For the fourth time this season, Tennessee’s Bashaara Graves has been named the SEC women’s basketball freshman of the week.
The 6-foot-2 forward is the first player this season to earn one of the SEC weekly player honors four times.
In victories over Missouri and Florida, Graves averaged 16.5 points and 10.0 rebounds as well as 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals.
Graves had 17 points and 12 rebounds in Sunday’s 78-75 overtime victory in Gainesville, Fla. She also recorded four assists and two steals in the hard-fought victory. Her free throw with 13 seconds left in regulation sent the game into overtime. She sealed the win with two free throws with 8.4 seconds left in overtime.
On Thursday, she had 16 points and eight rebounds against Missouri.
Graves is averaging 16.3 points and 9.0 rebounds in SEC play and is shooting 53.8 from the field and 82.1 from the line.
The ninth-ranked Lady Vols (13-3, 4-0 SEC) play at Auburn on Thursday.
Rocky Top League opening night
Old school: Archived photos of UT…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 28
voloffaith writes:
As others have mentioned, she plays with the intensity of Glory J., but Glory was an athlete playing bball. As for Ms. Graves she is a basketball player who is also athletic. The ability to finish under the basket shows the difference. Ms. Graves knows instinctively to use the rim as a protector on a reverse shot under the basket. Doesn't mind using the glass either. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't mind having a Glory J. clone to help on the boards mind you. As Ms. Harrison learns tp protect herself from the silly fouls she will be a more imposing center with her wingspan as one of her major defense mechanisms. Go Lady Vols and beat the tygerettes Thursday!!!
retiredVolinGA writes:
Way to go B ! We'll be there at Auburn Thursday in the wheelchair section with our "We Back Pat" shirts on. Send the War Eaglettes crashing to the court!
voloffaith writes:
How about we limit the ceiling to hinder them taking high flight? making National bird crash doesn't ring right even though I believe I know what you meant...............
DroopyDrawers writes:
Beast, you will be an All-American when that jump shot from around foul line starts falling.
You go Lady Vol because U R the BEAST.
voloffaith writes:
Be ast just doesn't sound lady like......don't know what to change to...but sounds in human....any way congrats Ms. Graves!!
wigmeister writes:
She deserves it. Can't wait to see her get the season ending freshman of the year!
Theo writes:
Have to agree. We need a new nickname for Bashara. I don't get the feeling she is crazy about beast (at least not yet). Bash, has potential but still a little violent. My favorite was a Lady voll whose name, dang it, I can not remember. Center, played on NC team, I think number 9 maybe. Anyway, she was a lot like Glory in that she did not mind elbow music to clear a space consequently we called her Windex. Because she always cleaned the glass.
One additional comment - the war eagle is not the national bird. The Bald Eagle is the national bird. I think the Auburn eagle is a Golden Eagle. Someone correct me on the Auburn Eagle if I am wrong.
Anyway - way to go Bashara. I see Fresh All-American.
butch31 writes:
We already knew Bashaara was the freshmen of the year, before the season started. I'm not sure why she didn't start initially, but I'm not surprised at all. I totally expected it. I expected this from Cierra last year, but I believe she was being held back. I think Meighan is being over looked for accolades this season. Meighan is why UT is playing so good.
tonyvick#213307 writes:
Meighan for player of the year! Thanks Ms Graves you truly deserve the honor. You are a throwback to what the Lady Vols are all about.
voloffaith writes:
Was referring in general terms to national bird.........Thanks Mr. Huxtable!
ps11824 writes:
Theo, are you referring to Tereasa Geter? She played on the 98 championship team. Prior to that, Tiffany Johnson? Earlier on than that - Pashen Thompson? LaShonda Stephens,( she lacked motivation IMHO)? We've had some good post players over the years, I could go back further, but it would require another cup of coffee.
Bashara Graves is somewhat unique in that she can play anywhere, not just a swiper girl. She looks like a natural, a young gazelle with so much potential, but as a young one matures, we must be patient and understand that she will have much room to improve. I believe she has All-American potential.
I too am anxious to have Burdick and Carter back. Perhaps Andraya is learning by observing. She's learning patience, I would think.
Theo writes:
Thanks 98, yes Tiffany Johnson. A little heavy set, you could not move her out from under the basket. An absolute rebounding machine.
Hopefully just 2-3 more weeks for Cierra to get back. Agree about Andraya. If she is paying close attention, this year could be a big benefit to her.
Mrlogic writes:
I just love watching Bashaara play. I think she is "Big Time" all the way. If she ever develops a consistent mid range jumper she will be even tougher to defend. I wish her all the best.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
I think Graves will be an all-time great. It just looks like she was born to play ball. I love her composure around the basket she creates shots. At the free throw line there is no hesitation. She has a smooth stroke. Great mechanics! She has game like Nkena (sry can't spell her name) Ogunmike and Chiney right now. She shoots high percentage shots. She will be Frosh of the Year and should get Natl attention as well. If next year's class with Draya back is anything like what we are seeing out of this class....wow SEC dominance and Natl champions
Volinflan writes:
Shoot, according to the stats Tennessee ain't won anything. ESPNW has rankings for nine different categories of stats (Scoring, rebounding, assists, 3 point percentage etc). I found Harrison ranked 21st in blocks. No other Tennessee player made the top 50 in any of the nine categories. It might be said that those rankings include a lot of "little schools" players. It would be interesting to see the comparative stats for players at schools that are in the top rankings. You would see Griner, Mosqueda-Lewis and Ogwumike in a lot of the categories.
johnlg00 writes:
My guess would have been Sheila Frost, but most of those others you and other posters mentioned could also qualify. Bashaara has shown all season that she always comes ready to play. Except for a spell of cold shooting in the second half against Florida, the LVs have generally shot the ball well this year.
This has been a most entertaining team to watch. They may drop a couple more this season--ND and UK up there come to mind--but as I said earlier in the season, expectations were relatively low with the virtually new starting lineup and the new(ish) coach, but, IMHO, this team has already exceeded any reasonable expectations and their future looks bright indeed.
johnlg00 writes:
I can live with the lack of eye-popping stats for the LVs as long as the W-L record stays up there. Watching them play, I get more of a sense of "team" with this bunch than I have seen in some time. If one is out with injuries or fouls, someone else picks up the slack. The bench nearly always looks engaged, and there is little drop-off when a sub comes in. If they can keep this up all season and no one else gets seriously hurt--cross fingers!--they could do better in the post-season than many around the country might think right now.
Volinflan writes:
I'm with you 100% on the W-L record at this time. With the youth and coming out of the turmoil of the last couple of seasons, I would have been happy with a 20 - 10 season. We knew Graves was going to be good, but maybe not this good this soon. I also agree with you about the unity of the team. They act like a team, not a bunch of WNBA wannabes. What I do worry about is the shortness of the bench. Right not the LVols are playing a 6 person rotation. (not really true JJ is playing about 15 min/game but her contributions are not consistent enough to count on.) Hopefully Burdick will be back in a couple of weeks. I'm expecting to watch the Lady Vols play in April this year.
johnlg00 writes:
Like you, I hope the relative lack of depth doesn't get the team too worn down at the end of the season. However, they do rotate in and out, Holly seems to be using time-outs wisely, and the gals seem pretty well-conditioned so far. Jasmine is getting better every game and should soon be able to be productive for more minutes each game. Cierra should be back well before tournament play. Her injury shouldn't hurt her cardiovascular conditioning, so she could give the team a fresh burst of energy and productivity when she returns. I won't worry about them wearing down unless I see them really dragging in games or unless some other important player gets hurt.
Theo writes:
I think we are a little more balanced than the teams that these kids play for. I would guess that if you looked at our front line rebounding, for example, it might match up with Baylor but no one LV would match Griner's individual rebounding. May be wrong, just a guess.
I am kind of thinking that Meghan should be showing up in some scoring category. The "Girl is on fire". Little Alicia Keys reference for the music buffs.
Volinflan writes:
So what position is Jasmine going to play? I just watched the Holly Warlick show (replay) and JJ made some killer moves. She played 23 minutes and scored 12 points. It looked like most of her points were made when she received the ball on the elbow and drove to the basket. I guess that's a power forward move? If she continues that and Burdick comes back with her sweet elbow jumper this team is going to get dangerous. The TV commentators keep talking about the Tennessee team being "long and lanky". Now I get it. With Burdick, Graves, Harrison, Jones, Moore and Spani there is a bunch of "really long arms in there".
Perhaps the schedule will allow a few games where players like Nia Moore and Jasmine Phillips can have the opportunity to develop. The Lady Vols will need them in April!
ps11824 writes:
TJ was dismissed in the summer after the NC game. (violating housing policies, I think) She was considered the most sought after post player in the country when she signed with UT. In her 1st game, 1st game of the 94-95 season, she scored 18 pts 17 rebs 5 blks. finished her career with .741% shooting, plus 19 assist, 39 blks, 26 steals, not a bad season for TJ. Too bleepin' bad she couldn't follow the rules. But, we know Pat was a fair disciplinarian. Some coaches would have over-looked this infraction, not PS. I betcha she grieved over this one more than I did, and trust me, I grieved.
Theo writes:
OK then I'm not sure that is the kid I was thinking of. The kid I'm thinking of I believe graduated. Let me try and check it out, dang it.
Ok, Ok, got it DANA Johnson - 37 double doubles in her career. Sorry, got the wrong Johnson. The book I have has a picture of her.......grabbing a rebound. Also saw a picture of Kyra Elzy as a player. She's gotta love that hair doo now. lol.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Tenn us ranked #9 in offensive scoring with 79.4 a game I think . What I like about this team is the players are not relying on
Two or three players to score. Every player is looking to score which can mean bad news for opponents if our girls go on a scoring frenzy.
ps11824 writes:
Theo, O yes, Dana Johnson was indeed a beast on the boards.
r2d2 writes:
Jasmine Jones should play the small forward or 3 position. One of the keys to how far the LVs can progress this season and in the NCAA tournament is the development of Jasmine, Jasmine Phillips and Nia Moore.
johnlg00 writes:
I think, technically, JJ has been rotating between the 3 and the 4, or high post, position. However, it just may be that she is one of those rare people whose natural position is "basketball player". Such a person is adaptable enough to play where she is needed and whose skill set can't or shouldn't be bound by a narrow position designation. From all I have seen so far, she just needs to be on the floor as much as she can handle right now. No doubt the ones you named could give this team a tremendous boost as they continue to develop and gain experience.
johnlg00 writes:
PS: The high-post position is also sometimes known as the power-forward position. A rose is a rose....
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.