[qwerty49]

And I'll say it again: it's also a testament to Tara's prescience in switching to the Princeton. This team has really come into their own running this offense, and Smith's versatility would never have been as pronounced under the old triangle offense. I am really in awe of Tara's chessmaster-like ability to see three moves (and seasons) ahead of everybody else. Jones is the epitome of a positionless, Princeton-style player, and both Prechtell and Brink are apparently extraordinarily versatile for bigs.  I really really hope Tara will get one more championship before she mic drops. She 'deserves' it under every definition of that word.

Losing Fingall for the year certainly hurts our chances this season. Her presence added interior scoring and defense and depth in the forward/post position. Even if/when Maya returns, not having Nadia to provide a different look and provide relief for Maya and Alanna for rest/foul reasons will hurt against the tougher teams. Having said all that, we have the talent to make a deep run in March, but I believe we might be a year removed from being a favorite for the national title. But I would not be surprised (and I would be very happy) if we made the Final Four in two and a half months.

Next year, losing Alanna will certainly be a major blow to the team but we will still have two of the "Big Three" in DiJonai and Kiana. Plus I hope that Haley Jones and the freshman class can step right in and contribute right away. One single player won't replace Smith's production, but the entering class is extremely talented and I think all four of them can make meaningful contributions right away. Furthermore, the returning players will have more one year of experience under their belt, and I anticipate Brown and the Hull sisters making even more improvement over the summer. Plus I think Fingall and Maya will be a formidable duo inside. I look for the team to be a serious contender for the national title next year.

Smith is just a joy to watch this year. You can see she’s having fun out there.

Carrington seems to make at least one play every game that makes me pause the DVR and rewind.

Brown might be the best athlete Tara has had for quite some time. She’s got plenty of upside left.

There’s a lot to like about this team. They show improvement every game since conference play started.

I agree with your assessment re next year. As far as this year goes, let’s first see if Dodson can come back healthy, and what ripple effect that might have on the rotation. I was ready to write us off after Fingall went down, but this weekend was very encouraging.

[qwerty49]

And I'll say it again: it's also a testament to Tara's prescience in switching to the Princeton. This team has really come into their own running this offense, and Smith's versatility would never have been as pronounced under the old triangle offense. I am really in awe of Tara's chessmaster-like ability to see three moves (and seasons) ahead of everybody else. Jones is the epitome of a positionless, Princeton-style player, and both Prechtell and Brink are apparently extraordinarily versatile for bigs.  I really really hope Tara will get one more championship before she mic drops. She 'deserves' it under every definition of that word.

Losing Fingall for the year certainly hurts our chances this season. Her presence added interior scoring and defense and depth in the forward/post position. Even if/when Maya returns, not having Nadia to provide a different look and provide relief for Maya and Alanna for rest/foul reasons will hurt against the tougher teams. Having said all that, we have the talent to make a deep run in March, but I believe we might be a year removed from being a favorite for the national title. But I would not be surprised (and I would be very happy) if we made the Final Four in two and a half months.

Next year, losing Alanna will certainly be a major blow to the team but we will still have two of the "Big Three" in DiJonai and Kiana. Plus I hope that Haley Jones and the freshman class can step right in and contribute right away. One single player won't replace Smith's production, but the entering class is extremely talented and I think all four of them can make meaningful contributions right away. Furthermore, the returning players will have more one year of experience under their belt, and I anticipate Brown and the Hull sisters making even more improvement over the summer. Plus I think Fingall and Maya will be a formidable duo inside. I look for the team to be a serious contender for the national title next year.

Smith is just a joy to watch this year. You can see she’s having fun out there.

Carrington seems to make at least one play every game that makes me pause the DVR and rewind.

Brown might be the best athlete Tara has had for quite some time. She’s got plenty of upside left.

There’s a lot to like about this team. They show improvement every game since conference play started.

I agree with your assessment re next year. As far as this year goes, let’s first see if Dodson can come back healthy, and what ripple effect that might have on the rotation. I was ready to write us off after Fingall went down, but this weekend was very encouraging.