Rlouizjr01, I think what ILLHoopsterFan means, is that Illini women can still be a much better team if they worked ball around for better shots all game long, they would win more and win more consistently. In 2023-2024 season, Cook and Bryant took 856 shots to whole team's 2095 shots (Cook 447, Bryant 409). Those two took about 41% of the total team's shots. Obviously they led the team in scoring taking that many shots but both only shot 40% each. They were not the best shots the team could have taken. In contrast, Bostic only took 294 shots but shot 60%, Hobby 245 shots at 53%, McKenzie 304 shots at 49%. The team only averaged an assist/made shot 50% ratio, which is not even close to what the better teams average. The US women's Olympic team has averaged a stunning 85% assist/made shot ratio and and the best college teams exceed 70% by contrast. There is room for improvement in getting better shots. This season Illini have a lot of talent across the board and opportunity is there to take better shots (better than that 40% Cook/Bryant averaged). If guards work ball for better shots, distribute more to Bostic, Shoup-Hill, Wallace, Dolan, McKenzie, Vasconcelos, Hagger, etc, that will open up lane for higher percentage shots and find most open teammates. Cook and Bryant should still drive the ball when lane opens (not when 3 players bottle them up) and take open outside shots when available unless a teammate has a better shot. When you have skilled teammates, trust your teammates and find the hot hands.
