Kaela Davis Announcing Today @ 2:45

[killavol36]

You see the last 4 years at Tenn as an aberation while others see it as a trend. Tenn had just as much talent in the last 4 years as they will have for the next 4. The coaches couldn't mold that group into a team, due in some part to injuries. Will they do better with this group without their HOF coach? It's a legit question.


Look I have alot of respect for UCONN. But of course I dont like them. Lets face it, winning championships is all about recruiting. When was the last time Geno won it all without the best player in the country. Tenn hasnt won because that last class we had, didnt have Del donne, Griner, or Diggins. Have you guys forgot what it was like for 4yrs after Diana T. left? You won again after putting together the #1 player in back to back classes. Now your a treat again because you have Stewart. So yes the last 4yrs hasnt been that good for us. But, were headed in the right direction. This year we build our foundation, next yrs class puts us back into contention. Also, lets be honest can anyone really beat Baylor this year without Griner getting hurt?

 

[magical2]

I'm hoping for Georgia Tech.

Given the timing relative to Mercedes' announcement, I think Kaela chooses Tennessee. Ugh! Hope I'm wrong.

The important announcement--Erica McCall, on November 10!!

Milford I hope you,Eric,myself, and some others are "Dead Wrong" in thinking it is Tenn!

The Russell anouncement,Kaela having been on the weekend with her,Tucker recommiting.Mom being a Tenn AA,brother going there on scholarship all seems to point to them.

I hope I am wrong also in thinking that on Nov 10th Erica chooses Stanford!
Ira

 

[VAMike23]

You see the last 4 years at Tenn as an aberation while others see it as a trend. Tenn had just as much talent in the last 4 years as they will have for the next 4. The coaches couldn't mold that group into a team, due in some part to injuries. Will they do better with this group without their HOF coach? It's a legit question.


Look I have alot of respect for UCONN. But of course I dont like them. Lets face it, winning championships is all about recruiting. When was the last time Geno won it all without the best player in the country. Tenn hasnt won because that last class we had, didnt have Del donne, Griner, or Diggins. Have you guys forgot what it was like for 4yrs after Diana T. left? You won again after putting together the #1 player in back to back classes. Now your a treat again because you have Stewart. So yes the last 4yrs hasnt been that good for us. But, were headed in the right direction. This year we build our foundation, next yrs class puts us back into contention. Also, lets be honest can anyone really beat Baylor this year without Griner getting hurt?

I honestly think we have a shot at it, yes.

As to the rest, Geno would pretty much agree with you (top talent) as far as FF or NC wins. But I also think that the talent level at UT the last four yrs should have been good enough to get to at least one FF even with the injuries.

 

[UConnCat]

Also, lets be honest can anyone really beat Baylor this year without Griner getting hurt?

Yes, there's one team that has a chance to beat Baylor with a healthy Griner and that's UConn. Baylor has the most unique player in the game but UConn will have the most unique collection of offensive talent in the game and will have the most dynamic offense in WCBB this year and next. Do I think UConn will beat Baylor? I don't know that it will, but I do believe that it can beat Baylor.

 

[vtcwbuff]

Maybe she wants to go to an excellent school and live in downtown ATL?

Perhaps her parents are concerned for her safety. Wall St 24/7 released their 2012 list of the 10 most dangerous states. Tennessee was #1, up from #3 last year.

 

[magical2]

You see the last 4 years at Tenn as an aberation while others see it as a trend. Tenn had just as much talent in the last 4 years as they will have for the next 4. The coaches couldn't mold that group into a team, due in some part to injuries. Will they do better with this group without their HOF coach? It's a legit question.


Look I have alot of respect for UCONN. But of course I dont like them. Lets face it, winning championships is all about recruiting. When was the last time Geno won it all without the best player in the country. Tenn hasnt won because that last class we had, didnt have Del donne, Griner, or Diggins. Have you guys forgot what it was like for 4yrs after Diana T. left? You won again after putting together the #1 player in back to back classes. Now your a treat again because you have Stewart. So yes the last 4yrs hasnt been that good for us. But, were headed in the right direction. This year we build our foundation, next yrs class puts us back into contention. Also, lets be honest can anyone really beat Baylor this year without Griner getting hurt?

There is at least one program that truelly believes there is a team that can beat Baylor this year w/o Griner getting hurt!
With all do respect to defending NC Baylor! Deserving of being #1 in preseason polls and throughout there ist 25 games! I expect a war on Feb 18th and again for the NC!

Do I believe we are the team that can beat them! Hell Yes
That is not a slight at Baylor,Griner,Simms,Mulkey, and a great group of players.
Ira

 

[killavol36]

Yes, there's one team that has a chance to beat Baylor with a healthy Griner and that's UConn. Baylor has the most unique player in the game but UConn will have the most unique collection of offensive talent in the game and will have the most dynamic offense in WCBB this year and next. Do I think UConn will beat Baylor? I don't know that it will, but I do believe that it can beat Baylor.

Alright I can respect that. I honestly believe you guys are the only ones that can even think about beating them. But, I also think that after this year its up for grabs because Griner will be gone. As good as Stewart may be, there are alot of players that can matchup with her. Just my opinion.

 

[UConnCat]

Yes, there's one team that has a chance to beat Baylor with a healthy Griner and that's UConn. Baylor has the most unique player in the game but UConn will have the most unique collection of offensive talent in the game and will have the most dynamic offense in WCBB this year and next. Do I think UConn will beat Baylor? I don't know that it will, but I do believe that it can beat Baylor.

Alright I can respect that. I honestly believe you guys are the only ones that can even think about beating them. But, I also think that after this year its up for grabs because Griner will be gone. As good as Stewart may be, there are alot of players that can matchup with her. Just my opinion.

UConn will be better next year than this year and no team other than Duke will have a chance to beat UConn next year, although Duke's chances will be slim. A lot of players can match up with Stewart? A lot of players? Please name them. And let's revisit this after you watch how Geno uses her.

 

[magical2]

UConn will be better next year than this year and no team other than Duke will have a chance to beat UConn next year, although Duke's chances will be slim. A lot of players can match up with Stewart? A lot of players? Please name them. And let's revisit this after you watch how Geno uses her.

Agree that we will be even better next season! Re: Stewart! Not only does this poster not know much about her,but the rest of our team.
Ira

 

[sarals24]

Ha! Yeah, I am also interested in seeing players "match up" with Stewart. Haven't really seen it yet. Not a lot of players can match up with Delle Donne, and she doesn't have nearly the supporting cast Stewart will have. Let's tag this post and revisit it in a few years

 

[Dawson]

I know we've all pounced on it, but the only match for Breanna in the game right now is Griner. There is not another player that I can think of that has a wingspan that is over 7 feet.

 

[Tonyc]

You see the last 4 years at Tenn as an aberation while others see it as a trend. Tenn had just as much talent in the last 4 years as they will have for the next 4. The coaches couldn't mold that group into a team, due in some part to injuries. Will they do better with this group without their HOF coach? It's a legit question.


Look I have alot of respect for UCONN. But of course I dont like them. Lets face it, winning championships is all about recruiting. When was the last time Geno won it all without the best player in the country. Tenn hasnt won because that last class we had, didnt have Del donne, Griner, or Diggins. Have you guys forgot what it was like for 4yrs after Diana T. left? You won again after putting together the #1 player in back to back classes. Now your a treat again because you have Stewart. So yes the last 4yrs hasnt been that good for us. But, were headed in the right direction. This year we build our foundation, next yrs class puts us back into contention. Also, lets be honest can anyone really beat Baylor this year without Griner getting hurt?

Geno won with Tina Renee Kalana and yes Maya She came off the bench that year. Tina was made a star by Geno as way Renee and Kalana. We won without EDD. How does Marist fair every season in the NCAAs. UConn will beat Baylor this season and last season had an 11 pt lead at Baylor and never made it to the foul line, until Baylor got the lead. Think about that.
Not being able to mold Tenn into a great team with all that talent and highly ranked players I can understand but to lose to teams during those 4 seasons that werent ranked like Ball St. there are no excuses for that. There are reasons for that and it starts with Attitude.
Holly has done a nice job recruting Mercedes. If Tucker and Davis who both decommitted and are now considering recommitting (whats with that?) then I think Tenn will be a good team. They still have to gain chemistry, and understand this is Hollys team and they will do fine. If Davis and Tucker dont commit then Tenn has more work to do .

 

[easttexastrash]

I was shocked for a moment...I saw a tween from Bret McCormick that said that Kenna Mc Davis verballed to Boise state. My eyes just say the K and the Davis and my jaw dropped.

 

[bruinbball]

She's staying home... Georgia Tech!

 

[bruinbball]

http://peachstatebasketball.com/kaela-davis-blazes-new-trail-nov-1-2012/

 

[easttexastrash]

I'm looking forward to seeing Stewart play in college. I can only imagine that she will live up to the massive expectations that are awaiting her.

 

[speedoo]

Good luck Kaela.

 

[Icebear]

Just my opinion.

But is not the opinion of numerous college coaches that have called her WNBA ready.

 

[triaddukefan]

 

[easttexastrash]

I'm happy to see that Davis wants to make a difference and boost a hometown university. Hopefully she will help attract other talent.

It's nice to see that winning a national championship is not always the most important thing to these top players. I applaud Davis for her decision.

 

[UCONNfan1]

I remember after DT graduated from UCONN and the Huskies suffered until Maya Moore signed. The only trend in women's basketball is dictated by signing top talent. Admittedly, we had very good talent in the last four years, but they were not stars. Star players win..period.

And i'm sorry if you took offense to my line about Tech, but it's true. If I'm a star player, I don't want to work my butt off at a school that has no WBB tradition, no WBB history, and basically no chance to win a title while I'm there. I would want to compete in front of a solid fanbase for a tradition rich program that will be visible all year long.

Do you not consider Stricklen and Johnson to be star players? Add in Baugh, even though she was often injured and couldn't be relied upon consistently, I'd say going #2 and 4 in the draft is a pretty good indication of the talent level of those 2 players.

Tenn fans may believe that Massengale and Burdick and Graves are future "stars", but if you don't believe Stricklen and Johnson were, then I don't see how you can think any of those 3 are.

So by some definitions of "stars", Tennessee now has one - Russell. Not enough to win a NC obviously, especially when UCONN has so many more. So a ton depends on the 2014 class. Does Tennessee back up Russell with Turner and Wilson and one of the top PG's in the class (Caldwell or Canada or Mitchell)? It remains to be seen...

Final thought - not every kid wants to play for the best or play in front of the kind of bright lights that exist at Tennessee and UCONN. Diamond and Kaela chose to take a chance. Della Donne chose Delaware over UCONN. It seems like more and more kids are opting for programs NOT named UCONN, Tennessee, Duke or Stanford.

 

[meyers7]

If she wants to be an engineer the choice is pretty clear.

A helluva engineer at that.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Do you not consider Stricklen and Johnson to be star players? Add in Baugh, even though she was often injured and couldn't be relied upon consistently, I'd say going #2 and 4 in the draft is a pretty good indication of the talent level of those 2 players.

Tenn fans may believe that Massengale and Burdick and Graves are future "stars", but if you don't believe Stricklen and Johnson were, then I don't see how you can think any of those 3 are.

So by some definitions of "stars", Tennessee now has one - Russell. Not enough to win a NC obviously, especially when UCONN has so many more. So a ton depends on the 2014 class. Does Tennessee back up Russell with Turner and Wilson and one of the top PG's in the class (Caldwell or Canada or Mitchell)? It remains to be seen...

Final thought - not every kid wants to play for the best or play in front of the kind of bright lights that exist at Tennessee and UCONN. Diamond and Kaela chose to take a chance. Della Donne chose Delaware over UCONN. It seems like more and more kids are opting for programs NOT named UCONN, Tennessee, Duke or Stanford.

And Angie Bjorklund was rated #2 in HS, right behind Maya. Some LV fans swore that she was as good as Maya, for at least a while. Was she not supposed to be a star. Anyone compared to Maya Moore is definitely a star.

 

[UCONNfan1]

And Angie Bjorklund was rated #2 in HS, right behind Maya. Some LV fans swore that she was as good as Maya, for at least a while. Was she not supposed to be a star. Anyone compared to Maya Moore is definitely a star.

Right on. Going back to the "highest rated" kids in any class - the real elite players. Maybe there are anywhere from 1-4 of those kids in any given class. But I'd argue UCONN got one when Tina Charles committed and she came before Maya Moore.

But while Stricklen and Johnson maybe weren't the #1 or 2 kids coming out of HS, clearly they were 2 of the top 4 coming out when they graduated. Are Massengale and Burdick in the top 2-4 in their class? Certainly they are a step below 1 and 2. Is Graves one of the top 3-4 kids in 2012? Certainly she's behind at the very least Stewart, Jefferson, and Jones (Duke). I'd argue her ceiling is higher than Tuck's, but that's debatable...

So the only kid they've gotten in the past 4 years including 2013 who is one of the top 2-3 in her class is Russell. Not enough I don't think...

 

[OneTrickPony]

I will enjoy watching Kaela at Georgia Tech...BTW I think they host Tennessee on the 19th.