[chimera]

I used to go to the banquet every year, haven't lately because of COVID and because sounds like they are getting the "we don't really want to do this and won't try very hard" treatment from the program.  I hear that WVB and other sports have banquets where all the players speak, the coach answers questions, so it is a much different sort of event.  If your star senior can't be bothered to attend, well what does that say?  Draft isn't until Monday...

[chimera]

I used to go to the banquet every year, haven't lately because of COVID and because sounds like they are getting the "we don't really want to do this and won't try very hard" treatment from the program.  I hear that WVB and other sports have banquets where all the players speak, the coach answers questions, so it is a much different sort of event.  If your star senior can't be bothered to attend, well what does that say?  Draft isn't until Monday...

[WBB fan]

Passes into the post are not always as easy as you believe.  Always room for improvement yes but that’s true for any team.  Ok not so from Clark into the post :)

Respectfully disagree.  In Kianna's senior year when Cam was a freshman, again and again Kianna would dribble up court and if there was not an opportunity for her to penetrate and possibly score, 5'8 Kianna could easily pass the ball into Brink.  Yet, 5'9 Anna Wilson (who I absolutely loved), would invariably reverse the ball when Brink had sealed her defender and was calling for the ball.  I watched a lot of Virginia Tech games in the past 2 seasons and 5'6 Georgia Amoore had no trouble getting the ball into their post, Liz Kitley.  Many other examples across the country where small guards effectively feed their posts. The difference?  Kianna would typically pass inside while she was in motion and there was some separation between she and her defender; same with Amoore.  Talana and to some degree Indya are dribbling but not moving with a defender in front of them and 90% of the time they reverse the ball.  Talana's sideway passes are admirable attempts which I began to see midway through non-conference, but they were too often telegraphed, making Cam move slightly away from her block position, or the passes come too late when single coverage became a double-team.  In their defense, they may hear Brink calling for the ball, but can't see her because they can't see over their defender.  Any passes into Brink now become difficult, but if they learned to pass while moving and creating a little separation, they might have an easier time seeing and getting more accurate and timely passes into her.

When so many small guards are successfully passing into their Bigs, you can't tell me this is more difficult than I think when I see it being done so many times at other schools, and here at Stanford not long ago.  It becomes difficult when the guards are standing while dribbling.

I admire Talana's ball-handling skills and Indya's ability to create her own shot on occasion.  I'm hoping to see better and more timely passing to Brink because of her elite skill levels to either score or get to the foul line where she has become deadly.

How many free throws in a row?

Per Tara's comments at the "banquet" last night, 48 in a row last season.

Cam ended the season with that 48 in a row, so her steak will continue if she makes her 1st free throw next season.

---

I used to go to the banquet every year, haven't lately because of COVID and because sounds like they are getting the "we don't really want to do this and won't try very hard" treatment from the program.  I hear that WVB and other sports have banquets where all the players speak, the coach answers questions, so it is a much different sort of event.  If your star senior can't be bothered to attend, well what does that say?  Draft isn't until Monday...

I've attended every banquet since 1990. In the first years I attended, there was much more from the players, much more re "awards", much more sense of interaction with the fans. I've become increasingly disappointed with them, and last night was a new low for me. I asked one of the staff about the decision to go to the cut back version -- half an hour of reception with drinks accompanied by a skimpy selection of desserts. The explanation (excuse?) was that they wanted to do it on this particular date because the WNBA draft had been moved up and the wanted to make it possible for Haley to attend. And it was too time-compressed to organize a real banquet (or some other reason, which made equally little sense). Well, Haley didn't show up, and there was no explanation. I wouldn't necessarily have expected Tara to say anything re Haley's absence except that she did give use a reason why Harriel wasn't there. So what's the deal. I find myself agreeing with the "don't really want to do this and won't try very hard" reaction. And I've been having more and more of this feeling in recent years. The effort at fan outreach and interaction has getting less and less over the years. For example, we used to have players meet the fan events before the season began; fan get togethers; etc.. Is this a reflection of Tara getting tired of it all? Or of an admin attitude of "who cares about the fans so long as they donate?"  Or a little of both.

[WBB fan]

Passes into the post are not always as easy as you believe.  Always room for improvement yes but that’s true for any team.  Ok not so from Clark into the post :)

Respectfully disagree.  In Kianna's senior year when Cam was a freshman, again and again Kianna would dribble up court and if there was not an opportunity for her to penetrate and possibly score, 5'8 Kianna could easily pass the ball into Brink.  Yet, 5'9 Anna Wilson (who I absolutely loved), would invariably reverse the ball when Brink had sealed her defender and was calling for the ball.  I watched a lot of Virginia Tech games in the past 2 seasons and 5'6 Georgia Amoore had no trouble getting the ball into their post, Liz Kitley.  Many other examples across the country where small guards effectively feed their posts. The difference?  Kianna would typically pass inside while she was in motion and there was some separation between she and her defender; same with Amoore.  Talana and to some degree Indya are dribbling but not moving with a defender in front of them and 90% of the time they reverse the ball.  Talana's sideway passes are admirable attempts which I began to see midway through non-conference, but they were too often telegraphed, making Cam move slightly away from her block position, or the passes come too late when single coverage became a double-team.  In their defense, they may hear Brink calling for the ball, but can't see her because they can't see over their defender.  Any passes into Brink now become difficult, but if they learned to pass while moving and creating a little separation, they might have an easier time seeing and getting more accurate and timely passes into her.

When so many small guards are successfully passing into their Bigs, you can't tell me this is more difficult than I think when I see it being done so many times at other schools, and here at Stanford not long ago.  It becomes difficult when the guards are standing while dribbling.

I admire Talana's ball-handling skills and Indya's ability to create her own shot on occasion.  I'm hoping to see better and more timely passing to Brink because of her elite skill levels to either score or get to the foul line where she has become deadly.

How many free throws in a row?

Per Tara's comments at the "banquet" last night, 48 in a row last season.

Cam ended the season with that 48 in a row, so her steak will continue if she makes her 1st free throw next season.

---

I used to go to the banquet every year, haven't lately because of COVID and because sounds like they are getting the "we don't really want to do this and won't try very hard" treatment from the program.  I hear that WVB and other sports have banquets where all the players speak, the coach answers questions, so it is a much different sort of event.  If your star senior can't be bothered to attend, well what does that say?  Draft isn't until Monday...

I've attended every banquet since 1990. In the first years I attended, there was much more from the players, much more re "awards", much more sense of interaction with the fans. I've become increasingly disappointed with them, and last night was a new low for me. I asked one of the staff about the decision to go to the cut back version -- half an hour of reception with drinks accompanied by a skimpy selection of desserts. The explanation (excuse?) was that they wanted to do it on this particular date because the WNBA draft had been moved up and the wanted to make it possible for Haley to attend. And it was too time-compressed to organize a real banquet (or some other reason, which made equally little sense). Well, Haley didn't show up, and there was no explanation. I wouldn't necessarily have expected Tara to say anything re Haley's absence except that she did give use a reason why Harriel wasn't there. So what's the deal. I find myself agreeing with the "don't really want to do this and won't try very hard" reaction. And I've been having more and more of this feeling in recent years. The effort at fan outreach and interaction has getting less and less over the years. For example, we used to have players meet the fan events before the season began; fan get togethers; etc.. Is this a reflection of Tara getting tired of it all? Or of an admin attitude of "who cares about the fans so long as they donate?"  Or a little of both.

[chimera]

Passes into the post are not always as easy as you believe.  Always room for improvement yes but that’s true for any team.  Ok not so from Clark into the post :)

Respectfully disagree.  In Kianna's senior year when Cam was a freshman, again and again Kianna would dribble up court and if there was not an opportunity for her to penetrate and possibly score, 5'8 Kianna could easily pass the ball into Brink.  Yet, 5'9 Anna Wilson (who I absolutely loved), would invariably reverse the ball when Brink had sealed her defender and was calling for the ball.  I watched a lot of Virginia Tech games in the past 2 seasons and 5'6 Georgia Amoore had no trouble getting the ball into their post, Liz Kitley.  Many other examples across the country where small guards effectively feed their posts. The difference?  Kianna would typically pass inside while she was in motion and there was some separation between she and her defender; same with Amoore.  Talana and to some degree Indya are dribbling but not moving with a defender in front of them and 90% of the time they reverse the ball.  Talana's sideway passes are admirable attempts which I began to see midway through non-conference, but they were too often telegraphed, making Cam move slightly away from her block position, or the passes come too late when single coverage became a double-team.  In their defense, they may hear Brink calling for the ball, but can't see her because they can't see over their defender.  Any passes into Brink now become difficult, but if they learned to pass while moving and creating a little separation, they might have an easier time seeing and getting more accurate and timely passes into her.

When so many small guards are successfully passing into their Bigs, you can't tell me this is more difficult than I think when I see it being done so many times at other schools, and here at Stanford not long ago.  It becomes difficult when the guards are standing while dribbling.

I admire Talana's ball-handling skills and Indya's ability to create her own shot on occasion.  I'm hoping to see better and more timely passing to Brink because of her elite skill levels to either score or get to the foul line where she has become deadly.

How many free throws in a row?

Per Tara's comments at the "banquet" last night, 48 in a row last season.

Cam ended the season with that 48 in a row, so her steak will continue if she makes her 1st free throw next season.

---

I used to go to the banquet every year, haven't lately because of COVID and because sounds like they are getting the "we don't really want to do this and won't try very hard" treatment from the program.  I hear that WVB and other sports have banquets where all the players speak, the coach answers questions, so it is a much different sort of event.  If your star senior can't be bothered to attend, well what does that say?  Draft isn't until Monday...

I've attended every banquet since 1990. In the first years I attended, there was much more from the players, much more re "awards", much more sense of interaction with the fans. I've become increasingly disappointed with them, and last night was a new low for me. I asked one of the staff about the decision to go to the cut back version -- half an hour of reception with drinks accompanied by a skimpy selection of desserts. The explanation (excuse?) was that they wanted to do it on this particular date because the WNBA draft had been moved up and the wanted to make it possible for Haley to attend. And it was too time-compressed to organize a real banquet (or some other reason, which made equally little sense). Well, Haley didn't show up, and there was no explanation. I wouldn't necessarily have expected Tara to say anything re Haley's absence except that she did give use a reason why Harriel wasn't there. So what's the deal. I find myself agreeing with the "don't really want to do this and won't try very hard" reaction. And I've been having more and more of this feeling in recent years. The effort at fan outreach and interaction has getting less and less over the years. For example, we used to have players meet the fan events before the season began; fan get togethers; etc.. Is this a reflection of Tara getting tired of it all? Or of an admin attitude of "who cares about the fans so long as they donate?"  Or a little of both.

I think it is that Tara doesn't really want to do that stuff anymore and that they used to need many of us to donate to the Fast Break Club so they had a lot of activities for fans to get them to join FBC and donate.  They get money from Buck/Cardinal now and do not need our money so they no longer try. The auction FBC used to put on every year (remember those?) raised 30-40k IIRC that the program needed.  Remember all the events we used to have - Selection Sunday Shootathon and event, post-game "tents" that became "Behind-the-Bench" after almost every weekend home game, post-game speaker series after most weekday home games, Open Practice with food and even a BBQ, raffles that we were not allowed to call raffles where you could win stuff like sit on the bench during a game, etc., etc.  They don't need our FBC dues or anything else so they keep cutting and cutting and this season they didn't even want to do chalk talks before every game, like having an assistant coach walk over to Kissick to chat with fans for 10 minutes was too much to bother with.  I hate to complain but my general feeling is fan outreach sucks and the program hasn't cared about it in a serious way for years.

[chimera]

Passes into the post are not always as easy as you believe.  Always room for improvement yes but that’s true for any team.  Ok not so from Clark into the post :)

Respectfully disagree.  In Kianna's senior year when Cam was a freshman, again and again Kianna would dribble up court and if there was not an opportunity for her to penetrate and possibly score, 5'8 Kianna could easily pass the ball into Brink.  Yet, 5'9 Anna Wilson (who I absolutely loved), would invariably reverse the ball when Brink had sealed her defender and was calling for the ball.  I watched a lot of Virginia Tech games in the past 2 seasons and 5'6 Georgia Amoore had no trouble getting the ball into their post, Liz Kitley.  Many other examples across the country where small guards effectively feed their posts. The difference?  Kianna would typically pass inside while she was in motion and there was some separation between she and her defender; same with Amoore.  Talana and to some degree Indya are dribbling but not moving with a defender in front of them and 90% of the time they reverse the ball.  Talana's sideway passes are admirable attempts which I began to see midway through non-conference, but they were too often telegraphed, making Cam move slightly away from her block position, or the passes come too late when single coverage became a double-team.  In their defense, they may hear Brink calling for the ball, but can't see her because they can't see over their defender.  Any passes into Brink now become difficult, but if they learned to pass while moving and creating a little separation, they might have an easier time seeing and getting more accurate and timely passes into her.

When so many small guards are successfully passing into their Bigs, you can't tell me this is more difficult than I think when I see it being done so many times at other schools, and here at Stanford not long ago.  It becomes difficult when the guards are standing while dribbling.

I admire Talana's ball-handling skills and Indya's ability to create her own shot on occasion.  I'm hoping to see better and more timely passing to Brink because of her elite skill levels to either score or get to the foul line where she has become deadly.

How many free throws in a row?

Per Tara's comments at the "banquet" last night, 48 in a row last season.

Cam ended the season with that 48 in a row, so her steak will continue if she makes her 1st free throw next season.

---

I used to go to the banquet every year, haven't lately because of COVID and because sounds like they are getting the "we don't really want to do this and won't try very hard" treatment from the program.  I hear that WVB and other sports have banquets where all the players speak, the coach answers questions, so it is a much different sort of event.  If your star senior can't be bothered to attend, well what does that say?  Draft isn't until Monday...

I've attended every banquet since 1990. In the first years I attended, there was much more from the players, much more re "awards", much more sense of interaction with the fans. I've become increasingly disappointed with them, and last night was a new low for me. I asked one of the staff about the decision to go to the cut back version -- half an hour of reception with drinks accompanied by a skimpy selection of desserts. The explanation (excuse?) was that they wanted to do it on this particular date because the WNBA draft had been moved up and the wanted to make it possible for Haley to attend. And it was too time-compressed to organize a real banquet (or some other reason, which made equally little sense). Well, Haley didn't show up, and there was no explanation. I wouldn't necessarily have expected Tara to say anything re Haley's absence except that she did give use a reason why Harriel wasn't there. So what's the deal. I find myself agreeing with the "don't really want to do this and won't try very hard" reaction. And I've been having more and more of this feeling in recent years. The effort at fan outreach and interaction has getting less and less over the years. For example, we used to have players meet the fan events before the season began; fan get togethers; etc.. Is this a reflection of Tara getting tired of it all? Or of an admin attitude of "who cares about the fans so long as they donate?"  Or a little of both.

I think it is that Tara doesn't really want to do that stuff anymore and that they used to need many of us to donate to the Fast Break Club so they had a lot of activities for fans to get them to join FBC and donate.  They get money from Buck/Cardinal now and do not need our money so they no longer try. The auction FBC used to put on every year (remember those?) raised 30-40k IIRC that the program needed.  Remember all the events we used to have - Selection Sunday Shootathon and event, post-game "tents" that became "Behind-the-Bench" after almost every weekend home game, post-game speaker series after most weekday home games, Open Practice with food and even a BBQ, raffles that we were not allowed to call raffles where you could win stuff like sit on the bench during a game, etc., etc.  They don't need our FBC dues or anything else so they keep cutting and cutting and this season they didn't even want to do chalk talks before every game, like having an assistant coach walk over to Kissick to chat with fans for 10 minutes was too much to bother with.  I hate to complain but my general feeling is fan outreach sucks and the program hasn't cared about it in a serious way for years.

[stopandpop]

At the Banquet last evening we learned that Indiana and Duke will be on our 2023 non-conference (home) schedule.

[stopandpop]

At the Banquet last evening we learned that Indiana and Duke will be on our 2023 non-conference (home) schedule.

[crackpot]

At the Banquet last evening we learned that Indiana and Duke will be on our 2023 non-conference (home) schedule.

Did someone say at home? It wasn't clear to me, except that they were on our schedule

[crackpot]

At the Banquet last evening we learned that Indiana and Duke will be on our 2023 non-conference (home) schedule.

Did someone say at home? It wasn't clear to me, except that they were on our schedule

[BostonCard]

Noticeable absentees at the Annual Awards Banquet last night were Haley, Jzaniya, and a banquet…

Was Betts there?

BC

[BostonCard]

Noticeable absentees at the Annual Awards Banquet last night were Haley, Jzaniya, and a banquet…

Was Betts there?

BC

[acerep]

Noticeable absentees at the Annual Awards Banquet last night were Haley, Jzaniya, and a banquet…

Was Betts there?

BC

Yes, she was seated at my table, but I couldn't hear what she had to say.

[acerep]

Noticeable absentees at the Annual Awards Banquet last night were Haley, Jzaniya, and a banquet…

Was Betts there?

BC

Yes, she was seated at my table, but I couldn't hear what she had to say.

[stopandpop]

At the Banquet last evening we learned that Indiana and Duke will be on our 2023 non-conference (home) schedule.

Did someone say at home? It wasn't clear to me, except that they were on our schedule

YES, Indiana and Duke at home per Tara.

[stopandpop]

At the Banquet last evening we learned that Indiana and Duke will be on our 2023 non-conference (home) schedule.

Did someone say at home? It wasn't clear to me, except that they were on our schedule

YES, Indiana and Duke at home per Tara.

[Card10Fan]

Disappointing on the banquet. Fan outreach is a problem. Tara is not naturally gifted at connecting with fans nor does she seem to enjoy fan outreach opportunities. I think she's at a point where she does bare minimum of what's required out of obligation but no more. The problem is that all the assistants follow her lead and are not any better. It is disappointing.

Are these transfers and program issues the past month enough for Tara to say, I'm done and retire or is she committed to keeping and finding a way for Stanford to still be elite.? If so, she's got a lot of work to do to figure this out now. NIL, collective money, transfers, recruiting challenges. Things have suddenly taken a major turn for the worst. How are we going to respond.

[Card10Fan]

Disappointing on the banquet. Fan outreach is a problem. Tara is not naturally gifted at connecting with fans nor does she seem to enjoy fan outreach opportunities. I think she's at a point where she does bare minimum of what's required out of obligation but no more. The problem is that all the assistants follow her lead and are not any better. It is disappointing.

Are these transfers and program issues the past month enough for Tara to say, I'm done and retire or is she committed to keeping and finding a way for Stanford to still be elite.? If so, she's got a lot of work to do to figure this out now. NIL, collective money, transfers, recruiting challenges. Things have suddenly taken a major turn for the worst. How are we going to respond.

[stopandpop]

Things have obviously moved very fast in the last 24 hours.  Enjoyed the discussion on the other thread about Lauren and Agnes.

Now comes the reality of playing without both of them next season.  My first thought had to do with the portal, but judging by many of your posts, there seems to be a strong sense that Stanford can't or won't use it to get some immediate help.

My next thoughts turned to Cam and Kiki.  Before the Betts news, I assumed that Kiki would play in the post and Cam at the 4 with Betts coming off the bench for more extended minutes.  Now, I'm not sure Tara can afford to have Kiki and Cam playing together because who is going to spell either of them when they need a rest or get into foul trouble?  In a pinch, I guess Demetre can play a 4, but not a 5.  We have no one.

How do you think Kiki will feel (after starting) that she would be on the bench?

What will Tara's options be?

This predicament brings me back to the portal, but you have said loud and clear the portal is not a realistic option.  To clear the air, can someone please explain (to stupid people like me), what is keeping Stanford from taking advantage of the portal, either undergrad or grad?  Curious minds want to understand.

[stopandpop]

Things have obviously moved very fast in the last 24 hours.  Enjoyed the discussion on the other thread about Lauren and Agnes.

Now comes the reality of playing without both of them next season.  My first thought had to do with the portal, but judging by many of your posts, there seems to be a strong sense that Stanford can't or won't use it to get some immediate help.

My next thoughts turned to Cam and Kiki.  Before the Betts news, I assumed that Kiki would play in the post and Cam at the 4 with Betts coming off the bench for more extended minutes.  Now, I'm not sure Tara can afford to have Kiki and Cam playing together because who is going to spell either of them when they need a rest or get into foul trouble?  In a pinch, I guess Demetre can play a 4, but not a 5.  We have no one.

How do you think Kiki will feel (after starting) that she would be on the bench?

What will Tara's options be?

This predicament brings me back to the portal, but you have said loud and clear the portal is not a realistic option.  To clear the air, can someone please explain (to stupid people like me), what is keeping Stanford from taking advantage of the portal, either undergrad or grad?  Curious minds want to understand.

[Hoops9092]

Kiki and Cam will for sure be our starters in the post. We've had thin years (I think of Jayne's sophomore year with Kayla Pedersen at the 4). Brooke can play the 4 to give either a blow.

[Hoops9092]

Kiki and Cam will for sure be our starters in the post. We've had thin years (I think of Jayne's sophomore year with Kayla Pedersen at the 4). Brooke can play the 4 to give either a blow.

[81alum]

Things have obviously moved very fast in the last 24 hours.  Enjoyed the discussion on the other thread about Lauren and Agnes.

Now comes the reality of playing without both of them next season.  My first thought had to do with the portal, but judging by many of your posts, there seems to be a strong sense that Stanford can't or won't use it to get some immediate help.

My next thoughts turned to Cam and Kiki.  Before the Betts news, I assumed that Kiki would play in the post and Cam at the 4 with Betts coming off the bench for more extended minutes.  Now, I'm not sure Tara can afford to have Kiki and Cam playing together because who is going to spell either of them when they need a rest or get into foul trouble?  In a pinch, I guess Demetre can play a 4, but not a 5.  We have no one.

How do you think Kiki will feel (after starting) that she would be on the bench?

What will Tara's options be?

This predicament brings me back to the portal, but you have said loud and clear the portal is not a realistic option.  To clear the air, can someone please explain (to stupid people like me), what is keeping Stanford from taking advantage of the portal, either undergrad or grad?  Curious minds want to understand.

Grad transfers are always possible.  There is no quota on graduate students.

Undergrad transfers come up against Stanford's policy to only admit as many transfers as necessary to replace the attrition in the undergraduate student body.  And Stanford has an incredibly low attrition rate.  Betts leaving probably just spiked the rate.  That means there are only 20-30 slots open for undergraduate transfers for the entire university.  That is down from around 50 when I was enrolled in the late 70s.

In short, in order to make room for more transfer students, Stanford would have to shrink the size of the entering class to hold spaces for possible transfers, and they are already the most selective university in the world for that entering class.

One can always expand the size of the undergraduate student body, but Stanford has already been doing that and is reluctant to make the place seem as large as a state university.  Or you can say "no" to even more over qualified applicants than they already are to hold spaces back for athletes.  Neither option is going to fly.

However, I think one could make the case for at least as many transfers IN to athletic programs as we suffer OUT from those programs.  Betts leaving should have just opened up a slot--not only on the team--but for the University.

[81alum]

Things have obviously moved very fast in the last 24 hours.  Enjoyed the discussion on the other thread about Lauren and Agnes.

Now comes the reality of playing without both of them next season.  My first thought had to do with the portal, but judging by many of your posts, there seems to be a strong sense that Stanford can't or won't use it to get some immediate help.

My next thoughts turned to Cam and Kiki.  Before the Betts news, I assumed that Kiki would play in the post and Cam at the 4 with Betts coming off the bench for more extended minutes.  Now, I'm not sure Tara can afford to have Kiki and Cam playing together because who is going to spell either of them when they need a rest or get into foul trouble?  In a pinch, I guess Demetre can play a 4, but not a 5.  We have no one.

How do you think Kiki will feel (after starting) that she would be on the bench?

What will Tara's options be?

This predicament brings me back to the portal, but you have said loud and clear the portal is not a realistic option.  To clear the air, can someone please explain (to stupid people like me), what is keeping Stanford from taking advantage of the portal, either undergrad or grad?  Curious minds want to understand.

Grad transfers are always possible.  There is no quota on graduate students.

Undergrad transfers come up against Stanford's policy to only admit as many transfers as necessary to replace the attrition in the undergraduate student body.  And Stanford has an incredibly low attrition rate.  Betts leaving probably just spiked the rate.  That means there are only 20-30 slots open for undergraduate transfers for the entire university.  That is down from around 50 when I was enrolled in the late 70s.

In short, in order to make room for more transfer students, Stanford would have to shrink the size of the entering class to hold spaces for possible transfers, and they are already the most selective university in the world for that entering class.

One can always expand the size of the undergraduate student body, but Stanford has already been doing that and is reluctant to make the place seem as large as a state university.  Or you can say "no" to even more over qualified applicants than they already are to hold spaces back for athletes.  Neither option is going to fly.

However, I think one could make the case for at least as many transfers IN to athletic programs as we suffer OUT from those programs.  Betts leaving should have just opened up a slot--not only on the team--but for the University.

[Softball Fan]

This predicament brings me back to the portal, but you have said loud and clear the portal is not a realistic option.  To clear the air, can someone please explain (to stupid people like me), what is keeping Stanford from taking advantage of the portal, either undergrad or grad?  Curious minds want to understand.

For undergrad, has it been established that Admissions has agreed to make exceptions to their standard policy for WBB players that they might not otherwise consider?  Undergrad transfers at Stanford have always been very limited.  It is part of the school's mission that Stanford undergrad should be a four year experience.  They typically accept transfers to improve diversity in filling the class.  Transfer admit rate is usually about 2% of applications the last time I checked.  One year I recall they didn't accept any undergrad transfers.    I doubt Admissions would deviate from their standard policy for all of Stanford's sports.

[Softball Fan]

This predicament brings me back to the portal, but you have said loud and clear the portal is not a realistic option.  To clear the air, can someone please explain (to stupid people like me), what is keeping Stanford from taking advantage of the portal, either undergrad or grad?  Curious minds want to understand.

For undergrad, has it been established that Admissions has agreed to make exceptions to their standard policy for WBB players that they might not otherwise consider?  Undergrad transfers at Stanford have always been very limited.  It is part of the school's mission that Stanford undergrad should be a four year experience.  They typically accept transfers to improve diversity in filling the class.  Transfer admit rate is usually about 2% of applications the last time I checked.  One year I recall they didn't accept any undergrad transfers.    I doubt Admissions would deviate from their standard policy for all of Stanford's sports.

[cardfan1996]

Some interesting and intriguing thoughts from the questions.  Thanks!

Regarding Brink; yes- I think we're all hoping she will continue to work on both her mid-range game and get back her 3-point shot.  But here is one opportunity for improvement in 2023-2024.  Watching the games last season, I would count at least 3 and sometimes up to 6 or 7 times when we missed great opportunities for Brink to score in the block because of poor passes that moved Brink out of position; late passes when Brink was being double-teamed; no passes, even when Brink had sealed her defender and was calling for the ball, or when Brink had a clear path to the hoop and her teammate chose to shoot a 3-ball.

That's a minimum of an extra 6 points (scoring or getting fouled) and as many as an extra 14 points a game.  If you think about all the close games we won and the 6 games we lost, better and more timely passes into Brink when she is posting could make a of immense proportions difference next season.

Your thoughts?

Easily 14-20 pts lost every game because no one on the perimeter that got a lot of playing time could make standard passes into the post (with or without pressure) except Brooke who is a phenomenal passer.

---

Worth noting that Brink had an overall field goal percentage of 48%.  Even if good passing would have improved her field goal percentage a bit, 3 passes to Brink would not have translated to 6 more points (more like 3-4), and, we also don't know what happened in the alternative.  I don't know what our overall efficiency (without Brink) was, but figure we probably would have scored at least in 1/3 of those opportunities.

BC

Because Lepolo’s and whomever else defender (except Hannah’s) was sitting in her lap and Brink is not a 5 like Boston with a build that can handle being mauled by 2 and 3 defenders. Brink is a 4 playing the 5, and she has to develop a reliable outside shot.

If Stanford gets a high quality point guard in the transfer portal (and I will be praying this happens), you will see a big difference in Brink’s shooting percentage, and overall production. It was difficult for her to see so many bodies around her this year. The Hulls kept their defenders attached to them.

[cardfan1996]

Some interesting and intriguing thoughts from the questions.  Thanks!

Regarding Brink; yes- I think we're all hoping she will continue to work on both her mid-range game and get back her 3-point shot.  But here is one opportunity for improvement in 2023-2024.  Watching the games last season, I would count at least 3 and sometimes up to 6 or 7 times when we missed great opportunities for Brink to score in the block because of poor passes that moved Brink out of position; late passes when Brink was being double-teamed; no passes, even when Brink had sealed her defender and was calling for the ball, or when Brink had a clear path to the hoop and her teammate chose to shoot a 3-ball.

That's a minimum of an extra 6 points (scoring or getting fouled) and as many as an extra 14 points a game.  If you think about all the close games we won and the 6 games we lost, better and more timely passes into Brink when she is posting could make a of immense proportions difference next season.

Your thoughts?

Easily 14-20 pts lost every game because no one on the perimeter that got a lot of playing time could make standard passes into the post (with or without pressure) except Brooke who is a phenomenal passer.

---

Worth noting that Brink had an overall field goal percentage of 48%.  Even if good passing would have improved her field goal percentage a bit, 3 passes to Brink would not have translated to 6 more points (more like 3-4), and, we also don't know what happened in the alternative.  I don't know what our overall efficiency (without Brink) was, but figure we probably would have scored at least in 1/3 of those opportunities.

BC

Because Lepolo’s and whomever else defender (except Hannah’s) was sitting in her lap and Brink is not a 5 like Boston with a build that can handle being mauled by 2 and 3 defenders. Brink is a 4 playing the 5, and she has to develop a reliable outside shot.

If Stanford gets a high quality point guard in the transfer portal (and I will be praying this happens), you will see a big difference in Brink’s shooting percentage, and overall production. It was difficult for her to see so many bodies around her this year. The Hulls kept their defenders attached to them.

[petersalas]

Does Stanford have a chance to get Hailey Van Lith? Twitter rumors and comments say she knows where she’s going and Stanford is mentioned quite a bit.

[petersalas]

Does Stanford have a chance to get Hailey Van Lith? Twitter rumors and comments say she knows where she’s going and Stanford is mentioned quite a bit.

[Hoops9092]

I don't think Van Lith would want to play for Tara. 

I also don't know that people are that fond of Hailey. I can't even think of a school for her to be a good fit. Seemed like she was a ball chucker at Louisville and that landing spot felt random to begin with.

Rumor I see is she is in the portal as "do not contact" meaning she knows where she's going. They said she chose Louisville over Baylor; so folks think she's headed to Mulkey in LSU. One hour ago Angel Reese tweeted a upside down face emoji and blew up twitter replies speculating she didn't want Van Lith. Oh my.

Mulkey to me in the equivalent to John Calipari on the men's side. Just like he has become the one and done guy, Mulkey is the transfer portal queen.

[Hoops9092]

I don't think Van Lith would want to play for Tara. 

I also don't know that people are that fond of Hailey. I can't even think of a school for her to be a good fit. Seemed like she was a ball chucker at Louisville and that landing spot felt random to begin with.

Rumor I see is she is in the portal as "do not contact" meaning she knows where she's going. They said she chose Louisville over Baylor; so folks think she's headed to Mulkey in LSU. One hour ago Angel Reese tweeted a upside down face emoji and blew up twitter replies speculating she didn't want Van Lith. Oh my.

Mulkey to me in the equivalent to John Calipari on the men's side. Just like he has become the one and done guy, Mulkey is the transfer portal queen.

[petersalas]

Reading through comments maybe it’s LSU since Baylor was on her final list with Kim Mulkey. As a fan of Stanford and losing two players to the portal, I wouldn’t mind seeing Stanford have some good luck with the transfer portal. 

I don't think Van Lith would want to play for Tara. 

I also don't know that people are that fond of Hailey. I can't even think of a school for her to be a good fit. Seemed like she was a ball chucker at Louisville and that landing spot felt random to begin with.

[petersalas]

Reading through comments maybe it’s LSU since Baylor was on her final list with Kim Mulkey. As a fan of Stanford and losing two players to the portal, I wouldn’t mind seeing Stanford have some good luck with the transfer portal. 

I don't think Van Lith would want to play for Tara. 

I also don't know that people are that fond of Hailey. I can't even think of a school for her to be a good fit. Seemed like she was a ball chucker at Louisville and that landing spot felt random to begin with.

[joemontes]

Does Stanford have a chance to get Hailey Van Lith? Twitter rumors and comments say she knows where she’s going and Stanford is mentioned quite a bit.

We will soon find out, as HVL said "Do not contact" so most likely made up her mind already.

Also, she is set to graduate next month with a degree in Finance,
so she is technically a Graduate transfer with 2 years eligibility left.

Hmmm, #7 overall recruit from 2020, averaged 20 ppg as All-American PG/SG for Louisville, 
fiesty personality with brains. 

Just what Stanford needs right now...

[joemontes]

Does Stanford have a chance to get Hailey Van Lith? Twitter rumors and comments say she knows where she’s going and Stanford is mentioned quite a bit.

We will soon find out, as HVL said "Do not contact" so most likely made up her mind already.

Also, she is set to graduate next month with a degree in Finance,
so she is technically a Graduate transfer with 2 years eligibility left.

Hmmm, #7 overall recruit from 2020, averaged 20 ppg as All-American PG/SG for Louisville, 
fiesty personality with brains. 

Just what Stanford needs right now...

[BosCard]

Betts to the transfer portal is surprising and definitely not good.  But it just means that our program isn't immune from the same forces that are causing mass transfers everywhere else.  So here is my attempt at looking for positives from Betts' transfer:

1.  The post rotation becomes a lot clearer and potentially simpler.  You have Brink and Iriafen playing the 4/5.  They have similar games in that both rely on their speed and athleticism to score.  In contrast, Betts had a much different post style, slower and more low-post power based.  So instead of the team having to develop two contrasting styles, its just one and Iriafen will get a lot of reps.

2.  The stretch 4's will get a lot of playing time.  This is Demetre and Agara.  They are both good three-point shooters and hopefully this will create a lot of space for Brink/Iriafen to create.  Think of Iowa's 4 out offense allowing Czinano to operate inside and creating a lot of driving lanes for Clark.  We could not do this last year because Jones was on the court and her defender could always just sag way off and camp out in the paint.

3.  We are more attractive to the bigs in the 2024 class.  If you are Edwards, Thomas or Koval, you will see that Stanford definitely needs bigs and its possible that one or more of those players could start as freshmen.  Iriafen probably starts hers senior year but there is still another starting front court position up for grabs.

[BosCard]

Betts to the transfer portal is surprising and definitely not good.  But it just means that our program isn't immune from the same forces that are causing mass transfers everywhere else.  So here is my attempt at looking for positives from Betts' transfer:

1.  The post rotation becomes a lot clearer and potentially simpler.  You have Brink and Iriafen playing the 4/5.  They have similar games in that both rely on their speed and athleticism to score.  In contrast, Betts had a much different post style, slower and more low-post power based.  So instead of the team having to develop two contrasting styles, its just one and Iriafen will get a lot of reps.

2.  The stretch 4's will get a lot of playing time.  This is Demetre and Agara.  They are both good three-point shooters and hopefully this will create a lot of space for Brink/Iriafen to create.  Think of Iowa's 4 out offense allowing Czinano to operate inside and creating a lot of driving lanes for Clark.  We could not do this last year because Jones was on the court and her defender could always just sag way off and camp out in the paint.

3.  We are more attractive to the bigs in the 2024 class.  If you are Edwards, Thomas or Koval, you will see that Stanford definitely needs bigs and its possible that one or more of those players could start as freshmen.  Iriafen probably starts hers senior year but there is still another starting front court position up for grabs.

[Baez87]

I don’t think she would be a good fit for our team. She has plenty of attitude and talks trash. While some believe that you can’t stop attitude and talk from entering the women’s game, I don’t think we should actively seek it.

[Baez87]

I don’t think she would be a good fit for our team. She has plenty of attitude and talks trash. While some believe that you can’t stop attitude and talk from entering the women’s game, I don’t think we should actively seek it.