Updated Predictions After 2015 Transferpalooza, a summer of USA Basketball, and some reevaluations:
1st Team:
Breanna Stewart, Sr, Connecticut-Stewart will be the heavy favorite to take home her third POY award and fourth championship. She is incredibly difficult to match up with, and will need to take a leadership role for UCONN to be successful next year.
Moriah Jefferson, Sr, Connecticut-I think Jefferson could give Stewart a run for her money in the POY competition next year. Jefferson is one of the quickest, smoothest, and best two way point guards in women's college basketball history. She can dominate a game defensively, and is ridiculously efficient. 59% FG, 50% 3pt, 84% FT, 3:1 A/To....and that's taking in her first 8-9 games which were nowhere close to being this good.
Brianna Turner, So, Notre Dame-This might be a bold prediction, but I think she will be the most improved player in women's basketball next year. I think her numbers soar as she'll get more minutes and take on a more prominent role without Loyd. She was arguably the best frontcourt player on the floor in the title game and has more untapped potential than anyone in women's basketball. She'll also be Notre Dame's go to next year without Loyd and Muffett is one of the nation's best at developing players.
A'ja Wilson, So, South Carolina-Another player who I think is primed for a breakout year. Wilson had a strong freshman campaign and an outstanding summer for USA Basketball. She will need to take on a more prominent role for USC to be a title contender next year. She has an ideal frame and skill set for a power forward. She rebounds well, can finish inside and has a mid range jumper. She has all the tools to be outstanding, and next year she might break out.
Kelsey Mitchell, So, Ohio State-Left her off 1st team the first time, but I think with Sierra Calhoun and others in the mix, Ohio State will be a better team and Mitchell will get more deserved recognition. She is one of the most talented scorers in the nation. She is on pace to break Stiles' scoring record, I think if Ohio State becomes one of the better teams in the Big Ten, she makes 1st team.
2nd Team:
Diamond DeShields, So, Tennessee-Moved her down from 1st team to 2nd, in part due to her off season injury and also due to Russell's emergence at the World University Games. I think DeShields is going to be outstanding at Tennessee. She was the National Freshman of the Year in an incredibly strong class, and is as physically gifted as anyone in the country. If she can get help from Russell and Graves, Tennessee should have their best shot in years to break the Final Four drought.
Tiffany Mitchell, Sr, South Carolina-Bumped her down to 2nd team since I think Wilson will take over as the go to player next year which could dip into Tiffany's numbers. Mitchell has had back to back outstanding seasons for South Carolina. She is the Gamecocks' only true perimeter threat who can beat you off the dribble and from the outside. An incredibly efficient guard in her own right, she'll need to have another strong year to bring South Carolina back to the Final Four.
Nina Davis, Jr, Baylor-Davis is one of the best rebounders and finishers in women's basketball. She has had back to back outstanding seasons, and should have the talent around her to lead Baylor into the Final Four this year. I'd look for her numbers to dip with the addition of Alexis Jones, but the improvement of Baylor as a team should give her more name recognition.
Imani McGee-Stafford, Sr, Texas-One of the more intriguing players in the nation. Moving her for 3rd team to 2nd might be a bold move, but physically she is a unique prospect at 6-7 and seemed to finally put the pieces together toward the end of last season. If she comes into this season 100% healthy and hungry, she'll be a very difficult match up and could challenge for Big 12 POY.
Morgan Tuck, Jr, Connecticut-Tuck might have the most polished offensive post game of any women's college basketball player. She also has a good midrange shot and can score from long range, making her an incredibly difficult match up. She is unexpectedly quick with her size and frame, and she finishes really well inside. She'll take on a bigger role next year with KML and Stokes gone, but as a result, she should garner more deserved recognition.
3rd Team:
Jillian Alleyne, Sr, Oregon-I have not seen much of Alleyne, but she has incredibly gaudy stats while playing in a decent conference. Unless Oregon significantly improves, I cannot see her garnering much national attention, but I know some think she has great upside at the next level with her ability to rebound the basketball.
Ruth Hamblin, Sr, Oregon State-I have not seen a ton of Hamblin, but she had a nice junior season as Oregon State had their best season in school history. If Oregon State has another terrific year, Hamblin could definitely be on more All-American teams next year.
Courtney Williams, Sr, Texas A&M-Texas A&M had an underwhelming year, but Williams is one of the best wings in the nation. She has an outstanding midrange game and is athleticism to blow by a defender.
Leticia Romero, Jr, Florida State-And outstanding passer and scorer, she is going to be a force in the ACC this year now that she has a 1/2 year under her belt at Florida State.
Alexis Jones, Jr, Baylor-We've only seen her play 1.5 seasons and she was superb at Duke. Coming out of HS, she was ranked above Loyd and just behind Stewart and Jefferson. She could easily be a 2nd or 3rd team All-American this year. Having her on the perimeter and Davis inside with Johnson running the point makes Baylor incredibly to match up with. I could see her replacing Nina Davis on one of the higher teams, as she'll surely get some touches this year that would normally go to Davis.
HM:
Alaina Coates, Jr, South Carolina-One of the best bigs in the nation. Coates can dominate inside and has potential to be a star if she demands more touches.
Mercedes Russell, So, Tennessee-Had a big tournament statistically this summer. I didn't get to see the games, but I'd look for Russell to make a major impact at UT this year. Could definitely make an AA team.
Courtney Williams, Sr, South Florida-One of the more underrated guards in the nation. She is a phenomenal athlete with a great midrange game.
Makayla Epps, Jr, Kentucky-A big guard who can light it up on a good night.
Lindsey Allen, Jr, Notre Dame-Much improved as an offensive threat as a sophomore, she'll need to take on a bigger role next year with Loyd gone.
Azura Stevens, So, Duke-Another outstanding freshman who could really light it up next year. A big forward with guard skills and finishes well inside. She has huge upside and could make a team next year.
Lili Thompson, Jr, Stanford-An athletic guard who can create her own shot. Had an up and down junior season, but will be Stanford's go to player next year.
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Jr, Maryland-Very athletic guard who can score in a variety of ways. Should emerge as the go to player with Brown leaving.
Aerial Powers, Jr, Michigan State-Another outstanding player, but she plays on a poor team. Needs better team results to have a chance to make a top 3 team.
Mariya Moore, So, Louisville-She was one of the better freshmen in the country this season. Louisville has an incredible young core this year between her, Hines-Allen and Durr in the lineup.
Kelsey Plum, Jr, Washington-A great scoring guard. She'll need Washington to perform better to compete for an All-American slot, but a very talented guard.
). On offense, particularly for the 10 minutes Stokes played and wasn't defended, ND had Huffman and Cable doubling and pestering Stewie non-stop. Didn't work- aside from the one charge Cable drew, that only resulted in better looks for Stewie's teammates. So even as physically limited as she was in the 2nd half, Stewie's mere presence caused ND huge problems they struggled to adjust to, all game long. And it cost them.
