Freshmen in the Big 12

[DblT81]

Which of the following highly touted freshmen will be likely to be a starter and make a big impact on their team this season?

If you think they will start which, if any, upperclassmen do they bump from the starting lineup?

(Note: this obviously is a partial list of the incoming freshmen. If your favorite team has a promissing freshman that is not listed, discuss them. This list is solely to get the discussion jump started and was made from the 2006 prospect's on Sybils site.)

Danielle Wilson, Baylor
Jessika Bradley, Baylor
Latara Darrett, Baylor
Whitney Jones, Baylor
Danielle McCray , Kansas
Sade Morris, Kansas
Ashley Sweat, Kansas State
Kari Kincaid , Kansas State
Cory Montgomery, Nebraska
Yvonne Turner, Nebraska
Abi Olajuwon, Oklahoma
Amanda Thompson, Oklahoma
Brittaney Raven, Texas
Kristen Nash, Texas
Vantranique "Niqky" Hughes, Texas
Adrian McGowen, Texas A&M
Jordan Murphree, Texas Tech

[sybarite]

Which teams need to fills holes?

[H2H]

I think you have to throw Jacobs and Kohn the mix also. Hallman, Brown and Kemp leave 3 starting holes open. I think Catic/Mosley, Zinic (kemp's spot) and Macintosh (might see a freshman) have 3 spots and the other 2 are wide open. Should be fun to see how that works out. They always say competition in practice brings up the level competition in games. My guess for the :KU: will be Morris and Kohn, but that's purely a guess.

GO KU!!!!

[Bob_Ballew]

As far as being a starter, maybe Danielle Wilson for Baylor. With Abi leaving, there will be a need to see some height at the post position. Bernice and Rachel may get the starting nod, but Danielle may be right there in the rotation if she is as good as I have heard. It will be fun to see a bevy of freshmen take to the floor again like last year. :)

[DblT81]

I think Jordan Murphree has an excellent shot at being a starter at point guard for the Lady Raiders from the first game.

It will be very hard for Curry to keep one this talented on the bench.

Murphree was a starter in both the WBCA & McDonald's All American games. She was a member of the undefeated Blue team at the USA Basketball Festival last summer where she was second in most assists among all teams for the tournament. Jordan was one of five incoming freshmen who were invited to the tryouts for the 2006 USA Basketball Women’s U20 National Team Trials that were ineligible age-wise for the 2006 USA U18 National Team.

The Lady Raiders will otherwise start a veteran team with two juniors and two seniors in the other 4 starting positions. If Murphree can show that she can handle Curry's offense and defense in preseason practices, I think she will have a big impact for Tech as the starting point guard.

[sybarite]

Unlike a lot of OU fans, I don't think any freshmen start, at least not early in the year. With seven of the top eight returning, there just isn't room. Even good freshmen usually aren't polished enough to replace a good starter.

Amanda Thompson may start some late in the year. I think a lot of people think that just because Sherri has said that she will be an All-American, she means this year. Nope.

Raven could start at Texas. I like what I saw of her. How does a freshman push aside Abbott and Alison?

[BeBe]

CU has 5 incoming freshmen :
Whitney Houston PG (ASGR top 150 but no specific #)
Candace Rucker SG (ASGR #70)
Brittany Spears F (ASGR #144)
Aija Putnina F (ASGR #86)
Courtney Dunn C (ASGR #112)

Of those, the one I think most likely to earn a staring role is maybe the lowest ranked player : Whitney Houston.

Why? Because CU has lost their two point guards from last year: Whitney Law's eligibility expired when she was not granted a medical hardship 6th year and Yari Escalera transferred to North Texas after the season.

Transfer Susie Powers can play the point, as can back-up Lauren Lubin but Powers seems best suited to the shooting guard spot and Lubin is best suited to be a backup, imo. So Houston, a true point guard with good success in Tennessee high school, will have a good chance at getting the nod. Hopefully she can step up to it.

[YCN]

Unlike a lot of OU fans, I don't think any freshmen start, at least not early in the year. With seven of the top eight returning, there just isn't room. Even good freshmen usually aren't polished enough to replace a good starter.

Amanda Thompson may start some late in the year. I think a lot of people think that just because Sherri has said that she will be an All-American, she means this year. Nope.

Raven could start at Texas. I like what I saw of her. How does a freshman push aside Abbott and Alison?Amanda Thompson will definitely start at some point this year, and for two reasons: she's egoless and plays for the team, and she plays terrific defense.

Oklahoma will find out when to start her early enough, and I predict it will be early. It would surprise me, but not shock me, if she started from day one. But when we are talking about a player with on-court qualities that make me think of players like Marissa Coleman and Earneshia Williams, yes, I believe that she will start this year. I feel like it's only a matter of when.

I seem to recall reading that Amanda Thompson didn't even start to play basketball until the 8th grade. By the 10th grade she was an honorable mention AA, her junior year she was 2nd team all-state and played in the USA Youth Development Festival. This year she was everyone's Illinois POY, and a national top 5 player. That improvement curve is because of her attitude and work ethic, and I think it will rub off on the Sooners and help the entire team.

[DblT81]

Who does Thompson replace?

[sybarite]

Probably Welch. But, I don't think Chelsi will give in without a fight, and Amanda, although a much better athlete, doesn't give you the shot that Chelsi does---yet. She may.

[ChipperF1]

Nebraska has five freshmen coming in.

22 Turner, Yvonne G 5-9 Fr. Omaha, Neb. (Bellevue East)
11 Neals, Nicole G 5-6 Fr. Chandler, Ariz. (St. Mary's)
13 Kuhlmann, Kala G 5-10 Fr. Charter Oak, Iowa (Charter Oak-Ute)
40 Montgomery, Cory F 6-2 Fr. Cannon Falls, Minn. (Cannon Falls)
42 Bober, Nikki C 6-4 Fr. Murdock, Neb. (Elmwood-Murdock)

Nebraska's holes: starting point guard, starting power forward, primary three-point threat, backup center

starting point guard: A freshman will definitely start here.
Nicole Neals or Yvonne Turner will get the call. Both with see playing time at either guard spot or in a 3-guard system. But one of those two will win the quarterback job. The Huskers do not return a viable veteran alternative here.

starting power forward: With Danielle Page out until maybe December, this could be a place for Cory Montgomery to move into the rotation early. The only veteran alternative here is Chelsea Aubry.

primary outside sniper: Kala Kuhlmann would brought in for that very purpose. She has credentials in scholastic play. Stay tuned.

backup center: Bober's position at least for this year. Her development could open up some options

OVERALL OUTLOOK: I see two freshman starting, but every freshman will see time this year because they have to mainly because of the holes and the unknowns about this team. We do know that we need a point guard and a power forward. We don't know how long it will take Jelena Spiric to get dialed in. We don't know will Page will be up to speed enough to take more minutes. For all purposes, every player on Nebraska will have to take up a spear and shield at some point.

[YCN]

Chipper, I think Nebraska is definitely going to be one of the more intriguing teams in the league this year. You maybe don't think so as much as I do, but I see a talent level starting to build up in Lincoln, and this seems to be the most promising class in several years.

I'll readily admit that the newer players are showing a head for the game that hasn't been seen before, and it makes it kind of unpredictable as to where women's basketball is going to go in the future.

What fun is the future if it isn't without a little mystery?

[YCN]

Who does Thompson replace?DblT81, I don't think it's exactly who Thompson replaces, it's how do you keep her out of the lineup when she's so good?

OU is deep and talented, but we aren't the greatest defensive team out there. That's where Amanda makes her entry, on defense. Don't get me wrong, she's a sound player on both sides of the ball, but when the rubber hits the road, at some point defense becomes primaevally important.

When that moment arrives, Amanda will be given her grand entrance to the world of Big 12 basketball. I think she will shine in that role.

(Whoops, I hope I haven't invented a new word...)

[unkiemark]

CU has 5 incoming freshmen :
Whitney Houston PG (ASGR top 150 but no specific #)
Candace Rucker SG (ASGR #70)
Brittany Spears F (ASGR #144)
Aija Putnina F (ASGR #86)
Courtney Dunn C (ASGR #112)

Of those, the one I think most likely to earn a staring role is maybe the lowest ranked player : Whitney Houston.

Why? Because CU has lost their two point guards from last year: Whitney Law's eligibility expired when she was not granted a medical hardship 6th year and Yari Escalera transferred to North Texas after the season.

Transfer Susie Powers can play the point, as can back-up Lauren Lubin but Powers seems best suited to the shooting guard spot and Lubin is best suited to be a backup, imo. So Houston, a true point guard with good success in Tennessee high school, will have a good chance at getting the nod. Hopefully she can step up to it.

I am in total agreement with BeBe here. Houston will most likely be the starter at the point and we Buff fans hope she will be to CU what Wrin Grant was to Texas Tech four years ago. It would seem that how much CU improves will have a lot to do with the leadership Houston provides.

In addition to Houston, I believe that Spears and Rucker will also see some important time on the court this season, but as backups.

[Skerfan]

Chipper, I think Nebraska is definitely going to be one of the more intriguing teams in the league this year. You maybe don't think so as much as I do, but I see a talent level starting to build up in Lincoln, and this seems to be the most promising class in several years.

I'll readily admit that the newer players are showing a head for the game that hasn't been seen before, and it makes it kind of unpredictable as to where women's basketball is going to go in the future.

What fun is the future if it isn't without a little mystery?

YCN,

I'm pretty excited about this team. This is going to be Jelena Spiric's team. She really looked good in the pre-season last year. I recently visited with someone close to the team who said she's really in great shape. I expect her to start at point guard at the beginning of the season. Kelsey should be healthy coming back this fall. She and Jelena should play very well together. Kiera will be back as well. So I think the 1, 2 and 5 starting positions are pretty well set. Chelsey Aubry's probably a lock at the 4. That leaves the 3. That could be interesting. The players are very impressed with Tonga (Ana Fakatou). Kala Kuhlmann, Cory Montgomery and TK LaFluer are all capable of playing that spot. All three can shoot the three, handle the ball very well and are slasher type of players. I've seen Kala Kuhlmann play. She'll definitely be a crowd favorite. She's very personable and a very intelligent ball player. She reminds me a lot of Nicole Kubik, but is probably more athletic. She played point in high school, but is more of a 2. She could definitely play the 3 -- especially in Coach Yori's system. I've also seen Nicole Neals play. She's deceptively good. She's one of those players you don't seem to notice and all of sudden you realize she's got almost 20 points, 3 or 4 steals and 4 or 5 assists. She's very intense on the defensive end. That's probably where Vonnie Turner's presence will most likely be felt next season. She's a very strong defender.

Bober is a realy mystery at this point. She had a really strong sophomore campaign and was really lighting a fire in her junior year until she got injured. She played well last summer, but didn't seem to have all the great a senior campaign. I haven't heard much about her this summer. She's intelligent, which is a definite plus.

I look for the following starting lineup at the beginning of the season:

PG: Jelena Spiric (6'0") with Neals and Turner backing her up
SG: Kiera Hardy (5'6") with LaFluer, Kuhlmann and Turner backing her up
3: Kala Kuhlmann (5'10"), Ana Fakatou (5'11"), Cory Montomery (6'2") or TK LaFluer (5'9")
4: Chelsey Aubry (6'2") with Cory Mongtgomery backing her up until Danielle Page gets healthy --
5: Kelsey Griffin (6'2") with Nikki Bober backing her up until Danielle Page gets healthy --

[swok34]

We had the "will Amanda start?" discussion a couple of weeks ago at team camp....

I saw what happened last season when Chelsi Welch got bumped and Ashley Paris started. Chelsi not only got her spot back, but she shined and didn't lose it again.....I also think her being a senior is a tremendous advantage for the chemistry that Sherri likes.

Not many agreed with me, but c'est la vie and we're all shooting guesses in the dark. ;)

I'm not sure that "starting" or "not starting" will mean that Amanda will have any less of an impact. I think of all the incoming freshmen for OU, she will have the best chance. Incredibly talented young woman.

I think Abi O. will play, CP won't play 40 minute games every game. :D

[YCN]

Last I checked, I was under the impression that Chelsi played most of the time at the two. I don't think that's Amanda's dream position, but I'm just a rookie at this game.

[sybarite]

It was difficult to tell whether Erin or Chelsi was playing guard or forward. I think Erin had a tendency to cover the bigger scorer, whether guard or forward. I don't think Amanda will be replacing Erin, Sherri's favorite.

[YCN]

It was difficult to tell whether Erin or Chelsi was playing guard or forward. I think Erin had a tendency to cover the bigger scorer, whether guard or forward. I don't think Amanda will be replacing Erin, Sherri's favorite.All I want are the best players playing the most minutes. Beyond that, everything is trivial to me. In competition, unlike coaching, there are no "sacred" assignments. If Amanda deserves to play, she should play. If a senior 3-year starter cannot convince the coaching staff that she's more valuable on the court, then I'm all for the decision the coaching staff makes.

[ChipperF1]

Chipper, I think Nebraska is definitely going to be one of the more intriguing teams in the league this year. You maybe don't think so as much as I do, but I see a talent level starting to build up in Lincoln, and this seems to be the most promising class in several years.

I can agree. I'm excited about the prospect, but my excitement is tempered by the simple fact that we have a lot of newcomers who haven't played Big 12 ball yet. They may have potential, but ultimately its about results. The good thing is, the schedule will give us good tests early on.

Hi Skerfan, I hope you are having a blessed summer. Good to hear the newbies are getting dialed in quickly and Spiric will start the year healthy.

PG: Jelena Spiric (6'0") with Neals and Turner backing her up
SG: Kiera Hardy (5'6") with LaFluer, Kuhlmann and Turner backing her up
3: Kala Kuhlmann (5'10"), Ana Fakatou (5'11"), Cory Montomery (6'2") or TK LaFluer (5'9")
4: Chelsey Aubry (6'2") with Cory Mongtgomery backing her up until Danielle Page gets healthy --
5: Kelsey Griffin (6'2") with Nikki Bober backing her up until Danielle Page gets healthy --

This probably starting lineup? Interesting. Here's what I think.

PG-- Neals or Turner.
This would be the move for two reasons. First, Spiric's best role is freelancing. Set up her shots and her opportunity to penetrate and get out of the way. Could JS be our Ginobli? Yeah, but I think she has more to offer at that position. Secondly, for the future it wouldn't be a bad idea to get this youngsters the seat time. If Neals or Turner are ready to play they should get the job. It would pay dividends today and tomorrow for the team.

SG--Kiera Hardy.
I agree here. The 2 spot is our deepest position and if we can get more offensive options, it would really make Hardy more dangerous.
I love the options at the 2. T.K. LeFleur could find a niche as the firestarter sixth man! I'd love to see her grab that role. Coming off the bench and giving us instant offense and lights out defense. Kala Kuhlmann comes in as the sniper, which would be great. Outside shooting would be huge.

SF/Swing--Jelena Spiric.
I think this is were Spiric is her very best. Put her in the position to be the sword of damocles outside get her ball through set plays. Not that Spiric wouldn't be a good 1, but she would make an excellent swingman because offensively she has all the skills. Again, I say if the youngsters aren't ready to take the 1 spot, Spiric should play there, but if Neal and Turner are ready, Spiric should still start, just at the 3.
Behind Spiric, we have options. I've seen some tape of Kuhlmann. She has a lot to recommend her, but there will be a learning curve for her, just like all the freshmen/newcomers.
Fakatou would also do well here, but when I think of Ana, I think of a Barkley-Rodman type. This kid is undersized, but she'll scrap with you and I think that will be her greatest value to this team. She's has that "Rollerball Mentality" I always look for. Between her and Danielle Page, you have the guts of the team.

PF--Cory Montgomery until Danielle Page gets back...and maybe even after Page gets back.
Sker, If Chelsea Aubry is a lock at that position, that's not good. I know you don't agree, but 3 years of watching Aubry play have conclusively proven Chelsea Aubry can't get the job done in a starting role. She does not rebound well. She does not defend well. She has the body to be dominant, instead she's the fop of the league. Other teams in the Big 12 know that when Aubry on the floor, they can exploit her.
Cory Montgomery is a newcomer, but I expect her to win that spot. In my opinion that position cannot have Chelsea Aubry in it, if we're serious about getting to the NCAAs.

C-Kelsey Griffin
Now one person who won me over big time last year was Griffin. I expect big things from her this year. She's a go-getter and I think she's only at the beginning towards what should be a winning, successful college run.
Behind her? Danielle Page is out, so Nikki Bober. In my mind, this was another Connie Yori gamble. Having seen Bober play, she has the size, but I don't think she has the tools or the toughness for this conference. She's a project right now. If she develops the way Griffin did, that will give Nebraska a rotation at the center spot and its helps us. Bober is the biggest question mark of any of the newcomers to me.

What excites me about this team is that if these kids develop, we have some options!

Image the strategic possibilities.

"The Track Team" (Pressure defense/Up Tempo Offense)
PG- Neals/Turner/Spiric
SG- Hardy/LeFleur
3G-Kuhlmann/Fakatou
PF-Montgomery/Fakatou
C--Griffin/Page

"The Riflewomen" (Iowa State West)
PG-Spiric
2G-Hardy
3G-Kuhlmann
4G-LeFleur/Turner
C-Griffin/Page

Talent dictates scheme, and it seems we may yet have more of it. Being a "starter" may not be as big a deal on this year's team because everybody has to pitch in something for this team to get to the goal, which is the NCAA Tournament.
I'm optimistic, but it is a conservative optimism. A lot will depend on young kids growing up fast, and that's always a risky situation.

[swok34]

YCN.....

Everyone I've spoken to about the starting five mentions Thompson replacing Welch. I think Higgins defense keeps her on the court and Chelsi's defense might be her liability.

[CUBuff]

Does Bianca Smith count as a freshman for CU? I think she is going to push for some playing time. She already has a year in McConnell-Miller's system. I think she gets left out of conversations, but she can shoot the 3 and has been manning the point in the pick-up games I've seen.

[BeBe]

Does Bianca Smith count as a freshman for CU? I think she is going to push for some playing time. She already has a year in McConnell-Miller's system. I think she gets left out of conversations, but she can shoot the 3 and has been manning the point in the pick-up games I've seen.
She's officially a transfer but she will be starting play as a redshirt freshman. However, its my understanding that she is still not eligible to play until second semester so she will be at a disadvantage because of the late start. But out of curiousity, where and when have you seen pick-up games? I'd love to get to see some of the new players.

[unkiemark]

She's officially a transfer but she will be starting play as a redshirt freshman. However, its my understanding that she is still not eligible to play until second semester so she will be at a disadvantage because of the late start. But out of curiousity, where and when have you seen pick-up games? I'd love to get to see some of the new players.

My understanding of Smith's situation is that is up to her and CU as when she sits out the semester. So should it appear that she is going to be a starter this season, she could play during the fall and sit out a semester sometine in the next three seasons. Obviously she would sit out the first semester as she wouldn't miss any conference games.

Although she may be running the point in the pick-up games I doubt that is where we'll see her in games. She is a 2 or 3 for this team.

[mred]

Although all of ISU's incoming freshmen are talented and have a good shot to contribute, none of them will likely be starters. However, don't forget about non-incoming freshmen. ISU's redshirt-freshman Rachel Pierson will be expected to step into Brittany Wilkins' role in the post. Last year, she was BlueStar #83 and ASGR #74. She was the 2005 Missouri Gatorade POY and twice was voted MO Coaches Assoc POY.

Her only playing time last season was 15 minutes against N.C. State. In that 15 minutes, she scored 9 points, pulled down 2 rebounds, and blocked 2 shots.

[Skerfan]

Chipper,

Good to hear from you -- you may be right about the starting lineup. I agree that Spiric is best at the 3 spot, and if either Turner or Neals is ready to go at the beginning of the season, it's probably that one of them will start. I have never seen Turner play so I'm really looking forward to that. I have seen Neals play. I'm just thinking at the beginning of the season, Spiric will get the nod a pg.

I think Chelsey gets the start not because she's the best player, but because she's the most experienced at the position. Actually, were Danielle healthy, I think she'd get the nod at the 4. Bober is very interesting. According to All Star Girls report, she's actually the highest ranked recruit we have coming in. I certainly don't agree with that, but they must see something in her. She did have a good summer last year but certainly didn't impress me in her senior year at Elmwood-Murdock. A little Mike Rozier syndrome perhaps?

From what I can tell, Cory Montgomery and Kala Kuhlmann have the most surprise potential this season (what I call the Kelsey Griffin factor). Both are sleeper recruits. Montgomery simply dominated everything toward the end of the season last winter. When they shut her down inside, she hit the three. When they doubled and tripled up on her, she made assists. She's a great rebounder, and can bring the ball up the court if need be. Kala Kuhlmann has got to be one of the mentally toughest kids I've ever met. She's a real competitor with very good skills. She played point in high school, but the 2 is a more natural position for her. She'll be ready in the fall.

[DblT81]

Good stuff. Let's see if I have the executive summary down yet.

Nebraska likely has one starting spot up for grabs either PG or Wing and a freshman may have a shot at taking that position to start. With 5 freshmen, odds are that at least one will emerge as prime contributor.

Iowa State has a veteran starting lineup but there may be a freshman (and I'd say we count RS freshman here) that gets significant playing time, particulary in the paint.

Oklahoma also has a veteran starting lineup, but at least one freshman is too talented to sit much on the bench, so at least one of the veteran guards/wings has a battle coming up.

Colorado has an opening at PG. So Mc-M can start a vet out of position or a freshman PG, if they are ready. Also with 5 freshman, odds are that a top player emerges from the group.

Texas Tech has two starting positions open but at least one will be filled with a veteran. The PG spot might be filled with a returning player but a freshman may get the primary role, if ready.

Baylor may replace a graduating forward with a freshman but they do have some veterans to fill that spot.

Kansas lost 3 starters to graduation. They may be starting more freshmen than any other team. H2H, if you could fill in here with more detail because I'm not that familiar with all of your new freshmen.

[OSUCowgirls]

Christina Fox - 5'9" guard

I know many people haven't heard of her because she is from Australia. She was a member of the Australian Junior World Championship squad. She averaged 10 points per game at the 2005 FIBA World Championships. The international experience of Fox and JC transfer Rita Kollo should really help the Cowgirls this season.

http://www.ais.org.au/basketball/images/04005-25.gif
Christina Fox



Cowgirl Basketball Signs Guard To Letter of Intent
Courtesy: okstate.com Release: 05/11/2006

STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State’s women’s basketball team has announced the signing of Melbourne, Australia native Christina Fox to a National Letter of Intent.
“I love her shooting range and her shooting touch. She can also create her own shot, which will really benefit us,” Cowgirl recruiting coordinator Miranda Serna said.

“Her international experience is going to be important to us. She has been around the world and has played against the best.”

Fox, a 5-9 guard, attended Caulfield Grammar High School and led her squad to three Associated Private School Championships before moving on to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. While at AIS, she was chosen as the team’s ambassador.

In addition, Fox has represented the state of Victoria in six consecutive national championships and has been an All-Australian selection on three occasions. Also a member of the Australian Junior World Championship squad, she averaged 10 points per game at the 2005 FIBA World Championships held in Tunisia.

Fox, who will be classified as a freshman for the 2006-07 season, brings the number of spring signees for the Cowgirls to three, joining Central Arizona’s Maria Cordero and Danielle Green.

EXCLUSIVE Q&A with AIS Ambassador Christina Fox
http://www.wnbl.com.au/powered_by_INTERFUSE/fs_newsitem.asp?id=1279

Nov. 2004 exhibition games
Australian Institute of Sport vs. Iowa
http://hawkeyesports.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/stats/110404aaa.html

AIS vs. Ohio State
http://ohiostatebuckeyes.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/stats/2004-2005/111004.html

AIS vs. Michigan State
http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/stats/111204aaa.html

AIS vs. Purdue
http://purduesports.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/stats/110604aaa.html

AIS vs. Indiana
http://iuhoosiers.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/stats/2004-2005/wbkrs11-08-04.html