UT playing today against the LVs

[choochoo]

I watched the game. She did have some rebounds that stopped Texas runs. Her defense was solid. Didn't Stewart have a few games last year where she didn't put up a lot of numbers? Here is a quote from Holly "I explain that as everybody else stepped up. I'm not worried about Mercedes scoring. I know what she can do and her presence on the court. I thought she had some big rebounds and she's playing along side some very talent (players). Isabelle Harrison had a great game and she didn't get in foul trouble. Bashaara Graves is a great player. Mercedes is learning to me. I don't care if she's the number 1 kid in the country; she's still in the learning process. This game is fast and it's physical and Mercedes is getting better every day. I don't worry about Mercedes; I know where she's going to be. I know that our posts combined are a tough inside group so that doesn't concern me really."

Stewart was MVP of the sweet sixteen and the final 4. Do you really think Russell will reach either of those accomplishments?

 

[doggydaddy]

I watched the game. She did have some rebounds that stopped Texas runs. Her defense was solid. Didn't Stewart have a few games last year where she didn't put up a lot of numbers? Here is a quote from Holly "I explain that as everybody else stepped up. I'm not worried about Mercedes scoring. I know what she can do and her presence on the court. I thought she had some big rebounds and she's playing along side some very talent (players). Isabelle Harrison had a great game and she didn't get in foul trouble. Bashaara Graves is a great player. Mercedes is learning to me. I don't care if she's the number 1 kid in the country; she's still in the learning process. This game is fast and it's physical and Mercedes is getting better every day. I don't worry about Mercedes; I know where she's going to be. I know that our posts combined are a tough inside group so that doesn't concern me really."

What a wonderful coach. Sugar coat it so she doesn't hurt Mercedes feelings.

13 minutes. Kinda likes Stokes her freshman year. But she was supposed to be the best freshman according to you and others.

 

[stwainfan]

Choochoo yes I think she had the ability. I think she will be playing a lot better in March.
DD we haven't seen her best yet. I have said that I think her impact on defense will show up before the offense. Yes Holly was correct about the way Harrison played today. I don't know her stats but Griner did just dominate after only eight games at this level.

 

[doggydaddy]

Choochoo yes I think she had the ability. I think she will be playing a lot better in March.
DD we haven't seen her best yet. I have said that I think her impact on defense will show up before the offense. Yes Holly was correct about the way Harrison played today. I don't know her stats but Griner did just dominate after only eight games at this level.

We haven't seen her best yet? God, I hope not. Same for all freshman who have played only a few games. But she didn't contribute much in a game that was still 4 points midway in the 2nd half.

It shouldn't matter that Harrison had a good game. Good players get playing time.

I have no idea what you are saying about Griner. Was that a question?

 

[Stray Cat]

She did play good. Only took one shot and made free throws. I think it was part of it Harrison played great.

stwainfan, what is your obsession of coming to this forum to display your total ignorance about and blind loyalty to the LV's? And I could care less what your coach has to say about her team -- we all know she isn't publicly going to bash her players. I have two eyes and can see for myself that the LV's have no semblance of an offense, and that they are such a poor defensive team -- they can't guard or stay out of foul trouble playing man-to-man -- that Coach Worlock is forced play zone defense for long stretches of time .

And how is it that your tallest player, who also happens to be the HS POY, can play 13 minutes and not even attempt a shot? Is it she is so passive she can't fight for position and ask for the ball, or that your coaches have no clue of how to teach your players to take advantage of one of their biggest possible assets?

The LV's are not even close to being in the same stratosphere as UConn...when is this ever going to sink in with you and your Orange friends?

 

[msf22b]

Stray Cat

I for one am interested iand appreciate Swain's UTenn perspective.
And hope he/she doesn't get chased away.

In the games I've seen, Mercedes looks a step behind everyone.
And is not as aggressive as hoped (by their fans).

UTenn has a tradition of anointing there future stars before they arrive.
Massengale was trumpeted as being the team's savior.
Didn't quite work out.

But I'm quite sure Mercedes will be better in March.
(And if she's not, there will be changes being contemplated, and I don't mean players).

Still, it all looks very familiar; tons of Big MAC AA's not coalescing into a true team.
Just like the last generation of Pat's teams which failed to match or even get close to their draft-time expectations.
This failure can be partially (only somewhat) be accounted for as a function of her illness.

I very much look forward to an NCAA matchup with UTenn which becomes shown and annotated as a textbook for years… A UConn clinic in"Methods in Modern Team BB."

But, as I noted earlier…Someone still has to beat them.

 

[triaddukefan]

Choochoo yes I think she had the ability. I think she will be playing a lot better in March.
DD we haven't seen her best yet. I have said that I think her impact on defense will show up before the offense. Yes Holly was correct about the way Harrison played today. I don't know her stats but Griner did just dominate after only eight games at this level.

Lemme pile on for just a sec. Another highly ranked center was Elizabeth Williams... Maybe 3-4 games into her college career she faced an elite opponent in ND. She had 16 points 13 rebounds, and 7 blocks. Thats probably a better comparison that to compare Russell to Griner.

 

[Phil]

Stray Cat, I'm another poster who appreciates the LV fans who come here and follow the rules. It provides a useful perspective.

For the record, I find the spelling of the coach's name disrespectful. I have no problem with a little fun, but see no need for name calling.

 

[Stray Cat]

Stray Cat, I'm another poster who appreciates the LV fans who come here and follow the rules. It provides a useful perspective.

For the record, I find the spelling of the coach's name disrespectful. I have no problem with a little fun, but see no need for name calling.

Glad that you like to read water-downed, Koolaid flavored comments from fans of other teams. I prefer constructive, honest commments.

Funny how you have never mentioned how some BY'ers reference of "Muffit" may be received as disrespectful to ND fans who visit this board.

I have no problem with stwainfan posting here -- it's great to get some a peak of the inside world that is The Summitt.

FYI, I would love for him/her to respond to my questions.

 

[stwainfan]

stwainfan, what is your obsession of coming to this forum to display your total ignorance about and blind loyalty to the LV's? And I could care less what your coach has to say about her team -- we all know she isn't publicly going to bash her players. I have two eyes and can see for myself that the LV's have no semblance of an offense, and that they are such a poor defensive team -- they can't guard or stay out of foul trouble playing man-to-man -- that Coach Worlock is forced play zone defense for long stretches of time .

And how is it that your tallest player, who also happens to be the HS POY, can play 13 minutes and not even attempt a shot? Is it she is so passive she can't fight for position and ask for the ball, or that your coaches have no clue of how to teach your players to take advantage of one of their biggest possible assets?

The LV's are not even close to being in the same stratosphere as UConn...when is this ever going to sink in with you and your Orange friends?

There is a photo on game today. It had Russell went to the floor got the ball and was passing to a teammate. I do think that you are correct in getting the ball inside more. As for Tennessee being on the level with UConn. I am sure Alabama football fans felt the same way. Nobody told Auburn they were not.

 

[Bestiarius]

Yes, we've been too hard on Mercedes here. Let's give her a trophy!

 

[doggydaddy]

There is a photo on game today. It had Russell went to the floor got the ball and was passing to a teammate. I do think that you are correct in getting the ball inside more. As for Tennessee being on the level with UConn. I am sure Alabama football fans felt the same way. Nobody told Auburn they were not.

Well, now, you have convinced me about Russell. She must be great. She went to the floor.

 

[stwainfan]

Thanks MSF and Phil.

 

[VolFan]

The problem with Mercedes is her physical strength and aggressiveness. She doesn't look to score instinctively yet. She'll definitely take time to develop

 

[sivad40]

The problem with Mercedes is her physical strength and aggressiveness. She doesn't look to score instinctively yet. She'll definitely take time to develop

I was surprised to find out that Mercedes didn't lift weights when she was in high school. She may have been the #1 ranked player coming out of high school but #1 ranked players in different classes aren't equal.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

Any chance a freshman can be given a little slack, and time to develop? I could hardly find my pants in during the first semester of college.

 

[doggydaddy]

Any chance a freshman can be given a little slack, and time to develop? I could hardly find my pants in during the first semester of college.

Under normal circumstances, yes.

But the over the top expectations before the season started by Tennessee fans is getting some smack now.

 

[Phil]

Funny how you have never mentioned how some BY'ers reference of "Muffit" may be received as disrespectful to ND fans who visit this board.

I haven't noticed it.

How is it disrespectful? If you simply mean that people's names ought to be spelled correctly, I'm on board. If there is something else, I missed it.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

I haven't noticed it.

How is it disrespectful? If you simply mean that people's names ought to be spelled correctly, I'm on board. If there is somethign else, I missed it.

I agree with Fill.

 

[Phil]

Any chance a freshman can be given a little slack, and time to develop? I could hardly find my pants in during the first semester of college.

Some things never change


.

 

[choochoo]

stwainfan, what is your obsession of coming to this forum to display your total ignorance about and blind loyalty to the LV's? And I could care less what your coach has to say about her team -- we all know she isn't publicly going to bash her players. I have two eyes and can see for myself that the LV's have no semblance of an offense, and that they are such a poor defensive team -- they can't guard or stay out of foul trouble playing man-to-man -- that Coach Worlock is forced play zone defense for long stretches of time .

And how is it that your tallest player, who also happens to be the HS POY, can play 13 minutes and not even attempt a shot? Is it she is so passive she can't fight for position and ask for the ball, or that your coaches have no clue of how to teach your players to take advantage of one of their biggest possible assets?

The LV's are not even close to being in the same stratosphere as UConn...when is this ever going to sink in with you and your Orange friends?

EXACTLY!

 

[doggydaddy]

I agree with Fill.

Me too. On the name thing.

I hate when posters use Gino. Also Ucon with one N.

 

[meyers7]

Stewart was MVP of the sweet sixteen and the final 4. Do you really think Russell will reach either of those accomplishments?

Well, TN would have to make the final 4 for that to even have a chance to happen.

 

[meyers7]

Me too. On the name thing.

I hate when posters use Gino. Also Ucon with one N.

And UConn with a small c.

 

[doggydaddy]

And UConn with a small c.

Typos don't count.

 

[Stray Cat]

As for Tennessee being on the level with UConn. I am sure Alabama football fans felt the same way. Nobody told Auburn they were not.

All aboard the Summitt Express; destination
Mt. UConn. Choo-choo. Talk about a train wreck!!

 

[meyers7]

All aboard the Summitt Express; destination
Mt. UConn. Choo-choo. Talk about a train wreck!!

Not sure if that's a good example, the choo-choo actually made it.

 

[Stray Cat]

Not sure if that's a good example, the choo-choo actually made it.

Ya, but stwainfan also referred to Tenn as Auburn, when they are actually Ohio St. (good record, but no signature wins). This is the modern day version of the original story...the title has been revised to "The Little Engine that Didn't".

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Deb Antonelli commented yesterday: "When was the last time you saw a Tenn team go inside out?" I really had not thought about it, but it is a sound observation. Maybe the perimeter shooting would improve if they tried to create separation that way.

 

[EricSD]

The problem with Mercedes is her physical strength and aggressiveness. She doesn't look to score instinctively yet. She'll definitely take time to develop

That's an excellent observation. I know you probably don't read the BY religiously, but when Tenn landed Russell, some of us on here noted that she never really dominated any of the "all star" teams she played on. Most of the time on the USA National teams, she was the #3 or below leading scorer, and also didn't even lead the team in rebounds. For an athletic 6'6" kid who was top 3 in her class, it wasn't a ringing endorsement for her talent as the next great one.

Compare what she did internationally against kids like Stewie or KML or Williams, or even A'ja Wilson. Additionally, those of us who discussed Russell at the time also noted that generally it takes post players several years to develop. Look at a player like Tina Charles - she always put up strong numbers, but wasn't really a complete player or a monster till her junior year. Griner had to get stronger to handle the much more physical game in college. Still, Griner averaged over 18 PPG as a freshman and never played under 30 minutes as an average for ANY season.

I always said Russell would be a good player, but unless she developed a much better game, wouldn't be a great one. When you look at top 2-3 kids coming out of HS - those rated highest by the services, there are players like Parker, Charles, Moore, Taurasi, Griner, Simms, Ogwumike, Stewart, Williams, KML, Jefferson, EDD, Diggins, Jones (Alexis), Loyd, etc. who are at the top in HS, and are among the best in college.

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.

And then there are top 3 type players such as Ash Robinson, Sykes, Bjorkland, Bone, Howard (Natasha), Burdick, and others who are near the top in HS, but never really dominate at the same level in college. It remains to be seen if Russell will develop into the former or the latter.