Too early 2018-19 Rankings

[bbballfan23]

Now what's the ranking? I don't think UConn is a top-10 team without Gabby, Kia, and Z. We get in two freshmen, one of whom will be pressed into service as a starting post player, a player, we should note, has suffered a major knee injury. So no Gabby or Z in the front court. Megan Walker is still a major question mark after a disappointing freshman season. And there are two other freshmen who have not proved they are going to progress.

We're going in with an even thinner bench, and a front court that is suddenly enormously vulnerable to the front courts of other top 10 teams.

The world has changed, and next season is going to be painful.

Painful as in losing 2-3 regular season games instead of a perfect record? Haha oh well, I’d rather not have all the pressure of a perfect season when we get to the tournament.

 

[asuwish]

Amazing that Tennessee with all their splendid recruiting, isn't on anyone's radar.
Waste of good talent

As we used to say in the band...
"Choice not chance, got us in this mess..."
(Set to the West Point pep song).

The talent is young and I dont think they have any real proven or not proven size. Lots of guards and wings.

 

[bbsamjj]

UConn is still easily top 5 IMO. KLS/Collier/Dangerfield are as good as a top 3 as there is in the country (at worst, second to ND Top 3 of Arike/Turner/Shepherd). Two of the top 5 freshman in the nation are coming to Storrs next year, and I dont' believe Megan Walker has forgotten how to play basketball. I'm tempted to put UConn above Baylor although Baylor will have all the height in the world.

 

[bbballfan23]

UConn is still easily top 5 IMO. KLS/Collier/Dangerfield are as good as a top 3 as there is in the country (at worst, second to ND Top 3 of Arike/Turner/Shepherd). Two of the top 5 freshman in the nation are coming to Storrs next year, and I dont' believe Megan Walker has forgotten how to play basketball. I'm tempted to put UConn above Baylor although Baylor will have all the height in the world.

Agreed with you on Baylor. They seem post reliant. UConn has a great PG, Wing & Post.

 

[Dillon77]

Does Turner with history of injures stay or go? I think no problem getting drafted as someone takes a chance on her athleticism. She maybe limited in playing with 4 starters back and 2 true point guards coming in not to mention they have another big who sat out with injury.

Everything we've heard is that Turner stays in South Bend for her senior year of eligibility. MM gave an interview to local papers that the plan is that Brianna moves back to the low post and Shepard goes out to the high post, where Westbeld held court. Notre Dame needed Shepard to be the low post this year, due to the injuries to (first) Turner, then Vaughn. With both of them back, she'll be free to go to a position that will allow her to demonstrate her considerable skills, from spot-up shooting and passing to driving from the top of the lane.

Of the four ACL injuries, Turner and Vaughn are coming back; Mychal Johnson and Lili Thompson are not.

 

[Dillon77]

Revised in light of AZ's departure and further thought

1. Notre Dame - Return 4 of 5 starters + add 2 injured Fs + 2 top 20 HS recruits
2. Oregon - Ionescu & Hebard return. Lose Bando but add transfer Boley.
3. Baylor - Lose Kristy Wallace & Cohen but Brown, Cox, Morris back + THREE top 5 HS
4. UConn - Big losses of GW & KN but return 4 of 6
   
5. Louisville - Lose Hines-Allen but rest back.
6. Oregon St - Lose Gulich but add Slocum
7. Texas - Lose top 2 but next 4 our back + 2 top 10 HS.
8. Mizzou - Return 5 of top 6
9. Maryland - Return 4 of 5 starters + top 15 HS
10. Arizona St - Everyone back.

Next -- Georgia, Miss St, NC State, So Carolina, Stanford, Syracuse, West Virginia

In the "next" category, I'm going to give Iowa a shot, as indicated in my post just above yours. I think Gustafson and the returning guards can make some progress on this year's solid performance.

In two years, I think Florida State, Virginia Tech and even Georgia Tech will have some solid talent to put pressure on recent ACC leaders.

 

[Topsail]

We have many question marks going forward with existing and new players. We could be a final four team or just a top ten team. It will be an interesting season next year watching it unfold.

 

[triaddukefan]

In the "next" category, I'm going to give Iowa a shot, as indicated in my post just above yours. I think Gustafson and the returning guards can make some progress on this year's solid performance.

In two years, I think Florida State, Virginia Tech and even Georgia Tech will have some solid talent to put pressure on recent ACC leaders.

Actually I think VPI's year is next year. They dont lose anyone....and all their best players will be Seniors. I was going over my projected ACC standings in my head earlier .... and I had VPI as #3 and Syracuse at #4. That translates into a top 25 preseason ranking in my book.

 

[bballnut90]

UCONN is still number 2 in my book. Even without Z, you have 2 All-Americans back, Dangerfield, and two other #1 recruits, plus ONO. UCONN arguably still has more talent than anyone.

Most important, you have Geno coaching the team. I think it’s far fetched to assume that programs like Louisville, Texas or Baylor are going to be better than UCONN. Each program has a well documented history of underachieving and they are consistently out coached and dominated by Geno in head to head matchups. I’ll always choose a well coached team over a team that looks like it has great potential on paper. There’s a reason we consistently see teams like Notre Dame, UCONN, Stanford and Mississippi State in the Final Four while we dont see Baylor or Texas.

 

[triaddukefan]

1) ND
2) UCONN
3) Oregon
4) Baylor
5) Louisville
6) Oregon State
7) Texas
8) Maryland

 

[biobioprof]

Are people forgetting about Stanford?

Stanford loses McPhee and Kaylee Johnson. But Tara has done pretty well at reloading over the years.

 

[Dillon77]

Actually I think VPI's year is next year. They dont lose anyone....and all their best players will be Seniors. I was going over my projected ACC standings in my head earlier .... and I had VPI as #3 and Syracuse at #4. That translates into a top 25 preseason ranking in my book.

The Emery-Magarity combination is a solid one, that's for sure and will be augmented by two gifted point guards including Mabrey3 (Dara). I remember their ACC game with Syracuse being a battle. The Orange, as noted, bring in some good frosh, too, but theirs are 6'0" plus guard and small forward. Ah, 3-4, 4-3...close enough. They'll both be better!

 

[EricSD]

I'd put UCONN 4th or 5th at this time. Preseason they will probably start the year at #2 or 3. We will see. Plenty of time for them to move up or down. NOW would be the time for teams to schedule UCONN, that's for sure!

 

[triaddukefan]

The Emery-Magarity combination is a solid one, that's for sure and will be augmented by two gifted point guards including Mabrey3 (Dara). I remember their ACC game with Syracuse being a battle. The Orange, as noted, bring in some good frosh, too, but theirs are 6'0" plus guard and small forward. Ah, 3-4, 4-3...close enough. They'll both be better!

I wonder if Hicks comes back.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

UCONN is still number 2 in my book. Even without Z, you have 2 All-Americans back, Dangerfield, and two other #1 recruits, plus ONO. UCONN arguably still has more talent than anyone.

Most important, you have Geno coaching the team.

That the Geno that didn't put Stevens in for much of the second half or overtime after she was unstoppable in the 1st half against Notre Dame? Or the one who loses just about every close game his team plays in?

Baylor and Notre Dame have more talent than UConn. Texas is probably close but much of their talent is young like UConn's.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

1) ND
2) UCONN
3) Oregon
4) Baylor
5) Louisville
6) Oregon State
7) Texas
8) Maryland

How on earth can UConn be ahead of Oregon, Louisville, and Baylor?

 

[LoTrader]

One thing remains the same, however: the chronic failure of Tennessee to return to the top tier.

For the second tier, Oregon State has arrived, as has UCLA. And the shocking strength of the no-name teams is also a revelation this year.

Oregon State must find an able replacement for Marie Gulich. OSU would have been in the middle of the PAC12 without Marie Gulich. We do get Destiny Slocum next year which will be a HUGE plus for OSU. I'd love for the Texas A&M transfer to show up wearing an OSU uniform next year!

 

[LoTrader]

Revised in light of AZ's departure and further thought

1. Notre Dame - Return 4 of 5 starters + add 2 injured Fs + 2 top 20 HS recruits
2. Oregon - Ionescu & Hebard return. Lose Bando but add transfer Boley.V
3. Baylor - Lose Kristy Wallace & Cohen but Brown, Cox, Morris back + THREE top 5 HS
4. UConn - Big losses of GW & KN but return 4 of 6
   
5. Louisville - Lose Hines-Allen but rest back.
6. Oregon St - Lose Gulich but add Slocum
7. Texas - Lose top 2 but next 4 our back + 2 top 10 HS.
8. Mizzou - Return 5 of top 6
9. Maryland - Return 4 of 5 starters + top 15 HS
10. Arizona St - Everyone back.

Next -- Georgia, Miss St, NC State, So Carolina, Stanford, Syracuse, West Virginia

vowelguy, is there anyone else other than you who thinks highly of the PAC12! I was glad to see you include ASU, as they do have everyone back, and, they will be better than last year. I believe they will replace UCLA in the standings. Re: Oregon State, unless we find an able bodied replacement for Gulich's defense, rebounding, blocked shots, and scoring, Oregon State will not finish above 4th place. We will be better at every other position, but in the PAC12, you have to have an able bodied BIG. Joanna Grymek is not that person. Rueck will either need a transfer at the 5, or, a miracle to find someone who can try to fill the 5 spot.

 

[bballnut90]

That the Geno that didn't put Stevens in for much of the second half or overtime after she was unstoppable in the 1st half against Notre Dame? Or the one who loses just about every close game his team plays in?

Baylor and Notre Dame have more talent than UConn. Texas is probably close but much of their talent is young like UConn's.

The same Geno who is 188-3 in the past 5 years. He’s not been a great late game coach the last ~10 years, but he’s equal to or better than any other coach in all other areas.

 

[bballnut90]

vowelguy, is there anyone else other than you who thinks highly of the PAC12! I was glad to see you include ASU, as they do have everyone back, and, they will be better than last year. I believe they will replace UCLA in the standings. Re: Oregon State, unless we find an able bodied replacement for Gulich's defense, rebounding, blocked shots, and scoring, Oregon State will not finish above 4th place. We will be better at every other position, but in the PAC12, you have to have an able bodied BIG. Joanna Grymek is not that person. Rueck will either need a transfer at the 5, or, a miracle to find someone who can try to fill the 5 spot.

He’s got 3 girls between 6-7 and 6-9. Might take a bit for them to develop, but Rueck will make it happen.

 

[bbballfan23]

How on earth can UConn be ahead of Oregon, Louisville, and Baylor?

Maybe because we have 2 AA’s back and those teams have 1...pretty simple math. Oh and the best coach in college basketball.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I'd put UCONN 4th or 5th at this time. Preseason they will probably start the year at #2 or 3. We will see. Plenty of time for them to move up or down. NOW would be the time for teams to schedule UCONN, that's for sure!

Now is the time, before we get Boston, Brunelle, Amihere, Jones, Bueckers, Van Lith, Brink, and Fudd.

 

[LoTrader]

He’s got 3 girls between 6-7 and 6-9. Might take a bit for them to develop, but Rueck will make it happen.

I like your positivism bballnut90-thank you. I just know how much Gulich meant to the OSU Team this year. The two (2) incoming freshman are spindly and weak, not to mention, slow. They will have to come far & fast in the pre season. I know the rest of the team will take these young ones under their wing in the summer/fall and progress each of them as far as possible. Fingers crossed. The BIG question is how much of a POSITIVE will Destiny Slocum be for OSU? I was highly impressed with Destiny as a freshman when she played at Maryland. Destiny has practiced with OSU this entire year, so she won't have any ramp on the offense/defense. What we lose in Gulich, we will partially make up in adding a great point guard.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Maybe because we have 2 AA’s back and those teams have 1...pretty simple math. Oh and the best coach in college basketball.

Had no idea that's what determined the quality of teams. Someone tell Mississippi State that.

 

[UConnCat]

1) ND
2) UCONN
3) Oregon
4) Baylor
5) Louisville
6) Oregon State
7) Texas
8) Maryland

I'd maybe put Baylor above UConn but otherwise as good a list as any other I've seen.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Oregon will have Ionescu, Sabally, Hebard, Carzola, McGwire, and add Erin Boley. Their offense was special this past year and could be off the charts next.

Louisville will still be stacked and they beat Notre Dame twice this year, leading them by 50 in one game.

 

[CardHack]

Louisville will still be stacked and they beat Notre Dame twice this year, leading them by 50 in one game.

I will give a polite nod to ND here by saying ours was the first game they had with Mabrey playing at the point; it was sort of cruel timing.

Louisville did redshirt McD's Loretta Kakala this year who is a rebounder deluxe...but was really badly out of shape when she reported. I think we might have gotten a glimpse of what Louisville would field as a regular lineup when they went with the lineup of PGs Arica Carter and Dana Evans, SG Durr, Wing Jaz Jones and Fuehring at center by necessity against MS State triggering their late second quarter run without MHA. Louisville's recruiting class is basically two perimeter players from the State of Kentucky along with a redshirted 2G in Lindsey Duvall (also local). Subsequently it's safe to say Louisville will be very perimeter oriented, even if Kylee Shook is on the floor where she basically is a stretch four.

I think we will factor in the ACC, but Hines-Allen gave us a ton of flexibility with her unique skill set offensively that won't be replaced.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Oregon will have Ionescu, Sabally, Hebard, Carzola, McGwire, and add Erin Boley. Their offense was special this past year and could be off the charts next.

Louisville will still be stacked and they beat Notre Dame twice this year, leading them by 50 in one game.

I think OU will have a second Sabally.

 

[Vowelguy]

vowelguy, is there anyone else other than you who thinks highly of the PAC12! I was glad to see you include ASU, as they do have everyone back, and, they will be better than last year. I believe they will replace UCLA in the standings. Re: Oregon State, unless we find an able bodied replacement for Gulich's defense, rebounding, blocked shots, and scoring, Oregon State will not finish above 4th place. We will be better at every other position, but in the PAC12, you have to have an able bodied BIG. Joanna Grymek is not that person. Rueck will either need a transfer at the 5, or, a miracle to find someone who can try to fill the 5 spot.

Yeah size is an issue but you get an excellent PG in Slocum. Like AA level.

And who would be better? Not UCLA. And I’m not sold on Stanford. McPhee was the key to their turnaround midseason and she’s gone.

 

[Vowelguy]

I think OU will have a second Sabally.

Yes