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Hobbs had moments last season. This is her senior year. Now or never.
Tell me about the NEW Big Ten
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dvegas
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LOL the cesspool that is Rutgirls Ex-Rutgers AD Pat Hobbs being investigated for alleged ‘inappropriate’ relationship after shock resignation
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Despite what a lot of people say or think, Coach Graves is a decent coach and hopefully he has added players that have that competitive drive. We shall see.
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Talia Goodman has started her conference pre-season analysis. Have at it as I think this one will prompt some interesting opinions.
I liked the preview a lot. I didn't realize the big 10 was so deep. I saw another preview posted where Oregon was placed 12th and was shocked, but now seeing the full list it's pretty reasonable. Im interested in seeing how Indiana is this year. They lost pillars of the program for consecutive years but I thought they did well in the portal and I'm a fan of a lot of their returners. I like the love Minnesota got in the article as well. Though they didn't play that well against uconn last season, they did have a good start to the season before Braun got hurt. They are a year older with more experience for not only the players but their coach.
Once again, I didn't realize how deep the conference was because I really like Michigan State and they are 9th. I also kinda wanted to be like Michigan will be fine with their incoming freshman, don't worry about losing Phelia but they are 15th and I have a hard time disagreeing. I'm probably not as high on Maryland though I like a lot of their players. I just don't quite understand how you keep 9 players (Dolce, Saylor, Sellers, Mir, BriMcd, Smikle, Kubek, Amari, SB) happy. They are all upperclassmen and all probably have compelling arguments to be starters. I will say I probably underestimate how much this naturally plays out in practice, but that's a lot of talent to play and keep involved.
Lastly, today I randomly kind of arrived at a similar conclusion as Goodman in terms of ranking USC over UCLA. I do think UCLA is more talented but I just think it's about the pieces fitting. I'm not sure how UCLA's 3 power forwards fit together. I also think Jaquez may be their best perimeter player but I can't see Jones and Kiki taking a step back to let her take a step up. If they were more of a fast paced team with an uptempo point guard I could see it. On the flip side, I feel like usc makes so much sense on paper. Marshall- defend, rebound, get put backs. Kiki I- be Kiki I, take pressure of Juju. Juju- be Juju. tvo- Defend best perimeter player, hit open shots help run the offense. Only question is the 5th starter. Should they go with Avery Howell a knock down shooter for spacing. She seems like she has no fear. K Smith - big, athletic wing who can also score. Heckel- more of a traditional, shifty point guard than TVO. In any event two of those 3 will come of the bench with limited pressure. They also have a great coach. I'm kinda ranting but usc makes a ton of sense to me.
I think Talia’s article was pretty useful. I also had no idea that the big 10 was so deep. Just a couple of my thoughts here:
-I thought Oregon was too high. Why will they be better this year than they have been the last couple of years? I think Graves losing his job seems inevitable at this point.
-Michigan is my team in the big 10. I really like swords. And I think she can be massive for the program. Olsen and Hobbs are also going to be quite good imo. So, I was surprised to see them so low. But the teams ahead of them are quite good. Still. I think they can be better than Oregon and Minnesota at least.
-Maryland. I am surprised that she mentioned deberry in the article and not dalce. Dalce has definitely been more impactful so far in her career.
-I thought Oregon was too high. Why will they be better this year than they have been the last couple of years? I think Graves losing his job seems inevitable at this point.
-Michigan is my team in the big 10. I really like swords. And I think she can be massive for the program. Olsen and Hobbs are also going to be quite good imo. So, I was surprised to see them so low. But the teams ahead of them are quite good. Still. I think they can be better than Oregon and Minnesota at least.
-Maryland. I am surprised that she mentioned deberry in the article and not dalce. Dalce has definitely been more impactful so far in her career.
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I was surprised nothing was said about grad transfer Sara Te-Biasu myself. Based on what I've seen of her from highschool and her time at VCU, I think her impact will be larger than what some may think.
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2024-25 Team Preview: Michigan
How much can one of the nation's top recruiting classes lead the Wolverines in year one?
hooplanewsletter.substack.com
@JellyBean Big Blue is up next in Wyatt's Hoopla pre-season reports.
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I have followed the Terps for decades and this is the most interesting Terps squad I have ever witness. The starting lineup is decent but not great. However, the bench is deep and of the charts. In addition to the players mentioned above, the have two (actually 3) really talented freshmen who deserve playing time and may not get it. Bri Williams from Montana scored 20 points in the final exhibition game in Europe. Kyndal Walker from Fudd's alma mater at St. John's had a great 1st game in Europe. Both can really play. How Brenda manages playing time for 11-12 players is anyone's guess.
Very interesting. Who would you say there starting lineup will be
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If healthy.
PG: Te-Biasu
W: Smikle
W: Sellers
F: Poffenbarger
Post: Dalce
Bench: McLean, McDaniel, Kubek, Deberry
Freshmen: Williams, Walker, McKennie
Deep bench:
Fisher (was a rotation player last season)
Chardon (was 5-5 in her opening game before she got hurt)
Ozzy-Momodu (JUCO All American who led the JUCO in FG%. Current out for the year)
Maryland probably has the biggest job of any tournament team this year when it comes to integrating new pieces, but Brenda is one of the best coaches in the country and will figure it out. I think they’re going to be a top-25 team once they get rolling but it’s definitely an intriguing collection of strengths, weaknesses, and playing styles.
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Interesting addition to Michigan's coaching staff. Would have guessed there would have been an ND connection for an AC opportunity like this.
Maybe they are trying to build a really strong Canada pipeline? They have Syla in the program. Which to me means they are probably getting Savannah. They made the final four for Cearah Parchment. They probably want her. They offered Makeer.
It might be a good strategy since international players seem less likely to portal out. And Michigan had problems with that last summer.
It might be a good strategy since international players seem less likely to portal out. And Michigan had problems with that last summer.
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Agree it's a great strategy. Just surprised she didn't end up back in South Bend.
Dillon77
WBB Enthusiast; ND Alum, Fan
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@Stagnant
Representative for South Bend here.
ND's coaching slots are maxxed out and the natural falling spot for "Ace" would've been post coach, except for the fact that Achonwa's post coach, Carol Owens, is still coaching the Irish in the same capacity. That said:
As a few "old timers" here might recall, when Kim Barnes Arico got her head coaching position at St. John's, she was the only other women's coach in the Big East.....besides one Muffet McGraw. McGraw befriended her and became something of a mentor to Barnes-Arico and they've stayed tight since then.
When Megan Duffy was looking to break into coaching, it was Barnes Arico who hired her and I'm sure Muffet had a lot to do the introduction/connection. Duffy worked with Barnes Arico at SJU, went to GW for a few years, then joined Barnes Arico at Michigan, before landing her first head coaching gig at Miami of Ohio.
The ND experience must've been beneficial because Natalie Achonwa now is the second Domer to land with Barnes Arico. She'll learn the lay of the land about coaching I'm sure from Barnes-Arico. Meanwhile, she'll be a great teacher and driver for Michigan's paint players.
Ace knows the game, has played in the pro's and is tough and disciplined, just like her former head coach.
As for South Bend, I have absolutely no doubt that if and when the appropriate slot opens up, she'll be, ahem, strongly considered. Ace has already had her number retired, so that tells you what the ND administration thinks of her.
In the meantime congrats all the way around for Ace joining Michigan: a win for all concerned.
Welcome to Ann Arbor, Natalie. Go Blue!
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@cancontent when I saw the social media post from Michigan, I was geeked!! Natalie is a such a wonderful person and player. I am glad that Michigan offered, and Natalie accepted to join the Michigan coaching staff.
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Up this week on the Hoopla report, Minnesota. Along with a tip of the cap to Celeste Taylor.
hooplanewsletter.substack.com
2024-25 Team Preview: Minnesota
Can a healthy Gophers squad get into the Big Dance?
hooplanewsletter.substack.com
I don’t see Minnesota making the ncaa tournament. I just can’t forget what happened to them last year. They absolutely crumbled down the stretch. They had injuries true. But they should have put up more fight. And the big 10 got better and deeper this year.
It has been 7 years since the Golden Gophers made the tournament. I have to see it before I can believe in it.
Mara is a decent gunner. But she has shot Minnesota out of a lot of games too. She has to find a way to be more efficient this year.
Mentioned before that I am a Michigan fan. Minnesota is one of the teams in the conference I hope the Wolverines finish above.
It has been 7 years since the Golden Gophers made the tournament. I have to see it before I can believe in it.
Mara is a decent gunner. But she has shot Minnesota out of a lot of games too. She has to find a way to be more efficient this year.
Mentioned before that I am a Michigan fan. Minnesota is one of the teams in the conference I hope the Wolverines finish above.