2021 Season

Moooooo said:
That's great news! If any opponent will draw fans to the FEC this season, A&M will.

Did I hear Craig Way correctly saying we open the season at UConn? I don't like that at all. Even Karen opting to play at USF in the season opener last season was a mistake, IMO.
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Well since Uconn will be replacing 3 starters 2 of which will likely be frosh, our chances are better the earlier we play them. On paper, we match up as well as anyone else so why not!
 
utfannforlife said:
Well since Uconn will be replacing 3 starters 2 of which will likely be frosh, our chances are better the earlier we play them. On paper, we match up as well as anyone else so why not!
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That's not how I see it.

UConn has established offensive/defensive systems. We are brand new in those areas. Will most likely have 3 new starters; and, of course, we know how we typically have 2-3 players out with injuries which keep them from practicing and available for the first game or two. This year in particular there will be very limited time (probably none in the summer) for the coaches and players to start working together.

I say this in all sports, but there is no reason for Texas to every open the season on the road. Playing that first game at home is so important to work out the nerves; it sure paid off for us during Brooke and Ariel's first season when we looked night and day from the first home game to the second game of the season winning at Stanford. Conversely, it was a disaster last season opening at USF.

Honestly, surprised Karen would schedule UConn on the road to open the season; would have preferred a bit later (like January). Oh, well. Nothing we can do about it now, other than look at it as an opportunity.
 
Assumption: This game actually happens. Both teams are adjusting to changes - us perhaps more than them. I think we lost a part time player and have a nucleus returning who really want it. So maybe we lose to UConn first game. Not a season killer. What it could be is an opportunity for Vic to teach. "This is what we have to do to be champions".
 
Don't get me wrong; I'm glad Karen was able to get another 2-game series with UConn. That game looks great on the schedule to potential recruits and transfers. I'm just shocked she'd agree to open the season on the road at UConn knowing her roster would be losing 3 senior starters and Lashann. And, let's face it, her teams weren't known for starting quick out of the gate in the first game of each season.
 
I have to admit that I did not pay much attention to Karisma Ortiz's stats when it was announced she would transfer to Texas. I saw her size/length and just assumed she was a shooting guard or wing/small forward player.

I was watching an LHN replay of our home game against Kansas a few minutes ago; I hear Alex Loeb and Andrea Lloyd speaking with someone during the 3Q who says she is "a pass-first point guard" and is sitting out the season due to transfer rules. It was Karisma. Guess I missed the boat completely on her skills/position.

From her Texas bio:

- At Penn State, averaged 3.6 points per game and 4.2 assists per game. Was second on her team with 68 assists on the year.
- Led her team in assists in eight games

Karisma Ortiz - Women's Basketball - University of Texas Athletics

I'm excited now!
 
Moooooo said:
I have to admit that I did not pay much attention to Karisma Ortiz's stats when it was announced she would transfer to Texas. I saw her size/length and just assumed she was a shooting guard or wing/small forward player.

I was watching an LHN replay of our home game against Kansas a few minutes ago; I hear Alex Loeb and Andrea Lloyd speaking with someone during the 3Q who says she is "a pass-first point guard" and is sitting out the season due to transfer rules. It was Karisma. Guess I missed the boat completely on her skills/position.

From her Texas bio:

- At Penn State, averaged 3.6 points per game and 4.2 assists per game. Was second on her team with 68 assists on the year.
- Led her team in assists in eight games

Karisma Ortiz - Women's Basketball - University of Texas Athletics

I'm excited now!
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Yes even in high school her coach said she was probably the best passing point guard she has ever coached and her school has had some serious stars come through there. She is great at finding the open man as well as getting bigs to help to far over and she drops it right in the pocket to the big. If she works on her speed & defensive quickness she could be the point guard to backup Lambert. It also helps she has played with Lauren Ebo before so they kind of already have that connection.
 
Moooooo said:
That's not how I see it.

UConn has established offensive/defensive systems. We are brand new in those areas. Will most likely have 3 new starters; and, of course, we know how we typically have 2-3 players out with injuries which keep them from practicing and available for the first game or two. This year in particular there will be very limited time (probably none in the summer) for the coaches and players to start working together.

I say this in all sports, but there is no reason for Texas to every open the season on the road. Playing that first game at home is so important to work out the nerves; it sure paid off for us during Brooke and Ariel's first season when we looked night and day from the first home game to the second game of the season winning at Stanford. Conversely, it was a disaster last season opening at USF.

Honestly, surprised Karen would schedule UConn on the road to open the season; would have preferred a bit later (like January). Oh, well. Nothing we can do about it now, other than look at it as an opportunity.
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We also have to remember that UCONN has a say in this as well. I'm sure there may have been scheduling limitations on their end as well.

Assuming that the home team gets the choice of when to play the game, she likely saw it as a fair concession for getting that same option when UCONN has to come to Austin in 2021 to face an upperclass lead team. Maybe not the choice some of us would make, but I certainly understand!
 
utfannforlife said:
We also have to remember that UCONN has a say in this as well. I'm sure there may have been scheduling limitations on their end as well.

Assuming that the home team gets the choice of when to play the game, she likely saw it as a fair concession for getting that same option when UCONN has to come to Austin in 2021 to face an upperclass lead team. Maybe not the choice some of us would make, but I certainly understand!
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No, I don't think UConn holds the scheduling cards just because they are the home team. When UConn came to play at Texas a few seasons ago, it was "conveniently" scheduled a couple of days after their road AAC conference game in either Houston or Dallas during their semester winter break, I believe; they didn't travel back home (after that game and prior to our game), instead simply staying in Texas, and practicing a day or two before making the short trip to Austin for the ESPN primetime matchup.

I do think UConn holds the leverage against any team (not named Notre Dame, Baylor, Stanford, or South Carolina) who wants to play them in a non-conference series; if the proposed scheduling doesn't work for UConn, they simply move on to the next program in line who wants to schedule them.
 
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Really hoping Lauren Ebo will get a waiver to play this coming season, although I have no idea the reasoning which will be submitted to the NCAA justifying that she should be granted one; perhaps playing for two different head coaches at PSU?

Still have no idea how Braxton Miller got waiver last season after transferring from Okie State to Ohio State.

 
Moooooo said:
Really hoping Lauren Ebo will get a waiver to play this coming season, although I have no idea the reasoning which will be submitted to the NCAA justifying that she should be granted one; perhaps playing for two different head coaches at PSU?

Still have no idea how Braxton Miller got waiver last season after transferring from Okie State to Ohio State.

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I believe Braxton is from Dayton, OH. Some people believe she was granted a waiver due to a family hardship that created a need for her to be closer to home. I don’t know if that’s true but it makes a puzzling decision plausible.
 
Maybe they will grant her eligibility since she gave the new coach a shot; if a player is gonna transfer due to coaching changes it is usually immediate. Perhaps Ebo giving the new system a try and still wanting to transfer is enough in the committee’s eyes.

I doubt the committee classifies coaching changes as hardships, but they can be unpredictable in their decisions. She could also have an undisclosed hardship we aren’t aware of that will qualify her.

I’m not feeling very optimistic about it, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
 
I'm hypothesizing that, with such the extreme extensions of the recruiting silent period, lots of waivers will be approved this fall.
 
I do think we will see much more waivers approved than we did last year. I am more confident that she will be granted a waiver more than she will be denied
 
Finally getting some movement from the NCAA - at least for July and August.

Summer access proposed for DI men’s and women’s basketball

The Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight and Women’s Basketball Oversight Committees on Monday finalized recommendations for summer athletic activities for July and August.

The model, which is the same for both sports, will be voted on by the Division I Council Wednesday. It assumes COVID-19 local and state health policies are considered at the school level. The primacy of student-athlete health and safety in any decisions related to such issues is paramount.

Access to school facilities should be provided in compliance with applicable state and local regulations regarding the use of such facilities, group size restrictions and any other limitations. Each school should use its discretion to make the best decisions for its student-athletes within the applicable restrictions.

Men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes can continue voluntary activities and up to eight hours of virtual nonphysical activities through the reminder of June.

From July 1-19, voluntary virtual nonphysical activities, enhanced in-person nonphysical activities, weight training and conditioning will be allowed.

Enhanced in-person nonphysical activities may include, but are not limited to, team meetings, individual meetings and film review. These activities may be initiated by a student-athlete or coach. Limited physical activities include only weight training and conditioning. All virtual and in-person activities cannot exceed a combined eight hours per week.

On-court practice activities will not be allowed during this 18-day period. Required summer athletic activities may begin July 20 and can last up to eight weeks until the school’s first day of classes or Sept. 15, whichever is earlier.

During this period, student-athletes can participate in up to eight hours per week for weight-training, conditioning and skill instruction. The skill instruction cannot exceed more than four hours per week.

Required virtual nonphysical activities can continue to be conducted during this period. Virtual and in-person activities cannot exceed a combined eight hours per week.

Beginning on the school’s first day of classes or Sept. 15, whichever is earlier, student-athletes can begin out-of-season workouts. Up to eight hours per week for weight-training, conditioning and not more than four hours of skill-related instruction per week will be allowed.

Student-athletes are required to have two days off per week.

Preseason practice can start 42 days before the school’s first regular-season game. Thirty days of countable activities may be allowed over this timeframe.
 
So, with Isabel Palmer deciding to transfer from Texas, what does that do to our guard depth situation for this season, and future seasons?

Obviously, senior Kyra Lambert is the front-runner to start at point guard based on her experience. Joanne Allen-Taylor has played some PG her first twos season and is serviceable, but I don't think it's her natural position. We've seen the coaches mention that perhaps Celeste and Karisma Ortiz can play some minutes at PG, as well. And, true freshman Ashley Chevalier is probably the most natural PG after Lambert. Let's hope everyone stays healthy this season.

At shooting guard, all the above plus Shay Holle, can provide minutes for the upcoming season. Maybe even Audrey Warren.

I guess for the following season, we'll know where we stand based on which non-seniors play well at the point guard position this season. And, with 2021 Rori Harmon already committed, we addressed a need position for the future.

With two 'ships remaining for this coming season, I don't think adding another guard is crucial; but, I guess it all depends on their experience, classification, and eligibility (immediate or not). Adding two grad-tansfers (especially in the front court) between now and the start of classes would be ideal; would also help balance the senior class, and add experience, maturity, and leadership.

With 5 incoming freshmen, adding another might not be the best strategy. But, if a really good one wants to join the program, and a 'ship is open, I guess you take 'em. Assuming that everyone will stay all 4 years is no longer realistic in this age of transfers.
 
Moooooo said:
So, with Isabel Palmer deciding to transfer from Texas, what does that do to our guard depth situation for this season, and future seasons?

Obviously, senior Kyra Lambert is the front-runner to start at point guard based on her experience. Joanne Allen-Taylor has played some PG her first twos season and is serviceable, but I don't think it's her natural position. We've seen the coaches mention that perhaps Celeste and Karisma Ortiz can play some minutes at PG, as well. And, true freshman Ashley Chevalier is probably the most natural PG after Lambert. Let's hope everyone stays healthy this season.

At shooting guard, all the above plus Shay Holle, can provide minutes for the upcoming season. Maybe even Audrey Warren.

I guess for the following season, we'll know where we stand based on which non-seniors play well at the point guard position this season. And, with 2021 Rori Harmon already committed, we addressed a need position for the future.

With two 'ships remaining for this coming season, I don't think adding another guard is crucial; but, I guess it all depends on their experience, classification, and eligibility (immediate or not). Adding two grad-tansfers (especially in the front court) between now and the start of classes would be ideal; would also help balance the senior class, and add experience, maturity, and leadership.

With 5 incoming freshmen, adding another might not be the best strategy. But, if a really good one wants to join the program, and a 'ship is open, I guess you take 'em. Assuming that everyone will stay all 4 years is no longer realistic in this age of transfers.
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I think what we will look to add this season will depend on whether or not Lauren Ebo will have immediate eligibility. If not then we will look for a foward type player but of course you don't know when her case will be looked at so I think it's safer to add one now so in case she gets denied you have that experience in the lineup. I do think if we do use the two scholarships for this season then they will be grad transfers so those scholarships will be used for the 2021 or future classes. There have been some good names entered in the portal as of late.
 

So when all the players get here are they only allowed to do player organized workouts and can't use the Texas facilities until July 15th? Also when are coaches allowed to begin working with them?
 
Jacob Johnson said:

So when all the players get here are they only allowed to do player organized workouts and can't use the Texas facilities until July 15th? Also when are coaches allowed to begin working with them?
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Celeste could be returning early because they may require her to self-quarantine for 2 weeks (interstate travel, especially from NY).
 
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