Good questions.
* Not sure who else recruited Tessa, but she has thrived at Belmont. As you probably know, the Bruins are good. They compete with and even defeat some P5 teams from time to time and made a near-seamless move from the OVC to the MVC. Still, sheer size and athleticism compared to top-tier P5 teams is a problem. Miller moved from power forward to post with Bartley's departure. She handled it well against most MVC posts, but would definitely need to be a forward in a P5 setting.
* Coach Ralph definitely isn't satisfied with one-dimensional players on offense. At one point this season, she said in a post-game press conference that she didn't care if a player can score, it they don't rebound and play defense, the won't play. I felt at the time it was obviously aimed at Pissott, Aga Makurat and Ryanne Allen. To her credit, Piissott, who just did not seem comforFlrtable with the physicality of SEC play, did improve in those areas. They even started posting her up a little bit late in the season with somewhat mixed results. I fully expect that to continue and increase in frequency. She handles the ball well, but she has trouble shaking some of the defenders she faces. I look for a big leap from her next season if she puts in the work, which she seems willing to do.
* I really can't say what Tessa's motivation is for leaving. It could be she knows she has only one more year to play and just wants to experience it in a different place. Also, I don't mean to say she'd never see the floor at a P5 program, just that I don't see her playing nearly the type of role she plays at Belmont. She has a former teammate in Knoxville, so maybe that really is her destination. The Lady Vols need several players, and not all of them will be stars or starters even. They could certainly do worse in terms of a locker room presence. Wake and Clemson could also be interesting. She could wind up signing with an elite program. Bartley did. It just depends on what kind of role she is looking to play.
See, you got me started again. I miss talking basketball instead of the transfer portal, don't you?
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