NoDakSt
03-27-2002, 12:24 PM
Just for fun: In no particular order
Tennessee: Because of tradition, because they made the Final Four, Because they are among a handful of teams you never construct a top 10 list without. The VOls lose Snow. This could be a blessing in disguise. Snow has added her name to the Vol legacy and not just because she likes to dunk. SHe is a solid player. But with her out of the lineup, Pat can't muck around with the post player line-up and maybe some of her bigs will be actually be able to play out of a funk without the threat of losing their starting position. Oops...here comes Fluker..OK scratch that. Tennessee's vaunted Frosh are carryint the VOls through the tourney. Moore, Ely, B. Jackson...these are the new names. But Lawson is the key. the lone statement of consistency on this year's team. Amidst all the All-AMericans she is the glue to keep them together. SHe should be able to do that much next year and get them to a final four.
Duke: Having 11 players might really upset the chemistry next year on this team. Maybe a few will walk off during the season. The Devils are loaded. Beard is a handful in that she is one of the most versatile plaeyrs in the game. Now you have Curry emerging in the same light...these two are a deadly one two combo (what Abrosimova and DT never had the chance to be). Plus DUke has enough role players to fill the other positions. They really are solid. With two 6' 3" McDonald all-americans coming in to anchor the weak middle, the 6'4" Tillis should be able to play her perimeter position. Duke is the only team that could have a 6'4" pg, a 5'11" center, and a 6'0" swing player. With those three it may not matter who else you put in the mix but the supporting cast are not too shabby either. SIbyl just posted that DUke has added Aussie pg 6'0" Jessica Foley. Yikes.
LSU: Even were they not in the running for superstud Seimone Augustus, LSU would be scary. They return their entire arsenal from last year which was enough to defeat Tenn and give the Commodores a run in the SEC Champ game. Plus they added some good size in their two recruits (6'3", 6'4"). Plus, former devil Crystal White 6'5" has enrolled and she may be ready to play by January. They return five players averaging double digits and not much else so Augustus could make an immediate impact.
Colorado State University: Don't know much about CSU other than they come from a small conference and they are the school from whcih Becky Hammond hales. Oh, and they have some good players returning. Don't get me wrong, lots of teams have solid players returning but not this many so many positions. CSU returns substancial fire power, size, and experience.
Texas Tech: Already discussed extensively on this board as being the heir apparent to OU in the B-12. Jia Perkins is the key. She plays with so much heart. SHe makes the team go and can take over a game, despite being only 5'6" on a good day. With Ayers, Ritchie, and Greenwalt returning, the core is there for a solid run through the conference. If 6'2" Pierson returns to the team with her shot tight and her head on her shoulders, they will be tough.
LA TEch: Like Tenn. I never put Tech. out of a top 10 list. ALthough not as powerful as in the past, Barmore has a solid group of players coming back. The big loss is Ayana Walker who was good for 13.5 ppg. The good news is that there is talent at almost all the other positions. Cheryl Ford averaged 6'3" playing in the paint and will get help from Catrina Frierson in the lane. On the perimeter, AMber Obaze popped up for 12.1 ppg. As usual, Barmore does his usual good job of recruiting, drawing in a number of top players to a small school that doesn't offer a lot outside of basketball.
North Carolina: Nikki Teasley is gone after 15 years (well, it seems like it) at UNC and while her playmaking skills will be missed, overall the team may be better for her absense. UNC is huge in the middle with 6'6" Candace Sutton, 6'5" Tiffani Tucker, and 6'2" Chrystal Baptiste. The backcourt is solid with 5-8 Correta Brown and super soph Leah Metcalf. Plus they pull in one top recruit in LaTangela Atkinson. They are probably the only team to give Duke a legitimate battle in the ACC.
Purdue: Prior to UCONN's run this year, the most successful school in recent year's was Purdue having made several final four appearances over the past couple years. Next year could return them to greatness. Sure, they lost gaurd Kelly Komora 12.7 ppg and Kentucky transfer forward Laura Meadows 9,7 ppg but the Boilermakers return top notch players to several positons. The backcourt will be anchored by Erica Valek, a talented if oft-injured pg. 6'5" Mary Jo Noon will patrol the middle whee she scored 13.1 ppg this past year. But the star returner is do everything Shereka Wright 19.0 ppg who can hit from anywhere. Several returners bring valuable experience but the draw of a top notch recruiting class could be the key to propelling Purdue deep into March.
Minnesota: There's a new Big 10 team around. The gophers were the turn around team in the nation last year and they have the talent to do it again although they won't take folks by surprise this time. Leading the attack is Lindsey Whalen, a 5-8 guard who was second in the Big 10 in scoring with a 22.2 average. Three other double digit scorers return for the Gophers as they return pretty much their entire offesne and rebounding capabilities. Added to this years Gopher team is some home grown talent from the 10,000 lakes.
Vandy: ALthough they most recently lost in what was thought to be there best bid for a NCAA championship, Vandy returns the Mc-Anderson, one of the most powerful inside-outside combinations in teh game. The loss of super scrapper Zuzi Klimesova will be huge but Vande returns 6'3" Benningfield, a perimeter player who will need to pick it up in teh rebounding category. What Vande needs to develop is a slasher who can cut through the extended zone defenses that opponents use to defend the vande three pt. attempt. If Ashley Earley or Tia Battle can develop this capability to cut through the zone, it will greatly help Vande's perimeter game or allow the 6'6" Anderson to score off an easy assit. 6'3" Nicole Jules is the only recruit this year and could become a capable back up to Anderson by playoffs.
Other teams who you could see:
UCONN: You lose 40+ points per game and most of your rebounding and that hurts. UCONN has the recruits coming in and they have Diana Taurasi, who will be able to show her full arsenal next year. They maybe a solid Sweet 16 team by the time March comes around, but Strother, Turner, Wolff, Crockett will need time to gel.
Notre Dame: Ratay, Batteast, Barkdales and some great recruits will rule the Big East and could be a team that goes far in March if they get a true pg.
Kansas State: Another surprise team made up of over achievers who could do lots of damage what with the talent they return. Again, will not be taking anyone by surprise.
oregon: May be the top team in the Pac 10 next year. They return Shaquila Williams who notched 16.7 ppg as one of the most fynamic scoreres in the league and she has a great cast of supporting folks.
Cal St. Santa Barbara: Lost Kayte Christenson but return most of the rest of their arsenal including 4 double digit scorers. The highlight will be 6-8 Taylor who tallied 69 blocks and 12.5 ppg.
Georgia: Need a backcourt to offset the terrific tandem of 6'6" kara Braxton and 6'5" Christi Thomas.
Tennessee: Because of tradition, because they made the Final Four, Because they are among a handful of teams you never construct a top 10 list without. The VOls lose Snow. This could be a blessing in disguise. Snow has added her name to the Vol legacy and not just because she likes to dunk. SHe is a solid player. But with her out of the lineup, Pat can't muck around with the post player line-up and maybe some of her bigs will be actually be able to play out of a funk without the threat of losing their starting position. Oops...here comes Fluker..OK scratch that. Tennessee's vaunted Frosh are carryint the VOls through the tourney. Moore, Ely, B. Jackson...these are the new names. But Lawson is the key. the lone statement of consistency on this year's team. Amidst all the All-AMericans she is the glue to keep them together. SHe should be able to do that much next year and get them to a final four.
Duke: Having 11 players might really upset the chemistry next year on this team. Maybe a few will walk off during the season. The Devils are loaded. Beard is a handful in that she is one of the most versatile plaeyrs in the game. Now you have Curry emerging in the same light...these two are a deadly one two combo (what Abrosimova and DT never had the chance to be). Plus DUke has enough role players to fill the other positions. They really are solid. With two 6' 3" McDonald all-americans coming in to anchor the weak middle, the 6'4" Tillis should be able to play her perimeter position. Duke is the only team that could have a 6'4" pg, a 5'11" center, and a 6'0" swing player. With those three it may not matter who else you put in the mix but the supporting cast are not too shabby either. SIbyl just posted that DUke has added Aussie pg 6'0" Jessica Foley. Yikes.
LSU: Even were they not in the running for superstud Seimone Augustus, LSU would be scary. They return their entire arsenal from last year which was enough to defeat Tenn and give the Commodores a run in the SEC Champ game. Plus they added some good size in their two recruits (6'3", 6'4"). Plus, former devil Crystal White 6'5" has enrolled and she may be ready to play by January. They return five players averaging double digits and not much else so Augustus could make an immediate impact.
Colorado State University: Don't know much about CSU other than they come from a small conference and they are the school from whcih Becky Hammond hales. Oh, and they have some good players returning. Don't get me wrong, lots of teams have solid players returning but not this many so many positions. CSU returns substancial fire power, size, and experience.
Texas Tech: Already discussed extensively on this board as being the heir apparent to OU in the B-12. Jia Perkins is the key. She plays with so much heart. SHe makes the team go and can take over a game, despite being only 5'6" on a good day. With Ayers, Ritchie, and Greenwalt returning, the core is there for a solid run through the conference. If 6'2" Pierson returns to the team with her shot tight and her head on her shoulders, they will be tough.
LA TEch: Like Tenn. I never put Tech. out of a top 10 list. ALthough not as powerful as in the past, Barmore has a solid group of players coming back. The big loss is Ayana Walker who was good for 13.5 ppg. The good news is that there is talent at almost all the other positions. Cheryl Ford averaged 6'3" playing in the paint and will get help from Catrina Frierson in the lane. On the perimeter, AMber Obaze popped up for 12.1 ppg. As usual, Barmore does his usual good job of recruiting, drawing in a number of top players to a small school that doesn't offer a lot outside of basketball.
North Carolina: Nikki Teasley is gone after 15 years (well, it seems like it) at UNC and while her playmaking skills will be missed, overall the team may be better for her absense. UNC is huge in the middle with 6'6" Candace Sutton, 6'5" Tiffani Tucker, and 6'2" Chrystal Baptiste. The backcourt is solid with 5-8 Correta Brown and super soph Leah Metcalf. Plus they pull in one top recruit in LaTangela Atkinson. They are probably the only team to give Duke a legitimate battle in the ACC.
Purdue: Prior to UCONN's run this year, the most successful school in recent year's was Purdue having made several final four appearances over the past couple years. Next year could return them to greatness. Sure, they lost gaurd Kelly Komora 12.7 ppg and Kentucky transfer forward Laura Meadows 9,7 ppg but the Boilermakers return top notch players to several positons. The backcourt will be anchored by Erica Valek, a talented if oft-injured pg. 6'5" Mary Jo Noon will patrol the middle whee she scored 13.1 ppg this past year. But the star returner is do everything Shereka Wright 19.0 ppg who can hit from anywhere. Several returners bring valuable experience but the draw of a top notch recruiting class could be the key to propelling Purdue deep into March.
Minnesota: There's a new Big 10 team around. The gophers were the turn around team in the nation last year and they have the talent to do it again although they won't take folks by surprise this time. Leading the attack is Lindsey Whalen, a 5-8 guard who was second in the Big 10 in scoring with a 22.2 average. Three other double digit scorers return for the Gophers as they return pretty much their entire offesne and rebounding capabilities. Added to this years Gopher team is some home grown talent from the 10,000 lakes.
Vandy: ALthough they most recently lost in what was thought to be there best bid for a NCAA championship, Vandy returns the Mc-Anderson, one of the most powerful inside-outside combinations in teh game. The loss of super scrapper Zuzi Klimesova will be huge but Vande returns 6'3" Benningfield, a perimeter player who will need to pick it up in teh rebounding category. What Vande needs to develop is a slasher who can cut through the extended zone defenses that opponents use to defend the vande three pt. attempt. If Ashley Earley or Tia Battle can develop this capability to cut through the zone, it will greatly help Vande's perimeter game or allow the 6'6" Anderson to score off an easy assit. 6'3" Nicole Jules is the only recruit this year and could become a capable back up to Anderson by playoffs.
Other teams who you could see:
UCONN: You lose 40+ points per game and most of your rebounding and that hurts. UCONN has the recruits coming in and they have Diana Taurasi, who will be able to show her full arsenal next year. They maybe a solid Sweet 16 team by the time March comes around, but Strother, Turner, Wolff, Crockett will need time to gel.
Notre Dame: Ratay, Batteast, Barkdales and some great recruits will rule the Big East and could be a team that goes far in March if they get a true pg.
Kansas State: Another surprise team made up of over achievers who could do lots of damage what with the talent they return. Again, will not be taking anyone by surprise.
oregon: May be the top team in the Pac 10 next year. They return Shaquila Williams who notched 16.7 ppg as one of the most fynamic scoreres in the league and she has a great cast of supporting folks.
Cal St. Santa Barbara: Lost Kayte Christenson but return most of the rest of their arsenal including 4 double digit scorers. The highlight will be 6-8 Taylor who tallied 69 blocks and 12.5 ppg.
Georgia: Need a backcourt to offset the terrific tandem of 6'6" kara Braxton and 6'5" Christi Thomas.