Press Conference by Tennessee

[stwainfan]

A press conference with Holly, Diamond, and Mercedes.
If anyone wants to watch.
http://www.utsports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/102615aaa.html

 

[CocoHusky]

Diamond looks jacked! Could not hear all the questions but someone ( Not Diamond) is going back to the Doctor this afternoon to get a professional opinion-did not sound good. Who?

 

[mtsuraider06]

Jaime Nared broke her hand, and is out 3-4 weeks. First game is November 15th.

 

[CocoHusky]

Diamond sounds very mature and thoughtful about being away from basketball for a full year, leadership & trusting her teammates. I am looking forward to this new maturity translating into her game.

 

[stwainfan]

Diamond sounds very mature and thoughtful about being away from basketball for a full year, leadership & trusting her teammates. I am looking forward to this new maturity translating into her game.

She has great athletic ability. Having to sit out I think helped her. I think this will help her be a better player.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Tried to watch the press conference on YouTube and got "the video is unavailable." Is DD cleared to play?

 

[stwainfan]

Tried to watch the press conference on YouTube and got "the video is unavailable." Is DD cleared to play?

Diamond is just in no contact in practice. She'll be ready for first game both Holly and Diamond said. The presser on you tube you just skip ahead a little bit and it should play.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Diamond is just in no contact in practice. She'll be ready for first game both Holly and Diamond said. The presser on you tube you just skip ahead a little bit and it should play.

Thanks. For the life of me I don't get the whole "no contact - ready for first game" thing, but soon we'll all see what is going on. Bummer about Jamie N.

 

[mrmojack]

It looks to me that Diamond has a different outlook on the game this year. I guess she did a lot of lifting as she looks a lot stronger and confident. I think the LV's will be much improved this year. The two games they have with South Carolina should be good games to watch.

 

[stwainfan]

Thanks. For the life of me I don't get the whole "no contact - ready for first game" thing, but soon we'll all see what is going on. Bummer about Jamie N.

I think it's just making sure she is healthy. Graves had a shoulder injury. Then was no contact. Now she is full go.

 

[Nuyoika]

Very encouraging press conference. Hopefully they make some noise this year. SEC might get real interesting.

 

[CocoHusky]

It looks to me that Diamond has a different outlook on the game this year. I guess she did a lot of lifting as she looks a lot stronger and confident. I think the LV's will be much improved this year. The two games they have with South Carolina should be good games to watch.

I Believe Lady Vols only have one scheduled game with SC this season-which is a darn shame IMO. A second meeting would have to be in the SEC or NCAA tournament.

 

[Nuyoika]

Likely the SEC Tourney. I predicted in another thread here and on Cockytalk that the Gamecocks won't beat them twice if they do infact end up playin each other more than once. Cannot wait for the season to start. I expect there to be lots of drama with maybe 5 teams with any real shot at a NCAA title this year. The last few years it's really only been even slightly possible for Uconn or ND.

 

[stwainfan]

Watching this got me really excited about this season. I think this will be a fun team to watch. As good as Diamond can be. I still think Mercedes is the key to this season. Yes teams will try and slow down Diamond. Good luck to any players trying to guard her straight up. Having Mercedes in with that size. She can rebound, block shots, and score. Now she is healthy. If this team is healthy come March. There is no reason they shouldn't be in FF.

 

[Alydar]

Watching this got me really excited about this season. I think this will be a fun team to watch. As good as Diamond can be. I still think Mercedes is the key to this season. Yes teams will try and slow down Diamond. Good luck to any players trying to guard her straight up. Having Mercedes in with that size. She can rebound, block shots, and score. Now she is healthy. If this team is healthy come March. There is no reason they shouldn't be in FF.

I'm glad Russell is healthy. But in today's interview she herself said that in her freshman year the pain in her feet only limited her minutes as she was able to play only in short stretches and couldn't run the court as well as she can now. But let's look at what she was able to do in those areas that didn't require running. In 18.5 mins/game she averaged 6.3 pts, 5.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. She had a total of 18 assists, 45 TO's and 14 steals.

I compared those numbers to what Gabby Williams did her freshman year. She averaged 15.6 mins/game and scored 8.3 pts, 5.7 rebounds & 0.4 blocks. She had 50 assists, 40 to's & 46 steals.

I say that Williams had somewhat better freshman stats while the preseason reports about the players this season hint that they both are showing significant improvement from their freshman seasons.

Russell is considered a key to Tenn's success this year while Williams, while a candidate to be the 5th starter, is hardly being counted on to lead the Huskies to the FF.

And therein lies the gap between the two teams.

 

[stwainfan]

I'm glad Russell is healthy. But in today's interview she herself said that in her freshman year the pain in her feet only limited her minutes as she was able to play only in short stretches and couldn't run the court as well as she can now. But let's look at what she was able to do in those areas that didn't require running. In 18.5 mins/game she averaged 6.3 pts, 5.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. She had a total of 18 assists, 45 TO's and 14 steals.

I compared those numbers to what Gabby Williams did her freshman year. She averaged 15.6 mins/game and scored 8.3 pts, 5.7 rebounds & 0.4 blocks. She had 50 assists, 40 to's & 46 steals.

I say that Williams had somewhat better freshman stats while the preseason reports about the players this season hint that they both are showing significant improvement from their freshman seasons.

Russell is considered a key to Tenn's success this year while Williams, while a candidate to be the 5th starter, is hardly being counted on to lead the Huskies to the FF.

And therein lies the gap between the two teams.

I understand what you are saying. Naturally when you are healthy you can do more. Mercedes said she is faster and more explosive and runs better. let's remember she was the top player in her class. A class that included Diamond. Mercedes hasn't played her best basketball yet. I think you will see a much better player. Than in her freshman year. At WUG she had three or four double double games.

 

[Alydar]

I understand what you are saying. Naturally when you are healthy you can do more. Mercedes said she is faster and more explosive and runs better. let's remember she was the top player in her class. A class that included Diamond. Mercedes hasn't played her best basketball yet. I think you will see a much better player. Than in her freshman year. At WUG she had three or four double double games.

And you must remember that prior to her ACL tears, Williams was considered among the top players in HER class.

" McCormick on the Huskies: “Gabby Williams is one of the best players I’ve ever seen. She’s like Maya Moore in that she could play just about any position. She does it all on the court ...."

http://www.asgrbasketball.com/2014-recruiting-rankings/

All that you say about Russell applies to Williams. You say that if she remains healthy that "There is no reason they shouldn't be in FF". Maybe, but if the LV' get there they will come up against a team with an equally talented player who may not even start.

 

[stwainfan]

And you must remember that prior to her ACL tears, Williams was considered among the top players in HER class.

" McCormick on the Huskies: “Gabby Williams is one of the best players I’ve ever seen. She’s like Maya Moore in that she could play just about any position. She does it all on the court ...."

http://www.asgrbasketball.com/2014-recruiting-rankings/

All that you say about Russell applies to Williams. You say that if she remains healthy that "There is no reason they shouldn't be in FF". Maybe, but if the LV' get there they will come up against a team with an equally talented player who may not even start.

Actually I said if the team stays healthy. I think this team is really athletic. I think the most talent since the Parker years. Tennessee has always been a team to get the ball inside. Mercedes plays inside. That and and I think she can be really good. That's why I was saying about her being a key to this year. Graves also is in there. Now we are about to find out here real soon. I also think Holy is more comfortable as the coach. I realize UConn is also a really talented team. They both are two of the most talented teams in the game.

 

[calpedaler]

wash, rinse, repeat

 

[MaineFan]

Geno, in Nashville, 2015, about the media's view of his coaching

 

[Geno-ista]

Watching this got me really excited about this season. I think this will be a fun team to watch. As good as Diamond can be. I still think Mercedes is the key to this season. Yes teams will try and slow down Diamond. Good luck to any players trying to guard her straight up. Having Mercedes in with that size. She can rebound, block shots, and score. Now she is healthy. If this team is healthy come March. There is no reason they shouldn't be in FF.

If Diamond is/stays healthy, I think she can carry any team, and especially a solid team to the finals. Just like Angel M carried Louisville- with less talent in supporting cast.

 

[DaddyChoc]

is Margo all ready to go this season... webcam, mic etc.?

 

[AnotherVolFan]

wash, rinse, repeat

Idkkkkkk....I have a feeling Diamond will be unto UCONN as Turasi was to UT! Karma! Lol

 

[j66kicker]

is Margo all ready to go this season... webcam, mic etc.?

Suspect Margo is locked & loaded.

 

[AnotherVolFan]

Suspect Margo is locked & loaded.

Lmaoooooo x's 100000! Yea Margo is most definitely going to be prepared!