Yeah, SC is certainly a threat to win it all. Obviously, assuming good health for all, the champion is most likely going to come from the “Big Three”! If they slip up? I’m not really liking anyone else’s chances but if I were forced to chose a “little three” I suppose I’d have to go with ; Texas, Notre Dame, and UCLA not necessarily in that order.
Texas because they have Vic who imo is a top 4 coach, Rori Harmon, one of the great pgs in the country, a solid big in Jones, decent talent around them and a very good freshman in Madison Booker!
Notre Dame because the only thing keeping them “little” is Olivia Miles injury. However, they have a freshman pg, Hannah Hidalgo, who may be one of the rare freshmen who can step up and be great from the getgo. If she can keep the ship afloat until Miles returns, they have the talent to make a run this season.
UCLA is a tough choice here for me because I don’t think Close is all that great. However, she does have some real talent on this team and has just been gifted with Lauren Betts, a 6’7” big who could potentially turn this team into a real threat. They also have Kiki Rice and Charisma Osborne who could team with Betts to form one of the top threesomes in the country. Imo, Betts will determine how far they can go.
Everyone is gaga over LSU and they are obviously one of the “Big Three” but for me, I think SC, even now, is simply a better team. Having said that, I think any one of, UConn, SC, or LSU should win it all. Obviously, I think it will be us, but those other two are very close.
I don’t see anyone else winning the title unless something freaky happens. As good as Clark is, I just don’t think Iowa has the horses, Virginia Tech has Kitley, but not enough around her, Maryland, is Maryland, and Ohio State, who unbelievably imo, Creme has as a 1 seed, just doesn’t impress me. I do think NC could be a dark horse. Berube is a very good coach and is steadily improving her roster!
Those are my choices: three favorites, three contenders, one dark horse.
Who wins? I think we all know the answer to that (rather silly) question!
