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Message: [QUOTE="Dillon77, post: 2365243, member: 6620"] I was studying the ND stats from the last two years to write a reply to Coco when Orangutan weighed in. Interestingly, I can see both points, but ultimately agree with Orangutan on what will happen if Shepard is not available. However, I ultimately have a different take on a key player. Arike hoisted up the most shots (484) but was second in FGs made (after Turner, who was taking much closer shots). Her overall field goal percentage and 3-pt percentage were just about the same (45%), which means she shot better from distance. However, she's kind of the wild card in ND's spread offense and MM encourages her to attack. However, I think MM would like to see her do it more in sync with the flow of passes. But given no Turner, and possibly/probably no Shepard, ND will need to look to it's guards to score most of its points. Thus, Arike will shoot first and wait to be told to rein it in later. Not saying that's the best course of action, but with no Turner or Shepard, it might be the way MM chooses to go. Like Orangutan, I think Jackie Young deferred to her elders (and Boley) too much last year, but I think she'll come out of that shell this year, particularly if Shepard does not play. Thus, you could see big numbers from Arike and/or Jackie Young, who is very talented both as an athlete and a scorer. But for me, the glue player for this team is Mabrey. Marina can hoist it when she has too and/or feels it, but she also gets the offense (it seems to be an instinctive thing for Mabreys). And I noticed her speaking more and more in the dead-ball team huddles as the season went on. Plus, she wanted the ball when the game was on the line in tight road contests and is the designated late-game free-throw shooter. Note I didn't say most talented or best scorer, but perhaps the most valuable to the team. And when Turner and Shepard come back the following year, the "take charge" aspect will come in handy when making sure the whole offense is run, possibly with a rookie pg (Jordan Nixon) at the controls. That said, it's a good situation to be discussing which of three fine players will rise to the top. Only hope Shepard will on court to join them! [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach