[BostonCard]

Yeah, but they also got the top or at least one of the top recruits of this year, Jazzy Davidson, though I guess my comments about freshmen still being freshmen would also apply to her.

UCLA otoh, looks like the real deal on the first couple minutes of their matchup against Ok State.

Wonder what our team would be like with a senior Betts.

BC

[BostonCard]

Yeah, but they also got the top or at least one of the top recruits of this year, Jazzy Davidson, though I guess my comments about freshmen still being freshmen would also apply to her.

UCLA otoh, looks like the real deal on the first couple minutes of their matchup against Ok State.

Wonder what our team would be like with a senior Betts.

BC

[crackpot]

Yeah, but they also got the top or at least one of the top recruits of this year, Jazzy Davidson, though I guess my comments about freshmen still being freshmen would also apply to her.

UCLA otoh, looks like the real deal on the first couple minutes of their matchup against Ok State.

Wonder what our team would be like with a senior Betts.

BC

And Gottlieb brings in the #1 class next year.

[crackpot]

Yeah, but they also got the top or at least one of the top recruits of this year, Jazzy Davidson, though I guess my comments about freshmen still being freshmen would also apply to her.

UCLA otoh, looks like the real deal on the first couple minutes of their matchup against Ok State.

Wonder what our team would be like with a senior Betts.

BC

And Gottlieb brings in the #1 class next year.

[Spiny_Norman]

And Gottlieb brings in the #1 class next year.

USC has had real problems this year because they were weak in the middle. Just about all of their inside players from last year either completed their eligibility or moved on. Davidson is a terrific player but she plays on the wing. Kennedy Smith (5 star from 2024) is also a wing. Watkins is a natural guard. Gottlieb has struck out 3 years in a row at recruiting (and keeping) bigs who can be effective at the college level. She has gone overseas to Spain and Australia to bring in two 5 star frosh forwards for next year. She'll still likely be very aggressive in looking for experienced bigs in the transfer portal. 

Also UCLA loses all of their top 6 players who are seniors or 5th years. Close is going to need a lot of help from the portal for next year.

[Spiny_Norman]

And Gottlieb brings in the #1 class next year.

USC has had real problems this year because they were weak in the middle. Just about all of their inside players from last year either completed their eligibility or moved on. Davidson is a terrific player but she plays on the wing. Kennedy Smith (5 star from 2024) is also a wing. Watkins is a natural guard. Gottlieb has struck out 3 years in a row at recruiting (and keeping) bigs who can be effective at the college level. She has gone overseas to Spain and Australia to bring in two 5 star frosh forwards for next year. She'll still likely be very aggressive in looking for experienced bigs in the transfer portal. 

Also UCLA loses all of their top 6 players who are seniors or 5th years. Close is going to need a lot of help from the portal for next year.

[BostonCard]

Also, the drop-off from the elder Betts to the younger one is quite dramatic.  I’m not sure how much of it is that Lauren is more skilled than Sienna and how much of it is that Lauren is an experienced senior while Sienna is a freshman, but it is quite a difference seeing the two of them.  Lauren leads all scorers with 27 points and 9 rebounds and 5 assists.  Sienna has 2 points, 0 rebounds (even though she has 4 inches on the players she is up against) and 2 turnovers. 

Given that Lauren was the #1 player in her class and Sienna was #2, I suspect this again points to the challenges of being a freshman in college, though we will see how she develops starting next year when she will be called upon to take a big part of the load for the Bruins.

BC

---

Also UCLA loses all of their top 6 players who are seniors or 5th years. Close is going to need a lot of help from the portal for next year.

Or in the case of Charisse Leger-Walker, a sixth year.

BC

[BostonCard]

Also, the drop-off from the elder Betts to the younger one is quite dramatic.  I’m not sure how much of it is that Lauren is more skilled than Sienna and how much of it is that Lauren is an experienced senior while Sienna is a freshman, but it is quite a difference seeing the two of them.  Lauren leads all scorers with 27 points and 9 rebounds and 5 assists.  Sienna has 2 points, 0 rebounds (even though she has 4 inches on the players she is up against) and 2 turnovers. 

Given that Lauren was the #1 player in her class and Sienna was #2, I suspect this again points to the challenges of being a freshman in college, though we will see how she develops starting next year when she will be called upon to take a big part of the load for the Bruins.

BC

---

Also UCLA loses all of their top 6 players who are seniors or 5th years. Close is going to need a lot of help from the portal for next year.

Or in the case of Charisse Leger-Walker, a sixth year.

BC

[spike5882]

I think next year is going to be super rough for UCLA unless they pick up a handful of solid players in the portal.  They only have 4 players returning next year, and only bringing in two frosh.  They are going to need to hit the portal hard to even have any type of bench. 

USC, on the other hand, should be quite good next year.  JuJu will be back.  Davidson had a very solid frosh season.  and the bring in #1 recruit Saniyah Hall.  Three #1 recruits will be on the floor...that doesn't happen too often.  Also, 6'4 Australian Sitaya Fagan is coming in and I think will see immediate minutes.  And 6'4 Okeke from Spain wiil give them some height down low.  They were down this year with JuJu out, but I expect next year they will be pretty solid.

[spike5882]

I think next year is going to be super rough for UCLA unless they pick up a handful of solid players in the portal.  They only have 4 players returning next year, and only bringing in two frosh.  They are going to need to hit the portal hard to even have any type of bench. 

USC, on the other hand, should be quite good next year.  JuJu will be back.  Davidson had a very solid frosh season.  and the bring in #1 recruit Saniyah Hall.  Three #1 recruits will be on the floor...that doesn't happen too often.  Also, 6'4 Australian Sitaya Fagan is coming in and I think will see immediate minutes.  And 6'4 Okeke from Spain wiil give them some height down low.  They were down this year with JuJu out, but I expect next year they will be pretty solid.

[PalmTree]

I think next year is going to be super rough for UCLA unless they pick up a handful of solid players in the portal.  They only have 4 players returning next year, and only bringing in two frosh.  They are going to need to hit the portal hard to even have any type of bench. 

Dear lord - this somehow triggered a horrific fever dream - LS to UCLA. That would seriously BTFOOM, but in this day and age, I could see it happening.....

[PalmTree]

I think next year is going to be super rough for UCLA unless they pick up a handful of solid players in the portal.  They only have 4 players returning next year, and only bringing in two frosh.  They are going to need to hit the portal hard to even have any type of bench. 

Dear lord - this somehow triggered a horrific fever dream - LS to UCLA. That would seriously BTFOOM, but in this day and age, I could see it happening.....

[crackpot]

I think next year is going to be super rough for UCLA unless they pick up a handful of solid players in the portal.  They only have 4 players returning next year, and only bringing in two frosh.  They are going to need to hit the portal hard to even have any type of bench. 

Dear lord - this somehow triggered a horrific fever dream - LS to UCLA. That would seriously BTFOOM, but in this day and age, I could see it happening.....

No matter who UCLA picks up, I'd have to wonder where they're getting all of this money. The UCLA athletic dept. doesn't have it. And they don't, traditionally, have the kind of deep-pocketed alums as several other schools. Then again, it just takes one (with verrrrrry deep pockets).

[crackpot]

I think next year is going to be super rough for UCLA unless they pick up a handful of solid players in the portal.  They only have 4 players returning next year, and only bringing in two frosh.  They are going to need to hit the portal hard to even have any type of bench. 

Dear lord - this somehow triggered a horrific fever dream - LS to UCLA. That would seriously BTFOOM, but in this day and age, I could see it happening.....

No matter who UCLA picks up, I'd have to wonder where they're getting all of this money. The UCLA athletic dept. doesn't have it. And they don't, traditionally, have the kind of deep-pocketed alums as several other schools. Then again, it just takes one (with verrrrrry deep pockets).

[Jskass]

I even wonder if Juju might be persuaded to go to her cross-town rival!

[Jskass]

I even wonder if Juju might be persuaded to go to her cross-town rival!

[crackpot]

I even wonder if Juju might be persuaded to go to her cross-town rival!

Not in a million years.

[crackpot]

I even wonder if Juju might be persuaded to go to her cross-town rival!

Not in a million years.

[jacket3ree]

So who is the fourth team that will join USCe, UCONN, and UCLA? Texas and might as well skip the next two rounds of games? Maybe LSU, UNC, Duke? Saw the Hoos wearing their "Hoos" jerseys took down Iowa. That's about the only upset I've noticed. Pretty hard to see Notre Dame as a stretch Cinderella. The women's tourney seems to be historically bereft of intrigue. Just power teams being power teams with the names slowly changing over time. Yesteryear's Tennessee and Stanford are today's USCe and what, maybe USCw or UCLA just to represent the West? Credit to Geno. UCONN is just always there seemingly forever. Will be interesting to see how they handle their transition from a legend.

Zero mid-majors alive in either tournament after two rounds. I wonder when college sports will fully eat themselves.

[jacket3ree]

So who is the fourth team that will join USCe, UCONN, and UCLA? Texas and might as well skip the next two rounds of games? Maybe LSU, UNC, Duke? Saw the Hoos wearing their "Hoos" jerseys took down Iowa. That's about the only upset I've noticed. Pretty hard to see Notre Dame as a stretch Cinderella. The women's tourney seems to be historically bereft of intrigue. Just power teams being power teams with the names slowly changing over time. Yesteryear's Tennessee and Stanford are today's USCe and what, maybe USCw or UCLA just to represent the West? Credit to Geno. UCONN is just always there seemingly forever. Will be interesting to see how they handle their transition from a legend.

Zero mid-majors alive in either tournament after two rounds. I wonder when college sports will fully eat themselves.

[JohnR34231]

This years women's final four is pretty predictable. You know, Yukon, UCLA, South Carolina, and Texas. I see Yukon beating UCLA for the #1.
That is women's basketball for you these days.

[JohnR34231]

This years women's final four is pretty predictable. You know, Yukon, UCLA, South Carolina, and Texas. I see Yukon beating UCLA for the #1.
That is women's basketball for you these days.

[Jskass]

I even wonder if Juju might be persuaded to go to her cross-town rival!

[Jskass]

I even wonder if Juju might be persuaded to go to her cross-town rival!

[Spiny_Norman]

Zero mid-majors alive in either tournament after two rounds. I wonder when college sports will fully eat themselves.

Iowa is sort of a mid-major. 6 players on its roster are from Drake (the former home of the current coach). The guy who made the winning shot vs. Florida was playing for Robert Morris last year. 

I think we do have mid-major rosters in the tournament. They just are not wearing mid-major uniforms.

[Spiny_Norman]

Zero mid-majors alive in either tournament after two rounds. I wonder when college sports will fully eat themselves.

Iowa is sort of a mid-major. 6 players on its roster are from Drake (the former home of the current coach). The guy who made the winning shot vs. Florida was playing for Robert Morris last year. 

I think we do have mid-major rosters in the tournament. They just are not wearing mid-major uniforms.

[TonyLima]

I think next year is going to be super rough for UCLA unless they pick up a handful of solid players in the portal.  They only have 4 players returning next year, and only bringing in two frosh.  They are going to need to hit the portal hard to even have any type of bench. 

Dear lord - this somehow triggered a horrific fever dream - LS to UCLA. That would seriously BTFOOM, but in this day and age, I could see it happening.....

I would bet a small amount against Lara leaving. Her background (Hungary, Australia) says to me her family values education and is very happy she’s at Stanford. Of course, my hearing isn’t very good these days.

[TonyLima]

I think next year is going to be super rough for UCLA unless they pick up a handful of solid players in the portal.  They only have 4 players returning next year, and only bringing in two frosh.  They are going to need to hit the portal hard to even have any type of bench. 

Dear lord - this somehow triggered a horrific fever dream - LS to UCLA. That would seriously BTFOOM, but in this day and age, I could see it happening.....

I would bet a small amount against Lara leaving. Her background (Hungary, Australia) says to me her family values education and is very happy she’s at Stanford. Of course, my hearing isn’t very good these days.

[Nobadeer]

I hope you are right Tony. Anyone who is touted as "Australian Basketball's Next Big Thing" and leaves home for HS halfway around the world at IMG Academy probably wasn't daydreaming of missing the NCAA tournament and instead playing in something called the WBIT!

https://pickandroll.com.au/p/inside-the-...se-of-lara

[Nobadeer]

I hope you are right Tony. Anyone who is touted as "Australian Basketball's Next Big Thing" and leaves home for HS halfway around the world at IMG Academy probably wasn't daydreaming of missing the NCAA tournament and instead playing in something called the WBIT!

https://pickandroll.com.au/p/inside-the-...se-of-lara

[TonyLima]

I hope you are right Tony. Anyone who is touted as "Australian Basketball's Next Big Thing" and leaves home for HS halfway around the world at IMG Academy probably wasn't daydreaming of missing the NCAA tournament and instead playing in something called the WBIT!

https://pickandroll.com.au/p/inside-the-...se-of-lara

Agree. Very hard to know. We’ll find out soon enough.

[TonyLima]

I hope you are right Tony. Anyone who is touted as "Australian Basketball's Next Big Thing" and leaves home for HS halfway around the world at IMG Academy probably wasn't daydreaming of missing the NCAA tournament and instead playing in something called the WBIT!

https://pickandroll.com.au/p/inside-the-...se-of-lara

Agree. Very hard to know. We’ll find out soon enough.

[petersalas]

I really hope she does not leave. Met her once after the SMU game and she was super sweet and seemed very happy at Stanford. I hope missing the WBIT is just what is being reported.

[petersalas]

I really hope she does not leave. Met her once after the SMU game and she was super sweet and seemed very happy at Stanford. I hope missing the WBIT is just what is being reported.

[old spanish trail]

Also, the drop-off from the elder Betts to the younger one is quite dramatic.  I’m not sure how much of it is that Lauren is more skilled than Sienna and how much of it is that Lauren is an experienced senior while Sienna is a freshman, but it is quite a difference seeing the two of them.  Lauren leads all scorers with 27 points and 9 rebounds and 5 assists.  Sienna has 2 points, 0 rebounds (even though she has 4 inches on the players she is up against) and 2 turnovers. 

Given that Lauren was the #1 player in her class and Sienna was #2, I suspect this again points to the challenges of being a freshman in college, though we will see how she develops starting next year when she will be called upon to take a big part of the load for the Bruins.

BC

---

Also UCLA loses all of their top 6 players who are seniors or 5th years. Close is going to need a lot of help from the portal for next year.

Or in the case of Charisse Leger-Walker, a sixth year.

BC

Sienna is going to be excellent. She's naturally more agile than Lauren. I think she lost time to injury this year, and it also looks like she's gained some unnecessary weight.

[old spanish trail]

Also, the drop-off from the elder Betts to the younger one is quite dramatic.  I’m not sure how much of it is that Lauren is more skilled than Sienna and how much of it is that Lauren is an experienced senior while Sienna is a freshman, but it is quite a difference seeing the two of them.  Lauren leads all scorers with 27 points and 9 rebounds and 5 assists.  Sienna has 2 points, 0 rebounds (even though she has 4 inches on the players she is up against) and 2 turnovers. 

Given that Lauren was the #1 player in her class and Sienna was #2, I suspect this again points to the challenges of being a freshman in college, though we will see how she develops starting next year when she will be called upon to take a big part of the load for the Bruins.

BC

---

Also UCLA loses all of their top 6 players who are seniors or 5th years. Close is going to need a lot of help from the portal for next year.

Or in the case of Charisse Leger-Walker, a sixth year.

BC

Sienna is going to be excellent. She's naturally more agile than Lauren. I think she lost time to injury this year, and it also looks like she's gained some unnecessary weight.

[martyup]

Sienna is going to be excellent. . . it also looks like she's gained some unnecessary weight.

[martyup]

Sienna is going to be excellent. . . it also looks like she's gained some unnecessary weight.

[Jskass]

Plz refrain from commenting on players’ appearances or weight. Rude.

[Jskass]

Plz refrain from commenting on players’ appearances or weight. Rude.