Meighan Simmons

[Suebird10fan]

I was perusing Tennessee stat page and noticed that Simmons has more FGA than PTS. Not too common for a starter on a good team. I glanced to the right to confirm what I was pretty sure of--she also has more TO than A.

So I was curious ... how often does that happen? I looked at the top seven teams: Baylor, ND, UConn, Stanford, Maryland, Tennessee and Duke.

First off, there were only 15 players (including anyone who played even a single minute) who had more FGA than PTS. Only one of those (Lindy LaRocque of Stanford) starts. Most of the players on the list are pretty far down the depth chart (our own Michala Johnson for example).

Out of probably close to 100 players, there were only four with FGA>PTS and TO>A: Simmons and three struggling freshmen, teammate Isabel Harrison, Duke's Amber Henson (now out for the season with an injury), and Maryland's Whitney Bays.

It's impossible to help your team with those dubious stats. Simmons seemed to show some potential last year if she could cut down on the turnovers and learn to pass the ball. Unfortunately for the Lady Vols she's going backward. I took some grief from someone earlier this year for saying that UT coaches should admit to themselves that she's a role player, but I stand by the comment.

 

[alexrgct]

She brings competitive fire, and when she's hitting her shots, she can be a real asset. However, as the stats you noted suggest, she can also be something of a ball hog and she can shoot you right out of a game against a quality team. Furthermore, because so many of her shots are from long-range, she doesn't get fouled that much. The result? Low FG% and not enough opportunities at the line. Will the light come on for her? Not clear that it will. From what I understand from color commentators calling LV games, she's been an area of specific focus already for Pat herself, and if that focused attention (from a legendary coach who has to take a more limited role and is still choosing to focus on improving Meghan's game) isn't really helping her, what next?

 

[Suebird10fan]

She brings competitive fire, and when she's hitting her shots, she can be a real asset. However, as the stats you noted suggest, she can also be something of a ball hog and she can shoot you right out of a game against a quality team. Furthermore, because so many of her shots are from long-range, she doesn't get fouled that much. The result? Low FG% and not enough opportunities at the line. Will the light come on for her? Not clear that it will. From what I understand from color commentators calling LV games, she's been an area of specific focus already for Pat herself, and if that focused attention (from a legendary coach who has to take a more limited role and is still choosing to focus on improving Meghan's game) isn't really helping her, what next?

Nice analysis Alex (as usual). I'm beginning to think it's not an issue of a light coming on. Her career FG% is 39.5%. I have to conclude that she's just not a good shooter. And for all her competitive fire, if she's not a good shooter I don't think she brings enough to the table to be a legitimate starter for a top ten team. Of course the Lady Vols talent gets thin after Stricklen, Johnson, Baugh and Massengale, so I understand why she gets the minutes.

 

[Husky68]

She had one stretch of 1 for about 30. She can get shots off from anywhere at any time, can be either a blessing or a curse. She has to date turned it into more of a curse. She needs to take better shots and use her speed to get open and not to make the shot harder by flying towards the basket instead of pulling up and shooting softer. She makes a few adjustments and she'll be real good, but some players never quite get it. Shame for her if she doesn't come around. A good Simmons makes Tenn a legit FF team.

 

[Ruffian75]

Simmons is at 33% this year. The second worst percentage of the 8 Vol players that play a lot of minutes is 42%. She averages 1.8 assists and 2.3 TOs and 0.8 steals. She hurts her team. I don't think she is coachable

 

[Suebird10fan]

She had one stretch of 1 for about 30. She can get shots off from anywhere at any time, can be either a blessing or a curse. She has to date turned it into more of a curse. She needs to take better shots and use her speed to get open and not to make the shot harder by flying towards the basket instead of pulling up and shooting softer. She makes a few adjustments and she'll be real good, but some players never quite get it. Shame for her if she doesn't come around. A good Simmons makes Tenn a legit FF team.

I agree--I'd hate to play the Vols in the FF if Simmons were playing well.

 

[easttexastrash]

The thing for Simmons is that she seems to need to have the ball in her hands a lot to get into the flow of the game. Now that she is not the PG and doesn't have as many opportunities to control her own fate, I am doubtful that her numbers are going to improve. This may be the level at which she plays her entire career.

 

[doggydaddy]

Nice analysis Alex (as usual). I'm beginning to think it's not an issue of a light coming on. Her career FG% is 39.5%. I have to conclude that she's just not a good shooter. And for all her competitive fire, if she's not a good shooter I don't think she brings enough to the table to be a legitimate starter for a top ten team. Of course the Lady Vols talent gets thin after Stricklen, Johnson, Baugh and Massengale, so I understand why she gets the minutes.

And 3 of those graduate this year, so it should be an interesting season in 12-13 for Tennessee.

 

[alexrgct]

And 3 of those graduate this year, so it should be an interesting season in 12-13 for Tennessee.

Plus Manning, who doesn't always put up great numbers but gives great effort.

 

[JoePgh]

So, does anyone see a parallel between Meighan and Stef? Both showed great promise as freshmen and were expected to rise to near All-American levels as sophomores, and both are struggling more than their coaches expected or their fans wished for. I suspect that both players will be very good, WNBA-late-first-round players by the time they graduate. The Summitteers love to mock Geno's prediction that Stef would be the 2nd best center in the country this year, and based on this thread, we seem to enjoy demonstrating that Simmons has not fulfilled their fondest hopes. So it goes with young players, and I think everyone should ease off on the negativity and let them develop at their own pace. It certainly worked for Tina Charles.

 

[stwainfan]

She had to play out of position some. When Ariel was out or needed a break early in season. I think Simmons will be alright. She is doing a lot better on defense. She is fearless and has a fire about her game. If she gets hot shooting look out.

 

[Ruffian75]

She had to play out of position some. When Ariel was out or needed a break early in season. I think Simmons will be alright. She is doing a lot better on defense. She is fearless and has a fire about her game. If she gets hot shooting look out.

Vol fans have been whining about players playing out of position for the last 4 years. BH is not a prototyoical PG. KF is not a 4. The fact is Simmons is a liability even when she is playing her natural 2 position. Move on.

 

[dtbtbtb]

Simmons is a very talented one on one player who likes (loves) to shoot the ball and got no concept of team play and showed very little improvement in those areas so far (1.5 years) and I doubt will ever be. I don't think she is a good fit for any top 10 team as her game is made for a team that will be centered around her shooting and penetrating skills which is not going to happen on a team with o many AA as TN. This situation is actually not her fault as for whatever reason last season the coaching staff at TN let her run wild and now suddenly want to change who she is as a player...not going to happen IMO

 

[sarals24]

Her shot selection is horrendous. She is lightning quick but very slight, and doesn't seem to like contact. Cannot play without the ball. If they could somehow channel her speed and energy and make her into a defensive specialist and limit the amount of shots she is allowed to take that aren't in the flow of their offense she might help them more than she hurts them.

 

[doggydaddy]

She was either 24 or 26 in the rankings. Some players are underrated. I don't think she was.

 

[Vowelguy]

So, does anyone see a parallel between Meighan and Stef?

No.
Not even remotely.

 

[Suebird10fan]

She had to play out of position some. When Ariel was out or needed a break early in season. I think Simmons will be alright. She is doing a lot better on defense. She is fearless and has a fire about her game. If she gets hot shooting look out.

And imagine how good Heather Buck will be when her shot comes along. And When Kelly gets hot she might just be a first team AA!

 

[Jmpenn]

And imagine how good Heather Buck will be when her shot comes along. And When Kelly gets hot she might just be a first team AA!

Well I also don't see a thread on the Summitt saying that Buck and Faris are bad players. Meighan isn't shooting that well but she is working hard on improving her defense. I have faith that her shot will return. I am so happy that she picked TN.

 

[doggydaddy]

Well I also don't see a thread on the Summitt saying that Buck and Faris are bad players. Meighan isn't shooting that well but she is working hard on improving her defense. I have faith that her shot will return. I am so happy that she picked TN.

And neither Buck or Faris are a 2 guard .

I guess you missed the long thread about Dolson and how she is dirty player. At least we are critiquing a basketball skill.

 

[stwainfan]

The whole team is better with Ariel at pg. She knows where and when to pass the ball. As for Simmons I think she is improving her overall game. Her passing her defense are better.

 

[doggydaddy]

The whole team is better with Ariel at pg. She knows where and when to pass the ball. As for Simmons I think she is improving her overall game. Her passing her defense are better.

Just because you say it over and over doesn't make it true.

Last year she had 104 assists and 104 TO's. This year she has 27 assists and 35 TO's. Her passing is NOT better.

I've seen several TN games this year and I haven't seen any defensive improvements. And her shot selection is even worse this year.

33.5 and 30.7 shooting percentages are just REALLY bad.

 

[rington]

Well I also don't see a thread on the Summitt saying that Buck and Faris are bad players. Meighan isn't shooting that well but she is working hard on improving her defense. I have faith that her shot will return. I am so happy that she picked TN.

the problem is: she never shot!

 

[rington]

She certainly lacks discipline; she plays every game like it is her first collegiate game. No doubt she has talent, but needs proper coaching.

 

[Icebear]

She certainly lacks discipline; she plays every game like it is her first collegiate game. No doubt she has talent, but needs proper coaching.

"She lacks discipline..." That is the best description of all of Seimons' game.

 

[stwainfan]

Just because you say it over and over doesn't make it true.

Last year she had 104 assists and 104 TO's. This year she has 27 assists and 35 TO's. Her passing is NOT better.

I've seen several TN games this year and I haven't seen any defensive improvements. And her shot selection is even worse this year.

33.5 and 30.7 shooting percentages are just REALLY bad.

Did you see Georgia and Arkansas games? Arkansas scored 72 on Kentucky 38 aginst Tennessee. Why is that?