - Notre Dame Insider: Womens

I knew that but I think she is going back or at least seriously considering it.


Could Taya Reimer return to Notre Dame women's hoops? - Notre Dame Insider: Womens

 

[Volfan2012]

Guirantes must be weak on defense or one has to wonder why someone has not gobbled her up. She looks better than every guard we have on offense except maybe Diamond. The way our team needs offense she would be huge if she could play here meaning she has enough defensive ability to satisfy Holly.

 

[mlindsay]

I knew that but I think she is going back or at least seriously considering it.


Could Taya Reimer return to Notre Dame women's hoops? - Notre Dame Insider: Womens

Yes I read that too, I think she moves on though because the team is winning despite her and they bring in Boley who will more than like start for them next year alongside Turner. Just a thought though!

 

[mlindsay]

Guirantes must be weak on defense or one has to wonder why someone has not gobbled her up. She looks better than every guard we have on offense except maybe Diamond. The way our team needs offense she would be huge if she could play here meaning she has enough defensive ability to satisfy Holly.

I thought the same thing she must not be that great defensively and some players aren't but if I am a team struggling to score (and lets face it we are lucky to score 60 if Diamond isn't playing well) I would play her (like I would play Dunbar) despite their defensive struggles. If our 6'6" Post know how to control the paint their defensive struggles wouldn't be a problem. We have a 6'3" Post right now who loves blocking shots but can't seem to see the floor. So if it's really about defense with Holly why isn't the best defensive players (Moore and Jackson) seeing more time?

 

[Volfan2012]

Yes I read that too, I think she moves on though because the team is winning despite her and they bring in Boley who will more than like start for them next year alongside Turner. Just a thought though!

I see us needing four things. Another scoring perimeter player that is a consistent 40 percent or better shooter and a consistent 35 percent three point shooter. Two post players who can play defense and score a few points like Graves. A point guard that can get us in an offense if Holly has one and not dribble away the shot clock like Carter, Middleton, and Cooper.
So Reimer and Harris would be appropriate for the post positions would feel good about them as replacements for Moore and Graves. I also like JUCOS Cheridine Green of Asa NY JC and Jhanice Stokes. I like Guirantes as a scorer but Holly want let her play unless she thinks she is playing the Holly defense which means she has to give up four or five layups a game like Carter and Reynolds. Point guard still looking for that person would prefer a player with a great outside shot who has some experience like a Bobbitt maybe a juco.
So we definitely need four and probably want sign that many because we want Hayes and Harrison plus whomever in the 2017 class. If a couple players were leaving say Middleton and Dunbar we could go four.

 

[Coach Jumper]

I would be happy with that recruiting class

Is there a coach in the 2016 recruiting class

 

[mlindsay]

I see us needing four things. Another scoring perimeter player that is a consistent 40 percent or better shooter and a consistent 35 percent three point shooter. Two post players who can play defense and score a few points like Graves. A point guard that can get us in an offense if Holly has one and not dribble away the shot clock like Carter, Middleton, and Cooper.
So Reimer and Harris would be appropriate for the post positions would feel good about them as replacements for Moore and Graves. I also like JUCOS Cheridine Green of Asa NY JC and Jhanice Stokes. I like Guirantes as a scorer but Holly want let her play unless she thinks she is playing the Holly defense which means she has to give up four or five layups a game like Carter and Reynolds. Point guard still looking for that person would prefer a player with a great outside shot who has some experience like a Bobbitt maybe a juco.
So we definitely need four and probably want sign that many because we want Hayes and Harrison plus whomever in the 2017 class. If a couple players were leaving say Middleton and Dunbar we could go four.

I know we are on Hayes list but do you think she comes her or does she pull a Dangerfield and go outside the state?

 

[Volfan2012]

I know we are on Hayes list but do you think she comes her or does she pull a Dangerfield and go outside the state?

No one knows what any player is thinking. I hope she wasn't paying attention and saw Jackson sitting on the pines all season that has a way of making freshmen think of going elsewhere.

 

[Coach Jumper]

No one knows what any player is thinking. I hope she wasn't paying attention and saw Jackson sitting on the pines all season that has a way of making freshmen think of going elsewhere.

+++++++++


Every game I saw MeMe in made me want to see her more. Fast, powerful and reckless... Then again, HW is the coach

 

[Darth_Vol]

Feel Free to share your thoughts below!

My thought is the actual roster next season will look nothing like the one you've presented so there isn't much point speculating....

 

[armchair]

It's not really cool to throw out wild speculation about transfers. It serves no worthwhile purpose--especially because it is unfounded nonsense.

 

[GameTime]

A lot of dreaming going on with that speculation...

Since we have no offensive identity, other than get the ball inside and no quick shots, why would anyone want to come to this mess?

 

[RollerVol]

Well, the OP didn't say..."book it", and speculating is what we do best anyway, but I try to leave it to the experts...

GO LADY VOLS!

 

[madtownvol]

McGraw keeps her players in more than a minute to see if they can redeem themselves from any mistakes.

And I never assumed worst nor did I say Nared isn't a team player I said she wants to be the star.... . I will not get into the how I know she is happy or not

1. You remember all the articles about McGraw feverishly recruiting Dunbar? I don't either because she didn't bother with an 89th ranked prospect (who probably was overrated at that). This is a moot issue. McGraw would not give Dunbar more time to get the feel of the game because she is not good enough play for ND. Let me also say that I think Dunbar has a reasonably promising upside and could become a solid contributor by her senior season (if she keeps working). But, K.D, is and remains a project player.

2. Per Nared, hmm, you post that Nared may transfer because "she wants to be the star" but you never said she is not a team player. Fine, does the term "logical implication" mean anything to you? That is some Clintonesque word parsing you are using to save face. Keep digging deeper my friend (and remember I never said you were in a hole!)

And please, please don't divulge your "inside information" Such matters must be treated with the utmost confidentiality, while you simultaneously give away the actual information that should be held in confidence; I can't reveal how I know that Nared is unhappy but SHE IS REALLY UNHAPPY!!!

When posters make such unsubstantiated statements, they are usually just BS artists who then buttress their fabrication with mysterious claims to credibility (trust me, I know but I can't tell you how or else I would have to kill you!)

But if you do have actual inside information, then double shame on you for violating confidence.