Illini Women's Basketball
MustangWally
- Mayfield
@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.
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.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
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.
Yes. She won't be playing 30-35 minutes a game next season. I love her footwork for height
I don’t want to lose her. That would be a bummer.
uofi7477
- Silver & Gold Vandals
...combined with her 3's, speed and pesky defense.
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.
Wasn’t familiar with the Akron situation. And I have to think that Camille Jackson has to be better than 11 mins/yr. Even with all of the talent in front of her. Not impressed with Dewey or Ndour other than their size.
What are reasonable expectations for this team next year? I think NCAA tournament and possibly a top 6 seed
Obviously it depends on who we get in the portal. If we can get Alyssa Latham or someone even close to her
along with a serviceable 5. I could see a top 6 seed maybe even higher. But even if we were to get little or no help we should make the NCAA. I'm hoping the portal turns out to be a gold mine! Wish we had an "insider" that could relay some info and get our hopes up.
Champaign Toast
Fan since Kiwane Garris
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.
uofi7477
- Silver & Gold Vandals
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..
Making the NCAA Tournament
Likely preseason top 25 like last season.
Running the top 4 back for third season in a row.
Team needs a front court starter next to KB and top 8 in rotation have to stay healthy.
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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…
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.
I love their family attitude all the way from Texas…One other thing..Please get Kandis Bourage and lock up the state’s talent…and 8000 season ticket holders..lol.Im being greedy huh?
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.
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!
uofi7477
- Silver & Gold Vandals
Yep, not only Makira's absense but losing Jada Peebles with a season ending injury was a major blow to overcome..