My first reaction was "what - another Tennessee thread"?
but seriously, there is so much of interest going on there at this point that articles like this are newsworthy...
The next regular season could be as jolting as an early-tournament exit. UT has lost five seniors, including two who were among the top-four picks in the recent WNBA draft. Moreover, two of its best returning players — Taber Spani (knee) and Cierra Burdick (back) — have health issues.
Whatever happens next season could be overshadowed by what happens with the 2013 recruiting class. If the Lady Vols can land a top class, that would be a huge achievement in a transitional year. It also would be a strong indicator that the program can eventually return to the Final Four and compete for championships.
I heard about Burdick's back issues (i think they are recent?) but isn't Spani back to 100%? or at least working on getting there? she's not had a setback has she? anyway, there's a ton of pressure on them to land a couple top kids, and not just top 10, but top 1 or 2, for 2013. There's a pretty big difference between 98 ratings for KML and Williams vs. 96 ratings for even the #3 and 4 kids in the class.
why, you ask? because the coaches at Tenn haven't shown they can win with #3 Johnson, #8 Stricklen, #2 Baugh, and top 10 kids (by some) Spani, Simmons, Burdick and Massengale. they haven't landed a Charles, Moore, EDD, Griner, Bone, Diggins, Ogwumike (x2), Gray (Duke), Simms, Thomas (MD), KML, E Williams, Stewart, Jefferson, or Tuck. That IMHO is part of the problem.
Getting a "top rated" class isn't the issue IMHO. they've had that. they need game changers. a couple of true stars and they haven't had that since Parker.
