MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
- Kortney Dunbar one to watch in 2014 Class?
- Jannah Tucker on the move?
- USA Women's Basletball WUGS start it up today
Normally, I leave news on recruiting in women's basketball to our recruiting ace Jenny. But, faced with a Monday column to write and no real ideas on where to go with it...a couple of e-mails from regular reader Kenny S. gave me a little fuel to get across the finish line.
Dunbar (along with Henderson) was a big reason why Edwardsville went undefeated in the 2012-13 regular season. She averaged 14.4 points per game, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.8 assists. She's also got range, sinking 54 three pointers. Other major universities are also in on the hunt.
6'2" guard. That alone is impressive. Along with her numbers from her junior year, I can see why the coaches are on the trail.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Holly Warlick is getting a feel of what it's like to finally be a head coach. #12 ranked in the 2013 class Jannah Tucker, who also played on the 2012 U17 USA Basketball team isn't enrolling in Tennessee. According to Warlick, Tucker changed her mind for personal reasons. According to sources, two other UT recruits...Mercedes Russell and Jordan Reynolds are on campus for summer sessions.
Tucker has played this game with UT before, verbally committing to the Vols in June 2012, briefly de-committing and then signing a National Letter of Intent in November. This time, it looks like it's her final answer. She won't be learning the words to "Rocky Top".Tucker did not play her senior high school year because of an ACL tear but averaged 30 points a game as a junior at New Town High School in Randallstown, MD. Prior to committing to UT, Tucker listed Duke, Baylor, Maryland and UConn on her short list.
UT now has just 10 players on the roster for the 2013-14 season.
We know Louisville currently doesn't have any room for Tucker...we hope she ends up somewhere that she's happy and can play with the skills that wowed the coaches in the U17 games and tryouts.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The USA women's basketball WUGS get it started today with pool play in Kazan, Russia. We'd rather they play basketball...but if the USA needs them in the pool...so be it.USA is in Pool B and startes against Mail. By golly. If they win, we can retool an old Little Richard song and proclaim:
"Good Golly Beat Mali"
Other teams splashing around in the water in Pool B are Brazil and the Czech Republic. USA will play each opponent in their pool once and then, hopefully, move on to the quarterfinals that start on Friday.
Get out the flotation devices and snorkel, the Women's WUGS are making waves.
And, get the ball to Shoni, Coach Coale.
--Paulie--
--
Outward appearances indicates that Holly Warlick is a good person and hard working coach with unwavering loyalty to Pat Summit and TN. I do wish her well but her replacement of the sport's pioneer has placed Holly in a historical no win situation.
ReplyDeleteIt is telling that in the same year where Louisville / Jeff is like the old lady living in a shoe who has so many kids he does not know what to do -- that during the 2013 - 14 pre-season / pre- injury period one TN recruit decides not to enroll while another team member transfers out again leaving TN with only a 10 person roster.
Notwithstanding last year's Mercedes Russell decision - could this be signs of the continued beginning of the end of Tennessee's WBB domination?
I don't think that Tenn has been "dominate" recently, but I don't think that the program is in trouble, as evidenced by the fact that the #1 ranked HS player has signed up to go there. Based on talent, Tenn should be a top 4 team in 2013-14, and is arguably #2 behind only UConn (which will also have a small roster, btw). 10 players is plenty. 16 is too many. While Walz may be able to find playing time for 16 given that the AAC will be much weaker than the big east, there is a serious issue, I think, whether the 8 or so you want to use in competitive games will get enough minutes together.
Delete--PDX Phil
10 is plenty if injuries don't get in the way. They will miss Tucker. Reynolds isn't nearly as good a guard.
DeleteBlue Lou
Without fail Injuries get in the way.
ReplyDeleteBig Win for USA! Shoni 13 pts / 9 assists in 21 minutes. Almost a double double!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.usabasketball.com/womens/worlduniversity/13_wwug_game_01.html
Great start to pool play!
Tennessee will be fine. Tucker probably has given up basketball according to rumors. Tennessee has a top 25 player committed in Alexa Middleton that will silence any crowd with her shooting ability and passing. They are also on Gabby Green's top 5 schools. They are in on some elite talent. When its all said and done, I believe they will sign a top 5 class.
ReplyDelete