2022-2023 Season

One thing we've seen with Vic is that his starting lineup is strategic; it's not just about putting the best scorers on the court to start the game, but also to try to keep some players (Matharu) out of early foul trouble, and maybe bring in another player (Warren) off the bench to provide instant energy/spark.

Both Gaston and Moore have a tendency to pick up early fouls. Regardless of which one starts, the other is most likely coming off the bench in their place pretty quickly (after a foul or defensive mistake).

Shay Holle certainly exceeded my expectations last season, especially the second half. Can she maintain that level of play and build on it this season? She will have more competition this season at the SF spot than last season. If Vic's set on playing Morris at SF, then I'm confident she will be the starter to open the season.
 
brnkj said:
You make some good points and that's my starting lineup also, but I'd be very surprised if Taylor Jones' productivity is that low. I'm thinking we have all five starters averaging double figures if all stay healthy throughout the season.
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Vic loves to go inside whenever possible. If Jones can establish good position down low, it's up to our other players to make good entry passes to her so she'll have the chance to finish close to the rim. And, as many shots as our new offensive-minded players like to take, many of those that don't go in the basket will hopefully be rebounded by Jones (and Khadija Faye), and result in easy put-backs; second chance opportunities will be big for this team, and a way to beat down and discourage your opponent.
 
Moooooo said:
Vic loves to go inside whenever possible. If Jones can establish good position down low, it's up to our other players to make good entry passes to her so she'll have the chance to finish close to the rim. And, as many shots as our new offensive-minded players like to take, many of those that don't go in the basket will hopefully be rebounded by Jones (and Khadija Faye), and result in easy put-backs; second chance opportunities will be big for this team, and a way to beat down and discourage your opponent.
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Yep... gotta get the ball inside regularly. You don't always have to take the shot from inside the paint, but you AT LEAST need post touches to make defenses collapse and create more offensive operating room out on the perimeter. This is where post players who are good passers become priceless. I'm betting/hoping Jones possesses that ability.
 
All good points. As Mooo points out Holle exceeded our expectations last year. Vic likes what she brings. I also like seeing the effort she appears to put forth in the snippets of practice and strength training. Others do as well. I wonder if there is another “exceeds expectations” lurking that will totally surprise us? Probably. Will one of the freshmen shock us? Or one of the others that have been working hard behind the scenes? We all have a favorite or two or three that we feel is undervalued. And one or two we are skeptical of…..until proven wrong. What fun. To hypothesize with my fair and biased opinions. Then eat my hat when facts prove otherwise.
 
flash34 said:
All good points. As Mooo points out Holle exceeded our expectations last year. Vic likes what she brings. I also like seeing the effort she appears to put forth in the snippets of practice and strength training. Others do as well. I wonder if there is another “exceeds expectations” lurking that will totally surprise us? Probably. Will one of the freshmen shock us? Or one of the others that have been working hard behind the scenes? We all have a favorite or two or three that we feel is undervalued. And one or two we are skeptical of…..until proven wrong. What fun. To hypothesize with my fair and biased opinions. Then eat my hat when facts prove otherwise.
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Gotta love Shae's lunch pail work ethic and selfless team-first attitude!
 
This one play epitomizes Shay Holle to me.

She is the 6th person trailing on transition and ends up scoring the basket. What heart. What desire. What hustle.

 
Now that we discussed it out I can see Holle still starting. Vic seems high on her and in all those videos Shay has come into her body. The dark horse is the fresh with the hard name. I think even on this team with all this talent she is going to carve out mins given situations. I do like Morris coming off the bench even tho I have her starting. It was more based off of she’s a transfer who is proven. I could see her coming off the bench playing more min than Holle but Holle starting because in last years games Holles production in 1st and 3rd quarters was ideal and you can’t forget she is legit 6’ft maybe a lil taller
 
Also, these 2 fresh are going to play. I think by big12 tho the upperclassman just have a better sense of how to flip the switch into ok let’s get it. Another thing from those promo videos it does seem like Gatson is healthy. I wouldn’t want us to forget her because we have shiny new toys. D was good enough at 75% she hasn’t been outright healthy yet. She was good enough to play her ceiling is still pretty high. IF & I do mean IF we reach our potential we will be deadly to deal with. We do lack a lil shooting but every team has a weakness and I do mean every team.
 
Fun to talk about who starts. More importantly is who finishes the tight games. On that point, I can only guess. Too many new players. If we’re behind, Morris is in the game. If we’re ahead, it’ll be the best defensive players. Harmon is the only one I’m sure about. Probably Gonzalez as well. Too many unknowns as to who can play lockdown D that Schaefer wants. Lots of suspects on the list.
 
Sincerely hookem said:
Also, these 2 fresh are going to play. I think by big12 tho the upperclassman just have a better sense of how to flip the switch into ok let’s get it. Another thing from those promo videos it does seem like Gatson is healthy. I wouldn’t want us to forget her because we have shiny new toys. D was good enough at 75% she hasn’t been outright healthy yet. She was good enough to play her ceiling is still pretty high. IF & I do mean IF we reach our potential we will be deadly to deal with. We do lack a lil shooting but every team has a weakness and I do mean every team.
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I’m a big Holle fan, but we got virtually no offensive production out of the 3 spot last year. Morris was All Big East at almost 18 ppg. I just don’t see her not starting. As far as lack of shooting, when you look at Joanne and Holle, it’s not like either we’re great shooters. That was a big weakness IMO and seriously impacted our offensive woes. Having Morris and Gonzales is a HUGE upgrade offensively, even given Gonzales is more of a mid range shooter. Losing Matharu hurt, but I still believe we will be more than ok with Hunter. Add in Taylor Jones and Moore and Gaston and we are way better offensively. Vic said after the Stanford loss, that our inability to score was the difference. It appears he has addressed that.
 
Bobcat said:
I’m a big Holle fan, but we got virtually no offensive production out of the 3 spot last year. Morris was All Big East at almost 18 ppg. I just don’t see her not starting. As far as lack of shooting, when you look at Joanne and Holle, it’s not like either we’re great shooters. That was a big weakness IMO and seriously impacted our offensive woes. Having Morris and Gonzales is a HUGE upgrade offensively, even given Gonzales is more of a mid range shooter. Losing Matharu hurt, but I still believe we will be more than ok with Hunter. Add in Taylor Jones and Moore and Gaston and we are way better offensively. Vic said after the Stanford loss, that our inability to score was the difference. It appears he has addressed that.
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All of this! :point-up:
Yep... Vic was very strategic and intentional in adding to the roster from the portal. His selections at particular positions speak for themselves.
 
Bobcat said:
I’m a big Holle fan, but we got virtually no offensive production out of the 3 spot last year. Morris was All Big East at almost 18 ppg. I just don’t see her not starting. As far as lack of shooting, when you look at Joanne and Holle, it’s not like either we’re great shooters. That was a big weakness IMO and seriously impacted our offensive woes. Having Morris and Gonzales is a HUGE upgrade offensively, even given Gonzales is more of a mid range shooter. Losing Matharu hurt, but I still believe we will be more than ok with Hunter. Add in Taylor Jones and Moore and Gaston and we are way better offensively. Vic said after the Stanford loss, that our inability to score was the difference. It appears he has addressed that.
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Which makes the fact that he essentially played Joanne almost every minute of every game, even when his best offensive player wasn't in foul trouble even more baffling.

On paper the team as it's constructed IS better offensively but as I've said many times, especially with having to replace their best shooter. How well they're able to shoot the ball from the 3pt. line will ultimately determine how good they are offensively.

I also think that although they lose some foot speed with Matharu, they can be just as good defensively maybe slightly better. Now having the ability to funnel the opposing ball handlers into long, agile, post players who can block / alter shots.
 
brnkj said:
Nickname is Jack.
Pronunciation of name:
Jack-a-lenga Mwen-en-tawnda.
*The Mw is the same sound as the mu in "Muah"
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The nickname has followed her from South Dakota, I’ve heard her called that several times by teammates and our S&C coach in the videos he’s posted.
 
kurupt said:
Which makes the fact that he essentially played Joanne almost every minute of every game, even when his best offensive player wasn't in foul trouble even more baffling.

On paper the team as it's constructed IS better offensively but as I've said many times, especially with having to replace their best shooter. How well they're able to shoot the ball from the 3pt. line will ultimately determine how good they are offensively.

I also think that although they lose some foot speed with Matharu, they can be just as good defensively maybe slightly better. Now having the ability to funnel the opposing ball handlers into long, agile, post players who can block / alter shots.
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I’ve been bringing up the 3 point shooting for some time. Replacing Joanne and Shay with Morris And Gonzales IS indeed an upgrade offensively. IF Hunter can break out, so much the better.
 
I don't doubt that Hunter could be our best, most consistent 3-point shooter. The main question is how many minutes will she play, and will Vic let her shoot the ball! You can't score if you're not on the court and allowed to shoot the ball. If she can average 3-5 points a game, then that's a huge improvement from last season.
 
Ya’ll know the most improvement a player will make is from fish to sophomore. If Hunter does that, she’ll get about what Mooo suggests…..and will greatly help the team. If not, she’ll be a warm-up and practice phenom. I’m pulling for her.
 
flash34 said:
Ya’ll know the most improvement a player will make is from fish to sophomore. If Hunter does that, she’ll get about what Mooo suggests…..and will greatly help the team. If not, she’ll be a warm-up and practice phenom. I’m pulling for her.
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Unless Vic has a better option than Hunter, which I don’t see at this point, she’s going to play. Her ppg will depend on a number of things. I have always seen her tremendous potential even when some didn’t. She has the potential to be better tha Matharu. I think she averages more than 5 ppg….
 
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Moooooo said:
Wait. What? We're not playing Tennessee in the non-conference schedule?

Unless it's part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge (yet to be released if there is one), we won't be playing the Lady Vols unless we meet in the Bahamas. Dang, this was our season to host them.

Lady Vol Hoops Releases Non-Conference Schedule - University of Tennessee Athletics (utsports.com)


2022-23 Women's Basketball Schedule - University of Tennessee Athletics (utsports.com)


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Tennessee has to be our opponent for the Big 12 - SEC Challenge; I have no doubt because it's impossible for Tennessee and Texas not to meet. Ever.
 
loyallonghorn said:
Tennessee has to be our opponent for the Big 12 - SEC Challenge; I have no doubt because it's impossible for Tennessee and Texas not to meet. Ever.
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Looks like that's their full schedule. Last year, the SEC/Big 12 Challenge was played the first few days of December; Tennessee is playing Virginia Tech on December 4. And, only ten SEC teams participate in the challenge.
 
If y’all haven’t been watching Moore in the Fiba 3x3 I strongly recommend you catch one of her games. Moore is just a dominant presence and has worked on her shot in the off-season. Don’t be surprised if you see her shooting a couple 3 pointers this year.

Moore is my pick for the leading scorer on this team. Her ability to finish with both hands and get position inside is special. In her last game she had about 13-14 of team USA 21 points and that’s just going by 1’s and 2’s.
 
Jacob Johnson said:
If y’all haven’t been watching Moore in the Fiba 3x3 I strongly recommend you catch one of her games. Moore is just a dominant presence and has worked on her shot in the off-season. Don’t be surprised if you see her shooting a couple 3 pointers this year.

Moore is my pick for the leading scorer on this team. Her ability to finish with both hands and get position inside is special. In her last game she had about 13-14 of team USA 21 points and that’s just going by 1’s and 2’s.
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Apparently USA Basketball is unaware that Ms. Moore attends the University of Texas.
USA 3x3 U23 Nations League Team

Aaliyah Moore
Last Updated:
August 15, 2022
Position:Forward
Height:6-3
Age:19
Year of Graduation:2021
School:Moore H.S.
Hometown:Moore, OK

Celeste Taylor
Last Updated:
August 15, 2022
Position:Guard
Height:5-11
Age:21
Year of Graduation:2023
School:Duke
Hometown:Valley Stream, NY

Wouldn't mind a little shout-out to our school please.
 
Jacob Johnson said:
If y’all haven’t been watching Moore in the Fiba 3x3 I strongly recommend you catch one of her games. Moore is just a dominant presence and has worked on her shot in the off-season. Don’t be surprised if you see her shooting a couple 3 pointers this year.

Moore is my pick for the leading scorer on this team. Her ability to finish with both hands and get position inside is special. In her last game she had about 13-14 of team USA 21 points and that’s just going by 1’s and 2’s.
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I recall watching video clips of Moore shooting the 3-ball in high school and/or club ball. So, it's not a new skill; don't think we saw it much last season since Vic wanted her playing in the paint exclusively. I do expect her to float more to the perimeter this season and launch the 3-ball when wide open.
 
I watched the game vs Argentina earlier today and the Final against Puerto Rico tonight. Aaliyah looked very good against ARG while Celeste struggled a bit with her shot and turnovers. CT caught fire in the Final and Aaliyah couldn’t get much to fall but made some very nice passes into the paint and to cutters diving to the basket. The commentator said Aaliyah has been the most dominant player in the tournament start to finish and that’s on a team with an aggy grad (Kayla Wells), a Duke Senior (CT) and some opposing players that play D1 ball.
 
Moooooo said:
I recall watching video clips of Moore shooting the 3-ball in high school and/or club ball. So, it's not a new skill; don't think we saw it much last season since Vic wanted her playing in the paint exclusively. I do expect her to float more to the perimeter this season and launch the 3-ball when wide open.
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I'll say it again... Tina Thompson prototype.
 
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