Kortney Dunbar ('14) commits to Tennessee

[Fightin Choke]

While Kortney Dunbar received a lot of love from Prospects Nation in the recent adjustment to their rankings, apparently Bret McCormick of All Star Girls Report remains less impressed. In a story today in ASGR (LINK), he speaks about Tennessee's 2014 class in glowing terms, yet ranks both players fairly low:

Tennessee: Alexa Middleton, No. 39, 5-9, PG; Kortney Dunbar, No. 97, 6-1, WF.
McCormick on the Lady Vols: ”Middleton is a Tennessee native who is very fundamental. She shoots the ball well, and she is a hard nosed competitor who knows how to win. Dunbar has unbelievable shooting range. She is a ‘maker,’ not just a shooter.”

 

[Justavisitor]

Seriously? Ok then. I'll play. Ashja Jones, Tamika Williams, Kelly Schumacher, Jessica Moore, Charde Houson, Tina Charles. And then of course Stef Dolson. Tennessee has a long history of not really developing centers, but if you want to include other post players, how did Shyra Ely work out? Great WNBA career she had. Really developed at Tennessee. Robinson was the other #1 recruit besides Taurasi that year. Snow? top 5 kid right? Solid WNBA career for sure. But she certainly wasn't developed like Tina Charles was.

I think by now everyone realizes Pat's offense consisted mostly of strong guard and wing play, with missed shots being cleaned up by the post players and that very little was run through them, Parker excepted. Play stifling defense, and hit the offensive boards to clean up misses.

I find it amusing that you compare Anosike to Moore. Jess Moore - was she even in the top 50? I think she was in the low 40's by the services that year. Wasn't Anosike top 10? Top 15 at the worst. So I guess you are saying that Geno took a kid no one thought much of out of high school and parleyed that into an 8+ year WNBA career while Pat took a top 10'ish kid Nikki who was waived this year after 5 seasons in the WNBA.

Yes, I'll play. How'd that development work out for Ann Strothers? Wasn't she also a #1 recruit that never panned out for the W? At least Ely has held on to several roster spots. Anosike was a face up player when she arrived at TN. She lasted for 5 years in the W as a post player and that was from the development at TN. There are more scenarios, but it's ridiculous to continue this running theme about players not developing when you can find just as many players in each program that didn't live up to their billing. Many high school rankings are based on potential. Some players simply get to college and don't put in the work. Some players were over ranked. There are various reasons. I have often wondered why Maya doesn't have better ball handling ability. Is that because of Geno or is that because she didn't put in the work? I have also wondered what has happened to Hornbuckle's shot. Is it because she broke her shooting hand and never recovered? Was it Pat? or was it not putting in the work? Why is Harrison developing so well at the post position, when Stokes seems to be struggling? Is it development, work ethic, coaching, etc.? None of us know the exact reasons why one player will develop greatly and the next one won't, but there are too many success stories to ascertain that there is no development. Both programs have more players in the W than any other university. In large part because of the level of talent that enters each program. Candace Parker and Taurasi would have excelled any where.

 

[Icebear]

Yes, I'll play. How'd that development work out for Ann Strothers? Wasn't she also a #1 recruit that never panned out for the W? At least Ely has held on to several roster spots. Anosike was a face up player when she arrived at TN. She lasted for 5 years in the W as a post player and that was from the development at TN. There are more scenarios, but it's ridiculous to continue this running theme about players not developing when you can find just as many players in each program that didn't live up to their billing. Many high school rankings are based on potential. Some players simply get to college and don't put in the work. Some players were over ranked. There are various reasons. I have often wondered why Maya doesn't have better ball handling ability. Is that because of Geno or is that because she didn't put in the work? I have also wondered what has happened to Hornbuckle's shot. Is it because she broke her shooting hand and never recovered? Was it Pat? or was it not putting in the work? Why is Harrison developing so well at the post position, when Stokes seems to be struggling? Is it development, work ethic, coaching, etc.? None of us know the exact reasons why one player will develop greatly and the next one won't, but there are too many success stories to ascertain that there is no development. Both programs have more players in the W than any other university. In large part because of the level of talent that enters each program. Candace Parker and Taurasi would have excelled any where.

Five years in the W I believe is far better than the average.

 

[Alydar]

Yes, I'll play. How'd that development work out for Ann Strothers? Wasn't she also a #1 recruit that never panned out for the W? At least Ely has held on to several roster spots. Anosike was a face up player when she arrived at TN. She lasted for 5 years in the W as a post player and that was from the development at TN. There are more scenarios, but it's ridiculous to continue this running theme about players not developing when you can find just as many players in each program that didn't live up to their billing. Many high school rankings are based on potential. Some players simply get to college and don't put in the work. Some players were over ranked. There are various reasons. I have often wondered why Maya doesn't have better ball handling ability. Is that because of Geno or is that because she didn't put in the work? I have also wondered what has happened to Hornbuckle's shot. Is it because she broke her shooting hand and never recovered? Was it Pat? or was it not putting in the work? Why is Harrison developing so well at the post position, when Stokes seems to be struggling? Is it development, work ethic, coaching, etc.? None of us know the exact reasons why one player will develop greatly and the next one won't, but there are too many success stories to ascertain that there is no development. Both programs have more players in the W than any other university. In large part because of the level of talent that enters each program. Candace Parker and Taurasi would have excelled any where.

.

Why is Harrison developing so well at the post position, when Stokes seems to be struggling?
'
Not struggling. Harrison played the 5 because there was no one else on the team to do it. She'd be sitting behind Dolson too. Stokes has offensive issues but her defense, rebounding and strength in the paint are all more advanced than Harrison, who is more of a 4 than a 5. Stokes showed me all I needed to see when she locked down Williams last year.
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You have a valid point about development. Both programs do that well. I'd guess Tenn spends more time on individual skills since their offense relies on one-on-one play, while UConn, who passes more to create offense focusses more on team skills. passing, screening and defense.
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While Tenn has sent some good players to the W their college success has been less than expected for a number of years. Last year's senior class had 2 WNBA first round picks and yet no FF's while they played for Tenn

 

[HuskyNan]

Yes, I'll play. How'd that development work out for Ann Strothers? Wasn't she also a #1 recruit that never panned out for the W?

There are two issues with Annie's development.

1. Geno had to play her in the post her junior and, especially, her senior year. She doesn't have a forwards instincts or skills so she did not do particularly well.

2. Annie was a victim of the child molester Rick Lopez, who was her AAU coach in Colorado. He was arrested during her junior year in college and all of the lurid stories came out that year. Not only was Ann's name in the press but opposing players used the incidents for trash-talk, the most famous of which spurred Cappiegate in 2005. How can that not affect a 21 year old girl? It was a horrible time for her.

 

[Justavisitor]

Thank you HuskyNan for proving my point. Annie's situation was more publically known, but the truth is that many players have issues, but the public may not know what they are. They could have physical injuries that are far more serious than perceived or something else going on their lives. Something in the way of their ability to fully apply themselves or in the way for them to fully engage both physically and mentally. Who knows the reasons, but it's not as cut and dry as "development". Each player has the ability to make the most of it, if they can or will.

 

[doggydaddy]

Thank you HuskyNan for proving my point.

You had a point?

 

[connboy77]

So Saniya Chong is just underrated because UConn got her. Tennessee gets someone outside the Top 50 and she is not going to make an impact and practically a useless recruit. You guys can be overconfident all you want about this National Championship, but don't whine when Meighan Simmons leads the Lady Vols past UConn in the NC game against UConn in Bridgestone aka Thompson Boling West.

VolFan, not going to happen! You and other Tennessee Fans can spin it anyway you want, but the vols are not beating UCONN even if they play the game in your backyard. I think its time you joined the real world.

 

[Icebear]

Personally, I do not think the Lady Vols make it to Nashville.

 

[stwainfan]

I think the only thing that will keep Tennessee from Nashville is injuries. Andraya Carter is one reason here is a interview. http://www.utsports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/091113aab.html

 

[Icebear]

And the inability to win against quality opponents on the road.

 

[DobbsRover2]

I think the only thing that will keep Tennessee from Nashville is injuries. Andraya Carter is one reason here is a interview. http://www.utsports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/091113aab.html

I would bet copious amounts of money (and I'll see if I can swindle meyers7 or icebear into giving me big odds to boot) that the Vols are indeed definitely going to Nashville injuries or no injuries, since I see they are scheduled to play Vandy there on Jan 12. And they do somewhat cheekily have the schedule filled out through the FF on the UTenn site, though if that trip is not made there needs to be some extra work done to tidying up the schedule at the end of the season, as has happened for the last 5 years. UConn being of a humbler stripe is not taking much for granted and just has the schedule filled out through the known locations through the AAC tourney.

Injuries are always the great unknown that can derail a team, but I personally avoid mentioning the possibility for my favorites so as to keep their mojo going strong. Whatever happens, happens.

 

[Icebear]

They may well lose in Nashville to Vandy and if so they will not return to Nashville in April.

 

[meyers7]

I would bet copious amounts of money (and I'll see if I can swindle meyers7 or icebear into giving me big odds to boot) that the Vols are indeed definitely going to Nashville injuries or no injuries,

Well I am easily swindled, however one will find there is very little to swindle me out of. But I will gladly give big odds.....on whatever.

 

[msf22b]

I sense that they (UTenn) will be a fine team.
Underestimating them like we did that group from South Bend, last year is perhaps an error.

 

[DobbsRover2]

Well I am easily swindled, however one will find there is very little to swindle me out of. But I will gladly give big odds.....on whatever.

Great, then I'll take those 1000:1 odds against the Vols and bet a crisp green Millard Filmore bill on it.

Now watch, a humongous snowstorm hits Nashville on January 12 and the schools decide not to make up the game since the interest in the Vols and Commodores match-up has completely died, and UTenn never makes it to Nashville after all.

 

[DobbsRover2]

I sense that they (UTenn) will be a fine team.
Underestimating them like we did that group from South Bend, last year is perhaps an error.

Fine is not necessarily the same as "final" the first word in FF. UTenn was fine the last three years, really fine but ambushed by a Bear in 2010, and just not very on-the-Ball fine in 2009. Not sure where you get the "we" or the "underestimated" part about ND, since most UConn fans can kind of remember when a team has been in the NC game for two years straight and that despite some key graduations have played like a top 4 team in the first two months of the season. Louisville probably could have been considered underrated last year on the BY, though much of that feeling came from the way the Huskies handled the Cards during the season and the 9 losses, which were one more than the Vols piled up.

The Vols finished among the top 8 (NCAA tourney) or 9 (USA Today poll) teams in the nation in 2013, but after losing two key players with Taber Spani and Kamiko Williams, I think most fans with blue tinted glasses would need to see some evidence that a young developing squad with hand-grenade Simmons as a ball conduit is ready for the long trip to Nashville after missing the FF for half a decade.

 

[EricSD]

I hardly think anyone is underestimating Tennessee. Good grief - they were put at #3 in the most recent preseason poll. Obviously people out there feel they are a final 4 caliber team. On paper, Tennessee has the 3rd most talented team behind UCONN and Duke only (IMHO), but I'd put them behind ND at the very least. It seems they are finally starting to develop post players - something that bodes well for Russell. In fact, I'd imagine Harrison starts over Russell - probably for most of the year. As I said before, I think Tennessee fans, in their giddiness of landing Russell, have projected her to be the next Parker or Griner. I just don't see it based on everything she's done up to now, but who knows how she will develop. Tennessee has a huge history of top 5 recruits not exactly ending up as great NPOY type of players. I actually think Graves has that potential, and probably will be their best player this season.

But it will be a long season and I think Tennessee's relatively weak schedule will allow them to go almost undefeated this year. No Duke, no UCONN, no Maryland, no Louisville. The top 10 teams they play are Stanford and Notre Dame. I think UNC is also top 10 but playing them right out the gate with UNC's strength mostly their freshmen and sophomores will prove not big challenge for Tennessee. Kentucky? I guess they are top 10 as well. But a very favorable schedule for them.

 

[meyers7]

Great, then I'll take those 1000:1 odds against the Vols and bet a crisp green Millard Filmore bill on it.

Now watch, a humongous snowstorm hits Nashville on January 12 and the schools decide not to make up the game since the interest in the Vols and Commodores match-up has completely died, and UTenn never makes it to Nashville after all.

I only deal in Mallard Filmore bills, but not tomorrow.

 

[Icebear]

I only deal in Mallard Filmore bills, but not tomorrow.

You quack me up.

 

[choochoo]

Aren't boxers the best I have two that keep me on my toes

I love boxers but Goldens own my heart! I'll raise ya a golden, I got 3 and a 15 year old Jack Russell Terror who thinks he is still a puppy.

 

[DobbsRover2]

But it will be a long season and I think Tennessee's relatively weak schedule will allow them to go almost undefeated this year.

Wait a minute, UConn plays an AAC conference schedule? UTenn lines up a mainly cream puff schedule?

Whatever happened to the good old days when every team knew that the important title they were playing for was the Pat Summitt Sandpaper Charmin SOS crown? Is it going to be some team like Wake Forest or Prairie View dancing off with the top mark this year?

 

[Phil]

And the inability to win against quality opponents on the road.

We haven't yet seen the Regional locations. They might not need to beat a quality opponent on the road to get to Nashville.

 

[Icebear]

We haven't yet seen the Regional locations. They might not need to beat a quality opponent on the road to get to Nashville.

True.

 

[stwainfan]

There are some quality opponents on the schedule. Stanford, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Texas A&M, and LSU. Stanford, LSU, and A&M are all on the road.

 

[Icebear]

There are some quality opponents on the schedule. Stanford, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Texas A&M, and LSU. Stanford, LSU, and A&M are all on the road.

That will tell us a lot about the team.

 

[Alydar]

We haven't yet seen the Regional locations. They might not need to beat a quality opponent on the road to get to Nashville.

The first 2 rounds may well be at TBA if the NCAA goes with letting the top 16 host but the regionals cannot be at a team's home court and seeing how the FF is in Nashville I seriously doubt anywhere in Tenn will be a regional site.
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The 2 seeds are sited geographically by seed so the 5-8 seed positions will be huge. Of Tenn, Ken, Louis, ND, Duke, UNC & MD, several are destined to be 2 seeds and the miles to each regional site from campus will determine where they go.

 

[DobbsRover2]

There are some quality opponents on the schedule. Stanford, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Texas A&M, and LSU. Stanford, LSU, and A&M are all on the road.

The UTenn schedule is obviously wrapped around the big SEC lineup, which beside the Vols had Kentucky, Texas A&M, Georgia, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt in the Sagarin top 25 last year, so that will be a challenge. But the OOC starts with a D2 school and then runs through 12 known opponents (another is second game tourney unknown) that had an average ranking of 122 in the Sags list. Ouch! After #3 ND and #5 Stanford and #19 UNC, there is not one team that finished in the top 50, and four are above the 225 mark, including #343 of 345 Lipscomb.

It may end up being a decent enough schedule if the SEC teams come out strong, but it's not what Pat used to put together or the toughness dogma that the Summitt used to preach years ago.

 

[Bayareahusky]

When you go up against the best gals during the season and especially deep in the tournament, it is as much about grit as much as it is about talent..... UT didn't show any of that last year..... going the next step, they need to find a leader who makes sure every single woman on the team is accountable..... people who are guilty of slipping into early foul trouble, or playing one on one hoops 2 much must be called on the carpet for that right away..... I saw several LV games last year, and came away unimpressed, aside from one game vs. Kentucky, when they annihilated the Wildcats...... Time will tell

 

[Boxerpups4me]

They may well lose in Nashville to Vandy and if so they will not return to Nashville in April.

Vandy and Kentucky always gives us fits. Although I think this year Kentucky will be particularly stronger this season since they added Harper. She is a beast on the defensive side and will thrive in their press defense. One thing about Kentucky though is their inability to play any kind of consistent half court offense. Vandy on the other hand should have good guard play, but will struggle down low in the post. South Carolina will be tough to beat this year as well. Dawn always puts a good team out on the court.

Tennessee has a lot to prove and it might be a little premature for UT fans like myself to think Russell is our automatic ticket to the final four, and she may not be the second coming of Parker or Griner, but she def at least GIVES us a legitimate shot our first final four in several years, similar to freshman Maya Moore helping UCONN erase their final four drought they had for several straight seasons. So it's not just Tennessee who has struggled to get back to the final four, even mighty UCONN has had their struggles as well. When UCONN struggled, and I use that term lightly since they still had solid seasons, I knew that Geno would bring them back to elite status, and I'm sure Holly will do that with Tennessee. Mercedes Russell is a great start...