Freshmen Roles in the Sweet 16

[visitingcock]

We marveled at the stats put up by the outstanding freshman class. Here we are at the Sweet 16 and many of the class have contributed greatly to their team's participation to this point. Indeed, we could see the (almost) unthinkable - a freshman MOP of the tournament! Crooks didn't make it but she is certainly on the radar as a major factor in the new version Big 12 next year. Hidalgo and Watkins continue to shine statistically and as leaders of SoCal and Notre Dame. Ashlynn Shade of UConn is starting to emerge from the shadow of Paige Bueckers to become a floor general! Booker has Texas competing at a high level while playing out of position. Zoe Brooks is playing very well at NC State - though a bit inconsistent like her team. Fulwiley gets fewer minutes than the others but is a sixth man explosion off the bench whose defense has reached a point of approval by Dawn Staley (and she has a freshman partner, Tessa Johnson, who plays a major role off SCar's deep bench). But, Fulwiley arguably still trails LSU's Mikayla Williams as an SEC standout. (Booker and Texas join the pack next year for 3 super sophs)

Let's talk about these Fab Frosh and other key freshman who have a major role for teams in the Sweet Sixteen. I'll start with Fulwiley stats. Hope others will post stats on other key Freshman. (Yes, @triaddukefan : tell us about Duke's Frosh contributors)

Fulwiley: who was the MVP of the SEC tournament, racked up 20 points against UNC with four 3-pointers, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks, and, from the bench, she has led South Carolina in scoring in three of its past four games.

Career Stats​

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/player/stats/_/id/5174285/milaysia-fulwiley

Stats
2023-24

GP	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	FG%	3P%	FT%	PF
34	18.9	12.2	3.0	2.2	1.7	0.8	1.7	45.2	35.2	77.9	2.3

 

[hoopsfan22]

I wouldn't say Shade is becoming a floor general. She's basically a more durable version of Azzi Fudd at this point.

 

[visitingcock]

I wouldn't say Shade is becoming a floor general. She's basically a more durable version of Azzi Fudd at this point.

Okay, I got caught up in the "Shade" emerging from the "shadow." Pretty frosh numbers from her.

Stats
2023-24

GP	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	FG%	3P%	FT%	PF
35	31.3	11.7	3.3	1.5	1.0	0.1	1.1	49.5	36.5	91.3	1.3

 

[FormerCTrez]

Okay, I got caught up in the "Shade" emerging from the "shadow." Pretty frosh numbers from her.

Stats
2023-24

GP	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	FG%	3P%	FT%	PF
35	31.3	11.7	3.3	1.5	1.0	0.1	1.1	49.5	36.5	91.3	1.3

I see what you did here, and I like it.

 

[HuskyNan]

Okay, I got caught up in the "Shade" emerging from the "shadow." Pretty frosh numbers from her.

Stats
2023-24

GP	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	FG%	3P%	FT%	PF
35	31.3	11.7	3.3	1.5	1.0	0.1	1.1	49.5	36.5	91.3	1.3

Post season numbers

 

[LoTrader]

A couple of Oregon State Frosh have made a name for themselves in the eyes of the PAC-12 coaches and media: Donovyn Hunter and Dominka Paurova. Both will be important defensively in the game vs Notre Dame

 

[JstVisiting]

Pick a prominent freshman, based on per 100 stats. All are still playing, four were conference FOY

Points, Rebounds, Assists, Steals, Blocks, Shooting slash, Offensive Rating, Defensive rating, WS/40,
44.6, 12.0, 5.5, 3.9, 2.6; 40.7/32.6/84.3 %, 104.0, 82.4, .289
34.8, 8.5, 6.4; 4.9, 2.2; 45.2/35.2/77.9 %, 115.5, 71.8, .347
34.3, 9.3, 8.4; 6.9, 0.1; 45.1/34.7/77.4 %, 111.5, 73.8, .329
30.5, 8.8, 9.2; 2.8, 0.6; 46.2/31.1/87.5 %, 115.1, 81.1, .297
23.6, 7.9, 4.7, 2.0, 0.5; 47.5/37.6/77.5 %, 115.3, 85.9, .220

 

[LETTERL]

Is Bueckers averaging 30 points a game in NCAAT?

Wow!

 

[Gamecockfan77]

How good is WCB going to be next year of everyone can just stay healthy?

I can think of five easy true contenders off top of my head as rosters stand today.

 

[visitingcock]

Well, big names Fulwiley, Hidalgo and Booker were all held in check Friday night . Hidalgo is out. Fulwiley and Brooks advance.

Hunter for Oregon State had a good night at 4 of 5 (2/3 from 3) and 4 assists. Zoe Brooks went 6 of 14 with 3 steals and a block for NC State.

JuJu, Mykayla Williams and Ashlyn Shade on deck Saturday.

 

[visitingcock]

Williams with a solid 13 pts in LSU’s win over UCLA

 

[visitingcock]

JuJu drops 30 on Baylor. Shade scoreless at the half bs Duke,

Crown Juju Queen Frosh of the Sweet 16

 

[visitingcock]

Shoutout to Duke freshman OLUCHI OKANANWAH who had 15 points and 6 rbis in Dukes loss

 

[visitingcock]

Well, SCar’s “other” freshman led them in scoring in the elite 8

 

[FormerCTrez]

Well, SCar’s “other” freshman led them in scoring in the elite 8

This year’s freshman class has really shown up for all their schools, and so the future is bright for all of them.

 

[LoTrader]

Nobody outside the PAC-12 knew about Donovyn Hunter before the NCAA Tournament. Thought Dono demonstrated she is one of the best freshman PGs in the country.

 

[Herman]

Nobody outside the PAC-12 knew about Donovyn Hunter before the NCAA Tournament. Thought Dono demonstrated she is one of the best freshman PGs in the country.

10 points, 5 assists and only two turnovers against the SC defense, most any team would be happy with that from a frosh point guard.

 

[bballnut90]

Might be a hot take but I'd take Madison Booker over Juju Watkins. Juju can put up points but is so inefficient.

 

[TheFarmFan]

Might be a hot take but I'd take Madison Booker over Juju Watkins. Juju can put up points but is so inefficient.

Well, it's not a fair comparison, because Booker has a coach who can coach and who instills discipline in his players...

 

[bballnut90]

Well, it's not a fair comparison, because Booker has a coach who can coach and who instills discipline in his players...

I hope Watkins develops under Gottlieb. Her upside is unreal with her frame, ball handling and athleticism. In the games I’ve seen she looks like a talented player in an unstructured system. Booker isn’t quite as athletic but she has excellent basketball IQ and decision making skills. And she gets her teammates involved.

 

[bballnut90]

The headliner freshmen weren’t able to advance to the final weekend, but there are a slew of very good freshmen suiting up this weekend. Arnold and Shade have been excellent for UCONN, Fulwiley and Johnson for SC, and Brooks is elite at NC State. I expect all 5 to make and impact on Friday.

 

[visitingcock]

While Chloe Kitts is a sophomore due to her entry in the winter of 23, it should be noted that she was part of the same recruiting class as the freshmen discussed in this thread.

What an amazing recruiting Class!

 

[FormerCTrez]

While Chloe Kitts is a sophomore due to her entry in the winter of 23, it should be noted that she was part of the same recruiting class as the freshmen discussed in this thread.

What an amazing recruiting Class!

Oh yes, she did enroll early (winter of 22). And I think she’s played a vital role for the Gamecocks, even though she doesn’t get a lot of air time.

 

[visitingcock]

Oh yes, she did enroll early (winter of 22). And I think she’s played a vital role for the Gamecocks, even though she doesn’t get a lot of air time.

Well, she didn’t begin classes until January of 23 but she did play her first game on December 18, 22.