So…On to Next Year?
- Thread starter YoDore
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UConn at #1 feels a little too high to me in their current state. While it didn't manifest until the final four, Paige was sorely missed and now without Azzi, I don't see anyone that brings that main character energy to fill her void either. Next year's team feels like Strong/Quinones and a bunch of role players.
I would probably go (without knowing the portal additions/subtractions...) 1. Texas 2. South Carolina 3. LSU 4. UConn 5. USC
I would probably go (without knowing the portal additions/subtractions...) 1. Texas 2. South Carolina 3. LSU 4. UConn 5. USC
Who brings the main character energy (whatever that means) for South Carolina next year? Joyce Edwards? Don't make me laugh.
Totally agree. I don’t know where UcOnn should be ranked but to me not no. 1
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Pending the imminent massacre at Portal Big Horn, I agree with your preliminary evaluation of UConn and your top five seems a reasonable guess. I would expect Vanderbilt and Michigan to be even better next season.
triaddukefan
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Oh snap
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UConn brings back everyone except Fudd, Williams, and Ducharme. Adds Vukosa and Popovic. Injured players Cheli, Brady, and Malou Mamel should be back in action too. so more people with height to complement the guards already on the team.
So why not a way too early 1 seed?
So why not a way too early 1 seed?
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You must not follow the Gen Z lingo 😆
For South Carolina I see potential in many players between Edwards, Kitts, Watkins, Makeer, T. Johnson and Tournabize. I don't know who out of that group will step up their game but I think all have another level they can reach over the summer. If Okot gets another year of eligibility, she is another one who could greatly benefit from honing her back to the basket skills in this system.
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Agreed, but find someone who loves you like Charlie Creme loves Geno.
I’d go 1. Carolina 2. Southern Cal 3. Texas
bballnut90
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I'd probably go:
1. South Carolina - 3 straight title game appearances, they need to figure out their PG situation but are set on the wings with Tessa/Makeer and have an incredible front court with Edwards, Kitts, Watkins, Tournebize and possibly Okot. Some solid recruits coming in too.
2. UCONN - solid roster returning, projected line up for Arnold/Shade/Quinonez/Strong/Vukosa.
3. LSU - great roster returning, projected starting lineup of Ricard, Fulwiley, Williams, Knox and maybe Koval?
4. Michigan - they need help inside but have an incredible collection of sophomores that will be ready to take the next step.
5. USC - all eyes will be on them with the 3 number 1 recruits plus Fagan. I'm not sure how they'll all mesh together in Gottlieb's system though.
6. Texas - would be higher but Jordan Lee and Bryanna Preston are both rumored to be entering the portal. Both would've likely started on next year's team. They're still stacked with Booker/Crump/Carlton/Cunningham/their incoming freshmen. Vic is one of the best coaches in the country too.
7. Duke - great core returning and they add in #4 Emilee Skinner plus a strong recruiting class.
8. Vanderbilt - Blakes/Galvan might be the nation's best backcourt. They need front court help but should be able to pick up some good players in the portal.
9. Iowa - I think they come back motivated and have a strong season. Heiden is one of the more underrated posts in the country.
10. Louisville - had a great season, most of their roster is back. I could see them being ranked higher but I'd put them at 4-5 right now.
1. South Carolina - 3 straight title game appearances, they need to figure out their PG situation but are set on the wings with Tessa/Makeer and have an incredible front court with Edwards, Kitts, Watkins, Tournebize and possibly Okot. Some solid recruits coming in too.
2. UCONN - solid roster returning, projected line up for Arnold/Shade/Quinonez/Strong/Vukosa.
3. LSU - great roster returning, projected starting lineup of Ricard, Fulwiley, Williams, Knox and maybe Koval?
4. Michigan - they need help inside but have an incredible collection of sophomores that will be ready to take the next step.
5. USC - all eyes will be on them with the 3 number 1 recruits plus Fagan. I'm not sure how they'll all mesh together in Gottlieb's system though.
6. Texas - would be higher but Jordan Lee and Bryanna Preston are both rumored to be entering the portal. Both would've likely started on next year's team. They're still stacked with Booker/Crump/Carlton/Cunningham/their incoming freshmen. Vic is one of the best coaches in the country too.
7. Duke - great core returning and they add in #4 Emilee Skinner plus a strong recruiting class.
8. Vanderbilt - Blakes/Galvan might be the nation's best backcourt. They need front court help but should be able to pick up some good players in the portal.
9. Iowa - I think they come back motivated and have a strong season. Heiden is one of the more underrated posts in the country.
10. Louisville - had a great season, most of their roster is back. I could see them being ranked higher but I'd put them at 4-5 right now.
triaddukefan
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You mean Little C. They need to drop the Carolina part after today's game. But I agree, if they improve at the PG, Little C will be quite formidable.
Duke at 7 seems about right. Mair and Jackson will be difficult to replace with freshman.
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SC had 5 and UCLA 4 players that averaged double digits. UConn had 3. With Fudd gone, who’s going to fill those scoring shoes for UConn?
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The truth is: we don't know. But we do know that Big O and Jovana come in with strong scorers' resumes and Cheli was a scorer (& everything else) in high school.
As with every team, we also don't know who will make a leap forward. Will Ash regain her shooters mentality and form? Will KK add a floater and pull-up jumper in addition to continuing to improve from 3? Will Kayleigh continue to reassert her scorers mentality and keep improving from 3? Will Allie stop deferring to everyone else and work on getting more consistent? Will Jana recover more of her pre-Achilles athleticism and rediscover her offensive assertiveness and effectiveness on the inside, outside and from the foul line? Will Kelis rediscover her outside shot and harness her tremendous driving ability along with making her teammates better (& being an asset rather than a liability on defense)? Oh, and will Blanca harness her abilities and handle to become our next true star?
It's one reason why the next 7 months will be tortuous as we try to ferret out any hint of intel on the progress of our team and eagerly await the tipoff of next season.
Our team will be back with a different character.
Can KK attack the basket like she did in last year’s National Championship?
Can Ashlyn improve like Jacquez? She has similar grit and motor.
Can Allie play with greater confidence and become a more consistent scorer?
Can Blanca make fewer rookie mistakes and produce 15 or more points every game?
Can the team develop a stronger rebounding presence on the inside?
Can the team develop an attacking style that is rewarded with free throws?
More rebounds, more free throws, similar assists, steals and shooting percentages. We can do it!
Can KK attack the basket like she did in last year’s National Championship?
Can Ashlyn improve like Jacquez? She has similar grit and motor.
Can Allie play with greater confidence and become a more consistent scorer?
Can Blanca make fewer rookie mistakes and produce 15 or more points every game?
Can the team develop a stronger rebounding presence on the inside?
Can the team develop an attacking style that is rewarded with free throws?
More rebounds, more free throws, similar assists, steals and shooting percentages. We can do it!
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Oregon at #15 is complimentary. Portal still in flux and Ducks need frontline help. Returning core of Fiso, Long, Etute, and Bell is a plug in with a couple 6’3”+ additions. Goal for this season will be a Top 16 and home hosting.
Honestly I think usc is the team to beat aka the most talented team next year. Juju was a top 5 player in the country when she got injured. Jazzy had a really solid freshman year and kinda proved she can do everything. I think life gets a lot easier for her as she won't have to force a lot of shots I think as blasphemous as it sounds they need to be like UCLA in that all players need to buy in. I believe in their talent but they have to find a way to create easy shots for each other. Their 3 best players can't shoot like 40 percent from the field.Obviously since 2022 really, the transfer portal has had a tremendous impact on who has won the title. Crooks could be a player that swings a team from great to championship. But we are still very early in the portal season. South Carolina will be very good next year. I think we forget how big of an impact Ashlyn Watkins had on both sides of the ball.
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UCONN will win a lot of games and has the best player. I think Fudd is more of a third wheel ideally on a great team, but not sure I see anyone on the current roster who can do what she did as a second option.
I think at this exact moment at time Texas brings more back and So Cal is more talented.
LSU is lurking.
SCar will field a team. Feel like the healthy versions of Watkins, Kitts, Makeer, Edwards would all be the second best player on UConn.
Just weird to see a team that lost one of its dual headed monsters that looked pretty ordinary in the tournament get #1 billing. But not that weird.
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I would not have been hassled if a team other than UConn had been picked to be #1. Rankings are just someone’s opinion based on criteria they define.
UConn did have talent this year but lacked the Paige Bueckers “will not be beat” tenacity, leadership and fight from last year and it showed in the game vs. South Carolina.
Then again, perhaps surprisingly, South Carolina got beat very badly by UCLA. Winning teams need 3 or more players to ball out. UCLA got production from all its seniors.
Question for UConn will be - will Strong, Quinonez, and Vukosa or someone else show up? We will learn as the season develops.
Till then, I wish all teams a productive and healthy off-season. May the injured recover and the newbies learn! Cheers!