AAS story on next season's team

[BabHorn]

halliburton either knows something or didn't do her homework in writing this story. While I agree that the soon to be sophmores will be a big part of how the team does next season, I find it strange that Kristen isn't mentioned at all. If Lauren Flores, Ashleigh, Yvonne, Brit, Erika and Kat will vying for three G spots and Gayle and Reed will be in the post, where is Kristen? I know she didn't put up the most impressive stats nor do I expect her to start, but unless she takes a redshirt year, she will be a senior next season along with Brit and Erika. The story focuses on who will be seniors with the young group next season. Kristen will be an important part of the rotation in the post, regardless of whether Bone comes or not. At this point, discussing only the players we know for sure will be here, Kristen has to be a part of the talk. Kat is the only other player that has played regularly inside beside Kristen and Gayle.

I know the focus was on the young guns, but leave Kristen out and the story gives the impression that only Gayle and Reed will play the post for the Horns. That's real thin--even with Kristen and Kat, it's a thin front line. Maybe Halliburton was making a pitch to Bone, trying to show how much she could contribute if she comes to Texas.

 

[TXtoCO]

Someone mentioned that Kristen is a sharp shooter from three point range. Might she get some playing time in that position? Maybe she will be an all-purpose performer.

 

[BabHorn]

my main problem with the article is that she was not mentioned at all in any context, either as a possible senior (redshirt year still to be decided on) or as a player suppling depth, whether in the post or at the wing. With seven returning players and two freshmen, why not even a mention of her? She did contribute well and consistently when she played. Again, not star stats, but decent solid numbers for the minutes played.

 

[TXtoCO]

BabHorn, I agree. It seems that every time I saw Kristen in the game good things happened around her. I would say that her effort and work ethic was as impressive as any of the other players. I think she also "gets it."

 

[BBV_Horn]

It pisses me off that Kristen has been under-played and over-looked this year......

Boo on you Halliburton...

 

[BevoBeef]

The AAS article purposely related to only facts that proved the theme that the author was trying
to advocate. The obvious fact of Carla's broken finger contributing to why she did not start
was not even mentioned. That is because it was proof that the thrust of what the author was trying
to say had some flaw. To comment on another senior next year that might contribute did not fit
the picture that was trying to be painted.

The article implies that the freshmen started because Coach G was looking to next year. It does
not seem plausible to me that Coach G did not start the best players that she thought would
win the game. The team was desparate to get some momentum going when its season started
to go down hill in conference play. That is the reason why she started the two freshmen ????

I did not buy that key assumption that Halliburton made. It was more important for next
year's team to do well in the NCAA tournament this year than to give the freshmen experience
for next year. The main premise of the article seemed absurd.

 

[rosevilleblock]

I really thought Kristian Nash showed good things too, this year. I thought that when she was in, she played better than A. Gayle. I sure hope that we'll get to see her for atleast two more years.

 

[outlookdude]

I thought it was a poor article…….It's one thing for us to post pure speculation on this board. It is another thing all together for a reporter to publish an article that is all speculation presented as fact. There are only seven returning players. Failing to mention one of them at all - and only one - is just poor writing. Even if for some reason Kristen will not be back and the writer knows this but it is still not public knowledge she still deserves mention……(I have heard nothing along those lines)…..I would bet money that she doesn't mention Kristen because she hasn't followed this team and doesn't know anything about her….She mentions the possibility of Earnie coming back (which would be great) as though it is something she is seriously considering. But, as far as I know that is only wild speculation. At the same time she never mentions the fact that Carla could also have an extra year if she wanted it…. She assumes that AT will start at point ahead of Flores, but never mentions Yvonne in that discussion….. She says that it is "telling" that AT started at point rather than Carla, but never mentions Carla's injury.... She speculates about the roles the freshmen will play next year without ever mentioning that recruiting is clearly not finished…..The idea that Coach G would put something less than what she felt was the best team on the floor in preparation for next year is ludicrous - even when we disagree with her choices.

Someone told Suzanne that she had to write an end-of-season article - so she slapped something together. I know that newspapers are concerned with being timely. But, this article did not have to be published the day after the season was over, and everyone would have been better served by taking a couple of days to get some facts and do justice to the subject.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

Kristen cannot create her own shot, and she is not a great defender.

Getting Hill and Bone would greatly solve many of these problems. Hill is a great shooter (though her release point is a little low), and Bone will dominate the Big 12.

 

[TXtoCO]

I am super hyped about seeing Flores and Reed on the floor next year. After the way Earnie finished the season I think she would be a great influence on these young players should she choose to return next year. They said during the broadcast of the TX/MS ST game that she would make her decision over the summer.

 

[cynt]

OK - everybody knows I'm in Kristen's corner and I love to see her play and I know she should have more playing time. However, I think you're making a mountain out of a mole hill on this article. After I read the article I thought she was making the point of who will start and the impact the current freshman will have on the team. She mentions those names and moves on. We all know that Coach is not going to start Kristen so why mention her?

I just don't understand why everyone is all over the article and bashing Halliburton. OK - so Kristen wasn't mentioned. I didn't read anything into it and especially just because she wasn't mentioned she might not be with us next year.

 

[DINO22]

Well first of all I would like to say. My expectations did go up this year when their record was 11-0 I think all fans expectations went to the roof top.But coming into the season I did not expect us to do that well, by the talent that we had on the team. So as fans we all need to be patient. And stop act as if we are the coach or that we are at practices to see whats going on. Thats whats going to dictate your playing time. For Coach G and any other elite coach. You must be able to remember the offense plays. And you have to be able to play defense. Also if any of you fans were listening to the commentors ( Kara Lawson) sum up the team so good after I game against Miss St. The key word is ( TOUGHNESS) She said every returning player for next year need to get tougher. And she hit it right on the head. I watch that game and several others this year. Where there was not great effort or hustling on the floor. I never seen us play 40 minutes of basketball. Now for all the fans that would like to see Kristen play a little bit more. If she hangs around for next year. You will see more minutes for her. I love her effort! And I do believe that our WARRIOR on the the team will be back! EARNIE I think she did a great job at the end of the season. She would be a great leader for the freshmens coming next year. She just fight so hard. I would love to see her 100 percent health. She All -American materials. A lot of our players need to paid attention to what she does. It needs to rub off on the whole team. She is truly a WARRIOR

 

[Rexy]

I'm already looking forward to next year, even though I'm enjoying the NCAAs and wishing we were there!

 

[hornhonker]

Watching the Missouri men beat up Memphis and thinking I really like Yvonne's pedigree!

 

[WCBBNUT]

The article makes a great deal of sense to me. (Note: I like both Nash sisters so I agree Kristen should have been mentioned) ... but back to the article. It is not crazy to think that Coach G looked at this squad and decided to begin playing for the future. Get my Freshman quality time now so that they are ahead of the curve next year. A good coach should have a short-term plan as well as a long-term plan and I think Coach G is looking at least two years ahead and plotting now what will be the best way to return this program to elite status.

I never believed that Conradt had lost her touch or otherwise stopped being a good coach. I think she was ready to retire regardless of what was happening on the court. If she couldn't even get this squad - especially with Jackson - into the tournament at all, there was no reason to think Coach G could get them much farther. IMHO. Individually a great group of players that didn't seem to add up to a great team. Chemistry? Injuries? Who knows. Personally I side with those pointing to the bad luck of injuries that attacked this entire team from day one and right up until this year's final game.

Just getting us back to the tournament was good enough for me for now. However, from this point forward my expectations will go up.

 

[Rexy]

I'm glad the freshmen got lots of playing time this year! Think it bodes well for the future.