I certainly hope it isn't a three-year rebuild. Only four of the relevant talent is coming back next year to join a top-notch recruiting class. Or, if you prefer, that class will join senior Hannah Hidalgo and KK Bransford, as well as Leah Macy. I'm not basing the season on a blow-out loss to a team that returned 70% of their scoring and caught the Irish unprepared for the level of play needed.
Like you, I'll look for growth this year, but I think Bransford is a genuine starter in most programs and Hannah is still Hannah, who will do awfully well with players like Jacy Abii, Macy and Amari Byles.
I was at the game last night. So, it was my first “look test”.
The defensive effort was there all game, which is the reason we won. I was pleasantly surprised how we responded down 11 in the 3rd. I thought it was over, as up to that point USC looked like the more talented and more athletic team. They look like a UCONN team-lean, quick, good shooters.
Bransford was really disappointing in the first half to the point that I thought she was winded and out of shape, but she looked like a completely different player in the 2nd half running the court, hitting open shots and playing a good full court game. Perhaps by habit, and being out for a year, she still goes inside and picks up her dribble like she’s back in high school and she can just muscle through. She gets in trouble when she’s surrounded by taller players in the paint and picking up her dribble.
Prosper gives great effort, but will never be a consistent scorer. She’s so physical on the defensive side, and can contribute on hustle plays and a few layups, but that’s her ceiling as I see it.
I liked Cowles leadership. On an early, poorly thrown post pass to her, she told the player to throw a bounce pass, and then was actively calling for the ball in the 4th. She wanted the ball, which is a good sign.
DeJesus gave a great defensive effort all night and protected the ball She’s really solid and strong for her height. If she can hit outside shots like she did last night consistently, we’ll be alright with her.
Sanchez has the height and moves fairly well, but I don’t see her as a 4 as a shooter, and she’s not ferocious. She is tall and doesn’t turn the ball over, but she’s got a long way to go as a player to be a meaningful force.
Hannah is great in the clutch. Awesome. She will always score. However, I’ll use a little Marcus Freeman language here: She doesn’t always win the interval. There were more than a few times last night when she had open players on the wing who, if given a good pass could have gone straight up and shot and hopefully scored, bu HH threw the ball at their feet where they had to reach low and that let the defense recover. I hope Ivey can be effective improving HH’s game, because she CAN get better.
Anyway, it was a good comeback win. ND has a great home crowd advantage and it was good to see the team reward the fans with the win.
