Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="Dillon77, post: 2896697, member: 6620"] JordyG's post was excellent....enjoyed the analysis and questions raised. And I'm an ND guy ;) Will respond a bit to the points raised here, as well as others: 1. Coexistence of Turner and Shepard. I'm utterly sure they can "share the spotlight." One pretty much accepted reason Shepard came to ND was that she and Turner are friends from the AAU Circuit and U.S. National Teams. There won't be any one up-manship. However, how effective will they be operating as a unit. The plan is for Shep to move to Kat Westbeld's high post with Turner being in the low post. This would take advantage of Shepard's passing, mid-range jumper and driving ability. Plus, they may flip flop. Their interaction is crucial. It won't be for lack of trying. 2a. Mabrey being the lead guard. Mabrey on the defensive end. - Granted, Mabrey had a tough game against Miss. State, undoubtedly her worst effort since the Louisville game. However, that performance was a bit of an outlier in the latter part of the season. She picked up her assists total in the ACC and directed the offense well in the NCAA's, tallying 7 in the A&M game. When pressure was put in the backcourt, Young and Ogunowale would help get the ball upcourt, then handing it off to her. Still, Mabrey was getting more confident...her outside shooting improved in the latter part of the season, even with the lead responsibilities. - That's why Jordan Nixon is on the team. Her role will be like Lily Thompson before she was hurt -- take over the ball-handling responsibilities so Mabrey can get back to the wing. - Liability on the other end? Huh? First, ND played a 2-3 zone most of the time last year and Mabrey and Young were both pretty active in the "2" slots. And she once again led the Irish in steals. On top of that, she's a willing rebounder on the defensive end (as are all the ND guards). Mabrey is not small -- a well-built, 5'11" athlete who will mix it up. 2b) Will Arike do ok without the shots? If MM has her way, all the Irish will have less shots because there will be guard rotation. And that means less shots for all of them,. It will be notable for Arike, who does like to hoist them. BTW, if there's any player who is often picked on for defensive passivity, it's #24. She got better last year but as the Irish transition back to man-to-man, it's worth paying attention to. 2c) Young does not need the ball, not like Arike. MM wants her to have the ball more, but she'll defer to her senior teammates until necessary. 3) Target on back. Fair enough. They've always been targeted in the ACC to a degree but the NC makes it even bigger and I presume there will no teams not up, up, up for their games. Once again, good write-up and questions. Look forward to seeing how all this plays out, particularly the Turner-Shepard interplay and how Jordan Nixon fits in. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach