Deshields staying at UT | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Deshields staying at UT

rugbymate said:
Could it be that when she saw UCONN lose that she thinks she has a chance for an NC?
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I'm not that surprised - I just don't think it is all that common still for women to forego eligibility. Yes, Tuck did in somewhat special circumstances and with 4 NCs in her pocket, and we had that one class two years ago with three I think, Parker, and the Rutgers player all those years ago. There aren't all that many jobs and they are not 'set for life' jobs like with the boys.

For Diamond, I am not so sure she was that hot a prospect coming off this past year - her personal numbers were up somewhat from previous years, but ...
 
UcMiami said:
I'm not that surprised - I just don't think it is all that common still for women to forego eligibility. Yes, Tuck did in somewhat special circumstances and with 4 NCs in her pocket, and we had that one class two years ago with three I think, Parker, and the Rutgers player all those years ago. There aren't all that many jobs and they are not 'set for life' jobs like with the boys.

For Diamond, I am not so sure she was that hot a prospect coming off this past year - her personal numbers were up somewhat from previous years, but ...
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Just a reminder - Prince was NOT eligible for the draft. She turned pro (overseas). The only RU player that had the option was Cappie, but she also returned for the last year.
 
BroadwayVa said:
Two things come to mind--Maybe she unofficially tested the waters and didn't like the taste. Maybe she considers Plum more competition for the position she expects to play as a pro.
I guess that is marketability--but be assured next year n shall equal Z (if Azura opts for pro--which I doubt) Next year Aj'a, Gabby,
and a host of top player will be seeking some WNBA/Europe positions (as in jobs).

I'm not a Diamond hater---not a lover either--I think Nared is better for Tn---after not making the 16 this year does she think she and Freshmen will bring them an NC?? Of is her goal less lofty??
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Orrrr maybe you can read her actual words and you won't have to work so hard to "guess". The instagram post was linked by someone above; just click the name and it will take you to the page. In it, she thoroughly discusses why she made the decision she made, and why it took her so long to come to terms with what is best for her and her team.

As much as some of you on this board try and find fault with this young lady, she is still finding herself and growing into who she was created to be, and frankly, I appreciate how open she has been about her emotional struggles. That girl is an open book, even though she doesn't owe anyone any explanations about anything. This instagram post really exposed that the North Carolina saga still sits heavy on her heart, and she's seeking redemption and trying to make amends. Please read what she wrote before drawing conclusions.
 
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I'm not sure this makes TN a better team next year. First, there will be an awful lot of guards to keep happy.

It also appears that Holly might have made some playing time promises to attract recruits. It makes me think she wasn't going to repeat her previous recruiting disaster, where she turned down some players and ended up getting no one.
 
I think a smart move on Diamond's part. She was not going to be the #1 pick.

But UT still has Holly as its head coach. Enough said.
 
Bestiarius said:
I'm not sure this makes TN a better team next year. First, there will be an awful lot of guards to keep happy.

It also appears that Holly might have made some playing time promises to attract recruits. You know this how????
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LadyVols9 said:
exactly. this will be holly's true test. i say she has 2 years max to hit FF. if we have another year like this year, she will be out.
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Short of Holly nuking Knoxville, I think she will be the coach at least until her current contract runs out. Given that the Vols beat some top teams this year coupled with the top incoming recruiting class, I think that basically resets the clock.
 
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NOI33 said:
Orrrr maybe you can read her actual words and you won't have to work so hard to "guess". The instagram post was linked by someone above; just click the name and it will take you to the page. In it, she thoroughly discusses why she made the decision she made, and why it took her so long to come to terms with what is best for her and her team.

As much as some of you on this board try and find fault with this young lady, she is still finding herself and growing into who she was created to be, and frankly, I appreciate how open she has been about her emotional struggles. That girl is an open book, even though she doesn't owe anyone any explanations about anything. This instagram post really exposed that the North Carolina saga still sits heavy on her heart, and she's seeking redemption and trying to make amends. Please read what she wrote before drawing conclusions.
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L

OR I COULD DRINK HOLLY'S GERM AID AND BECOME A VOL FANS
 
I have to believe that her decision to return for another year of WCBB had lots to do with what was likely the indication that she would not go high in the WNBA draft, and might have seen her career flounder even more than it has. Seems to me that she's banking on making AA next year and boosting her professional prospects. Though some here suggested that she would go #1 in the draft, I think that was daft.

I wonder how HW will handle this. I'm guessing that she is going to sit her down and tell her that she's not getting the same playing time as she expects, and that there is a youth movement at UT. Like it or lump it!!
 
SO interesting to see two fans from a different school (Tenn) engaging each other on YOUR fansite about THEIR issues.

A sign of your grace and patience as wbb fans, and another reason for me to sit back and cringe at times when ETT posts on BONEYARD about Baylor stuff.

[disclaimer: I don't know ETT, but caution anyone NOT to draw conclusions about LadyBear bball based on the drivel known as baylorfans.com. There are reasons why most of us left that site years ago.]

As always, best wishes.
 
bballnut90 said:
Just announced it on social media. Did not see this one coming.
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She probably was told she would not the #1, #2, #3, #4, etc. selection in the 2017 WNBA draft. I guess she thinks next year she can beat out Gabby Williams for the #1 selection. Goooood Luck with that!
 
baylorprof said:
SO interesting to see two fans from a different school (Tenn) engaging each other on YOUR fansite about THEIR issues.

A sign of your grace and patience as wbb fans, and another reason for me to sit back and cringe at times when ETT posts on BONEYARD about Baylor stuff.

[disclaimer: I don't know ETT, but caution anyone NOT to draw conclusions about LadyBear bball based on the drivel known as baylorfans.com. There are reasons why most of us left that site years ago.]

As always, best wishes.
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Three Tenn fans, actually. Bballnut90 is an LV fan.

ETT is fine, kind of like the step-brother we've eventually grown fond of. He's posted here enough that we overlook the fanatical fan posts he makes every now and then.

I'm sure he's surprised to see me write that :)
 
I doubt it was about her draft status because every mock draft that I have seen had Diamond going high as #1 or as low was #3.
 
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SVCBeercats said:
She probably was told she would not the #1, #2, #3, #4, etc. selection in the 2017 WNBA draft. I guess she thinks next year she can beat out Gabby Williams for the #1 selection. Goooood Luck with that!
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I love Gabby, but I think Wilson, then possibly Turner if she returns will be 1 and 2 next year.
 
According to what Diamond said. I think she wants to help the freshman.
 
Fairfield Fan said:
I have to believe that her decision to return for another year of WCBB had lots to do with what was likely the indication that she would not go high in the WNBA draft, and might have seen her career flounder even more than it has. Seems to me that she's banking on making AA next year and boosting her professional prospects. Though some here suggested that she would go #1 in the draft, I think that was daft.

I wonder how HW will handle this. I'm guessing that she is going to sit her down and tell her that she's not getting the same playing time as she expects, and that there is a youth movement at UT. Like it or lump it!!
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Well, think of it as a weather front that was expect to move out to sea, but decided to hang around and mix with the other one. Could be an interesting combination or could be occluded.

With Diamond, Mercedes Russell and Jaime Nared all coming back, you've got two redshirt seniors and a senior to (hopefully) lead and mix with that very talented incoming class of Evina Westbrook, Anastasia Hayes, Rennia Davis and Kasihyahna Kushkituah. Russell and Nared are from Portland, as is Westbrook, so hopefully they can give their fellow left-coaster some guidance. It will be up to Holly Warwick to mesh this unexpected meshing of fronts. Stay tuned to see if it's smooth or stormy or some combination thereof.
 
It's not like she needs the money. Her MLB family seems to be doing well.
 
Dillon77 said:
Russell and Nared are from Portland, as is Westbrook,
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I gotta nitpick this. Russell is from Springfield (my mom's home town) and Westbrook is from Salem. Neither is Portland. Not even suburbs of Portland. All 3 are from Oregon anyway. Springfield is right around the corner from Eugene, about halfway to California from Portland.
 
nwhoopfan said:
I gotta nitpick this. Russell is from Springfield (my mom's home town) and Westbrook is from Salem. Neither is Portland. Not even suburbs of Portland. All 3 are from Oregon anyway. Springfield is right around the corner from Eugene, about halfway to California from Portland.
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Nit taken and apologies to "The Beaver State," but as you said "All 3 are from Oregon anyway" and that 's really the point of that part of my post. The Lady Vols have had a bit of a pipeline into Tennessee and maybe these Oregonians can help Ms. Westbrook with her orientation to Knoxville.

Given the upgrade in programs at Oregon, Oregon State and the Pac 12 in general, I'm still at a bit of a loss as to why they had to do a reverse manifest destiny but maybe they wanted to follow the group Gomez's advice and "see the world" or maybe they like eastern Tennessee in the fall and early spring or like orange. Who knows?
 
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Go/huskies said:
I love Gabby, but I think Wilson, then possibly Turner if she returns will be 1 and 2 next year.
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I generally agree, although Turner's knee is a big question. I also expect Gabby to continue to develop her jump shot to the point where she just might be the #1 overall pick. She's already an elite defender, outstanding passer & rebounder and capable scorer.

Add in a tremendous work ethic and outstanding leadership ability and IMO, any WNBA GM that passes on Gabby will regret doing so.
 
Congratulations are in order for Vol Nation when one of their favorite daughters decides to stay for her final year of eligibility. I'm eating a "crow" sandwich with some "crow fries" :confused: as I write this, because I WAS WRONG. I said all season that DeShields was leaving at the end of the season for the W. I did not see any scenario possible that could possibly arise or manifest itself that would make her return for the 2017-2018 season.

I was shocked when I read the first post that broke the news. I would have bet the farm she was leaving. With Mercedes Russell, T'ea Cooper, Jamie Nared and DeShields coming back, along with a highly touted freshman class coming in, Tennessee will showcase one of their best teams in the last 7-10 years. Holly will really be on the hot seat this year because as others here have commented, the lack of talent or a deep bench will not be an excuse if the Lady Vols fail to win. I wonder what "Ya girl Margo" has to say about this announcement? :rolleyes:
 
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Dillon77 said:
Given the upgrade in programs at Oregon, Oregon State and the Pac 12 in general, I'm still at a bit of a loss as to why they had to do a reverse manifest destiny but maybe they wanted to follow the group Gomez's advice and "see the world" or maybe they like eastern Tennessee in the fall and early spring or like orange. Who knows?
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The landscape was different when Russell (and Reynolds, a Sr. this year also from Portland) committed, and Nared was just a year later. But yeah, Westbrook is puzzling to me too. I can't understand how the mystique of the Vols is still going strong a decade since their last Final 4. Any high school recruit who doesn't realize Warlick is a poor coach is not paying attention at all. I don't know what the draw is. I wanted to see Westbrook go to OSU, and barring that I could've understood Notre Dame since they've been the #2 program over a 5 year stretch or so. Rueck has been doing a great job at OSU but hasn't been getting blue chip recruits. Maybe now that Graves has UO on the rise he'll put up a fence around the state of Oregon.
 
UcMiami said:
I'm not that surprised - I just don't think it is all that common still for women to forego eligibility. Yes, Tuck did in somewhat special circumstances and with 4 NCs in her pocket, and we had that one class two years ago with three I think, Parker, and the Rutgers player all those years ago. There aren't all that many jobs and they are not 'set for life' jobs like with the boys.
For Diamond, I am not so sure she was that hot a prospect coming off this past year - her personal numbers were up somewhat from previous years, but ...
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I'm very surprised that both Kelsey Mitchell and Diamond stayed. You mention Morgan but there was also Jewell of ND and Amanda Zahui B., all three of them l were top 1,2,& 3 picks in the draft. Diamond and Mitchell were also projected to be in that same range.
 
On the Oregon connection, there must be some sort of coach up there who acts as a pipeline for Tennessee..... much like in football U of Oregon pulls a lot of top flite talent out of Texas with help of influential AAU coach.... I really do not think Oregon young ladies come to Tenn because they pine to play for Coach Warlick. It is more for the personal connection which is probably there. I do not think Tennessee in its recruiting plans, decided several years ago.... "Ok let's go up and hit up the state of Oregon" ... there has to be a connection there... also, I see Tennessee Lady Vols program as a warmed over version of Notre Dame in football ....an undeniably rich history.... whose best days are behind them.... are they still relevant and good for ratings... well yes.... lot of people want to go to Tenn I imagine because they know Tenn is on TV a lot and they see the 8 banners hanging in TBA. And it is my suspicion , though not founded in fact, and subject to potential anger of LV fans.... that recruits know they will not have to (to put it nicely) undergo a boot camp mentality.....

Related to this, the folks in the AD at Tenn need to decide on Holly as LV leader.... As a fan who follows the top 10 WCBB teams pretty closely... she seems to have made many fundamental mistakes.... right from the get go.... I coached HS hoops, and I would have been shown the door if i made some of the decisions she has made.... but Tenn has been happy with her.... the real crime with her made by TN was not in the initial hiring, after all it was Pat's wish that she have the job, but in the extension.... she did get to the Elite 8...and more than once... . though I have always said so would I with the roster of great talent they have always had.....

On Diamond.... I was surprised when she decided to return.... the one good thing is that Diamond gives them a chance in every game they play..... she is uber talented individually.... but here is my big question.... (well a couple of them)..... first .. what is going to change from last year? The one thing I can say that will change is Tea Cooper... though I did not consider her great a year ago.... she definitely can stabilize the situation at guard... a vital position in WCBB.... Westbrook everyone is buzzing about but are you REALLY going to depend on her as a freshman? Freshmen who are successful out of the box... ala Destiny Slocum.... are rare.... and for that matter the whole incoming class will need some seasoning.... I do not see Diamond or the team ahead of this year's pace at all.... still need a more focused and styled offense....

For TN's sake, I hope in the middle of next season, we are not hearing from Holly "well, Diamond just tries too hard to do more than her share of the work".... to explain high turnovers or low shooting percentages..... hopefully we will not hear from the LV faithful.... references to the injuries they have had, or the fact that it is hard to follow a legend.... Holly has more than 35 years of coaching experience , and TN has got their dream lineup i think.... DD, Mercedes, Nared, Cooper, and a 5th, plus supporting cast.... for their sake i hope it is good recipe to compete with the South Carolinas and Ms States.... and to rub out the 3 game losing streak to Alabama, and play with a hunger every game at least on the level of being ahead of the competition.
 
Apparently the most recent comments by WNBA talent scouts were that Diamond was likely the #1 pick so her draft stock had nothing to do with her forgoing it.
 
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