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Joined: Dec 2019
In trying to keep things as positive and non-biased as I can, here are my 2026-2027 projections for the team. These projections are based on 3 assumptions: 1) As she stated in the webinar, KP has indeed learned some (tough) lessons in guiding Stanford over the past 2 seasons. 2) KP keeps her word (as promised in the same webinar) that Stanford is going to open things up offensively and give Eschmeyer more opportunities to operate and 3) that Alex develops more upper body strength in the off-season and that Swain develops a mid-range game.
Starting Lineup- Eschmeyer (6'5) at the post; Ilse de Vries (6'3) power forward; Ines Sotelo (6'3) forward/wing; Swain (5'11); point guard/shooting guard; and Jordyn Wheeler (6'0) off-guard. Shay is much more effective coming off the bench. She brings energy and defensive quickness, but she's not much of a scorer. I watched a lot of HS game film on Wheeler, Elyse Ngenda and Graclyn Gilliard and of the three, Wheeler (right now) seems slightly more college-ready.
The offense- Stanford loses a lot of talent with the departures of Agara, Ogden, Somfai and Clardy, but I'm predicting a more productive offense with more early passes going into Eschmeyer in the low block and passes to de Vries at the high post where she is very skilled at taking defenders down into the key with her crafty Euro-moves and scoring, or getting fouled. She appears to be strong. Sotelo was not asked to do a lot of scoring at Michigan State, but she is capable as a mid-range shooter and with the ability to drive from the angle or baseline to the bucket. I see Stanford trying to fast break at every opportunity with Hailee, Sotelo and the off-guard leading the way, but then in the halfcourt, playing inside/out. My only caution is whether KP has given up the desire to throw up 3-pointers at every opportunity. I hope one of the lessons she has learned is that there are some players who should take the 3, but others who should not.
On defense- I hope another lesson KP has learned is not to bring Eschmeyer out to the perimeter and guard her defender because 1) she is not quick enough to trail her opponent (driving to the key) without fouling and 2) she is constantly out of position to get defensive rebounds. Alex is best when she's near the basket defending- notice the number of blocks and intimidations per minutes played. Your team is actually getting a better defender in de Vries. She has better footwork than Eschmeyer, can block shots and not foul. If KP plays her cards right, she will have great defensive size in the front court and fewer teams will out-rebound them. If Wheeler starts at the off guard, Stanford has 2 guards with good length on defense to harass many smaller opponents. The one thing Stanford will lack is defensive quickness and that, of course, is a staple of the ACC.
Bench- Hopefully, KP has also learned that she needs a bigger rotation and that means using her bench. If she is finally healthy, Kennedy Umeh should provide good-great relief for Eschmeyer or de Vries. Shay can come in for either guards, but definitely for Swain. Hoping for breakthroughs for either or both Gilliard or Ngenda- both of whom can score the ball. I just don't know what their summer development will be. I am less optimistic about Nora Ezike, but maybe I'm wrong. Charlotte Tuhy (American University transfer) looks way too slow and mechanical to be much of a factor and I think 6'5 Kiara Green will be redshirted.
Prediction- A revamped offense with 3 highly talented pieces: Eschmeyer, Swain and de Vries and smarter game management from KP will move the Cardinal up a few notches to somewhere between 7th. and 9th. place in the ACC. If the Cardinal can muster a few quality wins and not lose to lesser opponents, there's an outside chance they'll make the expanded 73-field NCAA Tournament.
