Will Tennessee ever return to national contender status?

[turbovol]

Quiet as Kept… Kara woulda been fine at Tennessee. USA Basketball ties and it’s clear she’s recruiting well at Duke. But Fulmer played in her face and ours.

Lawson had zero coaching experience, and it's generally not wise to hire a completely inexperienced coach to take over a major program. I was fine with not hiring her.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Lawson had zero coaching experience, and it's generally not wise to hire a completely inexperienced coach to take over a major program. I was fine with not hiring her.

right

 

[dapeak]

Lawson had zero coaching experience, and it's generally not wise to hire a completely inexperienced coach to take over a major program. I was fine with not hiring her.

If you were gonna hire Kellie… might as well have hired Kara. You also had Joni Taylor on the table.

Let’s also take a look at Delisha Milton-Jones who’s resurrected Old Dominion

 

[Rooster1]

I said it earlier in this thread in relation to the OP’s question but the answer is yes if they hire the right coach who can sell the brand and its history as well as coach at the top level in game time situations. UT is still considered one of the top two teams ever in tradition nationally, not a hard sell tbh with the right captain in charge of the program. That type of coach would be able to use that tradition and history on the recruiting trail, but they would have to be a really good X’s and O’s type also because recruits can tell which coaches are for real imo.

UT has advantages, still today, that every school but a few would envy, but parity is spreading like wildfire with the increase in numbers of top talent players so it is harder today than it was 10-20 years ago. But in truth, at a place like UT it only takes getting an alpha coach to make the quick leap back to the top. UT televised games are still some of the most watched games nationally every year.

Last point here, I have always refrained from criticism of the UT staff on this site, not my place or the place of any visitor here, we are lucky to have the privilege to post here and need to be respectful. But if I had to say one thing that seems disturbing to me it is the lack of recruiting success by the current staff given the rich history of the LV program, it’s hard to fathom for an outsider tbh.

 

[Coach Jumper]

...UT has advantages, still today, that every school but a few would envy, but parity is spreading like wildfire with the increase in numbers of top talent players so it is harder today than it was 10-20 years ago. But in truth, at a place like UT it only takes getting an alpha coach to make the quick leap back to the top. UT televised games are still some of the most watched games nationally every year.

When all the cars have the same motor/specifications,,the driver is the difference
equally important is the pit-crew

 

[dapeak]

When all the cars have the same motor/specifications,,the driver is the difference

I remember you questioning the Alpha mentality and at this point the evidence is there that she doesn’t have it.

She’d be fine somewhere where the expectation is only to develop the ladies into productive members of society. I think she’s a nice woman who coaches basketball… that’s it

 

[Coach Jumper]

I remember you questioning the Alpha mentality and at this point the evidence is there that she doesn’t have it.

She’d be fine somewhere where the expectation is only to develop the ladies into productive members of society. I think she’s a nice woman who coaches basketball… that’s it

I truly believe Coach Kellie knows the game and can HC it,,, however, if an Alpha isn't on staff (and not necessarily on the coaching staff) to have direct interaction with the Alpha athletes,,,they will look to each other for leadership. And if one doesn't take the role,,,they become confused bc there is no one they can relate to in the leadership

This last game,, I sat four rows behind the LV bench so I could look into the eyes and read the body language of each coach...in my estimation Kellie, Jon and Joy are Beta's or Alpha'Beta's and Samantha is an Alpha, but not a dominant Alpha.

Coach Kellie did address one player up upon subbing her after a mess up (Jillian),,when Jillian walked from Kellie to the bench there was not a look of ("thanks coach, that helped.."),,,,it was a look of bewilderment. And it translated into her play on the floor

Now...to those thinking I have moved over to "Kellie haters group",,,I want you to look back in my history and remember what I wrote at the beginning of the season..

as the season began I wrote on Nov. 14, post #556...
"I try to see the team from a very unique perspective:
pitting my importance-meter as;
The Lady Vol Organization 1st, players 2nd and Coaches 3rd
This allows me to put more scrutiny on the staff and support the players fully"

I am still 100% behind Kellie and staff,,,but I will not let that sidetrack who I am and how I post.

 

[FormerLadyVolFan]

I'm sure that we could up our recruiting profile if you'd lend us some of the Lady Cocks' bountiful NIL funds....

But if I had to say one thing that seems disturbing to me it is the lack of recruiting success by the current staff given the rich history of the LV program, it’s hard to fathom for an outsider tbh.

 

[WinnerCircle]

UT has advantages, still today, that every school but a few would envy, but parity is spreading like wildfire with the increase in numbers of top talent players so it is harder today than it was 10-20 years ago. But in truth, at a place like UT it only takes getting an alpha coach to make the quick leap back to the top. UT televised games are still some of the most watched games nationally every year.

Last point here, I have always refrained from criticism of the UT staff on this site, not my place or the place of any visitor here, we are lucky to have the privilege to post here and need to be respectful. But if I had to say one thing that seems disturbing to me it is the lack of recruiting success by the current staff given the rich history of the LV program, it’s hard to fathom for an outsider tbh.

There’s nothing disturbing about the recruiting unless it matters to folks that a roster of 12 with a former 5star McD All-American the 13th player taking a redshirt didn’t bring in a freshman which I’m sure there were freshman out there that TN could’ve signed but this staff is too invested in going after certain players that meet their blueprint of a TN player.

That doesn’t have to be the case with the transfer portal which TN is dominating. Destinee Wells head to head.. against you all favorite FR wiped their nose on Nat’l Tv.

Not all of these Top 50-100 recruits are developing on the collegiate level. Notre Dame PG is the best one I’ve seen so far. Nothing wrong with taking a 3 star player out of HS early in the process and not waiting to see what a highly rated player will do and give away your leverage.

There are multiple players in HS right now that have interest in TN, in some cases very skilled players with D1 and SEC offers are showing more interest in TN than it seems the staff is showing in the player(s). It shouldn’t be that way.

 

[Majors]

I truly believe Coach Kellie knows the game and can HC it,,, however, if an Alpha isn't on staff (and not necessarily on the coaching staff) to have direct interaction with the Alpha athletes,,,they will look to each other for leadership. And if one doesn't take the role,,,they become confused bc there is no one they can relate to in the leadership

This last game,, I sat four rows behind the LV bench so I could look into the eyes and read the body language of each coach...in my estimation Kellie, Jon and Joy are Beta's or Alpha'Beta's and Samantha is an Alpha, but not a dominant Alpha.

Coach Kellie did address one player up upon subbing her after a mess up (Jillian),,when Jillian walked from Kellie to the bench there was not a look of ("thanks coach, that helped.."),,,,it was a look of bewilderment. And it translated into her play on the floor

Now...to those thinking I have moved over to "Kellie haters group",,,I want you to look back in my history and remember what I wrote at the beginning of the season..

as the season began I wrote on Nov. 14, post #556...
"I try to see the team from a very unique perspective:
pitting my importance-meter as;
The Lady Vol Organization 1st, players 2nd and Coaches 3rd
This allows me to put more scrutiny on the staff and support the players fully"

I am still 100% behind Kellie and staff,,,but I will not let that sidetrack who I am and how I post.

#556 just says what others have said from the hire or after year 1 and after year 2. Nothing unique. We all watch the same games, some just arrive that CKH is in over her head at different times.

 

[MsSportsGuy]

Lawson had zero coaching experience, and it's generally not wise to hire a completely inexperienced coach to take over a major program. I was fine with not hiring her.

Agreed. Not saying she would have been any worse but it makes zero sense to give the reigns of one of the programs to someone who had literally never coached a game.

Lawson is a brilliant person who could easily wind up being very successful at Duke but the jury is out on if she's any better or more effective than KH.

 

[dapeak]

There’s nothing disturbing about the recruiting unless it matters to folks that a roster of 12 with a former 5star McD All-American the 13th player taking a redshirt didn’t bring in a freshman which I’m sure there were freshman out there that TN could’ve signed but this staff is too invested in going after certain players that meet their blueprint of a TN player.

That doesn’t have to be the case with the transfer portal which TN is dominating. Destinee Wells head to head.. against you all favorite FR wiped their nose on Nat’l Tv.

Not all of these Top 50-100 recruits are developing on the collegiate level. Notre Dame PG is the best one I’ve seen so far. Nothing wrong with taking a 3 star player out of HS early in the process and not waiting to see what a highly rated player will do and give away your leverage.

There are multiple players in HS right now that have interest in TN, in some cases very skilled players with D1 and SEC offers are showing more interest in TN than it seems the staff is showing in the player(s). It shouldn’t be that way.

Have you not seen Juju? Mikaylah Williams? Fulwiley? Hannah isn’t better than any of them. It’s ok to acknowledge the coaches are whiffing on recruiting because they are.

 

[VolBall09]

Have you not seen Juju? Mikaylah Williams? Fulwiley? Hannah isn’t better than any of them. It’s ok to acknowledge the coaches are whiffing on recruiting because they are.

Juju just got that juice man, love watching her play.

Williams has the prettiest, purest shot I’ve seen since Maya Moore. That woman can shoot the ball.

 

[WinnerCircle]

Have you not seen Juju? Mikaylah Williams? Fulwiley? Hannah isn’t better than any of them. It’s ok to acknowledge the coaches are whiffing on recruiting because they are.

That’s your opinion.
The Notre Dame PG is the best and TN made her look average.

 

[creekdipper]

I do wish that we could find a gem like Georgia Amoore who seemed to have come in under the recruiting radar. She just had her way with LSU with mid-range jumpers and drives to basket. 3-point shot was off, and she turned the ball over several times trying to get Kitley and teammates involved when she could have taken the shot herself. Just seems to have so much confidence and poise...never gets rattled as far as I can tell.

I didn't watch too much of the game since wife wanted to see the finale of Golden Bachelor featuring sobbin' Gerry. Afterwards, had to turn off the game after LSU went up big and officials let LSU posts get away with offensive mugging (and calling fouls on Tech). Wouldn't have changed the outcome...LSU defense just stifled everyone except Amoore. Williams and Morrow are a two-headed beast.

 

[Majors]

That’s your opinion.
The Notre Dame PG is the best and TN made her look average.

Avg? She won. And that’s not an opinion. 13 pts/7 assist. Last week you called that elite

 

[Rooster1]

I'm sure that we could up our recruiting profile if you'd lend us some of the Lady Cocks' bountiful NIL funds....

SC does not have more NIL/Booster funds than UT in all likelihood. SC is on the low end tbh.

 

[Majors]

SC does not have more NIL/Booster funds than UT in all likelihood. SC is on the low end tbh.

Is this still your team?

COLUMBIA, S.C., September 28, 2022 – Through the efforts of Bakari Sellers and a group of other prominent alumni, each member of the reigning national championship University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball team has been offered the opportunity to earn an average of $25,000 or more in name, image and likeness (NIL) deals

 

[WinnerCircle]

It’s deeper than NIL. I’m around each level of the sports landscape more than most on this forum.

Tennessee definitely still carries weight. The HS recruits that they have committed in Kaniya Boyd, Finley Chastain, and Nyla Brooks are highly coveted prospects.

I just watched Finley Chastain first HS game with the Academy School out of FL.
She is going to be a great player. The 6th man of a veteran team.. does everything well. Is a top tier passer. Pure shooter. Plays defense and has length.
Nyla Brooks absolutely is on another level right now. The post that nearly 95% of this forum begged the coaches to sign in their exhibition contest could not do anything with Brooks. Neither could the other UCLA commit. That’s two 5 star 2024 players that Nyla Brooks was the best player on the court against in game action. Nyla Brooks is a Top 5 player in her class.

Right now she is ranked 16th. That is not where she belongs. She is Top 5.

Kaniya Boyd team plays tonight. I’ll have an update later on.

 

[knoxvol52]

Avg? She won. And that’s not an opinion. 13 pts/7 assist. Last week you called that elite

That was last week...times have changed...

 

[WinnerCircle]

Watching the replay of generational G Finley Chastain TN commit playing for the Academy out of FL.

This is an elite shot maker.. she has hit 3/4 3pt attempts! Pure shooter. Does not play like a freshman at all.

Tennessee still carries major weight. I don’t think what has happened with HS recruiting is as cut and dry as people make it seem to be. I might not agree with the philosophy of doing it this way but there’s no way TN is incapable of recruiting at the HS ranks. Their three commits could play for and would be cornerstones of any major Power 5 school.

 

[Majors]

Watching the replay of generational G Finley Chastain TN commit playing for the Academy out of FL.

This is an elite shot maker.. she has hit 3/4 3pt attempts! Pure shooter. Does not play like a freshman at all.

Tennessee still carries major weight. I don’t think what has happened with HS recruiting is as cut and dry as people make it seem to be. I might not agree with the philosophy of doing it this way but there’s no way TN is incapable of recruiting at the HS ranks. Their three commits could play for and would be cornerstones of any major Power 5 school.

Explain the last part. Are you saying the 3 players would play P5 right now?

 

[WinnerCircle]

No, they are in High School right now.
I’m saying Nyla Brooks and Finley Chastain are Top 5-10 players in their respective classes. Brooks will continue to rise from #16 in her class.
Chastain class is not officially ranked at this time.

One is a freshman in HS and 6th man of her team which is nationally ranked with a lot of upperclassmen.

The other a rising junior that just went to work against nationally ranked Sidwell Friends and two 5 star commits to UCLA.

She dominated the game from the highlights.

Kaniya Boyd first regular season game of her senior season is tonight. I will give an update following the game.

Brooks is built like Saniya Rivers and plays like a combination of Jordan Horston/Flaujae Johnson. She is a quick twitch athlete with some size.
Her mid-range and three point shot is lethal now.
They need to keep recruiting these three players hard to keep them committed and added about 4 or 5 more HS recruits between the 2024-2025 classes.
Add 4 or 5 more from the portal as well between 2024-2025.

 

[FormerLadyVolFan]

Last time I checked, no one was paying all of our basketball players $25,000 just for being on the roster. Hard to document, but it's also been reported that several USCe players have had 6 figure contracts as well.

SC does not have more NIL/Booster funds than UT in all likelihood. SC is on the low end tbh.

 

[BreatheUT]

Anyone against this is part of the problem. “Fulmer said athletic department administrators Angie Boyd-Keck, Donna Thomas and Tara Brooks told him the importance of hiring someone with a connection to the program.”

Let's face it Fulmer is terrible at hires. He has run programs into the ground. I don't want to ever see any more coaching input from him at UT. As a matter of fact, I recommend him for a job against one of our chief rivals who is currently elite at any sport. That'll help UT athletics.