Good one.
I agree about UNC- she has gotten all kinds of talent. Re Duke, I like her and I thought she would get them over the hump. I am surprised about Duke. And they have loads of talent like we do, and really have underachieved. Sylvia H has the chance to have a Michigan Mens Fab 5 for Four full years. If she can figure out how to allow and/or mold this team to be great- they could become that Maryland team that won it in 2006 I think???? Tolliver was a soph or frosh? and most of the starters were both Freshman or sophomores---and they just clicked and they were awesome. That was the year Renee M almost got us to Boston to the NC- Charde H missed the 4-6 ft shot at the end of the regionals in Bridgeport. But Maryland was young, loose, and alittle cocky and really played basketball. Not sure if Sylvia is up to it- but we will see? they should be awesome though!
Yes and then Maryland failed to get back with all those freshman and sophomores, so I see it as more of a fluke than a plan.
I actually think MoJeff's defensive was her most impressive skill this year. Her speed and quick reflexes are a nightmare for opposing guards, and while she is short her jumping ability is great - loved watching her sky for rebounds - and she had some very impressive blocks.
True.
Without some injuries I would be shocked beyond belief (shocked I say) if Chong was the starting PG anytime next year. As much as some people are underestimating Chong (hopefully), you are underestimating Jefferson.
Gonna have to completely disagree with you. It's Jefferson's team to run now and will be for the next 3 years (barring injuries - knock on wood). She wasn't the highest rated PG (ever I believe) coming out of HS for nothing.
That is a fact---the road was much easier. Just goes to show and to Geno's points that it is very difficult to win every day/night. Baylor went down on Easter i think, and it was a noon or very early game I believe. It took them to the 2nd half to get untracked- and it was a little too late. What a shame!
You know- not to beat a dead horse- UcMiami- but when there is enough talent and the right amount of effert and cockiness- it could come together quickly. You know how Geno says alot that coaches lose more games than they actually win? Hatchel may find the right pulse
Since Diamond seems to have bee instrumental in persuading all the other frosh to go to UNC it will be interesting to see if the team will be Sylvia's or Diamond's or somewhere in between.
Agree - was just pointing out really that the expectations for the following years at Maryland were very very high, and for whatever reason were not fulfilled - as Geno says - what he does may look easy, but it is very very hard.
Agree - but it is always a crap shoot when blending a lot of very talented freshman. TN had a monster class that never achieve good chemistry. Rutgers had a monster class that disintegrated into nothing with transfers and under-performances based on expectations. Baylor had a monster class that reached the promise land once, which is all anyone can ask. TN has been and Uconn continues to be blessed with teams that made it multiple times, but even for them, their history shows many players that never made it.
Again- that was really a glowing example of just how it can all fall apart- and they had a returning core of great players for 3-4 yrs, and that one NC was it. Coaching, no matter what the talent, is so critical to keep it together. Gary Blair is another one that can coach- his teams are always so much better by the end of the year than at the beginning. He has a young group with alot of talent and they will be dangerous for the next 2-3 yrs!
That is a great point UC Miami that people that don't really follow our sport don't realize- TN, Duke, Baylor, UCLA, Cal, N Dame, NC, Stamford, and there are more have been getting similar share of the best top rated recruits, but they don't go to the final four every year. It really does unfortunately get taken for granted by people that don't follow it close enough- even in CT. I am totally convinced that our talent is not 20-30 pts better than the really good teams we beat handily this yr, Louisville, ND at the end, Md, Penn State, Kentucky, A & M early. I talked with many coaches at the Big East Tmt as I sit right under the hoop next to all the teams and coaches. And everyone I talked to said the biggest difference is the type of player we are able to attract with high basketball IQ's, that while we are moving right into the fine points of how to become a great team---they are teaching things that are the basics first. N. Dame is one of the few teams recently that was like looking in a mirrror to the way we play basketball - all the time. It was painstaking and fun at the same time! I'm going to miss the wars with them.
I don't doubt it for a minute--- she is supposedly super talented. I will be surprised if they don't become dangerous quickly.
great point- that will be interesting to see how that unfolds---I love this group!
