Tennessee barely survives Chattanooga 59-57

[EricSD]

I find it troubling for TN that Holly said in her presser they were still trying to find out who played well together. That does not speak well to team cohesiveness or good coaching.

Well it's still early, but I think even a casual fan can tell you who played well together - the starting 5 and then add in Diamond. It's not rocket science, Holly. Then again, that same starting 5 started out the 3rd quarter and they were outscored 17-7, so maybe Holly is right!

To the Tenn fans who said they were so awesome in the first quarter, maybe Chatty just played really poorly which made Tenn seem like they were better. Unless the team has only enough energy to go hard for about 8 minutes in a game, it's unlikely that they weren't trying hard to start the 2nd half... Tenn was basically outplayed for 3 quarters of the game (I count a quarter where they play even getting out played due to the talent gap)... But, I get it - Tenn fans are looking for a silver lining.

 

[Icebear]

Some of us said immediately when the polls came out that Tennessee was vastly overrated and had many problems to solve and that many would be greatly disappointed. I am not sure they even belong in the Top Ten at this except for the fact some others have been equally shake.

UCONN plays Chattanooga at Chattanooga on November 30th that will provide us with something of a comparison.

 

[Zorro]

Has anyone else noticed, all of this sounds just like deja vu all over again. You could take last year's comments on the LV, either from the BY or VolNation and switch them with this year's and no one would notice the difference.

 

[VFLfan]

Has anyone else noticed, all of this sounds just like deja vu all over again. You could take last year's comments on the LV, either from the BY or VolNation and switch them with this year's and no one would notice the difference.

Actually, this year it's worse. They're not playing half as well as they did last year in most games...if that can even happen. And Eric...I think you mentioned you didn't watch the game...we actually did play really well the first quarter. Maybe Chatt wasn't prepared at the start but we were full court pressing and got a ton of steals, got the ball inside for lay-ups and our guards started 3-6 from 3 pt land. Scored 17 straight at one point. We played well the first quarter...but that's it.

 

[Beemer]

IMO it is all very well and good to recruit & sign McDonald's All Americans to your squad but if their playing styles don't mesh and if their personal chemistry is lacking the coach is going to have a hard time building a true team, I don't care who you are talking about. Perhaps TN should concentrate on getting fewer AAs and sign very good players whose playing styles/chemistry complement each other.

I've noticed this before about Tennessee teams. Tremendous credentials & skills but unable to truly play as a team.

 

[Ctpaul0825]

“When you’re 3-18 from the three-point line, you need to understand that it’s time to quit shooting,” Warlick said after the team’s win. “We just gotta get a little more basketball sense, a little more basketball mind … These kids are smart enough. You gotta get the ball inside.”

You have to score from all areas on the floor, Holly's post player dependence does not fit the modern era of women's basketball.

 

[Kevin G]

Tennessee has the talented players on PAPER.....However, what is uncertain is their mentality and playing together versus poor coaching. IMO, it is both. Due to injuries and transfers this team has not played together that much. At least at UCONN, we have 4 returning starters and our 5th starter played all last season.

 

[meyers7]

You quoted me (not shown here, but in the cited post) writing something I don't recall -- about eventual team improvement. Please confirm. Thanks.

Not sure how that happened. That was TennParkers quote. ???????

 

[huskyd]

Schadenfreude means taking pleasure in other's difficulty. Some think that humans are hard-wired to have this feeling. But whether it is inherited or acquired, schadenfreude, if we're honest, is a feeling most of us have had at one time or another. For example, when TN walloped Chattanooga by 2 points at home last night, how many of us reached for a hanky with which to dry our eyes? Anyone? If Uconn had beaten KSU by a point, how many of us would have said, “Hey, a win is a win,” then had a glass of warm milk and fallen into a peaceful slumber? Anyone? Husky fans want their team to win and to inflict on their opponents noteworthy defeats that lead to anti-depressants and talk therapy. I may be exaggerating, but I don't believe I'm making this stuff up. Next victim, please.

 

[UConn990411]

Way too much analysis going on in this thread for an answer that's very simple.

Tennessee isn't poorly coached; they're horrendously coached. I can't imagine Warlick making it past this season.

 

[Beemer]

Way too much analysis going on in this thread for an answer that's very simple.

Tennessee isn't poorly coached; they're horrendously coached. I can't imagine Warlick making it past this season.

I think that depends on how many years are left on her contract. From what I understand the Tennessee AD is no fan of WCBB and would be most unlikely to be willing to eat Warlick's remaining salary & hire a big name coach for the Lady Vols.

 

[EricSD]

Way too much analysis going on in this thread for an answer that's very simple.

Tennessee isn't poorly coached; they're horrendously coached. I can't imagine Warlick making it past this season.

Good post but I disagree with you on one point - that she may be gone after this season. Pat made a living off teaching the same kind of offense and defense that Holly teaches. However Pat did it with much less competition and her results were obviously better.

My point is, Holly managed to land Russell, got DD to transfer, and possibly as a result, got T'ea Cooper to come to Knoxville. On paper, she's actually recruiting better than Pat (the only time Pat ever had 2 #1 recruits, or in this case, #1 and 2) was when she had Holdsclaw and Catchings on the team at the same time (I think they overlapped at least a year or 2). And certainly in her 5th season, she's recruited better than Pat at the same time in Pat's career.

So Holly's recruiting at least as well as Pat. Tenn is in the mix to land a very solid guard in Kentucky transfer Linnae Harper. I think she only has 2 years remaining, but still, they could land her. Also Tenn fans are super psyched for 2017 as they have said they lead for Kushkituah, and I'm not sure who else they think they will land for 2017.

Point is, Tenn may not be recruiting at the level of UCONN or ND, but on paper, they are up there in the top 5. I think Holly lasts at least a few more years, and longer if she continues to land top 10 recruits...

 

[Bayareahusky]

I think that depends on how many years are left on her contract. From what I understand the Tennessee AD is no fan of WCBB and would be most unlikely to be willing to eat Warlick's remaining salary & hire a big name coach for the Lady Vols.

Ya I think that is a big factor which is seldomly mentioned...... he is a football guy...... and has lowered the focus on WCBB.... sad to see

 

[j66kicker]

Schadenfreude means taking pleasure in other's difficulty. Some think that humans are hard-wired to have this feeling. But whether it is inherited or acquired, schadenfreude, if we're honest, is a feeling most of us have had at one time or another. For example, when TN walloped Chattanooga by 2 points at home last night, how many of us reached for a hanky with which to dry our eyes? Anyone? If Uconn had beaten KSU by a point, how many of us would have said, “Hey, a win is a win,” then had a glass of warm milk and fallen into a peaceful slumber? Anyone? Husky fans want their team to win and to inflict on their opponents noteworthy defeats that lead to anti-depressants and talk therapy. I may be exaggerating, but I don't believe I'm making this stuff up. Next victim, please.

Not exaggerating at all! (speaking strictly for myself, of course) But it's just sports. Actually just sports fandom. Being emotionally invested in sports teams allows us to act out our hostilities, schadenfreude, whatever, without actually harming anyone. And of course "a win is a win" only applies to us. We are also entitled to describe our teams' wins in the first person ("We played great defense tonight.") and losses in the third person ("They couldn't hit the broad side of a barn tonight.").

And I love the idea of pounding important rivals into anti-depressants and talk therapy!

 

[Bayareahusky]

Good post but I disagree with you on one point - that she may be gone after this season. Pat made a living off teaching the same kind of offense and defense that Holly teaches. However Pat did it with much less competition and her results were obviously better.

My point is, Holly managed to land Russell, got DD to transfer, and possibly as a result, got T'ea Cooper to come to Knoxville. On paper, she's actually recruiting better than Pat (the only time Pat ever had 2 #1 recruits, or in this case, #1 and 2) was when she had Holdsclaw and Catchings on the team at the same time (I think they overlapped at least a year or 2). And certainly in her 5th season, she's recruited better than Pat at the same time in Pat's career.

So Holly's recruiting at least as well as Pat. Tenn is in the mix to land a very solid guard in Kentucky transfer Linnae Harper. I think she only has 2 years remaining, but still, they could land her. Also Tenn fans are super psyched for 2017 as they have said they lead for Kushkituah, and I'm not sure who else they think they will land for 2017.

Point is, Tenn may not be recruiting at the level of UCONN or ND, but on paper, they are up there in the top 5. I think Holly lasts at least a few more years, and longer if she continues to land top 10 recruits...

Yes ESD, oh yes yes..... no question Holly has had wonderful recruiting success..... agreed..... Pat did it when competition was less.... no question..... and playing same type of basketball game certainly.....

Pat had that fire inside that Holly seems to lack yes? Pat willed her team to many wins..... she had high expectations of her team and was not afraid to get in her player's faces

 

[bballnut90]

Good post but I disagree with you on one point - that she may be gone after this season. Pat made a living off teaching the same kind of offense and defense that Holly teaches. However Pat did it with much less competition and her results were obviously better.

My point is, Holly managed to land Russell, got DD to transfer, and possibly as a result, got T'ea Cooper to come to Knoxville. On paper, she's actually recruiting better than Pat (the only time Pat ever had 2 #1 recruits, or in this case, #1 and 2) was when she had Holdsclaw and Catchings on the team at the same time (I think they overlapped at least a year or 2). And certainly in her 5th season, she's recruited better than Pat at the same time in Pat's career.

So Holly's recruiting at least as well as Pat. Tenn is in the mix to land a very solid guard in Kentucky transfer Linnae Harper. I think she only has 2 years remaining, but still, they could land her. Also Tenn fans are super psyched for 2017 as they have said they lead for Kushkituah, and I'm not sure who else they think they will land for 2017.

Point is, Tenn may not be recruiting at the level of UCONN or ND, but on paper, they are up there in the top 5. I think Holly lasts at least a few more years, and longer if she continues to land top 10 recruits...

Couple corrections--Tennessee had multiple top 2 recruits in the following years, there may be other years prior to 1996, too:
1996- Marciniak and Holdsclaw
1998- 1999-Holdsclaw, Catchings
2001-Robinson and Catchings
2002-2004-Ely and Robinson
2005-Hornbuckle and Ely
2006-2007-Hornbuckle and Parker
2008-Hornbuckle, Parker and Bjorklund

Lawson also took home a HS POY award or two if I'm not mistaken. Randall was also regarded as a top 2 or 3 recruit. Over that 13 year span of having multiple top 2 recruits, Pat took home 5 titles, played in 8 title games and made 10 Final Fours.

Since 2008, Tennessee has landed its share of top 20 players but has not been able to haul in top two recruits outside of Russell and DD, so to say she is recruiting as well as Pat did is incorrect.

UT has landed some very good players and has had the horses to make final fours, but they haven't been a true title contender since 2008 which is also the last time they have multiple top 2 recruits. On paper they should be a top 5 team, but teams have lacked cohesion on Holly's first three years. I'm still optimistic for this season, largely because I think once Russell and Deshields figure out there roles, Tennessee will be a more dynamic team than in years past. Realistically, making the final four would qualify a great season for Tennessee but I'm expecting an Elite 8 loss. Honestly this year is going to be a building season for everyone since I don't see anyone coming within 20 points of Connecticut.

 

[Carnac]

I'm just gonna say it. Tennessee is not a great team. Not even a very good team. I get that Chattanooga was ranked to start the season, but a loss to Indiana, and surviving Southern Miss in OT dropped them out of the top 25.

Tenn came out gangbusters in the 1st quarter and then was outplayed the rest of the game and Chatty just couldn't quite get over the hump. Tenn fans can say what they want about DD, Russell, Cooper, whatever, but as a TEAM, they just aren't that good. 3rd game in a row where they really should have walloped the opponent, instead, they escaped with a win.

Did not see the game so can't offer any insight other than their fans must be going bonkers... If this is what the most talented team since the Parker years can do, I fear for their future...

It appears Tennessee has stumbled coming out of the gate. Everyone (including me) was touting how good they were going to be, and how if they played up to their potential, they may go deep into the NCAA Tournament. IMHO, I think Tennessee is a year or two away from being a serious contender to win championship.

The season is still young. If coach Warlick is going to "right the ship", she'd better do it quick. Losses, good or bad at anytime during the season (as well as near misses) are a determining factor when the committee seeds teams for the tournament. Especially if you lose to an unranked opponent.

Remember when Gloria Swanson told Cecil B. DeMille "I'm ready for my close up"? Any team that expects to be ready for their close up, needs to be in the "make-up" chair now!! They need to start getting ready TODAY. NOT in January or Feburary.

I remember something former Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda once said "You can't win a pennant in April, but you sure can lose one".....if you get my drift. A team needs to forge a winning attitude and persona now. The competition for the 4 top seeds is fierce. You must begin building your case for one of those seeds NOW.

One loss (as UConn proved last year) won't neccessarily hurt you. Several losses (or near misses) can come back to haunt you later (getting a lower seed, which means you face higher seeded teams earlier in the tournament).

South Carolina, Baylor and Notre Dame have also raised some eyebrows. They have not begun the season as dominant as the critics lead us to believe they would.

As others on this board have conintuosly lamented, it's one thing to have a lot of talent. It's another thing to mesh and blend that talent into a cohesive unit that can play together and be effective on both ends to the court.

In contrast, the play of the Huskies the first two games (and the margines of victory) sends a clear message to the rest of WCBB, that UConn is still on the block (we never left) , and it's bussiness as usual.

While enroute to the dressing room after a recent game which his team won, an NFL quarterback passed by a group of reporters and asked them...."You like that?"........yeah, I like that!.

 

[EricSD]

Couple corrections--Tennessee had multiple top 2 recruits in the following years, there may be other years prior to 1996, too:
1996- Marciniak and Holdsclaw
1998- 1999-Holdsclaw, Catchings
2001-Robinson and Catchings
2002-2004-Ely and Robinson
2005-Hornbuckle and Ely
2006-2007-Hornbuckle and Parker
2008-Hornbuckle, Parker and Bjorklund

Lawson also took home a HS POY award or two if I'm not mistaken. Randall was also regarded as a top 2 or 3 recruit. Over that 13 year span of having multiple top 2 recruits, Pat took home 5 titles, played in 8 title games and made 10 Final Fours.

Since 2008, Tennessee has landed its share of top 20 players but has not been able to haul in top two recruits outside of Russell and DD, so to say she is recruiting as well as Pat did is incorrect.

UT has landed some very good players and has had the horses to make final fours, but they haven't been a true title contender since 2008 which is also the last time they have multiple top 2 recruits. On paper they should be a top 5 team, but teams have lacked cohesion on Holly's first three years. I'm still optimistic for this season, largely because I think once Russell and Deshields figure out there roles, Tennessee will be a more dynamic team than in years past. Realistically, making the final four would qualify a great season for Tennessee but I'm expecting an Elite 8 loss. Honestly this year is going to be a building season for everyone since I don't see anyone coming within 20 points of Connecticut.

Go back to Pat's first 5 years as a HC and do that comparison. That was what I said in my post. So yeah, it's correct that Holly is recruiting at least as well as Pat in Pat's first 5 years. And per your fans, Cooper is one of the top 2-3 players in her class. So you have Deshields, Russell, and Cooper. Would you agree that at least 2 out of those 3 are better than Marciniak, Robinson, Ely, Hornbuckle, and Bjorkland? Pat started there in the early or mid 70's right? What was her recruiting like in the first 5 years? When did she start getting great players?

 

[Tonyc]

I remember when Pat had a picnic and asked an ole coaching friend from Villanova to come down and teach her how to run a motion offense. He did. I dont know why she never implimented it but she didnt and her asst coaches one was Holly never learned it. Holly learned what Pat did she is a duplicate of Pat and Pats old philosphy worked for a very long time but times have changed and Holly hasnt as have other coaches. Geno has set a new standard an no other coaches have followed. Thats why there is so much parity in WCBB and then there is UConn. Its not about getting the best players its about getting your players to do what you want them to do. What you want them to do is learn the fundementals with discipline and execute those fundenmentals. Tenn along with many other teams dont. When a game gets close Tenn and other teams give the ball to their go to player to bail them out. Geno teaches to run your plays and play to your strengths and trust what your doing and you will win.

From what Ive seen Tenns play hasnt changed. Their players have changed but their execution hasnt. Until they change what their doing they will continue to get what their doing.

I understand the frustration Tenn fans have. The expectations are high but the reality never changes. It wont change until Holly commits to change what shes doing and is willing to take a step back before she can take a step forward.

 

[CL82]

Wow, I find myself in the odd position of defending the Lady Vols head coach but here it goes....

It's early.
Figuring out how to incorporate DD was always going to take time.
Soft in November does not mean soft in March.

Now if you will excuse me I have to shower.


unclean, unclean...

 

[vtcwbuff]

“When you’re 3-18 from the three-point line, you need to understand that it’s time to quit shooting,”

Therein lies the problem - actually just one of the many problems. If your shooters are cold you don't tell them to quit shooting. Warlick needs to listen to Auriemma's philosophy about that - paraphrasing "if your chuckin' bricks find another way to help the team - but if you have a shot, take it" How many times have we watched great outside shooters miss shot after shot and then one goes in and it's lights out."

 

[Carnac]

IMO it is all very well and good to recruit & sign McDonald's All Americans to your squad but if their playing styles don't mesh and if their personal chemistry is lacking the coach is going to have a hard time building a true team, I don't care who you are talking about. Perhaps TN should concentrate on getting fewer AAs and sign very good players whose playing styles/chemistry complement each other.

I've noticed this before about Tennessee teams. Tremendous credentials & skills but unable to truly play as a team.

I've got a 1 word responce to your comment............PREACH!!

 

[Beemer]

Wow, I find myself in the odd position of defending the Lady Vols head coach but here it goes....

It's early.
Figuring out how to incorporate DD was always going to take time.
Soft in November does not mean soft in March.

Now if you will excuse me I have to shower.


unclean, unclean...

*Hands CL82 a bar of soap* On your way to the showers with you!!!

 

[Nuyoika]

I was 100% joking when I predicted that Chat might win this game, yet they almost did. Now I also predicted that TN would beat SCar this year. Honestly, that second prediction for me is a toss up. Nobody looks great right now. I am thoroughly perplexed.

 

[Bestiarius]

Go back to Pat's first 5 years as a HC and do that comparison. That was what I said in my post. So yeah, it's correct that Holly is recruiting at least as well as Pat in Pat's first 5 years. And per your fans, Cooper is one of the top 2-3 players in her class. So you have Deshields, Russell, and Cooper. Would you agree that at least 2 out of those 3 are better than Marciniak, Robinson, Ely, Hornbuckle, and Bjorkland? Pat started there in the early or mid 70's right? What was her recruiting like in the first 5 years? When did she start getting great players?

I don't see that as a valid comparison.

When Pat started, Tennessee was nowhere. There was no history and facilities to help with recruiting. Holly worked with Pat for a long time and it would be natural for recruits to assume that something rubbed off Pat onto Holly. For a valid comparison you'd have to assume Holly was 23 yrs old, never a coach, and got a head coach job at some other SEC school.

To me, this is a critical year for Holly, and it may already be too late for her. The inability to recruit a top post is an indication that recruits have doubts about Tennessee's future. If this year is not a success, it will be further confirmation in recruits minds that Tennessee is not the place to be. Rumors of Tenn's standing with 2017 recruits are just that, rumors.

It may also be difficult to attract a top level coach to replace Holly given the apparent attitude of the administration. I know there is a growing clamoring for Tyler Summitt to take the reins, but many feel he needs more experience first. Also, who's to say what he learned isn't what Holly learned from Pat, and we can see how that is working out. Another factor, does he want the job or would he rather forge his own career.

 

[bballnut90]

Go back to Pat's first 5 years as a HC and do that comparison. That was what I said in my post. So yeah, it's correct that Holly is recruiting at least as well as Pat in Pat's first 5 years. And per your fans, Cooper is one of the top 2-3 players in her class. So you have Deshields, Russell, and Cooper. Would you agree that at least 2 out of those 3 are better than Marciniak, Robinson, Ely, Hornbuckle, and Bjorkland? Pat started there in the early or mid 70's right? What was her recruiting like in the first 5 years? When did she start getting great players?

You can't compare Pat's recruiting in the 70s to Holly's recruiting in today's landscape, it's completely irrelevant. Holly inherited one of the most recognizable programs in the country that is automatically on most players top 4-5 schools before they ever are in contact with Tennessee.

And per ranking systems, Cooper was not a top 2-3 kid, so I'm going off of rankings and overall consensus rather than opinions of Tennessee fans. it's getting nit picky, but ultimately Holly hasn't shown the ability to make Tennessee a cohesive unit that plays great basketball. She has the talent to make UT a really great team this year. They've looked bad so far but I'm interested to see how the rest of the season plays out.

 

[willtalk]

Maybe Holly Warlick needs to go. They don't pay her for wins. At Tennessee it's about championships.

If they do replace her they need to think outside the box and get away from the "Good Ole Girl system". Things have changed in WCBB. Teams can no longer afford do in house hiring. The coaches are much better than those that existed back when Summit started out. One could succeed at a program that had a rep back then. Coaches were gleaned from ex players. Now not only do you need players but the standard for coaching has been elevated. Geno was the first of the the none player coaches to enter WCBB and changed the landscape. Summit and Vandervere would just be good coaches today and not the standouts among a weak field that they were.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Tennessee is on the cusp of irrelevance. If they don't make the final four in the next year or two, their fate will be sealed alongside USC, Old Dominion, La. Tech, etc. as kids they are recruiting will have grown up never having witnessed Tennessee do much of anything in the tourney. You can sell the idea that you can come play for the ghost of Pat Summitt for only so long. Louisville and Kentucky are competition for the Vols (geographically if nothing else), and if you're a recruit, who would you rather play for? A relative young dynamic coach like Walz who has been to the final twice in the last seven seasons and as recently as two seasons ago, or Holly Warlick? Some of Tennessee's problems are on the players, but the coaching staff deserves a lot of blame as well for not having their team prepared for the juggernauts Tennessee has played so far. Holly seems to do less with more. As others have touched on, one of the key differences between Geno and his staff and other programs is that Geno is interested in building a team rather than a rag tag collection of stars that hopefully will fit together. I think this is why UConn rarely takes in transfers whereas other teams almost reek of desperation and the associated shadiness of the transfer recruiting sweepstakes.

 

[EricSD]

You can't compare Pat's recruiting in the 70s to Holly's recruiting in today's landscape, it's completely irrelevant. Holly inherited one of the most recognizable programs in the country that is automatically on most players top 4-5 schools before they ever are in contact with Tennessee.

And per ranking systems, Cooper was not a top 2-3 kid, so I'm going off of rankings and overall consensus rather than opinions of Tennessee fans. it's getting nit picky, but ultimately Holly hasn't shown the ability to make Tennessee a cohesive unit that plays great basketball. She has the talent to make UT a really great team this year. They've looked bad so far but I'm interested to see how the rest of the season plays out.

Irrelevant? Hardly. But you are entitled to your opinion. Per wiki (perhaps it's wrong), in 1974 Pat took over a program that had gone 25-2 the previous year and was 16-8 in Pat's first year. Tennessee was 60-18 their previous 4 years before Pat's arrival under HC Margaret Hutson. So she inherited a program that was in MUCH better shape than you imply. Some seem to want to say that Tennessee basketball really didn't exist before Pat. But for what existed in WCBB at that time, they seemed very successful to me.I will admit I'm not familiar with the WCBB landscape in early 1970, but 60-18 over 4 years seems much better than just solid.

This is a very minute point, but if you want to argue that Pat recruited better because she got #1/2 players like Bjorkland, Robinson, Hornbuckle and Ely, I would point out that the experts were probably wrong. None of them were really elite players during their college careers, but if you want to argue that Deshields, Russell and Cooper are not uber elite, I won't argue. Holly is in her 4th or 5th year? How was Pat's recruiting even her first 10 years? When did she start landing top 5 recruits on a regular basis?

Getting back to the "should she stay or should she go" discussion, I do agree that she's an average coach who teaches the same "old" stuff that Pat taught. Problem is it worked for Pat but won't work any longer. I think that if Tennessee lands Kushkituah and a couple other top 30 kids from 2017, all this talk will disappear, unless Tennessee exits at the sweet 16 this year.

 

[bballnut90]

Irrelevant? Hardly. But you are entitled to your opinion. Per wiki (perhaps it's wrong), in 1974 Pat took over a program that had gone 25-2 the previous year and was 16-8 in Pat's first year. Tennessee was 60-18 their previous 4 years before Pat's arrival under HC Margaret Hutson. So she inherited a program that was in MUCH better shape than you imply. Some seem to want to say that Tennessee basketball really didn't exist before Pat. But for what existed in WCBB at that time, they seemed very successful to me.I will admit I'm not familiar with the WCBB landscape in early 1970, but 60-18 over 4 years seems much better than just solid.

This is a very minute point, but if you want to argue that Pat recruited better because she got #1/2 players like Bjorkland, Robinson, Hornbuckle and Ely, I would point out that the experts were probably wrong. None of them were really elite players during their college careers, but if you want to argue that Deshields, Russell and Cooper are not uber elite, I won't argue. Holly is in her 4th or 5th year? How was Pat's recruiting even her first 10 years? When did she start landing top 5 recruits on a regular basis?

Getting back to the "should she stay or should she go" discussion, I do agree that she's an average coach who teaches the same "old" stuff that Pat taught. Problem is it worked for Pat but won't work any longer. I think that if Tennessee lands Kushkituah and a couple other top 30 kids from 2017, all this talk will disappear, unless Tennessee exits at the sweet 16 this year.

It's completely irrelevant. In 1974, there was no money (Pat made $250 a month), no AAU scene or national exposure, and her first year they played 6 on 6 with offensive and defensive players who never passed half court. Pat Summitt washed her teams uniforms, drove the team van and all of her players were from Tennessee her first season. No national recruiting, all local kids. No lists or experts saying who the top prospects were, it was a totally different era.

Compare that to now where Holly's roster includes players from all over the country, there are companies that rank a player based on potential collegiate impact and huge national AAU tournaments that draw college coaches from all corners of the country. Not to mention paid recruiting visits, social media, and all sorts of other components that women's basketball recruiting has today. Totally different scenarios so comparing Pat's recruiting in the 1970s to Holly's 40 years later is irrelevant.