AP Top 25 Women's Preseason Poll

[HuskylnSC]

ONO has offense?

I know you are probably talking about the SCAR game. But 17 and 8 against Cuse, yeah she has offense.

 

[Tonyc]

Cardoso is a good player with alot of upside. Alot of upside. She will play behind Boston. If Boston is having a good game or SC is in a tight game I've got to wonder how many minutes Cardoso will get? She will get minutes but playing behind Boston well shes playing behind one of the top post players in WCBB. I think she wouldve been better coming to UConn where Liv is a senior and she would've been starting next season. Then the question is what about Dorka??? When you look at the past UConn bigs and see how they were developed you have to wonder why she didnt come to UConn. The same goes for Boston. We'll see how the season goes. If UConn faces SC in the Bahamas which is early in the season that will tell us what both teams need to work on. The chemistry may not be there. More importantly the game at SC later in the season will tell us alot more about both teams and where they are.

 

[Kaizen]

my oh my how things changed quickly with the Cardoso evaluations. Not saying everyone was saying it but many were thrilled and saying if she committed to Uconn they would be unstoppable. Now it's considered Dorka is a wash or might be better? Blasphemy. Was Dorka even a top 30 ranked recruit Cardoso was I believe 5th in her class.

Do you know Dorka Juhasz is from Hungary. She is not in the ESPN high school ranking system. I doubt you even know who she is.

 

[visitingcock]

Would a separate Dorka v. Kamilla thread be needed. I don't know if the original subject of this thread needs to be discussed any more, so maybe this one will suffice?

 

[Centerstream]

I also think that Diamond might be the biggest impact transfer of the season, but we will see.

South Carolina doesn't have to start Cardoso - the rotations are still something of great interest.

Depth is the thing that South Carolina has added that it simply did not have last year.

And perhaps scoring balance. Either from internal improvement or additions.

It Should now be able to match up with just about any lineup and handle foul trouble without too much problem.

Substitute Dorka for Cardoso and us UConn fans can post the same thing. So what's your point, give us a scouting report on SoCar?

 

[Plebe]

Keep in mind that six of those eight losses came in PAC-12 play. Sorry, but I doubt UConn could go through conference play in PAC-12 undefeated, maybe 19-3, 20-2 at best.

You're really gonna give those pom-poms a workout, huh? Do you really think the person you responded to didn't know what conference they're in? And obviously most of their losses came in conference play because I think they only played like one nonconference game due to Covid.

Oregon State lost to Utah, which is a very bad loss. They also lost twice to Washington State, a team that lost in the 1st round of the NCAAs to South Florida.

To their credit, they did well in February with wins over UCLA and Oregon. However, they still got destroyed by South Carolina in the tournament.

 

[LoTrader]

You're really gonna give those pom-poms a workout, huh? Do you really think the person you responded to didn't know what conference they're in? And obviously most of their losses came in conference play because I think they only played like one nonconference game due to Covid.

Oregon State lost to Utah, which is a very bad loss. They also lost twice to Washington State, a team that lost in the 1st round of the NCAAs to South Florida.

To their credit, they did well in February with wins over UCLA and Oregon. However, they still got destroyed by South Carolina in the tournament.

OSU was also destroyed by Stanford twice last year. OSU WBB missed more days of practice and games in 20-21 season than nearly every other NCAA team due to Covid. I don't see OSU getting destroyed by any team this season for a multitude of reasons. It's a new year, and there are more positives with OSU WBB this year than any year I can remember. If Coach Rueck's team avoids injury and Covid, then it should be a good run for OSU WBB.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Keep in mind that six of those eight losses came in PAC-12 play. Sorry, but I doubt UConn could go through conference play in PAC-12 undefeated, maybe 19-3, 20-2 at best.

UConn played in the best basketball conference for many years, and of the final 20 seasons in the Big East UConn was:

• undefeated 9 times
• lost 1 game 6 times
• lost 2 games 3 times (2 of these seasons resulted in a national championship)
• lost 3 games 2 times

UConn can play in any conference and go undefeated. You are kidding yourself if you think otherwise.

 

[visitingcock]

OSU was also destroyed by Stanford twice last year. OSU WBB missed more days of practice and games in 20-21 season than nearly every other NCAA team due to Covid. I don't see OSU getting destroyed by any team this season for a multitude of reasons. It's a new year, and there are more positives with OSU WBB this year than any year I can remember. If Coach Rueck's team avoids injury and Covid, then it should be a good run for OSU WBB.

I have often wished that SCar had an annual, all sports rivalry with a West Coast school. Oregon State is one of the leading schools on my wishlist. Pornagraphic sports headlines aside, baseball and wbb would be a lot of fun. Football would not be as mis-match either. The two overall sports programs are not dissimilar.

 

[UConnCat]

UConn played in the best basketball conference for many years, and of the final 20 seasons in the Big East UConn was:

• undefeated 9 times
• lost 1 game 6 times
• lost 2 games 3 times (2 of these seasons resulted in a national championship)
• lost 3 games 2 times

UConn can play in any conference and go undefeated. You are kidding yourself if you think otherwise.

Indeed.

When UConn played in the Big East before moving to the AAC. they won 90 consecutive games. The 90-game winning streak spanned 3 seasons -- 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 -- and UConn did not lose a conference game. For those 3 seasons combined, the Big East sent more teams to the NCAA tournament than any conference in the country. More than the SEC, more than the Big 12, more than the ACC and more than the PAC12. From the 2007-2008 season through the 2010-2011 season, UConn lost one regular season conference game (Rutgers in 2008). Again, during that stretch, the Big East sent more teams to the NCAA tournament than any conference in the country.

 

[newfrontier]

ochoopsfan said:
"Oregon State is #14?
They were 12-8 last year and lost Goodman to graduation and Freshman Goforth(Pac12 1st team freshman) to Arkansas.
Too high, IMO"

And Oregon State replaced those gals with ESPN #25 Von Oelhoffen (who enrolled early and already gained valuable experience playing last season), #32 Kampschroeder (a McDonalds AA), and #63 Marotte. This 2021 ESPN recruiting class was/is ranked #8 in the Nation. Also Brown (a former McDonalds AA) returns to action after sitting out last season due to injury. Being ranked #14 seems about right to me.

Side Note (obviously unrelated to this AP poll). Oregon State is following up the 2021 #8 class with the ESPN #3 class in 2022 (subject to change). Rueck et. al. are doing some fine recruiting.

 

[JordyG]

ONO has offense?


Having watched six or seven Syracuse condensed games after Cardoso enrolled, that team had little interest in running the game through her. they really bombed away from the perimeter.

I'm not sure I've seen many posts who run better or can catch and convert on the move as well. She's got a little post game even at international level.

she plays a little happy and definitely needs work any time she's forced to defend outside the post. The happy may frustrate Dawn but the defense and playing inside out will likely change.

at the scrimmage, she was wearing a protective mask and Boston definitely had the upper hand.

Boston for those worrying about her fitness looks great and has lost 23 LBs.

Well, you know what I've said about Cardoso. However, when it comes to catching the ball on the run and converting at the hoop, that's what Liv does as well or better than any post in WCBB. Liv catches that low ball, even below her knees, as well as any 6'5" post I've ever seen. Remember that shot by Paige (of course you do) for the 3 against you guys? That shot isn't made unless Liv catches that tough bounce pass below her knees from Paige. That kind of hands you can't teach.

Nevertheless I agree with everything you said about Kamilla. She does play a little too happy and needs to have a lot more snarl, a lot more bully in her game. She also needs a lot of work in other areas. She has average footwork on both ends, is easily boxed out, needs to work on her strength and conditioning (a lot on strength and conditioning), she needs to show she has something beyond 6 feet from the cup, and she needs to learn how to plant her feet and set a proper screen. She needs to learn how to set strong on the block and demand the ball, and she needs to learn how to communicate with her teammates better. She often seems to just drift on offense without purpose, seemingly not understanding the game itself.

Yet all of this stuff is fixable, some of which can be fixed by the end of this year, some of which she won't get until her senior year, some maybe never. Ask Liv about some of this. But Cardoso runs the floor better than any 6'7" player I've seen. Whether she has the hands to catch the ball and convert on the run in transition we shall soon see. I also understand that Cardoso has undergone a bit of a body transformation this summer. Is she or can she become an effective passer, especially from the high post? These things we'll soon see. I may be wrong, but because of Kamilla's current weaknesses I just don't see Dawn having both on the floor for any extended minutes. Not this year.

I've said there won't be a post with the talent Cardoso has coming out of HS in the next 5 or so years and I stand by that. Converting that talent into game is something different, and only time will tell.

 

[Centerstream]

I'm going to continue to beat the poor dead horse, I guess.
I would think that Amihere and Saxton might be on the floor more than Cardoso. Last season, wasn't Amihere "THE next big" player?
I'm done. Time to hire a backhoe.

 

[Plebe]

OSU was also destroyed by Stanford twice last year. OSU WBB missed more days of practice and games in 20-21 season than nearly every other NCAA team due to Covid. I don't see OSU getting destroyed by any team this season for a multitude of reasons. It's a new year, and there are more positives with OSU WBB this year than any year I can remember. If Coach Rueck's team avoids injury and Covid, then it should be a good run for OSU WBB.

I agree it should be a better year, and I also agree OSU should be at least top 20. I personally have no problem with their preseason #14 ranking.

Not a lot of highlights in the nonconference schedule for OSU, but I'm very much looking forward to the key matchups against Michigan and Notre Dame at Daytona in late November. (And the Beavs better beat Notre Dame or else my wrath will rain down on them )

 

[JordyG]

I'm going to continue to beat the poor dead horse, I guess.
I would think that Amihere and Saxton might be on the floor more than Cardoso. Last season, wasn't Amihere "THE next big" player?
I'm done. Time to hire a backhoe.

Keep us informed.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Substitute Dorka for Cardoso and us UConn fans can post the same thing. So what's your point, give us a scouting report on SoCar?

I am curious if having a skilled offensive center will make a big difference for UConn.

I think it might actually.

I'd probably have made UConn #1 to start because I perceive there is more offensive firepower and stretch there than in Columbia but I thibk Sluth Carolina is going to be a lot better on offense and suffocating on defense so it should be pretty interesting.

we don't know how either team with play with rotations or fit together so it's going to be interesting.

Stanford is good and getting as much bulletin board material as it could want.

I think Diamond might level up NC State.

Maryland, Louisville, etc etc

im not sure it's a year that will actually be dominated by one or two teams.

 

[Humbled]

If Boston was in as good of shape as Liv or Edwards then I'd agree with you. Now if Boston would have made a better choice, she would be in better shape and probably actually the best F. I unapologetically bleed blue.

Does your comment mean that you believe Uconn has the best Forward in the country? I'm sure Ms. Boston believes she made the best choice for her and from what I can see, no one at Uconn has been able to stop her yet!!!! It's one thing to "bleed blue" but we need to respect these young people as they make decisions for themselves. Let the games BEGIN!!!!!

 

[CL82]

I would have had Stanford, UConn, and South Carolina in that order, but I don't get a vote.

Felon?

 

[CL82]

Do UConn's have moth holes? Or can you tell through all cobwebs?

No, I think they treat the championship banners with something to prevent that. It’s not like those made up banners that you can order over the Internet.

 

[D J B]

Does your comment mean that you believe Uconn has the best Forward in the country? I'm sure Ms. Boston believes she made the best choice for her and from what I can see, no one at Uconn has been able to stop her yet!!!! It's one thing to "bleed blue" but we need to respect these young people as they make decisions for themselves. Let the games BEGIN!!!!!

You'd probably get more respect here if you dropped the !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BostonBay]

Azzi and Dorka gives UConn 2 impact players they simply did not have last year - and it showed in the FF. Azzi gives UConn another reliable perimeter threat alongside Paige, so defenses cant cheat by double-triple teaming Paige. Dorka gives UConn a physical inside game that can finish around the rim. I also believe Caroline has the potential to add perimeter defense & scoring with her length off the bench. Could be enough to put Geno over the top again!

 

[MSGRET]

my oh my how things changed quickly with the Cardoso evaluations. Not saying everyone was saying it but many were thrilled and saying if she committed to Uconn they would be unstoppable. Now it's considered Dorka is a wash or might be better? Blasphemy. Was Dorka even a top 30 ranked recruit Cardoso was I believe 5th in her class.

When Dorka was signed by theOSU foreign players weren't ranked in the recruiting process. Some of them still do not rank foreign players, so your argument is moot (edit).

 

[D J B]

When Dorka was signed by theOSU foreign players weren't ranked in the recruiting process. Some of them still do not rank foreign players, so your argument is mute.

I think the word is moot, but mute serves it's own purpose on this board too, but I think it's called 'ignore'. I've used it a few times and it works very well.

 

[Zanzman]

Would a separate Dorka v. Kamilla thread be needed. I don't know if the original subject of this thread needs to be discussed any more, so maybe this one will suffice?

Welcome to the boneyard where most threads go in several different directions

 

[JordyG]

Azzi and Dorka gives UConn 2 impact players they simply did not have last year - and it showed in the FF. Azzi gives UConn another reliable perimeter threat alongside Paige, so defenses cant cheat by double-triple teaming Paige. Dorka gives UConn a physical inside game that can finish around the rim. I also believe Caroline has the potential to add perimeter defense & scoring with her length off the bench. Could be enough to put Geno over the top again!

I don't know about a physical inside game from Dorka, but her addition does give UConn the ability to play a more effective hi/lo game and the potential to play 4 out with 4 real threats (with the addition of Azzi and CD) from the arc, keeping the defense from collapsing inside. Dorka has very nice one on one skills around the basket. Dorka has the ability to dribble/drive from the arc or the foul line, keeping the defense honest as well. Dorka also has very good ball handling skills, has nice hands, can actually bring the ball up, and is an excellent passer from anywhere on the court. As Geno said, she has more skills than he thought.

As for Azzi she is a far better finisher around the basket than Nika, who at times was an atrocious finisher last year. Azzi has a nice power drive to the hoop as well. UConn likes to play both the dribble hand off and the 23 keep with Paige faking the handoff and dribbling around the pick for a pull up/drive or the pass to the corner. Paige now will have someone like Azzi that is a real threat to take the handoff on the 23 keep and is a threat in the corner for the 3. Geno can also run that play with Azzi. Azzi can take that dribble handoff, run the pick and roll, shoot the pull up, or pass to Paige, CW, CD, or Evina for the shot. From all reports CD also has this ability. It really gives Geno a lot of offensive flexibility to work his hybrid triangle.

 

[DefenseBB]

That is a specious argument. Yeah, Dorka was on the team, but if you'd actually watched the game 95% of the defensive responsibility for covering Hillmon was #23 Rebeka Mikulasikova, not Dorka. Watch the game. I've seen this quote from other SCar aficionado's on YouTube and it's just not true. You don't need to belittle UConn's pick up of a fine, highly skilled player in order to hype up your transfer.

Hey JordyG, as you stated you are very high on Cardoso (to be fair I am not as high on her
But do think she’s good), and you are acutely aware of Dorka’s skills (as am I having been down in Maryland for 2 of Dorka’s games against Shakira Austin) I am curious about your thoughts with our 3 main “big bodies” of ONO, Dorka and Liya against SC. We also have Amari but she would only be used due to injury or severe foul trouble.
What say you?

Addendum- I was at UConn 3 weeks ago for Parents weekend and we literally bumped into Dorka who was doing a photo shoot and I am sorry to say she IS NOT 6’5” and really closer to 6’3” as her FIBA bio has listed.

 

[JordyG]

Hey JordyG, as you stated you are very high on Cardoso (to be fair I am not as high on her
But do think she’s good), and you are acutely aware of Dorka’s skills (as am I having been down in Maryland for 2 of Dorka’s games against Shakira Austin) I am curious about your thoughts with our 3 main “big bodies” of ONO, Dorka and Liya against SC. We also have Amari but she would only be used due to injury or severe foul trouble.
What say you?

Addendum- I was at UConn 3 weeks ago for Parents weekend and we literally bumped into Dorka who was doing a photo shoot and I am sorry to say she IS NOT 6’5” and really closer to 6’3” as her FIBA bio has listed.

I'm curious about my thoughts on the matchup between these two teams bigs as well. Since I'm leaving the house now let me get back to you.

 

[Vowelguy]

You've got to be kidding me. So UConn has Paige and Azzi two game changers, Oliva, Dorka Paige and Amari all 6'5, 3 HS number 1's, 1 HS number 2 and a world of talent and UConn is not number 1??????

The only way UConn could loose a game this season is if they loose it themselves and beat themselves because I don't believe they can be beaten. .

Um

 

[Vowelguy]

UConn disrespected at #2. .

Oh really?

 

[JonathanXIV]

Um

If you're going to spend your time pointing out where BY posters were wrong, you are signing up a for a full time job. And subjecting your own posts and predictions to the same scrutiny.