[81alum]

Nice to see Alanna Smith doing so well, but will that translate quickly next year?  Based on the uneven performances this year and the loss of Orrange and Bonnie from next year's team, we could use an impact freshman right away.

Yes, that is the question.  And the coaches themselves cannot answer it yet.  They say over and over that you do not know "what you are going to get" until the players show up, and even then, the players usually make most of their improvement between freshman and sophomore years.  Players that are not starting and contributing in their sophomore year are unlikely to become impact players.

There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic that Smith can contribute immediately, though.  The fact that she is an awesome rebounder means that Tara will be likely to play her even if she can do nothing else.  But the descriptions and tape we have seen shows her to be a crafty finisher under the basket with a variety of moves.  Alanna is far more experienced and knows more moves than a typical freshman would.

[81alum]

Nice to see Alanna Smith doing so well, but will that translate quickly next year?  Based on the uneven performances this year and the loss of Orrange and Bonnie from next year's team, we could use an impact freshman right away.

Yes, that is the question.  And the coaches themselves cannot answer it yet.  They say over and over that you do not know "what you are going to get" until the players show up, and even then, the players usually make most of their improvement between freshman and sophomore years.  Players that are not starting and contributing in their sophomore year are unlikely to become impact players.

There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic that Smith can contribute immediately, though.  The fact that she is an awesome rebounder means that Tara will be likely to play her even if she can do nothing else.  But the descriptions and tape we have seen shows her to be a crafty finisher under the basket with a variety of moves.  Alanna is far more experienced and knows more moves than a typical freshman would.