[81alum]

Thanks to all for the fine research and plausible analysis--sometimes on both sides of what seems to be an ongoing point guard debate.  A debate I find rather surprising.

As I've made plain, I am on the optimistic side regarding Lepolo and very pleased we have her, considering that our concerns about using Jones as a point guard were not without merit.  I am especially pleased at Lepolo's improvement on defense.

I also am optimistic about Nivar, especially at the 2, but like Williams and others, it is entirely possible that she will also develop into a fine combo guard who could even take over the 1.  She may have a greater upside but might not be there quite yet.  She is going to be a starter, but how soon and in which slot will also depend on how the team around her develops.   

Bosgana seems to me to be a natural 3, and could well take the Jones slot next year.  She reminds me a little of McPhee--someone who can both drive, take the three, and has the length to defend.  She is clearly backup to Jump at the 2 right now, and I think she has done a good job there.  I'm especially impressed with her defensive development, something that isn't talked about enough.

Triangle2 nailed it with the analysis of Tara's philosophy, and the debate we are having is necessarily distorted since it is so much easier for fans to see scoring and assists than to evaluate defense.   In her heart, Tara is a defensive-minded, ball-control coach.  She recruits great offense but then teaches great defense.  And right now our greatest weakness is defense--depending on the kind and quality of offense we meet.  Eager to see how we do with Gonzaga.

[81alum]

Thanks to all for the fine research and plausible analysis--sometimes on both sides of what seems to be an ongoing point guard debate.  A debate I find rather surprising.

As I've made plain, I am on the optimistic side regarding Lepolo and very pleased we have her, considering that our concerns about using Jones as a point guard were not without merit.  I am especially pleased at Lepolo's improvement on defense.

I also am optimistic about Nivar, especially at the 2, but like Williams and others, it is entirely possible that she will also develop into a fine combo guard who could even take over the 1.  She may have a greater upside but might not be there quite yet.  She is going to be a starter, but how soon and in which slot will also depend on how the team around her develops.   

Bosgana seems to me to be a natural 3, and could well take the Jones slot next year.  She reminds me a little of McPhee--someone who can both drive, take the three, and has the length to defend.  She is clearly backup to Jump at the 2 right now, and I think she has done a good job there.  I'm especially impressed with her defensive development, something that isn't talked about enough.

Triangle2 nailed it with the analysis of Tara's philosophy, and the debate we are having is necessarily distorted since it is so much easier for fans to see scoring and assists than to evaluate defense.   In her heart, Tara is a defensive-minded, ball-control coach.  She recruits great offense but then teaches great defense.  And right now our greatest weakness is defense--depending on the kind and quality of offense we meet.  Eager to see how we do with Gonzaga.