Comments by madrigal

Written on John Adams: Dave Hart ahead of schedule with hires:

Puff piece. Pure puffery.

Written on Guard Alexa Middleton commits to Lady Vols :

This is certainly good news. Wonder why it makes me think of Kellie Jolly? There are those who say Middleton is a shooter along the lines of Shanna Zolman......which is certainly NOT a bad thing!

Written on Bashaara Graves, Ariel Massengale make USA teams:

Congratulations to both young ladies! I know they will represent UT very well.

Written on Kara Lawson wins WNBA Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award:

Kara is a class individual and always was. She has plenty of time to become a coach, if that's what she wants to be. She seems to be having a pretty good career with ESPN also, nothing wrong with that!

Written on Tennessee will honor Pat Summitt with statue:

It will be interesting to see if the "trademark icy stare" can be rendered in stone, instead of turning people to stone. It would take some sculptor to do that!

Written on Cierra Burdick still living up to high school pledge:

So nice to read positive stories about young athletes.

Written on Cierra Burdick and mother have always counted on each other:

Great story. Cierra and her mom are proof that you can go through really tough times and come out stronger if you go *together*. Thanks, KNS, for a story that isn't sickly-sweet and "perfect". Most of our lives aren't!

Written on Former Kentucky standout point guard Amber Smith joins Lady Vols as graduate assistant:

Welcome, Amber! Point guards often make good coaches because they have been trained to basically run the game and see the whole floor. This should be a good place to train! Remember, Matthew Mitchell was once a Lady Vols graduate assistant.....

Written on Source: Trae Golden's departure 'based on academics' and 'repeated plagiarism':

in response to wycoller:

Someone help me with this: Golden plagiarizes repeatedly and later loses his scholarship. Joe Biden plagiarizes repeatedly and is later elected vice president of the United States. This world is something else.

Just have to make EVERYTHING about politics, don't you?

So Golden is now transferring to NM State...guess they don't care about academics there. I seem to recall some past action against them by the NCAA, but I could be misremembering.

Written on Tyler Summitt interviews for Chattanooga opening:

Tyler probably has more *unofficial* coaching experience than most young coaches have of the official variety. He was at Lady Vol practices practically from birth. He watched and listened as he grew up. From early teens or so (read Pat's new book) he watched film with her and was able to pick out things she didn't even see. He was a practice player for the Lady Vols for at least a year, then walked on to Bruce's team to learn more about coaching. He coached AAU teams That experience doesn't count? I'd say it does. Whether or not he is mature enough yet to handle a head coaching job is another story. He certainly is unusually mature for his age. I predict he'll end up with a head coaching job somewhere in the next few years. Just please NOT Alabama!

Written on Holly Warlick, Brian Pensky recommended firing of strength coach Heather Mason:

This changes the story a little. But I hope they leave Jenny Moshak alone. She is the best head trainer anywhere in women's college sports.

Written on Tyler Bray's father says NFL draft was 'brutal':

Jeff Bray did not teach his kid to be a grownup. He, and Tyler's coaches over the years, apparently thought talent was enough. Well, guess what.....it's not. You have to learn to be an adult, to take responsibility for yourself and for your behavior, and to deal with adversity in a positive manner. If and when Tyler learns these things, he will be a success in something, whether on or off the football field remains to be seen.

Written on Pat Summitt's 1-year contract dips from $354,375 to $85,000 :

in response to GerryOP:

What TJ said.

x2.

Written on Jarnell Stokes has a change of heart, will play junior season at UT:

Gee, he might even decide to finish his education, since the most memorable (and probably only correct) thing the NCAA has said is, "Most of us go pro in something other than sports." It's always handy to have an education.

Written on Heather Mason relieved of duties as UT's associate strength and conditioning coach:

The word "retaliation" comes immediately to mind. Dave Hart's record with women's sports at other schools does not play well in this instance.

Written on Pat Summitt's life chronicled in film 'Pat XO':

Can't wait till July 9! I have the date circled on my calendar.
I've been a Lady Vols fan since shortly after I moved to TN in 1973. For a number of years before I moved to VA I had season tickets and I think I might have missed one home game in all those years. We always stayed for the post-game show and I was lucky enough to have Pat answer a couple of questions for me in those. She always cared about the fans, and that made us care about her.

Written on Grilled by Jon Gruden, UT's Tyler Bray says he needs to improve preparation in NFL:

Growing up and getting his head in the game would be a good start.

Written on Mike Strange: Lane Kiffin's Tennessee recruiting haul not reflected in draft:

So much for the vaunted L*** K*****. Now can we PLEASE stop hearing about him?

Written on Poll: What round will Tyler Bray be drafted in?:

About the tenth.

Written on Alabama reassigns women's basketball coach:

When Alabama takes women's basketball even slightly seriously, it will improve. Until then the team will continue to be the doormats of the SEC.

Written on Defense dominates Jones' first Orange & White Game:

Defense? That would be refreshing!

Written on Kamiko Williams graded high by Liberty :

We knew all that already, nice to see others have the same opinion. Good luck, Miko, see you on the TV!

Written on Kamiko Williams picked in second round of WNBA draft:

I'm very proud of Kamiko and happy for her. I think she will do well in the pros, both here and in Europe, because her style is fun to watch and can be very exciting. The Liberty have had other former Lady Vol guards, most recently Loree Moore, and know what kind of quality player they are getting. Congratulations, Miko!

Written on Kamiko Williams, Taber Spani candidates for WNBA draft:

I expect Kamiko to go second or third round, and whoever gets her will be quite happy with her. She has the quickness and a little bit of flashiness that should make her a hit with fans wherever she goes. I can see Taber having a future in coaching if that's what she wants to do. Her leadership ability speaks to that.

Written on Jordan McRae announces he won't enter NBA draft:

Smart guy. He will be better with another year of refining his skills. And finishing his education, or at least getting close to that, isn't going to hurt him one bit. The only good thing I've heard out of the NCAA in years is in that ad featuring student-athletes that says "most of us go pro in something other than sports." Not everyone makes the big time and it's good to have a backup plan. I look forward to watching another year of Jordan!

Written on Holly Warlick appreciates Pat Summitt, Geno Auriemma paying respects to each other:

in response to emteebee:

I've been letting go of my Geno animosity for a couple reasons. One was the picture from last year's final 4 showing Pat Summit and Geno embracing. Pat seemed to be illustrating that she was letting things go, that there were more important things than basketball games. The other was the beautiful essay in honor of Pat that was written by Geno's daughter. It was titled "Rocky Top: A Tribute to Pat Summitt." If you haven't read it, do yourselves a favor and google it. Here's a sample" Let me just clear this up right away. Pat Summitt is a titan of women's basketball. She practically IS women's basketball. I know. I'm the daughter of Geno Auriemma...I would be the worlds' most ungrateful, insipid, spoiled, solipsistic idiot if I didn't recognize the importance of this woman in the women's rights movement and the game of basketball as a whole. Women's basketball as an institution would be NOTHING without that woman...Everything my father has done in the world of womens' basketball, Pat Summitt did it first...And she did it with grace and a sense of dignity that you cannot argue...Whether you like it or not, she is the number one reason my father was even able to do half of what he's done. And if I can give her those kind of props, you can too...

It's a beautiful tribute to a great lady. By Geno's kid. How bout that? So I'm letting the UConn hatred go. Life is too short. It's time to recognize the champion in red and blue. Job well done.

I wish KNS had a "Like" button for comments! Nicely said.

Written on Holly Warlick appreciates Pat Summitt, Geno Auriemma paying respects to each other:

in response to collegegrovebilly:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Really? And you know this how? You've been in his practices? I didn't see anything like bullyish behavior out of him this whole tournament or for that matter during the season. In fact, I noticed that he seemed a lot more laid back and mellow than he used to be. Maybe he's grown up and you haven't.

Written on Kellie Harper hired by Missouri State:

Is this the same school that used to be SW Missouri? If it is, they have a pretty decent tradition. Anyone remember Jackie Stiles? Perhaps Kellie can bring them back. Pat always said Kellie was probably the smartest player she ever coached. Maybe now she can show that. I would not have wanted to follow Kay Yow at NC State.....it would be like fighting a ghost. Good luck, Kellie!

Written on Auriemma ties Summitt with 8th title as UConn crushes Louisville, 93-60:

Mike_in_Storrs is exactly the kind of "fan" I'm talking about. How many of you UT faithful really want to act like him? Because that's how a few of you appear. Come on, gang, be better than that!

Written on Holly Warlick appreciates Pat Summitt, Geno Auriemma paying respects to each other:

There are orange folks who can't say anything nice about UConn, and blue people who can't say anything nice about UT. There is no need for that. Pat and Geno have both been tremendously important to the women's game and people need to realize that. I'm glad they've made up their differences. I think they know how important each is to the betterment of the other one's program. I wish a few "fans" would appreciate that.

Written on Pat Summitt personally grateful for Mannings' gift to foundation:

Peyton is a class act and always will be. Thank you, Peyton!

Written on Auriemma ties Summitt with 8th title as UConn crushes Louisville, 93-60:

I watched the game beginning to end, painful as it was. On this particular night, I don't think anyone could have beaten UConn; they were just that good. And much as I wanted Louisville to win, they had run out their string, but they weren't ungracious in their loss, either. (Unlike Mulkey and Baylor when Louisville beat them)

There is every possibility that in a year or two the Lady Vols will be that good. Good players still want to come here. I don't think some people realize how much disruption there was in the program over the last 3 or so years, or exactly how well Holly did with what she was handed. That rookie coach award wasn't given to her for nothing!

As far as Geno, he's a LONG way from being my favorite coach, but he is a damn good coach. However, I've seen a bunch of interviews with him in recent months and I will say he seems to have mellowed and become more reflective. I think he (and a lot of other people along with him!) has realized that if something like this could happen to Pat, it could happen to him or anyone, and I think he understands what Pat has meant to women's basketball. He's been classy in everything he's said about her, and Pat has said that they've patched up their differences. Perhaps some of the LV fans should do the same. Geno may pass Pat up in titles, but he will never BE Pat or take her place, and he knows that. Without Pat and a few others (Sue Gunter, Kay Yow, Jody Conradt, to name just a few) women's basketball would never be what it has become.

Oh, by the way, Geno has only ONE recruit coming next year. One. I asked about this on a women's basketball forum which is loaded with Huskies fans, and apparently all the other recruits he was pursuing went elsewhere.

Written on Holly Warlick receives Maggie Dixon award for rookie coaches:

in response to cobragolfer:

And you Madrigal, need to get yourself one or two more partners and start singing the blues when the Lady Vols keep sliding down the standings. Geno OWNS Pat in the big game. That's why she stopped playing him. And for overall records, Geno has a higher winning percentage. Like I said, check the record books in 9 years. Geno paved his own way.

That isn't why Pat stopped playing Geno and you know it, but I'm sure you'll never admit it. UConn and a whole lot of other programs would never have evolved at all if it hadn't been for the pioneers of the women's game, and Pat was a major one. Some of those programs are pretty much gone now, but UT isn't and isn't going to be. You just wish it would.

Written on Holly Warlick receives Maggie Dixon award for rookie coaches:

Well, I guess Holly CAN coach! Congratulations to her on this award!

Here's a stat I bet a lot of you didn't know. I didn't until yesterday. Holly had NO returning starters...none. Of this year's starters, they missed a total of 46 games. Yet she took them to the e8. Now THAT is coaching! So they had the jitters...wouldn't you, if you were looking at the team that had just beaten Baylor? If you say no, you aren't honest, least of all with yourself. And if you say it's Holly's fault, you haven't read any of Pat's books.

Cobragolfer, you need to take your sour self off to a corner. If it weren't for Pat, Geno wouldn't be where he is today. She paved the way. Holly learned from the best. And as for Holly's recruits, are you really going to start now dissing the #2 class in the country? You might want to start thinking about how you want your crow cooked.

Written on Lady Vols approach offseason with urgency, use time as season in itself:

in response to martic#220796:

good post. Why is it that we don't seem to improve? I do think Meighan made strides defensively, don't know what's going on in her head during big games though. I once read where Pat made a tape for Holdzclaw show her defensive mistakes maybe that can be done for Massengill.
Whatever Geno does with his players is amazing, the transformation of Farris and Dolsen are amazing and how he got Stewart to respond was fantastic. How he manages to get all these #1 all Americans to not mind sitting on the bench is nothing short of miraculous. We better get to work and work hard to become truly relevant again cause Geno just keeps reloading!! This is coming from a totally devoted long time LV fan. Why can't we get the best out our players?

Team improvement is not a one year project. It takes several years and involves more than just adding players. I think Holly did a pretty amazing job with this group and I wish people would stop slamming her. I think the team will continue to improve. Pat herself has said that she probably coached impaired for a couple of seasons even though she didn't realize it, and that may be some of the problem. And lay off Massengale. She did the best she could, being thrust into the starting point guard role when Carter went down *and* playing on a bad wheel all season. Her A/T ratio was good enough that I heard sportscasters talk positively about it in more than one game. You sound like one of those fans that thinks being in the Elite Eight is "failure". Only one team can be #1, and being one of the top eight is not too darn shabby. This group went as far as they possibly could with what they had. The only way to go is up, and I get sick of "fans" like you who do nothing but whine if we don't get a national championship. UT is still, and will be for a long time, one of the elite programs in the nation. And future championships are not far off.

Oh, and perhaps you didn't know that Kelly Faris just missed being Indiana's Miss Basketball her senior year...by 4 votes, to Skylar Diggins. Transformation? Not hardly. She was that good to begin with.

Written on Former Vol Bernard King elected to Basketball Hall of Fame:

Great to hear! Bernard had some problems when he was first in the NBA, as I recall, but he overcame them and went on to play with class and distinction. Nice that he is being recognized this way.

Written on Lady Vols approach offseason with urgency, use time as season in itself:

Work hard and get healthy, Lady Vols, and we will see you in the fall. The future is bright!

Written on ESPN levels new set of allegations against already-embattled Auburn:

It all comes down to what particular axe does Selena Roberts have to grind, and what does ESPN have to gain? If you will remember they tried to do the same thing to UT back in the 90s and much of it was traced back to an English instructor who was denied tenure and probably had an agenda. I still think that is the source of ESPN's attitudes towards UT, since they didn't get a big story out of it.

Written on Louisville stops Lady Vols' run to Final Four, 86-78:

in response to go_vols:

Insults will get you no where. Stop drinking the cool-aid and open your mind. Breathing exercise would help and then count to 10. It appears in your opinion, facts are inconvenience that just gets in the way. UT Women needs a great coach to lead them into the future and Warlick is not her. Take off your blinders Madrigal, the facts are screaming at you.

Hey troll, you know where Dave Hart's office is. Take your coaching resume and consultant application up there today!

Written on Lady Vols signee Mercedes Russell named MVP of McDonald's All-American game:

I watched the game, and Russell looked good. She kind of made me think of a Michelle Snow/Candace Parker cross, willowy like Michelle but better moves. Jordan Reynolds looked mighty good too--she's fast! Kaela Davis looked super but now that I know who her mom is, I'm glad she's GA Tech's problem. We've already had a stage dad.....

Written on End to Lady Vols' season doesn't feel good:

Those cracking on Ariel might go look at her A/T ratio which has been the subject of much positive comment by announcers this season. Her biggest fault is that she gets overanxious (as do a few others) and that's when she messes up. Andraya is on track to be back in the fall and I think we were all pretty impressed by her. Defense is another matter and is always an issue, but did it ever occur to anyone that some nights another team's offense is just plain better than your best D? The way Louisville is going, they could win it all. One more thing---leave Holly alone! Coaching is a WHOLE lot more than just calling plays. If you really think you are so smart and could do a better job, you know where Dave Hart's office is.

Written on 'Nerves' factored in Meighan Simmons' struggles:

I absolutely agree with Track and Ahouse and some of you need to go take a good hard look at yourselves in the mirror. Your ugly words and ugly attitudes will come back at you one day. Clayeagle is right on too with his assessment of the team. They most likely were not a Final Four team, but they did a heck of a job getting as far as they did. It's not like being one of the 8 best teams in the country is garbage. Sure, it would have been nice to get farther, but these girls played their hearts out. As for Holly's pre-game talk, isn't that why young women come to Tennessee?

One more thing to some of you negative posters--do you ever stop to remember how young these kids really are? And how would you feel if someone talked to or about YOUR daughter the way you talk about them? Bet you'd be getting the ole shotgun ready.

Written on Louisville stops Lady Vols' run to Final Four, 86-78:

in response to go_vols:

Does anyone really thinks Coach Warlick is the best coach for the Lady Vols has got to be kidding. Really. She had no clue on how to respond or inspire the team on Monday night. That's on her. She may have been trained by Pat, but somewhere long the way, something went wrong. How else can you explain the team's sleep walking through the regional final. The fact that Baylor was no longer in our path should have provided some level of motivation, but it didn't. Think about that. A clear path to the final 4. Something we haven't done in 5 years. So now keep making excuses for her. Bottom line, there was an opportunity and we got out worked by an inferior opponent.

We need new blood. Oklahoma Sherri Coale would be great. Great coach and with fire and passion to win. Think about with the facility and fan base we have what she could accomplish

Why don't you apply for the job since you know so much about it? Otherwise just go back under your bridge.

Written on Louisville stops Lady Vols' run to Final Four, 86-78:

in response to Theo:

I knew the idiots would be out in force and I was not disappointed. To all of you criticizing Coach Warlick - I guess she and her staff just got dumb overnight? Or did she get lucky winning the SEC and making it to the Elite Eight and then horrible coaching doomed them against Louisville? Some of the asinine comments on here are obvious trolls trying to sew discontent, some have other axes to grind including the moron from the football thread who's only goal in life is to have Phil Fulmer return as AD at UT (please for the love of God, get a life!)

Cierra Burdick pointed out last week that the Lady Vols lose when they don't follow the game plan and it is clear that is what happened last night. The offense was stagnant and instead of attacking the middle we settled for outside shots that didn't fall. If we had hit our normal percentage on threes we would be celebrating and the number of posts on here would be about half.
I am disgusted by posters on here piling on the staff and players. They had a bad game, the opponent is on a hot streak. Did they look rattled, yep they did. None of the kids on this team have been called on to perform in a game of this magnitude before. Experience matters. We lost all five starters from last year. These kids have never felt that pressure before.

Those of you questioning their toughness make me want to throw up. They have worked harder on their basketball skills in their 19 and 20 years than some of you losers have worked on anything in your lives. Your rears will still be in your moth-eaten Lazy Boys when these kids will be out in the world, achieving great things because of their association with Lady Vol basketball.

I am proud of these kids and staff. I know they will learn from this loss and be better for it next year and in the years to come. For those of you who feel better about themselves for having the "bravery" to come on here and anonymously pillage a 20 year old kid, let us know when you accomplish half of what any of these kids have done so far.

Go Lady Vols! Thank you Kamicko and Taber, you brought many great times to true Lady Vol fans. We wish you all the best as you move into the next chapter of your lives. You make us proud.

Thank you Theo! Very well said indeed.

Written on Louisville stops Lady Vols' run to Final Four, 86-78:

I am really sick of you bashers, gripers, and armchair coaches. If you are so smart, go get yourselves a real coaching job. There's a word for fans like you, but it's impolite.

It was a strange year! I have to say that. There were seriously lowered expectations, but after a faulty start, our girls definitely came on strong. The injuries hurt, though, and it was an uneven season. Still, they won the SEC regular season. And honestly, who doesn't think the 2 seed was a bit of a gift? Even Holly was betting on a 3. This team making it to the Elite Eight is not that shabby. I mean, seriously, being one of the top 8 in the country is trash? You'd probably still be whining if they made the Final Four and lost. Sure, we want to win it all, but only one team gets to do that. And for this particular team to do it would probably take more than they had. They flat got outplayed last night by the team that had just taken down #1 and looks to be peaking at the right time. I've watched Louisville games all season, and trust me, the committee got it wrong because they are NOT a 5 seed. So knock off the moaning and whining and personal insults, get real, and appreciate what this bunch of Lady Vols and their coach were able to accomplish. Then thank your lucky stars you aren't an Ole Miss, Florida, or Alabama women's basketball fan.

Written on Cal rallies past Georgia to reach first Final Four:

Possibly the worst game I've seen all tournament. No, scratch that "possibly". Neither team deserves to be in the Final Four.

Written on Baylor not the only ones 'stunned' by upset:

Lady Vol Nation, show some class and stop being hateful about Brittney Griner because of the way God made her. If you want to talk about how she didn't play well last night (mostly because she had 2-3 Louisville players hanging off her everywhere she went!) then do so, but stop being ugly about her. We are all as God made us.

As for the officiating, it was AWFUL, but it was awful on both sides. It was awful in the Duke-Nebraska game. It was awful in the Cal-LSU game. In fact, it's been pretty bad all along. I have been reminded frequently of the ref we used to love to hate, Sally Bell....who remembers her? But I was equally disturbed by the partisanship shown by ESPN and particularly Rebecca Lobo. No excuse for that!

Mulkey should have been T'd for her display, but it didn't happen. I was more appalled by her lack of class in stomping off the floor and refusing to shake hands. NO excuse for that. But I guess that's what happens when you just assume it's your RIGHT to win it all. She has till next season to think about that.

Written on Lady Vols feeling at home in regional, advance to play Louisville:

in response to underthehill:

If you want to question the actions of Griner and Mulkey..so be it..if you want to ridicule another human being for something they have no control over..you need to take a close look at yourself..

Some of you calling yourselves members of the Lady Vol Nation need to show the class Pat always did. Stop ridiculing Brittney Griner for the way God made her and get over yourselves. I bet you have forgotten that at one point Pat actually was recruiting her, but it was obvious pretty early that she was going to stay close to home.

Kim Mulkey's actions are another matter. Her sideline antics were a bit reminiscent of some of Geno's, but histrionics are her style. I do think her actions in stalking off the floor and not shaking hands, and her whining about the officials in the postgame conference were pretty classless and I think we can be confident that Holly would never behave that way. However, she'll have some time (till next season) to think about it, and possibly a fine from the NCAA. The officiating *was* awful, but it was awful on both sides! it was equally awful in the Duke game, by the way.

I am proud of our Lady Vols! They have risen to the occasion and kept on keeping on even when things weren't going their way. Miko's defense has been awesome lately, and it's wonderful to see Izzy back out there batting balls away. Meighan wasn't hitting yesterday, but she didn't stop playing hard. They will have to play some major D against Louisville and it would sure help if the 3s are falling! I can't help hoping that Louisville put out all they had last night and doesn't have anything left over, but I don't think it's likely. It will be a tough game. Go Lady Vols!

Written on Lady Vols will find out how well their game travels :

Georgia traveled all the way to Spokane and won, no reason our girls shouldn't do well one time zone over. They have to travel there during the season to play Arkansas and Missouri and Vandy! OK, ladies, go kick some Sooner butt!

Written on Tyler Summitt to interview at Coastal Carolina:

in response to HooRay_Vol:

Yeah, talk about recruting players that you can also date.......... Some players on the team may be as old as he is if they red-shirted.

Tyler is already engaged, in case you didn't know.

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