alexrgct
RIP, Alex
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- Aug 26, 2011
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As we head into the home stretch of a season most programs would be thrilled to have but pales somewhat in comparison to the previous few years, it's worth reviewing the recruiting classes that have produced our sophomore-through-senior classes.
2008:
EDD- transferred out before playing for UConn
Caroline- injuries have reduced her availability to play, as well as her effectiveness
Tiff- has played better than the #11 player in her class, but not at a level to make up for the loss of EDD (not saying she should be obligated to- just a statement)
Buck- physical attributes are obvious, but hasn't developed into more than a situational player
Summary: four recruits, one very good player, one sporadically available/effective player, one situational bench contributer, one transfer.
2009:
Kelly- defensive stopper that has developed into the 1996-98 era Dennis Rodman on the court when the team could really use a Scottie Pippen. Scottie could score four points or 40 as needed, but his defense was always consistent. Dennis just wasn't scoring, period.
Summary: one recruit, one hard-working defensive specialist
2010:
Bria- developing into a versatile guard and a star. If she can develop either little more consistency from outside over the course of a season or a few more ways to score, sky's the limit.
Samarie- transferred out in January of 2011
Stef- appeared headed for stardom after first season, but has at best not progressed in her sophomore campaign
Lauren- has not been able to contribute significantly during games as of this point
Michala- high school injuries have prevented her from developing physically sufficient to contribute significantly through this season.
Summary: five recruits, one star, one enigma, two benchwarmers (not trying to be mean or hurtful, just where those two kids are at this stage), one transfer
Grand total: 10 recruits, one rising star, one very good player, one enigma, one oft-injured sentimental favorite, one defensive specialist, one situational bench player, two benchwarmers, two transfers.
Lesson 1- This team is pretty much where it should be, if not somewhat better. Stellar returns from the 2006 and 2007 classes delayed the relatively bumpy season we're seeing now, but it shouldn't be surprising.
Lesson 2- The potential of the 2011 and 2012 classes, on top of the better players from 2010, make it easy not to sweat the Class of 2013. But I'm sweating it. We don't necessarily need superstars...but if we end up with a number of solid kids with Tiff/Kelly ceilings, we can't expect them to be EDD and Maya as seniors. This is why Geno is pressing hard for Diamond right now- her ceiling is in that "national top five for plural seasons" tier.
2008:
EDD- transferred out before playing for UConn
Caroline- injuries have reduced her availability to play, as well as her effectiveness
Tiff- has played better than the #11 player in her class, but not at a level to make up for the loss of EDD (not saying she should be obligated to- just a statement)
Buck- physical attributes are obvious, but hasn't developed into more than a situational player
Summary: four recruits, one very good player, one sporadically available/effective player, one situational bench contributer, one transfer.
2009:
Kelly- defensive stopper that has developed into the 1996-98 era Dennis Rodman on the court when the team could really use a Scottie Pippen. Scottie could score four points or 40 as needed, but his defense was always consistent. Dennis just wasn't scoring, period.
Summary: one recruit, one hard-working defensive specialist
2010:
Bria- developing into a versatile guard and a star. If she can develop either little more consistency from outside over the course of a season or a few more ways to score, sky's the limit.
Samarie- transferred out in January of 2011
Stef- appeared headed for stardom after first season, but has at best not progressed in her sophomore campaign
Lauren- has not been able to contribute significantly during games as of this point
Michala- high school injuries have prevented her from developing physically sufficient to contribute significantly through this season.
Summary: five recruits, one star, one enigma, two benchwarmers (not trying to be mean or hurtful, just where those two kids are at this stage), one transfer
Grand total: 10 recruits, one rising star, one very good player, one enigma, one oft-injured sentimental favorite, one defensive specialist, one situational bench player, two benchwarmers, two transfers.
Lesson 1- This team is pretty much where it should be, if not somewhat better. Stellar returns from the 2006 and 2007 classes delayed the relatively bumpy season we're seeing now, but it shouldn't be surprising.
Lesson 2- The potential of the 2011 and 2012 classes, on top of the better players from 2010, make it easy not to sweat the Class of 2013. But I'm sweating it. We don't necessarily need superstars...but if we end up with a number of solid kids with Tiff/Kelly ceilings, we can't expect them to be EDD and Maya as seniors. This is why Geno is pressing hard for Diamond right now- her ceiling is in that "national top five for plural seasons" tier.
