[81alum]

https://gostanford.com/news/2018/10/2/wo...ision.aspx

Have just been going over it and marking my calendar.

The Pac 12 schedule looks favorable this time.  We don't have to play the two Oregon Schools on the road, and we play Colorado and Utah on the road but not at home.  Can't get a better combination than that.

The preseason does not look nearly so brutal as last year--but it will be challenging.  We have Gonzaga at their place, go to Tennessee, and host Baylor and Ohio State.  A three game tournament in Hawaii and a smattering of lesser opponents--and none of them strike me off hand as a Western Illinois sleeper (although Western Illinois did not seem worrisome until they beat us!)  Tennessee loses Mercedes Russell and Jaime Nared and has a roster of 11, Ohio State loses Kelsey Mitchell and Stephanie Mavunga.  Not saying those two will be easy but they will certainly be easier than last year.  Baylor will be the toughest opponent--they lose Kristy Wallace (graduation) and Natalie Chou (transfer to UCLA) but have the nucleus of their team back intact with Kalani Brown and Lauren Cox.

Last year we were 6-6 in the preseason. This year I think we can aspire to 10-2, 11-1, or 12-0 if we get fortunate with Baylor at home. That depends on playing at least somewhat better than we finished the season last year, of course, but I am optimistic that we will be both an improved team and an improving team, with young talent that will ramp up during the preseason.

By the way, I peaked at Oregon's schedule. They have Mississippi State at home but otherwise have a very wimpy preseason schedule. They do have to play the SoCal schools and the Arizona schools twice each so their Pac 12 schedule is no easier than ours. And of course they have to play Oregon State twice while we play them just once. With their rapidly shrinking roster, perhaps they won't be as dominant as I had thought last year. Bob--any theory on why three decent players transferred out of Oregon? Is it all about Erin Boley?

Here is a thought about Boley. The last college basketball game she played was against us, when we defeated Notre Dame by a point in the NCAAs spring 2017. She must be very eager to get back at us at the head of an accomplished Oregon team.

[81alum]

https://gostanford.com/news/2018/10/2/wo...ision.aspx

Have just been going over it and marking my calendar.

The Pac 12 schedule looks favorable this time.  We don't have to play the two Oregon Schools on the road, and we play Colorado and Utah on the road but not at home.  Can't get a better combination than that.

The preseason does not look nearly so brutal as last year--but it will be challenging.  We have Gonzaga at their place, go to Tennessee, and host Baylor and Ohio State.  A three game tournament in Hawaii and a smattering of lesser opponents--and none of them strike me off hand as a Western Illinois sleeper (although Western Illinois did not seem worrisome until they beat us!)  Tennessee loses Mercedes Russell and Jaime Nared and has a roster of 11, Ohio State loses Kelsey Mitchell and Stephanie Mavunga.  Not saying those two will be easy but they will certainly be easier than last year.  Baylor will be the toughest opponent--they lose Kristy Wallace (graduation) and Natalie Chou (transfer to UCLA) but have the nucleus of their team back intact with Kalani Brown and Lauren Cox.

Last year we were 6-6 in the preseason. This year I think we can aspire to 10-2, 11-1, or 12-0 if we get fortunate with Baylor at home. That depends on playing at least somewhat better than we finished the season last year, of course, but I am optimistic that we will be both an improved team and an improving team, with young talent that will ramp up during the preseason.

By the way, I peaked at Oregon's schedule. They have Mississippi State at home but otherwise have a very wimpy preseason schedule. They do have to play the SoCal schools and the Arizona schools twice each so their Pac 12 schedule is no easier than ours. And of course they have to play Oregon State twice while we play them just once. With their rapidly shrinking roster, perhaps they won't be as dominant as I had thought last year. Bob--any theory on why three decent players transferred out of Oregon? Is it all about Erin Boley?

Here is a thought about Boley. The last college basketball game she played was against us, when we defeated Notre Dame by a point in the NCAAs spring 2017. She must be very eager to get back at us at the head of an accomplished Oregon team.