What Could've Been!

#1
mlindsay

mlindsay

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#1
I have bashed Holly a lot but I have also given credit where it is due. I was just wondering if anyone ever wonder what could have been had Kaela Davis (originally verbally committed to us but then backed out when Pat announced having Dementia) and Diamond decided to signed with us initially? We woud've had the top 3 recruits in the 2013 Class (Russell, DeShields, Kaela) and 4 in the top ten (add Jannah Tucker to the top 3) and 5 in the top 50 (add Jordan Reynolds to the other 4). I am certain with all of them together on this years team we would be possibly a lock to win it all (based on talent) but certainly a lock to reach the final 4. Just wondering if anyone feels the same way or have any info as to why Davis really decided against coming here because her twin brother initially came here and then transferred to UCF.
So my question is if we would have landed all 3 initially (Russell, Davis, DeShields) to go along with what we already have, and who we have signed. How many Final Four Appearences and or Championships do you think we would have won?
recruit_e_top_three_b1_576.jpg
 
#2
#2
I think about this a lot. Davis is having a good career so far but Tech will probably never win an ACC Championship or go to a FF.

I would say 3 FFs.
 
#3
#3
Davis & Deshields were never going to the same school.

If Davis had come here, and Diamond decided to transfer from NC like she did, Davis would have left (and not by her own choosing).
 
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#4
#4
mlindsay said:
I have bashed Holly a lot but I have also given credit where it is due. I was just wondering if anyone ever wonder what could have been had Kaela Davis (originally verbally committed to us but then backed out when Pat announced having Dementia) and Diamond decided to signed with us initially? We woud've had the top 3 recruits in the 2013 Class (Russell, DeShields, Kaela) and 4 in the top ten (add Jannah Tucker to the top 3) and 5 in the top 50 (add Jordan Reynolds to the other 4). I am certain with all of them together on this years team we would be possibly a lock to win it all (based on talent) but certainly a lock to reach the final 4. Just wondering if anyone feels the same way or have any info as to why Davis really decided against coming here because her twin brother initially came here and then transferred to UCF.
So my question is if we would have landed all 3 initially (Russell, Davis, DeShields) to go along with what we already have, and who we have signed. How many Final Four Appearences and or Championships do you think we would have won?
recruit_e_top_three_b1_576.jpg
Click to expand...

The reason DeShields didn't sign in the first place is because Davis was committed here. The reason she is here now is because Davis decommitted and Cooper committed to us. If Cooper had stuck with NC I suspect DeShields would have also. So be glad we have those two and that Davis is at Georgia Tech. It all worked out for Tennessee for the better.
 
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#5
#5
I constantly think about this! I even brought it up in another thread! A lot of top prospects wanted to play for Pat in that class! I really hate that had to happen to one of the GREATEST coaches of ALL-TIME, like Tenn is already injury prone with players. Had we not had injuries to players in the past at inconvient times, no telling where we would be. Vicki Baugh comes to mind, Candace Parker's injury, Kamiko Williams, Amber Gray, Kelly Cain, Allyssa Brewer, Jannah Tucker's situation, Ariel last year with her concussions, she was pkaying at an elite level before that injury, last year she dived to the floor, moved her feet on defense, Jasmine Jones's concussion, Merecedes!!! What if Lauren Avant had not transferred!?!? Its just seems like really, that had to happen to Pat? She created one of the most storied programs in bbasketball history. She was one of a kind, and had Pat remained healthy I believe we would have #9 already. Nobody really knows when this all started with Pat but anyhow....back on point no question in my mind had we landed either Davis or DeShield or BOTH even tho its been said they'd never play at the same school, hypothetically speaking IF we had landed both, there is no doubt in my mind we would have been competing last year!

But hey things happen, I could only imagine if EDD would have stayed at UCONN!!!
 
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#6
#6
We would have won it all if Parker would have played her freshman year when we lost in the Final Four.
 
#7
#7
mtsuraider06 said:
Davis & Deshields were never going to the same school.

If Davis had come here, and Diamond decided to transfer from NC like she did, Davis would have left (and not by her own choosing).
Click to expand...
Whats the reason they didn't want to go to the same school? Besides possibly playing the same position?
 
#9
#9
you can never assume that a team will make it to the Final Four but they would have a better chance with the mentioned players

and Coach Pat Summit is greatly missed and all ways will be,she is a Legend
 
#10
#10
Davis and DeShields would not have played at the same school, at least not with only one ball. Even if we had Davis, I don't think we would be any better than we are now. She's a high-volume, low-percentage shooter (like extremely low), which is not what we need. Look at how much Simmons was criticized when she was here, and she shot better, and less, than Davis. People just look at Davis's points scored and assume she's a lot better than she really is. I'd much rather have Diamond for 2 or 3 years.
 
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#13
#13
I don't follow Davis or GT very closely, but I think she would probably be more impressive with better coaching and better talent around her. Instead she wanted to be the big fish in a small pond in a tough conference where she is the focal point of every defense. I would love to have seen what she could do here.

That said, between her and Deshields, I would agree Tennessee ended up with the better player....
 
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#14
#14
I agree and Davis don't play much defense. People can say what they want about Diamond but she's an all around player.
 
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#15
#15
Darth_Vol said:
I don't follow Davis or GT very closely, but I think she would probably be more impressive with better coaching and better talent around her. Instead she wanted to be the big fish in a small pond in a tough conference where she is the focal point of every defense. I would love to have seen what she could do here.

That said, between her and Deshields, I would agree Tennessee ended up with the better player....
Click to expand...

Good points..I'll also add that Georgia tech might not even make the NCAA tourney this season...they are playing well below what the expectations were for the program when Davis signed there. All I can say is I hope Davis enjoys the wnit..she'll be seeing a lot of it

The lady vols have def come up on the short end of the stick on a lot of things including recruiting, freak injuries, staff departures, pat's horrible illness...but with the addition of tea and diamond, things seem to be looking a lot better..
 
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#16
#16
At least Davis can go home every night she isn't far from her house. Nice to talk about but things happened in High School that forever would prevent these two players from being on the same team. That is why Deshields transferred to another school and took a different direction when Davis committed to Tennessee.
 
#17
#17
Did you see Russell play last season?
Davis is good, but not great.
Diamond was a freshman All- American and the best player of the three. Russell is way over-rated, at least so far.
 
#18
#18
If Mercedes comes back healthy people will be singing a whole diff tune come her Jr and Sr seasons! Post players take time to develope! Russell has the potential, its clearly there! I mean I'm pretty sure she wasn't ranked top 2 in the country by people who've done recruiting services for MANY years for nothing! I don't know any great post player that came directly out of high school to be a DOMINATING force besides Brittney Grinder! Mercedes isn't chopped liver and it tickles me how some already write her off after one season. The future is bright for Tenn with Russell in the line up.
 
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#19
#19
Franklin Pierce said:
Did you see Russell play last season?
Davis is good, but not great.
Diamond was a freshman All- American and the best player of the three. Russell is way over-rated, at least so far.
Click to expand...

So what your saying is she was over-rated, because she gave everything she could give while playing on TWO bad feet ALL of last year. Okay.
 
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#20
#20
O and I'll take Diamond over Davis any day. I'm glad things fell the way they did! We're due for a string of good luck or something....its time to start back winnging National Championships.GLVs
 
#21
#21
LadyVol1908 said:
If Mercedes comes back healthy people will be singing a whole diff tune come her Jr and Sr seasons! Post players take time to develope! Russell has the potential, its clearly there! I mean I'm pretty sure she wasn't ranked top 2 in the country by people who've done recruiting services for MANY years for nothing! I don't know any great post player that came directly out of high school to be a DOMINATING force besides Brittney Grinder! Mercedes isn't chopped liver and it tickles me how some already write her off after one season. The future is bright for Tenn with Russell in the line up.
Click to expand...

Burdick was #3 and Massengale was #4
 
#22
#22
Orange_Mamba said:
So what your saying is she was over-rated, because she gave everything she could give while playing on TWO bad feet ALL of last year. Okay.
Click to expand...

I evaluate players by how well or bad they perform, regardless of why they did or did not play well.

I am clearly aware of Russell's physical problems. I hope next season she is the SEC Player-Of-The-Year. But, there were many true freshmen that played better than Russell last season.

Next season there will be a big time need for Russell to play really well. I hope she does.
 
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