Voepel on Diamond

[j66kicker]

So have you guessed the player whom DeShields greatly admires, even though she knows her only from watching her on television and through reputation?

"Diana Taurasi. I love her," DeShields said. "Yeah, she gets technical fouls sometimes, and she speaks her mind. But that's OK; I don't think anything is wrong with that. I hope to be one of those people who pushes the envelope a little.

"You can do that and still be a good teammate. If you're acting only off your emotions, you can get caught up in them. But DT is a great mind to emulate; she knows what she's doing. She embraces who she is and doesn't try to change it, but at the same time understands she's in a team environment and that the team is the most important thing."

http://espn.go.com/womens-college-b...s-ready-make-debut-tennessee-lady-volunteers/

In Taurasi, though, DeShields sees that mix of edgy entertainer, wry jokester, big-shot taker and respected leader, and that is so appealing to the 6-foot-1 multidimensional guard. Has DeShields had a chance to talk with Taurasi, pick her brain about basketball?

"No, but I would love to," DeShields said. "I hear what people say about her, but I know as well as anybody that what people say about you is not necessarily always true."

 

[Carnac]

So have you guessed the player whom DeShields greatly admires, even though she knows her only from watching her on television and through reputation?

"Diana Taurasi. I love her," DeShields said. "Yeah, she gets technical fouls sometimes, and she speaks her mind. But that's OK; I don't think anything is wrong with that. I hope to be one of those people who pushes the envelope a little.

"You can do that and still be a good teammate. If you're acting only off your emotions, you can get caught up in them. But DT is a great mind to emulate; she knows what she's doing. She embraces who she is and doesn't try to change it, but at the same time understands she's in a team environment and that the team is the most important thing."

http://espn.go.com/womens-college-b...s-ready-make-debut-tennessee-lady-volunteers/

In Taurasi, though, DeShields sees that mix of edgy entertainer, wry jokester, big-shot taker and respected leader, and that is so appealing to the 6-foot-1 multidimensional guard. Has DeShields had a chance to talk with Taurasi, pick her brain about basketball?

"No, but I would love to," DeShields said. "I hear what people say about her, but I know as well as anybody that what people say about you is not necessarily always true."

At the end of her freshman season at North Carolina, I commented that there were 3 freshman players that I was impressed with, and thought could become major players in WCBB. DeShields was one of them, the other two were Nina Davis (Baylor) and Tyler Scaife (Rutgers).

Like her or not, as the article mentioned, you can see a lot of Diana Taurasi in her. Her game allows her to take the court with a bit of "rough edge" to it. DeShields asks no quarter, and gives none.

Deshields knows that she is part of a one the best teams to be assembled in Knoxville since Candace Parker left in 2008. Even though she just arrived, she is the face of the program, and is expected to lead this year's team deep into the national tournament in March.

DeShields said. "Yeah, she (DT) gets technical fouls sometimes, and she speaks her mind. But that's OK; I don't think anything is wrong with that. I hope to be one of those people who pushes the envelope a little.

As long as she stays between the lines, she can do pretty much whatever she wants to. She comes to Knoxville with that kind of cachet. I saw several of her televised games during her freshman year. You could tell she was a better than average player. She was a starter from the day she arrived on campus.

Fast forward to today.......being older, stronger, wiser, and having the opportunity (like our Natalie Butler) to practice with, and observe the team all year, I'm interested to see how much her game has evolved, and what kind of leader she will be.

Tennessee may be only a year or two away from making a serious run for a national championship. I think their team is too young and inexperienced at this point, to beat the teams they will need to beat to win a championship. Not only would they have to beat UConn, they'll need to get by a couple of the following.....ND, Baylor, USCe, and maybe Louisville or Dayton. That's a mountain I don't think they're ready to climb just yet.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Tennessee may be only a year or two away from making a serious run for a national championship

They may have a Bigs problem of some size to deal with ... as may we.

 

[stwainfan]

I think the article was good. I also like what she said on the video.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Well Voepel's lead in is a tad deceptive: Deshields Ready For Tennessee Debut. She is not ready. Indeed she is not scrimmaging. She's about where Holly said she was a month ago. So unless this is some elaborate con job, she is still very much a player "on the mend."

 

[alexrgct]

Well Voepel's lead in is a tad deceptive: Deshields Ready For Tennessee Debut. She is not ready. Indeed she is not scrimmaging. She's about where Holly said she was a month ago. So unless this is some elaborate con job, she is still very much a player "on the mend."

Link to story she's not scrimmaging?

 

[VFLfan]

Link to story she's not scrimmaging?

Holly says she won't be playing in the exhibition in the media video above. It's not too surprising considering the injuries DD is dealing with. I'm ready to see her play again but why risk anything in a scrimmage?

 

[stwainfan]

Diamond not playing on Monday. Will not affect the out come of that game.

 

[VAMike23]

What injury is she dealing with lately? The hand/wrist is all healed up, no?

 

[VFLfan]

What injury is she dealing with lately? The hand/wrist is all healed up, no?

She has shin splints and patellar tendinitis.

 

[DaddyChoc]

wow people are saying bad things about DT... atleast DD has good head on her shoulders to not believe everything she hear

 

[tennparker3]

wow people are saying bad things about DT... atleast DD has good head on her shoulders to not believe everything she hear

Her dad was very much the same way as a baseball player. Marched to the beat of his own drum and some people didn't care for it but within the teams he played for he was always well liked and respected.

She will be a great player and we do have enough returning experience to make a run for all the marbles because of what her talent level can elevate a team to become. However, Tennessee has a lot of work to do and it may take longer than some expect for everything to start clicking. Our first 8 games are at home and then we hit the road with a bang at Oregon State and Stanford. I think being homebodies for once will help big time with early season struggles. Penn State and Syracuse are games 2 and 3 and provide decent early tests and we should get an idea of where Diamond is at and how far she has to go (if she plays, which she has stated she will).

I'm excited for this season... and not just Lady Vols but all the great teams in WCBB this year. UConn may be the best of the best still but the amount of teams knocking on the door is as deep as it has ever been. Teams like FSU, Baylor, OSU, Louisville, Oregon State and so on are all proof of the ever expanding talent growth among the women's side of the sport.

IDK if anybody has heard or is interested but a player I think many of you will enjoy watching is Katie McWilliams at Oregon State. Smooth freshman player that I think is highly underrated and could be a big surprise for those that don't know of her. Big 6'2 guard.

 

[Icebear]

Penn State is not a good team this year. Do not count on them to be a meaningful test. Although adding Brianna Banks will buy them time to bring the young guards up to speed.