Is Mercedes Russell Overated?

[WestCoastFan]

I just think Warlick hasn't figured out how to use her yet. Russell has plenty of potential.

On another note, was I hearing things or did Carolyn Peck say that Mercedes Russell "doesn't like to post up"? It did seem like Russell was going out of her way to avoid the paint..

She took a few midrange jumpers during the game. Seems like she wants to be used as a forward.

Reminds me of the tall girl at Duke...Ms Stevens. Not a banger. Potential is always nice...but means nothing unless it's realized. Time will tell.

 

[WestCoastFan]

No one was on their phone. Carter was bent over tying her shoe while Holly was giving her pre-game pep talk.

Riiiiiiiight.

 

[Ctpaul0825]

I made this comparison before, she reminds me of Paige Sauer, good but not a great player.

 

[Nuyoika]

When you think Mercedes Russell what is the first thing that comes to mind? When I think of the best post players in the country she doesn't even come to mind so I wouldn't say she is overrated. She hasn't done or not done for that matter enough to warrant that. I think the notion that she might be overrated only comes up because you hear her name so often so you expect that she is doing a lot. To be completely honest, she is very tall and that is about it. I just have not seen enough vs anyone of equal size and hype to say for sure that she is overrated.

 

[huskeynut]

Its really hard to say if Russell is overrated. She had to sit last year because of surgery.

The other problem is the UT offense- or lack of it. I would question whether the coaching staff knows how to utilize Russell's talents. She seemed lost in yesterday's game. I would actually question whther the staff knows how to utilize any of the talent on the team.

 

[Huskies Rule]

Reminds me of the tall girl at Duke...Ms Stevens. Not a banger. Potential is always nice...but means nothing unless it's realized. Time will tell.

Nahhh. Tennessee only wishes that were true. One kid has a dangerously versatile inside/outside game, can shoot both the three and the mid-range jumper well, has nice quickness for her size, good hands, and skills taking the ball to the basket, is a threat from anywhere on the court, can defend a center or a guard, runs the floor well, has a very good handle, and on and on. The other does not.

 

[WestCoastFan]

Nahhh. Tennessee only wishes that were true. One kid has a dangerously versatile inside/outside game, can shoot both the three and the mid-range jumper well, has nice quickness for her size, good hands, and skills taking the ball to the basket, is a threat from anywhere on the court, can defend a center or a guard, runs the floor well, has a very good handle, and on and on. The other does not.

Stewie doesn't play for either team. Not sure who you're referring to.

 

[iamcbs]

Good points. I had to take it upon myself to watch a reply of the game. And i notice something during the game that one of the announcers corroborated as the game came to a close. She stated, "at times when Russell was under the basket or in the post, seldomly did she demand the ball from her teamates."

I thought that was an unfair criticism, when you play with ball-dominaters like DeShields, Reynolds, and Cooper it's not easy to get post touches. Bashaara Graves is probably their best player and even she doesn't get many post touches, her game is mostly face-up. That's up to the coach to have players feed an open post player.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I'm not looking to create a large buzz but just a few answers & opinions because i know i can't be the only one who sees this or believe this way. I mean to be honest, I always thought Diamond was the true #1 player of that recruiting class especially as the season unfolded in their first year of college.

Taking into account her injury i understand (to an extent) patients is a virtue. But also in actuality this is her 3rd year in college (Absent Last Year Sit Out). And i can't help from noticing that prior to her injury she did not perform up to par as a #1 player giving the abundance of games played that freshmen year. She was also outperformed by DD and a few others in many areas.

If I'm wrong so be it. However, it's not looking that way at all.

I always thought those Mercedes were over rated--I liked the SEL but --others out performed it.

 

[Bayareahusky]

I am willing to cut her some slack because it is early in the season..... but one of those coaches has to step forth and utilize her to her maximum potential..... Perhaps Craig Lockwood.... he is said to work well with Tenn's posts over the years.

 

[sarals24]

I thought that was an unfair criticism, when you play with ball-dominaters like DeShields, Reynolds, and Cooper it's not easy to get post touches. Bashaara Graves is probably their best player and even she doesn't get many post touches, her game is mostly face-up. That's up to the coach to have players feed an open post player.

The weird thing about this statement is that most posters on Tennessee forums complain that the team's only strategy is to pound the ball inside. I'm so confused as to what the issue actually is...too much reliance on the post game? Or not enough?

 

[UcMiami]

Centers and forwards are very dependent on guards and wings to get them the ball in useful positions on the floor. Graves for example has I believe a very college capable and WNBA capable set of skills - when she played on USA basketball she was one of the best players on the court. She has however had a spotty time of it at TN watching various guards and wings ignore her in offensive sets and jack up shots. The same is I believe an issue for Russell - you can only expend so much energy fighting for position and being ignored, or being thrown passes that lead you into impossible defensive traps before a certain frustration sets in.

We are spoiled watching a very well coached team that believes not just passing, but making the right pass at the right time to the correct hand. We also get to watch a team that understands motion, screening, back cuts, and spacing with a coach that drills those concepts into players and does not allow those who ignore his instructions to play. The same can be said on the defensive end regarding technique, help defense, and defensive rotations.

Not every player in college gets those advantages and it is a reason why WNBA teams are willing to draft Uconn players who do not have great individual statistics because they know they have been drilled in being fundamentally sound team players. Specifically it is why a player like Kiah can shine her first year in the WNBA while players like Vaughn and Paris may take more time to develop in the professional game.

In conclusion - I think both Graves and Russell are suffering from being on a team with poor coaching at both ends of the floor, and that their development is being stunted because of that. If one of Pat's guards failed to make a good pass to Parker, the death stare or the verbal undressing happened immediately, and if they failed again, they found a corner at the end of the bench. In the little I have seen of HW on the sidelines, there do not appear to be consequences incurred for such failures. I don't think Pat's offense was particularly brilliant, in fact not far off HW's, but her discipline was absolute.

 

[UcMiami]

The weird thing about this statement is that most posters on Tennessee forums complain that the team's only strategy is to pound the ball inside. I'm so confused as to what the issue actually is...too much reliance on the post game? Or not enough?

As my last post suggests - I think that is a false choice because it is neither. It is instead a failure of the offense being run - passing to a post who is not open or is not in a positive position is no better than passing to a spot up shooter where the ball arrives at their ankles rather than where they can flow directly into their shot.

 

[sarals24]

As my last post suggests - I think that is a false choice because it is neither. It is instead a failure of the offense being run - passing to a post who is not open or is not in a positive position is no better than passing to a spot up shooter where the ball arrives at their ankles rather than where they can flow directly into their shot.

True. They have no discernible offense besides setting a high screen with their post. The problem is that their guards don't understand how to angle themselves off of screens, so it rarely leads to a shot or pass, because the defense just sags on it since the posts aren't offensive threats outside five feet.

It's always interesting to see what the fans think is the issue...mainly they want Holly fired, from what I can surmise. And Jeff Walz or Mulkey (!!!) hired. Why either of those two would leave their current positions to coach in the putrid SEC is beyond me.

 

[trb123]

It's always interesting to see what the fans think is the issue...mainly they want Holly fired, from what I can surmise. And Jeff Walz or Mulkey (!!!) hired.

If Tennessee's performance continues to be mediocre and the fans revolt, the university will fire Holly, issue an apology to UCONN et al and ask Shea Ralph to visit Knoxville. Right now the AD does not care.

 

[HGN]

Wonder how Geno would respond to someone on their phone???

WestCoast , you don't want to know the answer to that question.........Of course I am assuming you are a God Fearing individual.

 

[Huskies Rule]

I always thought those Mercedes were over rated--I liked the SEL but --others out performed it.

I, too, am not fond of Mercedes. Overpriced and costly to service. My recommendations:

You can go powerful,tho too much 'pinstriping,' with the SHAYLA MINI COOPER Or go bigger yet with the truck-ulent DIAMOND REO DeSHIELDS.

Two of the very best small ones on the road are the stylish and peppy LEXUS BROWN or you may opt for one of my two all-time

favorites and most highly recommended picks- the rugged and unstoppable KIA NURSE or the incredible, one-of-a-kind, uniquely beautiful limited edition '48 MORGAN TUCKer Torpedo. A true classic, this one.

 

[Rixxx]

Huskeynut, my sentiments exactly. Early in the game, Russell was outside the arc. To me, Russell was invisible. Late in the game, the TN players were seemingly playing against a zone, when TX was actually playing man to man.
These are observations that the coaching staff should have made and corrected. This team is so lucky that they are not 1-5.

 

[WestCoastFan]

View attachment 11286

WestCoast , you don't want to know the answer to that question....Of course I am assuming you are a God Fearing individual.[/QUOTE

 

[CocoHusky]

Graves for example has I believe a very college capable and WNBA capable set of skills - when she played on USA basketball she was one of the best players on the court.

In the summer of 2013 on a USA Basketball U19 team featuring Stewie, Tuck, Wilson, and Turner, Graves was among the best post players in the tournament out rebounding "Captain Morgan". Graves was a regular on USA basketball since 2009. The Graves of summer 2013 bears no resemblance to the player now wearing a Lady Vols uniform. At first I attributed that to Izzy and her not being able to Co-exists & playing the same position. Graves lack of development points squarely at Vols coaching staff. I miss this Bashaara!

Stay strong Bashaara looking forward to seeing you play at the next level.

 

[UcMiami]

I, too, am not fond of Mercedes. Overpriced and costly to service. My recommendations:

You can go powerful,tho too much 'pinstriping,' with the SHAYLA MINI COOPER Or go bigger yet with the truck-ulent DIAMOND REO DeSHIELDS.

Two of the very best small ones on the road are the stylish and peppy LEXUS BROWN or you may opt for one of my two all-time

favorites and most highly recommended picks- the rugged and unstoppable KIA NURSE or the incredible, one-of-a-kind, uniquely beautiful limited edition '48 MORGAN TUCKer Torpedo. A true classic, this one.

I personally prefer the MORGAN for it's particular menace and sleek lines!

 

[iamcbs]

The weird thing about this statement is that most posters on Tennessee forums complain that the team's only strategy is to pound the ball inside. I'm so confused as to what the issue actually is...too much reliance on the post game? Or not enough?

The original post was about Mercedes Russell and why she hasn't lived up to her hype. I don't know what most posters post, but I do know that Tennessee for years has had a dearth of quality outside shooting. Holly Warlick recruits a lot of the same type of players, slashers between 5'8' and 6"1' whose strength is going to the cup. Russell is a true post player, she is at her best with her back to the basket. One of the most difficult aspects of the game to teach a high school player when they get to college is how to properly pass into the post because in many cases they are the best players on their respective teams and not adept at passing into the post or properly utilizing a post player. Diamond Deshields had that issue at UNC. As I intimated in my post, Bashaara Graves didn't get many post touches, despite her height advantage in the Texas game. Most her points came on face-up moves. I haven't seen an over reliance on the post game from Tennessee this year or last.

 

[CocoHusky]

They have no discernible offense besides setting a high screen with their post.

Another issue with the Lady Vols offense is that the player movement is Very Very predictable. Next to not moving at all, predictable movement is the easiest thing to defend. When was the last time you saw a Lady Vol player get a layup off a backdoor cut when the defense overplays? Robotic to the max. If the design of the play is for the player to pop out to the wing they will pop out to the wing. If the defense overplays Lady Vols players pop further out, so now you are getting a pass on the wing 30+ feet away from the basket.
It takes great basketball IQ from both Players & Coaches to teach & learn read and react type offenses so I don't want to make it sound easy. Given a roster of Big Mac AA and a head coach with 30+ years of experience how long would it take to put in some of these offensive principle? 5 Practices & 2 full scrimmages- I saw it with my own eyes in 2010 at a Division 1 program. It makes a huge difference.
First must come the will.