03-07-2022, 07:09 AM
Utah HC Lynne Roberts was very complimentary of our team in her postgame comments: "I actually think they're better than they were last year, and last year they won the national championship...I do think they're the best team in the country."
https://www.espn.com/womens-college-bask...tournament
Do you agree with her? We've played very well, on a 20-game winning streak (with a few close games in there, however) and we put in a great defensive effort yesterday.
Comparing our team to last year's, obviously, we added four new freshmen, but Iriafen, I would argue, has been the only one who has had a significant contribution so far this season. Demetre put in a few key minutes in a handful of games, but Bosgana has really only seen action in the waning minutes of games and Harriel hasn't played at all.
Conversely, losing Williams was a significant loss. Though we've adapted over the last few months, you can't easily replace a player of her caliber. Though we still have a bevy of three-point shooters, no one quite has her ability to come down the floor, survey the situation and then stop and pop for a long range three.
However, we also need to consider how our returning players have improved (or not) since last season. I would argue Belibi is playing better and with more confidence than last year at this point, but beyond that, I wouldn't say, anyone is markedly that much better (they were at already high levels, so that's a tall bar to climb) than last year.
Anyway, just curious, as we have some time, before our next game, to muse over these things.
https://www.espn.com/womens-college-bask...tournament
Do you agree with her? We've played very well, on a 20-game winning streak (with a few close games in there, however) and we put in a great defensive effort yesterday.
Comparing our team to last year's, obviously, we added four new freshmen, but Iriafen, I would argue, has been the only one who has had a significant contribution so far this season. Demetre put in a few key minutes in a handful of games, but Bosgana has really only seen action in the waning minutes of games and Harriel hasn't played at all.
Conversely, losing Williams was a significant loss. Though we've adapted over the last few months, you can't easily replace a player of her caliber. Though we still have a bevy of three-point shooters, no one quite has her ability to come down the floor, survey the situation and then stop and pop for a long range three.
However, we also need to consider how our returning players have improved (or not) since last season. I would argue Belibi is playing better and with more confidence than last year at this point, but beyond that, I wouldn't say, anyone is markedly that much better (they were at already high levels, so that's a tall bar to climb) than last year.
Anyway, just curious, as we have some time, before our next game, to muse over these things.