That's it in a nutshell.
Fair enough (though a little hair-splitty), but you suggested that I said we’re simply better without Paige. That is an obvious misreading of what I’d written. Moreover, “what we had in that game” was no Dorka, an injured Caroline, and a hobbled Paige. There’s no reasonable way to take that as saying that we’re simply better without Paige, even reading it out of context.
I the the voters have UCONN where they are in the rankings right now to see how they do the first 2 months of the season with the rigorous schedule. They lost more than 2 games they will solidify the pre season voters ranking . They win them all then the voters dont look so bad still giving them a top 10 pre season ranking.
Im an optimist but im going to keep my opinion until the games tip off. Right now im not as convinced as you my friend
. On a high note we could be the 3rd best team in the country on a low note we could be barely #25 in the country if no one steps up to fill the best player in college basketball's shoes. If SC loses boston , would you still consider them #1 or a title favorite ? The entire expectation changes ijs for now it's a wait and see game.Tennessee has Walker, Horston , Key , Puckett , Suarez , as a veteran core who have proved themselves along with playing together for multiple years as well . Throw in Rickea Jackson a flat out scorer , Hollingshead who's offense is as strong as key's defense , Can't forget 6'4 high school AA Sniper specialist from 3 Justine Pissot being added . This team has the build of a FF contender something Tennessee has not even remotely looked qualified in the past 5 years. If coach harper can't get this team there i have a feeling some eyes will start to roll in knoxville next offseason.
If we beat Texas, one more time at least.
Prechtel and Jump are shooters, but ones that aren't going to play the bulk of minutes. You don't sit Jones, Brink Bellibi, and Betts to have a stretch 4(Prechtel) who isn't as good as the 4 players I mentioned, out there shooting 3's.
Belibi hasn't typically played a lot of minutes either. I like her game -- sort of like Aaliyah -- but she's been a rotation player, getting 14 mins/g all three years. This is more or less what Prechtel did, with a dip to 10/g last season. It's hard to see Prechtel as a stretch-4. That seems more descriptive of Brink and Belibi.
Lou isn’t gonna surprise.
I have a feeling Pretchel will start to begin the season and Betts will gradually eat into her minutes and become a starter by the tourney . Brink at 4 would be scary she has the outside shot to fit and the defense of a monster. Im anxious to see how Betts incorporates with this group . I have not seen much of her in high school that impressed me other than her being literally taller than everyone else on the court.Pretchel can stretch the D and hit 3's in a quick sequence if she gets hot. We saw that multiple times these last 2 season's so i dont think she comes off the bench . Eventually she should though if Betts is as good as her ranking identifies.
I agree about Betts. Whatever her virtues, they weren't entirely apparent in high school. She was a good shot blocker and a decent rebounder. But a lumbering presence otherwise, which may limit her contributions on offense. Of course, with Brink and Jones next to her, she may not need to be all that quick. By contrast, Kardoso is much more mobile and has rather better offensive skills, even if she lacks a perimeter shot.
Was referring to Creme, and other "experts" who don't seem to give her any credit.
The past is in the past. I've erased any games from last year vs that school from my memory.... and no need to post box scores or youtube highlights either to refresh my memory either
Just in case anyone else is interested in refreshing their memory, the final score in this game was 74-46
I realize that the McDonalds AA game should not be ove emphasized because it’s stars vs stars not team vs team. However, Betts was lost when lined up against a strong post. She was continuously kept out of position by Oldacre’s size and strength.
If you saw any of the FIBA games with Betts, you saw something similar. Mostly she was matched up with smaller players and then she could dominate. But she could also get pushed around by other bigs. What I remember about Amari last season is her remark that she wasn't used to playing against kids her size. I suspect Betts will be in the same boat her first year.
