[81alum]

I think Dodson has the most upside of any of our bigs, and I know Tara has been putting a lot of time into helping her develop this year.  Her playtime will depend upon how much she improves over the off-season.  But she and Fingall will be competing for the time vacated by Kaylee Johnson.  Coffee as well, but I think Coffee has been here long enough for us to know what her ceiling is.  Fingall's outside shot has been very impressive this year, but Dodson should become our best rebounder and ought to be perfect for the 5.  I know she is highly motivated and the coaches really want to see that out of her, and I have good feelings that she will have a breakout year.  Keeping those fouls under control will be important.

The point guard situation is very intriguing.  Remember that there were long stretches at the end of the season where Tara took Marta off the floor and let Kiana run the offense even when Marta was not in foul trouble.  At various chalk talks we got the message that the coaches are acutely aware of the need for Marta to score, and I remember once, following a game in which she had finally shown some offense, they were asked "what got into Marta, where has that offense been all along?"  The answer was something like "Marta's smart.  She understands her situation."  I understood that to mean that she was told that she had to score or see her minutes shrink.

Fast forward to Louisville.  Before the game at his presser Waltz notes that Stanford has a couple of players that they can "sag off of."  Sniezek does start and gets 15 minutes in the first half.  She doesn't take a single shot.  She gets only 5 minutes in the second half, and Williams runs the offense for most of the time Tara is attempting to get us back into the game.  When the season was on the line, Tara put the offense into Williams' hands.  I think that is a signal for next season, and the fact that Jenna Brown is coming in makes the situation even more complicated.

But pressure on the 1 spot is also worsened by the glut of talent we have at wing.  Tara has said numerous times how much she wants to get more time for Alyssa Jerome and I think she will.  But Lexie occupies a very similar role to Jerome and I think she will develop into a player who can give minutes by mid season.  But where do you put Jerome and Hull if Carrington is getting most of the minutes at wing?  Why not start Carrington at the two instead, and move Williams down to the 1? 

Marta's experience and senior leadership will be prized by Tara, I know, and she could be the titular starter at the beginning of the season.  But there is pressure coming from both directions, and that is not even counting what will happen if Anna Wilson stays healthy and becomes consistent.

[81alum]

I think Dodson has the most upside of any of our bigs, and I know Tara has been putting a lot of time into helping her develop this year.  Her playtime will depend upon how much she improves over the off-season.  But she and Fingall will be competing for the time vacated by Kaylee Johnson.  Coffee as well, but I think Coffee has been here long enough for us to know what her ceiling is.  Fingall's outside shot has been very impressive this year, but Dodson should become our best rebounder and ought to be perfect for the 5.  I know she is highly motivated and the coaches really want to see that out of her, and I have good feelings that she will have a breakout year.  Keeping those fouls under control will be important.

The point guard situation is very intriguing.  Remember that there were long stretches at the end of the season where Tara took Marta off the floor and let Kiana run the offense even when Marta was not in foul trouble.  At various chalk talks we got the message that the coaches are acutely aware of the need for Marta to score, and I remember once, following a game in which she had finally shown some offense, they were asked "what got into Marta, where has that offense been all along?"  The answer was something like "Marta's smart.  She understands her situation."  I understood that to mean that she was told that she had to score or see her minutes shrink.

Fast forward to Louisville.  Before the game at his presser Waltz notes that Stanford has a couple of players that they can "sag off of."  Sniezek does start and gets 15 minutes in the first half.  She doesn't take a single shot.  She gets only 5 minutes in the second half, and Williams runs the offense for most of the time Tara is attempting to get us back into the game.  When the season was on the line, Tara put the offense into Williams' hands.  I think that is a signal for next season, and the fact that Jenna Brown is coming in makes the situation even more complicated.

But pressure on the 1 spot is also worsened by the glut of talent we have at wing.  Tara has said numerous times how much she wants to get more time for Alyssa Jerome and I think she will.  But Lexie occupies a very similar role to Jerome and I think she will develop into a player who can give minutes by mid season.  But where do you put Jerome and Hull if Carrington is getting most of the minutes at wing?  Why not start Carrington at the two instead, and move Williams down to the 1? 

Marta's experience and senior leadership will be prized by Tara, I know, and she could be the titular starter at the beginning of the season.  But there is pressure coming from both directions, and that is not even counting what will happen if Anna Wilson stays healthy and becomes consistent.