ESPN's WAY too early next year's top 25

[mbr33ct]

Ok I don’t like being negative but what did you see from remaining bigs that would lead you to believe that they would be able to put up any real competition to SC next year. And no way can freshman bigs be counted on. Edwards and Ono battled their butts off and we’re still doubled up on rebounds. Getting a grad transfer with some experience and grit would help immensely just as Dorka did. If the younger bigs show vast improvement then Geno can share playing time which would only keep legs fresher for later in the season and tournament time. It’s a no brainer and needed

What grad transfer big you have in mind in the transfer portal?...asking for Geno.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

Really? I think they are going to be very good. Miles/Citron could be the best backcourt not named Paige/Azzi.

I think Terp fans will disagree with that.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

Good news for Geno is there are tons of quality bigs in the portal this season. Way more than last year.

 

[browns]

Every team is regrouping except SC and Standford. Clear top two teams early. I would consider us top two if we didn't lose two of our best defenders and so much unknown with Aubrey and uncertainty of Amari and Paith. Will Geno
Stay with playing the bench or go back to 6 players only.

Transfers will definitely make an impact on this early ranking list.

Glad to see that SEC isn't dominanting the top 25.

SC is loaded but losing Henderson and Saxton is pretty big

 

[ucbart]

ONO is going to be tough for you guys to replace. Dorka is not on her level as a defender or a passer. Williams was also your best two-way perimeter player. Azzi can replace her point production, but not sure about her defense.

My guess is that Raven Johnson, Saniya Rivers and the freshman Talaysia Cooper will be the 3 players that will see most duties at PG for SC next season. Rivers has shown that she has really nice court vision, but her shooting was atrocious this season.

I think Azzi is going to be a great defender. Her defense really surprised me this season. I know we sucked it up last season, but a fully healthy season of Paige/Azzi could be lethal.

 

[hoophuskee]

ONO is going to be tough for you guys to replace. Dorka is not on her level as a defender or a passer. Williams was also your best two-way perimeter player. Azzi can replace her point production, but not sure about her defense.

My guess is that Raven Johnson, Saniya Rivers and the freshman Talaysia Cooper will be the 3 players that will see most duties at PG for SC next season. Rivers has shown that she has really nice court vision, but her shooting was atrocious this season.

What killed UCON this year was not having a full season with all their players. I expect for example Dorka and AE to be much better passers by the end of next season than they were at the end of this season.

The entire team should have much better cohesiveness making them all better passers. A cumulative effect.

 

[hoopsfan22]

SC is loaded but losing Henderson and Saxton is pretty big

But they'll have Raven Johnson back from injury, so that will ease the loss of Henderson.

 

[darkstar1]

ONO is going to be tough for you guys to replace. Dorka is not on her level as a defender or a passer. Williams was also your best two-way perimeter player. Azzi can replace her point production, but not sure about her defense.

My guess is that Raven Johnson, Saniya Rivers and the freshman Talaysia Cooper will be the 3 players that will see most duties at PG for SC next season. Rivers has shown that she has really nice court vision, but her shooting was atrocious this season.

Couldn’t disagree more about ONO and CW being replaced. Love them both and look forward to what they may do in the NBA, but both will beastly replace with the depth of talent coming in. Every year seniors move on. Underclassmen become more seasoned and take their place, often surpassing expectations. Caroline was forced to produce a year earlier than expected. Azzi right away. They will be better next year. With Paige, AE, Dorka and Nika, 2-3 bench players step up and we have a solid 8-9 player rotation again. I see an even better team next year…barring injury if course.

 

[darkstar1]

Couldn’t disagree more about ONO and CW being replaced. Love them both and look forward to what they may do in the NBA, but both will beastly replace with the depth of talent coming in. Every year seniors move on. Underclassmen become more seasoned and take their place, often surpassing expectations. Caroline was forced to produce a year earlier than expected. Azzi right away. They will be better next year. With Paige, AE, Dorka and Nika, 2-3 bench players step up and we have a solid 8-9 player rotation again. I see an even better team next year…barring injury if course.

Be easily replaced… not beastly. Where did that come from.

 

[Boreifs]

Couldn’t disagree more about ONO and CW being replaced. Love them both and look forward to what they may do in the NBA, but both will beastly replace with the depth of talent coming in. Every year seniors move on. Underclassmen become more seasoned and take their place, often surpassing expectations. Caroline was forced to produce a year earlier than expected. Azzi right away. They will be better next year. With Paige, AE, Dorka and Nika, 2-3 bench players step up and we have a solid 8-9 player rotation again. I see an even better team next year…barring injury if course.

Where do you expect our three Seniors to be drafted? Given the talent there, nothing is a given for any of them making a team. (IMO) Hope I’m wrong.

 

[Fossil]

What grad transfer big you have in mind in the transfer portal?...asking for Geno.

Too early to say not everyone has entered

What grad transfer big you have in mind in the transfer portal?...asking for Geno.

too early to say not everyone has entered the portal but how about a 6ft 3inch tough forward who shoots 50%. 6 rebounds a game . Brittney Smith out of UCF. Looked good when we played them. I am sure the BY family can come up with a few more names

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think Terp fans will disagree with that.

Other than Owusu, who is in the MD backcourt next year? Miller is good, but is a wing. Sellers impressed me, but not at an elite level. Who’s the transfer?

 

[MilfordHusky]

But they'll have Raven Johnson back from injury, so that will ease the loss of Henderson.

Johnson was highly rated (just behind Azzi), but she’s coming off an injury and will be inexperienced. Can she get up to speed next year, while Boston is still there?

I was impressed by Rivers’ highlights, and she plays good defense and handles the ball well. But she’s an atrocious shooter. 3% from the arc. That’s not a misprint. How much can she improve her shooting and how fast?

 

[visitingcock]

Johnson was highly rated (just behind Azzi), but she’s coming off an injury and will be inexperienced. Can she get up to speed next year, while Boston is still there?

I was impressed by Rivers’ highlights, and she plays good defense and handles the ball well. But she’s an atrocious shooter. 3% from the arc. That’s not a misprint. How much can she improve her shooting and how fast?

It’s weird. Saniya was the nation’s highest scorer as a hs senior and was the best 3 point shooter in pre-season camp. Dawn raved about her shhoter’s touch but said she needed defensive improvement. But it’s like there has been a lid on the bucket this year in games.

 

[MilfordHusky]

It’s weird. Saniya was the nation’s highest scorer as a hs senior and was the best 3 point shooter in pre-season camp. Dawn raved about her shhoter’s touch but said she needed defensive improvement. But it’s like there has been a lid on the bucket this year in games.

Puzzling!

 

[shiverz45]

I have some worry about off season motivation. We won this year in large part because Boston and others like our seniors were intensely driven to overcome the shortcoming of the loss to Stanford in the final four. Boston's dedication could be seen in her body.

Will we retain that motivation? Staley is a driven person, but will the team keep the same focus? There hasn'y been a repeat champ since we won our first and the TOTAL domination by UConn ended (paused?).

I expect a rematch next year with a highly motivated, more in shape, Paige and company. Azzi has all the skills but must work on speed reaction in the offseason. Paige will work her.

SC defensive intensity and domination on the glass will continue because we are a poor shooting team. Hopefully Dawn will make it a little easier and try and find the best shooter available in the portal.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

Other than Owusu, who is in the MD backcourt next year? Miller is good, but is a wing. Sellers impressed me, but not at an elite level. Who’s the transfer?

Do you consider Caitlyn Clark a guard. If the answer is yes, guess who guards her the majority of the time the past two years.

 

[shiverz45]

It’s weird. Saniya was the nation’s highest scorer as a hs senior and was the best 3 point shooter in pre-season camp. Dawn raved about her shhoter’s touch but said she needed defensive improvement. But it’s like there has been a lid on the bucket this year in games.

She needs to work on that 3 ball all summer. She has WNBA level skills and problem the best athlete on the team.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Do you consider Caitlyn Clark a guard. If the answer is yes, guess who guards her the majority of the time the past two years.

Don't know. I didn't see their games.

 

[shiverz45]

But they'll have Raven Johnson back from injury, so that will ease the loss of Henderson.

I know Henderson is gone but I'm not sure about Saxton. If Saxton comes back, I am looking for Dawn to start Amihere at the point but have Raven play the majority of minutes there. If Saxton does not come back, Amihere will just slide into her spot. Ty was able to handle the point guard duties as a freshmen, so I'm optimistic about Raven.

 

[sweetspot]

Other than Owusu, who is in the MD backcourt next year? Miller is good, but is a wing. Sellers impressed me, but not at an elite level. Who’s the transfer?

I suppose it depends on how you define backcourt. If backcourt is just "players that don't set up in the post," then it would be Owusu, Miller, Lavender Briggs (Florida transfer), Shyanne Sellers and maybe Abby Meyers.

 

[triaddukefan]

I don't like the look of that top 25... especially when it comes to out neighborhood

Johnson was highly rated (just behind Azzi), but she’s coming off an injury and will be inexperienced. Can she get up to speed next year, while Boston is still there?

I was impressed by Rivers’ highlights, and she plays good defense and handles the ball well. But she’s an atrocious shooter. 3% from the arc. That’s not a misprint. How much can she improve her shooting and how fast?

Well if Rivers can get her percentage up to 6%.... that's marked improvement

 

[TerpWomenFan]

I suppose it depends on how you define backcourt. If backcourt is just "players that don't set up in the post," then it would be Owusu, Miller, Lavender Briggs (Florida transfer), Shyanne Sellers and maybe Abby Meyers.

The Terp fans are pushing very hard for Abby Meyers and I think she is listening.

 

[MilfordHusky]

The Terp fans are pushing very hard for Abby Meyers and I think she is listening.

College Park is close to home for her. And Brenda got Benzan from Harvard. I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I suppose it depends on how you define backcourt. If backcourt is just "players that don't set up in the post," then it would be Owusu, Miller, Lavender Briggs (Florida transfer), Shyanne Sellers and maybe Abby Meyers.

I would exclude Miller, based on the original question about the UConn backcourt comprised of Paige and Azzi. Which of those other players, combined with Owusu, gives Maryland a top 2-3 pair of guards?

 

[TerpWomenFan]

I would exclude Miller, based on the original question about the UConn backcourt comprised of Paige and Azzi. Which of those other players, combined with Owusu, gives Maryland a top 2-3 pair of guards?

If the Terps are able to land Meyers, I would count Owusu and Meyers over the Notre Dame duo. They will have the experience advantage.

 

[bbsamjj]

I am interested to see if Haley Jones pulls an Aliyah Boston in the offseason and decides to be the best player in the nation next year. She'll have great players around her (especially in the post) but I think she's the toughest matchup in the country if she wants to be.

 

[hoophuskee]

I am interested to see if Haley Jones pulls an Aliyah Boston in the offseason and decides to be the best player in the nation next year. She'll have great players around her (especially in the post) but I think she's the toughest matchup in the country if she wants to be.

If UCONN had her they win 2 championships. So it's not all about the centers.

 

[sweetspot]

I am interested to see if Haley Jones pulls an Aliyah Boston in the offseason and decides to be the best player in the nation next year. She'll have great players around her (especially in the post) but I think she's the toughest matchup in the country if she wants to be.

Until she gets a reliable outside jumper and fine-tunes her handle, her ceiling will be relatively limited. But her floor is very, very high.

 

[Alydar]

Every team is regrouping except SC and Standford. Clear top two teams early. I would consider us top two if we didn't lose two of our best defenders and so much unknown with Aubrey and uncertainty of Amari and Paith. Will Geno
Stay with playing the bench or go back to 6 players only.

Transfers will definitely make an impact on this early ranking list.

Glad to see that SEC isn't dominanting the top 25.

If you read the article Creme is confident that a red shirt freshman coming off an ACL can fill Henderson's role at pg. SCar needs to find a pg in the event that Johnson isn't ready to run the offense. SC is No 1 because of Boston.
Creme has a habit of making a case full of holes.