[Card10Fan]

Does anyone know when the portal time period ends?


Does anyone think that Tara may be looking for one or more recruits from overseas (a shooting guard?  a post?), OR, do you think she's going to settle with the players currently on the roster with no additions?

I'm having a hard time believing that the 2023-2024 team (as it currently is), has the talent and depth to compete with & defeat the likes of Utah, UCLA, USC and others.  My biggest worry is the lack of depth at the post.  

Stating the obvious; Tara knows the team's strengths and weaknesses.  I wonder if she sees this (there will be no reinforcements), as a new coaching challenge and that might be motivating her?

Like the rest of you, very curious to see how all of this plays out.

Why are you creating a whole new thread? There is already a 2023-2024 season one that’s been created weeks ago.

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OR, do you think she's going to settle with the players currently on the roster with no additions?

What Tara wants and whether she is willing to "settle" is completely immaterial.  What counts is what Admissions will permit.  I think there may be a few bleak years while Stanford figures out whether it can adjust, and by then Tara will certainly be gone.  Next year could be a good one, with Brink and Jump coming back.  Maybe they won't be enough, and we would have to get lucky with a transfer or a near miraculous improvement in other players to have a reasonably good season.  But my gut tells me this may be Tara's last.

In short, she would gladly take players right now who could contribute--and I am positive she knows who they are.  But it took Stanford decades to figure out how to recruit and develop freshmen to its athletic teams while staying true to its academic mission.  I don't think Stanford will have figured out to work the NIL/ transfer revolving door in time for next year.  Maybe one player from an Ivy will arrive, but surely no one else.  I anticipate Tara will go out during this unholy transition, and whether Stanford continues to dwell at the top or sinks to mediocrity in WBB has yet to be determined.  Honestly, I expect the latter, hope for the former.  Those several posters who long for the end of the Tara era may be rudely surprised to learn that she is the only reason we have been competitive for this long.  It is her name that has drawn as much talent to Stanford as we have received, and no one else will be able to replicate that for a long time, if ever.  Not with Stanford's unique challenges.

These are all good points. I too could see next season being Tara’s last. I also could see our team doing well next year and being in contention for an Elite 8 / Final 4. 

Coach Vanderveer is indeed what put Stanford WBB on the map. There are only 5 active coaches who have won a National Title. (Geno, Dawn, Mulkey, Freese, and Tara). Tara has won three. That’s an elite list. She’s an elite coach. End of story.

[Card10Fan]

Does anyone know when the portal time period ends?


Does anyone think that Tara may be looking for one or more recruits from overseas (a shooting guard?  a post?), OR, do you think she's going to settle with the players currently on the roster with no additions?

I'm having a hard time believing that the 2023-2024 team (as it currently is), has the talent and depth to compete with & defeat the likes of Utah, UCLA, USC and others.  My biggest worry is the lack of depth at the post.  

Stating the obvious; Tara knows the team's strengths and weaknesses.  I wonder if she sees this (there will be no reinforcements), as a new coaching challenge and that might be motivating her?

Like the rest of you, very curious to see how all of this plays out.

Why are you creating a whole new thread? There is already a 2023-2024 season one that’s been created weeks ago.

---

OR, do you think she's going to settle with the players currently on the roster with no additions?

What Tara wants and whether she is willing to "settle" is completely immaterial.  What counts is what Admissions will permit.  I think there may be a few bleak years while Stanford figures out whether it can adjust, and by then Tara will certainly be gone.  Next year could be a good one, with Brink and Jump coming back.  Maybe they won't be enough, and we would have to get lucky with a transfer or a near miraculous improvement in other players to have a reasonably good season.  But my gut tells me this may be Tara's last.

In short, she would gladly take players right now who could contribute--and I am positive she knows who they are.  But it took Stanford decades to figure out how to recruit and develop freshmen to its athletic teams while staying true to its academic mission.  I don't think Stanford will have figured out to work the NIL/ transfer revolving door in time for next year.  Maybe one player from an Ivy will arrive, but surely no one else.  I anticipate Tara will go out during this unholy transition, and whether Stanford continues to dwell at the top or sinks to mediocrity in WBB has yet to be determined.  Honestly, I expect the latter, hope for the former.  Those several posters who long for the end of the Tara era may be rudely surprised to learn that she is the only reason we have been competitive for this long.  It is her name that has drawn as much talent to Stanford as we have received, and no one else will be able to replicate that for a long time, if ever.  Not with Stanford's unique challenges.

These are all good points. I too could see next season being Tara’s last. I also could see our team doing well next year and being in contention for an Elite 8 / Final 4. 

Coach Vanderveer is indeed what put Stanford WBB on the map. There are only 5 active coaches who have won a National Title. (Geno, Dawn, Mulkey, Freese, and Tara). Tara has won three. That’s an elite list. She’s an elite coach. End of story.