We will go as far as Diamond takes us!

[mlindsay]

As many of us were able to see yesterday against Auburn when Diamond is motivated to play on both ends of the ball, we are a team that will be tough to beat. When she plays uninspired then we are a disaster waiting to happen. We will go as far as she will take us and I think the Alumni weekend had an effect on her (at least I hope it did). I think she does trust her teammates but just demands more out of them and she showed yesterday (even with the many turnovers) that she will try to get the ball to the open person. Holly has to trust her girls more and allow them to play. Stop trying to force them to be one dimensional and allow them to play. The thing working against us is we don't have any women on our team that will stand up to Diamond when she gets in her funk and tell her to get her stuff together. When Candace was here (Nicky, Hornbuckle, & Bobbit) were not afraid to state how they feel about Candace which ultimately made them better teammates and us a better team. A player like Graves (who Diamond seems to like playing alongside) should be able to tell her to get it together and not allow her to get down on herself so much when things aren't going her way. I hope this is a step in the right direction but I truly hope we continue to see the (Team first but I will get mine if I have to in order for my team to be successful like I was yesterday) Diamond because that Diamond makes us a Final Four team IMO. Next we have to get Graves to start taking those 13 to 14 foot jumpers more often because if she can hit them like she did yesterday teams can no longer sag 2 and 3 players on Russell. (But that's for another thread)

 

[Martic]

Not that it's right but I can see why DD felt like she had to do it all. Most of the players seemed reluctant to shoot. Bigs either not catching the ball or blowing easy point blank shots. We were constantly turning the ball over trying to throw it into the post. Perhaps she felt pressure to produce. If you watch her she plays defense as well as anyone else on the team does. People compare her to MS but she had the same type of situation, everyone else seemed reluctant to shoot the ball so she practically had to take the shots. People massacred her for being a ball hog. I worry about some of the things people post on this board(me included). If I were a recruit reading it I would really wonder if people would be talking negatively about me like they do the players on the team.

 

[mlindsay]

Not that it's right but I can see why DD felt like she had to do it all. Most of the players seemed reluctant to shoot. Bigs either not catching the ball or blowing easy point blank shots. We were constantly turning the ball over trying to throw it into the post. Perhaps she felt pressure to produce. If you watch her she plays defense as well as anyone else on the team does. People compare her to MS but she had the same type of situation, everyone else seemed reluctant to shoot the ball so she practically had to take the shots. People massacred her for being a ball hog. I worry about some of the things people post on this board(me included). If I were a recruit reading it I would really wonder if people would be talking negatively about me like they do the players on the team.

Yes I feel the same way sometimes. I have to look at what I am saying and if it will negatively impact recruits. Question for you who is MS? you stated people compare her to MS and my mind is drawing a mental blank.

 

[djtee]

As many of us were able to see yesterday against Auburn when Diamond is motivated to play on both ends of the ball, we are a team that will be tough to beat. When she plays uninspired then we are a disaster waiting to happen. We will go as far as she will take us and I think the Alumni weekend had an effect on her (at least I hope it did). I think she does trust her teammates but just demands more out of them and she showed yesterday (even with the many turnovers) that she will try to get the ball to the open person. Holly has to trust her girls more and allow them to play. Stop trying to force them to be one dimensional and allow them to play. The thing working against us is we don't have any women on our team that will stand up to Diamond when she gets in her funk and tell her to get her stuff together. When Candace was here (Nicky, Hornbuckle, & Bobbit) were not afraid to state how they feel about Candace which ultimately made them better teammates and us a better team. A player like Graves (who Diamond seems to like playing alongside) should be able to tell her to get it together and not allow her to get down on herself so much when things aren't going her way. I hope this is a step in the right direction but I truly hope we continue to see the (Team first but I will get mine if I have to in order for my team to be successful like I was yesterday) Diamond because that Diamond makes us a Final Four team IMO. Next we have to get Graves to start taking those 13 to 14 foot jumpers more often because if she can hit them like she did yesterday teams can no longer sag 2 and 3 players on Russell. (But that's for another thread)

This team just can`t rely on Diamond that will not work against the top 10 - 15 teams Nared took only 3 shots 2-3 and that`s a no no she needs to shoot the ball more. I don`t care if she miss 50 but she needs to be more offensive-minded. As for Graves you are correct she is better off shooting that mid range shot then posting up.

 

[mlindsay]

This team just can`t rely on Diamond that will not work against the top 10 - 15 teams Nared took only 3 shots 2-3 and that`s a no no she needs to shoot the ball more. I don`t care if she miss 50 but she needs to be more offensive-minded. As for Graves you are correct she is better off shooting that mid range shot then posting up.

I think Nared also must shoot and she is another 1 I think Diamond trust. She has to be told to take the shot, she seems to be another one of those that if her shot isn't falling she wont shoot and it hurts us. From what I have seen (when we play our best ball) the talent is there to make a National Title run, it is just a matter of if Holly will realize that she can't "over coach" and sometimes just let them play.

 

[LVJeff]

One win and you're ready for a national title run?? Anyway, MS = Meaghan Simmons.

 

[mlindsay]

One win and you're ready for a national title run?? Anyway, MS = Meaghan Simmons.

It's not just this win, the pieces are there, the coaching/leadership is not which has us looking the way we are. Imagine a senior leader like Izzy on this team do you think we have any losses right now? Izzy was not only vocal but lead by example. We don't currently have either. & I thought that's who MS was but in no way is that a fair comparison (Basketball Skills wise). Meaghan rarely ever looked to get her teammates involved, if the ball was in her hand she was shooting.

 

[Amb3096]

Yes I feel the same way sometimes. I have to look at what I am saying and if it will negatively impact recruits. Question for you who is MS? you stated people compare her to MS and my mind is drawing a mental blank.

I presume she's referring to Meighan Simmons.

I also thought that MS didn't get a fair shake. She was at least willing to make things happen...although her freshman year, she had a tendency to not see Kelly Cain in perfect position to score a layup time and time again.

Her junior/senior year, she was much better at sharing the ball instead of trying to do it all herself.

 

[armchair]

We will be dependent on DeShields, because you cannot be a good or better team unless you have a couple of players who can create and score when needed. Still, she needs to be a leader on this team, and play hard. This team does not have much leadership--Carter and Graves seem too quiet. DeShields can be a good passer but makes poor decisions sometimes, which is why she's piling up TOs. When we move the ball quickly, good things happen; when we stand around and watch one person dribble or stand outside with the ball for seconds, waiting for a big to get open, we are terrible. We are a team that should play at a high tempo, but you have to make good decisions with the basketball to be productive and efficient playing that style.

 

[Amb3096]

We will be dependent on DeShields, because you cannot be a good or better team unless you have a couple of players who can create and score when needed. Still, she needs to be a leader on this team, and play hard. This team does not have much leadership--Carter and Graves seem too quiet. DeShields can be a good passer but makes poor decisions sometimes, which is why she's piling up TOs. When we move the ball quickly, good things happen; when we stand around and watch one person dribble or stand outside with the ball for seconds, waiting for a big to get open, we are terrible. We are a team that should play at a high tempo, but you have to make good decisions with the basketball to be productive and efficient playing that style.

Diamond freestyles. That's why she has so many turnovers. You can take the girl out of UNC, but can't take UNC out of the girl.

 

[RollerVol]

Yes...and...No...
Great player looking like we hoped she would, but, without the surrounding talent coming into their own, also, we'll be just another afterthought...:yes:

GO LADY VOLS!

 

[teacherdean]

I believe that the coaches need to evaluate their talent so players can play to their strengths. I agree that Diamond, if motivated, can do things most players just dream of, but she has to bring that attitude to every game. Graves needs to be encouraged to shoot more often and not pass up open shots. When we have problems is when we go out of our strong suit and start throwing up 3 bricks.

We simply are not a 3 point shooting team. We also need to work our way into mid range and not always pass the ball around the perimeter a ton of times , trying to find the inside shot every time we are on offense. What usually happens, when we can't get an open pass we either pass it in any way or we take a desperation 3. As one post stated Graves has a mid range shot. I think that She and Diamond could make our offense a little more potent if they consentrated on their mid range shot.

Usually the shorter the distance the better the shooter. We have a 6'6" player but try to feed her low or waist high and she has a habit of bring the ball down where the ball can be stolen. Feed her high where only she can reach the ball and teach her not to hesitate but take the ball straight to the basket. Russell has soft hands and some bad habits that can be solved in practice. To help her with her soft hands get about 3 to 5 feet away from her and throw the ball with some volicity at her chest and her face. Have her to practice this method every practice from 5 to 10 minutes. The problem with toughness is, most time it is a state of mind. So not only must Russell be physically tough but she also must be mentally tough. Another method to toughen up a player, is place them under the goal against 3 players (3 on 1) toss the ball at the goal and challenge them to fend off three players and rebound the ball. The coaches may be doing these things, or better, but it might not be sticking.

With Russell, Graves, and Diamond as our center pieces, I believe that this could still be at least an elite 8 team. We also need to realize that at best we only have two players who should be playing the point and that is Midelton and Carter.

The pieces are there we just need consistency and effort every game.

 

[djtee]

I believe that the coaches need to evaluate their talent so players can play to their strengths. I agree that Diamond, if motivated, can do things most players just dream of, but she has to bring that attitude to every game. Graves needs to be encouraged to shoot more often and not pass up open shots. When we have problems is when we go out of our strong suit and start throwing up 3 bricks.

We simply are not a 3 point shooting team. We also need to work our way into mid range and not always pass the ball around the perimeter a ton of times , trying to find the inside shot every time we are on offense. What usually happens, when we can't get an open pass we either pass it in any way or we take a desperation 3. As one post stated Graves has a mid range shot. I think that She and Diamond could make our offense a little more potent if they consentrated on their mid range shot.

Usually the shorter the distance the better the shooter. We have a 6'6" player but try to feed her low or waist high and she has a habit of bring the ball down where the ball can be stolen. Feed her high where only she can reach the ball and teach her not to hesitate but take the ball straight to the basket. Russell has soft hands and some bad habits that can be solved in practice. To help her with her soft hands get about 3 to 5 feet away from her and throw the ball with some volicity at her chest and her face. Have her to practice this method every practice from 5 to 10 minutes. The problem with toughness is, most time it is a state of mind. So not only must Russell be physically tough but she also must be mentally tough. Another method to toughen up a player, is place them under the goal against 3 players (3 on 1) toss the ball at the goal and challenge them to fend off three players and rebound the ball. The coaches may be doing these things, or better, but it might not be sticking.

With Russell, Graves, and Diamond as our center pieces, I believe that this could still be at least an elite 8 team. We also need to realize that at best we only have two players who should be playing the point and that is Midelton and Carter.

The pieces are there we just need consistency and effort every game.

The problem i have with Graves on the offense end is Holly, want the players to pass the ball to her in the post 90% of the time and to me that`s a mistake. Graves is to short and get`s her shot sent back a lot. I think she`s better shooting the mid rage shot and driving past the bigger defender away from the basket. As for Carter i like the way she is looking for her shot now and the one`s she has missed lately have been half way down.

 

[Rickster]

Diamond will put us in contention and position to win many games however, it will be up to the rest of the team to develop and help her score and defend if we are to be a championship caliber team. The current state is a function of what the coaches and players are doing. No one thing is to blame if blame is to be assigned. There is more than enough of that to go around to every coach and every team member. Time to get past that and work on getting better as coaches, players, administration, and fans.

 

[teacherdean]

The problem i have with Graves on the offense end is Holly, want the players to pass the ball to her in the post 90% of the time and to me that`s a mistake. Graves is to short and get`s her shot sent back a lot. I think she`s better shooting the mid rage shot and driving past the bigger defender away from the basket. As for Carter i like the way she is looking for her shot now and the one`s she has missed lately have been half way down.

Exactly, as I said take advantage of what you have and allow them to be successful. I simply do not think on offense we are taking advantage of our players' talents and potential.

 

[FrozenLVFan]

I take issue with comments that we should do X because "Cooper likes playing with so-and-so" or we should do Y because "Diamond trusts somebody else." What is this, a bunch of grade school girls? Everybody has eleven teammates and has to learn how to play with all of them, not just those that are their BFF's. If they can't do that, they need a seat on the bench.

 

[Volfan2012]

Certainly Diamond is the key player. If she plays under control and gets her teammates involved then we will win most of the remaining games.
We also have to get points in the paint whether that is post points or the ten to twelve foot jumper we were around 50 for the Auburn games and as a result shot over 50 percent.
Diamond seems to be a moody little player sometimes she is dialed in and sometimes she looks like she wished she was somewhere else. When she is dialed in we will win.

 

[UTLadyvolsfan]

This may not be popular, but the problem with the team (or part of it) is they feel the same way as the OP. Diamond, for all her gifts, is not a PG. She's capable of passing and dishing out assists, but she should not be the "playmaker".

Unfortunately, with no discernible offense being taught, it ends up falling on her to do it all. The only team in history to have one player able to do it all and lead her team to a NC is UCONN and Diana Taurasi - the season after Bird and those others graduated. But Diana was a guard by nature and a leader as well. I'm not sure Diamond is good enough at either to be able to "take" this team far.

What I'd rather have is a team effort. I believe that is what our downfall has been this year - lack of offense because no one is teaching it, so there's one person trying to do it all, and Mercedes and Bash are trying to clean up on the glass when we miss.

Just so frustrated with this team and the coaches. Just venting. Maybe I'm way off base. I love this team and our history and it pains me to see us lose to teams like Va Tech and Arkansas.