Transfer Portal 21-22

[VA_VOLFAN]

There is nothing wrong with her knee anymore. She said in an interview during the season she just wears it for precaution. Her knee has been healed years ago. She stated it makes her feel comfortable

She also stated that her doctor said she would most likely have to wear that while she plays basketball. So while it's a comfort thing her doctors advised she play in it whenever she is playing

 

[Dak1219]

Disagree. Her knee should be back to normal and she will continue to grow her understanding of the game. Super smart kid.

And her stats have improved yearly for the last 3 years. Not sure how someone can make a statement that someone has peaked when there has been no standstill in performance or numbers and all stats have improved year over year. I have been reading comments about how bad she played last night all over the place, yet she had 10 assists, 6 points, a few rebounds and a steal against 2 turnovers. If we had a point guard who did half that number consistently every night, it would be a solid point guard. Also, J.W. switches plays considerably less minutes at the point than the assist leaders in the league and does play off the ball when Miles comes in.

 

[Dak1219]

Powell did not play in the SEC. Big difference. LOL but I sound like I'm not delighted we got her. I am. Especially after hearing her interview. I do think PG play will improve next year. Kellie Jean Harper certainly thinks so, she jumped on Powell quickly and impressed her by picking her up at the airport personally. I trust her PG judgement, and credit her for a nice recruiting get. Nice to have that sewn up so far in advance!

Our low number of assisted baskets in general is ugly offense. Hopefully, both player and ball movement will improve.

We are currently number 3 in assist in the SEC at 14.6 assists per game. It is always nice to be number 1 in every statistical category, but highly unlikely. Georgia and Kentucky have better Assist numbers than Tennessee. Not the number 1 team in the country, not the number 6 team in the country. Georgia and Kentucky and when you actually look at the numbers, there are less than 20 assists separating the 3 teams.

 

[Ambervball01]

Anyone hear how Rickea’s visit went at Texas besides her trying on the uniform?

 

[Peas29]

Yes she comes in somewhere after all these others I mentioned. I think next season they should all come in before her. She drops below Miles who I believe will be vastly improved as a sophomore and no way she can beat out Powell at the position pushing her to third point guard or maybe move to two guard and a different role. What you see from her now is all your ever going to get she has reached her peak as a player.

You’re absolutely crazy…Walker has done good things for us. Is she the best pg? No. But to totally dismiss what she has contributed is total disrespect

 

[Volfan2012]

You’re absolutely crazy…Walker has done good things for us. Is she the best pg? No. But to totally dismiss what she has contributed is total disrespect

Good job no maybe fair. She has been erratic in many of the games and very good in other. To say she is inconsistent is totally the truth whether anyone wants to accept the truth or not is up to them. The person that is stupid is the one that sees something that is true but has feelings and wants it to be something else.

 

[stlvolsfan]

did u mean to leave walker or wynn out ? i have a feeling they'll both ply significant rolls next year.

I was going to say that too and I also was very impressed with Karo. I think a summer of speed and agility drills will help transform her.

 

[Volfan2012]

So what did Rickea do leave Texas without committing? I have looked and do not see anywhere that she committed there. She may still be taking that visit to LSU.

 

[Rickster]

Walker brings experience and ability to the team. Her play this season won games for us. I'm happy she is coming back and I'm not stupid (but that depends on who you ask). The only issue I have is a generic one in that when super seniors come back, developmental minutes are reduced for the younguns'. Probably not an immediate impact but......

 

[Amb3096]

Walker brings experience and ability to the team. Her play this season won games for us. I'm happy she is coming back and I'm not stupid (but that depends on who you ask). The only issue I have is a generic one in that when super seniors come back, developmental minutes are reduced for the younguns'. Probably not an immediate impact but......

Walker staying will probably taking minutes from Wynn. The same could be said for the portal. Bringing Powell in will cut into Miles' minutes. At the end of the day, you play the players that will get you the best results. Maybe this pushes the undersclassmen to work harder to beat out the super seniors for PT? Competition is probably the healthiest way to get the best out of players instead of them assuming that they will inherit roles once they player ahead of them departs.

 

[Cb153181]

Anyone hear how Rickea’s visit went at Texas besides her trying on the uniform?

Looks like she enjoyed herself she has a video on tik tok showing some of her weekend! Why doesn’t Kelli let the recruits try the jersey on?

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Looks like she enjoyed herself she has a video on tik tok showing some of her weekend! Why doesn’t Kelli let the recruits try the jersey on?

Because she believes that only LVs should have the privilege of wearing that jersey.

 

[stlvolsfan]

So what did Rickea do leave Texas without committing? I have looked and do not see anywhere that she committed there. She may still be taking that visit to LSU.

At this point I think it would be wise to visit all the schools she’s interested in. This is her last stop. She should take her time. If it’s not us, please just get her out of the SEC lol.

 

[stlvolsfan]

Anyone hear how Rickea’s visit went at Texas besides her trying on the uniform?

She posted a lovely TikTok highlighting her weekend in Austin.

 

[Rickster]

I hope she gets in all the visits she wants so when it comes to making a decision, it is an informed one. I hope she considers us strongly but in the end, I hope we get great players who want to be Lady Vols. Desire is important. If she wants to go elsewhere, I wish her the best.

 

[Volfan2012]

I have nothing against Walker from an effort or personal view. I can show plenty of statistical data that she is somewhere between the 8th and 10th best point guard in the SEC. When she leaves Tennessee her basketball career is over she is not a WNBA talent. I think she will need to take a huge minutes cut unless the coach is willing to hold back better talented players from playing. Whatever the coach decides to do she does it in the best interest of the team so I certainly accept whatever happens. I am a big Powell fan and hope Walker staying does not prevent Powell or Miles from playing a lot of minutes. Walker has played a lot of two guard when both she and Miles are in the game we could see that happen almost exclusively next season.

 

[glv98]

Walker brings experience and ability to the team. Her play this season won games for us. I'm happy she is coming back and I'm not stupid (but that depends on who you ask). The only issue I have is a generic one in that when super seniors come back, developmental minutes are reduced for the younguns'. Probably not an immediate impact but......

I was thinking about that this weekend. It's something coaches always have to balance. I thought KJH was playing for the future a bit with Wynn's increased mins and especially Striplins'. The decision gets easier when its clear the older player will not be effective so there's not much lost. Also easier when you're decimated with injuries and you have no choice. It's always a juggling act.

KJH is a pretty free substituter, sometimes to our dismay, so most will get decent mins. The competition, if handled skillfully will help as well.

If, please basketball gods, we get Rickea there will really be a squeeze on minutes.

 

[Cb153181]

Because she believes that only LVs should have the privilege of wearing that jersey.

I wonder if that will hurt recruiting some kids like to get the feel of what it feels like in their uniform

 

[dapeak]

Walker staying will probably taking minutes from Wynn. The same could be said for the portal. Bringing Powell in will cut into Miles' minutes. At the end of the day, you play the players that will get you the best results. Maybe this pushes the undersclassmen to work harder to beat out the super seniors for PT? Competition is probably the healthiest way to get the best out of players instead of them assuming that they will inherit roles once they player ahead of them departs.

I think we’ll see a much more fast pace game with the addition of Powell and with that, more subbing for rest with there not being a true drop off in talent. We should become more of a pressing team. The time will be there, it’s literally what this season should have been if injuries hadn’t completely derailed it.

I also wanna say I definitely want us to get Rickea to play the 4/3 and be able to switch off Jordy; I think they would wreak havoc together with their skill sets.. but we also have to remember Marta will be coming back, we have Puckett, we will have Justine, and we have an improving Striplin in the post. If we can get Rickea and/or a decent backup center(6’2 or taller)… this team will be running teams out of the gym.

When we need a big lineup:
Wynn
Horston
Jackson
Pissott
Key

When we need a late game 3:
Horston
Darby
Marta
Puckett
Pissott

We need a turnover/quick points:
Miles
Walker
Powell
Horston
Jackson

and so many more combos obviously but Rickea come home .. if we get her I’d like to see what the plan is for post backup. Is it Striplin/Pissott or bust?

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

I wonder if that will hurt recruiting some kids like to get the feel of what it feels like in their uniform

Possibly. I know a kid like Sara said that made it more special because not everyone can wear the jersey. I guess it depends on the kid

 

[creekdipper]

I wonder if that will hurt recruiting some kids like to get the feel of what it feels like in their uniform

Unless they want to see if the material itches, most uniforms are going to feel the same. Never heard of a player choosing or rejecting a school based upon how the uni feels. And if the incoming signee is a generational talent who doesn't like the uniform style, most coaches would take that player's preferences into consideration.

If they just want to see how they look in the uniform, they can always turn to photoshop.

 

[Peas29]

Good job no maybe fair. She has been erratic in many of the games and very good in other. To say she is inconsistent is totally the truth whether anyone wants to accept the truth or not is up to them. The person that is stupid is the one that sees something that is true but has feelings and wants it to be something else.

I’ve already stated earlier about her inconsistencies so I’m not sure of your point here. And you’re definitely not referring to me as being stupid

 

[RAVOL]

I have nothing against Walker from an effort or personal view. I can show plenty of statistical data that she is somewhere between the 8th and 10th best point guard in the SEC. When she leaves Tennessee her basketball career is over she is not a WNBA talent. I think she will need to take a huge minutes cut unless the coach is willing to hold back better talented players from playing. Whatever the coach decides to do she does it in the best interest of the team so I certainly accept whatever happens. I am a big Powell fan and hope Walker staying does not prevent Powell or Miles from playing a lot of minutes. Walker has played a lot of two guard when both she and Miles are in the game we could see that happen almost exclusively next season.

Huge point not being made in this discussion of Powell or Walker is that in the games we really struggled in against athletic press Walker struggled. Even if the turnover may had been attributed to another player if your PG struggles it affects others. Kellie sees this and knows this team must improve as well as defensive pressure ourselves. Love Walker grit toughness but we need to improve this position. In CHRIST Alone

 

[Volfan2012]

I’ve already stated earlier about her inconsistencies so I’m not sure of your point here. And you’re definitely not referring to me as being stupid

The post was about her inconsistencies and you proposed that was crazy so you attack a fact then say in the next response you knew it was true. So which is it. I love the player but I see her production and play for what it is and wish it was better she gives her all. No way I dismissed what she has done just stating how what she is doing is unacceptable to be a big winner meaning SEC and NCAA Championship.

 

[Lucy]

Walker staying will probably taking minutes from Wynn. The same could be said for the portal. Bringing Powell in will cut into Miles' minutes. At the end of the day, you play the players that will get you the best results. Maybe this pushes the undersclassmen to work harder to beat out the super seniors for PT? Competition is probably the healthiest way to get the best out of players instead of them assuming that they will inherit roles once they player ahead of them departs.

I think the fact that Kellie told Powell she wants to play a faster defense might mean we need more guards. Minutes will be split but we will keep fresh legs for the full count/pressure defense.
Also, I could see Wynn as scooting over to 2 or 3. Might be a bit short for 3 but she is going to have to be on the court for defense and rebounding.