WBB 2025-2026 season - Printable Version
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RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - Lorcan - 07-29-2025
Schedule tidbit - Washington State hosts Stanford on Nov 14th.
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - martyup - 07-29-2025
(07-29-2025, 10:54 AM)Lorcan Wrote: Schedule tidbit - Washington State hosts Stanford on Nov 14th.
I'm going! Who's with me?
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - MV72018 - 07-29-2025
(07-29-2025, 01:19 PM)martyup Wrote:(07-29-2025, 10:54 AM)Lorcan Wrote: Schedule tidbit - Washington State hosts Stanford on Nov 14th.
I'm going! Who's with me?
Who's taking over your GIF duties? This is critical!
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - joemontes - 08-06-2025
I think the crunchtime line-up over the next two seasons will be:
F - OGDEN 6'1 Jr
F - AGARA 6'2 Jr
F - SOMFAI 6'3 Fr
G - CLARDY 5'9 Jr
G - SWAIN 5'8 Fr
Stanford's most versatile line-up with all five able to shoot beyond the arc
and also slash their way to the basket
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - bl82 - 08-06-2025
(08-06-2025, 09:08 AM)joemontes Wrote: I think the crunchtime line-up over the next two seasons will be:
F - OGDEN 6'1 Jr
F - AGARA 6'2 Jr
F - SOMFAI 6'3 Fr
G - CLARDY 5'9 Jr
G - SWAIN 5'8 Fr
Stanford's most versatile line-up with all five able to shoot beyond the arc
and also slash their way to the basket
I think you’re right. I also think that group will be very good defensively.
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - OCcardinal - 08-06-2025
(08-06-2025, 10:25 AM)bl82 Wrote:I like that lineup a lot, but I would be surprised if Somfai becomes our best option at the 5. Seems a bit of a waste. She can play anywhere from 2-5 and doesn't create the same favorable matchup disparity playing at the 5 as the other positions. Alex Eschmeyer is the #1-ranked center in the 2025 class. I would hope, at least by sophomore year, she'd be the best option. Also, good news, Swain is actually 5'11".(08-06-2025, 09:08 AM)joemontes Wrote: I think the crunchtime line-up over the next two seasons will be:
F - OGDEN 6'1 Jr
F - AGARA 6'2 Jr
F - SOMFAI 6'3 Fr
G - CLARDY 5'9 Jr
G - SWAIN 5'8 Fr
Stanford's most versatile line-up with all five able to shoot beyond the arc
and also slash their way to the basket
I think you’re right. I also think that group will be very good defensively.
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - BosCard - 08-06-2025
Would be interested in seeing:
Eschmeyer - C
Somfai - PF
Agara - W
Ogden - SG
Swain - PG
Offensively you would have Eschmeyer and Somfai on the perimeter with the goal of opening up the lane for Swain penetration or Agara/Ogden posting up much smaller defenders. Defensively, we would need to see if Eschmeyer/Somfai can stay in front of or at least trail and block the guards we will see in the ACC. Brink was great at that, Demetre last year really struggled.
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - bl82 - 08-06-2025
It's always hard to read between the lines of those very short clips on X/Twitter, but in a couple of instances I've been very much impressed by how much quicker and more fluid Kennedy Umeh looks on the floor and in her moves to the post compared to last year. Let's hope she has the fitness to play for longer stretches this year and the confidence and athleticism to give us a strong big post presence. I'm hoping Umeh and Eschmeyer can give us strong low post and inside-outside skills, as well as a strong interior defense.
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - stopandpop - 08-07-2025
(08-06-2025, 07:54 PM)BosCard Wrote: Would be interested in seeing:
Eschmeyer - C
Somfai - PF
Agara - W
Ogden - SG
Swain - PG
Offensively you would have Eschmeyer and Somfai on the perimeter with the goal of opening up the lane for Swain penetration or Agara/Ogden posting up much smaller defenders. Defensively, we would need to see if Eschmeyer/Somfai can stay in front of or at least trail and block the guards we will see in the ACC. Brink was great at that, Demetre last year really struggled.
I agree with four of your five starters. On 4/10, I recommended the quicker Clardy (SG) and better defender over Ogden. That seems to me a better fit for the ACC. Will agree that Ogden seemed to come on late in the season, but Clardy was much improved and more consistent. I do like your suggestion of Eschmeyer. She brings that element of size and length that was missing last season and in the open practice session, she was mobile, hitting 3's, mid-range and scoring down low. I like her.
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - petersalas - 08-14-2025
Stanford @ Gonzaga Nov. 16
https://x.com/zagwbb/status/1955781263161483569?s=46&t=4RIjvxZZM4wjQaSyTEUwgA
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - Lorcan - 08-14-2025
I suppose the one advantage of not being in the same conference as Wazzu, is that you can do a road trip and hit Spokane and Pullman in the same swing instead of two individual swings through the area.
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - BosCard - 08-14-2025
What is one thing that you hope to see an improvement from the team this year? For me it’s rebounding generally and offensive rebounding in particular. We’ve always been a more methodical team on offense and offensive rebounds and put backs are a way to score without having to run your set offense against a set defense. Agara was our best offensive rebounder last year but she was often our primary shooter which made her easier to block out. And Demetre just wasn’t quick enough to get the offensive rebound and if she did get it she would hold as opposed to going back up quickly for a put back. I’m really hoping to see improved rebounding from what Somfai, Eschmeyer and Ezike can contribute (as well as a healthy Umeh).
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - stopandpop - 08-15-2025
(08-14-2025, 09:46 AM)BosCard Wrote: What is one thing that you hope to see an improvement from the team this year? For me it’s rebounding generally and offensive rebounding in particular. We’ve always been a more methodical team on offense and offensive rebounds and put backs are a way to score without having to run your set offense against a set defense. Agara was our best offensive rebounder last year but she was often our primary shooter which made her easier to block out. And Demetre just wasn’t quick enough to get the offensive rebound and if she did get it she would hold as opposed to going back up quickly for a put back. I’m really hoping to see improved rebounding from what Somfai, Eschmeyer and Ezike can contribute (as well as a healthy Umeh).
Agree. It's all about positioning. The Stanford 'Bigs' must do the work ahead of time and carve out space instead of jumping and reaching over defenders which often results in an 'over and back' foul. Of the 4 newcomers you mention, I would have to think that Somfai (with her big body. good footwork and tons of international experience) might be best suited to do the job, but everyone must help out.
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - OCcardinal - 08-16-2025
(08-15-2025, 11:21 AM)stopandpop Wrote: I would have to think that Somfai (with her big body. good footwork and tons of international experience) might be best suited to do the job, but everyone must help out.In the 2024 U18 Asia Cup final Somfai had 13 rebounds for Australia even though China's 7'-2" Ziyu Zhang was in the game. (Zhang herself only had 1 more rebound than Somfai did.) Hopefully an encouraging sign...
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - old spanish trail - 08-16-2025
(08-16-2025, 05:05 PM)OCcardinal Wrote:(08-15-2025, 11:21 AM)stopandpop Wrote: I would have to think that Somfai (with her big body. good footwork and tons of international experience) might be best suited to do the job, but everyone must help out.In the 2024 U18 Asia Cup final Somfai had 13 rebounds for Australia even though China's 7'-2" Ziyu Zhang was in the game. (Zhang herself only had 1 more rebound than Somfai did.) Hopefully an encouraging sign...
In the two times I've seen Somfai play, she's not a big jumper, but she's strong and does position herself well for whatever is required. She really knows how to play.
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - Card10Fan - 08-19-2025
Another schedule tidbit. We play Colorado State November 29 in the Resorts World Classic tourney in Vegas.
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - Card10Fan - 08-19-2025
(08-19-2025, 03:04 PM)Card10Fan Wrote: Another schedule tidbit. We play Colorado State November 29 in the Resorts World Classic tourney in Vegas.
UC Davis at home November 20.
https://ucdavisaggies.com/news/2025/8/19/womens-basketball-aggie-womens-basketball-drops-2025-26-non-conference-schedule.aspx
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - stopandpop - 08-20-2025
(08-16-2025, 06:16 PM)old spanish trail Wrote:(08-16-2025, 05:05 PM)OCcardinal Wrote:(08-15-2025, 11:21 AM)stopandpop Wrote: I would have to think that Somfai (with her big body. good footwork and tons of international experience) might be best suited to do the job, but everyone must help out.In the 2024 U18 Asia Cup final Somfai had 13 rebounds for Australia even though China's 7'-2" Ziyu Zhang was in the game. (Zhang herself only had 1 more rebound than Somfai did.) Hopefully an encouraging sign...
In the two times I've seen Somfai play, she's not a big jumper, but she's strong and does position herself well for whatever is required. She really knows how to play.
Very impressed with Umeh's improved mobility and aggressiveness in the post based on the open house practice and the videos on FB. I didn't see much of that last season. At this point, I'm adjusting my starting lineup:
Clardy and Swain at the guards, Somfai and Agara at the forwards with Umeh at the post. That gives Stanford a powerful front line they lacked last season. Some have suggested that Somfai start at the post. That would win a lot of games, but I don't think that's the ticket that takes us into the NCAA Tourney. As talented as she is, Lara does not have the size to contend with the bigger, taller players Stanford will eventually encounter and it takes her out of her natural position (forward) which she has played for years.
Ogden is first off the bench.
I believe Eschmeyer is Stanford's #1 post for the future. Her skill sets are impressive, but she needs to get stronger. The preconference schedule may allow Kate to give Alex good minutes as she adjusts to the more physical college game.
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - old spanish trail - 08-20-2025
(08-20-2025, 04:07 PM)stopandpop Wrote:(08-16-2025, 06:16 PM)old spanish trail Wrote:(08-16-2025, 05:05 PM)OCcardinal Wrote:(08-15-2025, 11:21 AM)stopandpop Wrote: I would have to think that Somfai (with her big body. good footwork and tons of international experience) might be best suited to do the job, but everyone must help out.In the 2024 U18 Asia Cup final Somfai had 13 rebounds for Australia even though China's 7'-2" Ziyu Zhang was in the game. (Zhang herself only had 1 more rebound than Somfai did.) Hopefully an encouraging sign...
In the two times I've seen Somfai play, she's not a big jumper, but she's strong and does position herself well for whatever is required. She really knows how to play.
Very impressed with Umeh's improved mobility and aggressiveness in the post based on the open house practice and the videos on FB. I didn't see much of that last season. At this point, I'm adjusting my starting lineup:
Clardy and Swain at the guards, Somfai and Agara at the forwards with Umeh at the post. That gives Stanford a powerful front line they lacked last season. Some have suggested that Somfai start at the post. That would win a lot of games, but I don't think that's the ticket that takes us into the NCAA Tourney. As talented as she is, Lara does not have the size to contend with the bigger, taller players Stanford will eventually encounter and it takes her out of her natural position (forward) which she has played for years.
Ogden is first off the bench.
I believe Eschmeyer is Stanford's #1 post for the future. Her skill sets are impressive, but she needs to get stronger. The preconference schedule may allow Kate to give Alex good minutes as she adjusts to the more physical college game.
I agree re Alex, and believe she will be a star. Great to hear re Umeh.
RE: WBB 2025-2026 season - jonnyss - 08-20-2025
lara somfai's game reminds me of alanna smith. they are both 6'4" and strong, can drive, post-up, or shoot the 3; and there are very few players who can dominate either with size alone.
somfai highlights
eschmeyer reminds me of ashten prechtel.
for most of each game, stanford usually plays one pg, 2 wings, and 2 forward/posts though that can vary with the opponent; and, i suppose, kate may eventually stray from tara's approach.