If ND doesn't come roaring back this year, what do you think that does to MM's recruiting? Does it cost her?
There's a lot of variables surrounding the overall Irish situation, let alone how it affects recruting:
- the Irish, save for Destinee Walker, are still young. Wing Sam Brunelle, Guard Anaya Peoples, Combo guard Katlyn Gilbert and Guard Abby Prohaska will all be sophomores in terms of eligibility. There's a good class comprising all positions, but that's still five freshmen. The good news is folks won't be on the floor 30+ minutes per game like Brunelle, Peoples, etc. were last year.
Of the freshman, 6'5" forward Nat Marshall will still be recovering from an ACL surgery in January, so buying time is not a bad thing for her. Do expect 6'3" Maddy Westbeld to step in and help the Irish early and often, just as older sister Kathryn did. And Alli Campbell should add some long-distance shooting prowess alongside Brunelle and Walker.
- the season. Will there be a season? If so, when will it start? Regular time? After the beginning of the chrono year? And will the abbreviated nature of the season help/hurt them? With a young team, it's usually the latter, but you never know.
That said, I expect ND to do better. Not sure about "roaring back," but MM and staff learned a lot about setting proper expectations and I think she'll adjust coaching from Day one accordingly. There's been no attrition this year -- if anything, the Irish are raring to go (both Brunelle and Peoples -- natural, outgoing types -- are raring to go and setting positive vibes).
Recruiting-wise:
- ND is transitioning from a Niele Ivey-led regime to one co-run by Beth Morgan Cunningham and Michaela Mabey. While Ivey was the front and center in many ways, Cunningham works with wings and did her fair share of recruiting, as well; both with ND and as head coach for nearly 10 years at VCU. We'll see how ND fares in both '21 and '22 with their guidance.
- The recruiting "slow/shut down" came into play with late-to-the-gate prospects like Verhulst and Wolfenbarger. March's homes visits and/or April's Official Visits would've helped with a number of them.
- Still, ND does not have or want to lot of prospects in 21: probably three, max. MM is said to be swinging for the fences to add someone who can take the Classes of 19 and 20 to the next level. High risk, high reward. If she can get one of the right players in both years, I think they'll do fine.
- At the end of the day, this is still MM's program and she's still into it, as are her charges. Stay tuned.
- LATER EDIT: Muffet McGraw just announced her resignation! It's a new dawn....however, I think ND will draw from a very tight circle of ND-related coaches for her successor; all of whom will be known to incoming freshmen and current prospects. Stay (very) tuned.
