[81alum]

[quote author=81alum link=topic=18351.msg218666#msg218666 date=1513728404]
Obvious, this is a very imperfect measure of true talent for a whole host of reasons.  But interesting, nonetheless.  Whatever our problems this season, it is not because we have recruits that were judged less talented than in the past.

For me, that's mystifying. I feel like our talent level on paper should translate in better results. Though young, Maya and Kiana are the highest-ranked recruits in one class we've had in a while.

In another post, someone mentioned being worrying about Evina Westbrook coming into town on Thursday when we couldn't even guard the WI guard effectively last night. Last year, Sabrina Ionescu as a freshman was a top concern for us when playing Oregon. Unfortunately, I don't think opposing coaches have that concern about Kiana or Maya right now. Chiney might be the last freshman to come in during her first year where opponents had to start worrying about how to gameplan against them almost immediately.
[/quote]

You are right.  One thing that I did not mention was Kate's analysis of Dodson's improvement this year--I asked her about that at the chalk talk.  All the coaches are of like mind that Dodson has done the most to improve of any player.  She said that she was very very inexperienced coming in and has been becoming much more adept as the weeks go along. 

That is something that we fans perhaps don't get or can't know--we may have two equally talented players coming in but one has much more experience playing at a sophisticated level and the other has played in a much simpler system or at a lower level of competition.  It sounds like Dodson had a long way to go but she has been making good progress.  Tara has compared her to a young Nneka.  Nneka only started 14 games her freshman year, averaging 21 minutes.  I think it will take Dodson more time to get up to her full potential than it took Nneka, and maybe she only gets to 80% of Nneka's level--but that would plenty.

Kiana Williams is in the process of becoming the threat you covet.  Have you noticed her stop-and-pop midrange jumpers that are now coming regularly from her?  And she is our best three point shooter not named Coffee.  She is our 3rd leading scorer.  The more she plays the more defenses are going to have to adjust to her.  So far, however, I have not seen her slash to the basket.  We will see if that is in her repertoire.  She is 13/14 free throws and would be an absolute killer if she can slash and pick up fouls.  She could become the next Candice and she could do it by the end of this season.

All the losing is certainly disconcerting--I don't mean to minimize it.  But let's remember that at the end of last season we had no idea that Carrington and Williams would become major offensive powerhouses for us--their performances are very good news.  I just hope we don't bleed out while we are waiting to get healthy and good.   

[81alum]

[quote author=81alum link=topic=18351.msg218666#msg218666 date=1513728404]
Obvious, this is a very imperfect measure of true talent for a whole host of reasons.  But interesting, nonetheless.  Whatever our problems this season, it is not because we have recruits that were judged less talented than in the past.

For me, that's mystifying. I feel like our talent level on paper should translate in better results. Though young, Maya and Kiana are the highest-ranked recruits in one class we've had in a while.

In another post, someone mentioned being worrying about Evina Westbrook coming into town on Thursday when we couldn't even guard the WI guard effectively last night. Last year, Sabrina Ionescu as a freshman was a top concern for us when playing Oregon. Unfortunately, I don't think opposing coaches have that concern about Kiana or Maya right now. Chiney might be the last freshman to come in during her first year where opponents had to start worrying about how to gameplan against them almost immediately.
[/quote]

You are right.  One thing that I did not mention was Kate's analysis of Dodson's improvement this year--I asked her about that at the chalk talk.  All the coaches are of like mind that Dodson has done the most to improve of any player.  She said that she was very very inexperienced coming in and has been becoming much more adept as the weeks go along. 

That is something that we fans perhaps don't get or can't know--we may have two equally talented players coming in but one has much more experience playing at a sophisticated level and the other has played in a much simpler system or at a lower level of competition.  It sounds like Dodson had a long way to go but she has been making good progress.  Tara has compared her to a young Nneka.  Nneka only started 14 games her freshman year, averaging 21 minutes.  I think it will take Dodson more time to get up to her full potential than it took Nneka, and maybe she only gets to 80% of Nneka's level--but that would plenty.

Kiana Williams is in the process of becoming the threat you covet.  Have you noticed her stop-and-pop midrange jumpers that are now coming regularly from her?  And she is our best three point shooter not named Coffee.  She is our 3rd leading scorer.  The more she plays the more defenses are going to have to adjust to her.  So far, however, I have not seen her slash to the basket.  We will see if that is in her repertoire.  She is 13/14 free throws and would be an absolute killer if she can slash and pick up fouls.  She could become the next Candice and she could do it by the end of this season.

All the losing is certainly disconcerting--I don't mean to minimize it.  But let's remember that at the end of last season we had no idea that Carrington and Williams would become major offensive powerhouses for us--their performances are very good news.  I just hope we don't bleed out while we are waiting to get healthy and good.