USC #1 & #2 | Page 4 | The Boneyard

USC #1 & #2

CalWBBfan said:
South Carolina has a better coach than U$C.
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I sort-of implied that. It took Gottlieb having Juju and 6 seniors to come knocking at a final four. Can she replicate it with 8 incomers? She could but it is overly generous to assume she would.
 
LwrcasefaN said:
I'm not convinced that Watkins is the perfect defensive replacement for Cardoso. Good defender no doubt, but better off ball in the trenches as a help defender in my opinion. Athletic, but I can see her getting into foul trouble trying to defend a traditional 5 or big bodied post player without help. Seems a little light in the pants to be banging with bigs all game.
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How many teams have big body posts? Oklahoma, UCLA... Who else?
 
triaddukefan said:
How many teams have big body posts? Oklahoma, UCLA... Who else?
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Those are gigantic. Plenty of teams have big bodied post players at the 4 and 5s. I wouldn't be surprised if Watkins plays just as much as a 4 as a 5. And then there's the scoring part of Cardoso that has to be replaced...I don't see that happening from Watkins, though certainly they have options. Maybe she's the next Dennis Rodman, but I'm taking a wait and see approach.
 
triaddukefan said:
Do you trust their Coach.. the McCallie of Westwood?
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Has Close started referring to 50 point losses as "learning experiences?"

Also, how dare you use that avatar on a CT-based board.
 
LwrcasefaN said:
Those are gigantic. Plenty of teams have big bodied post players at the 4 and 5s. I wouldn't be surprised if Watkins plays just as much as a 4 as a 5. And then there's the scoring part of Cardoso that has to be replaced...I don't see that happening from Watkins, though certainly they have options. Maybe she's the next Dennis Rodman, but I'm taking a wait and see approach.
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These takes are so ludicrous and just seem to rewrite history. If the supposed measuring stick for a few of you are Uconn, then lets s revisit who Ashlyn Watkins is. She was the person who started at center when Cardosa was out of the country for four games, all of which she played better than average. One of which was against Uconn and Aaliyah Edwards who as we all know now was a top 5 draft pick. Lets see she had 15pts, 9 rbs, 3 assists, 3 Blocks, and 2 steals. This was against one of the best posts in the country and no matter what you think of the potential of an Alfay or Brady, they were not A. Edwards. She finished that game with 3 fouls however. Of note she never fouled out of a game but fg, shooting and foul awareness can always be improved. Also during the Oregon State game she had an outstanding game against Beers and whoever Oregon State threw out there when Kamilla was out of the game and in the second half when she was in foul trouble.. Also she was chosen to defend L. Betts during the Jordan Brand Classic and held her to two points because of her strength and athleticism. Watkins was the strongest player on the team despite what someone said was her slight frame. As Taurasi stated during the Natinoal Championship Team, she has a pro ready body and athleticism that can defend 1-5. Her offensive play led to a timeout during the Uconn game in the first quarter of that blowout for which Geno stated, we had a plan for her that obviously is not working and we will have to adjust to even have a chance. Ashlyn along with Feagin's play toward the end of the season effectively will replace Cardosa's offense, if you are looking at the numbers, and you are adding in Edwards, whom showed what she could do in the three all star games against some of the incoming talent that some of you are using to make an argument for in making SC very beatable. Watkins led the team in Blocks and was neck and neck all year with Kamilla in rebounds. This does not even take into account Tac, for which Dawn has stated defensively, is as talented and smart as Boston. Frankly most of the players coming back have not played any significant minutes for Uconn at the college level to base any type of success or lack of success on. Fudd and Aubrey are the only proven players that have real credibility as it relates to on court sucess for Geno, and Watkins, Feagin, Hall, Johnson, have played games with both in the game along with Beuckers and Frankly some of your better post players of the past three years and have won. I will wait unitl all of these returns and additions show me something on the floor before I would advance them past a team that is 38-0 and has added a few impact pieces even in the face of the loss of Kamilla
 
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sharris25 said:
These takes are so ludicrous and just seem to rewrite history. If the supposed measuring stick for a few of you are Uconn, then lets s revisit who Ashlyn Watkins is. She was the person who started at center when Cardosa was out of the country for four games, all of which she played better than average. One of which was against Uconn and Aaliyah Edwards who as we all know now was a top 5 draft pick. Lets see she had 15pts, 9 rbs, 3 assists, 3 Blocks, and 2 steals. This was against one of the best posts in the country and no matter what you think of the potential of an Alfay or Brady, they were not A. Edwards. She finished that game with 3 fouls however. Of note she never fouled out of a game but fg, shooting and foul awareness can always be improved. Also during the Oregon State game she had an outstanding game against Beers and whoever Oregon State threw out there when Kamilla was out of the game and in the second half when she was in foul trouble.. Also she was chosen to defend L. Betts during the Jordan Brand Classic and held her to two points because of her strength and athleticism. Watkins was the strongest player on the team despite what someone said was her slight frame. As Taurasi stated during the Natinoal Championship Team, she has a pro ready body and athleticism that can defend 1-5. Her offensive play led to a timeout during the Uconn game in the first quarter of that blowout for which Geno stated, we had a plan for her that obviously is not working and we will have to adjust to even have a chance. Ashlyn along with Feagin's play toward the end of the season effectively will replace Cardosa's offense, if you are looking at the numbers, and you are adding in Edwards, whom showed what she could do in the three all star games against some of the incoming talent that some of you are using to make an argument for in making SC very beatable. Watkins led the team in Blocks and was neck and neck all year with Kamilla in rebounds. This does not even take into account Tac, for which Dawn has stated defensively, is as talented and smart as Boston. Frankly most of the players coming back have not played any significant minutes for Uconn at the college level to base any type of success or lack of success on. Fudd and Aubrey are the only proven players that have real credibility as it relates to on court sucess for Geno, and Watkins, Feagin, Hall, Johnson, have played games with both in the game along with Beuckers and Frankly some of your better post players of the past three years and have won. I will wait unitl all of these returns and additions show me something on the floor before I would advance them past a team that is 38-0 and has added a few impact pieces even in the face of the loss of Kamilla
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When you take out a 6' 7" center out of your defense...things change. Nothing ludicrous about that fact. In the end...it's why we play the game. And I wasn't talking about UCONN because this was a USC/SC thread. In any case, they too have unchartered waters to navigate. Some of you folks are a tad too sensitive. Every team is beatable. No?
 
Rowdy831 said:
UConn doesn't run an offense that needs a true post player. They only need a tall person to defend the other team's tall player. They have plenty of height to beat any other team out there. Only UCLA is going to have two players taller than 6'4 capable of starting and doubt they will.
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UConn needs not to get clobbered on the boards.
 
Vowelguy said:
Has Close started referring to 50 point losses as "learning experiences?"

Also, how dare you use that avatar on a CT-based board.
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Duke never got beat by 50 (i don't think). And lessons were learned. Learned not to schedule UConn. :oops:

Its the playoffs, and the Hornets aint around so the Canes it is. Also, its been 27 years. They should be ok by now. :confused:
 
cancontent said:
How tall is Crooks? Thought Triad was referring to posts who were in the 6'4"+ range when they asked the question.
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She's 6-3 but BIG, Don'[t know her weight and probably shouldn't. She has the strength to push people around as she showed vs, Stanford's bigs.

Ashlyn Watkins doesn't have that bulk strength a low post (center) can use so effectively to control the paint. See Beers et al. Watkins can out jump them when the don't push her out of the paint. She can out-jump Cardosa too.
 
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visitingcock said:
She's 6-3 but BIG, Don'[t know her weight and probably shouldn't. She has the strength to push people around as she showed vs, Stanford's bigs.

Ashlyn Watkins doesn't have that bulk strength a low post (center) can use so effectively to control the paint. See Beers et al. Watkins can out jump them when the don't push her out of the paint. She can out-jump Cardosa too.
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For some reason I thought she was 6'2". Thanks.
 
triaddukefan said:
the Canes it is. Also, it’s been 27 years. They should be ok by now..
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Rowdy831 said:
They have had the best post player lately but their coach always provides you an opportunity to get a win if you can match up with them.
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We've had the best team lately. And that sorry, no good coach was named by her peers the best in the sport for both in-game adjustments and defensive gameplan.
 
MSGRET said:
I believe that the reason why some are giving it to USC (West) is because they have 6 of the Top 100 Freshman going to USC. Not that I agree with it, but some believe it.
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Well these publications have their own motivations… with that being said, half of their six players will transfer out.
 
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visitingcock said:
Not a “bust”. It’s unfair to call an njured player a bust. It will be interesting to see who ends up being considered the best of the 2021 class.
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Is Fudd a senior this year?
 
hoopsfan22 said:
500 points heading into her senior year. Bust. Don't really care about the whys since I'm not related to her.
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Azzi has played# in a total of 42 games in 3 seasons (25 out 36 in 1st year UConn, 15 out of 37 in 2nd year UConn, 2 out of 39 in 3rd year UConn).

In Azzi’s only postseason appearance, she suffered a stomach flu (?) in the finals game against South Carolina (Starters ) and played only 13 minutes. Dorka suffered a season-ending wrist injury in her third playing minute in the Sweet 16. Mon, Mar 28, 2022

So, next season is effectively Azzi’s sophomore season. Now, injuries are a part of the game, but calling Azzi a bust, when any other team would welcome Azzi and her 2 years of remaining eligibility, is rather trite.

Geno, Paige and Stephen Curry are better judges of talent than any keyboard warriors here.

Even Dawn, who called Geno’s teams machines, would admit that luck gave her bigger chances by not facing UConn’s machines.

# Azzi Fudd College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
 
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visitingcock said:
Not a “bust”. It’s unfair to call an njured player a bust. It will be interesting to see who ends up being considered the best of the 2021 class.
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Looks like Iriafen or Morrow at this juncture. This class has had an abnormal number of injuries. Seems like every standout has been injury plagued and/or transferred. Interestingly the hype behind UCONN/SC recruits dominating hasn’t planned out as expected, with none of the top 5 turning into major standouts for either program (though an argument could be made for Raven Johnson).
 
Only Morrow has been an All-American. It’s a bit premature to hold a really strong opinion on who is best-in-class, since none of these folks have had a consequential All-American season.

It’s offseason chatter. It’s amusing and welcome, but one shouldn’t be so wedded to a position with such limited data until perhaps mid-way through these folks’ de-jure senior years.

Azzi Fudd, 42 games: Azzi Fudd
Raven Johnson#, 75 games: Raven Johnson
Kiki Iriafen, 104 games: Kiki Iriafen
Andeesah Morrow, 103 games: Aneesah Morrow

# Two natty’s: one in her redshirt season and another one where a freshman and two key transfers had as much of an impact on that natty.
 
I wonder if Covid impacted the rankings for the 2021 class. Some sports seasons were cancelled for the 2020-2021 year, nobody was attending/scouting players, and I doubt there were very many invitationals where they could showcase their skills. All in all, it probably led to less accurate rankings than usual because students were not getting their usual exposure.
 
hoopsfan22 said:
500 points heading into her senior year. Bust. Don't really care about the whys since I'm not related to her.
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Exactly.

If we were talking about a men's basketball player (specifically a Duke MBB player) in the same predicament, no one would have any reservations about labeling him a bust.

We are three years removed from the high school graduations for the Class of 2021. If we can't express any strong opinions on them now, when can we?
 
WBBTakeover said:
Exactly.

If we were talking about a men's basketball player (specifically a Duke MBB player) in the same predicament, no one would have any reservations about labeling him a bust.

We are three years removed from the high school graduations for the Class of 2021. If we can't express any strong opinions on them now, when can we?
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You’re making a fallacious argument — appeal to authority i.e. if it were MBB instead of WBB to double down on your priors.

As you know, the WNBA does not allow early departures from college as the NBA. People can make an inference in MCBB that top recruits who don’t depart early for the NBA are not any good. You cannot make the same inference in WCBB.

FWIW, uninjured Kiki Iriafen wasn’t that impressive until her junior season after having two full prior seasons.
 
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