What We Learned from Bay-Tenn

[UConnCat]

I stand corrected about the fg%. However I'll take the rest of those stats with a grain of salt. Holy Cross, Pacific, FDU and Buffalo are some good stat stuffing teams.

Actually, KML's best games have been against UConn's toughest opponents to date: Stanford and Dayton. In those 2 games she's averaged 24 pts, shot 57% from the floor, 50% on 3-pointers, grabbed 7 rpg, 1.5 steals and 0 turnovers. She had only 1 assist in those two games.

We're only 6 games in to KML's career. We believe she'll prove to be a big-time player who performs best in big-time games. She'll have plenty of opportunities this year and beyond.

 

[HuskyNan]

I stand corrected about the fg%. However I'll take the rest of those stats with a grain of salt. Holy Cross, Pacific, FDU and Buffalo are some good stat stuffing teams.

You are forgetting one opponent...

Kaleena's stats vs Stanford

25 pts, (10-17, 58.8% fg%)
8 rebounds, 3 offensive
1 assist, 0 TOs
3 steals
while guarding Nneka Ogwumike

 

[EricLA]

i think she was on Chiney in the first half when Nneka went out with the fouls. i know they had Kelly guarding her too at times, but i think she guarded both the O sisters...

 

[doggydaddy]

Spani is shooting better than KML from the floor and from 3. Not sure how you can say she's a better shooter.

It's easy. Lewis is a better shooter. Certainly by repuation. And the rest of her game is better too. So, you can disagree, but on this board, you are in the minority. Using stats from 4 games and 6 games respectively? Short sighted.

And yes, her and Strick were ranked lower in their respective classes, but Strick is a top 3 player in her class's and Spani is playing great now that she is finally healthy. She's also our best shooter, and we need her scoring.

Strick was #8 as I mentioned to you in another post. Johnson was the #3 rated player.

And we played Izzy for Johnson because she's bigger than Burdick and can play in the paint. She posts up ad attacks the glass. I haven't seen Burdick do that yet.

Burdick was the #3 recruit. Played on the USA team with several of the freshman this year. And she can't get more than 3 minutes? She is averaging under 8 minutes a game. Keep ignoring her lack of progress. Hopefully when Tennessee plays some easier teams, and make no mistake about it, but do play some, she will get more time. Stricklen needed a blow a few times and maybe Burdick could have helped.

KML is a perfect fit for UConn this year. She can't stay on the bench because, at least against Stanford, the offense was irratic and stagnant without her. She's probably the best player on yalls team, coming off the bench has nothing to do with that.

Lewis would be the perfect fit for ANY team. She was the #1 recruit coming in. And clearly, along with Williams, the best players in the freshman class. And Lewis is the most ready to LEAD a team to the championship. Just ask Kara Lawson. She said that at the half of the Baylor/UT game.
Of course there is going to be talk like that after a loss, but the talk on here even before the game was Tenn will only win if the refs call it their way. To see that mentioned as part of the reason we were even in the game was way off based. In general though, our fan reaction has been positive and encouraging because we played with energy and effort. I'll never be satisfied with moral victories but after the UVA loss, it was good to see.

The only real ref complaining is coming from The Summitt. And it's how the refs impacted the game in favor of Baylor. On that board or this board, complaining abou the refs is pathetic.

Moral victory? Too Funny.

 

[speedoo]

I stand corrected about the fg%. However I'll take the rest of those stats with a grain of salt. Holy Cross, Pacific, FDU and Buffalo are some good stat stuffing teams.

Really, you should stick to talking about Tennessee players. It's clear that you have no idea how good Kaleena is. I'd say you might see her value after you've seen her play more than just one game but your bias probably won't allow that, so you are better off just talking about the LV's.

 

[DaddyChoc]

I'm recording this.

with pleasure...

 

[doggydaddy]

with pleasure...

We agree plenty. Sometimes we disagree.....loudly.

Either way, it's all good.

 

[cardfan]

You are forgetting one opponent...

Kaleena's stats vs Stanford

25 pts, (10-17, 58.8% fg%)
8 rebounds, 3 offensive
1 assist, 0 TOs
3 steals
while guarding Nneka Ogwumike

whose backcourt is very young and weaker than UConn's.

I didn't see her guarding Nneka, but will double check the DVR.

 

[HuskyNan]

whose backcourt is very young and weaker than UConn's.

I didn't see her guarding Nneka, but will double check the DVR.

You know that Kaleena plays the 3/4, right? UConn's backcourt players are Bria Hartley, Tiffany Hayes, Caroline Doty, Kelly Faris and Brianna Banks. There are also no All Americans on the UConn squad this year, unlike Stanford.

BTW, Kaleena is only a freshman herself and the Stanford game was the third of her college career.

 

[tnvolfan65]

Stricklen is a top 3 player now for this class. Se could even be the number 2 pick in the next draft. Same way that Nneka is the best player in this class regardless of their high school rankings.

I agree Stricklen could have used some rest in the second half. Manning, Simmons, or Burdick all could have spelled her. Cierra will see more time as the year goes on. They've played four games. All I'm saying is don't write her off or imply she was overrated this early in her career. She came in to a veteran team loaded at her positions. It was one of my worries when we were recruiting E. Williams. If we had landed her, but still had a healthy Vicki, Cain, and Brewer, she would have been struggling for playing time as well. Especially this early in the season. However, also similar to Burdick's situation, she would have been a shoe-in starter for the next 3 years.

And I never said Spani was better than KML. Just that you can't say KML is a better shooter based on their stats so far. Her reputation is heresay. She's had two 0fer games already this year.

 

[HuskyNan]

I agree Stricklen could have used some rest in the second half. Manning, Simmons, or Burdick all could have spelled her. All I'm saying is don't write her off or imply she was overrated this early in her career. She came in to a veteran team loaded at her positions.

I think you misunderstood if you think people here were saying Burdick is overrated. The UConn fans' point was more about how an elite player was being used, or not being used, as the case may be.

 

[doggydaddy]

Stricklen is a top 3 player now for this class. Se could even be the number 2 pick in the next draft. Same way that Nneka is the best player in this class regardless of their high school rankings.

She might be the third pick behind Ogwumike and Delle Donne.

I agree Stricklen could have used some rest in the second half. Manning, Simmons, or Burdick all could have spelled her. Cierra will see more time as the year goes on. They've played four games. All I'm saying is don't write her off or imply she was overrated this early in her career.

I was doing neither. But I would think the 3rd ranked player with her pedigree would get more playing time, even after 4 games.

She came in to a veteran team loaded at her positions.

Loaded at her positions? So much so that they can't find more than 7 minutes a game? I'm not buying that one.

It was one of my worries when we were recruiting E. Williams. If we had landed her, but still had a healthy Vicki, Cain, and Brewer, she would have been struggling for playing time as well. Especially this early in the season. However, also similar to Burdick's situation, she would have been a shoe-in starter for the next 3 years.

Now Williams would have struggled for playing time? You have WAY to high an opinion of a team that hasn't been able to get to the FF.
And I never said Spani was better than KML. Just that you can't say KML is a better shooter based on their stats so far. Her reputation is heresay. She's had two 0fer games already this year.

She is streaky and a freshman. But there isn't a coach around that would take Spani over Lewis. And you were wrong about the stats, or did you forget that already.

 

[triaddukefan]

I agree Stricklen could have used some rest in the second half. Manning, Simmons, or Burdick all could have spelled her. Cierra will see more time as the year goes on. They've played four games. All I'm saying is don't write her off or imply she was overrated this early in her career. She came in to a veteran team loaded at her positions. It was one of my worries when we were recruiting E. Williams. If we had landed her, but still had a healthy Vicki, Cain, and Brewer, she would have been struggling for playing time as well. Especially this early in the season. However, also similar to Burdick's situation, she would have been a shoe-in starter for the next 3 years.

No offense.... but I find it hard to believe that Williams would have struggled for playing time at ANY school this year... even if she were at Tenn... and even if all of those players would have returned healthy.

But I do expect Burdick to be an impact player for Tenn... I expect her to be a star actually. As for any high impact recruit from my state... I root for them to do well..... unless they choose to attend UNC

 

[UConnCat]

Her reputation is heresay. She's had two 0fer games already this year.

Her reputation isn't hearsay as it can be substantiated by looking at facts. As a senior at Mater Dei (nationally ranked #1) she led her team in scoring while making 58% of her FGs and 52% of her 3-pointers. She made 116 3-pointers as a senior. Her reputation as a great shooter is based on a career of great shooting.

Yes, she's already had a couple of 0-fers. It happens. Taurasi had a couple during her freshman year too. I suspect Spani's had at least a couple. But to your point, KML will need to prove she's a great shooter at the collegiate level. I think she's well on her way to doing just that despite a couple of 0-fers.

 

[speedoo]

And I never said Spani was better than KML. Just that you can't say KML is a better shooter based on their stats so far. Her reputation is heresay. She's had two 0fer games already this year.

One more time. You have no idea how good Kaleena is. You are making yourself look silly every time you say something about her.

 

[UConnCat]

I think you misunderstood if you think people here were saying Burdick is overrated. The UConn fans' point was more about how an elite player was being used, or not being used, as the case may be.

Actually, Nan, I made the point in an earlier post that someone whose opinion I trust does indeed think Burdick was rated too highly (i.e., not in the same impact category as KML or Williams). I also pointed out, however, that this was not my opinion as I've only seen Burdick play since she's been at Tennessee. I just mentioned it as a possible explanation for why she hasn't played the minutes some expected.

 

[Icebear]

And I never said Spani was better than KML. Just that you can't say KML is a better shooter based on their stats so far. Her reputation is heresay. She's had two 0fer games already this year.

Her reputation is not hearsay. It is based on amazing shooting %s in high school. At or near 50% on 3s for the last two seasons. but it is her defense that leaves Spani behind.

 

[cardfan]

You know that Kaleena plays the 3/4, right? UConn's backcourt players are Bria Hartley, Tiffany Hayes, Caroline Doty, Kelly Faris and Brianna Banks. There are also no All Americans on the UConn squad this year, unlike Stanford.

BTW, Kaleena is only a freshman herself and the Stanford game was the third of her college career.

yep. I consider the 3 the backcourt. I know who your backcourt players are, which is FAR better than ours.We have no All Americans in the backcourt. We have one in the front court, who only played 23 min. And yes, I know KML is a frosh, but she was the #1 player out of h.s.

 

[EricLA]

yep. I consider the 3 the backcourt. I know who your backcourt players are, which is FAR better than ours.We have no All Americans in the backcourt. We have one in the front court, who only played 23 min. And yes, I know KML is a frosh, but she was the #1 player out of h.s.

i'm not sure i'd say "far" better. i originally thought that when looking at the pre-game breakdown, but after watching the game, i think Kokenis is very good and fairly equal to Caroline in a lot of ways. i think that the "weak links", if you will, were Laroque and Greenfield. i know it's about more than scoring, but those 2 don't compare favorably to Hartley and Hayes. of course, Chiney was a nightmare for Kelly, but that's a whole different topic!

 

[UConnCat]

yep. I consider the 3 the backcourt. I know who your backcourt players are, which is FAR better than ours.We have no All Americans in the backcourt. We have one in the front court, who only played 23 min. And yes, I know KML is a frosh, but she was the #1 player out of h.s.

I'm really struggling to understand your point. Chiney was the #1 player out of high school and I'm sure she's had some great games against frontcourts that lacked All Americans and just weren't very good. She didn't play very well against UConn and there are no All Americans on UConn's young team. Yet, I'm not aware of anyone on this board who has ever discounted Chiney's play in any game. Why have you chosen to do that with KML's game against Stanford?

 

[DaddyChoc]

incredible comments about KML's game... ask any coach in America about how good she is and/or could be.

nothing against Spani or the O sisters but if KML could be in the WNBA draft tomorrow she'd be picked just under and above either of them.

 

[Vowelguy]

Ha. So I guess someone in K-ville was reading our board: Burdick had 14 pts/10 reb in 26 mins tonight. (Though it was only the last 8 of the 1st half.)

 

[DaddyChoc]

Ha. So I guess someone in K-ville was reading our board: Burdick had 14 pts/10 reb in 26 mins tonight. (Though it was only the last 8 of the 1st half.)

dont understand that part

 

[cardfan]

I'm really struggling to understand your point. Chiney was the #1 player out of high school and I'm sure she's had some great games against frontcourts that lacked All Americans and just weren't very good. She didn't play very well against UConn and there are no All Americans on UConn's young team. Yet, I'm not aware of anyone on this board who has ever discounted Chiney's play in any game. Why have you chosen to do that with KML's game against Stanford?

I never discredited KMLs game. I merely said our backcourt is weaker UConn's, which was pretty easy to see. KML has much more of perimeter game than Chiney, and certainly more Nneka, the only All American on the floor, who was limited to 23 min. KML was 3-8 from 3pt and Chiney didn't even attempt one. She and Hartley exposed Stanford's weaker backcourt, with help from HAYES and Doty. Your backcourt (and front court) doesn't have All Americans, but your have a lot more experience in the backcourt and talent with KML, than Stanford. That was my pt.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Greene?