04-24-2023, 05:15 PM
Getting a grad transfer from the Ivy League was probably our last best hope, but since that didn't happen we have to look forward.
I don't see Papadaki or Green contributing much in 2023-2024. Harriel's status is a mystery to me. Lepolo remains at point guard. Has she worked on her offensive game? We have no idea whether Fr. Chloe Claridy can be effective at the college level. Perhaps, but I see Tara bringing her along slowly. I think there is one player (depending on how she has improved in the off-season), who can have a real impact on the team and that is 6'2 Bosgana. I've always liked her game. She can drive, she's physical, she can shoot and defend. The problem last season was inconsistent playing time. I think Tara starts her as our shooting guard.
Jump, of course, starts at the wing, but I'm hoping 6'1 Fr. Courtney Ogden makes an immediate impact and forces Tara to play her more both at wing and forward. Ogden may become that additional scorer we so desperately need and might force teams not to crowd the paint and double team Brink. 6'2 Fr. Nunu Agara is physical, but I think she might be more of a 'project' - coming off the bench for short minutes or playing in garbage time.
Demetre was very inconsistent last season (13.5 minutes/game and 3.9 points/game). She had 3 games of 13, 17. and 15 points, but 10 games scoring 0 points. She is a decent defender, but not much of a rebounder (1.7/game). She'll come off the bench and conceivably Ogden can leapfrog over her in terms of minutes.
That leaves Iriafen and Brink, both of whom will start. I see 6'3 Iriafen expanding her game into more mid-range jumpers, which she has always been capable of doing. Her 12.1 minutes/game will go up as will her scoring (6.7/game) and rebounding (3.8/game). Iriafen will be a stud.
Then there's 6'5 Brink (yes, 6'5. I heard seveeral PAC-12 and ESPN announcers comment on her height; no way she's 6'4, and I saw her stand next to Prechtel and she was at least as tall as Ashten. In any event, we will have the pleasure of watching this elite player, consensus All-American, national defensive player of the year) in her final season. If she continues to reduce her vulnerability to fouling, we will be in for a treat. Brink will put the team on her back which I think will be good enough for 22 wins and finish in the top 4 of the PAC-12. I see her averaging over 20 points a game, 11 rebounds/game and lead the country in blocks. We will not see the likes of her in a Cardinal uniform for some time.
If we're going to go beyond that (host and win the 1st. two rounds of the NCAA Tournament and reach the Sweet 16), Brink and Iriafen need a decent freshman post to back them up. I've given up hope on the portal, so the only other avenue I see is Tara recruiting a big from overseas.
Is there any decent post left? Is this in Tara's plans? Or, are we stuck with the roster we have? Very anxious!
I don't see Papadaki or Green contributing much in 2023-2024. Harriel's status is a mystery to me. Lepolo remains at point guard. Has she worked on her offensive game? We have no idea whether Fr. Chloe Claridy can be effective at the college level. Perhaps, but I see Tara bringing her along slowly. I think there is one player (depending on how she has improved in the off-season), who can have a real impact on the team and that is 6'2 Bosgana. I've always liked her game. She can drive, she's physical, she can shoot and defend. The problem last season was inconsistent playing time. I think Tara starts her as our shooting guard.
Jump, of course, starts at the wing, but I'm hoping 6'1 Fr. Courtney Ogden makes an immediate impact and forces Tara to play her more both at wing and forward. Ogden may become that additional scorer we so desperately need and might force teams not to crowd the paint and double team Brink. 6'2 Fr. Nunu Agara is physical, but I think she might be more of a 'project' - coming off the bench for short minutes or playing in garbage time.
Demetre was very inconsistent last season (13.5 minutes/game and 3.9 points/game). She had 3 games of 13, 17. and 15 points, but 10 games scoring 0 points. She is a decent defender, but not much of a rebounder (1.7/game). She'll come off the bench and conceivably Ogden can leapfrog over her in terms of minutes.
That leaves Iriafen and Brink, both of whom will start. I see 6'3 Iriafen expanding her game into more mid-range jumpers, which she has always been capable of doing. Her 12.1 minutes/game will go up as will her scoring (6.7/game) and rebounding (3.8/game). Iriafen will be a stud.
Then there's 6'5 Brink (yes, 6'5. I heard seveeral PAC-12 and ESPN announcers comment on her height; no way she's 6'4, and I saw her stand next to Prechtel and she was at least as tall as Ashten. In any event, we will have the pleasure of watching this elite player, consensus All-American, national defensive player of the year) in her final season. If she continues to reduce her vulnerability to fouling, we will be in for a treat. Brink will put the team on her back which I think will be good enough for 22 wins and finish in the top 4 of the PAC-12. I see her averaging over 20 points a game, 11 rebounds/game and lead the country in blocks. We will not see the likes of her in a Cardinal uniform for some time.
If we're going to go beyond that (host and win the 1st. two rounds of the NCAA Tournament and reach the Sweet 16), Brink and Iriafen need a decent freshman post to back them up. I've given up hope on the portal, so the only other avenue I see is Tara recruiting a big from overseas.
Is there any decent post left? Is this in Tara's plans? Or, are we stuck with the roster we have? Very anxious!