[BosCard]

Is it too early to start a thread on the 2021-2022 season?  Probably yes.  But here we go anyways.

Who are the starters on next year's team?  I'm making the assumption that Williams and Wilson move on to their post-Stanford lives.

Here's my guess:

PG - Van Gytenbeek.  We need a 3-point shooter to space the floor for Jones and Brink to operate so Van Gytenbeek gets the nod over Brown
SG - Lacie Hull
SF - Lexie Hull
PF - Jones
C - Brink

I think Van Gytenbeek and Lacie Hull will primarily be spot up 3-point shooters who will need an assist to get their shot off.  So the majority of offense initiation will fall on the shoulders of Lexie Hull, Jones and Brink.  Lexie and Jones were already doing that this year.  Sometimes Brink would start strong and then disappear a bit on the offensive end.  I think we will need her next year to initiate more of the offense, either driving from the high post or catching the ball in the paint and scoring with her post-moves.

[BosCard]

Is it too early to start a thread on the 2021-2022 season?  Probably yes.  But here we go anyways.

Who are the starters on next year's team?  I'm making the assumption that Williams and Wilson move on to their post-Stanford lives.

Here's my guess:

PG - Van Gytenbeek.  We need a 3-point shooter to space the floor for Jones and Brink to operate so Van Gytenbeek gets the nod over Brown
SG - Lacie Hull
SF - Lexie Hull
PF - Jones
C - Brink

I think Van Gytenbeek and Lacie Hull will primarily be spot up 3-point shooters who will need an assist to get their shot off.  So the majority of offense initiation will fall on the shoulders of Lexie Hull, Jones and Brink.  Lexie and Jones were already doing that this year.  Sometimes Brink would start strong and then disappear a bit on the offensive end.  I think we will need her next year to initiate more of the offense, either driving from the high post or catching the ball in the paint and scoring with her post-moves.

[martyup]

Wilson?

---

Do we have any new bigs coming in?

[martyup]

Wilson?

---

Do we have any new bigs coming in?

[Lorcan]

We have an interesting mix of players coming in. 

Kiki Iriafen shores up our power forward and center rotation; meanwhile Brooke Demetre is a 6'2 wing coming in that was highly ranked. 

As others have said, our problem will be at the PG position with incoming frosh Harriel, Van Gytenbeek, and Jenna Brown being the most likely options. It remains to be seen whether Jerome, Wilson, or Williams are returning for an extra year. We should know more soon as they will have to declare for the draft in the next few days. I wouldn't discount Elena Bosgana's ability to handle the ball either as she led one of her teams in assists over in Greece. 

I think the bigger loss may be to our coaching staff. The Washington job has quietly stayed open for longer than I expected. I wonder if Kate Paye is potentially taking her skills up to Seattle after a fantastic tournament run.

[Lorcan]

We have an interesting mix of players coming in. 

Kiki Iriafen shores up our power forward and center rotation; meanwhile Brooke Demetre is a 6'2 wing coming in that was highly ranked. 

As others have said, our problem will be at the PG position with incoming frosh Harriel, Van Gytenbeek, and Jenna Brown being the most likely options. It remains to be seen whether Jerome, Wilson, or Williams are returning for an extra year. We should know more soon as they will have to declare for the draft in the next few days. I wouldn't discount Elena Bosgana's ability to handle the ball either as she led one of her teams in assists over in Greece. 

I think the bigger loss may be to our coaching staff. The Washington job has quietly stayed open for longer than I expected. I wonder if Kate Paye is potentially taking her skills up to Seattle after a fantastic tournament run.

[BobK]

This job? 

[tweet]https://twitter.com/chrishansenpsb/status/1379172936997818369?s=21[/tweet]

Nope Kate is our next head coach

[BobK]

This job? 

[tweet]https://twitter.com/chrishansenpsb/status/1379172936997818369?s=21[/tweet]

Nope Kate is our next head coach

[mbdude]

Jana for PG - imho she'll suprise us all

[tweet]https://twitter.com/i/status/1358542190138462208[/tweet]

[mbdude]

Jana for PG - imho she'll suprise us all

[tweet]https://twitter.com/i/status/1358542190138462208[/tweet]

[BobK]

I think Jana will be very good. But be interesting if Wilson comes back

[BobK]

I think Jana will be very good. But be interesting if Wilson comes back

[BosCard]

I think Jana will be very good.  But be interesting if Wilson comes back

If Wilson comes back then she’s definitely the starting PG.  Her on ball defense is so good and she and the two Hulls were our best perimeter defenders this year.  Combine that with Brink/Prechtel blocking shots and our defense is just as good if not better next year.

[BosCard]

I think Jana will be very good.  But be interesting if Wilson comes back

If Wilson comes back then she’s definitely the starting PG.  Her on ball defense is so good and she and the two Hulls were our best perimeter defenders this year.  Combine that with Brink/Prechtel blocking shots and our defense is just as good if not better next year.

[TheRicker]

ESPN Charlie Creme's Women's college basketball's Way-Too-Early Top 25: UConn reigns while South Carolina looms.

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-bask...lina-looms

3. Stanford Cardinal

"Replacing the backcourt of Kiana Williams and Anna Wilson will have its challenges, but the talent at Stanford is still staggering. And after waiting 29 years to win another title, the Cardinal will be looking to make it two in a row. The experience that Cameron Brink and Fran Belibi have gained during this season's postseason run should only make them an even more formidable frontcourt duo. During any given game Lexie Hull, Hannah Jump and Ashten Prechtel have proven they can be game-changers. The point guard issue could be solved with Haley Jones taking on more of playmaking role or Jana Van Gytenbeek, a five-star recruit from a year ago, being ready to take on more minutes."

[TheRicker]

ESPN Charlie Creme's Women's college basketball's Way-Too-Early Top 25: UConn reigns while South Carolina looms.

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-bask...lina-looms

3. Stanford Cardinal

"Replacing the backcourt of Kiana Williams and Anna Wilson will have its challenges, but the talent at Stanford is still staggering. And after waiting 29 years to win another title, the Cardinal will be looking to make it two in a row. The experience that Cameron Brink and Fran Belibi have gained during this season's postseason run should only make them an even more formidable frontcourt duo. During any given game Lexie Hull, Hannah Jump and Ashten Prechtel have proven they can be game-changers. The point guard issue could be solved with Haley Jones taking on more of playmaking role or Jana Van Gytenbeek, a five-star recruit from a year ago, being ready to take on more minutes."

[magnus]

The Athletic puts Stanford at #2 next year (UConn 1), assuming Wilson and Williams don't return (flip flop if they do)

[magnus]

The Athletic puts Stanford at #2 next year (UConn 1), assuming Wilson and Williams don't return (flip flop if they do)

[martyup]

I think Jana will be very good.  But be interesting if Wilson comes back

If Wilson comes back then she’s definitely the starting PG.  Her on ball defense is so good and she and the two Hulls were our best perimeter defenders this year.  Combine that with Brink/Prechtel blocking shots and our defense is just as good if not better next year.

Is Prechtel back next season?

[martyup]

I think Jana will be very good.  But be interesting if Wilson comes back

If Wilson comes back then she’s definitely the starting PG.  Her on ball defense is so good and she and the two Hulls were our best perimeter defenders this year.  Combine that with Brink/Prechtel blocking shots and our defense is just as good if not better next year.

Is Prechtel back next season?

[magnus]

I think Jana will be very good.  But be interesting if Wilson comes back

If Wilson comes back then she’s definitely the starting PG.  Her on ball defense is so good and she and the two Hulls were our best perimeter defenders this year.  Combine that with Brink/Prechtel blocking shots and our defense is just as good if not better next year.

Is Prechtel back next season?

Why not?  She's a rising junior.

[magnus]

I think Jana will be very good.  But be interesting if Wilson comes back

If Wilson comes back then she’s definitely the starting PG.  Her on ball defense is so good and she and the two Hulls were our best perimeter defenders this year.  Combine that with Brink/Prechtel blocking shots and our defense is just as good if not better next year.

Is Prechtel back next season?

Why not?  She's a rising junior.

[martyup]

I think Jana will be very good.  But be interesting if Wilson comes back

If Wilson comes back then she’s definitely the starting PG.  Her on ball defense is so good and she and the two Hulls were our best perimeter defenders this year.  Combine that with Brink/Prechtel blocking shots and our defense is just as good if not better next year.

Is Prechtel back next season?

Why not?  She's a rising junior.

For some reason I thought she was a senior.  That's great!  She's playing so much better now than earlier in the season.  Brink/Prechtel is a formidable force under the basket.  If Prechtel can work on finishing at the basket, she can be awesome.  I'm so excited about next season.

[martyup]

I think Jana will be very good.  But be interesting if Wilson comes back

If Wilson comes back then she’s definitely the starting PG.  Her on ball defense is so good and she and the two Hulls were our best perimeter defenders this year.  Combine that with Brink/Prechtel blocking shots and our defense is just as good if not better next year.

Is Prechtel back next season?

Why not?  She's a rising junior.

For some reason I thought she was a senior.  That's great!  She's playing so much better now than earlier in the season.  Brink/Prechtel is a formidable force under the basket.  If Prechtel can work on finishing at the basket, she can be awesome.  I'm so excited about next season.

[CompSci87]

Is it too early to start a thread on the 2021-2022 season?  Probably yes.  But here we go anyways.

Who are the starters on next year's team?  I'm making the assumption that Williams and Wilson move on to their post-Stanford lives.

Here's my guess:

PG - Van Gytenbeek.  We need a 3-point shooter to space the floor for Jones and Brink to operate so Van Gytenbeek gets the nod over Brown
SG - Lacie Hull
SF - Lexie Hull
PF - Jones
C - Brink

I think Van Gytenbeek and Lacie Hull will primarily be spot up 3-point shooters who will need an assist to get their shot off.  So the majority of offense initiation will fall on the shoulders of Lexie Hull, Jones and Brink.  Lexie and Jones were already doing that this year.  Sometimes Brink would start strong and then disappear a bit on the offensive end.  I think we will need her next year to initiate more of the offense, either driving from the high post or catching the ball in the paint and scoring with her post-moves.

Assuming Williams and Wilson don't return, I think the most likely replacements as starters are Van Gytenbeek and Jump. Van Gytenbeek will be providing assists as point guard, but of course with the Princeton offense, and Haley's passing ability, the assists will be spread around.

[CompSci87]

Is it too early to start a thread on the 2021-2022 season?  Probably yes.  But here we go anyways.

Who are the starters on next year's team?  I'm making the assumption that Williams and Wilson move on to their post-Stanford lives.

Here's my guess:

PG - Van Gytenbeek.  We need a 3-point shooter to space the floor for Jones and Brink to operate so Van Gytenbeek gets the nod over Brown
SG - Lacie Hull
SF - Lexie Hull
PF - Jones
C - Brink

I think Van Gytenbeek and Lacie Hull will primarily be spot up 3-point shooters who will need an assist to get their shot off.  So the majority of offense initiation will fall on the shoulders of Lexie Hull, Jones and Brink.  Lexie and Jones were already doing that this year.  Sometimes Brink would start strong and then disappear a bit on the offensive end.  I think we will need her next year to initiate more of the offense, either driving from the high post or catching the ball in the paint and scoring with her post-moves.

Assuming Williams and Wilson don't return, I think the most likely replacements as starters are Van Gytenbeek and Jump. Van Gytenbeek will be providing assists as point guard, but of course with the Princeton offense, and Haley's passing ability, the assists will be spread around.

[KenCard]

Is it too early to start a thread on the 2021-2022 season?  Probably yes.  But here we go anyways.

Who are the starters on next year's team?  I'm making the assumption that Williams and Wilson move on to their post-Stanford lives.

Here's my guess:

PG - Van Gytenbeek.  We need a 3-point shooter to space the floor for Jones and Brink to operate so Van Gytenbeek gets the nod over Brown
SG - Lacie Hull
SF - Lexie Hull
PF - Jones
C - Brink

I think Van Gytenbeek and Lacie Hull will primarily be spot up 3-point shooters who will need an assist to get their shot off.  So the majority of offense initiation will fall on the shoulders of Lexie Hull, Jones and Brink.  Lexie and Jones were already doing that this year.  Sometimes Brink would start strong and then disappear a bit on the offensive end.  I think we will need her next year to initiate more of the offense, either driving from the high post or catching the ball in the paint and scoring with her post-moves.

Assuming Williams and Wilson don't return, I think the most likely replacements as starters are Van Gytenbeek and Jump. Van Gytenbeek will be providing assists as point guard, but of course with the Princeton offense, and Haley's passing ability, the assists will be spread around.

I believe any discussion of positions needs to account for the fact that this year, Jones played the 4 on defense and the 2 on offense.
So my guess is:
    Offense:
       5:  Brink
       4:  Demetre (wild guess)
       3:  Lexie
       2:  Jones  (can even bring the ball up more than she did this year if needed)
       1:  Brown  (wild guess)
I'd like to favor Van Gytenbeek at the point, but she'll need to improve her ability to bring the ball up the court against pressure.  I'm hoping Harriel will be good enough at some point to take over the point.
    Defense:
       5:  Brink
       4:  Jones (great on the defensive boards)
       3:  Demetre
       2:  Lexie (best at the three, but need her quickness over Jump)
       1:  Brown
I'd like to favor Lacie over Demetre (I grew up in Spokane, so am very biased towards the Hulls), but her offense might not be there.  I'd put Jump at the 3 on defense, but not at the 4 on offense.

[KenCard]

Is it too early to start a thread on the 2021-2022 season?  Probably yes.  But here we go anyways.

Who are the starters on next year's team?  I'm making the assumption that Williams and Wilson move on to their post-Stanford lives.

Here's my guess:

PG - Van Gytenbeek.  We need a 3-point shooter to space the floor for Jones and Brink to operate so Van Gytenbeek gets the nod over Brown
SG - Lacie Hull
SF - Lexie Hull
PF - Jones
C - Brink

I think Van Gytenbeek and Lacie Hull will primarily be spot up 3-point shooters who will need an assist to get their shot off.  So the majority of offense initiation will fall on the shoulders of Lexie Hull, Jones and Brink.  Lexie and Jones were already doing that this year.  Sometimes Brink would start strong and then disappear a bit on the offensive end.  I think we will need her next year to initiate more of the offense, either driving from the high post or catching the ball in the paint and scoring with her post-moves.

Assuming Williams and Wilson don't return, I think the most likely replacements as starters are Van Gytenbeek and Jump. Van Gytenbeek will be providing assists as point guard, but of course with the Princeton offense, and Haley's passing ability, the assists will be spread around.

I believe any discussion of positions needs to account for the fact that this year, Jones played the 4 on defense and the 2 on offense.
So my guess is:
    Offense:
       5:  Brink
       4:  Demetre (wild guess)
       3:  Lexie
       2:  Jones  (can even bring the ball up more than she did this year if needed)
       1:  Brown  (wild guess)
I'd like to favor Van Gytenbeek at the point, but she'll need to improve her ability to bring the ball up the court against pressure.  I'm hoping Harriel will be good enough at some point to take over the point.
    Defense:
       5:  Brink
       4:  Jones (great on the defensive boards)
       3:  Demetre
       2:  Lexie (best at the three, but need her quickness over Jump)
       1:  Brown
I'd like to favor Lacie over Demetre (I grew up in Spokane, so am very biased towards the Hulls), but her offense might not be there.  I'd put Jump at the 3 on defense, but not at the 4 on offense.

[pauloalto]

I think Jana will be very good.  But be interesting if Wilson comes back

If Wilson comes back then she’s definitely the starting PG.  Her on ball defense is so good and she and the two Hulls were our best perimeter defenders this year.  Combine that with Brink/Prechtel blocking shots and our defense is just as good if not better next year.

Is Prechtel back next season?

Why not?  She's a rising junior.

For some reason I thought she was a senior.  That's great!  She's playing so much better now than earlier in the season.  Brink/Prechtel is a formidable force under the basket.  If Prechtel can work on finishing at the basket, she can be awesome.  I'm so excited about next season.

Ashton is a sophomore this year, so she will be a junior next year.

She was the Media Pac-12 Sixth Player of the Year last year (2020) and an honorable mention on the coaches' Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2020).

[pauloalto]

I think Jana will be very good.  But be interesting if Wilson comes back

If Wilson comes back then she’s definitely the starting PG.  Her on ball defense is so good and she and the two Hulls were our best perimeter defenders this year.  Combine that with Brink/Prechtel blocking shots and our defense is just as good if not better next year.

Is Prechtel back next season?

Why not?  She's a rising junior.

For some reason I thought she was a senior.  That's great!  She's playing so much better now than earlier in the season.  Brink/Prechtel is a formidable force under the basket.  If Prechtel can work on finishing at the basket, she can be awesome.  I'm so excited about next season.

Ashton is a sophomore this year, so she will be a junior next year.

She was the Media Pac-12 Sixth Player of the Year last year (2020) and an honorable mention on the coaches' Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2020).

[BosCard]

I think a surprise player who could get meaningful minutes next year is Bosgana.  Tara's quote from her signing day was, "Elena is a player that can attack the basket really well from the wing with a scorer's mentality, also knocking down the three."


We need players who can create their own shot when we are facing a strong defense that is overplaying passing lanes and that is exactly Bosgana's game.  She drives and is so sneaky in all of her finishing moves in the key or around the basket.  She reminds me of Brittany McPhee but with a better three point shot.

[BosCard]

I think a surprise player who could get meaningful minutes next year is Bosgana.  Tara's quote from her signing day was, "Elena is a player that can attack the basket really well from the wing with a scorer's mentality, also knocking down the three."


We need players who can create their own shot when we are facing a strong defense that is overplaying passing lanes and that is exactly Bosgana's game.  She drives and is so sneaky in all of her finishing moves in the key or around the basket.  She reminds me of Brittany McPhee but with a better three point shot.

[martyup]

Here are some highlights of Bosgana.  Warning --> best to mute your sound.

https://youtu.be/ePBf6vc5II4

[martyup]

Here are some highlights of Bosgana.  Warning --> best to mute your sound.

https://youtu.be/ePBf6vc5II4

[WBB fan]

Here are some highlights of Bosgana.  Warning --> best to mute your sound.

https://youtu.be/ePBf6vc5II4

Thanks for posting. This is really exciting to see!

[WBB fan]

Here are some highlights of Bosgana.  Warning --> best to mute your sound.

https://youtu.be/ePBf6vc5II4

Thanks for posting. This is really exciting to see!

[81alum]

Here are some highlights of Bosgana.  Warning --> best to mute your sound.

https://youtu.be/ePBf6vc5II4

Thanks for posting. This is really exciting to see!

Yes, very interesting video.  Clearly she shoots the three, she has a back-to-the-basket move, she deflects passes.  Who knows if she can do all those things against higher levels of competition, but her skill set seems ahead of Alanna Smith's when she arrived.

She is obviously not a point guard, though ;)  I imagine she will get a lot of play at wing when the Hulls graduate.

[81alum]

Here are some highlights of Bosgana.  Warning --> best to mute your sound.

https://youtu.be/ePBf6vc5II4

Thanks for posting. This is really exciting to see!

Yes, very interesting video.  Clearly she shoots the three, she has a back-to-the-basket move, she deflects passes.  Who knows if she can do all those things against higher levels of competition, but her skill set seems ahead of Alanna Smith's when she arrived.

She is obviously not a point guard, though ;)  I imagine she will get a lot of play at wing when the Hulls graduate.

[M T]

I still worry about Haley as a go-to player for Stanford.  The faults she showed are not the kind you can spend the summer practicing to get better.  Maybe if she is on some team that plays high level competition, then she'll stop her lazy or impossible passes, and be ready for defenders that catch her napping.   Maybe practice will help her to stop being where she isn't likely to get a rebound nor where she's in a position to be one of the first back on defense.

She has talent, but she plays like she's not had to work hard to be the best.

OTOH, I was really impressed by Jump's transformation from last year to this.  I don't know if she could possibly have as much more improvement before next year, but I expect her again to improve more than others.

[M T]

I still worry about Haley as a go-to player for Stanford.  The faults she showed are not the kind you can spend the summer practicing to get better.  Maybe if she is on some team that plays high level competition, then she'll stop her lazy or impossible passes, and be ready for defenders that catch her napping.   Maybe practice will help her to stop being where she isn't likely to get a rebound nor where she's in a position to be one of the first back on defense.

She has talent, but she plays like she's not had to work hard to be the best.

OTOH, I was really impressed by Jump's transformation from last year to this.  I don't know if she could possibly have as much more improvement before next year, but I expect her again to improve more than others.