[Card10Fan]

The 2017/2018 season we struggled through non-conference play, lost at home to Western Illinois which was a low point and were 6-6 at one point. I remember feeling like that season was lost. We ended that year 24-11 and with a trip to the Sweet 16. Can this Stanford team have a similar turnaround and surge once conference play starts? Without the legend Tara on the bench, I don't know. Her teams ALWAYS seemed to improve as the season went on. 

This team seems to have no identity. We are not great defensively, not great at rebounding, not super athletic, not elite offensively. We are a good shooting team when we get open shots. I could see us missing the NCAA tourney completely this year and ending the season with a losing record. I just don't have a great feel about how we've looked the past few weeks post LSU.

[Card10Fan]

The 2017/2018 season we struggled through non-conference play, lost at home to Western Illinois which was a low point and were 6-6 at one point. I remember feeling like that season was lost. We ended that year 24-11 and with a trip to the Sweet 16. Can this Stanford team have a similar turnaround and surge once conference play starts? Without the legend Tara on the bench, I don't know. Her teams ALWAYS seemed to improve as the season went on. 

This team seems to have no identity. We are not great defensively, not great at rebounding, not super athletic, not elite offensively. We are a good shooting team when we get open shots. I could see us missing the NCAA tourney completely this year and ending the season with a losing record. I just don't have a great feel about how we've looked the past few weeks post LSU.

[M T]

All NIl plsyers have to do something yes.

I can’t say on an open board.  Sorry. Be assured it’s outstanding

NIL is obviously not tied to performance.  Only to Name, Image, and Likeness.

I'm sure they are all great women, but the Stanford players seem to be good basketball players, not "outstanding".

[M T]

All NIl plsyers have to do something yes.

I can’t say on an open board.  Sorry. Be assured it’s outstanding

NIL is obviously not tied to performance.  Only to Name, Image, and Likeness.

I'm sure they are all great women, but the Stanford players seem to be good basketball players, not "outstanding".

[BobK]

Of course it’s tied to both potential and performance

Stanford has 30 sports with partial scholarships. What one gets in the way of tuition etc is tied to potential and performance

[BobK]

Of course it’s tied to both potential and performance

Stanford has 30 sports with partial scholarships. What one gets in the way of tuition etc is tied to potential and performance

[Mudhead]

The 2017/2018 season we struggled through non-conference play, lost at home to Western Illinois which was a low point and were 6-6 at one point. I remember feeling like that season was lost. We ended that year 24-11 and with a trip to the Sweet 16. Can this Stanford team have a similar turnaround and surge once conference play starts? Without the legend Tara on the bench, I don't know. Her teams ALWAYS seemed to improve as the season went on. 

This team seems to have no identity. We are not great defensively, not great at rebounding, not super athletic, not elite offensively. We are a good shooting team when we get open shots. I could see us missing the NCAA tourney completely this year and ending the season with a losing record. I just don't have a great feel about how we've looked the past few weeks post LSU.

I think the talent level is lower on this team than any Stanford team imhave watched in the last ten years. I don’t  remember a team in the 30 years I have  watched that had this little talent. Therefore i don’t  judge them too harshly nor do I form an opinion about the coaching staff because of what they have to work with.

You could form a top ten team with the players who transferred out. It’s hard to lose that much top talent and be competitive.  Yet we will be competitive. I would expect us to make the tournament but perhaps not win a game. We need to wait two years to judge our coaches.
Two years to let this recruiting chancpce and the next two years have an impact. Two years to see if we can staunch the outflow of talent that hurt us last year and the year before and which led to this team this year 

I plan to enjoy them for what they can do and to admire the. If they surmount their limitations and neat a few good teams.  And I will hope  that the few really good players we do have stay to be part of a challenging future.  

I’ll judge the coaching staff, the Athletic Department leadership and  Stanford’s level of commitment to women’s basketball.  But let’s not judge anyone based on this years results except to the extent, if any, they contributed to the talent flight that has taken a great program to a slightly better than average one.

[Mudhead]

The 2017/2018 season we struggled through non-conference play, lost at home to Western Illinois which was a low point and were 6-6 at one point. I remember feeling like that season was lost. We ended that year 24-11 and with a trip to the Sweet 16. Can this Stanford team have a similar turnaround and surge once conference play starts? Without the legend Tara on the bench, I don't know. Her teams ALWAYS seemed to improve as the season went on. 

This team seems to have no identity. We are not great defensively, not great at rebounding, not super athletic, not elite offensively. We are a good shooting team when we get open shots. I could see us missing the NCAA tourney completely this year and ending the season with a losing record. I just don't have a great feel about how we've looked the past few weeks post LSU.

I think the talent level is lower on this team than any Stanford team imhave watched in the last ten years. I don’t  remember a team in the 30 years I have  watched that had this little talent. Therefore i don’t  judge them too harshly nor do I form an opinion about the coaching staff because of what they have to work with.

You could form a top ten team with the players who transferred out. It’s hard to lose that much top talent and be competitive.  Yet we will be competitive. I would expect us to make the tournament but perhaps not win a game. We need to wait two years to judge our coaches.
Two years to let this recruiting chancpce and the next two years have an impact. Two years to see if we can staunch the outflow of talent that hurt us last year and the year before and which led to this team this year 

I plan to enjoy them for what they can do and to admire the. If they surmount their limitations and neat a few good teams.  And I will hope  that the few really good players we do have stay to be part of a challenging future.  

I’ll judge the coaching staff, the Athletic Department leadership and  Stanford’s level of commitment to women’s basketball.  But let’s not judge anyone based on this years results except to the extent, if any, they contributed to the talent flight that has taken a great program to a slightly better than average one.

[TonyLima]

The 2017/2018 season we struggled through non-conference play, lost at home to Western Illinois which was a low point and were 6-6 at one point. I remember feeling like that season was lost. We ended that year 24-11 and with a trip to the Sweet 16. Can this Stanford team have a similar turnaround and surge once conference play starts? Without the legend Tara on the bench, I don't know. Her teams ALWAYS seemed to improve as the season went on. 

This team seems to have no identity. We are not great defensively, not great at rebounding, not super athletic, not elite offensively. We are a good shooting team when we get open shots. I could see us missing the NCAA tourney completely this year and ending the season with a losing record. I just don't have a great feel about how we've looked the past few weeks post LSU.

I think the talent level is lower on this team than any Stanford team imhave watched in the last ten years. I don’t  remember a team in the 30 years I have  watched that had this little talent. Therefore i don’t  judge them too harshly nor do I form an opinion about the coaching staff because of what they have to work with.

You could form a top ten team with the players who transferred out. It’s hard to lose that much top talent and be competitive.  Yet we will be competitive. I would expect us to make the tournament but perhaps not win a game. We need to wait two years to judge our coaches.
Two years to let this recruiting chancpce and the next two years have an impact. Two years to see if we can staunch the outflow of talent that hurt us last year and the year before and which led to this team this year 

I plan to enjoy them for what they can do and to admire the. If they surmount their limitations and neat a few good teams.  And I will hope  that the few really good players we do have stay to be part of a challenging future.  

I’ll judge the coaching staff, the Athletic Department leadership and  Stanford’s level of commitment to women’s basketball.  But let’s not judge anyone based on this years results except to the extent, if any, they contributed to the talent flight that has taken a great program to a slightly better than average one.

Thank you. Useful advice.

[TonyLima]

The 2017/2018 season we struggled through non-conference play, lost at home to Western Illinois which was a low point and were 6-6 at one point. I remember feeling like that season was lost. We ended that year 24-11 and with a trip to the Sweet 16. Can this Stanford team have a similar turnaround and surge once conference play starts? Without the legend Tara on the bench, I don't know. Her teams ALWAYS seemed to improve as the season went on. 

This team seems to have no identity. We are not great defensively, not great at rebounding, not super athletic, not elite offensively. We are a good shooting team when we get open shots. I could see us missing the NCAA tourney completely this year and ending the season with a losing record. I just don't have a great feel about how we've looked the past few weeks post LSU.

I think the talent level is lower on this team than any Stanford team imhave watched in the last ten years. I don’t  remember a team in the 30 years I have  watched that had this little talent. Therefore i don’t  judge them too harshly nor do I form an opinion about the coaching staff because of what they have to work with.

You could form a top ten team with the players who transferred out. It’s hard to lose that much top talent and be competitive.  Yet we will be competitive. I would expect us to make the tournament but perhaps not win a game. We need to wait two years to judge our coaches.
Two years to let this recruiting chancpce and the next two years have an impact. Two years to see if we can staunch the outflow of talent that hurt us last year and the year before and which led to this team this year 

I plan to enjoy them for what they can do and to admire the. If they surmount their limitations and neat a few good teams.  And I will hope  that the few really good players we do have stay to be part of a challenging future.  

I’ll judge the coaching staff, the Athletic Department leadership and  Stanford’s level of commitment to women’s basketball.  But let’s not judge anyone based on this years results except to the extent, if any, they contributed to the talent flight that has taken a great program to a slightly better than average one.

Thank you. Useful advice.

[81alum]

At this point, I think it is an open question whether we can make the NCAAs.  To do so would, in my opinion, mean a successful season given the cards we have been dealt.

Here are some goals:

1) Make the NCAA tournament.
2) Win the majority of our ACC conference games.
3) Win one game in the ACC conference tournament.
4) Finish the season with 20+ wins.

If we did all four of these things, I would count that as a very successful season, all things considered. Somehow I have my doubts.

[81alum]

At this point, I think it is an open question whether we can make the NCAAs.  To do so would, in my opinion, mean a successful season given the cards we have been dealt.

Here are some goals:

1) Make the NCAA tournament.
2) Win the majority of our ACC conference games.
3) Win one game in the ACC conference tournament.
4) Finish the season with 20+ wins.

If we did all four of these things, I would count that as a very successful season, all things considered. Somehow I have my doubts.

[M T]

I would suggest goals should be player improvements, not team successes.  Player improvements may give team successes, but they should focus more on preparation for next year.  That's what a rebuilding year is all about.

I'm hoping 81Alums goals can be milestones for this year.

[M T]

I would suggest goals should be player improvements, not team successes.  Player improvements may give team successes, but they should focus more on preparation for next year.  That's what a rebuilding year is all about.

I'm hoping 81Alums goals can be milestones for this year.

[petersalas]

I don’t have high expectations, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t care. I know it’s a new team, new coach, but losses still hurt me. I know this year will be tough, but I also know they won’t last forever. I know it’ll get better. But what I will say that is what has happened with our Stanford teams in the last few years is they lose a game to a high quality opponent in a tight game and then it snowballs from there… that needs to change.. a loss is a loss, but it shouldn’t define a season..

At this point, I think it is an open question whether we can make the NCAAs.  To do so would, in my opinion, mean a successful season given the cards we have been dealt.

Here are some goals:

1) Make the NCAA tournament.
2) Win the majority of our ACC conference games.
3) Win one game in the ACC conference tournament.
4) Finish the season with 20+ wins.

If we did all four of these things, I would count that as a very successful season, all things considered. Somehow I have my doubts.

[petersalas]

I don’t have high expectations, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t care. I know it’s a new team, new coach, but losses still hurt me. I know this year will be tough, but I also know they won’t last forever. I know it’ll get better. But what I will say that is what has happened with our Stanford teams in the last few years is they lose a game to a high quality opponent in a tight game and then it snowballs from there… that needs to change.. a loss is a loss, but it shouldn’t define a season..

At this point, I think it is an open question whether we can make the NCAAs.  To do so would, in my opinion, mean a successful season given the cards we have been dealt.

Here are some goals:

1) Make the NCAA tournament.
2) Win the majority of our ACC conference games.
3) Win one game in the ACC conference tournament.
4) Finish the season with 20+ wins.

If we did all four of these things, I would count that as a very successful season, all things considered. Somehow I have my doubts.

[JohnR34231]

Well, in the last 2-3 games I am afraid we have shown our true colors. We are a very average team with very average players. We struggle when we get up against talented, athletic teams.
Now that we will be beginning ACC play what does that mean in terms of our ability to get victories? Don't know but I can't say I'm particularly optimistic.

[JohnR34231]

Well, in the last 2-3 games I am afraid we have shown our true colors. We are a very average team with very average players. We struggle when we get up against talented, athletic teams.
Now that we will be beginning ACC play what does that mean in terms of our ability to get victories? Don't know but I can't say I'm particularly optimistic.

[terry]

At this point, I think it is an open question whether we can make the NCAAs.  To do so would, in my opinion, mean a successful season given the cards we have been dealt.

Here are some goals:

1) Make the NCAA tournament.
2) Win the majority of our ACC conference games.
3) Win one game in the ACC conference tournament.
4) Finish the season with 20+ wins.

If we did all four of these things, I would count that as a very successful season, all things considered. Somehow I have my doubts.

For a start, how about just winning a game against a major conference opponent? Stanford hasn't done that yet.

[terry]

At this point, I think it is an open question whether we can make the NCAAs.  To do so would, in my opinion, mean a successful season given the cards we have been dealt.

Here are some goals:

1) Make the NCAA tournament.
2) Win the majority of our ACC conference games.
3) Win one game in the ACC conference tournament.
4) Finish the season with 20+ wins.

If we did all four of these things, I would count that as a very successful season, all things considered. Somehow I have my doubts.

For a start, how about just winning a game against a major conference opponent? Stanford hasn't done that yet.

[81alum]

At this point, I think it is an open question whether we can make the NCAAs.  To do so would, in my opinion, mean a successful season given the cards we have been dealt.

Here are some goals:

1) Make the NCAA tournament.
2) Win the majority of our ACC conference games.
3) Win one game in the ACC conference tournament.
4) Finish the season with 20+ wins.

If we did all four of these things, I would count that as a very successful season, all things considered. Somehow I have my doubts.

For a start, how about just winning a game against a major conference opponent? Stanford hasn't done that yet.

True enough.  

SMU on Jan 2 looks like a possibility.  Let's hope it starts there.

[81alum]

At this point, I think it is an open question whether we can make the NCAAs.  To do so would, in my opinion, mean a successful season given the cards we have been dealt.

Here are some goals:

1) Make the NCAA tournament.
2) Win the majority of our ACC conference games.
3) Win one game in the ACC conference tournament.
4) Finish the season with 20+ wins.

If we did all four of these things, I would count that as a very successful season, all things considered. Somehow I have my doubts.

For a start, how about just winning a game against a major conference opponent? Stanford hasn't done that yet.

True enough.  

SMU on Jan 2 looks like a possibility.  Let's hope it starts there.

[TheFarm07]

The 2017/2018 season we struggled through non-conference play, lost at home to Western Illinois which was a low point and were 6-6 at one point. I remember feeling like that season was lost. We ended that year 24-11 and with a trip to the Sweet 16. Can this Stanford team have a similar turnaround and surge once conference play starts? Without the legend Tara on the bench, I don't know. Her teams ALWAYS seemed to improve as the season went on. 

This team seems to have no identity. We are not great defensively, not great at rebounding, not super athletic, not elite offensively. We are a good shooting team when we get open shots. I could see us missing the NCAA tourney completely this year and ending the season with a losing record. I just don't have a great feel about how we've looked the past few weeks post LSU.

I think the talent level is lower on this team than any Stanford team imhave watched in the last ten years. I don’t  remember a team in the 30 years I have  watched that had this little talent. Therefore i don’t  judge them too harshly nor do I form an opinion about the coaching staff because of what they have to work with.

You could form a top ten team with the players who transferred out. It’s hard to lose that much top talent and be competitive.  Yet we will be competitive. I would expect us to make the tournament but perhaps not win a game. We need to wait two years to judge our coaches.
Two years to let this recruiting chancpce and the next two years have an impact. Two years to see if we can staunch the outflow of talent that hurt us last year and the year before and which led to this team this year 

I plan to enjoy them for what they can do and to admire the. If they surmount their limitations and neat a few good teams.  And I will hope  that the few really good players we do have stay to be part of a challenging future.  

I’ll judge the coaching staff, the Athletic Department leadership and  Stanford’s level of commitment to women’s basketball.  But let’s not judge anyone based on this years results except to the extent, if any, they contributed to the talent flight that has taken a great program to a slightly better than average one.

While it didn't happen to one recruiting class like it did with Oregon's top-ranked class after Ionescu graduated, the exodus we suffered over the last couple years from Betts and Nivar to Van Gytenbeek and Emma-Nnopu to Iriafen have not been a good look for our program. While we can blame NIL or perhaps foreknowledge of Tara's retirement or individual circumstances of particular players, it hasn't exactly been the high point of Stanford wbb to lose all these transfers, especially within a short period of time.

The coaching is more frustrating, IMO. From end of game collapses to disjointed inbounds plays to our offense looking inept against a prepared defense, that doesn't speak well whether we have a national title contender or what we have this year. Talent level may fluctuate from year to year but high quality coaching should be the minimum expectations.

I am thinking we probably will make the tourney, but be somewhere where I've never been as a Stanford wbb fan: on the bubble and scoreboard watching through late February and early March and hoping the right teams win so we can get one of the last at-large spots. If we do qualify for the NCAA Tournament, it probably will be as a double-digit seed, and as a result, I don't think we'll make it out of the first weekend.

We have incoming top tier talent coming in next year so I am hopeful that they can slot right in and we can build upon that with another successful class in 2026. So far this season has underscored the need for elite recruiting. That's why, with all due respect, I don't get excited when the 80th ranked recruit commits; I am saving my enthuasiam for the top-5, top-10 superstar announcing their intention to attend Stanford.

In a month and a half, we will get a close look at what could have been, when we play Notre Dame. 3/5 of their starting lineup could be on our team: Hidalgo, Citron, Miles. That's why as a college program, you can't rest on your laurels, particularly more so, with NIL these days. You got to keep reloading year after year.

[TheFarm07]

The 2017/2018 season we struggled through non-conference play, lost at home to Western Illinois which was a low point and were 6-6 at one point. I remember feeling like that season was lost. We ended that year 24-11 and with a trip to the Sweet 16. Can this Stanford team have a similar turnaround and surge once conference play starts? Without the legend Tara on the bench, I don't know. Her teams ALWAYS seemed to improve as the season went on. 

This team seems to have no identity. We are not great defensively, not great at rebounding, not super athletic, not elite offensively. We are a good shooting team when we get open shots. I could see us missing the NCAA tourney completely this year and ending the season with a losing record. I just don't have a great feel about how we've looked the past few weeks post LSU.

I think the talent level is lower on this team than any Stanford team imhave watched in the last ten years. I don’t  remember a team in the 30 years I have  watched that had this little talent. Therefore i don’t  judge them too harshly nor do I form an opinion about the coaching staff because of what they have to work with.

You could form a top ten team with the players who transferred out. It’s hard to lose that much top talent and be competitive.  Yet we will be competitive. I would expect us to make the tournament but perhaps not win a game. We need to wait two years to judge our coaches.
Two years to let this recruiting chancpce and the next two years have an impact. Two years to see if we can staunch the outflow of talent that hurt us last year and the year before and which led to this team this year 

I plan to enjoy them for what they can do and to admire the. If they surmount their limitations and neat a few good teams.  And I will hope  that the few really good players we do have stay to be part of a challenging future.  

I’ll judge the coaching staff, the Athletic Department leadership and  Stanford’s level of commitment to women’s basketball.  But let’s not judge anyone based on this years results except to the extent, if any, they contributed to the talent flight that has taken a great program to a slightly better than average one.

While it didn't happen to one recruiting class like it did with Oregon's top-ranked class after Ionescu graduated, the exodus we suffered over the last couple years from Betts and Nivar to Van Gytenbeek and Emma-Nnopu to Iriafen have not been a good look for our program. While we can blame NIL or perhaps foreknowledge of Tara's retirement or individual circumstances of particular players, it hasn't exactly been the high point of Stanford wbb to lose all these transfers, especially within a short period of time.

The coaching is more frustrating, IMO. From end of game collapses to disjointed inbounds plays to our offense looking inept against a prepared defense, that doesn't speak well whether we have a national title contender or what we have this year. Talent level may fluctuate from year to year but high quality coaching should be the minimum expectations.

I am thinking we probably will make the tourney, but be somewhere where I've never been as a Stanford wbb fan: on the bubble and scoreboard watching through late February and early March and hoping the right teams win so we can get one of the last at-large spots. If we do qualify for the NCAA Tournament, it probably will be as a double-digit seed, and as a result, I don't think we'll make it out of the first weekend.

We have incoming top tier talent coming in next year so I am hopeful that they can slot right in and we can build upon that with another successful class in 2026. So far this season has underscored the need for elite recruiting. That's why, with all due respect, I don't get excited when the 80th ranked recruit commits; I am saving my enthuasiam for the top-5, top-10 superstar announcing their intention to attend Stanford.

In a month and a half, we will get a close look at what could have been, when we play Notre Dame. 3/5 of their starting lineup could be on our team: Hidalgo, Citron, Miles. That's why as a college program, you can't rest on your laurels, particularly more so, with NIL these days. You got to keep reloading year after year.

[81alum]

The press conference, audio only:

https://storage.googleapis.com/stanford-...LXdfm7.m4a

"They jumped on us from the very beginning.  I think their press rattled us early and kind of shook us and shook our confidence.  We were a total no-show especially in the first half.  I was pleased that our team picked it up and was more aggressive and more competitive in the second half, but this was really an education for our team."

"This has been the story for 6 or 7 games...teams are going to try to take away our 3.  Who wouldn't?  I would too if I was playing Stanford.  They are going to force us to spread out, attack the basket, and make layups....that is what we need to do....attack the rim.  It is learning a different way to play....in the past it was throw the ball inside to a big post player who was going to make back-to-the-basket moves.  Now we have to use the fact that we do have excellent shooters and people are "out" on us...the floor is wide open and we are going to have to attack the basket and finish."

"People are taking away our threes...What they are forcing us to do is put the ball on the floor, attack the basket, and make a layup through contact with big athletic bodies."

"We had to go zone for a little bit.  We were struggling to guard them."

"I've been saying this and I truly believe it....our team will get better and better as the season goes along and we get these experiences under our belt."

Kate was asked directly about Lepolo, and she gave a non-answer that did not suggest we will see her anytime soon.  She praised the improvement of our other guards.

Listening to this, I remain super impressed with Kate Paye.  She articulated exactly and precisely what the problem is.  She has a very long way to go to try to fill Tara's shoes, but she is SO much better with press conferences than Tara ever was.  Given the situation, I felt she struck exactly the right note.

[81alum]

The press conference, audio only:

https://storage.googleapis.com/stanford-...LXdfm7.m4a

"They jumped on us from the very beginning.  I think their press rattled us early and kind of shook us and shook our confidence.  We were a total no-show especially in the first half.  I was pleased that our team picked it up and was more aggressive and more competitive in the second half, but this was really an education for our team."

"This has been the story for 6 or 7 games...teams are going to try to take away our 3.  Who wouldn't?  I would too if I was playing Stanford.  They are going to force us to spread out, attack the basket, and make layups....that is what we need to do....attack the rim.  It is learning a different way to play....in the past it was throw the ball inside to a big post player who was going to make back-to-the-basket moves.  Now we have to use the fact that we do have excellent shooters and people are "out" on us...the floor is wide open and we are going to have to attack the basket and finish."

"People are taking away our threes...What they are forcing us to do is put the ball on the floor, attack the basket, and make a layup through contact with big athletic bodies."

"We had to go zone for a little bit.  We were struggling to guard them."

"I've been saying this and I truly believe it....our team will get better and better as the season goes along and we get these experiences under our belt."

Kate was asked directly about Lepolo, and she gave a non-answer that did not suggest we will see her anytime soon.  She praised the improvement of our other guards.

Listening to this, I remain super impressed with Kate Paye.  She articulated exactly and precisely what the problem is.  She has a very long way to go to try to fill Tara's shoes, but she is SO much better with press conferences than Tara ever was.  Given the situation, I felt she struck exactly the right note.