2018-19 Season Discussion

I’d pump the brakes a bit on this assumption. Could be a case of the coaches knowing what they already have in Lashann and Jatarie.

 
In listening to Aston, she spread the comments about players around. But seemed to like Warren, Littleton, and Collier a little more. She didn’t like her defense so far and was very non-commitable about starters. Also was unsure about back-up point guard. I was glad to hear her talk about Littleton having got ten in good shape. Said Holmes and Collier was at doctors that day and didn’t have an update on them. Lots of good info and you might get something out of it I missed.
 
Is there something going on with Shae? I noticed that she wasn't mentioned in either of Karen's last two long media events. Mide & Jada were mentioned last time.
 
Shae passed out in I think the first practice. Last I heard they were trying to figure out why. Guess she is being held out of practice until they determine that.
 
Is there something going on with Shae? I noticed that she wasn't mentioned in either of Karen's last two long media events. Mide & Jada were mentioned last time.

Shae passed out in I think the first practice. Last I heard they were trying to figure out why. Guess she is being held out of practice until they determine that.
I believe she is back practicing. I don't know if she is limited, though.
 
In listening to Aston, she spread the comments about players around. But seemed to like Warren, Littleton, and Collier a little more. She didn’t like her defense so far and was very non-commitable about starters. Also was unsure about back-up point guard. I was glad to hear her talk about Littleton having got ten in good shape. Said Holmes and Collier was at doctors that day and didn’t have an update on them. Lots of good info and you might get something out of it I missed.
I also thought that what she said about defense was interesting. And she also pointed out the lack of defense from last year. Only Coach Aston knows this, but I’m curious to see if the team actually has the ability to play defense the way she wants to play which for her is man to man defense.

I don’t want to continue to beat a dead horse but I’m hoping that Coach Aston uses more zone because the team might not have the ability to prevent dribble penetration playing man to man. And as a coach you have to adjust.
 
I also thought that what she said about defense was interesting. And she also pointed out the lack of defense from last year. Only Coach Aston knows this, but I’m curious to see if the team actually has the ability to play defense the way she wants to play which for her is man to man defense.

I don’t want to continue to beat a dead horse but I’m hoping that Coach Aston uses more zone because the team might not have the ability to prevent dribble penetration playing man to man. And as a coach you have to adjust.

I'd like to see some variety as well.
 
I haven't listened yet, but here's a link to some of the interviews with Coach Aston and Kalani Brown. I'm assuming it happened at the media day.

 
I wish someone in the media would ask Karen about the hiring of Alan Major. I would like to hear why she hired him and more specific details about his role as Director of Player Management.

From listening to Karen's press conference and interviews, it seems like she's taking a position that there are no guaranteed starters regardless of experience. She's trying to make the team more competitive and physically/mentally tough.
 
I'm taking the press conference at face value. I'm trying not to read anything into it. Sounds like all positions are up for grabs except Sug which is what I expected. I believe we have a group of freshmen who came to work and saw our freshmen last year ride the pine. I think they came in with the mind set whatever it takes. I think they're putting in the time now to earn playing time in the future.
Can't wait to hear about the scrimmage Sunday. Be sure and post if you go to the game. Thx.
 
I wish someone in the media would ask Karen about the hiring of Alan Major. I would like to hear why she hired him and more specific details about his role as Director of Player Management.

From listening to Karen's press conference and interviews, it seems like she's taking a position that there are no guaranteed starters regardless of experience. She's trying to make the team more competitive and physically/mentally tough.
Agreed. I had totally forgot about his hiring on to the staff.
 
The Texas Longhorns will host the West Texas A&M Lady Buffs in an exhibition game on Sunday, Oct. 28 to kick off their 2018-19 season. The Horns and Lady Buffs have matched up in regular season games three times with Texas holding a 2-1 edge. WT A&M took the first game 59-42 back on Feb. 15, 1975 in Houston as part of the Houston Invitational. Texas also lost their first game in that tournament to Mississippi College 95-42. Texas returned the favor the next year, winning 57-53 on March 06, 1976, this time winning an AIAW tournament game over the Lady Buffs. The final regular season meeting between the two was on Feb. 26, 1982 with the Horns overwhelming the Lady Buffs 87-50, again in the AIAW tournament as the Horns made a run to the AIAW finals before falling to Rutgers 83-77. The next season, Texas joined the SWC and the NCAA, leaving behind the AIAW. It appears that this game Sunday is the first game between the two since 1982.


The West Texas A&M Lady Buffs will be able to match up with the Horns height wise in the post and will have the advantage in experience with three returning starters, including Preseason AA Lexi Hightower (#4, 5-8 Jr. G), Tiana Parker (#20, 6-5 Sr. P), and Megan Gamble (#3, 5-7 Jr. G). Also returning is part time starter Deleyah Harris (# 2, 5-9 Sr. G) who started 18 games last season. They are bolstered by Tyesha Taylor (#41, 6-5 Sr. P) who averaged 12.6 mpg in the 31 games she played in; Reagan Haynes (#24, 5-7 Sr. G) who saw action in 34 games with an average of 16.7 mpg and Abby Spurgin (#34, 6-2 Soph. P) who hit 64.1% from the field in limited minutes her frosh season (22 games; 6.1 mpg). Daria Cosgrove (#21, 5-9 Soph. G) got into 18 games averaging 4.8 mpg. Incoming frosh are Delaney Nix (#10, 5-8 G), Braylyn Dollar (#6-0 F) and Mary Rose Foster (#40, 6-0 F).


Hightower is the engine that drives the Lady Buffs. She was the leading scorer last season at 14.6 ppg. She took over a hundred shots more than the second leading scorer who has graduated. Hightower hit 47.1% from the field and 44.2% from BTA. She was also a pretty good FT shooter, coming a sophomore season in which she nailed 80% of her FTs. Parker (86 blocks) and Taylor (37 blocks) combined for 123 of the team’s 182 blocks. Hightower does have plenty of support in Parker, Harris and Gamble.


https://gobuffsgo.com/news/2018/10/18/womens-basketball-longhorn-network-sets-a-one-o-clock-tipoff-for-wt-basketballs-trip-to-austin.aspx


Texas will be missing two key post players as they enter this season. Joyner (s/p ankle surgery) and Sedona (s/p surgery to repair broken leg) will miss at least part of the non conference games with the possibility of Sedona redshirting this year.


Texas will enter the season without its two top scorers from last season (Ariel & Brooke) and with two starters returning: LaShann (#10, 5-9 Sr. G) and Jatarie (40, 6-4 Sr. F/C). Joyner (#24, 6-3 Jr. G/F) who replaced starter Audrey-Ann when she went down with an injury, is currently out with an ankle injury. Sug (#1, 5-8 Jr. G) is likely to be the PG while grad transfer Danni Williams (#3, 5-10 grad) will likely take the third G spot in the lineup. But, as Coach Aston keeps reiterating, all of the spots are open for competition.


LaShann (12.8 ppg) and Jatarie (10.8 ppg) are the returning top scorers for the Horns. Jatarie was second in rebounding average at 5.9 rpg. Texas will miss Joyner who averaged 6.8 ppg and led the team with an average of 6.0 rpg. Danni will help in providing additional experience and shooting as the Texas A&M grad transfer started 65 of 65 games the last two years and made a school record 71 treys last season.


In addition to LaShann, Jatarie & Joyner, the Horns return four others that saw action last season: Destiny (#4, 5-9 Soph. G), Jada (#12, 6-0 Jr. G/F), Olamide (Mide) (#14, 6-3 Sr. F) and Chasity (#15, 5-5 Soph. G). Joining Danni as newcomers to the progaram are five frosh although Sedona Prince (#23, 6-7 C) may end up redshirting. The other freshmen are Joanne Allen-Taylor (#11, 5-8 G), Shae Routt (#23, 6-0 G/F), Audrey Warren (#31, 5-9 G/F) and Charli Collier (#35, 6-5 F/C).


LINEUPS
Projected starting lineups are pretty much guesses although it’s likely that WT A&M is more settled than the Horns are. Won’t surprise me to see at least one frosh, maybe two starting for Texas.
Screenshot (8).png



Game time is 1 PM CST. The game will be televised on the LHN. Location is the Frank Erwin Center. There is free admission and free parking is available only at the Trinity Garage. Doors should open at 12 noon, if past seasons are any indication.
 
The Texas Longhorns will host the West Texas A&M Lady Buffs in an exhibition game on Sunday, Oct. 28 to kick off their 2018-19 season. The Horns and Lady Buffs have matched up in regular season games three times with Texas holding a 2-1 edge. WT A&M took the first game 59-42 back on Feb. 15, 1975 in Houston as part of the Houston Invitational. Texas also lost their first game in that tournament to Mississippi College 95-42. Texas returned the favor the next year, winning 57-53 on March 06, 1976, this time winning an AIAW tournament game over the Lady Buffs. The final regular season meeting between the two was on Feb. 26, 1982 with the Horns overwhelming the Lady Buffs 87-50, again in the AIAW tournament as the Horns made a run to the AIAW finals before falling to Rutgers 83-77. The next season, Texas joined the SWC and the NCAA, leaving behind the AIAW. It appears that this game Sunday is the first game between the two since 1982.


The West Texas A&M Lady Buffs will be able to match up with the Horns height wise in the post and will have the advantage in experience with three returning starters, including Preseason AA Lexi Hightower (#4, 5-8 Jr. G), Tiana Parker (#20, 6-5 Sr. P), and Megan Gamble (#3, 5-7 Jr. G). Also returning is part time starter Deleyah Harris (# 2, 5-9 Sr. G) who started 18 games last season. They are bolstered by Tyesha Taylor (#41, 6-5 Sr. P) who averaged 12.6 mpg in the 31 games she played in; Reagan Haynes (#24, 5-7 Sr. G) who saw action in 34 games with an average of 16.7 mpg and Abby Spurgin (#34, 6-2 Soph. P) who hit 64.1% from the field in limited minutes her frosh season (22 games; 6.1 mpg). Daria Cosgrove (#21, 5-9 Soph. G) got into 18 games averaging 4.8 mpg. Incoming frosh are Delaney Nix (#10, 5-8 G), Braylyn Dollar (#6-0 F) and Mary Rose Foster (#40, 6-0 F).


Hightower is the engine that drives the Lady Buffs. She was the leading scorer last season at 14.6 ppg. She took over a hundred shots more than the second leading scorer who has graduated. Hightower hit 47.1% from the field and 44.2% from BTA. She was also a pretty good FT shooter, coming a sophomore season in which she nailed 80% of her FTs. Parker (86 blocks) and Taylor (37 blocks) combined for 123 of the team’s 182 blocks. Hightower does have plenty of support in Parker, Harris and Gamble.


https://gobuffsgo.com/news/2018/10/18/womens-basketball-longhorn-network-sets-a-one-o-clock-tipoff-for-wt-basketballs-trip-to-austin.aspx


Texas will be missing two key post players as they enter this season. Joyner (s/p ankle surgery) and Sedona (s/p surgery to repair broken leg) will miss at least part of the non conference games with the possibility of Sedona redshirting this year.


Texas will enter the season without its two top scorers from last season (Ariel & Brooke) and with two starters returning: LaShann (#10, 5-9 Sr. G) and Jatarie (40, 6-4 Sr. F/C). Joyner (#24, 6-3 Jr. G/F) who replaced starter Audrey-Ann when she went down with an injury, is currently out with an ankle injury. Sug (#1, 5-8 Jr. G) is likely to be the PG while grad transfer Danni Williams (#3, 5-10 grad) will likely take the third G spot in the lineup. But, as Coach Aston keeps reiterating, all of the spots are open for competition.


LaShann (12.8 ppg) and Jatarie (10.8 ppg) are the returning top scorers for the Horns. Jatarie was second in rebounding average at 5.9 rpg. Texas will miss Joyner who averaged 6.8 ppg and led the team with an average of 6.0 rpg. Danni will help in providing additional experience and shooting as the Texas A&M grad transfer started 65 of 65 games the last two years and made a school record 71 treys last season.


In addition to LaShann, Jatarie & Joyner, the Horns return four others that saw action last season: Destiny (#4, 5-9 Soph. G), Jada (#12, 6-0 Jr. G/F), Olamide (Mide) (#14, 6-3 Sr. F) and Chasity (#15, 5-5 Soph. G). Joining Danni as newcomers to the progaram are five frosh although Sedona Prince (#23, 6-7 C) may end up redshirting. The other freshmen are Joanne Allen-Taylor (#11, 5-8 G), Shae Routt (#23, 6-0 G/F), Audrey Warren (#31, 5-9 G/F) and Charli Collier (#35, 6-5 F/C).


LINEUPS
Projected starting lineups are pretty much guesses although it’s likely that WT A&M is more settled than the Horns are. Won’t surprise me to see at least one frosh, maybe two starting for Texas.
Screenshot (8).png



Game time is 1 PM CST. The game will be televised on the LHN. Location is the Frank Erwin Center. There is free admission and free parking is available only at the Trinity Garage. Doors should open at 12 noon, if past seasons are any indication.

Babhorn—I always appreciate your pre-game breakdown of the teams/players. Thanks for taking the time to research and write about the match-up.
 
Nice writeup on Destiny's struggles last year and her rededication to basketball and the team this year.
Texas' Destiny Littleton wants to make the most of her second chance | Hookem.com
Destiny Littleton hopes to regain the shooting stroke and passion that made her a high school phenom in California.

Now a sophomore at Texas, she vows to erase the misery that followed her throughout her freshman season. The player who was admittedly lost during her first year as a Longhorn wants to take advantage of this second chance.
 
I also thought that what she said about defense was interesting. And she also pointed out the lack of defense from last year. Only Coach Aston knows this, but I’m curious to see if the team actually has the ability to play defense the way she wants to play which for her is man to man defense.

I don’t want to continue to beat a dead horse but I’m hoping that Coach Aston uses more zone because the team might not have the ability to prevent dribble penetration playing man to man. And as a coach you have to adjust.

Coaches -- not just Aston - are notoriously stubborn. Even when it's obvious that they should change something, many of them don't. I don't get it. Texas will have a hard time beating faster, more athletic teams unless they play zone. Destiny looked decent in tipoff but who can she guard? Same thing for Danni, and we could go down the line. Very frustrating as a fan. Is there a thread on the decommit?
 
Coaches -- not just Aston - are notoriously stubborn. Even when it's obvious that they should change something, many of them don't. I don't get it. Texas will have a hard time beating faster, more athletic teams unless they play zone. Destiny looked decent in tipoff but who can she guard? Same thing for Danni, and we could go down the line. Very frustrating as a fan. Is there a thread on the decommit?
I agree. Coach K is a well known man defensive coach but he’s smart enough to know when he doesn’t have the personnel to play that way just like last year. He realized that his team couldn’t consistently guard playing man so they started playing zone the majority of games. That’s what great coaches do, they adjust. And the discussion about Deja is in the 2020 Recruiting theard.
 
I thought the team played okay offensively. But defensively they weren’t very good at all whether individually or as a team. Their discipline defensively wasn’t good and they picked up too many cheap fouls or overplayed the passing lanes and gave up back door plays to often. They had more success in the second half defensively when Coach Aston used pressure and was able to speed WTAM up.

But they really need to improve defensively in terms of discipline and being smart. I also have to ask the question again about whether or not Texas has the personnel to consistently play man to man. I would’ve liked to have seen some zone.

I know it’s an exhibition but I was disappointed in Sug’s defense and her decision making at times. Aborowa has to have better awareness and stop picking up 3 second calls. Again, offensively pretty good but they must improve defensively in order to realistically be a contender this year.
 
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I would’ve liked to have seen some zone.

I understand wanting to see the team play zone some. But, I don't think it would've been a good idea today. West Texas A&M shot 46% from the 3 in man-to-man. Even though our defense wasn't very good today, if we'd let them light it up while in a zone it would've been uglier. JMO.
 

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