Wanted to include this on the Vandy thread.
Thanks for the insight. Actually, what you point to as her strengths is exactly what Vandy needs. Coach Ralph has some outside shooters who do not thrive with the physical play near the basket. If she plays defense, rebounds and shoots a good percentage inside 15 feet, she'll be a big help.An interesting pickup, and an unusual player. A pitiful offensive player her first 2 years at PSU, who couldn't figure out what is a good shot for her, and shot a poor percentage, especially in conference (46.7% from 2 her sophomore yr, 17.9% from 3, 60.9% at the line). Not a PG on offense - a bad perimeter shooter, more turnovers every year than assists, and low total assists.
But in her 3rd year, with PSU having lots of perimeter options, Kapinus could shoot like a power forward/guard, close in to the basket, and with selective, largely wide open perimeter shots for the player who would take the 6th most 3s on her team. Her percentages skyrocketed her junior year, 63% from 2, 41% from 3, though only 64.1% from the line, 55.9% in conference. She led her team in rebounds, turnovers, steals and blocks, an unusual statistical profile.
On the offensive end, she has an unusual game, and it will be interesting to see if Vandy can replicate her very good junior year. If Vandy tries to make her a perimeter force, or a facilitator, disaster awaits.
On the defensive end, a very good rebounder and a very good, versatile physical defender (overly physical for my stylistic preference), with 13 foul-outs over the last 2 seasons. But if my Boneyard education is correct, the SEC may be a better fit for her and her physical defense.
I will have to watch more Vandy games next season to see how she does.
Sorry. I overlooked this post.Does VU have any size coming in? Poor Sacha needs help!
Thanks for your thoughts. Keep them coming!Sorry. I overlooked this post.
You’re right. Sacha needs some help. We have a 6’4 rising sophomore, Aiyana Mitchell, who showed flashes last season, but Shea just never seemed to get to the point where she trusted her completely. She praised her at midseason, saying after a slow start she had caught up, and she expected her to help in conference play. Still, when it came down to it, she played very little. She’s fast and athletic and has some skills around the basket.
There’s a 6’3 freshman coming in, Trinity Wilson, who played on the North Tartan EYBL team out of Minnesota with Maddyn Grreenway and Aaliyah Crump, two highly touted recruits. She seems to have a true post mentality and doesn’t wander out of the paint very often on offense. She’s not one of these slender, grey-hound types. I’m hoping she and Mitchell in some combination will provide some relief for Sacha.
Shea has some Geno in her makeup. Every game seemed close, and as the pressure mounted late in the season to make the tournament, the rotation seemed to tighten. Quite a few games with only seven getting meaningful minutes.
It is as it should be.@YoDore And your baseball team just put a beating on the vols. Tennessee blown out 13-4.