Hayven Smith is 6'6" so she meets the "over 6'1-6'2" criteria. Granted she'll be a freshman but she will give us some size we can use. Agree we need another big, though.@Luwdoo Just replying back to you since other thread is over
Latham is heck of a player and more athletic than KB. I just meant Green is still looking for a 5 either way. If KB or other starting big gets hurt, we are in TROUBLE. Latham would be an ideal fit to start/come right off the bench and take over 4 spot once KB leaves. We also need some front court players taller than 6'1-6'2 that can ball.
About Gensler and Akron
He lost 7 players to the portal. Only one player that played significant minutes and was leading scorer. He grabbed Taponen last year and familiar with the ladies that have entered the portal this season. Just like Latham above, always great to inquire and have options.
Yes. She won't be playing 30-35 minutes a game next season. I love her footwork for heightHayven Smith is 6'6" so she meets the "over 6'1-6'2" criteria. Granted she'll be a freshman but she will give us some size we can use. Agree we need another big, though.
I don’t want to lose her. That would be a bummer.Has Genesis B. said anything about coming back for another year ??.....she is my favorite player with a warrior mentality in her drives to e the bucket........
...combined with her 3's, speed and pesky defense.Has Genesis B. said anything about coming back for another year ??.....she is my favorite player with a warrior mentality in her drives to the bucket........
I totally agree with you. We could use a 5 regardless of Latham. If we were to land Latham I don’t see her spending much time on the bench. She looks much too talented for that. Adding her and Wallace would really increase our talent level and athleticism.@Luwdoo Just replying back to you since other thread is over
Latham is heck of a player and more athletic than KB. I just meant Green is still looking for a 5 either way. If KB or other starting big gets hurt, we are in TROUBLE. Latham would be an ideal fit to start/come right off the bench and take over 4 spot once KB leaves. We also need some front court players taller than 6'1-6'2 that can ball.
About Gensler and Akron
He lost 7 players to the portal. Only one player that played significant minutes and was leading scorer. He grabbed Taponen last year and familiar with the ladies that have entered the portal this season. Just like Latham above, always great to inquire and have options.
Has Genesis B. said anything about coming back for another year ??.....she is my favorite player with a warrior mentality in her drives to the bucket........
Obviously it depends on who we get in the portal. If we can get Alyssa Latham or someone even close to herWhat are reasonable expectations for this team next year? I think NCAA tournament and possibly a top 6 seed
What are reasonable expectations for this team next year? I think NCAA tournament and possibly a top 6 seed
Appreciate your knowledgeable thoughts - you are more of a realist than I am (or want to be), but I am going to stick with Coach Green continuing her magic and getting a solid NCAA bid. I expect Gretchen Dolan to have shaken off her freshman jams heading to stardom. I am also hopeful that last year's transfer Shay Bollin can make a decent jump in her junior year. Agreed in the end, how much success will probably depend on a portal 5, and that it will be an enjoyable ride regardless..That is a higher expectation than I have. A lot will depend on who we add from the transfer portal, but for me a safe expectation is a fringe tournament team with a reasonable chance of getting in with a low (8-12) seed. Probably win about half our conference games.
Next year's team is nearly identical to this year's team. Berry Wallace, while she has the lofty All American tag and recruiting rank, I think probably follows a similar trajectory to Gretchen Dolan: gaining minutes as she adapts to the college game, particularly what's required on the defensive end.
I am not especially optimistic that we land a big from the portal that is significantly more impactful than Hobby was.
But I'm still 100% on board. Hope they prove me wrong. This group has heart and is fun to watch. Even if the core group (Cook, Bostic, Bryant) never win an NCAA tournament game as Illini, they'll have meant a lot to this program and have a place in our hearts.
Making the NCAA TournamentWhat are reasonable expectations for this team next year?
Running the top 4 back for third season in a row.I think NCAA tournament and possibly a top 6 seed
I’m thinking the way the play ended,there’s a real belief ,grit and hunger on this team that says with the new freshmen and a couple of transfers our Illini women WILL compete for a B1G title,no doubt…What are reasonable expectations for this team next year? I think NCAA tournament and possibly a top 6 seed
Don’t forget if we can get Adalia to improve that three ball and Shay B Bollin to shake them nerves,in so many ways we have enough now.That is a higher expectation than I have. A lot will depend on who we add from the transfer portal, but for me a safe expectation is a fringe tournament team with a reasonable chance of getting in with a low (8-12) seed. Probably win about half our conference games.
Next year's team is nearly identical to this year's team. Berry Wallace, while she has the lofty All American tag and recruiting rank, I think probably follows a similar trajectory to Gretchen Dolan: gaining minutes as she adapts to the college game, particularly what's required on the defensive end.
I am not especially optimistic that we land a big from the portal that is significantly more impactful than Hobby was.
But I'm still 100% on board. Hope they prove me wrong. This group has heart and is fun to watch. Even if the core group (Cook, Bostic, Bryant) never win an NCAA tournament game as Illini, they'll have meant a lot to this program and have a place in our hearts.
I’m so glad my favorite dead serious triple double queen baller is back.In the games she looks as if she would use a road grader on a team to win.I love it.
Yep, not only Makira's absense but losing Jada Peebles with a season ending injury was a major blow to overcome..Don't forget we went into a tailspin when Mekira was concussed and was really sub par for a stretch of games. If she's healthy, next year's team will be much improved. She's the straw that stirs the drink....big time!