[TheFarm07]

[quote author=TheFarm07 link=topic=18351.msg218671#msg218671 date=1513737573]
[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. 

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.

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. 
[/quote]

Yes! I think either in last night's or Saturday's game, when Kiana had a FT line-distance jumper that hit nothing but net. It was something too rare I've seen from our team in recent seasons. If she can use her athleticism and agility to drive and work on her assists, we'll have that dominating guard that we've had to worry about but never had in recent years wearing Cardinal red.

The possible silver lining in these struggles is that without DiJonai and Brit bailing them out, like Chiney did in the 2012-13 season, which ended in the disappointing Sweet 16 loss to Georgia that year, the other players are realizing the need to step up themselves. Who knows if it will happen but they are getting the realization of the consequences if they don't far sooner than the squad 5 years ago.

[TheFarm07]

[quote author=TheFarm07 link=topic=18351.msg218671#msg218671 date=1513737573]
[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. 

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.

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. 
[/quote]

Yes! I think either in last night's or Saturday's game, when Kiana had a FT line-distance jumper that hit nothing but net. It was something too rare I've seen from our team in recent seasons. If she can use her athleticism and agility to drive and work on her assists, we'll have that dominating guard that we've had to worry about but never had in recent years wearing Cardinal red.

The possible silver lining in these struggles is that without DiJonai and Brit bailing them out, like Chiney did in the 2012-13 season, which ended in the disappointing Sweet 16 loss to Georgia that year, the other players are realizing the need to step up themselves. Who knows if it will happen but they are getting the realization of the consequences if they don't far sooner than the squad 5 years ago.