Courtney Banghart

[Striper69]

I would love to see her follow this track you have laid out; however, I have no idea about the 'special' arrangements schools like ND , Duke (a lot would be my guess here) and Stanford (perhaps a short rope) have regarding student athletes- beyond the scholarship issue. But most students at the Ivy are given aid, so it would be called something else. In fact, she could recruit the world and lick the cream off the top of the army of recruits lining up for Duke, etc. What would Duke, ND etc have that would sell better then a Princeton buttered dough?

Re: MilfordHusky's comment about Princeton consistantly being in the Top 25- that didn't do them a lot of good this season. (The thread was buried under dozens of 0 reply threads so I thought I'd revive it)

 

[MilfordHusky]

I went to two Ivy schools and UConn (plus Lehigh), so I have a long familiarity with Ivy basketball. When I went to Penn, the men's team was nationally ranked. Princeton sent some really good players to the NBA. They also were traditionally a thorn in the NCAAs, even as a 16 seed, because they play very smart basketball.

Courtney got lots of recognition this year. Let's see if Princeton can build on that. I just saw that Blake is forgoing her senior season in lacrosse for a shot at a WNBA career.

Courtney is still young, but I think she would be a great fit at Duke and wouldn't have a string of sorry-ass pressers. I'd be willing to consider her as Geno's replacement in 10 years.

 

[Striper69]

I think Blake will be a no-brainer for an WNBA team that needs a point guard.

If Princeton can get some Top 25 teams to play them in OOC games then she will do well in the NCAA's in the future.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think Blake will be a no-brainer for an WNBA team that needs a point guard.

If Princeton can get some Top 25 teams to play them in OOC games then she will do well in the NCAA's in the future.

I saw Blake in 2 games on TV. She's not the quickest or fastest, but she's smart, tall, and tough. And she shoots well, with a quick release. The projection was for a mid second rounder. I'm not sure she's athletic enough for the WNBA, but I'd like to see her succeed. She has to work hard to improve. I love that she was the all-time leading scorer at Wellesley High, girls or boys, in both hoops and LAX. Plus she's an English major at Princeton. Impressive kid!

 

[Striper69]

I think if MD played Princeton at Princeton the game may have went another way because teams aren't used to playing in a place like Jadwin Gym.


Blake was the main reason they went undefeated as long as they did. I think she'll be a lot like Bria and will run whatever team drafts her like a true point guard.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

I really disagree with that - sure the academic requirements limit your pool, but as many of the Ivy League schools have full scholarships once you're admitted (for many non-athletes too) they have a pretty good academic draw. I think if she plays it right she CAN recruit some pretty good and athletic players, it's just going to take time. I can see them starting to take players away from places like Stanford, Duke, Vanderbilt, etc.). Let's see where they are in 7-8 years if she stays.

Wrong. No athletic scholarships no matter what, at Ivies. Only established financial aid. I know, I paid the bills.

 

[Huskies Rule]

Milford Husky: "Courtney is still young, but I think she would be a great fit at Duke and wouldn't have a string of sorry-ass pressers. I'd be willing to consider her as Geno's replacement in 10 years."

It is truly depressing to acknowledge that Geno and CD will eventually retire, but as successful as Banghart has been at Princeton, she is missing two essential elements that I would like to to see in UConn's next head coach. Though there will never ever be another the likes of Geno, I do think an enormous, charismatic personality with the ability to really understand, inspire and motivate young women are essential requisites. Banghart seems very low-key. I'd also prefer a Husky who has played for Geno and is thus perhaps capable of replicating a facsimile of that which makes UConn's program unique and exceptional- the "Geno System" of practice, play and team. Now I've bummed myself out because catching lightning twice is so unlikely. So maybe a completely new direction? Too depressing.

 

[Striper69]

I'm reading John Wooden's book "They Call Me Coach" right now.

In it he said as he went onto the court when they won the last championship he thought to himself "Im really wrung out". The pressure of winning those titles got to him. He also got tired of fan's overboard expectations.