UT playing today against the LVs

[VolFan]

Just wanted to note that Ariel Massengale is continuing her outstanding play. 14 points and 7 assists yesterday. Has yet to have a game with under 5 assists.

 

[Stray Cat]

Just wanted to note that Ariel Massengale is continuing her outstanding play. 14 points and 7 assists yesterday. Has yet to have a game with under 5 assists.

Just to prove I can say something nice about Tenn on occasion, I totally agree with you VolFan. Massengale has really impressed me in the games I have seen her play. GREAT court vision and accurate passing, aggressive to the hoop in the half-court and in-transition and hitting a good percentage of her jumpers. Overall, she seems very smooth and isn't forcing the issue...just taking what the defense is offering. IMO, she is the LV's MVP to-date. Kudos to her on a great start!

 

[stwainfan]

I think it's clear this team has the talent to be in Nashville. Yes I agree there are things that can improve. I see Simmons and Burdick both starting to hit there shots. Both had been struggling with shots. I think that will help. Massengale has played like a AA so far. The team has played eight games so far. So there is a lot of time to improve on some things.

 

[HuskyNan]

We all know that posts take longer to develop when they jump a level. The best center in the world, Tina Charles, had some real stinkeroo games in college to the point that Geno benched her. The light bulb went on in her junior year a la Asjha Jones, who also needed a couple years to develop.

I understand taking swipes at certain LV fans who've been annoying in the extreme but stwain and VolFan aren't two of them. And Mercedes Russell, a 17 year old kid, certainly isn't one, either.

 

[doggydaddy]

We all know that posts take longer to develop when they jump a level. The best center in the world, Tina Charles, had some real stinkeroo games in college to the point that Geno benched her. The light bulb went on in her junior year a la Asjha Jones, who also needed a couple years to develop.

I understand taking swipes at certain LV fans who've been annoying in the extreme but stwain and VolFan aren't two of them. And Mercedes Russell, a 17 year old kid, not certainly isn't one, either.

My original comment was to the LV fans that said more than one time that Russell would be the difference this year. Not to pick on anyone, but Stwain loves to respond to Uconn fans here "we have a Mercedes".

Just a little shot. I didn't think it was that bad.

Your point about posts taking longer to develop is 100% true. My comment was a snarky way of pointing that out.

 

[Bestiarius]

I think it's clear this team has the talent to be in Nashville. They play the guitar? I see Simmons and Burdick both starting to hit there shots. Both had been struggling with shots. I think that will help. One good game is meaningless. Massengale has played like a AA so far. Guess it depends on how many point guards are on your AA team. The team has played eight games so far. So there is a lot of time to improve on some things. Every team can hang their hat on this one.

Unfortunately, teams that haven't played any real competition are subject to criticism. We can talk again 12/21.

 

[Bayareahusky]

Saw theUT LV game.... was impressed with Massengale.... she had a couple of sweet assists there.... maybe the breakthrough player in the backcourt for the LVs.....

Iknow reading this summer from the LV fans that Mercedes was going to be theMessiah..... I never thought that was going to be.... most freshmen need some adjustment time... and she is one of these I think..... she will be good in her own time..... what I wonder about is her hustle...... or her stamina.. very slow up the floor..... I do not know what the cause of this is..... but wow.... if she plays this speed against the better competition she will geteaten alive

 

[msf22b]

There are players who are sort of in-between. Strother comes to mind - #1 coming out of HS and certainly did very very well at UCONN, but certainly not in the same class as Augustus who I think was #2 that year.

Let's remember please that Ann was on the winning 2012 International 3x3 team that won the gold medal. Her career can not be considered concluded.

 

[doggydaddy]

I think it's clear this team has the talent to be in Nashville. Yes I agree there are things that can improve. I see Simmons and Burdick both starting to hit there shots. Both had been struggling with shots. I think that will help. Massengale has played like a AA so far. The team has played eight games so far. So there is a lot of time to improve on some things.

I don't think it's clear at all they have the talent to be in Nashville.

Where do you see Simmons and Burdick are starting to hit their shots? Simmons had one hot game against Virginia. Burdick was 4-8 in that game.

Since that game, Simmons is 9-23, 2-11 and Burdick is 5-20, 0-2.

Massengale has played her best basketball in her college career to date. AA? I'm not so sure.

 

[msf22b]

I don't think it's clear at all they have the talent to be in Nashville.

C'mon Doggy there's plenty of talent, talent galore.
The question is: whether anything important will come of it.

 

[stwainfan]

I don't think it's clear at all they have the talent to be in Nashville.

Where do you see Simmons and Burdick are starting to hit their shots? Simmons had one hot game against Virginia. Burdick was 4-8 in that game.

Since that game, Simmons is 9-23, 2-11 and Burdick is 5-20, 0-2.

Massengale has played her best basketball in her college career to date. AA? I'm not so sure.

Burdick was 3-13, 3-14, 0-4 to start the season. She was 3-7 last game but I noticed the shots looked better. They didn't rim out they stayed down. I think the defense is getting better. Still not allowed a team to shoot 40% this year.

 

[stwainfan]

Unfortunately, teams that haven't played any real competition are subject to criticism. We can talk again 12/21.

Ok let's talk after game at Stanford.

 

[doggydaddy]

C'mon Doggy there's plenty of talent, talent galore.
The question is: whether anything important will come of it.

They have some talent. I'm not as impressed as others about home much they really have.

 

[Stray Cat]

I think it's clear this team has the talent to be in Nashville (Final Four).

Isn't this just a recycled quote that has been used by LV fans the past five seasons? At what point are LV fans going to demand some accountability from the LV coaches, and their apparent inability to develop and maximize the potential of their team's talent? Instead, all I hear from LV fans is excuses ranging from injuries and officiating to lack of an adequate strength & conditioning coach to "we just need more time to gel". It's getting old real fast LV fans...the sooner you realize the root cause of your "issues" the sooner you will return to be a true contender for the NC.

 

[doggydaddy]

Burdick was 3-13, 3-14, 0-4 to start the season. She was 3-7 last game but I noticed the shots looked better. They didn't rim out they stayed down. I think the defense is getting better. Still not allowed a team to shoot 40% this year.

Here are her games.

3-11, 3-14, 0-4, 2-9, 3-8, 4-8, 3-11, 3-7.

8-37 the first 4 games.
13-34 the last 4 games.

Definitely an improvement.

Good move not trying to show that Simmons is shooting better.

 

[VolFan]

I'd be lying if I said Meighan doesn't frustrate me. We will see a lot more Carter and Reynolds throughout the year. Not sure on Carter's season numbers, but she has been a deadly shooter. Problem is, she rarely shoots. That needs to change. Meighan was efficient shooting last game but Holly was vocally displeased with her turnovers. This team can be very good but our zone offense has to get way better and we can't start slow because teams like Stanford, Notre Dame won't let us come back. I am glad that Holly addressed free throws and layups last press conference. That's the difference is us winning and dominating. I think we are getting better but there is much work to be done before we can declare we are Final Four bound. We first need to get a No. 1 seed which means winning 2 of 3 between Stanford, Notre Dame and Kentucky.

 

[Stray Cat]

think we are getting better but there is much work to be done before we can declare we are Final Four bound. We first need to get a No. 1 seed which means winning 2 of 3 between Stanford, Notre Dame and Kentucky.

The only #1 Regional seed that is really going to mean all that much is the #1 overall seed, which in all probability will be sent to Nebraska. If so, the LV's will most likely have to defeat Louisville, ND or Stanford on their home court, or UConn on a neutral court to advance to the Final Four. Pick your poison.

Currently my Bracketology is as follows:
Louisville Regional
1. Duke
2. Tennessee
3. Louisville

Notre Dame Regional
1. ND
2. Kentucky
3. Penn St.

Nebraska Regional
1. UConn
2. Baylor
3. Ok St.

Stanford Regional
1. Stanford
2. Maryland
3. Cal

 

[Phil]

Pretty good list.
I'd swap Gonzaga for Cal.

 

[Bayareahusky]

It seems that for the past few years..... I have heard the same echo..... the LVs have the talent to be at or near the top.,... but have not ben able to do anything with it..... and have heard several theories why have not made the FF since 08..... Pat's illness, uncertainty on coaching succession..... etc..... but the dry spell was already going 3 years before Pat's diagnosis.... whatever the reason..... the LVs are missing a key ingredient.... and have been for several years..... personally I haven't seen a lot of heart.... and drive to win.... our LV posters I am sure will disagree.... but this is what I have seen.... also from the 2 dozen or so games I have seen them play the last 5 yrs or so..... I do not see a great development of offensive sets.... taking shots too quickly..... after 1 or 2 passes at most..... before rebounders are in place etc.... just what I see

 

[doggydaddy]

It seems that for the past few years..... I have heard the same echo..... the LVs have the talent to be at or near the top.,... but have not ben able to do anything with it..... and have heard several theories why have not made the FF since 08..... Pat's illness, uncertainty on coaching succession..... etc..... but the dry spell was already going 3 years before Pat's diagnosis.... whatever the reason..... the LVs are missing a key ingredient.... and have been for several years..... personally I haven't seen a lot of heart.... and drive to win.... our LV posters I am sure will disagree.... but this is what I have seen.... also from the 2 dozen or so games I have seen them play the last 5 yrs or so..... I do not see a great development of offensive sets.... taking shots too quickly..... after 1 or 2 passes at most..... before rebounders are in place etc.... just what I see

I think it's unfair to say these players don't have heart. They play their hearts out. I don't see players dogging it.

 

[Zorro]

I agree with Fill.

Me to.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Seriously?

You can't be THAT much of a homer that you think she played good.

HS player of the year, 13 minutes, 2 points on 2 FT's. No blocks.

I still find it hard to believe that the rating sites ranked her as the number one recruit in this class. Everything I've heard about her play at Tennessee suggests she is slow and plundering and no where near a top 10 type recruit.

 

[Stray Cat]

I still find it hard to believe that the rating sites ranked her as the number one recruit in this class. Everything I've heard about her play at Tennessee suggests she is slow and plundering and no where near a top 10 type recruit.

Especially when you compare Russell to ND's Taya Reimer...Reimer is much more athletic, stronger and physical...she runs the court well and can drive it to the hoop from the elbow with authority; and is a big force on the boards. Not sure what the recruiting services were smoking when the rated Russell ahead of Reimer.

 

[EricSD]

Let's remember please that Ann was on the winning 2012 International 3x3 team that won the gold medal. Her career can not be considered concluded.

I was referring to their college careers. Ann's was very solid. Certainly a terrific player while at UCONN. Much better than the "lower" echelon I mentioned. But not in the same category as Maya, Diana, Tina, Stewie, etc... That's all I meant...

 

[HuskyNan]

If Mercedes played for ND or Louisville or Stanford or any other team, she wouldn't be getting the same disparaging comments. Some of you folks need to ask yourself if you'd say the same things to her face. There are some threads that make me cringe as a UConn fan and this is one of them.

 

[msf22b]

They're 9 and 0 and ranked 3rd

Don't like their style? ok

They have some tuff opponents coming up.

I'm willing to give them a pass until they show they can compete with Stanford (I think they'll win)
and ND (Ithink they'll lose).

 

[doggydaddy]

They're 9 and 0 and ranked 3rd

Don't like their style? ok

They have some tuff opponents coming up.

I'm willing to give them a pass until they show they can compete with Stanford (I think they'll win)
and ND (Ithink they'll lose).

They are 8-0. But who have they played? I would have said and did say the same about Baylor. Then they played Kentucky. Same with TN. As you said let's see how they do against better teams.

 

[Stray Cat]

If Mercedes played for ND or Louisville or Stanford or any other team, she wouldn't be getting the same disparaging comments. Some of you folks need to ask yourself if you'd say the same things to her face. There are some threads that make me cringe as a UConn fan and this is one of them.

Totally, but respectfully disagree Nan. Not many players have gotten bashed by UConn fans, for on and off-court, issues more than ND's Skylar Diggins did. She was never good enough for some and too much off a diva for others. The reason Louisville and Stanford don't get picked on is they aren't perceived as legit threats. During the Diggins era, the Irish were a very worthy opponent who got the best of the Huskies more often than many in this forum liked. It's natural to "go after" your enemies. With that being said, it's not that I (others) see the LV's as a legit threat, they definitely are not, but that I (others) are do not respect the views of their fan base, and love to poke holes in their arguments and point out their illogical thinking in general. LV fans don't know what they don't know and it's too tempting not to clue them in.

As far as saying it to their face, I have no problem doing so with the people I am addressing/replying to like stwainfan and VolFan as well as all the lurkers from The Summitt including TinyVol, Orange007, Vol720, sheilafrostfan and prophet1 just to name a few. I am not speaking to players like Simmons or Russell. This forum is no different than sports talk radio where "constructive comments" are shared in "discussions" by many every day.

 

[doggydaddy]

I'd like to publicly apologize to Mercedes Russell for using her very normal learning curve as a freshman post as a vehicle to tease Tennessee fans. I meant no harm to her and if that was how this ended up as a thread, I'm sorry.

 

[VolFan]

One thing continually brought up is that we haven't played anybody. Many teams we scheduled we thought would be top 25 ranked but aren't. However that doesn't diminish that they are quality teams. Chattanooga, MTSU, Georgia Tech, and Texas are all or have been at some point receiving sign gigabit amounts of votes for the Top 25 and will all be tournament teams. Not to mention, Mulkey backed out of coming to Knoxville so we had to replace that game with Oakland because the big programs already had their schedules filled. We still play Stanford, Notre Dame, Kentucky, SCar, LSU, Georgia, and Texas A&M who are all Top 25, so we will see our fair share.