Transfer Portal 22-23

[youcancallmeAl]

One wonders why Rickea wanted to come back when she would have been a sure fire ist rounder. I'm guessing she doesn't see herself as a four in the league, but instead as a three who can crash boards and work inside and out. That means she's coming back to spend a year to learn to shoot the 3 ball and defend on the perimeter. We have all the interior players we need: Key, Hollingshead, Puckett, Striplin (all of whom will be at least juniors) + anyone out of the portal. So we don't need Rickea at the four any more, especially if we portal recruit over existing players for a post.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

we need more depth up front for starters

Yes but I know we can‘t get it all so I chose guard play as the main priority. I also think we need an athletic center that can score and commands the paint.

 

[glv98]

One wonders why Rickea wanted to come back when she would have been a sure fire ist rounder. I'm guessing she doesn't see herself as a four in the league, but instead as a three who can crash boards and work inside and out. That means she's coming back to spend a year to learn to shoot the 3 ball and defend on the perimeter. We have all the interior players we need: Key, Hollingshead, Puckett, Striplin (all of whom will be at least juniors) + anyone out of the portal. So we don't need Rickea at the four any more, especially if we portal recruit over existing players for a post.

I think that's exactly the on court reason for her to come back, to play the position she's most likely to play in the W. Every draft analysis said the same thing, work on the handle and the 3. We are now loaded with interior players who have much more bulk than Rickea. However, she's so good at post moves, it still might be end up being a go to in emergency situations like the game winner at Missouri.

If we take a post, I think/hope it will be a very young one who doesn't mind watching alot this coming season. Year after next, Key will be gone and Strip and Jill will both be Srs with no covid yr so we'll need a couple of emerging posts then.

 

[southie]

laugh all you want, potential is there

In all honesty, I don't expect you to know why she played very little at Texas as a true freshman in 2021-22. Basically, she hasn't learned or doesn't want to play defense; that's why I laughed that you believe she has the potential to be a defensive stopper. She does not do a good job as a defender staying with her assignment. We constantly saw her remain flat-footed as the opposing team's guard just went right by her with their dribble. Doesn't do a good job anticipating her assignment's first step.

She's a great 3-point shooter (not yet proven in actual collegiate games, but in her very first exhibition game at Texas). I think she'd do well in a program like Oklahoma or Arkansas where the emphasis is on offense and shooting the ball from the perimeter instead of a program that emphasizes defense.

That being said, she left the team for a few games in 2021-22 for what most of us believe were mental health reasons (based on what she would post on social media). A couple of weeks before the first game of 2022-23 she left the team again for what Vic told the media were "family reasons" (but made it sound like she'd be back). She never came back; never practiced again; never sat on the bench again; never was in the stands supporting her teammates. Again, her social media was never-ending with posts about mental health. Remained on scholarship the entire season with zero contribution or support to the program.

Can she get past her mental health concerns to contribute elsewhere? We'll find out. 3 years of eligibility remaining as she ended up redshirting.

 

[turbovol]

347 D1 schools failed to make the sweet 16 the last 2 years.

We're NOT other schools. We've got 8 national titles. Can you imagine telling the athletic directors, coaches, fans of North Carolina, Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, UCLA men's programs, if they hadn't been a contender in 15 years, "hey, 300 other D1 schools didn't make the Sweet 16." They'd laugh at you. We have a pedigree, we have a tradition, we have a level---or had one. THAT is the point. We're not 300/400 other D1 schools--a point the polyannas never seem to get.

 

[M224johnson]

Yeah Kellie will start her but she shouldn’t. Agree with you.

. Whoever does the substitutions need to go. We can have all the best players but if you can’t manage the playing time properly it doesn’t matter. Horston was ALWAYS the first player taken out 6 mins in. Why? She’s not tired, not in foul trouble so why? Elite teams have go-to players who just don’t leave the floor

 

[Lucy]

We're NOT other schools. We've got 8 national titles. Can you imagine telling the athletic directors, coaches, fans of North Carolina, Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, UCLA men's programs, if they hadn't been a contender in 15 years, "hey, 300 other D1 schools didn't make the Sweet 16." They'd laugh at you. We have a pedigree, we have a tradition, we have a level---or had one. THAT is the point. We're not 300/400 other D1 schools--a point the polyannas never seem to get.

This was in response to someone calling our program mediocre. Not saying we should be satisfied with where we are.

 

[M224johnson]

Did WELLS really leave Belmont where she played almost every minute of every game to come to TN to sit behind POWELL. (I dont think so) What was TN sales pitch to her ? Someone is getting lied to somewhere!!!! I feel like same w Justine. What was pitch to her COME TO TN WHERE YOU WILL ENJOY SITTING THE BENCH 95% OF YOUR TIME as a 5 star all American
No wonder kids are in the portal like they are, THEY ARE STRAIGHT UP BEING LIED TO AND BS ALL DURING RECRUITMENT

If you don't plan to use 3 point shooters in any way or at least enough to affect the game stop recruiting them to ride the pine, if they don't fit the system you want to run why recruit them ? JMO

So play Justine because she was a great shooter in high school but can’t defend in college? Not every great high school player can step into college and make an immediate impact.

 

[Fatoldman]

So play Justine because she was a great shooter in high school but can’t defend in college? Not every great high school player can step into college and make an immediate impact.

Justinne was a great high school player but apparently some feel she does not need to earn playing time in college. If she earned minutes she would get them. She is turnover prone and can't play defense yet. She is not entitled to minutes. Not unusuak for top high s school players to not do much in college. The jury is still out on Justinne. If she does not want to stay and earn time she can transfer. No big deal.

 

[glv98]

One wonders why Rickea wanted to come back when she would have been a sure fire ist rounder

With the recent set of announcements, Rickea is the only first rounder not going into the draft, except Kitley, who hasn't decided and who may or may not be a first rounder. Zia Cooke hasn't said either, but she also is not a guaranteed first rounder. Rickea will end up being by far the highest potential draftee to use her covid year. How lucky are we?

 

[chuckiepoo]

With the recent set of announcements, Rickea is the only first rounder not going into the draft, except Kitley, who hasn't decided and who may or may not be a first rounder. Zia Cooke hasn't said either, but she also is not a guaranteed first rounder. Rickea will end up being by far the highest potential draftee to use her covid year. How lucky are we?

Luck? I’d say fortune born of planning and effort by the staff and administration.

 

[FormerLadyVolFan]

...and the Lady Vol Boost-Her Club!

Luck? I’d say fortune born of planning and effort by the staff and administration.

 

[LasVegasBill23]

Yes but I know we can‘t get it all so I chose guard play as the main priority. I also think we need an athletic center that can score and commands the paint.

ya totally agreed i just read all these posts which imply if we get this person at this spot etc.... then we will be final 4 ready..... geez we need to get more players who are talented and hungry to get after oit and challlenge the top of the SEC

 

[youcancallmeAl]

We're NOT other schools. We've got 8 national titles. Can you imagine telling the athletic directors, coaches, fans of North Carolina, Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, UCLA men's programs, if they hadn't been a contender in 15 years, "hey, 300 other D1 schools didn't make the Sweet 16." They'd laugh at you. We have a pedigree, we have a tradition, we have a level---or had one. THAT is the point. We're not 300/400 other D1 schools--a point the polyannas never seem to get.

We've never won a Natty or even gotten to the FF without Pat Summitt as our coach. Pat Summitt is no longer with us. Without her, we have no tradition or pedigree, until another coach comes along and gets us back to the promised land.

 

[M224johnson]

Justinne was a great high school player but apparently some feel she does not need to earn playing time in college. If she earned minutes she would get them. She is turnover prone and can't play defense yet. She is not entitled to minutes. Not unusuak for top high s school players to not do much in college. The jury is still out on Justinne. If she does not want to stay and earn time she can transfer. No big deal.

I totally agree!!!

 

[LasVegasBill23]

We're NOT other schools. We've got 8 national titles. Can you imagine telling the athletic directors, coaches, fans of North Carolina, Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, UCLA men's programs, if they hadn't been a contender in 15 years, "hey, 300 other D1 schools didn't make the Sweet 16." They'd laugh at you. We have a pedigree, we have a tradition, we have a level---or had one. THAT is the point. We're not 300/400 other D1 schools--a point the polyannas never seem to get.

a;; all that is good and yes we have a pedigree..... but many years since we were potent ..... and have we made the correct moves to push the needle forward with our program...... or have we just done enough to be competitive in our conference...... LSU went out and signed Mulkey who has made the NC game in 2nd year there..... we are far from that level..... I look at Notre Dame football no national title in 35 years but it is competitive each and every year and has support of administration...... we need to step our game up stand up and be counted...... i dont want to be forever seen as the 3rd or 4th best team in the SEC

 

[DarkPhoenix]

a;; all that is good and yes we have a pedigree..... but many years since we were potent ..... and have we made the correct moves to push the needle forward with our program...... or have we just done enough to be competitive in our conference...... LSU went out and signed Mulkey who has made the NC game in 2nd year there..... we are far from that level..... I look at Notre Dame football no national title in 35 years but it is competitive each and every year and has support of administration...... we need to step our game up stand up and be counted...... i dont want to be forever seen as the 3rd or 4th best team in the SEC

We are very far from that level, I notice most people on here are fine with being mediocre. thats the reason I’m calling it like I see it now, some of them really think it’s a good idea to have Wells and Powell to start in our backcourt, no way is that a recipe for success.

 

[Dak1219]

Did WELLS really leave Belmont where she played almost every minute of every game to come to TN to sit behind POWELL. (I dont think so) What was TN sales pitch to her ? Someone is getting lied to somewhere!!!! I feel like same w Justine. What was pitch to her COME TO TN WHERE YOU WILL ENJOY SITTING THE BENCH 95% OF YOUR TIME as a 5 star all American
No wonder kids are in the portal like they are, THEY ARE STRAIGHT UP BEING LIED TO AND BS ALL DURING RECRUITMENT

If you don't plan to use 3 point shooters in any way or at least enough to affect the game stop recruiting them to ride the pine, if they don't fit the system you want to run why recruit them ? JMO

I think only 5 players are allowed on the court at a time. You will always have players on the bench, some more than others. Just because you have a 5-star All-American who is a freshman doesn't guarantee they will play right away, especially with other high school all-Americans with a couple of years of college experience in their position playing on the same team. Look at South Carolina's team this year or Pat Summitt or Geno Auriemma's teams for years. They had plenty of all americans who didn't see the floor their first couple years if ever. I would imagine Kellie doles out playing time the same way her coach did and I really doubt she promises anyone playing time in the recruiting process.

 

[Lucy]

We are very far from that level, I notice most people on here are fine with being mediocre. thats the reason I’m calling it like I see it now, some of them really think it’s a good idea to have Wells and Powell to start in our backcourt, no way is that a recipe for success.

Mediocre is a ridiculous description of our program. You forfeit any legitimacy making such statements.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Mediocre is a ridiculous description of our program. You forfeit any legitimacy making such statements.

We have been very average for years now, we haven’t won anything. I obviously have high hopes every season because I want them to succeed so bad. But now I’m looking at things objectively and see the flaws we have in the roster, it’s not like we can get back to the top if we can get more elite players.

 

[Memvol44]

Mediocre is a ridiculous description of our program. You forfeit any legitimacy making such statements.

Won 25-26 games?? Hardly mediocre...

 

[FormerLadyVolFan]

Average doesn't describe finishing 3rd in the conference behind two final four teams, one of which will be playing in the NCAA championship today that you beat in the conference semifinals a few weeks ago.

We have been very average for years now, we haven’t won anything. I obviously have high hopes every season because I want them to succeed so bad. But now I’m looking at things objectively and see the flaws we have in the roster, it’s not like we can get back to the top if we can get more elite players.

 

[Coach Jumper]

We're NOT other schools. We've got 8 national titles. Can you imagine telling the athletic directors, coaches, fans of North Carolina, Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, UCLA men's programs, if they hadn't been a contender in 15 years, "hey, 300 other D1 schools didn't make the Sweet 16." They'd laugh at you. We have a pedigree, we have a tradition, we have a level---or had one. THAT is the point. We're not 300/400 other D1 schools--a point the polyannas never seem to get.

this /\

 

[Lucy]

this /\

Again, this post was in response to a poster calling the program “mediocre”

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Won 25-26 games?? Hardly mediocre...

The season was not great, how many elite teams did we beat out of 25-26 games? I’m going off the standard at Tn, if we was a Belmont or something like that I would be happy with the results. So next year if we are one and done in the tournament or don’t make it all all, what would u say then? Because with the roster we have currently, I can’t see us going far, but I’m hoping we get more in the portal.