Athlon 2019/2020 WCBB Pre Season Rankings | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Athlon 2019/2020 WCBB Pre Season Rankings

I so wish they were playing each other this season. I'm still taking Maryland (of course without Westbrook. With Westbrook I want no part of UConn).

As always, be careful about what you wish for.
 
I'm always a bit hesitant to offer up an "over enthusiastic" Oregon State view, but I don't see many guards/wings (as a group) that stack up against Oregon State's: Destiny Slocum, Mikayla Pivec, Kat Tudor, Aleah Goodman (Jasmine Simmons also, but unproven to the masses). OK, start firing bullets. Adding Westbrook to the UCONN guard rotation makes UCONN very, very good in the backcourt. That is how much I think of Westbrook. Westbrook will be the best player at UCONN when she is allowed to join the team.

Oregon St. is a great basketball team, they really are, but there are levels to this! And Oregon St, just ain't on UConn's level! There is a reason that one team has been to the Final 4 in 17 of the past 20 seasons(including 12 consecutive) and the other team has been to 1 in the entire history of the program!
 
I'm always a bit hesitant to offer up an "over enthusiastic" Oregon State view, but I don't see many guards/wings (as a group) that stack up against Oregon State's: Destiny Slocum, Mikayla Pivec, Kat Tudor, Aleah Goodman (Jasmine Simmons also, but unproven to the masses). OK, start firing bullets. Adding Westbrook to the UCONN guard rotation makes UCONN very, very good in the backcourt. That is how much I think of Westbrook. Westbrook will be the best player at UCONN when she is allowed to join the team.
IMO, Dangerfield is the best player on the UConn team. I actually believe she is the best guard in NCAA WBB!
 
I could understand Stanford and Maryland given what they have returning and coming in this season, but Texas A&M has Chennedy Carter and that’s about it. I don’t see them as even a Top 10 team unless their offense changes significantly from what it was last year.
 
Oregon St. is a great basketball team, they really are, but there are levels to this! And Oregon St, just ain't on UConn's level! There is a reason that one team has been to the Final 4 in 17 of the past 20 seasons(including 12 consecutive) and the other team has been to 1 in the entire history of the program!
Your post might make more sense if you substituted the term "Program" for "Team". Teams change every year and I seriously think if a team made 17 appearances in 20 years the NCAA would do some serious investigation. Players have only four years of active eligibility. :D

Yes I know what you meant, but what does the past 20 year histories of the programs have to do with LoTaders perspective on the quality of Oregon St. guards?. Your post seems to imply that it does.
 
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Athlon Sports selected Crystal Dangerfield to its five-member All-American Second Team. Three PAC-12 guards were selected to Athlon's five-member All-American First Team.

Let's revisit this in February. There seems to be lot of pressure on both the conference and some PAC12 players to live up to the high expectations placed on them. UConn knows all about that. Wait till one of them loses a game. :rolleyes: Or when you only win by 8 to a "vastly inferior" opponent. :mad:
 
I don't have any serious questions on the 5th starter is. If Westbrook does not get the waiver, I feel pretty good Geno will figure it out. These are the potential players that can garner that 5th spot...Anna Makurat, Aubrey Griffin, Evelyn Adebayo and I would throw in Batouly Camara (if healthy)...not necessarily in that order.
I think, and have said before, that one of the players whom you've mentioned will be the fifth starter even if Westbrook IS eligible. The 5th starter needs to provide rebounding and paint presence much more than scoring. Evina will get plenty of minutes (probably as many as Crystal and Christyn) as the third guard.
 
Who is the Athlon “expert” making these picks?
 
Who is the Athlon “expert” making these picks?
Doug Herakovich is the writer for this year's Athlon Sports "Women's Hoops" article that is subtitled "A Season of Change in Women's Basketball." His article starts: "For the first time in a long time, the power in the world of women's basketball has shifted to the West Coast. Oregon and Stanford are both serious title contenders in '19-'20, and PAC-12 Conference rivals Oregon State and UCLA also have outstanding teams."

Herakovich has this to write about #6 Connecticut: "It has been seven years since Connecticut had more than three losses, but this will be a rebuilding year in Storrs, as the Huskies lose two All-Americans to graduation. Of course, we are talking about UConn. The Huskies' roster is loaded with former prep All-Americans just waiting for their chance to shine. The leadership mantel will be passed to Crystal Dangerfield, a senior point guard who delivered 13.4 points and 5.9 assists per game last year. Coach Geno Auriemma will also get major contributions from sophomore guard Christyn Williams and junior forward Megan Walker."
 
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I'm always a bit hesitant to offer up an "over enthusiastic" Oregon State view, but I don't see many guards/wings (as a group) that stack up against Oregon State's: Destiny Slocum, Mikayla Pivec, Kat Tudor, Aleah Goodman (Jasmine Simmons also, but unproven to the masses). OK, start firing bullets. Adding Westbrook to the UCONN guard rotation makes UCONN very, very good in the backcourt. That is how much I think of Westbrook. Westbrook will be the best player at UCONN when she is allowed to join the team.

Well, if WNBA mock drafts are any indication of how good a draft eligible guard is, two of Oregon State's guards (Slocum, Pivec) represent:
1. 2 of the 6 best guards in the country according to ESPNW
2. 2 of the 7 best guards in the country according to wnba.com
3. 2 of the 9 best guards in the country according to draftsite.com

thus providing some credence to LoTrader's view. No other team has more than 1 guard in any of the "top player" mock draft lists put forth by these websites.
 
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Well, if WNBA mock drafts are any indication of how good a draft eligible guard is, two of Oregon State's guards (Slocum, Pivec) represent:
1. 2 of the 6 best guards in the country according to ESPNW
2. 2 of the 7 best guards in the country according to wnba.com
3. 2 of the 9 best guards in the country according to draftsite.com

thus providing some credence to LoTrader's view. No other team has more than 1 guard in any of the "top player" mock draft lists put forth by these websites.

And they are calling this a weak draft... and huge drop off after 1 and 2. But yes your point is made.
 
Well, if WNBA mock drafts are any indication of how good a draft eligible guard is, two of Oregon State's guards (Slocum, Pivec) represent:
1. 2 of the 6 best guards in the country according to ESPNW
2. 2 of the 7 best guards in the country according to wnba.com
3. 2 of the 9 best guards in the country according to draftsite.com

thus providing some credence to LoTrader's view. No other team has more than 1 guard in any of the "top player" mock draft lists put forth by these websites.

1. 2 of the 6 best SENIOR guards in the country according to ESPNW
2. 2 of the 7 best SENIOR guards in the country according to wnba.com
3. 2 of the 9 best SENIOR guards in the country according to draftsite.com

There are lot of great guards in the lower classes. Still a great backcourt for OSU.
 
1. 2 of the 6 best SENIOR guards in the country according to ESPNW
2. 2 of the 7 best SENIOR guards in the country according to wnba.com
3. 2 of the 9 best SENIOR guards in the country according to draftsite.com

There are lot of great guards in the lower classes. Still a great backcourt for OSU.
I indicated in my opening statement i was referring to "draft eligible" guards only (who are mostly
seniors), but I could have re-stated this in my 1,2,3 list to be clearer. I realize too that it's possible a few very
good juniors who are age eligible were overlooked, although Sabally at Oregon is an academic junior and WAS included.
 
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I indicated in my opening statement i was referring to "draft eligible" guards only (who are mostly
seniors), but I could have re-stated this in my 1,2,3 list to be clearer. I realize too that it's possible a few very
good juniors who are age eligible were overlooked, although Sabally at Oregon is an academic junior and WAS included.

I read your opening statement. I read it to mean that OSU's 2 seniors were 2 of the best guards "in the country", period. Just as you wrote it. Maybe if you said "in their class"?
Being the 9th best guard in a class usually means that your WNBA career lasts one season, if that.

OSU has 2 great guards. Where do they fit on the national depth chart? High I'd say. Let's leave it there.
 
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I read your opening statement. I read it to mean that OSU's 2 seniors were 2 of the best guards "in the country", period. Just as you wrote it. Maybe if you said "in their class"?
Being the 9th best guard in a class usually means that your WNBA career lasts one season, if that.

OSU has 2 great guards. Where do they fit on the national depth chart? High I'd say. Let's leave it there.
Yes, i can see that. I worded it poorly.
 
Well, if WNBA mock drafts are any indication of how good a draft eligible guard is, two of Oregon State's guards (Slocum, Pivec) represent:
1. 2 of the 6 best guards in the country according to ESPNW
2. 2 of the 7 best guards in the country according to wnba.com
3. 2 of the 9 best guards in the country according to draftsite.com

thus providing some credence to LoTrader's view. No other team has more than 1 guard in any of the "top player" mock draft lists put forth by these websites.

Could it be there's ONLY one Senior on the team?
 
I read your opening statement. I read it to mean that OSU's 2 seniors were 2 of the best guards "in the country", period. Just as you wrote it. Maybe if you said "in their class"?
Being the 9th best guard in a class usually means that your WNBA career lasts one season, if that.

OSU has 2 great guards. Where do they fit on the national depth chart? High I'd say. Let's leave it there.
Destiny Slocum is draft eligible, but technically a "junior"
 
And they are calling this a weak draft... and huge drop off after 1 and 2. But yes your point is made.
Who is the "they" you are referencing, that is calling this a weak draft?
 
Who is the "they" you are referencing, that is calling this a weak draft?

WNBA commentators during the games, ESPN analyst articles, etc..... One article starts with the 2020 draft may not be the deep 2019 draft.....etc
 
Could it be there's ONLY one Senior on the team?
yes, of course. I was merely trying to make a point that ORST has 2 of the best draft eligible (senior or age
eligible junior) guards in the country, at least according 3 mock drafts. I was not clear on this from the start.
 
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I like Dangerfield, but.....

Ionescu?
I see Ionescu and Carter as a forwards, Both Ionescu and Carter are better shooters and overall players but CD is the better guard, Her handling the ball and getting other players involved is excellent. As for the WNBA draft, If I were making the decision as to which player to take, it would be Ionescu!
 
I see Ionescu and Carter as a forwards, Both Ionescu and Carter are better shooters and overall players but CD is the better guard, Her handling the ball and getting other players involved is excellent. As for the WNBA draft, If I were making the decision as to which player to take, it would be Ionescu!
With respect, y'all are making stuff up. Sabrina averaged 8.2 assists per game, which is more than two more than Crystal's 5.9. And she did it while sharing the point duties with Maite Cazorla, who dished 4.3 assists herself. Ionescu is a generous 5'11" who plays point guard in college - I truly don't see how she's suddenly going to be playing a 3 or 4 forward position in the W.

Sabrina is the best guard in college basketball period, and while I love me some CD, pardon the expression, claims that CD is the best guard in WCBB and that Ionescu is actually a forward are "fake news."
 
I see Ionescu and Carter as a forwards, Both Ionescu and Carter are better shooters and overall players but CD is the better guard, Her handling the ball and getting other players involved is excellent. As for the WNBA draft, If I were making the decision as to which player to take, it would be Ionescu!

Chennedy Carter is 5'7" and a very good athlete. But.... she is not a forward and never will be at the collegiate or pro levels. Perhaps Jmsdawg was intending to refer to Ionescu and Carter as shooting guards (2s) rather than "forwards." Ionescu needs to have the ball in her hands on the offensive end. Ionescu may continue to limit her turnovers next season by having Minyon Moore bring the ball up the court and break pressure (as Cazorla did the past three seasons). However, Moore will need to defer to Ionescu and stay out of her way on the offensive end for Oregon in '19-'20.
 
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With respect, y'all are making stuff up. Sabrina averaged 8.2 assists per game, which is more than two more than Crystal's 5.9. And she did it while sharing the point duties with Maite Cazorla, who dished 4.3 assists herself. Ionescu is a generous 5'11" who plays point guard in college - I truly don't see how she's suddenly going to be playing a 3 or 4 forward position in the W.

Sabrina is the best guard in college basketball period, and while I love me some CD, pardon the expression, claims that CD is the best guard in WCBB and that Ionescu is actually a forward are "fake news."

Last season UConn had 748 assists to Oregon's 717. If you actually watched UConn's offense much over the last 20 years you'd know that the assists are distributed more with UConn. Given that UConn's starting front court had 348 assists to Oregon's 148, the reason for the difference between Dangerfield and Ionescu is clear to anyone with untinted eyes. :)

Hebard, Sabally, Boley - 154 assists
Samuelson, Collier, Walker - 348 assists

Should I assume from those numbers that the Oregon front court can't pass? No, the reason is because the Oregon offense was built around Ionescu while UConn employs a different system where the pg doesn't have the role that she does at Oregon. I assure you that if she had played for CVS at Rutgers Ionescu's assists would have been mediocre. Not only is Rutgers a defensive team, they play a deliberate offense and use the clock so the scores tend to be low (<60/game). And they can't shoot.

UConn/Oregon should be an interesting game. I give the edge to UConn based on the 3 hour jet lag. The history of PAC12 teams travelling east during the season is not good. Stanford has played poorly east of the big muddy more often than not. (Maybe they can take the Maples refs with them next time.) :rolleyes:
 
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All good analysis, none responsive to my point: Ionescu is a point guard (something your post acknowledges but others were contending wasn't so), and the best one in the country. I won't dispute for a minute that Geno runs a better, more integrated system than Graves. That's why I'm here rather than whatever board there is for Ducks fans.

Non-responsive? You used raw assist stats to "prove" Ionescu was a better pg. I showed the flaw in your reasoning. Assists and who gets them are in no small measure a function of a teams system. That's what my Rutgers comment was about. Ionescu would have been the same player at Rutgers but her stats would have labelled her as average in assists, which would be wrong.
I'm not going to dispute Ionescu's value. That is obvious. My comment was about the usefulness of your evidence, which I thought was superficial.

How many UConn games have you watched? Most UConn games are at 4:00pm on the left coast. If you only saw the big games (N Dame, Baylor, Louisville) you saw UConn on the road against the best teams in the country. Then look at Sabrina vs Baylor: 18pt (6-24) 4rb 6as.

Dangerfield has played with 4 1st round W picks in the last 2 years and has been an afterthought in most of the articles written about UConn during that time (and has been playing hurt for 2 years) while Ionescu has been the main star at Oregon for her 1st 3 years.

I'm not suggesting that Ionescu isn't the much better pro prospect. I just don't see the same gap between the 2 players as they enter their senior years that you seem to think exists.
 
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