2022-23 Pre-Season Bracketology (merged thread)

[Bone Dog]

Even a half step slow, she was as quick as Paige, who was arguably the greatest point guard in the land. It’s not always about speed, though that’s a type we all know well. Azzi and Paige are quick enough to get their shot whenever that want it, which means they have to be defended, even double teamed, at any midrange and especially in the lane. That’s what makes them great point guards.

But I take your point and hope Azzi shows up in November a half step quicker.

 

[The deacon]

I’m pretty sure Azzi can drive the ball if we want her to. Call me a dreamer, but I suspect Azzi would be the top point guard in the land if we give her that task.

As I mentioned on another thread earlier today, we need to remember that Caitlin Clark is still around (for two more seasons). I could see an argument for Paige as a better point guard than Caitlin were she to be healthy, but no one else right now.

I believe Azzi could be an outstanding point guard, but to be better than Caitlin would take a giant leap. Dream away, Bone Dog. I'd love to see it.

 

[Bone Dog]

As I mentioned on another thread earlier today, we need to remember that Caitlin Clark is still around (for two more seasons). I could see an argument for Paige as a better point guard than Caitlin were she to be healthy, but no one else right now.

I believe Azzi could be an outstanding point guard, but to be better than Caitlin would take a giant leap. Dream away, Bone Dog. I'd love to see it.

You have a point. Caitlin was second only to Paige two years ago, and she may be a better perimeter shooter than Azzi, or at least her equal. She’s got a step back 3 off the dribble moving left that I haven’t seen from Azzi, or anyone else for that matter. And she gets a ton of assists.

In fact, iirc, Caitlin’s stats taken singly were even better than Paige’s. But those compound stats the experts favor gave the nod to Paige in the npoy voting two years ago. In effect, Paige just made her team better (more better) than Caitlin was able to. This is what I expect from Azzi, and I think Geno has a similar expectation.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Duke as a #8 seed? Like Future says..



We will be higher.. Trust me.

It beats not making the Tourney...

 

[GEAinAustin]

Texas has a creampuff non conference schedule, not counting U Conn. The huskies have the toughest non conference games in the country. Don't understand Charlie's logic, he knows that strength of schedule is a component in seeding, unless he believes the Longhorns will win in Storrs.

 

[UConnCat]

You have a point. Caitlin was second only to Paige two years ago, and she may be a better perimeter shooter than Azzi, or at least her equal. She’s got a step back 3 off the dribble moving left that I haven’t seen from Azzi, or anyone else for that matter. And she gets a ton of assists.

In fact, iirc, Caitlin’s stats taken singly were even better than Paige’s. But those compound stats the experts favor gave the nod to Paige in the npoy voting two years ago. In effect, Paige just made her team better (more better) than Caitlin was able to. This is what I expect from Azzi, and I think Geno has a similar expectation.

Clark's 3FG% dipped last season from her freshman season -- 40% to 33%.

She gets a ton of assists but also a ton of turnovers. She averages well over 200 assists per season but almost 150 turnovers.

 

[WFFL]

Nov 14 to be exact.

Both teams have a lot of question marks. Both teams lost 4 of their top 6 scorers from last season. UConn will rely heavily on a mix of returning players (Fudd, Ducharme, Muhl, Juhasz, Edwards), a transfer (Lou) and two elite freshmen. Vic will seemingly rely heavily on returning players (Harmon, Moore and Gaston) and 3 transfers (Gonzalez, Morris and Jones). I don't know much about Texas's 3 freshmen (HG #s 34, 63 and 67 (out with acl tear)) and how much they'll play.

Interesting that Creme thinks Texas will have better answers than UConn.

Harmon , Moore , and the transfers he's reeled in seem to have Creme acting overzellous . I think they will win the Big12 but they are not top seed material nor will their stalemate offense even with those two and Sonya morris get them over the hump.

 

[WFFL]

interesting but not surprising.

And Tennessee? Why not LSU, which finished ahead of the LVs in the SEC?

The talent on paper most likely gives Tenn the edge.

 

[southie]

Harmon , Moore , and the transfers he's reeled in seem to have Creme acting overzellous . I think they will win the Big12 but they are not top seed material nor will their stalemate offense even with those two and Sonya morris get them over the hump.

Actually, Creme had Texas as Top 4 in his way early Top 25 rankings, and as a #1 seed back in his April bracket; that was well before any players had decided to transfer to Texas.

Women's college basketball Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2022-23

Charlie Creme helps us look ahead to next season -- right after the 2022 champ is crowned.

www.espn.com

 

[Bone Dog]

Harmon , Moore , and the transfers he's reeled in seem to have Creme acting overzellous . I think they will win the Big12 but they are not top seed material nor will their stalemate offense even with those two and Sonya morris get them over the hump.

I know what you mean. Morris is a proficient scorer, capable of averaging 20 over a season. But that was in the DePaul "Wild West" offense. I wonder how she'll fit in to Vic's scheme. Will he modify the scheme to take better advantage of her skills?

 

[UConnCat]

I know what you mean. Morris is a proficient scorer, capable of averaging 20 over a season. But that was in the DePaul "Wild West" offense. I wonder how she'll fit in to Vic's scheme. Will he modify the scheme to take better advantage of her skills?

Doubtful. Vic is locked into the dribble, dribble, dribble-drive offense. I'm thinking Gonzalez will thrive in it more so than Morris.

Morris attempted more than 500 FGs last season at DePaul while no Texas player attempted 400. Sonya is a pretty good player who will need to adapt to a much different approach, both in terms of pace and defensive expectations.

 

[Bone Dog]

Doubtful. Vic is locked into the dribble, dribble, dribble-drive offense. I'm thinking Gonzalez will thrive in it more so than Morris.

Morris attempted more than 500 FGs last season at DePaul while no Texas player attempted 400. Sonya is a pretty good player who will need to adapt to a much different approach, both in terms of pace and defensive expectations.

You're probably right. I think she's a substantial talent, but if Vic can't or won't get her enough shots, I don't see how she can add much, and by extension how Texas can be ranked in the top 10.

 

[GoChips20]

You're probably right. I think she's a substantial talent, but if Vic can't or won't get her enough shots, I don't see how she can add much, and by extension how Texas can be ranked in the top 10.

Texas has been to two straight Elite Eights with a lot less talent on the roster than they have now.

They added Taylor Jones who is a top-ten post player nationally when healthy. Shaylee Gonzalez and Sonya Morris won’t produce the same scoring numbers they did at BYU and DePaul but will still create a more consistent and productive offense than Texas had before. Add in sophomore leaps from Harmon and Moore and this looks like a top-five team to me.

 

[Bone Dog]

Texas has been to two straight Elite Eights with a lot less talent on the roster than they have now.

They added Taylor Jones who is a top-ten post player nationally when healthy. Shaylee Gonzalez and Sonya Morris won’t produce the same scoring numbers they did at BYU and DePaul but will still create a more consistent and productive offense than Texas had before. Add in sophomore leaps from Harmon and Moore and this looks like a top-five team to me.

I get that. I guess I’m in the habit of thinking of Texas as underdogs and that leads me to rank them lower. But they are scrappy underdogs. That’s what I always love about them.

Also worth observing that your reasoning for calling them top 5 is the same one we use for thinking of UConn as a top 2 team. I like it.

 

[UConnCat]

You're probably right. I think she's a substantial talent, but if Vic can't or won't get her enough shots, I don't see how she can add much, and by extension how Texas can be ranked in the top 10.

I wouldn't call her a "substantial talent." Morris will need to take advantage of fewer opportunities at Texas. She's a decent 3-point shooter, something neither Harmon nor Gonzalez are known for.

 

[Bone Dog]

I wouldn't call her a "substantial talent." Morris will need to take advantage of fewer opportunities at Texas. She's a decent 3-point shooter, something neither Harmon nor Gonzalez are known for.

After averaging 5 pts as a freshman, she averaged 15.6, 19.3 and 17.6 the next three years. I think that counts as a substantial talent. But you’re right, she’s only a 35% 3 pt shooter.