[Spiny_Norman]

So, what about the challenges and opportunities our team will be facing in 2023-2024?

Lots of talk about guards and offense. But I think that defense and rebounding will be a big challenge for Stanford next season. In the latter part of the season, Stanford started to give up a lot of offensive rebounds to its opponents.

USC - 20 offensive rebounds
UCLA - 17 offensive rebounds
Colorado - 15 offensive rebounds
Mississippi - 20 offensive rebounds

This may have correlated to a time when Stanford was playing with 4 guards and one big. But that might be Stanford's preferred lineup next season as well since the roster only lists 4 forwards/centers - Brink, Betts, Iriafen and Demetre. Without Jones and Belibi, I think Stanford may be challenged to keep opponents (especially better opponents) from pushing them around on the boards next season. The only possible reinforcement might be Ogden.

A player like Alanna Smith would be a perfect fit for this team. Someone 6'3" who can defend a post player, rebound, shoot 3s at 35% (or better) and also score inside. If Demetre develops into someone like Smith, it could really make a big difference for this team.

[Spiny_Norman]

So, what about the challenges and opportunities our team will be facing in 2023-2024?

Lots of talk about guards and offense. But I think that defense and rebounding will be a big challenge for Stanford next season. In the latter part of the season, Stanford started to give up a lot of offensive rebounds to its opponents.

USC - 20 offensive rebounds
UCLA - 17 offensive rebounds
Colorado - 15 offensive rebounds
Mississippi - 20 offensive rebounds

This may have correlated to a time when Stanford was playing with 4 guards and one big. But that might be Stanford's preferred lineup next season as well since the roster only lists 4 forwards/centers - Brink, Betts, Iriafen and Demetre. Without Jones and Belibi, I think Stanford may be challenged to keep opponents (especially better opponents) from pushing them around on the boards next season. The only possible reinforcement might be Ogden.

A player like Alanna Smith would be a perfect fit for this team. Someone 6'3" who can defend a post player, rebound, shoot 3s at 35% (or better) and also score inside. If Demetre develops into someone like Smith, it could really make a big difference for this team.