11-04-2019, 10:58 PM
I remember after our Elite 8 loss to N.D. how much I couldn't wait until the beginning of next season and now it's here...time flies by so quickly.
I am optimistic about the talent on this squad, but to be elite and contend against the likes of Oregon and Baylor for a national title, we need our two leaders DiJonai and Kiana to step up and deliver consistency night-in, night-out at a top level and our freshmen to quickly acclimate to the collegiate scene. We need to be varied offensively and not just rely on a hot three point shooting night to get us through games. Too many nail-biters last year when we just had cold shooting nights and couldn't get anything else going. Hopefully, Belibi, Jones and Prechtel and the return of Fingall (and hopefully Dodson before too long) can add some interior punch to complement the shooting prowess of Williams, the Hull sisters, Wilson and Jump.
Our very respectable showing against the national squad is encouraging. Never overlook anyone, but our opening slate of E. Washington, San Francisco and N. Colorado will allow us to ease into the season with Gonzaga and Buffalo tougher opponents, but we should be solidly favored in both, esp. at Maples. In my opinion, our first tough test will be in the Victoria later rounds (particularly if we face Mississippi State in the finals), followed by Tennessee and a tough road game at Texas.
Let the games begin!
I am optimistic about the talent on this squad, but to be elite and contend against the likes of Oregon and Baylor for a national title, we need our two leaders DiJonai and Kiana to step up and deliver consistency night-in, night-out at a top level and our freshmen to quickly acclimate to the collegiate scene. We need to be varied offensively and not just rely on a hot three point shooting night to get us through games. Too many nail-biters last year when we just had cold shooting nights and couldn't get anything else going. Hopefully, Belibi, Jones and Prechtel and the return of Fingall (and hopefully Dodson before too long) can add some interior punch to complement the shooting prowess of Williams, the Hull sisters, Wilson and Jump.
Our very respectable showing against the national squad is encouraging. Never overlook anyone, but our opening slate of E. Washington, San Francisco and N. Colorado will allow us to ease into the season with Gonzaga and Buffalo tougher opponents, but we should be solidly favored in both, esp. at Maples. In my opinion, our first tough test will be in the Victoria later rounds (particularly if we face Mississippi State in the finals), followed by Tennessee and a tough road game at Texas.
Let the games begin!