Thanks Cleo- please note I am not slamming you or any USC fans. I just think you are 1 year away even though you’ll lose Welch and Ibiam. Next year if Wilson is all she is cracked up to be – imo you are a huge threat. But I have some questions/comments.
Yeah, saying that one thinks Wilson will play a little bit at the 2 does not necessarily equate into saying that Wilson SHOULD play at the 2.
Thus it is mind-boggling to me that what you are saying is “Wilson will play a little bit at the 2” or anyone you are quoting – it doesn’t matter. If she DOES play the 2 – it is mind-boggling.
Welch has predominantly played the 4 for most of her career at USC due to USC having little depth in the post. Last season changed all that with the development of Ibiam and addition of Coates. Still, mostly Welch played the 4 while Ibiam and Coates platooned for each other at the 5. Dozier was mostly the 3. There were a few times last season when Coates AND Ibiam were in games along with Welch, and Welch slid to the 3, but those weren't that often. Welch has always been a solid rebounder and body-banger in the paint - she won't shy away from contact - but against opponents with talented 6-3, 6-4 big girls she can struggle due simply to the physical disadvantage. But there's no reason why Staley couldn't slide Welch to 3 and rotate in 6-4 Ibiam, 6-4 Coates, and possibly 6-5 Wilson and 6-4.
Regards to Welch vs Wilson:
By the way, who has a better outside shot- Wilson or Welch? And who do you predict will be able to score more easily in the post- Wilson or Welch? And who do you think can become a better offensive rebounder, Wilson or Welch?
Mitchell played a lot of PG last season when Sessions missed some games with an injury and backup PG Tiffany Davis struggled, and Mitchell ended up doing very well there and led the team in assists. She was off Saturday against SoCal, but I expect her to improve from that in future games.
I only saw a little of your team but it was argued by a USC fan that you can run with UCONN. The little I saw of Mitchell – she is not a pg and if she plays there a lot and USC tries to run I expect UCONN will blow out USC. Years ago Tennessee fans used to spout off about Parker being able to play the pg. Sure he could “play it” but she was a ton more effective as a post.
Roy made a huge contribution with 9 pts from 3-6 shooting - 3-5 from behind the arc - to go with 6 assists and 3 steals.
I get the feeling Roy isn’t a pg. If you don’t play with a natural pg I think you are going to struggle mightily within your offense vs a defense like UCONN. Regardless of Mitchell playing “well” last year as a pg – I can’t see it vs a talented determined top 5 defense with transition high octane offense. Just because USC is big doesn’t mean that the ball can go to a kid 5 feet from the basket. There has to ball movement etc. An un-natural pg against UConn- you certainly have limited your chances.
