Year of the Big Girl?

[Cuango]

In perusing ESPN’s list of the top 25 players in the tournament, I was struck by the predominance of 6 foot or above players. I realize the list itself is debatable, some will have issues with who was chosen and where they were placed but, putting that aside, I was shocked at the number of big girls. 19/25 were 6’ or better, 8 of the top ten were 6’2” or better, and 7 of the top ten were 6’3” or better! Only 6 of the twenty five were under 6’ and every one of the top 13 players were 6’ or better! I’m probably making too much of this but it just seems like I blinked and the makeup of women’s basketball suddenly shifted upward by three to six inches.

 

[The deacon]

In perusing ESPN’s list of the top 25 players in the tournament, I was struck by the predominance of 6 foot or above players. I realize the list itself is debatable, some will have issues with who was chosen and where they were placed but, putting that aside, I was shocked at the number of big girls. 19/25 were 6’ or better, 8 of the top ten were 6’2” or better, and 7 of the top ten were 6’3” or better! Only 6 of the twenty five were under 6’ and every one of the top 13 players were 6’ or better! I’m probably making too much of this but it just seems like I blinked and the makeup of women’s basketball suddenly shifted upward by three to six inches.

An excellent observation, Cuango, yet look around... as many of us are shrinking from whatever height we once attained, people in general are getting taller, both women and men.

 

[Bone Dog]

An excellent observation, Cuango, yet look around... as many of us are shrinking from whatever height we once attained, people in general are getting taller, both women and men.

This does nothing to explain why I keep getting fatter.

 

[The deacon]

This does nothing to explain why I keep getting fatter.

You and me both, Bone Dog!

 

[MilfordHusky]

The best player in the nation is only 5'11". Unfortunately, she is not playing this season.

 

[huskyd]

Height is something to contemplate because we're about to lose a 6'5" player w/out much size coming in. When Azura Stevens was here, we expected 2 years. She left after one. She was our last best chance to have an impactful big until Dorka arrived. In Dorka's case we also expected 2 years, however she was pretty nicked up last year (and finally out for our biggest game). When healthy this season, Dorka has been good and getting better. She will be sorely missed.
I don't mean to dis Ono, but she really never got to the point where she made the difference we needed.
Point: Dorka may be our best chance in a while to win the NC. Let's hope.

 

[The deacon]

The best player in the nation is only 5'11". Unfortunately, she is not playing this season.

And the best player in the country who's actually playing is only 6'.

 

[uconnfan68]

And the best player in the country who's actually playing is only 6'.

As good as Clark is, I still would probably pick Boston first.

 

[Bigboote]

This does nothing to explain why I keep getting fatter.

“My theory is the universe is contracting. At least, I’m bumping into things more often.”
— Frank and Ernest

 

[Bone Dog]

“My theory is the universe is contracting. At least, I’m bumping into things more often.”
— Frank and Ernest

I can confirm this as a fact, since I have approximate knowledge of the entire universe.

 

[The deacon]

As good as Clark is, I still would probably pick Boston first.

Pretty sure that won't be anyone's choice unless Caitlin opts to turn pro this year or Aliyah stays at SC for another season (or transfers somewhere, like UConn). One couldn't go wrong either way.

 

[uconnfan68]

Pretty sure that won't be anyone's choice unless Caitlin opts to turn pro this year or Aliyah stays at SC for another season (or transfers somewhere, like UConn). One couldn't go wrong either way.

The choice was for best player, not #1 draft pick.

 

[Notyetready]

You and me both, Bone Dog!

You guys are lucky, I keep getting dumber. The weird thing is, totally off topic here, is that my dad-- who died 25 years ago-- keeps getting smarter.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Regardless of height, plenty of these players are guards/wings.

 

[Skeets]

This does nothing to explain why I keep getting fatter.

Well maybe it's related. I think the Deacon may be on to something. Maybe it's cause and effect, i.e. the more we shrink, the taller they grow. Very similar to the situation if I lose 5 lbs. Mrs. Skeets will find them.

Any close relative of yours losing weight? You might be the ying to that yang.

 

[Rowdy831]

The choice was for best player, not #1 draft pick.

As good as Clark is she won't be leading teams to championships in the WNBA the was Boston will. AB will make any team that gets her an immediate contender for a title while Clark would just make them fun to watch. Both great players but in BB you have to have a big that can control the lane and Boston does that better than anyone right now.

 

[GoUconn7961]

As good as Clark is she won't be leading teams to championships in the WNBA the was Boston will. AB will make any team that gets her an immediate contender for a title while Clark would just make them fun to watch. Both great players but in BB you have to have a big that can control the lane and Boston does that better than anyone right now.

Clark would really have to up her defense to make a huge impact in the WNBA. There are so many good defensive players with the ability to face guard her and get enough lift to block or deflect some of her three point attempts. She'd have to show something spectacular in training camp to displace the current PGs.

 

[RadfordRam]

The best player in the nation is only 5'11". Unfortunately, she is not playing this season.

Nah Boston

 

[meyers7]

Height is something to contemplate because we're about to lose a 6'5" player w/out much size coming in.

We have 2 players (6-4 and 6-3) coming in next year. That's a decent amount of size to cover.

This year we have: 6-5, 6-5, 6-3 and a couple athletic 6-2, 6-1
Next year we have : 6-5, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, and 3 athletic 6-2, 6-1, 6-1

Don't think we are losing much from a pure size point of view.

Losing experience, that's for sure.

I don't mean to dis Ono, but she really never got to the point where she made the difference we needed.

Welllll, ONO shot better than Juhasz (59% to 49%), had way more assists (116 to 74), way more blocks (100 to 31) and wasn't as hurt. Juhasz avg more rebounds (10 to 8.5) and scoring (14 to 12) and was a 3 pt shooter. (ONO didn't even really attempt many). So I'm not sure one can argue one made much more of a difference than the other. Each did some thing better than the other.

 

[browns]

The best player in the nation is only 5'11". Unfortunately, she is not playing this season.

Yea she is..she plays for Iowa..Paige was the best player TWO years ago

 

[JellyBean]

We have 2 players (6-4 and 6-3) coming in next year. That's a decent amount of size to cover.

This year we have: 6-5, 6-5, 6-3 and a couple athletic 6-2, 6-1
Next year we have : 6-5, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, and 3 athletic 6-2, 6-1, 6-1

Don't think we are losing much from a pure size point of view.

Losing experience, that's for sure.


Welllll, ONO shot better than Juhasz (59% to 49%), had way more assists (116 to 74), way more blocks (100 to 31) and wasn't as hurt. Juhasz avg more rebounds (10 to 8.5) and scoring (14 to 12) and was a 3 pt shooter. (ONO didn't even really attempt many). So I'm not sure one can argue one made much more of a difference than the other. Each did some thing better than the other.

The thing with ONO and her passing, she had decent court vision and her shot blocking skills were off the charts. Like you said, each player (ONO & Dorka) did somethings better than the other.

 

[JellyBean]

In perusing ESPN’s list of the top 25 players in the tournament, I was struck by the predominance of 6 foot or above players. I realize the list itself is debatable, some will have issues with who was chosen and where they were placed but, putting that aside, I was shocked at the number of big girls. 19/25 were 6’ or better, 8 of the top ten were 6’2” or better, and 7 of the top ten were 6’3” or better! Only 6 of the twenty five were under 6’ and every one of the top 13 players were 6’ or better! I’m probably making too much of this but it just seems like I blinked and the makeup of women’s basketball suddenly shifted upward by three to six inches.

These tall players are changing the game. Some Bigs are playing in the post and some are taking their skills on perimeter.

 

[Geew1992]

Pretty sure that won't be anyone's choice unless Caitlin opts to turn pro this year or Aliyah stays at SC for another season (or transfers somewhere, like UConn). One couldn't go wrong either way.

CC can go pro this year??

 

[Geew1992]

We have 2 players (6-4 and 6-3) coming in next year. That's a decent amount of size to cover.

This year we have: 6-5, 6-5, 6-3 and a couple athletic 6-2, 6-1
Next year we have : 6-5, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, and 3 athletic 6-2, 6-1, 6-1

Don't think we are losing much from a pure size point of view.

Losing experience, that's for sure.


Welllll, ONO shot better than Juhasz (59% to 49%), had way more assists (116 to 74), way more blocks (100 to 31) and wasn't as hurt. Juhasz avg more rebounds (10 to 8.5) and scoring (14 to 12) and was a 3 pt shooter. (ONO didn't even really attempt many). So I'm not sure one can argue one made much more of a difference than the other. Each did some thing better than the other.

Dorka also is playing a fifth year

 

[browns]

We have 2 players (6-4 and 6-3) coming in next year. That's a decent amount of size to cover.

This year we have: 6-5, 6-5, 6-3 and a couple athletic 6-2, 6-1
Next year we have : 6-5, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, and 3 athletic 6-2, 6-1, 6-1

Don't think we are losing much from a pure size point of view.

Losing experience, that's for sure.


Welllll, ONO shot better than Juhasz (59% to 49%), had way more assists (116 to 74), way more blocks (100 to 31) and wasn't as hurt. Juhasz avg more rebounds (10 to 8.5) and scoring (14 to 12) and was a 3 pt shooter. (ONO didn't even really attempt many). So I'm not sure one can argue one made much more of a difference than the other. Each did some thing better than the other.

Next year you have 6'5" Amari who doesn't even play and the 6'4" girl from Egypt who we have no idea what she can do in Div1 so I would say losing the 6'5" Dorka is quite a bit of size they are losing

 

[Fairfield Fan]

South Carolina is the odds-on favorite to win another NC because of their bigs: they start the two best post players in the nation-bar none: Boston (6'5") and Cardozo (6'7"). Add to those two Amihere (6'3"), and no one can respond. With competent guards to get them the ball and play adequate defense, they've never lost. It's all about not just Bigs, but Great Bigs. That's the way the women's game has been for some time, and it's not changing back.

Clark is fun to watch, and she has a good/adequate post in Czinano. But South Carolina's front court is unstoppable.

 

[GoUconn7961]

South Carolina is the odds-on favorite to win another NC because of their bigs: they start the two best post players in the nation-bar none: Boston (6'5") and Cardozo (6'7"). Add to those two Amihere (6'3"), and no one can respond. With competent guards to get them the ball and play adequate defense, they've never lost. It's all about not just Bigs, but Great Bigs. That's the way the women's game has been for some time, and it's not changing back.

Clark is fun to watch, and she has a good/adequate post in Czinano. But South Carolina's front court is unstoppable.

IMO Cardozo is the one that makes the difference for SC. She is a better rebounder than Boston and is wide open when Boston gets double-teamed. It's hard to stop both of them together under the basket. I also think Cardozo is better at establishing position under the basket.

 

[meyers7]

Next year you have 6'5" Amari who doesn't even play and the 6'4" girl from Egypt who we have no idea what she can do in Div1 so I would say losing the 6'5" Dorka is quite a bit of size they are losing

You can say that, but you'd be wrong. You're losing experience, not size.

 

[huskyd]

We have 2 players (6-4 and 6-3) coming in next year. That's a decent amount of size to cover.

This year we have: 6-5, 6-5, 6-3 and a couple athletic 6-2, 6-1
Next year we have : 6-5, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, and 3 athletic 6-2, 6-1, 6-1

Don't think we are losing much from a pure size point of view.

Losing experience, that's for sure.


Welllll, ONO shot better than Juhasz (59% to 49%), had way more assists (116 to 74), way more blocks (100 to 31) and wasn't as hurt. Juhasz avg more rebounds (10 to 8.5) and scoring (14 to 12) and was a 3 pt shooter. (ONO didn't even really attempt many). So I'm not sure one can argue one made much more of a difference than the other. Each did some thing better than the other.

You're right. From the "pure size" pov there isn't much difference. From the talent end, though, I believe Dorka has had more impact than the 2 big girls we'll have next year project. As usual (barring injuries) we'll have a bunch of guards with more to come the next year. Aaliyah will have to spend more time underneath with not much help. As most posters write, size (+talent) is what we need.

 

[Inthepaint]

You and me both, Bone Dog!

Still getting taller only sideways