Texas at Tennessee (merged thread)

[MilfordHusky]

Texas 10
Ariel Atkins 2014
Rellah Boothe 2017
Lashann Higgs 2015
Joyner Holmes 2016
Jordan Hosey 2015
Destiny Littleton 2017
Brooke Mccarty 2014
Chasity Patterson 2017
Alecia Sutton 2016
Jatarie White 2014

Louisville 6
Asia Durr 2015
Dana Evans 2017
Sam Fuehring 2015
Myisha Hines-Allen 2014
Loretta Kakala 2017
Kylee Shook 2016

Notre Dame 6
Marina Mabrey 2015
Arike Ogunbowale 2015
Danielle Patterson 2017
Brianna Turner 2014
Kathryn Westbeld 2014
Jackie Young 2016

Tennessee 6
Rennia Davis 2017
Anastasia Hayes 2017
Kasiyahna Kushkituah 2017
Jaime Nared 2014
Mercedes Russell 2013
Evina Westbrook 2017

UConn 6
Napheesa Collier 2015
Mikayla Coombs 2017
Crystal Dangerfield 2016
Katie Lou Samuelson 2015
Megan Walker 2017
Gabby Williams 2014

Baylor 5
Kalani Brown 2015
Natalie Chou 2016
Lauren Cox 2016
Alexis Morris 2017
Deauzya Richards 2017

Duke 5
Lexie Brown 2013
Rebecca Greenwell 2013
Kyra Lambert 2015
Leaonna Odom 2016
Jade Williams 2017

Stanford 5
DiJonai Carrington 2016
Maya Dodson 2017
Nadia Fingall 2016
Kiana Williams 2017
Anna Wilson 2016

UCLA 5
Jordin Canada 2014
Lindsey Corsaro 2016
LaJahna Drummer 2014
Ashley Hearn 2015
Michaela Onyenwere 2017

Ohio State 4
Sierra Calhoun 2014
Linnae Harper 2013
Stephanie Mavunga 2013
Kelsey Mitchell 2014

Off the top of my head, I'll take a stab at those who have become college AAs (1st team on a major 5- or 10-player team, not counting pre-season selections). Feel free to correct me.

Notre Dame: Turner

UConn: Samuelson, Collier, and Williams

Baylor: Brown

South Carolina: Wilson

We have 6 of 58 at the HS level, just over 10%, but 3 of 6 at the collegiate level, for 50%. (South Carolina was not included in the 58 tally.)

 

[CocoHusky]

Well, Westbrook played 37 minutes yesterday. She had 15 points but 7 turnovers and 4 fouls.
Now, Meg will not play 37 minutes in any game this year, baring some injury situation.
So, who made the better choice? Well, Westbrook will play a lot, lot more than Meg will this year.
But, who will turn out to be the better player? The answer is obvious. Does Tennessee know that you actually can run an offense, not just bomb away with bad shots? Plus, Meg is getting coached not just by Geno, but by Shea, who was an AA and won the MOP in the tournament in 2000. I saw Westbrook jacking up shots that would have put her on the bench if she were playing for UConn.
Meg went for the long term. Smart move, says I.
As I, and others, have said before, Meg is going to be really, really great.
Thoughts?

I'm not sure why a comparison of Westbrook to Walker is particular relevant.
I don't recall Westbrook having any interest in UCONN.
UCONN was not on Westbrook's first set of colleges when she down selected.
Don't recall UCONN ever expressing any interest (AAU, in home, HS games) in Westbrook either.
Westbrook is a SG/PG hybrid.
Megan is a forward.
All three of the TN freshmen have talent, Megan Walker has more talent to start with and is being coached by Geno.
I think I know how this movie is going to end.

 

[CocoHusky]

Off the top of my head, I'll take a stab at those who have become college AAs (1st team on a major 5- or 10-player team, not counting pre-season selections). Feel free to correct me.

Notre Dame: Turner

UConn: Samuelson, Collier, and Williams

Baylor: Brown

South Carolina: Wilson

We have 6 of 58 at the HS level, just over 10%, but 3 of 6 at the collegiate level, for 50%. (South Carolina was not included in the 58 tally.)

Kelsey Mitchell

 

[TheGOAT23]

I took a look at the 2012-2013 schedule, which was (I think) the last season that UConn was in the Big East. Texas A&M, Maryland, Penn State, Stanford, Duke & Baylor were on the OOC schedule. Those were some good to great teams for their respective conferences mixed in with the OLD BIG EAST conference schedule. For those that keep saying that P5 teams don't schedule tougher OOC opponents because they have a tough conference schedule..... Is that really the reason? I would like to see more marquee match-ups. Yeah, I know, the bulk of a team's schedule is done in advance. As most on the BY already know, Muffet and Dawn will play anyone at anytime.

 

[Bayareahusky]

I took a look at the 2012-2013 schedule, which was (I think) the last season that UConn was in the Big East. Texas A&M, Maryland, Penn State, Stanford, Duke & Baylor were on the OOC schedule. Those were some good to great teams for their respective conferences mixed in with the OLD BIG EAST conference schedule. For those that keep saying that P5 teams don't schedule tougher OOC opponents because they have a tough conference schedule..... Is that really the reason? I would like to see more marquee match-ups. Yeah, I know, the bulk of a team's schedule is done in advance. As most on the BY already know, Muffet and Dawn will play anyone at anytime.

Of course that is how you progress your program forward..... I think of football, and programs like Boise State, and in the late 70s and 80s with Florida State and Miami.... they all had the thought.... "Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime!!!!!" It was also Geno's thought when he was establishing Uconn's program..... and Pat's as well They would not duck anyone

 

[HoopsHoppy]

Lots of observations - and reactions - to sunday’s Texas vs. Tennessee “basketball” game. For any who missed it and wish to watch and continue the conversation, it is available on WatchESPN.

 

[BigBird]

...I'm not sure why a comparison of Westbrook to Walker is particular relevant.
...I think I know how this movie is going to end.

I’m not sure about the comparison either, but here’s my guess. Megan was ranked #1 or #2, depending on the source. The same was true of Westbrook. It seemed that whenever one was mentioned, the other was never more than a sentence or two behind. Given the ratings, the question of “Who is better/Who would you rather have” was bound to come up last year, and for some reason it still does.

I am not ready to say how the movie will end, but with Megan in the cast it could be a thriller. The trailers have been interesting so far.

 

[stwainfan]

 

[MilfordHusky]

Kelsey Mitchell

Duh, she was the first one to my mind, but I forgot to write her down.

 

[CocoHusky]

Wow Geno really is a God. Look how quickly he got Nared's game up to par.

 

[BroadwayVa]

These comparisons are really not fair. You have to believe that players know their individual makeups and what fits best. Westbrook for whatever reason felt UConn would not be a good fit. Not everyone has the makeup to go to UConn. The level of individual sacrifice is unmatched and not for most.

Also, it could be as simple as 'She was not recruited by UConn'. I do not think she was but I am not sure.

My only concern is that MW can continue to take the long view and handle what that means. It must not be easy when you look at players with half your talent getting starters minutes in top 20 programs.

Whether you are right or wrong on Westbrook being recruited--matters not---THIS IS A VERY NICE POSTING!!!

 

[BroadwayVa]

I’m not sure about the comparison either, but here’s my guess. Megan was ranked #1 or #2, depending on the source. The same was true of Westbrook. It seemed that whenever one was mentioned, the other was never more than a sentence or two behind. Given the ratings, the question of “Who is better/Who would you rather have” was bound to come up last year, and for some reason it still does.

I am not ready to say how the movie will end, but with Megan in the cast it could be a thriller. The trailers have been interesting so far.

hit i

You hit a home run.. I don't know either player personally, nor am I entitled to know exactly what they do in practices---if any kid accepts the job at Uconn--she's my kid. Westbrook, is no less a kid WBB player. I wish her well.
None of that cost me one cent in money nor a ding on my ego.
Should Uconn play her team--my words shall sound decidedly different---I'm biased but I'm a WCBB fan.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Just as most of the posters above, I'm uncomfortable with this for a variety of reasons detailed above:

• kids make the choices they do and we hope they turn out well for them all--they are kids before they're ballplayers
• after 8 or 9 games in their freshman year, who can really predict what of whom?
• these 2 players in particular have vastly different burdens put on them because of what their teams currently need of them

But moving it away from a specific comparison of young athletes, this is a UConn board, and posters do like to point out that the rigorous discipline that Geno & Co. imposes on his players allows (forces!) them to develop their fundamentals and transition from being the absolute star of their high school team into an effective and efficient component of a larger enterprise. This is no small learning experience in sports or life. So, we like to remind ourselves of this occasionally (like several times/day).

I think exhibit A currently is Crystal, who is mind-blowingly improving game-by-game. Last year, she often channeled her I'm-in-high school-and-I need-to-do-this-solo routine. And a couple of times this year even, and Geno blew a fuse. Even the DePaul game, after draining 2 quick 3s, at the time out Geno talked to her about options she had passed up. This is what you get at UConn and, to that extent, nowhere else.

Crystal as is the case with Walker, AEH, Alexi, Mykala and the sophs---future is based on: Expectations, demands, effort. Danger is displaying the results of all three , currently. Megan is and the other Frosh are sitting on the tip of that iceberg---using the 3rd factor--she could exceed expectations as can any frosh or even soph. One critical factor not stated above is the factor that determines how far the first 3 shall take you--TALENT.

 

[stwainfan]

I think the thing that I've been impressed with on Westbrook. Is her court vision and passing vision. I think she and Hayes are a upgrade at the point guard.

 

[Teacherdeb]

I have a list but unfortunately these list tend to raise more questions than it answers mainly because there are so many AA teams out there. For this example I only focused on McDonalds and Parade and used the Coaches Poll week 4.
My conclusions:
1) UCONN is doing just fine with getting it's share of HS AA talent.
2) Texas should be doing much better because it has gotten more than it share and could field two FULL starting teams with AA players.
3) These AA list do not tell the full story (or maybe they do) because some of the most impactful talent in WCBB do not appear on these list. Three quick examples: Kia Nurse, Monique Billings, & Tyasha Harris.
View attachment 26869

Thanks CocoHusky!

 

[bbsamjj]

Given that there are more HS All Americans than can fit on a UConn team, of course other teams are going to land excellent talent.

But of course, not every HS All American is the same. Depending on the year, there can be a huge difference between even #1 or #2, or little difference between #20 and #7.

That being said, what has made UConn different from the other teams, even if they don't have the MOST All Americans, they seem to have the MOST ELITE All Americans.

Sure, y'all "only" have six HS AAs this year, but KLS and Walker were both the #1 recruits in their class, Williams was ranked as high as #2, Dangerfield was ranked #3 (and the top PG) and Collier is bringing up the rear at #6. (All Hoopgurlz rankings)

To break this down even more exclusively, I'd say there are very, very few UBER ELITE talents in women's basketball every year. UConn gets a disproportionate amount of them (and these women are UBER ELITE coming out of HS). Some examples:

Brianna Stewart
Maya Moore
Candace Parker
Brittany Grinier
EDD
Seimone Augustus
Diana Taurasi
Tamika Catchings
(Just off this list IMO: Tina Charles, Sylvia Fowles, Skylar Diggins, Ogwumikes). Shockingly, these are all Olympians.

Stewart/Moore/Taurausi are responsible for 9/11 UConn championships.

 

[j66kicker]

Given that there are more HS All Americans than can fit on a UConn team, of course other teams are going to land excellent talent.

But of course, not every HS All American is the same. Depending on the year, there can be a huge difference between even #1 or #2, or little difference between #20 and #7.

That being said, what has made UConn different from the other teams, even if they don't have the MOST All Americans, they seem to have the MOST ELITE All Americans.

Sure, y'all "only" have six HS AAs this year, but KLS and Walker were both the #1 recruits in their class, Williams was ranked as high as #2, Dangerfield was ranked #3 (and the top PG) and Collier is bringing up the rear at #6. (All Hoopgurlz rankings)

To break this down even more exclusively, I'd say there are very, very few UBER ELITE talents in women's basketball every year. UConn gets a disproportionate amount of them (and these women are UBER ELITE coming out of HS). Some examples:

Brianna Stewart
Maya Moore
Candace Parker
Brittany Griner
EDD
Seimone Augustus
Diana Taurasi
Tamika Catchings
(Just off this list IMO: Tina Charles, Sylvia Fowles, Skylar Diggins, Ogwumikes). Shockingly, these are all Olympians.

Stewart/Moore/Taurasi are responsible for 9/11 UConn championships.

Bingo! Very astute observation. No substitute for having the best player. (Not even sure I'd put EDD, Augustus or Catchings on the top list. Parker & Griner, yes, for sure.). KLS?? M.Walker?? C.Williams?? S.Brunelle?? P.Bueckers? A. Fudd?

 

[Bayareahusky]

Personally I think it is incredibly silly to pass judgement on where a HS hoops player "should" attend school.... it definitely cannot be broken down by numbers..... it is not as simple as..... do i want to win a championship, do i want to stay chose to home, do i want good academics...... do i want good coaching... etc etc.....

Choosing a college, and associated basketball program, is a very personal choice..... I seldom think it is absolutely wrong for a recruit to choose the school they ultimately choose.....

Last year a guy down south...... got admitted to all 8 ivy league institutions...... his final choice.... University of Alabama..... he is one of six kids..... and was thinking of his parents pocketbook.... he got full scholarship offer, whereas he would have to pay part tuition at any of the ivies.... and he is going to grad school anyway.... many thought he was a dope for making this choice... I didn't think so

 

[itsasport]

For those who missed it...LUCKY YOU!!!

 

[JordyG]

Wonderful game. It was as if Kevin McGuff was coaching both teams simultaneously during a fever dream. Ugly shirts against really ugly shirts.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Westbrook impressed me... thrown in the fire early, thats a good thing #growningpain while playing

 

[Teacherdeb]

SHE SAID IT: ''If that was the No. 2 team in the country, where do we stand now?'' Tennessee senior Mercedes Russell asked after the win over Texas. ''82-75. There's your answer right there.''
Be careful with what you ask for Mercedes.

 

[Magy Cannon]

I think this is an interesting write up of what goes on behind the scenes BEFORE a big D1 game.

All-Access: Inside the Texas trip to Tennessee

 

[noirwestern]

From the, "you knew this was coming" desk - Women's basketball team of the week: Tennessee Lady Vols

 

[BigBird]

From the, "you knew this was coming" desk - Women's basketball team of the week: Tennessee Lady Vols

Not that anyone anywhere would ever question the credibility of a NCAA news release. Not a single soul on this planet.

 

[Grahamland]

I understand that to many/all UCONN fans the game looked messy, too fast, and sloppy at times, but that was part of the game plan. Tennessee’s style is a mix between a
up-tempo style defense with constant crowding of the ball/movement, and a grit & grind style of offense with constant penetration, kick outs, sprinting, and searching for contact.

Was it sloppier than the coaches, players, and fans would’ve liked? Yes, absolutely.

With that being said, Tennessee clearly wanted to speed Texas up to the point that they were erroneously making uncharacteristic mistakes. We knew we could play through our mistakes because we’re so young, and we’ve had to do it all year. Mistakes don’t bother us because with our style of play they are going to happen, so you just immediately have to make up for it on the other side of the court.

We placed our bets on the idea that Texas couldn’t play through themtje way we could, and we won that bet. They couldn’t.

I understand that UCONN plays a completely different style of play than us, but that doesn’t mean that our style of play is somehow less than. We wouldn’t thrive in a pace and space style of offense that UCONN runs, and personally I don’t think UCONN would thrive as well in a down and dirty, gritty/physical style game.

UCONN players are well oiled robots who run impeccable sets on offense and have great defensive IQs. Tennessee players are a bunch of passionate hungry hound dogs who love to sprint, bang bodies, and get the other team out of rhythm. We thrive on flustering other teams with constant physicality.

It’s ok to respect and understand that no team plays the exact same way. Our game plan worked, therefore I’ll take the W and be happy.

-HS

 

[Carnac]

Westbrook gets instant gratification
Meg works on her game against the best
Meg gets coached by the best there is
Meg will get better
Priceless

Everything you stated above translates into Megan becoming a starter next year and for the next 3 years. There will be two openings (Nurse & Williams graduate), she'll get one of them. Who gets the other one?

Call me a homer. Call me biased, but I think in 4 years when Walker and Westbrook move on the professional ranks, Megan will be the better player, if for no other reason than being coached and tutored by Geno.

 

[donalddoowop]

Everything you stated above translates into Megan becoming a starter next year and for the next 3 years. There will be two openings (Nurse & Williams graduate), she'll get one of them. Who gets the other one?

Stevens.

 

[Orangutan]

I understand that to many/all UCONN fans the game looked messy, too fast, and sloppy at times, but that was part of the game plan. Tennessee’s style is a mix between a
up-tempo style defense with constant crowding of the ball/movement, and a grit & grind style of offense with constant penetration, kick outs, sprinting, and searching for contact.

Were the missed jump shots part of the game plan, too?

That description of Tennessee's offense is a nice way of saying that they try to score through sheer athleticism rather than actually running an offense and creating open shots for players.

UCONN players are well oiled robots who run impeccable sets on offense and have great defensive IQs. Tennessee players are a bunch of passionate hungry hound dogs who love to sprint, bang bodies, and get the other team out of rhythm. We thrive on flustering other teams with constant physicality.

The thing is - UConn run impeccable sets and have great defensive IQs *and* sprint and bang bodies. Connecticut does not lack for athleticism or physicality.

 

[Carnac]

Stevens.

The current 1st and 2nd players off the bench? Right now (today), I'd have to agree. No doubt there are others here that don't.