Which team has the most talented roster in terms of top 8 players.

[BruinGold]

As a UCLA fan, I appreciate the high ranking. A couple of notes:
1. Charlisse Leger-Walker has an unknown timetable for a return to play. So, she may, or may not, factor at all.
2. Kendall Dudley, incoming freshman, over Angela Dugalic, 5th year senior, is an interesting call.
3. Other than Betts and Barker, the Bruins are thin in the post, and may play smaller much of the time.
4. Predicting how players will mesh into new arrangements is a crapshoot, and there are a lot of new parts here, so...

I, obviously, pay more attention to crosstown USC than some other teams. I think their talent level is extremely high (love TVO and Iriafen), but I am not sold on Juju's ability to make other players better, or for other players to complement her in a meaningful way. Last season, USC sometimes looked better with Watkins off the floor, especially when teams forced her to her off-hand. I think the best version of USC is one where Juju A) works on the off-hand, because word is out, B) balances getting her teammates involved without losing her offensive lethality. She's a generational talent, but if she's driving to the hoop in traffic for the foul on every play it won't matter how good her teammates are.

 

[southie]

As a UCLA fan, I appreciate the high ranking. A couple of notes:
1. Charlisse Leger-Walker has an unknown timetable for a return to play. So, she may, or may not, factor at all.
2. Kendall Dudley, incoming freshman, over Angela Dugalic, 5th year senior, is an interesting call.
3. Other than Betts and Barker, the Bruins are thin in the post, and may play smaller much of the time.
4. Predicting how players will mesh into new arrangements is a crapshoot, and there are a lot of new parts here, so...

I, obviously, pay more attention to crosstown USC than some other teams. I think their talent level is extremely high (love TVO and Iriafen), but I am not sold on Juju's ability to make other players better, or for other players to complement her in a meaningful way. Last season, USC sometimes looked better with Watkins off the floor, especially when teams forced her to her off-hand. I think the best version of USC is one where Juju A) works on the off-hand, because word is out, B) balances getting her teammates involved without losing her offensive lethality. She's a generational talent, but if she's driving to the hoop in traffic for the foul on every play it won't matter how good her teammates are.

Say, what? You do know that Timea Gardiner transferred from Oregon State to UCLA, right? I think UCLA has the deepest frontcourt in the country.

 

[jumpstart]

Athleticism is the key. In that regard South Carolina is the leader. They can play you straight up....run on you....out 3 point you.....and out defense you. It's the entire package not some single statistic that wins in the end. South Carolina might not go undefeated this coming season, but I believe they will be the last team standing. They love defense....you have to have a talented defense to win....South Carolina has the most talent in that department. End of story.

 

[Bone Dog]

I am not sold on Juju's ability to make other players better, or for other players to complement her in a meaningful way. Last season, USC sometimes looked better with Watkins off the floor, especially when teams forced her to her off-hand. I think the best version of USC is one where Juju A) works on the off-hand, because word is out, B) balances getting her teammates involved without losing her offensive lethality. She's a generational talent, but if she's driving to the hoop in traffic for the foul on every play it won't matter how good her teammates are.

This is what I thought about last season, too, especially the first part of the season and the games against ucla in particular. You’re right that making her teammates better is the next hurdle for her. It seemed like Juju and Forbes began to work together better in March.

Ordinarily, we look for a sophomore leap, but the pressure on Juju is going to be intense this season. It’s not only going to be about broadening her already impressive offensive game. Can she lead a team past the elite eight instead of just dragging them along behind her? The contrast in the UConn game between Juju and Paige was striking in just this respect.

Coach Gottlieb has surrounded Juju with a lot more talent than last season, but without Forbes the challenge to lead this new team will be interesting to watch. I don’t think she can turn pro until after her junior year, so she has at least two seasons to get there. That she’ll only have Marshall and Iriafen for one more season is an added twist for her.

 

[jdote33]

As a UCLA fan, I appreciate the high ranking. A couple of notes:
1. Charlisse Leger-Walker has an unknown timetable for a return to play. So, she may, or may not, factor at all.
2. Kendall Dudley, incoming freshman, over Angela Dugalic, 5th year senior, is an interesting call.
3. Other than Betts and Barker, the Bruins are thin in the post, and may play smaller much of the time.
4. Predicting how players will mesh into new arrangements is a crapshoot, and there are a lot of new parts here, so...

I, obviously, pay more attention to crosstown USC than some other teams. I think their talent level is extremely high (love TVO and Iriafen), but I am not sold on Juju's ability to make other players better, or for other players to complement her in a meaningful way. Last season, USC sometimes looked better with Watkins off the floor, especially when teams forced her to her off-hand. I think the best version of USC is one where Juju A) works on the off-hand, because word is out, B) balances getting her teammates involved without losing her offensive lethality. She's a generational talent, but if she's driving to the hoop in traffic for the foul on every play it won't matter how good her teammates are.

Thanks for the post. As others mentioned, I actually think Timea Gardiner is great/like super talented/steal of the portal. So her, Betts, Barker, and as u mentioned Dugalic is pretty stout to me. I was super high on Dugalic last year and still am as I realize she was recovering from injury, but she shot 35 percent from the floor last season and struggled with shot selection in my eyes. But I get what ur saying choosing a 18 yr old vs a 22 to be 23 year old is interesting. Shows how deep UCLA is though.
As for CLW, she got injured in January and had the surgery in February. A year out would be a bit tough to come back and fit in. 9 months on the flip side would be the first month of the season,and maybe there's a middle ground. Ashley Owusu this past year started playing games on January 14, and almost lead Penn State to the tournament. So, idk even if she got back in January, and imo there will be some in conference games against weak opponents that she'll be able to get her groove back.
I hear you on juju, but I do think playing with better talent will help. She's playing with arguably a lottery pick in the draft next year. Also Kennedy Smith is a dawg and they were somewhat rivals in high school. I just think the team is a bit more balanced this year. I think Juju is a scorer so I think she should stay super aggressive. I think the difference will be her number won't be called as much.

 

[jdote33]

Athleticism is the key. In that regard South Carolina is the leader. They can play you straight up....run on you....out 3 point you.....and out defense you. It's the entire package not some single statistic that wins in the end. South Carolina might not go undefeated this coming season, but I believe they will be the last team standing. They love defense....you have to have a talented defense to win....South Carolina has the most talent in that department. End of story.

 

[BruinGold]

Say, what? You do know that Timea Gardiner transferred from Oregon State to UCLA, right? I think UCLA has the deepest frontcourt in the country.

I KNEW I WAS GOING TO GET DRAGGED FOR THAT.
Operative word here was "Post" as in Center. Power forwards/stretch 4s/wings... got lots of those in the front court, yes. Great ones. Love Timea Gardiner, Janiyah Barker, Angela Dugalic, Gabriela Jaquez, and am looking forward to Kendall Dudley, and Zania Socka-Nguemen, and am hoping for some development from Amanda Muse.
Yes, awesome.
I just think there is a UCLA with Lauren Betts on the floor, and one without. And, probably, there will be two (or more) different styles of play. Call it "Venti" (Betts in), "Grande" (Barker, Gardiner, Dugalic... say), and "Tall" (No Betts, no Barker, no Socka,).
Supa deep. I get it.

 

[southie]

I KNEW I WAS GOING TO GET DRAGGED FOR THAT.
Operative word here was "Post" as in Center. Power forwards/stretch 4s/wings... got lots of those in the front court, yes. Great ones. Love Timea Gardiner, Janiyah Barker, Angela Dugalic, Gabriela Jaquez, and am looking forward to Kendall Dudley, and Zania Socka-Nguemen, and am hoping for some development from Amanda Muse.
Yes, awesome.
I just think there is a UCLA with Lauren Betts on the floor, and one without. And, probably, there will be two (or more) different styles of play. Call it "Venti" (Betts in), "Grande" (Barker, Gardiner, Dugalic... say), and "Tall" (No Betts, no Barker, no Socka,).
Supa deep. I get it.

Which teams do you believe are not "thin" in the "post"? If you start with Betts as a "Center", not a lot of teams have anybody equivalent; let alone do they have a backup as good as their starter. When most teams' starting Center gets into foul trouble, they play with a much smaller lineup; UCLA will never have that problem; they will always be able to put two talented 6'3+ players on the court simultaneously.

 

[sharris25]

Which teams do you believe are not "thin" in the "post"? If you start with Betts as a "Center", not a lot of teams have anybody equivalent; let alone do they have a backup as good as their starter. When most teams' starting Center gets into foul trouble, they play with a much smaller lineup; UCLA will never have that problem; they will always be able to put two talented 6'3+ players on the court simultaneously.

South Carolina has 6'6 player in Tac and 6'5 Walker as backups , but they also have Watkins 6'3, Feagin 6'3 to go along with Dauda 6'4 and long stretch fours in Kitts 6'3 and Joyce Edwards 6'3. All of these are not only long but have a type of athleticism that can cause havoc for any of these top teams

 

[GamecockFam]

South Carolina has 6'6 player in Tac and 6'5 Walker as backups , but they also have Watkins 6'3, Feagin 6'3 to go along with Dauda 6'4 and long stretch fours in Kitts 6'3 and Joyce Edwards 6'3. All of these are not only long but have a type of athleticism that can cause havoc for any of these top teams

Slight correction, Kitts is listed as 6'2". But that doesn't change your point.

 

[visitingcock]

Really looking forward to SCar at UCLA for nay reasons.that might be the game where we see us playing a big (like Dauda or Edwards) at the 3 for added rebounding along with an outside threat.

Of course, all of our Bigs can RUN. That is perhaps the best counter to Betts. Run and run and run. Put her off her normal game and wear her down.

I’ll also be interested to see what kindof crowd shows up in LA for a game between two highly ranked contenders.

 

[Bone Dog]

Of course, all of our Bigs can RUN. That is perhaps the best counter to Betts. Run and run and run. Put her off her normal game and wear her down.

There's some truth in this, though I noticed that Betts improved her foot speed in the half court a lot last season. I'm not sure she's improved her length of the court speed yet, but that may be coming too.

 

[southie]

South Carolina has 6'6 player in Tac and 6'5 Walker as backups , but they also have Watkins 6'3, Feagin 6'3 to go along with Dauda 6'4 and long stretch fours in Kitts 6'3 and Joyce Edwards 6'3. All of these are not only long but have a type of athleticism that can cause havoc for any of these top teams

And, besides South Carolina? That's kind of my point. To say UCLA is thin in the post needs to be taken into context.

SC is loaded, but Tac (coming off an injury in high school) and Edwards are true freshmen. UCLA's frontcourt is proven at the collegiate level already.

 

[Urshurak]

I think there is a 47.134567% chance the National Champion in 2025 does NOT come from any of these teams......and it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[Bone Dog]

Of course, all of our Bigs can RUN. That is perhaps the best counter to Betts. Run and run and run. Put her off her normal game and wear her down.

The alternative to this option is to do what USCw did to UCLA last season: run Juju directly at Betts and the rest of the bigs all game long. They won both games, and Juju shot 16 FTs in the first and 17 in the second. The entire starting lineup either fouled out or ended up with 4 PFs and she scored 32 and 33 points. This even though, other than Juju and Forbes, they were outclassed at every other position. I'm pretty sure Dawn has more than a couple of athletes capable of doing this.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

The alternative to this option is to do what USCw did to UCLA last season: run Juju directly at Betts and the rest of the bigs all game long. They won both games, and Juju shot 16 FTs in the first and 17 in the second. The entire starting lineup either fouled out or ended up with 4 PFs and she scored 32 and 33 points. This even though, other than Juju and Forbes, they were outclassed at every other position. I'm pretty sure Dawn has more than a couple of athletes capable of doing this.

I think Juju is an elite at drawing fouls, more so than any player in the country. It was probably her strongest skill last year. Not sure that strategy would work for anyone else quite as well.

 

[Bone Dog]

I think Juju is an elite at drawing fouls, more so than any player in the country. It was probably her strongest skill last year. Not sure that strategy would work for anyone else quite as well.

I didn’t recommend it for any team. Just SC. They have more than a dozen awesome athletes and probably outclass UCLA at almost every position.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

I didn’t recommend it for any team. Just SC. They have more than a dozen awesome athletes and probably outclass UCLA at almost every position.

They aren't gonna get the Juju whistle is all I'm saying. Juju plays sometimes just to get fouled, SC players don't do that overall. They can beat them without resorting to that stuff, imo BECAUSE they outclass them at almost every position.

 

[jdote33]

I think there is a 47.134567% chance the National Champion in 2025 does NOT come from any of these teams......and it wouldn't surprise me.

This is what I really like about the sport. Such a deep field, and it's unpredictable. I would've never guessed NC State would make a run all the way to the final 4. Their pieces just fit so well and their back court just came back super improved and ready to compete for a natty. So I think there are teams that could most certainly make a run. Duke is one team that didn't do much in the portal but could make a jump due to their freshman class and improvement of players. I feel like Reagan Richardson had a taste of what it's like to lead and play at an elite level in big games. She could build on that. I really like Delaney Thomas, as she may get more playing time this year with their starting big leaving. Another team like that is Kansas State. I worry about her overall health, but Ayoka Lee has been doing summer workouts. I honestly felt she was the best big in the country as a junior. Now she‘s an upper upper class man. I also think they have good pieces around her. They were pretty great to start the year and even earned the ability to host. So definitely a team to watch out for.
That being said, I'd be pretty shocked if a team not listed won the whole thing.

 

[FanInNC]

Im just pumped that the Pack is included in this exercise. I think State lacks the superstar some of these rosters have such as a Paige, juju, Hildago, miles or others. However I do think State’s pieces fit well together. South Carolina probably has the best 8, Notre Dames top 4 is pretty darn impressive - I’m curious to see how Miles and Hannah play together.

If James can clean up some shot selection issues and become slightly more efficient she could perhaps enter in that truly elite conversation with some of those others. She was streaky last year, when on she was fantastic but at times took some questionable shots and got in early foul troubles. Would also love to see Rivers improve her outside jumper.

 

[Bone Dog]

I really like Delaney Thomas, as she may get more playing time this year with their starting big leaving.

I was surprised Geno didn't recruit Thomas. She looks like his sort of player and seemed interested. I guess the scholarship limit was just too tight.

South Carolina probably has the best 8, Notre Dames top 4 is pretty darn impressive

I agree on both counts. Only thing I'd add is that UConn's top 4 (or 5) (or 6) (or 7) may be the easiest to underestimate. Not Paige, of course. But how many folks will overlook Ash and KK. Those two are definitely primed for a sophomore leap. Paige just gave them a season-long, intensive tutorial in winning against tough opponents, after all. And Kaitlyn has been taking tougher opponents by surprise her entire career.

 

[TC22]

Im just pumped that the Pack is included in this exercise. I think State lacks the superstar some of these rosters have such as a Paige, juju, Hildago, miles or others. However I do think State’s pieces fit well together. South Carolina probably has the best 8, Notre Dames top 4 is pretty darn impressive - I’m curious to see how Miles and Hannah play together.

If James can clean up some shot selection issues and become slightly more efficient she could perhaps enter in that truly elite conversation with some of those others. She was streaky last year, when on she was fantastic but at times took some questionable shots and got in early foul troubles. Would also love to see Rivers improve her outside jumper.

The fact that Saniyah Rivers hasn’t improved her outside shooting is mind blowing. I have to figure she has worked on it. When she was at SC we would cringe every time she would be open because she would jack it up and most of the time be nowhere near the rim. Absolute elite athlete but she’s going to have to find her shot to make it long at the next level.

 

[Alydar]

So the teams in the table for the most part are from two list: ESPN's way too early top 25 and World Exposure Reports Way too early top 25. I actually just wanted to do the top 10 so I should probably remove tcu. I was mostly in agreement with ESPN's list but swapped Baylor and Oklahoma. World exposure report had Duke in their top 10 but I just didn't think their rotation was comparable to the other teams though I like their roster and believe in Kara Lawson

Of the elite 8 teams last year, just raw numbers, those teams had about 9 players averaging double figure minutes. But obviously raw numbers doesn't account for injuries or suspensions. So a team like LSU had 9 including Katarie Poole and SaMyah Smith. I think both would've been in the rotation if healthy but maybe Del Rosario wouldn't have been. Similarly UConn had about 10 but it's hard to gauge how much Ashlyn Shade would've played if Azzi and Caroline were healthy. Iowa and nc state mostly played 7. So I think top 8 is a reasonable rotation to compare teams.

Lastly of the teams listed, UCLA had the most double figure scorers in their top 8. I know scoring isn't everything, but honestly their 8 jumped out to me more than any others.

The title of the post said most talented roster, not who had the stats. The two are related but not the same.

 

[GamecockFam]

The fact that Saniyah Rivers hasn’t improved her outside shooting is mind blowing. I have to figure she has worked on it. When she was at SC we would cringe every time she would be open because she would jack it up and most of the time be nowhere near the rim. Absolute elite athlete but she’s going to have to find her shot to make it long at the next level.

What? She has improved it even if it is still not good numbers. She did talk about focusing on it during her last off-season but it didn't really show.

Freshman: 1-31 / 3.2%
Sophomore: 14-65 / 21.5%
Junior: 25-96 / 26%

I think she can have a successful career if she bumps it up a tad. If she increases it another 4% she'll be shooting it around 30%, which isn't great, but it is serviceable.

 

[visitingcock]

The title of the post said most talented roster, not who had the stats. The two are related but not the same.

"Most talented" is hard to define.

Is it physical characteristics? Well partially. Speed, strength, jumping and endurance are important. Height is not actually a physical "ability" but it can be a factor. So, let's say physical "characteristics" rather than physical "ability." Hand-eye coordination? Vision?

Is it learned skills? Skill to dribble, to shoot, to make pinpoint passes, to set up and execute a proper pick and roll, etc. These are skills that have been learned. (And can be improved from year to year)

A proper mix of physical ability and skill equals talent. But how do you measure the combination? About all you have are statistics and eyeball tests but both can create wrong impressions. Stats may not take into account a player's role on their team. Then, how do you decide between a player who has very solid stats across the board to one who has superlative stats in only one or two areas? Steals, blocked shots are very nice but they certainly don't tell the whole story on defense.

It's tough.

 

[Bone Dog]

Absolute elite athlete but she’s going to have to find her shot to make it long at the next level.

Perimeter shooting is not that easy to find. It is often, but not always, primarily a matter of repetitions. But there is also a frame of mind that has to be developed. But I have confidence in Saniyah. She is a remarkably inventive personality and that may be all it takes for her to break through the 30% barrier.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Really looking forward to SCar at UCLA for nay reasons.that might be the game where we see us playing a big (like Dauda or Edwards) at the 3 for added rebounding along with an outside threat.

Of course, all of our Bigs can RUN. That is perhaps the best counter to Betts. Run and run and run. Put her off her normal game and wear her down.

I’ll also be interested to see what kindof crowd shows up in LA for a game between two highly ranked contenders.

I just don't see much reason for SCar to play three bigs together except to manufacture playing time.

It doesn't look like it would be the best lineup offensively and I do not otherwise think the team will struggle to defend or rebound.

 

[visitingcock]

I just don't see much reason for SCar to play three bigs together except to manufacture playing time.

It doesn't look like it would be the best lineup offensively and I do not otherwise think the team will struggle to defend or rebound.

I’m only talking about a few minutes in most games so that we are used to running it on those rare occasions when it might be needed against a team with quality bigs like a UCLA

 

[FanInNC]

Saniya’s stroke is definitely improved.

As mentioned previously her 3s :
1-32 3%
14-65 21%
25-96 26%

But also FTs
12-24 50%
45-72 62%
111-151 73%

She’s taken on a larger role each year and last year her and Aziaha James were often the ones taking grenade bombs at the end of the shot clock when plays broke down which certainly effects your FG %. For example, Madison Hayes shoots a great % from 3 but she also is never asked to create her own shot, everything is a set shot for the most part and comes within the flow of the offense. Rivers’ athleticism means she is asked to make something out of nothing at times.

Her mid range game seemed great last year. If she can get that 3 % to something like 30-33% it would take her game to another level. She is a fantastic defender. Willing passer. Team player and has an infectious attitude.

This year she will be playing on the wing rather than on the ball from everything I’ve read. Will be interesting to see how that changes her game and shot selection. I think she could be one heck of a match up problem as a small ball 4. Not sure if Wes will have her more at the 3 or the 4

 

[jdote33]

The title of the post said most talented roster, not who had the stats. The two are related but not the same.

I appreciate this point. The title and opening post could've been better/clearer. Best rotation vs most talented, I agree are slightly different distinctions. But Id still probably go with UCLA any way it's worded.