The Lobos picked up a verbal commitment last week from 5-foot-8 point guard Nahawa Diarra Berthe, who attended UNM’s WNIT opener against Northern Arizona. Berthe announced her commitment via Instagram.
Berthe, who is from Barcelona, Spain, was a freshman at Odessa Junior College this season. She averaged 8.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists for the Wranglers, who finished 16-10.
https://www.abqjournal.com/2583348/lobos-huskies-to-meet-in-round-2.html
https://www.wranglersports.com/sports/wbkb/2021-22/bios/diarra_berthe_nahawa_zmzu
23.8% from 3 and 45.7% from the ft line????
Why on earth are we getting a commitment from a developmental jc pg, when we already have Augmon and Jae who are superior shooters and a promising incoming frosh pg??? Already 3 deep at this position, before this commitment.
It's the bradbury way, we need post players, so of course he signs a 4th developmental pg that can't shoot straight. 😫 😣 😩
Don't know. Not the kind of recruiting start to spring signing to get me interested in going back. A fourth PG might chase one or two into the portal??? 45% FT shooter in a position you need good FT shooters late in games???? Well, maybe by now he has his lifetime contract with WNIT???? 🙂 🙂
10 turnovers against NMJC
New Mexico Junior College (nmjcthunderbirds.com)
Don't know. Not the kind of recruiting start to spring signing to get me interested in going back. A fourth PG might chase one or two into the portal??? 45% FT shooter in a position you need good FT shooters late in games???? Well, maybe by now he has his lifetime contract with WNIT???? 🙂 🙂
10 turnovers against NMJC
Wow. With 10 turnovers as the point guard, it is no surprise that NMJC won by 20 points (75-55).
Almost 100 to's on season to 60 something assists. Maybe specialty is defense?? Don't know. Couple months ago ran across this story, don't know if UNM is one of offers, but this would be a 6' combo guard that would have 4 years. Taking the approach to see what happens in portal before signing with someone if that is approach still taking. Because of some of people I had followed on twitter in past(AAU coaches and similar type people from other boards) I see names pop up on little twitter pop ups don't post much of what I see because don't know of strong mutual interest. Thought this was an interesting, smart approach.
Head scratcher for sure. Doesn't seem like a great use of a scholly. Even if we needed short guards, this player's stats just don't scream D1 to me. *shrug*
Almost 100 to's on season to 60 something assists. Maybe specialty is defense?? Don't know. Couple months ago ran across this story, don't know if UNM is one of offers, but this would be a 6' combo guard that would have 4 years. Taking the approach to see what happens in portal before signing with someone if that is approach still taking. Because of some of people I had followed on twitter in past(AAU coaches and similar type people from other boards) I see names pop up on little twitter pop ups don't post much of what I see because don't know of strong mutual interest. Thought this was an interesting, smart approach.
If your asking if a better use of a scholarship would have been on this player vs. the one that just committed, is it even a question?
However, this player seems similar to Hanna, who has already redshirted one full year in D1, so I would expect Hanna to be much more able and ready to hit the ground running next year and be in the mix for frosh of the year award.
I trust String's analysis of Hanna from HS and he said she would be in the mix this year, so one year of development and seasoning should certainly put her in the mix next year.
Bradbury had mentioned Natalia could really shoot the ball, but needed work on her defense, so if she has indeed worked on her strength and defense this RS year, then she might be in the mix as well for MWC FOY. Curtis also coming off RS gives us 3 viable players at the 2/3 spots, not including Cumber, which I expect to start.
If anything, we could use a very high level shooting guard with size (5'10" - 6'1") and 3-4 years of D1 experience, that would be a Sr or graduate Sr next year, just to bridge the gap between Hanna/Natalia/Curtis's rotation minutes and them actually becoming FT starters.
I would have put all other scholarships to post players, both with experience and developmental, not a 4th string developmental pg. We need #'s and quality in the post and right now it's pretty sparse.
She is a sophomore, not a freshman. Her FT % improved to 60%. Still, that isn't very impressive. Neither is the assist/turnover ratio of less than 1. On the bright side, she is 5-9 and a pretty good rebounder. Good defender as well?
Perhaps the most important thing is that she was a FIBA teammate of Paula. If her signing encourages Paula to finish her career here, that is worth a lot.
She has agreed to be a Lobo, and I see no reason to disparage her. I appreciate her commitment and wish her great success here!
She is a sophomore, not a freshman. Her FT % improved to 60%. Still, that isn't very impressive. Neither is the assist/turnover ratio of less than 1. On the bright side, she is 5-9 and a pretty good rebounder. Good defender as well?
Ok, very confusing. Ken in the ABQ Journal listed her as a frosh this year and El Mas posted her frosh year #'s at JC. However, when you look at the dates on El Mas's posting, it is for the 21-22 season, which was last year. I was able to find her soph stats and her 3 pt % actually dropped to 16.7%, however, only on 18 total attempts, so she doesn't even look to shoot it since she can't make it. Not a great option to space the floor.
66 Assists vs. 93 TO's, which is really upside down for a PG prospect? 4.2 rebounds per game. Augmon at 4.4, but only plays 20 mpg, so would be 8.8 over 40 minutes.
FT % as a soph 59.5%, so again, same issue, late game scenario, they will intentionally foul her, so she likely won't be able to play late game scenarios with the game on the line?
So, this is basically, a let's placate Reus type signing? A pg that can't pass, can't shoot the 3 and can't make FTs. Ok, sounds like a great signing.
https://www.wranglersports.com/sports/wbkb/2022-23/bios/diarra_berthe_nahawa_qurl
@txlobo95 Not to mention teams with 5'8" guards can win a game in the NCAA but you aren't seeing them make deep runs.
@txlobo95 Not to mention teams with 5'8" guards can win a game in the NCAA but you aren't seeing them make deep runs.
Bradbury hasn't made the NCAA as a UNM HC, nor the MWCT Finals, so we don't even give ourselves a chance to get in the NCAA Tourney, so I guess it's not a concern for us now is it? Likely won't be either in the immediate future, unless something material changes.
Oh, hey, here's something different. Tx is unhappy again? Still? Not buying the rant today either.
Oh, hey, here's something different. Tx is unhappy again? Still? Not buying the rant today either.
Not unhappy at all. Saw my kiddo rip a drive 100+ that landed on the green and rolled through to the back collection area and saw my buddy's daughter's dance performance in a big auditorium, then get home just in time to watch a 7 point lead turn into an 11 point loss in a span of the final 8 minutes. Not unexpected when I saw the minutes the starters had played.
Mike still has a perfect record away from the PIT in the WNIT, 0 - WNIT.
I suspect:
1. She isn't being looked at as a PG. Aniyah & Jae are the PGs in waiting, and Giana the 3rd in line??
2. The numbers I assume interested the staff are the 50.4% FG%, and the 3.1 steals/40 min. By comparison Shai was 2.4 steals per 40, and Aniyah was 1.5 per 40.
That would make me think she is fast, can drive, and likely a good on-ball defender. For all the people who have spent much of the year saying we have to get better defensively, and Mike saying we have only one or two good on-ball defenders (one of who may leave??), I don't see it as the horrific pick up some want to say it is. Combine those implied attributes and decent rebounding, and the comparison I first thought of was Brandi Kimbel, and opposing teams never feared her outside shooting but she was a valuable player.
If she is coming in to be a primary PG it doesn't look too good, but I doubt that's the plan.
And while I do not think she is being recruited because it will keep Paula here another two seasons, IF that was the reason I see little wrong with that. I heard plenty of posters just a couple weeks ago who were more than willing to offer an older sister to get the younger sibling; sound familiar, Tex?
I agree we shouldn't judge her based just on stats. Her stats are similar to Aisia -- better on 2-pointers, worse on 3-pointers, about the same on FTs. Wait and see.
1. She isn't being looked at as a PG. Aniyah & Jae are the PGs in waiting, and Giana the 3rd in line??
2. The numbers I assume interested the staff are the 50.4% FG%, and the 3.1 steals/40 min. By comparison Shai was 2.4 steals per 40, and Aniyah was 1.5 per 40.
That would make me think she is fast, can drive, and likely a good on-ball defender. For all the people who have spent much of the year saying we have to get better defensively, and Mike saying we have only one or two good on-ball defenders (one of who may leave??), I don't see it as the horrific pick up some want to say it is. Combine those implied attributes and decent rebounding, and the comparison I first thought of was Brandi Kimbel, and opposing teams never feared her outside shooting but she was a valuable player.
If she is coming in to be a primary PG it doesn't look too good, but I doubt that's the plan.
And while I do not think she is being recruited because it will keep Paula here another two seasons, IF that was the reason I see little wrong with that. I heard plenty of posters just a couple weeks ago who were more than willing to offer an older sister to get the younger sibling; sound familiar, Tex?
Last I checked, it was the coaches who offered the 2:1 deal, no? Does this signing bring us in a new 6'4" post that several P5's are also desperately looking to bring in? A potential game changing 6'4" impact post player? If so, sure, give me the pg that can't shoot, if it nets us a 6'4" game changer. 😍
You realize you can't compare JC stats on any "real" level with D1 stats vs. D1 competition right? If she is getting 3 steals a game, and going coast to coast, then I would hope she is making at least 50% of her lay-ups. It's clear, her shot is broken, based on 3 point shooting and FT shooting. Good shooters don't struggle at the FT line, although bad shooters, could be decent FT shooters.
Yes, she gets 3 steals a game, but does it make up for her 4-5 TO's a game? 10 against NMJC.
Without seeing her live, we can't really determine what level of on ball defender she is. Jae had a ton of steals in HS, but has struggled a bit in D1, just because of size and speed of the D1 game. Jumping from JC to D1 is not as big of a jump, but is still a pretty big jump.
Wasn't Hulda a Top 25 JC player that put up decent stats, but can't even get off the bench in D1?
I've got to ask the question, if she is not coming in as a pg, then why on earth would we be recruiting a "shooting" guard that can't shoot?
Coaches who offered the 2:1, with the approval/encouragement of many on here. Including you.
There is really no different between that 2:1 and a 2:1 for keeping Paula two more years (and again, I have zero reason to believe that is the reason for the offer).
You want to lock into some JUCO stats, and say others don't count.
3 steals a game doesn't account for the other 70% of her shots even if the steals all led to her getting a layups, which I have no idea how many did.
Was Brandi a PG or a SG? Could she shoot as either? Did Timi E-Nunu ever scare an opposing coach with her shot? Did Nike? Were they all very valuable parts of a composite? The point is--as the "we need a new coach" brigade keeps saying--balance. A balance between O & D is an even more important balance. You want to play "Don-Ball", and then seem to forget he usually had someone on the court primarily for D--and if they scored a few points that was a bonus. So I am confused: balance, only sometimes? Don-Ball only in part?
How about not ripping players before they even get here and we see them.
Coaches who offered the 2:1, with the approval/encouragement of many on here. Including you.
Was Brandi a PG or a SG? Could she shoot as either? Did Timi E-Nunu ever scare an opposing coach with her shot? Did Nike? Were they all very valuable parts of a composite? The point is--as the "we need a new coach" brigade keeps saying--balance. A balance between O & D is an even more important balance. You want to play "Don-Ball", and then seem to forget he usually had someone on the court primarily for D--and if they scored a few points that was a bonus. So I am confused: balance, only sometimes? Don-Ball only in part?
The coaches made the offer first before anyone on here "encouraged or approved" of their strategy. However, sure, I would have taken both sisters, 6'4" legit post and a back-up 6'1" post to finally secure our first legit 6'4" post player. That's a huge area of need, so it's a no brainer. Last I checked though, we are 3 deep at both the pg and sg? (Augmon, Jae, incoming frosh at pg, Natalia, Hanna, Curtis sg)
Ok, sure let's play this game. Sure, let's get balance. As usual, you take my "balance" theme and twist it and frame it in the way in which you would like to present it, O vs. D.
My theme of balance, is a well balanced roster size wise to match up with other teams so we are not getting dominated at any one position before the game tips off. Are you saying that players can either play offense "or" defense, but can't play both?
Last I checked, Jordan Adams was a hell of a defender, but put up some monster points, rebound, and blocked shot games. Same with countless players during the Flan Era, that's why we went to 7 straight NCAAs.
Let's take your example of 6'3" Nike at 3.2 ppg. Yes, we paired her with Jaisa who scored 17.5 ppg a game. IMO, that was a great match, a high scoring, high rebounding post player and bring in a defensive specialist that could also rebound at a high level, but most importantly, she was also 6'3", so we had legit size on both sides of the paint. Nike had some games where she put up some points, lots of blocked shots, and was a decent shooter at 44.3%, but not the best FT shooter at 31.6%, so she was also not in games late when teams were fouling intentionally. However, as a post, she wasn't needed in those situations, since you want your guards to take those FT attempts.
So in this example, the Jaisa/Nike example, it actually represents both of our themes wrapped up in one "big" package. Those 2 6'3" post players "averaged" 20.7 ppg, 16.4 rpg, 1.84 steals per game, 3 blocks per game.
Those 2 gave us the size to defend the paint at a very high level, allowed us to dominate the glass, +90 on the season, and gave us a huge scoring punch inside and in late game situations, we knew where we could go to get buckets.
We also had Jayla Everett as a true frosh that year to give us a nice inside/outside balance and good size at the guard position. Imagine if she was a soph or Jr with more experience? That's why IMO, that was the best team we have had under Bradbury in his 7 years at UNM, anchored by a YS recruit.
Have we had anything close to this level of production from our starting front court since they graduated?
Ok, lets start for next year's team. Which 6'3" - 6'4" post players do we have playing the center position next year that will be able to defend Fertig, Young, the Yummy Morris types, etc and also score on them on the low block? Who will back up the starter? Ok, so none and none so far?
Ok, this is off to a good start. What about the:
4 position? Reus, Paris Lauro, Hulda.
3 position? Cumber, Hanna, Natalia, Curtis
2 position? Hanna, Natalia, Curtis
PG? Augmon, Jae, incoming frosh
Where's our biggest need, balance wise? Center, Back-Up Center, Developmental Center (3 spots)
2nd biggest area of need? SG with at least 2 years of D1 experience that can shoot and space the floor? (for experience, yes, since all 3 candidates are coming off RS)(I've gone on record stating this is our 2nd biggest area of need next year)
The main issue we had with the Duffs, it made us undersized at the guard positions and not the best defenders. Does that mean we have to go out and get a defensive specialist that can't shoot? Are we now overshooting the other way on it? If her and Augmon play together, who shoots the 3's?
What happens, like tonight, when teams clog the lanes and don't allow us to drive on them? You have to have shooters to space the floor, right?
There tx, that's the reasoned argument I've been waiting for. All valid, no stats from years ago, and just reason.
I agree a tall post would be awesome, but not certain one is coming here, and certainly don't expect 3. Based on past recruiting coaches, I think Nike's best shot at getting a 6-2 commit is next year. I say 6-2 because I think it is a momentary miracle that there is anyone 6-3 and over in the MWC right now. The benches of the Big conferences are littered with 6-3 warmers, and there will be some movement, but it looks like our league will get shorter in the front courts over time. Those who do want more playing time are going to go on visits and say "All other things being equal, do I want to live in the desert?" Sucks to be us. That doesn't mean it's impossible. back to Nike. She's just started making contacts, and it's not like she can point at her favorite and say you, I pick you.
I think our 2-3 is covered well with Johnson, Cumber, Curtis, Robbins and maybe Chavez (she's the one I've seen the least, but might be the quickest of the 5)
Kat, Paula, Paris, and Hulda might have to service the post this year. I'm not saying that's my favorite thought, but I could live with it. Hulda needs one of those machines to throw her the ball 400 times a day all summer. Iron hands. I don't think this showed up in the JC film, because she was often alone in the paint, and they lobbed the ball to her. As I've said before, she couldn't catch a cold in a day care when she first got here, but she's getting better.
The only recordings I could find of the new recruit show her to be quick. Not Augmon quick, but close. It's hard to tell from tape though, because everyone is slower at the JCC level.
There are two players on our bench now that I don't think will play much next year. We'll see.
PG is the nightmare. Augmon is quick and will get better over time, but she looked tired last night after being the starter for only two games. Jae can fill the hole a bit, but we give up Defense, size and speed when she goes in. Her defense will improve, but she's not getting taller. Gianna? Will she be fast enough to keep it rolling? Yet to be determined.
There tx, that's the reasoned argument I've been waiting for. All valid, no stats from years ago, and just reason.
I agree a tall post would be awesome, but not certain one is coming here, and certainly don't expect 3. Based on past recruiting coaches, I think Nike's best shot at getting a 6-2 commit is next year. I say 6-2 because I think it is a momentary miracle that there is anyone 6-3 and over in the MWC right now.
The only recordings I could find of the new recruit show her to be quick. Not Augmon quick, but close. It's hard to tell from tape though, because everyone is slower at the JCC level.
Bradbury had a legit post player right in his own back yard from NMJC, and allowed Clemson to come in a scoop her up, 6'2" Danna Grenald, a 2023 recruit.
https://wbbblog.com/2023-womens-basketball-commitments/4/
https://twitter.com/2022JucoWTop40/status/1575579225956159488
New Mexico JC 56
SPC women 37
WOLFFORTH — Clemson signee Danna Grenald scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, leading New Mexico Junior College over South Plains College in the championship game of the NJCAA Region V tournament at Frenship.
I was watching the full game of the Odessa game, so Redrum, don't be hugely disappointed that she is nowhere close to Augmon speed. There were at least 3 players on the NMJC team quicker than our new recruit.
However, the one player that really stood out to me was 6'2" Danna Grenald. A physical presence in the paint, but also has quick hands and feet and ability to make quick decisions. She appeared to be in the Jaisa mold and was definitely a presence on the defensive end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4gE6y2zj3U
NMJC has a 6'3" and 2 6'2" players on it's roster this season and currently 25-5 and deep in the play-offs and still alive. How is it that NMJC can recruit 3 players 6'2" - 6'3", but the flagship university in this state can't???
This is the one key issue we absolutely disagree on. I believe there are a plethora of post players with size out there each and every year for the pickings if you simply look and have the desire. I was watching the BU game, finals of the conf tourney, and they started 6'4" and 6'3" on their frontline and those players were really good, not just scrubs.
I believe I brought up the 6'4" Caitlin Weimar on this board as a transfer target, who transferred from Marist 2 years ago and this season put up 15.5 ppg and 10 rpg at a "non" P5 destination. These types of players are out there every year. LDLBFN mentioned one last year that ended up a small south school that was 6'3" and put up big #s.
https://goterriers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/caitlin-weimar/23022
https://alcornsports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/destiny-brown/4019
Hell, there is a 6'3" post in my own backyard at McKinney HS that I posted here, that is garnering interest/offers from Army, Wyoming and that level of school and we aren't even sniffing around and kicking the tires. She is only a Jr, so she will likely get more interest this summer/fall.
https://twitter.com/SamanthaTillson
I believe it is a choice Bradbury makes not to bring in 4-6 post players and have the depth we need to compete. He wants speed and finesse and run his 5 out offense. He does not want brute physicality that can dominate the paint/glass. It's not even possible for him to bring in both apparently. This year we got abused by any team with any size/physicality up front and appears that won't change next year in your opinion.
Don't kid yourself, there is plenty of size around the MWC of 6'2" and larger. Just not for us. BSU has a lot of size and got more in this year's class. Their frosh guards will now be sophs and I expect them to be top 3 next season, behind UNLV and WY.
I don't believe I'm kidding myself, We had two of the ladies who landed in Boise visit here. I just think it's going to be harder and harder to get them to come to our conference. Maybe, with Shai gone, there's a better chance. Open space for someone who wants to play now. If Those JC players wanted to play at the D1 level, and ended up at JC there is a reason. Whether it's athletic ability or academics, there is a reason. Not trying to be right here, just doesn't add up to me. Don't forget Flanagan "ran off" Fatima Maddox. It wasn't because of her talent. she wasn't a post, but she didn't fit his system. In their efforts to play against the Georgias and the Rutgers of the D1 world, I think every big 5 team will be trying to stockpile posts. I think of my Iowa team, where there are 4 on the bench that could start here, and a fifth one is graduating, but they signed another for next year. Washington starts 3 post sized players. If we shot better in the first quarter, there is a chance we could have had enough of a lead to hold them off. my concern is that we are losing our most experienced player under the rim, and we will be hard pressed to regain that even if you catch lightning in a bottle and land a 6-4 player.
Maddox claims she left the team because the offense was "robotic," reported The Albuquerque Journal.Don't forget Flanagan "ran off" Fatima Maddox. It wasn't because of her talent. she wasn't a post, but she didn't fit his system.
https://www.koat.com/article/maddox-lobos-were-robotic-not-racist/5019590
———
After New Mexico’s game with San Diego last Dec. 11, Maddox quit the team after being benched by coach Don Flanagan. The coach said Maddox lost her starting spot because of “her attitude and effort the two practices prior to the game,” according to the Daily Lobo, the University of New Mexico’s student newspaper.
https://temple-news.com/cavalry-in-a-5-foot-6-frame/
That was in his career when he had realized that he could not ignore athleticism and had to get more athletic as a team. He deviated from his own rules and played her more minutes than she ever would have gotten as a freshman even three or four years before. It was one of the few times he seemed willing to take a few losses now to develop a player who could be a game changer for the team.
But he would not completely change what made him so successful to totally revamp around Fatima. She seemed to want just that--to revolve the offence in particular around her physical skills. She got upset at times when he would have Katie or Mandi bring the ball up when he had her on the floor with one of them. It seemed to get to the point he would call a play in a TO, and she immediately ignored it--and that seemed to be what led to a quick departure.
A young athletically gifted player often can't really accept--and certainly not admit--that they are wrong. It seems she did change her attitude later, and I am glad.
I stopped in and talked with her HS people (south of Colorado Springs, mostly non-basketball ones) a few times while she was at UNM. Everyone I talked to just raved about her as a person. Seems to have come from a bad family situation and motivated herself and her younger sibling(s) to succeed in HS. They couldn't say enough about her maturity in life. I wonder how much of having to grow up as a real-life adult so early may have made her less coachable.
I really wonder what she could have been if she had stayed her four years--but it didn't happen.
my concern is that we are losing our most experienced player under the rim, and we will be hard pressed to regain that even if you catch lightning in a bottle and land a 6-4 player.
As that old saying goes, we are finally paying the piper for our lack of recruiting and developing post players over the last several years and having several that we did sign and recruit decided to transfer (Autumn, Azaria, Nevaeh). We paid the piper this year, when we saw a 5 player line-up with all players "under" 6' tall and got destroyed by teams with size.
Now that Shai is moving on to the adult world and her occasional 25/10 type games, you are not going to replace that with a single player. However, this is exactly what I said last year about losing AT and we didn't didn't replace her with an equivalent replacement and likely why we had 5 fewer wins this year and barely making the WNIT.
IMO, Amaya effectively replaced Jae DLC production, albiet in a different way with interior scoring and rebounding.
The real philosophical question is do you try to immediately plug some of the gaps up front with more experienced players, even though we will be going through developmental pains with our younger guards just to try to have a .500 season or so? Or, do we try to bring in younger post players that will also grow and develop as the guards do and just hope, you have a good enough team to make a March run 2 years down the road, knowing next year, could be a "growing pains" type of year?
Let's face it, Bradbury put all his marbles into all these Srs and we are now essentially in a rebuild situation.
Sorry Tx, but Iowa put all their marbles on 4 seniors and a junior this year. Two are leaving, two coming back for their 5th year. People leave every year. Next man up. All the playing time you complained about the bench not getting? They're getting it next year.
I'll just add than Nike was brought in for defense as well. Not a lot of points, but a great defender.Coaches who offered the 2:1, with the approval/encouragement of many on here. Including you.
There is really no different between that 2:1 and a 2:1 for keeping Paula two more years (and again, I have zero reason to believe that is the reason for the offer).
You want to lock into some JUCO stats, and say others don't count.
3 steals a game doesn't account for the other 70% of her shots even if the steals all led to her getting a layups, which I have no idea how many did.
Was Brandi a PG or a SG? Could she shoot as either? Did Timi E-Nunu ever scare an opposing coach with her shot? Did Nike? Were they all very valuable parts of a composite? The point is--as the "we need a new coach" brigade keeps saying--balance. A balance between O & D is an even more important balance. You want to play "Don-Ball", and then seem to forget he usually had someone on the court primarily for D--and if they scored a few points that was a bonus. So I am confused: balance, only sometimes? Don-Ball only in part?
How about not ripping players before they even get here and we see them.
txlobo95: "Let's face it, Bradbury put all his marbles into all these Srs and we are now essentially in a rebuild situation."
It might be a shorter rebuild period than you imply, if Bradbury/Nike can snag a legit post (or 2) from the transfer portal. Jae will be much improved next season as will Aniyah, Paula, V and Kath. One or two of the 3 red shirts from this past season will be a major contributor. Of course it all depends on how many stay for next season. That's another wild card that no one knows about...yet.
Sorry Tx, but Iowa put all their marbles on 4 seniors and a junior this year. Two are leaving, two coming back for their 5th year. People leave every year. Next man up. All the playing time you complained about the bench not getting? They're getting it next year.
It's Iowa. They are now in the Sweet 16 right? Did that bet pay off? Definitely.
However, did ours? We lost in the 1st round of the MWCT and barely made the WNIT, as evidenced by a road game in the 2nd round when the PIT was available for another game.
Bradbury only played a 7 player rotation and 4 of those players are now gone. That leaves only 3 players that played any meaningful minutes this year.
However, call it whatever you want, developmental year, transition year, one year hiccup to get players experience. Name your term.
So Jae could not get any meaningful minutes in her frosh campaign, but suddenly, all these RSs are going to be bigtime players in year 1?
Just look at BSU. Even with 2 experienced post players and other players with experience, by playing all those frosh guards had "growing pains" and that is what our future will be, growing pains. Maybe, we can finish as high as 6th like BSU did?
However, everything will depend on the quality of post players we can recruit this spring. There are always tons of transfer post players there for the taking, so let's see if we can bring in at least 2-3 quality ones.