Just reading this thread makes me SO excited for next season!!! I've thoroughly enjoyed reading it!
UCONN has to be the favorite going into next season. If fully healthy and ready to go, I expect Dangerfield to be a steady replacement for Jefferson. Even though she's a freshman, the young lady has a lot of poise for a pg at such a young age. Idk how Geno is going to go about with his starting lineup but it'll be hard not to include Ms. Dangerfield on the floor.
Nurse will be an AA this year imo. The girl can just flat out play. I feel as if she's somewhat had to take a backseat to the "Big 3" since she's been at UCONN, however she's shown flashes of a star player. I expect a lot out of her going into her Jr year. Her drive and finish abilities are amazing....with an improved outside shot, I see AA written all over her this year.
Collier is one of my favorite players. She was in high school and regardless of the school she chose, she'll continue to be one of my favorites, just as Ms. Tuck was. Their games are somewhat similar and Collier's work ethic around the rim impresses me, just as Tuck's did. She's no Tuck but like Dangerfield, I feel she can help ease the loss of Tuck.
I'm sorry but for some reason KLS just doesn't do it for me so I'm going to refrain from saying what I think of her game. HOW EVER if she starts to shoot "KML-esque " I'll reconsider how I feel about her. Lol
Gabby Williams is a freak of nature!!! (I mean that in a good way) lol Similar to young Glory Johnson, this kid has MAJOR hops, however can be a little out of control...at times. IMO her development will be a MAJOR factor on if UCONN can repeat ×'s 5! I'm not sold at Butler on the offensive end, but if Williams can be an inside scoring presence for UCONN, I believe they can win it again.
Behind UCONN in order :
South Carolina - I'm sorry but the move by Dawn to hire Balcomb was OUTSTANDING to me! It's been clear that offense is the reason South Carolina hasn't looked like a NC team...IMO. I don't know how it will pan out, but this was nothing but a positive for the offense!
Wilson will contend for Player of the Year, She got better last year and I expect a whole different player her Jr year, especially with the additions of Grey and Davis. They'll be able to give Wilson more room to operate and take advantage of the best part of her game, face up and dribble drive.
Grey and Davis will prove to be a deadly, deadly back court, arguably one of the best, if not the best in the country. Grey IMO was a better player at UNC their freshman, than DD! She's consistent out to the 3pt arc, speedy, and able to finish with contact and a willing passer. If I was Dawn she'd be playing my PG spot. I'm not sold on Cuevas running the show for South Carolina this year. Good guard play is important and over the course of their two seasons, I'd take Grey at the point over Cuevas.
Davis, can SOME WHAT replace what Mitchell did for South Carolina, save the outside shot. If Davis can play team ball, which I'm sure she's willing to do, it'll only make her game better. She's a proven scorer and will be able to absorb the loss of Mitchell for Dawn...imo.
Coates is one of the best centers in the country. Her mobility is what makes her so good IMO. She's a big body that plays aggressive and not scared to bang her body around. I love her presence on the court! From her ability to rebound, be a shot blocking presence, and scoring presence on the block, she'll easily contend for AA status going into her Sr season.
If I was Dawn I'd have a starting lineup of
PG - Grey
SG - Davis
SF - Wilson
PF - Imboviah (Was last year her last year?)
C - Coates
Next up - Norte Dame
Obuganwale and the younger Mabrey sister are stars waiting to happen. If Muffet is able to get Obuganwale to play more under control, and the Mabrey sister is healthy, they put ND right in Nation Championship contention. We all know what Steven's is going to bring. She's going to need help if they're going to be formidable and ready to compete for a title. Their freshman class almost made me put them above South Carolina.
Next up - Baylor
Hands down the deepest team in the country!!! Will be interesting to see how playing time will be distributed amongst the post players. I absolutely love Wallace's game, the steady hands of Jones piloting the ship, and the consistency with Davis in the post for Baylor. They'll be a fun team to watch this upcoming year.
My dark horse - Ohio State.
I've never seen a more explosive scorer than Ms. Mitchell. Her game is absolutely fun to watch. I was nervous about her and Ohio State when we played them in the tourney this year. With the additions of Mavunga, Harper, Calhoun, and McCoy coming in, Ohio State could really make some noise.
Outside of those 5 teams, I really don't see anyone else making too many waves! Unless DD, Nared, and Russell finally hit their stride, I don't see Tenn contending for a NC. I love my girls to the death of me but with no real help coming in besides the transfer from Winthrop (Nunn), I really feel like we're in for another rocky season on Rocky Top!
