Present and future is bright for this program...few things I noticed
I don't know how most of the FR are developing this season. I will say Jackson got cleared from injury months ago and so it is a learning curve catching up. I look for her to catch up more in the offseason and play more next season. If we can get a few of these ladies to develop all the better. Genesis Bryant and Brynn Shoup-Hill are proof that having some talent and given a chance to play they can make positive contributions.
Genesis Bryant averaged 2 pts/gm in first 2 seasons in limited time. Comes to Illinois this season averaging just under 30 mins/gm and 15.5 pts
Brynn Shoup-Hill averaged 6 mins/gm and 1.8/pts a game last season. Comes to Illinois this season averaging just under 25 mins/gm with 6.6 pts and 5.3 rebs
Unless some shocking moves take place we have the starting lineup from this team back next season. Throw in if Jackson 5'11 can develop this offseason along with two good recruits in Allen 5'10 and Dolan 5'11 coming in. We will be real good in the 1-3 spots.
The main thing will be depth at the 4-5 spots. If anyone develops on the current roster that would be great but Illinois needs to add at least one big body that can play immediately. Bostic is a beast and I have been impressed with Shoup-Hill. I like that Shoup-Hill can extend her game away from the basket. Having another body that has an inside game would be nice but more so on the defensive end. There have been times Bostic/Shoup-Hill come out of the game and usually someone like Adalia McKenzie has to play out of position at the 4 spot at 5'10 on the defensive end.
I know the staff is recruiting the next class hard and sure they have a plan setup for this offseason. Great time when I am excited for what the ladies have done this season and already looking forward to next season also!
I don't know how most of the FR are developing this season. I will say Jackson got cleared from injury months ago and so it is a learning curve catching up. I look for her to catch up more in the offseason and play more next season. If we can get a few of these ladies to develop all the better. Genesis Bryant and Brynn Shoup-Hill are proof that having some talent and given a chance to play they can make positive contributions.
Genesis Bryant averaged 2 pts/gm in first 2 seasons in limited time. Comes to Illinois this season averaging just under 30 mins/gm and 15.5 pts
Brynn Shoup-Hill averaged 6 mins/gm and 1.8/pts a game last season. Comes to Illinois this season averaging just under 25 mins/gm with 6.6 pts and 5.3 rebs
Unless some shocking moves take place we have the starting lineup from this team back next season. Throw in if Jackson 5'11 can develop this offseason along with two good recruits in Allen 5'10 and Dolan 5'11 coming in. We will be real good in the 1-3 spots.
The main thing will be depth at the 4-5 spots. If anyone develops on the current roster that would be great but Illinois needs to add at least one big body that can play immediately. Bostic is a beast and I have been impressed with Shoup-Hill. I like that Shoup-Hill can extend her game away from the basket. Having another body that has an inside game would be nice but more so on the defensive end. There have been times Bostic/Shoup-Hill come out of the game and usually someone like Adalia McKenzie has to play out of position at the 4 spot at 5'10 on the defensive end.
I know the staff is recruiting the next class hard and sure they have a plan setup for this offseason. Great time when I am excited for what the ladies have done this season and already looking forward to next season also!