Te'a Cooper Verbal

[Icebear]

Yes, I never understood Durr's to be a TN lean.

 

[Bayareahusky]

a couple of interesting secondary points.... that were just brought up..... one is TNs patience with Holly.... it looks like 2 camps down there... one says she is doing wonderfully.... coming right in and transitioning well.... winning SEC titles and all that..... the other camp demanding at least a FF appearance and the true finishing of the "Grind for Nine" motto.....

and the other sub-subject which interests me greatly..... now that they have Cooper (and congratulations again)..... what happens with Durr and what happens with Dangerfield in their backyard..... from UT standpoint, you never have too many guards... but are these ladies willing to compete with Cooper for the position..... or is that position "promised" to a player much like Massengale was promised the starting spot by PHS when she was in high school? It will be very interesting to see how this all plays out.

 

[AnotherVolFan]

I'm glad Tennessee is getting strong recruiting classes. Until there is more parity and we have years where there will be 4 or 5 (or more) strong teams on a regular basis, I believe having a solid Lady Vol team is important to the health of WCBB.

And a question for our Tennessee visitors: In your opinion, to what extent do these recruits raise the bar on LV's fans' (and the university administration's) expectations and patience with Warlick? There have been grumblings the past two years - if the team isn't in the FF after the next two classes are settled in, will she be able to remain in Knoxville?

They raise it extremely high...while I have had my moments with Holly I do believe that she can develop into a good head coach. Even though it seems like a broken record...these next two years Tenn should be challenging UCONN for the national championship. NO EXCUSES...the talent is absurd on paper NOT to make only the FF but the NC game...especially next year. I believe a lot of LadyVol fans and people are forgetting about Ms. Tucker...whom I think will be an All-American at some point...as any die hard fan of a top 10 team, I'm hoping for a chance to play for the NC and I believe we will next year...If we don't...."Off with Holly's head" lol..but seriously I don't think she will go anywhere..but the people that wear those orange colored glasses will start some type of petition to try and get her out

 

[AnotherVolFan]

I think I'm the ONLY person in the world that believes Deshields won't pick Tenn...if she does we can forget about Durr...however I have heard she was a Tenn lean before Cooper's decision so hopefully that still stands...however I believe we will land Durr or Dangerfield and like I've stated before its really on Ms. Durr...if she chooses elsewhere I believe we have Ms Dangerfield....either way I'm just glad Tenn continues to pull in top recruits after Pat's departure...that was a big question mark in LadyVol land..like someone previously mentioned a strong LadyVol team is healthy for WCB. What better team to finally gice UCONN some competition. I loved the ND-UCONN games however I believe they didn't have the UMPH the UCONN-Tenn games had and will hopefully have In the future.

 

[Bayareahusky]

Yes, Holly certainly deserved to ascend to the throne.... I hope she does well.... Like a lot of other people.... I am of the mind that the LVs have had a bunch of talent, and have been stumped as to why they have not gotten further with that talent.... in recent teams, for example, Stricklen and her cast of teammates.... now SHE was a wonderful player.... Loved to watch her play.... and you mentioned Tucker.... Wow, I do not think there is anyone who knows her story who is not rooting hard for her..... there is a gal who deserves a good fortune in life!!!

 

[RadyLady]

"I just shaking my head?" Not sure that is very grammatically correct, but we are not here to judge each other's grammar, are we?

Apparently you are, and for the record I apologized to vol.

 

[RadyLady]

Wrong. Dead wrong.

The worst you may read here is the occasional tongue-in-cheek swipe at our adversaries on checkerboard square, where posts about UConn are characterized by vulgarity and vitriol. [N.B. Hey, guys, note that illiteration with the "V's."]

Read on and you will read repetitive posts of props to Cooper and Coach Warlick (and goodness' knows, she gets few from her own "fans").

Awesome alliteration acknowledged.

 

[Bayareahusky]

Yes, AnotherVolFan.... your opinion is interesting..... because most have Diamond going to Knoxville.... you know with her and with Durr Dangerfield etc.... i think of the old saying.... "if you wait until all the lights are green before you go to town, you will never get out of the driveway".... they have to commit to go somewhere and unless they choose a noveau program, there is going to be competition..... and ultimately .... that is what you want ..... players with a deep competitive fire in the belly.......

You know, you mentioned the UT UC series which of course is no more..... without going back in to the debate (i try to stay off of the subject, as it is a raw nerve with most people).... there was NOTHING like that series to elevate the PR and popularity of the game, and nothing at that time or since has come close to energizing the entire game like that game served to do..... it is too bad we do not have it any longer

 

[intlzncster]

What most often gets locked here is fights between Boneyarders over how nice they should be when discussing opposing teams' personnel (including staff, players and recruits).

There's a group that tends to call out others whose posts they regard as too partisan -- and, consequently, hypocritical in their attitudes toward UConn versus others.

This group generally is rather aggressive and vocal in suggesting others are insufficiently respectful of the opponents and their personnel.

The others in question, for their part, don't much like being lectured about how fair minded and respectful they should be.

It's not a phenomenon with which I expect you'd be familiar.

That was pretty choice.

 

[intlzncster]

Yes

Yes, that is some inside information

Ah yes, the dreaded "inside information".

 

[UConnCat]

They raise it extremely high...while I have had my moments with Holly I do believe that she can develop into a good head coach. Even though it seems like a broken record...these next two years Tenn should be challenging UCONN for the national championship. NO EXCUSES...the talent is absurd on paper NOT to make only the FF but the NC game...especially next year. I believe a lot of LadyVol fans and people are forgetting about Ms. Tucker...whom I think will be an All-American at some point...as any die hard fan of a top 10 team, I'm hoping for a chance to play for the NC and I believe we will next year...If we don't...."Off with Holly's head" lol..but seriously I don't think she will go anywhere..but the people that wear those orange colored glasses will start some type of petition to try and get her out

Everyone wishes Tucker much success. By the time she suits up for Tenn in November it will be 2 years and one ACL tear since she last played a competitive basketball game. She may indeed be an AA some day but it's always best to wait until a player plays some college basketball games before declaring her a future AA.

I like Holly. She appears to be genuine and passionate about her team and her job. After last year's and this year's NCAA tournament losses Holly said her team played nervous and scared. Her toughest job next season will be figuring out a) how to prepare her team mentally for competing on the biggest stage and b) which player(s) will show a willingness and ability to make big plays on the big stage. There was a lot of criticism directed at Meighan Simmons during her college career, but she was the only Tenn player willing to make plays down the stretch in the S16 loss to Maryland.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

I like Holly. She appears to be genuine and passionate about her team and her job. After last year's and this year's NCAA tournament losses Holly said her team played nervous and scared. Her toughest job next season will be figuring out a) how to prepare her team mentally for competing on the biggest stage and b) which player(s) will show a willingness and ability to make big plays on the big stage. There was a lot of criticism directed at Meighan Simmons during her college career, but she was the only Tenn player willing to make plays down the stretch in the S16 loss to Maryland.

With Holly, she needs to define her own coaching style. What are the signatures/schemes/premises of the Warlick offense and the Warlick defense? Right now, it seems as if she is simply implementing the later year strategy of her predecessor, which was to give the ball to the star player to make a play and to have offensive rebounding as the best offensive weapon. That works when you have an All-World talent like Candace Parker; it does not work if you simply have really good players and potential stars...those players need the coach to develop them more through her own Xs and Os.

It is always tough to replace a legend. It is even tougher to replace a legend whose name defined the sport for decades.

The next few years will be about Warlick establishing who she is as a coach. Right now, it seems as if her offensive and defensive schemes are "Pat, the sequel." While it is one thing to try and emulate the success of your predecessor by using her style, the schemes of the past few years of the Summitt era were marked more by once-in-a-decade talent being given freedom to roam, which the current TN roster does not have (though it does have several great and talented players, none is in Parker's league, or even that of Holdsclaw or Catchings).

TN is definitely a program I will be watching, because I am excited and curious to see what Holly can do.

 

[LadyVols9]

With Holly, she needs to define her own coaching style. What are the signatures/schemes/premises of the Warlick offense and the Warlick defense? Right now, it seems as if she is simply implementing the later year strategy of her predecessor, which was to give the ball to the star player to make a play and to have offensive rebounding as the best offensive weapon. That works when you have an All-World talent like Candace Parker; it does not work if you simply have really good players and potential stars...those players need the coach to develop them more through her own Xs and Os.

It is always tough to replace a legend. It is even tougher to replace a legend whose name defined the sport for decades.

The next few years will be about Warlick establishing who she is as a coach. Right now, it seems as if her offensive and defensive schemes are "Pat, the sequel." While it is one thing to try and emulate the success of your predecessor by using her style, the schemes of the past few years of the Summitt era were marked more by once-in-a-decade talent being given freedom to roam, which the current TN roster does not have (though it does have several great and talented players, none is in Parker's league, or even that of Holdsclaw or Catchings).

TN is definitely a program I will be watching, because I am excited and curious to see what Holly can do.

110% agree with you. Holly must evolve with the offense. The game requires it.

 

[RadyLady]

great post, Cam

 

[HoopsFan21]

They raise it extremely high...while I have had my moments with Holly I do believe that she can develop into a good head coach. Even though it seems like a broken record...these next two years Tenn should be challenging UCONN for the national championship. NO EXCUSES...the talent is absurd on paper NOT to make only the FF but the NC game...especially next year. I believe a lot of LadyVol fans and people are forgetting about Ms. Tucker...whom I think will be an All-American at some point...as any die hard fan of a top 10 team, I'm hoping for a chance to play for the NC and I believe we will next year...If we don't...."Off with Holly's head" lol..but seriously I don't think she will go anywhere..but the people that wear those orange colored glasses will start some type of petition to try and get her out

Holly is 55. If you're not a good head coach by that age, you likely never will be. She's a lifelong assistant coach for a reason. Maybe she'll coach until she's 70 and put together a solid decade, but it will be hard to gauge how much of the team's success is due to her versus pure stockpiling of talented players thanks to the Tennessee WCBB brand. No matter who the coach is, as long as they are halfway competent, Tennessee will pull in top talent for at least the next 5-10 years. After that though, you start getting to the point where recruits are too young to remember Tennessee being "a winner." For example, in the next 10 years if Tennessee doesn't win at least one title, Tennessee's last title will have come before the class of 2026 recruits were even alive, let alone old enough to remember Tennessee being a relevant program.

 

[trb123]

I wish Te'a Cooper all the best. I will not be surprised if her college carrer is compared favorably with the legendary Elvin Hayes' career in future.

In my crystal ball, I can see her next April talking to DD on the phone while watching MoJ and the Huskies on TV lifting the championship trophy.

 

[LadyVols9]

Holly is 55. If you're not a good head coach by that age, you likely never will be. She's a lifelong assistant coach for a reason. Maybe she'll coach until she's 70 and put together a solid decade, but it will be hard to gauge how much of the team's success is due to her versus pure stockpiling of talented players thanks to the Tennessee WCBB brand. No matter who the coach is, as long as they are halfway competent, Tennessee will pull in top talent for at least the next 5-10 years. After that though, you start getting to the point where recruits are too young to remember Tennessee being "a winner." For example, in the next 10 years if Tennessee doesn't win at least one title, Tennessee's last title will have come before the class of 2026 recruits were even alive, let alone old enough to remember Tennessee being a relevant program.

TN has not won a title since 2008 but the Lady Vols are winners and are still "relevant." they were a 1 seed, won the SEC tourney, and still have the most fans in the nation. i, more than anyone, want the FF drought to end, but let's not overstate the situation. top recruits are still going to TN b/c Holly is doing well transitioning from the Pat years and there is stability. yes, she needs to find her own identity. even so, TN is not going anywhere and that is a good thing for WCBB.

 

[Tonyc]

First of all if grammar were a problem I would have been killed over the years because Im to lazy. Second Durr is a UConn lean and always has been. Third read the Tenn boards and even some of their fans say Durr is all UConn. With that said she could change her mind. Fourth Even if Tenn get DeShields and I think they do and they get Durr and I dont think they do Tenn still cant beat UConn. With them Tenn may make the FF maybe even the NC game.

Geno has UConn mentally and physically, and at a level that no team in WCBB has ever been. They are drilled harder on what they need to do so it is reflexive. Being reflexive and knowing what to do breeds confidence. Being able to repeat it in a game breeds confidence and thats why UConn looks like a well oiled machine. Geno is years a head of his competition in that and yes thats why some top players want to play for him. They want to become someone special and they want to be part of what he has built The biggest difference between Geno and everybody else is he promises nothing, and his firm in his beliefs. Again his best recruiters are those who have played for him and thats because of what theyve become and what theyve accomplished. Girls coming up now have grown up with UConn.

This years version of the UConn Huskys has some questions. The freshman class needs to prove itself. Morgan and Williams need to get healthy. Morgan Tuck is a must if UConn is going to continue to add to its 46 game win streak and another NC.

You continue to read my posts and I believe that UConn is unbeatable. They could lose which IMO would be a fluke but I do believe they are unbeatable. I believe that because they continue to maintain an experienced nucleus of players who are all on the same page and play as a team. Other teams havent reached that point yet. Thats why Im so excited about Butler. She has terrific numbers and she has experience. Now she needs to learn the UConn Way.

 

[Tonyc]

TN has not won a title since 2008 but the Lady Vols are winners and are still "relevant." they were a 1 seed, won the SEC tourney, and still have the most fans in the nation. i, more than anyone, want the FF drought to end, but let's not overstate the situation. top recruits are still going to TN b/c Holly is doing well transitioning from the Pat years and there is stability. yes, she needs to find her own identity. even so, TN is not going anywhere and that is a good thing for WCBB.

I agree Tenn has lost ground. However Cooper and DeShields will get LV fans excited and dreaming again. Those dreams will fall apart with one loss. Talent does not win championships, it must be a team effort and a total commitment from everyone involved with the team.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Margo on Te'a

 

[AnotherVolFan]

Mark my words....Tenn wins the NC next year...that's what I see in my crystal ball. Even though Holly sometimes seemed pizzled last year in interviews, one thing I did like was her ability to identify the teams weaknesses. She may have been a long time assistant but Holly seems quite intelligent and I just can't see her not fixing problems we had last year. The offense has actually gotten better under Holly's helm. Tenn will always remain relevant in women's college basketball. The brand AND Holly will continue to bring in top recruits cause people want to see the once giant of womesn college basketball rise again....and then there's UCONN, the cream of the crop with one of the greatest coaches alive, man or woman IMO...still pulling in top talent as well. Its all great for WCB and if Holly keeps ephasizing what Pat did, defense and rebounding as well as continue to get out offense better, we'll be at the top. I think its just time for us to all come together and love each other people. For the good of WCB!

 

[intlzncster]

First of all if grammar were a problem I would have been killed over the years because Im to lazy.

Tell me that was tongue in cheek!

 

[intlzncster]

[QUOTE="AnotherVolFan, post: 983688, member: 4384"]Mark my words....Tenn wins the NC next year...that's what I see in my crystal ball. Even though Holly sometimes seemed pizzled last year in interviews, one thing I did like was her ability to identify the teams weaknesses. She may have been a long time assistant but Holly seems quite intelligent and I just can't see her not fixing problems we had last year. The offense has actually gotten better under Holly's helm. Tenn will always remain relevant in women's college basketball. The brand AND Holly will continue to bring in top recruits cause people want to see the once giant of womesn college basketball rise again....and then there's UCONN, the cream of the crop with one of the greatest coaches alive, man or woman IMO...still pulling in top talent as well. Its all great for WCB and if Holly keeps ephasizing what Pat did, defense and rebounding as well as continue to get out offense better, we'll be at the top. I think its just time for us to all come together and love each other people. For the good of WCB! [/QUOTE]

Ok, you're kidding right? I don't see UCONN losing a NC while Breanna Stewart is enrolled. Barring injury, she's the first superstar 4-peat champ.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Mark my words....Tenn wins the NC next year...that's what I see in my crystal ball. Even though Holly sometimes seemed pizzled last year in interviews, one thing I did like was her ability to identify the teams weaknesses. She may have been a long time assistant but Holly seems quite intelligent and I just can't see her not fixing problems we had last year. The offense has actually gotten better under Holly's helm. Tenn will always remain relevant in women's college basketball. The brand AND Holly will continue to bring in top recruits cause people want to see the once giant of womesn college basketball rise again....and then there's UCONN, the cream of the crop with one of the greatest coaches alive, man or woman IMO...still pulling in top talent as well. Its all great for WCB and if Holly keeps ephasizing what Pat did, defense and rebounding as well as continue to get out offense better, we'll be at the top. I think its just time for us to all come together and love each other people. For the good of WCB!

Good luck to you guys. Your team certainly has the talent to do some great things in the coming years. Yes, some parity and sharing of the wealth is good for the game, though I'd be a liar if I didn't admit that I selfishly hope UConn continues to be the dominant program for many years to come.

 

[AnotherVolFan]

Naw Naw...I'm not kidding, although I do agree Stewart is remarkable...I just don't see a 4-peater! I thought that about BG but she only ended with one! I think she's one of the best UCONN has ever seen...I know that much!

 

[Bayareahusky]

AVF - I admire your optimism. I wish you best of luck. I like Holly.... she seems like she has a great work ethic.... and of course has synergy with her staff, especially Dean her compatriot of many years...... I am still not convinced that she has a full handle on what her team needs..... It still baffles me the way in which she employed Meighan S..... I think the LVs will better off with a playmaker back there at the guard spot.....

JMHO, she needs to modernize the offense..... and get more of a conjoined effort as a team..... and utilize her resources in a team concept sort of way.....

UT will be relevant for quite a while..... and your points are well taken..... it would be nice to play each other, if only in the tournament.

 

[intlzncster]

Naw Naw...I'm not kidding, although I do agree Stewart is remarkable...I just don't see a 4-peater! I thought that about BG but she only ended with one! I think she's one of the best UCONN has ever seen...I know that much!

BG didn't have the coach or the system. If BG goes to UCONN, she very well might have taken the 4peat crown.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Ok, you're kidding right? I don't see UCONN losing a NC while Breanna Stewart is enrolled. Barring injury, she's the first superstar 4-peat champ.

Let's not forget there are four others on the court with Stewie. Bre is in the unique position of having played the first half of her college career with some really great players, and will have the benefit of having her second half shared with even better teammates. Taurasi and Moore did not have such a luxury in my opinion with regards to the embarrassment of riches that is UConn recruiting these days. While 4 is possible, you'd have to bet against such an extreme outcome if you were playing the statistics. If I had to pick, I'd say UConn DOESN'T win the title in this upcoming season (please don't throw things at me!), but Stewie and Mo go out champs in their senior seasons.

 

[Icebear]

TN has not won a title since 2008 but the Lady Vols are winners and are still "relevant." they were a 1 seed, won the SEC tourney, and still have the most fans in the nation. i, more than anyone, want the FF drought to end, but let's not overstate the situation. top recruits are still going to TN b/c Holly is doing well transitioning from the Pat years and there is stability. yes, she needs to find her own identity. even so, TN is not going anywhere and that is a good thing for WCBB.

They were over seeded.

 

[AnotherVolFan]

AVF - I admire your optimism. I wish you best of luck. I like Holly.... she seems like she has a great work ethic.... and of course has synergy with her staff, especially Dean her compatriot of many years. I am still not convinced that she has a full handle on what her team needs..... It still baffles me the way in which she employed Meighan S..... I think the LVs will better off with a playmaker back there at the guard spot.....

JMHO, she needs to modernize the offense..... and get more of a conjoined effort as a team..... and utilize her resources in a team concept sort of way.....

UT will be relevant for quite a while..... and your points are well taken..... it would be nice to play each other, if only in the tournament.

Yea that MS situation baffled me as well but I will admit, when our standard "stand around" offense was enployed Meighan was the only playmaker whe had to try and make a play....a healthy Jannah Tucker or Nared next year willsolve that problem. And I agree 10000% about the offense needing to emphasize ball movement...sometimes we looked great passing the ball at other times it was stand still ball!