Transfer Portal 21-22

[Volfan2012]

without a doubt. Lee actually plays a lot like Keyen but at 6’6”

She is a tremendous blocker of shots with her we may never see the other team make a layup. That has been a huge reason why teams are shooting 30 percent Key. Reason Kentucky shot better than usual as Key was out and they made a few layups.

 

[VolBall09]

She is a tremendous blocker of shots with her we may never see the other team make a layup. That has been a huge reason why teams are shooting 30 percent Key. Reason Kentucky shot better than usual as Key was out and they made a few layups.

Yes, and just as a reminder to everyone else.

Lee is NOT in the portal and I have NO indication she will be. Just a player that I would hope our staff would pursue aggressively if she did transfer.

If KState does not make the NCAA tournament this season I could see her transferring to a school where she would have an opportunity to compete for a championship. It’s likely KState will make the tourney but it will depend on their Big 12 season and tournament.

 

[Volfan2012]

Yes, and just as a reminder to everyone else.

Lee is NOT in the portal and I have NO indication she will be. Just a player that I would hope our staff would pursue aggressively if she did transfer.

If KState does not make the NCAA tournament this season I could see her transferring to a school where she would have an opportunity to compete for a championship. It’s likely KState will make the tourney but it will depend on their Big 12 season and tournament.

I doubt she is transferring and if she were would be like a bunch of rabid dogs with NIL offers and coaches pursuing her. It would be a huge task for Tennessee to be the place she transferred.

 

[VolBall09]

I doubt she is transferring and if she were would be like a bunch of rabid dogs with NIL offers and coaches pursuing her. It would be a huge task for Tennessee to be the place she transferred.

Agreed, at this point I do think we should be an appealing destination for any quality post players who transfer.

It’s obvious we run things through the paint if/when we can. Kellie spreads minutes out as long as you can play and she’s not afraid of various combinations. So transfers are less likely to run the risk of changing schools only to ride the pine.

I do think we are more likely to look for a post that can stretch the defense. Like 6’5” Prechtel or 6’6” Kennedy Brown at Oregon State. That way we are bringing a different look. Again neither of those players is in the portal and no indication they would be. Just players I can think off the top of my head that would suit our needs. I’m sure there are some similar players at lesser schools I’m not aware of.

Don’t think the player needs to be THAT big either. Those are just two examples I can think of. 6’3”+ is likely a must for a backup post in the SEC though. We see how it’s working for teams like Kentucky/Bama trying to play small ball.

 

[VolBall09]

Brown at Oregon State is one I think about because she was on the Lady Vol recruiting radar out of Derby, KS. Kellie is likely familiar with her from her time at Mo State. I think former Wichita State HC Jodi Adam’s had put her in touch with our previous staff but that is from memory.

She was a player we supposedly had a good shot at but with the coaching change and Tamari committing she went to Oregon State. She played well to start her freshman season averaging almost 7 point and 8 boards but tore her ACL in early February. Missed all of last season.

This season she has really come on in the rebounding department the last half dozen games or so. Averaging 8 boards and 8 pts a game but not against great competition. She has a nice shooting touch and can hit from 3. 4-12 for 33% on the year. Not a huge part of her game but gotta respect it.

Just feel she is one of the players that has been grossly misused at Oregon State. She floats around on the perimeter because they have other bigs that are better back to the basket. Really limits her scoring opportunities. I think she’s a player Kellie could improve a lot and potentially a player that has WNBA potential in the right system. Don’t think she’ll achieve her best basketball playing for Rueck.

 

[Darth_Vol]

Doubt she even took us seriously was just messing with our heads

Damn, I really got my hopes up...

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

Damn, I really got my hopes up...

Did you see their roster for next season Maryland needed her more then we did

 

[youcancallmeAl]

From TOS I learnt her significant other (Tyrese Maxey) plays in Philly for the 76er’s. One hour drive.

More like two + hours in normal traffic, but your point is the same.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Agreed, at this point I do think we should be an appealing destination for any quality post players who transfer.

Not so sure about that. Next year TK will be a senior, and Emily and Striplin will want some time at the low post. If I were a quality big, I might think that it would be a year too soon to transfer to Tennessee.

 

[VolBall09]

Not so sure about that. Next year TK will be a senior, and Emily and Striplin will want some time at the low post. If I were a quality big, I might think that it would be a year too soon to transfer to Tennessee.

I’m a bit concerned that they will not be able to backup TK consistently at the 5.

I have a feeling as Karoline develops she may end up being more of a stretch 4. Similar to Puckett but Sarah’s game is just ahead of where Karo is in general right now.

Emily can most certainly be that backup player at the 5 but she has to make significant changes. At this point in time she just cannot get up and down quick enough to play. When she does get in the game she looks lost on defense and has not rebounded well. I know she’s had limited minutes but per Kellie numerous times in the past, minutes are decided in practice. Something isn’t happening there for EM.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I’m a bit concerned that they will not be able to backup TK consistently at the 5.

I have a feeling as Karoline develops she may end up being more of a stretch 4. Similar to Puckett but Sarah’s game is just ahead of where Karo is in general right now.

Emily can most certainly be that backup player at the 5 but she has to make significant changes. At this point in time she just cannot get up and down quick enough to play. When she does get in the game she looks lost on defense and has not rebounded well. I know she’s had limited minutes but per Kellie numerous times in the past, minutes are decided in practice. Something isn’t happening there for EM.

All of that is true, IMO, but still a transfer quality big would look at Key and wonder how much they would get to play. Emily doesn't look like she's in good condition to play top quality WCBB. I would imagine she could be faster and quicker with some loss of weight. But how do you say that nicely? I don't know of a way.

 

[VolBall09]

All of that is true, IMO, but still a transfer quality big would look at Key and wonder how much they would get to play. Emily doesn't look like she's in good condition to play top quality WCBB. I would imagine she could be faster and quicker with some loss of weight. But how do you say that nicely? I don't know of a way.

I made this post in February. That was my attempt to say what you’re thinking in the most professional way possible. For athletes of this caliber I see nothing wrong with putting an emphasis on nutrition and conditioning. It’s got to happen in the kitchen mostly. Dawn Staley had this talk with Aliyah Boston. Told her she had every pro attribute, except a pro body. Boston took that to the bank this summer and you can see it.

Emily is obviously not going to be an Aliyah Boston, but she could be an excellent rotation player for us if only she could get up and down quicker.

 

[Volfan2012]

I think at this point and probably next season as well it is obvious Emily is not going to get any minutes other than when the game is decided. If she can't get in when Key is out except for 14 minutes of a game not going to happen. The rotation inside was clarified in this game Key, Green, Puckett. That is your top three inside players when any game is in doubt. Unclear who is fourth Striplin or Saunders, but Karoline got in first before Emily in this game. If Key can't go against Georgia I think we'll see Green , Puckett and maybe some Horston inside for Tennessee on defense. For next season I will be totally surprised if Tennessee is not looking to add a power five post player from the portal even if Green decides to come back next season. We need someone to back up Key and also be eligible the next season when Key graduates plus another post from the 2023 freshmen. This is an area where Tennessee is needing to build up strength for next season and the future.

 

[lvocd]

I think at this point and probably next season as well it is obvious Emily is not going to get any minutes other than when the game is decided. If she can't get in when Key is out except for 14 minutes of a game not going to happen. The rotation inside was clarified in this game Key, Green, Puckett. That is your top three inside players when any game is in doubt. Unclear who is fourth Striplin or Saunders, but Karoline got in first before Emily in this game. If Key can't go against Georgia I think we'll see Green , Puckett and maybe some Horston inside for Tennessee on defense. For next season I will be totally surprised if Tennessee is not looking to add a power five post player from the portal even if Green decides to come back next season. We need someone to back up Key and also be eligible the next season when Key graduates plus another post from the 2023 freshmen. This is an area where Tennessee is needing to build up strength for next season and the future.

I keep wondering when/if West Virginia U. is going to find a way to reach out to Emily. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear the idea has been planted. I hope not, because I think Emily would benefit for a LIFETIME by sticking it out at Tennessee and always being a part of the Lady Vol family. If she were to transfer now she’d likely never feel the same level of sisterhood and loyalty to those who were her second choice.

And NO, I have NOT heard any rumor about any of that. It’s just something I assume fans of WV have wondered about.

I feel strongly that if Emily were to have an Aliyah Boston-like revelation/transformation in the areas of nutrition and endurance-building in this upcoming offseason, she could very well carve herself out a NICE role for next season — one with significant minutes.

Emily has great hands and a gorgeous face-up shot near the basket. AND SHE MAKES HER SHOTS!!!! Honestly, I wish she’d call Aliyah and get inspiration from her.

 

[lvocd]

View attachment 428989

I made this post in February. That was my attempt to say what you’re thinking in the most professional way possible. For athletes of this caliber I see nothing wrong with putting an emphasis on nutrition and conditioning. It’s got to happen in the kitchen mostly. Dawn Staley had this talk with Aliyah Boston. Told her she had every pro attribute, except a pro body. Boston took that to the bank this summer and you can see it.

Emily is obviously not going to be an Aliyah Boston, but she could be an excellent rotation player for us if only she could get up and down quicker.

Good grief. VB, I have no idea how I managed to overlook this post from you before I posted! Sorry about that. We obviously are thinking along the same lines.

 

[Volfan2012]

I keep wondering when/if West Virginia U. is going to find a way to reach out to Emily. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear the idea has been planted. I hope not, because I think Emily would benefit for a LIFETIME by sticking it out at Tennessee and always being a part of the Lady Vol family. If she were to transfer now she’d likely never feel the same level of sisterhood and loyalty to those who were her second choice.

And NO, I have NOT heard any rumor about any of that. It’s just something I assume fans of WV have wondered about.

I feel strongly that if Emily were to have an Aliyah Boston-like revelation/transformation in the areas of nutrition and endurance-building in this upcoming offseason, she could very well carve herself out a NICE role for next season — one with significant minutes.

Emily has great hands and a gorgeous face-up shot near the basket. AND SHE MAKES HER SHOTS!!!! Honestly, I wish she’d call Aliyah and get inspiration from her.

I honestly thought she would be ready for at least 5 to 10 minutes of backup action this season every game. After watching her play some I see no reason she couldn't get in there 3 or 4 minutes a game without causing to many problems. As far as building her body if she hasn't went that route in three summers here don't think she is going to start now. I feel she has accepted her role because it has been totally the same for this her third year. If she was going to transfer she would've done it after last season when we were short handed yet still only seven to eight players got off the bench in SEC play. Were playing a couple more this season and she is not one of them. She could've been a starter at a lot of other places like ETSU, Chattanooga, etc, maybe even some SEC schools, but she seems to like it here and glad she chose Tennessee. Comes a point in time when you know where you stand with a team and she knows where she stands and she accepts it and so if she does so do I.

 

[Amb3096]

RE: Emily...it might be too late for her, to be honest. If she's not part of the rotation this season, I don't think there will be a ton of schools lining up to give her a bigger role on their team if she transfers. I'm also not sure that she will be ahead of Karoline in the post depth next season. Maybe a 3rd body in case of injuries, but that's probably the best she can hope for.

 

[GameTime]

Sweet girl with a nice shot....Maybe she will evolve, maybe not.

 

[VolBall09]

RE: Emily...it might be too late for her, to be honest. If she's not part of the rotation this season, I don't think there will be a ton of schools lining up to give her a bigger role on their team if she transfers. I'm also not sure that she will be ahead of Karoline in the post depth next season. Maybe a 3rd body in case of injuries, but that's probably the best she can hope for.

I don’t even like to speculate/think about our players transferring. But if Em does want to play more I think she could have a dynamite senior season at a mid-major school. In a mid-major conference her size alone would get her so much time. The foot speed is nowhere close to the SEC even for guards.

If she were to transfer to a P5 school I do think somewhere in the Big 12 would be best. You can have a big without a ton of speed in that league. Ayoka Lee is actually the same speed or slower than Emily, she’s just an extremely talented offensive player.

 

[Lucy]

I keep wondering when/if West Virginia U. is going to find a way to reach out to Emily. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear the idea has been planted. I hope not, because I think Emily would benefit for a LIFETIME by sticking it out at Tennessee and always being a part of the Lady Vol family. If she were to transfer now she’d likely never feel the same level of sisterhood and loyalty to those who were her second choice.

And NO, I have NOT heard any rumor about any of that. It’s just something I assume fans of WV have wondered about.

I feel strongly that if Emily were to have an Aliyah Boston-like revelation/transformation in the areas of nutrition and endurance-building in this upcoming offseason, she could very well carve herself out a NICE role for next season — one with significant minutes.

Emily has great hands and a gorgeous face-up shot near the basket. AND SHE MAKES HER SHOTS!!!! Honestly, I wish she’d call Aliyah and get inspiration from her.

She has two more years after this year. She could really make some noise.

 

[VolBall09]

She has two more years after this year. She could really make some noise.

I forget everyone got last year back

 

[Rickster]

I hope she does what she wants to do. If she wants to stay with her LV family, I'll be super happy.

 

[lvocd]

I hope she does what she wants to do. If she wants to stay with her LV family, I'll be super happy.

I'm not gonna lie. I'd be upset if Emily left. I have a strong feeling that Emily plays an important role in what everyone has seen and felt of the special chemistry this team has. Tennessee NEEDS Emily Saunders. Period.

Also, I just love that kid and I'm feeling selfish. lol

 

[37620VOL]

I could see her get pt after Key graduates. If Key ever misses a game against a team with height, I think ES would get pt currently.

 

[Amb3096]

I could see her get pt after Key graduates. If Key ever misses a game against a team with height, I think ES would get pt currently.

She graduates with Tamari, unless she elects to take a COVID year...which is no guarantee for her especially if Striplin starts to assert herself next season or Kellie gets someone from the portal.