[81alum]

I agree that beating Tennessee or beating UCLA in late December would be a very good sign and go a long way to getting our season on track.  Since they are both at home and come after two more weeks to get McPhee healthy and to improve our system, I am somewhat hopeful. 

Let's keep in mind, however, that getting McPhee back won't necessarily mean we get her back at the same level she left.  She may be way out of practice and out of sync compared with where she was before she got hurt.

I also agree with the critique that many of our players have shown progress but that none seems consistent.  We can live with different players stepping up each night so long as someone does--in fact that makes us more difficult to scout.  But what we can't live with is having our 5 starters make 2 baskets in the first half. 

What this season is teaching me is just how important experience is.  Somewhat average players with the benefit of being in Tara's system for several years can do a creditable job.  McCall and Karlie and Roberson were not superstar players, nor were they particularly good in their freshman years.  It took time for those three to develop. 

If Dodson and Williams are 2 of our best five players, then what can we expect out of them this year?  Tara has compared Dodson to a young Nneka.  Well, maybe.  Nneka started 14 games her freshman season and averaged 21 minutes a game, averaging 10 points and 6 rebounds a game.  Dodson could still wind up doing something like that but she is not yet on pace.  At the moment she is averaging 14 minutes, 5 points and 3 rebounds, so she would have to pick it up and get more time and more efficiency heading into Pac 12 play.

Who should we compare Kiana Williams to?  Amber Orrange had a slightly worse ranking coming in to college.  Amber started 23 games her freshman year, playing 22 minutes a game.  She averaged 5 points a game and had 112 assists to 57 turnovers.  As a sophomore she averaged 11 ppg.  Kiana so far is averaging 18 minutes, 6 points, and has a total of 11 assists to 3 turnovers.  Keep in mind though that not all the time she is in has she been playing point.  If she takes over full time at point she needs to get her assists up while keeping her turnovers low--but to generate assists she needs teammates who can receive passes and make baskets.  McPhee could be that target.

Finally, Carrington and Smith need to become more consistent.  They may be helped if Williams and Dodson become credible threats and McPhee comes back. 

[81alum]

I agree that beating Tennessee or beating UCLA in late December would be a very good sign and go a long way to getting our season on track.  Since they are both at home and come after two more weeks to get McPhee healthy and to improve our system, I am somewhat hopeful. 

Let's keep in mind, however, that getting McPhee back won't necessarily mean we get her back at the same level she left.  She may be way out of practice and out of sync compared with where she was before she got hurt.

I also agree with the critique that many of our players have shown progress but that none seems consistent.  We can live with different players stepping up each night so long as someone does--in fact that makes us more difficult to scout.  But what we can't live with is having our 5 starters make 2 baskets in the first half. 

What this season is teaching me is just how important experience is.  Somewhat average players with the benefit of being in Tara's system for several years can do a creditable job.  McCall and Karlie and Roberson were not superstar players, nor were they particularly good in their freshman years.  It took time for those three to develop. 

If Dodson and Williams are 2 of our best five players, then what can we expect out of them this year?  Tara has compared Dodson to a young Nneka.  Well, maybe.  Nneka started 14 games her freshman season and averaged 21 minutes a game, averaging 10 points and 6 rebounds a game.  Dodson could still wind up doing something like that but she is not yet on pace.  At the moment she is averaging 14 minutes, 5 points and 3 rebounds, so she would have to pick it up and get more time and more efficiency heading into Pac 12 play.

Who should we compare Kiana Williams to?  Amber Orrange had a slightly worse ranking coming in to college.  Amber started 23 games her freshman year, playing 22 minutes a game.  She averaged 5 points a game and had 112 assists to 57 turnovers.  As a sophomore she averaged 11 ppg.  Kiana so far is averaging 18 minutes, 6 points, and has a total of 11 assists to 3 turnovers.  Keep in mind though that not all the time she is in has she been playing point.  If she takes over full time at point she needs to get her assists up while keeping her turnovers low--but to generate assists she needs teammates who can receive passes and make baskets.  McPhee could be that target.

Finally, Carrington and Smith need to become more consistent.  They may be helped if Williams and Dodson become credible threats and McPhee comes back.