[2006alum]

The fun thing about this team is that, especially if Carrington is back in the mix, the ceiling is so high - I guess my only point is that because this team's terminal velocity could come at any of a range of outcomes (potentially even as early as the Sweet Sixteen), I'd rather enjoy the ride rather than fretting about when we're going to crash. And a lot of that has to do with how we play, which is more fun, more spontaneous, more athletic, and more surprising than any team I've seen since the Candice Wiggins days. Lots to improve on, for sure, but also lots to revel in!

[2006alum]

The fun thing about this team is that, especially if Carrington is back in the mix, the ceiling is so high - I guess my only point is that because this team's terminal velocity could come at any of a range of outcomes (potentially even as early as the Sweet Sixteen), I'd rather enjoy the ride rather than fretting about when we're going to crash. And a lot of that has to do with how we play, which is more fun, more spontaneous, more athletic, and more surprising than any team I've seen since the Candice Wiggins days. Lots to improve on, for sure, but also lots to revel in!

[76lsjumb]

Yes, final four would be gravy. A national final, national title would be the cherry on top, but very unlikely. But you never know until you play the games.

BC

Mixed metaphor alert... but I get the point.  

That being said, if Stanford doesn't win the whole thing at least once in the next four years, I'll be disappointed, given this roster and projected recruits.  Repeatedly going to the Final Four but never becoming National Champion -- or at least doing it only every thirty or so years despite multiple trips -- is frustrating.

[76lsjumb]

Yes, final four would be gravy. A national final, national title would be the cherry on top, but very unlikely. But you never know until you play the games.

BC

Mixed metaphor alert... but I get the point.  

That being said, if Stanford doesn't win the whole thing at least once in the next four years, I'll be disappointed, given this roster and projected recruits.  Repeatedly going to the Final Four but never becoming National Champion -- or at least doing it only every thirty or so years despite multiple trips -- is frustrating.

[BostonCard]

You have a problem with cherry-topped gravy?

BC

[BostonCard]

You have a problem with cherry-topped gravy?

BC

[martyup]

You have a problem with cherry-topped gravy?

BC

[martyup]

You have a problem with cherry-topped gravy?

BC

[stopandpop]

To put it simply, Stanford (offensively) is not making other teams uncomfortable, except when stolen ball lead to fast breaks and scores or when Stanford's streaky 3-point shooters are having an exceptional night.

The current, relatively small lineup has had problems consistently scoring inside and getting offensive rebounds.  Yes, Haley posted her smaller defender down low a couple of times, but Nadia plays mostly at the high post and (defensively) we remain vulnerable to other teams getting offensive rebounds- and scoring.

Despite having a couple of strong games and being one of the team's best rebounders (perhaps the best), Ashten continues to play limited minutes- typically 2 minutes in the first half and 2 minutes or less of garbage time near the end of the game.  Earlier in the season, Ashten (arguably) was playing better than any of the other freshmen, and at times, dominating the paint on both ends.  While she may have some defensive assignment and mobility issues, Ashten's consistent absence in the lineup prevents Stanford from making their opponents uncomfortable, and this will manifest itself when they play the Oregon schools.

[stopandpop]

To put it simply, Stanford (offensively) is not making other teams uncomfortable, except when stolen ball lead to fast breaks and scores or when Stanford's streaky 3-point shooters are having an exceptional night.

The current, relatively small lineup has had problems consistently scoring inside and getting offensive rebounds.  Yes, Haley posted her smaller defender down low a couple of times, but Nadia plays mostly at the high post and (defensively) we remain vulnerable to other teams getting offensive rebounds- and scoring.

Despite having a couple of strong games and being one of the team's best rebounders (perhaps the best), Ashten continues to play limited minutes- typically 2 minutes in the first half and 2 minutes or less of garbage time near the end of the game.  Earlier in the season, Ashten (arguably) was playing better than any of the other freshmen, and at times, dominating the paint on both ends.  While she may have some defensive assignment and mobility issues, Ashten's consistent absence in the lineup prevents Stanford from making their opponents uncomfortable, and this will manifest itself when they play the Oregon schools.

[TheFarm07]

Totally agree with everything 2006alum and everyone else has been saying about expectations.  And I do think there is a top tier of final four teams in Oregon, UConn, Baylor and South Carolina.  However, I am not sure I would include Oregon St. in that group.  I think they are quite similar to our team and would have similar expectations for them (PAC-12 top three, elite eight and anything above that is extra)

I think the jury is still out on UConn a little bit. Of course with Auriemma at the helm and very talented players in Dangerfield, Williams, Walker and Nelson-Ododa, but those four are not as dominant as the lineups Geno had had with Stewart, Jefferson, etc. in the past few years. Their lack of depth haven't hurt them because of the dominance of their starters, but this might be a year where a big drop-off might hurt them.

Similar to us, their post play is one of their weaknesses as Nelson-Ododa is their only down-in-the-paint threat. I looked at their schedule and their biggest win so far has been at DePaul. They won by only 11 at Cal, we'll see if that is more of Cal being good or UConn not being good, though WSU more than doubled their victory margin over the Bears.

They have a big matchup against Baylor this Thursday and then the Huskies play Oregon in a couple months, so we'll see how they match up against elite teams they use to run over easily.

For me, Oregon is a clear #1 and everyone is chasing them. Even though we have shown our weaknesses and we have the worst loss of any of the major contenders, I don't think we are sizeably worse off talent wise than any top team. I haven't watched any of the other teams too closely, but I feel like consistency is a major issue we have, as illustrated in the Washington game.

If we play like we did in the first half of the UW game against a top team, we'll get smoked. But if we play like we did in the second half, we'll not only hang with the contenders, but can beat them. Of course, having DiJonai back will be big. One of the key factors I felt was critical to a potential national title run heading into this season would be whether DiJonai and Kiana can continue to elevate their games into All-American level. Taking a quick look, I don't believe a national champion has not had an All-American since at least the 05-06 season when Maryland won (correct me if I am wrong).

Kiana showed that she can take over a game in the second half, but can she do it night-in, night-out? Based on her struggles and streakiness, no, not yet. It would definitely help if Carrington comes back and relives some of their upperclassman leadership and experience that is heavily resting on Kiana's shoulders right now.

[TheFarm07]

Totally agree with everything 2006alum and everyone else has been saying about expectations.  And I do think there is a top tier of final four teams in Oregon, UConn, Baylor and South Carolina.  However, I am not sure I would include Oregon St. in that group.  I think they are quite similar to our team and would have similar expectations for them (PAC-12 top three, elite eight and anything above that is extra)

I think the jury is still out on UConn a little bit. Of course with Auriemma at the helm and very talented players in Dangerfield, Williams, Walker and Nelson-Ododa, but those four are not as dominant as the lineups Geno had had with Stewart, Jefferson, etc. in the past few years. Their lack of depth haven't hurt them because of the dominance of their starters, but this might be a year where a big drop-off might hurt them.

Similar to us, their post play is one of their weaknesses as Nelson-Ododa is their only down-in-the-paint threat. I looked at their schedule and their biggest win so far has been at DePaul. They won by only 11 at Cal, we'll see if that is more of Cal being good or UConn not being good, though WSU more than doubled their victory margin over the Bears.

They have a big matchup against Baylor this Thursday and then the Huskies play Oregon in a couple months, so we'll see how they match up against elite teams they use to run over easily.

For me, Oregon is a clear #1 and everyone is chasing them. Even though we have shown our weaknesses and we have the worst loss of any of the major contenders, I don't think we are sizeably worse off talent wise than any top team. I haven't watched any of the other teams too closely, but I feel like consistency is a major issue we have, as illustrated in the Washington game.

If we play like we did in the first half of the UW game against a top team, we'll get smoked. But if we play like we did in the second half, we'll not only hang with the contenders, but can beat them. Of course, having DiJonai back will be big. One of the key factors I felt was critical to a potential national title run heading into this season would be whether DiJonai and Kiana can continue to elevate their games into All-American level. Taking a quick look, I don't believe a national champion has not had an All-American since at least the 05-06 season when Maryland won (correct me if I am wrong).

Kiana showed that she can take over a game in the second half, but can she do it night-in, night-out? Based on her struggles and streakiness, no, not yet. It would definitely help if Carrington comes back and relives some of their upperclassman leadership and experience that is heavily resting on Kiana's shoulders right now.