Competition: Focus on South Carolina recruits, Tennessee is all hype.

[Fiftyish]

There is still a good amount of time for both to recover. The fist game will be in first week of November.

Will this game be played with or without gloves?

 

[Suebird10fan]

Thanks Suebird10fan for the nice words. I wouldn't consider Diamond's FG% to be an issue yet. She shot 42.6% from the floor in the best conference in the nation and I can't recall ever watching her shoot her team out of a game, or shoot so poorly that other teams were able to creep back into a game. I also think her teammates will have a big impact. At UNC she was surrounded by other talented players, but she was expected to be the driving force. At Tennessee, I'd look for her teammates to draw more attention from defenses with Graves/Russell as upperclassmen and strong wings in Tucker/Nared. I doubt we'll see many games where she'll be taking 20+ shots like we saw at North Carolina. Maybe I'm just being optimistic, but I think we'll see her shoot a higher percentage at Tennessee than she did at NC.

Additionally, even if she does shoot in the low 40s.... she is a MAJOR upgrade over Simmons. Simmons never improved her basketball IQ nor did she learn to pass the ball. In her last 6 games, Simmons shot less than 31% from the field while taking 17+ shots each game and only dished out 8 assists over 6 games. The rest of the team shot 47.2% from the floor over that stretch. Even if DeShields has an off game here or there, I don't think we'll ever see her struggle through a stretch like that where even if she is struggling to score, she'll continue to be a detriment to her team.

There is a world of difference between major upgrade over Simmons and superstar. I agree DD is the former but don't see her as the latter.

 

[LadyVols9]

There is a world of difference between major upgrade over Simmons and superstar. I agree DD is the former but don't see her as the latter.

she was already taking over the media with her play as freshman. she will be 1st team AA every year that she is eligible and will certainly be in the running for all POY awards. she is on her way to becoming a superstar...she may not quite be at that status yet but she is clearly headed there.

 

[jsloanjr]

IMO the biggest difference why UCONN wins is Geno and staff teach them how to play as a TEAM.......USC and TENN have talent..Can they play like a team.....So far, not so good.....Will this year be different?..........UCONN wins with great guard play and the best shooters in the country.......Too many scorers.......

 

[calpedaler]

IMO the biggest difference why UCONN wins is Geno and staff teach them how to play as a TEAM..USC and TENN have talent..Can they play like a team.....So far, not so good.....Will this year be different?.....UCONN wins with great guard play and the best shooters in the country..Too many scorers..

Yes, UConn has those but they win because of defense.

 

[Bestiarius]

Don't forget about Tucker. Tucker will probably start this year. She is expected to take on a huge scoring role per Holly. Also, TN will now have several 3 point shooters. Middleton AKA the 3 point winner at MCAA and Dunbar are both sharp shooters. The TN coaches have said over and over that Dunbar is by far the best 3 ball shooter on the team. Plus, she is 6'2". Remember Sidney Spencer? That's Dunbar. TN has been pretty bad at the 3 ball for a few years. The new players will make a huge difference in stretching the defense out.

People on this board have been pretty hard on Holly at times. And yes, she still has a lot to prove. BUT she has assembled an amazing roster. No one can doubt that. Fun times are ahead and I suspect the UCONN/TN rivalry will be back sooner than later.

It is crazy for a TN fan to make proclamations like those you are making on a UConn board. They will be much better received on the Summitt. Who was guarding Middleton when she won the 3 point contest? You mention Middleton & Dunbar as though there were top ranked recruits instead of 28th an 78th. Your Tucker comments ignore her ACL surgery and basing opinions on what Holly says doesn't carry much weight. I do remember second round WNBA pick Sidney Spencer.

Regarding your comment on the rivalry resuming soon, do you have information indicating TN will be apologizing to Geno for Tennessee's past transgressions?

 

[bballnut90]

Don't forget about Tucker. Tucker will probably start this year. She is expected to take on a huge scoring role per Holly. Also, TN will now have several 3 point shooters. Middleton AKA the 3 point winner at MCAA and Dunbar are both sharp shooters. The TN coaches have said over and over that Dunbar is by far the best 3 ball shooter on the team. Plus, she is 6'2". Remember Sidney Spencer? That's Dunbar. TN has been pretty bad at the 3 ball for a few years. The new players will make a huge difference in stretching the defense out.

People on this board have been pretty hard on Holly at times. And yes, she still has a lot to prove. BUT she has assembled an amazing roster. No one can doubt that. Fun times are ahead and I suspect the UCONN/TN rivalry will be back sooner than later.

I like your optimism, lots to be excited about at Tennessee. Tucker seems to be a bit of a wildcard with her injury and taking time off from basketball. She was a top 10 recruit so I'd look for her to be a big contributor during her career.

A lot of non-UT fans are counting out Middleton and Dunbar as being contributors due to their HS ranking, I'll be surprised if they'll be major players this year but could see them taking on larger roles as they become upperclassmen. Adding in 3pt shooters will help create opportunities for the posts. Haven't seen Dunbar play, but I'll be thrilled if she is another Sidney Spencer. Spencer was a major contributor for Tennessee's 2007 title team and the runner up for WNBA ROY back in 2007. If Dunbar can come in as a 3pt specialist she can carve a niche on this team.

 

[Bayareahusky]

I would bet my bottom dollar that the LV fortunes will be determined not by talent at all.... but by 1. coaching and 2. heart..... and #2 subset of on-court leadership.... the last 2 season ending games... against Cal (I think) and MD... i didn't see a lot of fire in the collective team..... I mean this sincerely.... i sould like to see TN be good.... WCBB would like that, just like the NFL is good when Green Bay is good.....

SC i am curious to see.... whereas I have seen many LV, KY and LVille games these past several years, I ahve not seen USC.... especially anxious to see Coates.... i have only seen her a couple of times.... and now with wilson let's see how they do.....

it will be a good year competitively in the SEC.....

 

[HuskyNan]

It is crazy for a TN fan to make proclamations like those you are making on a UConn board. They will be much better received on the Summitt. Who was guarding Middleton when she won the 3 point contest? You mention Middleton & Dunbar as though there were top ranked recruits instead of 28th an 78th. Your Tucker comments ignore her ACL surgery and basing opinions on what Holly says doesn't carry much weight. I do remember second round WNBA pick Sidney Spencer.

Regarding your comment on the rivalry resuming soon, do you have information indicating TN will be apologizing to Geno for Tennessee's past transgressions?

Have we forgotten the Boneyard thread proclaiming a freshman transfer from Georgetown is a future All-American? It's the nature of fans to see the rosy side of things or else they wouldn't be very good fans,would they?

LVFan9 has been respectful here on the Boneyard. I see no need to be rude to her.

 

[connboy77]

I don't have any problem with Tennessee Fans being very optimistic about their team. Most fans of any team do this including UCONN. As Nan posted above we UCONN Fans have very high expectations for Butler and she hasn't played one minute for UCONN yet.

 

[sawxfan23]

I don't have any problem with Tennessee Fans being very optimistic about their team. Most fans of any team do this including UCONN. As Nan posted above we UCONN Fans have very high expectations for Butler and she hasn't played one minute for UCONN yet.

It just gets old when you hear it every year and every year Tennessee doesn't live up to their expectations.

 

[connboy77]

It just gets old when you hear it every year and every year Tennessee doesn't live up to their expectations.

If Tennessee doesn't make the final four within the next three years then its not talent that is stopping them, its coaching.

 

[Suebird10fan]

she was already taking over the media with her play as freshman. she will be 1st team AA every year that she is eligible and will certainly be in the running for all POY awards. she is on her way to becoming a superstar...she may not quite be at that status yet but she is clearly headed there.

I was talking about actual value, not perceived value. Only the former is relevant to TN's NC championship prospects.

 

[DaddyChoc]

It just gets old when you hear it every year and every year Tennessee doesn't live up to their expectations.

that can be said about a few teams... I dont understand the big deal.

 

[sawxfan23]

that can be said about a few teams... I dont understand the big deal.

It isn't a big deal at all it just makes me less inclined to believe the hype regarding Tennessee when I hear it every year and every year they don't live up to that hype.

 

[FollowerCT]

If I were a Vol fan, I would have great expectations, hopes, for the individual players, team and coach to have an excellent season, be injury free and grow ... these are my expectations, hopes for UConn ... and regardless what has happened in the last several years, this year is a new one ... lack of success may indeed befall Tennessee (or UConn) this upcoming season ... hopefully all will be well, will grow, for both teams ... and I really would like to see UConn play Tennessee, face to face, sometime this year ... I appreciate good-natured, sometimes critical and thought provoking, back and forth banter among opposing fans ...

 

[Bestiarius]

Have we forgotten the Boneyard thread proclaiming a freshman transfer from Georgetown is a future All-American? It's the nature of fans to see the rosy side of things or else they wouldn't be very good fans,would they?

LVFan9 has been respectful here on the Boneyard. I see no need to be rude to her.

Not sure what you thought was rude. Perhaps the "crazy" comment. I was rebutting TennParker3's use of the word crazy and I thought LVFan9 had made that comment. I apologize. There are so many TN fan comments here lately, it's hard for me to remember who said what.

I think fans of other teams have to expect to be challenged when they make overly optimistic statements. I think UConn's rosy comments here are appropriate since it's a UConn board. I think opponent fans who challenge UConn's rosy comments should do it with logical, factual arguments or should expect harsh rebuttals.

 

[Kibitzer]

Holly knows the offense does not work and has eluded to as much.

ahem

I think you alluded to the fact that an effective offense has eluded Holly and her players in recent years.

(All in fun. I hope you have a season free of injuries.)

 

[Kibitzer]

It just gets old when you hear it every year and every year Tennessee doesn't live up to their expectations.

that can be said about a few teams... I dont understand the big deal.

Optimism reigns in the off-season! Permit me to paraphrase Alexander Pope:

"Hope springs eternal in the posters' texts."​

 

[DaddyChoc]

It isn't a big deal at all it just makes me less inclined to believe the hype regarding Tennessee when I hear it every year and every year they don't live up to that hype.

Duke as well, even Stanford and ND to a certain extent

 

[j66kicker]

Duke as well, even Stanford and ND to a certain extent

I think those teams have performed well enough to merit some optimism. Especially ND - after all, they DID go into the NC game undefeated last year. Wouldn't necessarily call that "hype". Stanford has been a consistent performer too, and their fans are pretty classy. Duke - well... (We still may not be over GG's "dynasty" hype, plus everybody loves to hate Duke. But really, they had no chance to be elite last year after all their injuries, and they still make a pretty good run for it.)

I think what bugs us about TN is 1) we just don't like them, due to the rivalry in the past, and 2) unlike Stanford and ND they haven't been relevant for most of the last decade, but their fans act like they still are. Shouldn't blame the fans though - at least they're loyal. Plus TN is assembling the talent to allow them to become relevant again, so look out.

 

[Gate81]

Who knows what TN will do with its talent, but one thing is clear thus far -- DD is truly a unique talent. I thought she was exciting to watch on TV but then I got to see her perform in person at the Stanford regional -- both vs. USC and Stanford, despite real ankle issues (purple in color). She is special and will be a major contributor and a game changer if the chemistry works.

BTW, with a few exceptions, Stanford usually performs above the expectations given its talent (and only rare ability to attract top 5/10 players); TN has been the opposite where they have a ton of talent but something goes amiss by the end of the year. They were ranked #3 early in the year when they lost to Stanford in the game when (if I recall correctly) then-freshman Lili Thompson asserted herself. As UCONN fans know, you need top talent plus the ability to get the most out of it/build a team that is greater than the sum of its parts!

 

[Kibitzer]

Basketball is almost unique among team sports in that all players on the court must play offense and defense with no goaltender. A consistent characteristic of UConn teams is that they play a suffocating team defense and a fluid offense, characterized by crisp passing and accurate shooting.

UConn has no patent on these fundamental traits of championship teams. We have seen Stanford hold UConn to 12 points in a half of an NC game. We have seen Notre Dame lay the wood to our Huskies often. And, occasionally, Duke and Baylor. Back in the day, Tennessee (but never in NC games).

So talent counts but team play counts more. Our guest posters are justified in their delight about their incoming talent. But UConn has some talent in the pipeline to Storrs, too.

And we have Geno and nobody else does.

Plus the Heart of a Champion.

The results are apparent and we have reason to expect this championship tradition to continue.

 

[HuskeySlim]

Frankly, I am happy that DD did not find her way to UCONN. She was the best freshman in the country last year. She IS a good player, and she will probably be an All-American, but I just did not want her at UCONN.

One or 2 players does not make a team. UCONN plays team ball like the Spurs did against the Heat.
Perhaps the year off will mature DD, and make her a much better player. It would be good for her, and tenn.
I am happy for tenn. Maybe it help put them on the road for future Final Fours.

There is more parity in WCBB, but to me it is still UCONN then everyone else. The next 2 years we win 2 National Championships if everyone stays healthy, especially Stewie. Just as it is with UCONN then everyone else, it is also Stewie then everyone else. I loved it in the Championship game against ND in the 1st half when
the sideline reporter told Muffet that her zone, and triangle and 2 seemed to be working well. Muffet said, " It is not working good enough, Stewie is just SCRATCHING THE GLASS, and we cannot stop her". That really tickled me.

 

[HuskyNan]

I think fans of other teams have to expect to be challenged when they make overly optimistic statements. I think UConn's rosy comments here are appropriate since it's a UConn board. I think opponent fans who challenge UConn's rosy comments should do it with logical, factual arguments or should expect harsh rebuttals.

I have no problem with arguments or rebuttals but why do they have to be harsh? Would you be harsh towards our Duke friends for being optimistic about their talent-laden but underperforming teams?