Future of Texas

Overseas….continuing from the other thread...

You are correct that all but one of those eight games was lost to a highly ranked team. I separated them because I think Texas could beat OU or Michigan State without playing a perfect game. Still very tough games, I just see a significant gap….Admittedly, I did not see the MSU game. I’m just going on what I heard on the radio and coaches comments.

I think this team is underrated. But, at some point you have to have a signature win. That is part of why the road games at OU and ISU are so important. The schedule has not just been tough, it has been very top heavy. I think Texas would fare pretty well against more teams #11-25. Not many teams would fare any better against #1-10. The opportunity is now against OU and ISU. Unfortunately, these games are back to back and on the road. Like I said, I am happy with the progress that I have seen regardless of what happens. But, this is a huge opportunity.

I also agree that elite players can develop after HS. But, even with that I still think the number of those players is significantly less than in the men’s game, and I think that makes it more difficult to make up ground when your program has fallen behind.

I do NOT think it is impossible, and I think Texas has the resources to make it happen….I think the Longhorn Network may also pay some recruiting dividends. GG has been more active in recruiting nationally and it seems like that could be a factor.

Like you I am excited about all of the young talent who will spend several years together at Texas. I am also excited about having more bodies available. GG likes to run, press, and trap. I think that is a lot easier when players can get a breather a little more often. And, competition for PT sometimes prompts players to step up sooner.

I am highly optimistic about the future. I am not sure I am ready to start calling them a potential championship squad so soon. I have those type hopes, and certainly believe it is possible. But, I am almost intentionally trying to keep that from being an expectation….I THINK I am doing that in order to try and stay objective. Sometimes it is hard to sure about your own motives. Maybe I am afraid of being disappointed. But, I don’t think so.

Also agree that the coaches are doing a good job. Sometimes this group plays like half of them are freshmen. But, my perception is that there has been steady progress throughout the season. Hopefully the young players have not hit a wall yet and that will continue through this tough stretch, the conference tournament, and at least a couple of games in the NCAA.

As long as they keep playing hard for 40 minutes, and working to get better good things will happen.

A few comments on the here and now…..

I think that Kristen’s return has been huge for this team. I think she is playing better than at any time in the past four years. Some of her moves around the basket look like ballet. And, she has one of the most effective pump fakes I have ever seen.

I still think scoring is not something that comes naturally, or instinctively, for AG. But, recently she has seemed more determined to find ways to score. While it is still not consistent, her shots, FG and FT, have looked better. I can only assume that is the result of a lot of hard work. This team needs baskets in the paint and to force teams to defend that threat.

Yvonne seems to still have moments when she seems to send coach G up the wall. But, overall my perception is that she has shown great improvement. She has become maybe the best defensive guard on the team, and has started to knock down some huge shots when teams leave her open while focused on Kat and Chassidy. Pure speculation on my part, but I have to wonder if a few games coming off the bench while a freshman started might have given her some extra motivation…..Competition is a good thing.

AT was not a point guard when she came to Texas. I think she deserves a tremendous amount of credit for the work she has put into that role. She seems more comfortable there all the time. And, I do not think she has peaked.

Chassidy is the first true scorer Texas has had in a long time. She always finds a way to get her points. She can shoot the three, has a good mid-range shot, can go to the basket, and make FTs. Most importantly she can create her own shot, and is more than willing to do that when necessary. Early in the season she was scoring and still had several freshman looking moments pretty much every game. Those moments have become more and more rare, and she is becoming remarkable because of her consistency.
 
Considering that the Horns lost their only reliable post scorer before the season started, still having a chance, however slim, at the #4 slot in the Big 12 tournament, is really picking up the slack with a vengenance.

With a lack of consistent scoring in the post, a reliable third scorer is needed to complement Kat and Chassidy. Yvonne has been far more consistent in that role than anyone else, especially lately. In fact, she has shown that she can be "the" scorer if teams devote too much attention to shutting down Kat and Chassidy. Ashleigh, Tiffany, and Chelsea have not been consistent enough that one can say they will step up on a regular basis. Although Tiff is showing signs of regaining her shot after a long recovery from the broken wrist.

Horns are going to go the way the wings and guards go. If they are scoring, Horns have a great chance to win against anyone. If the shots are not falling, a half like the first one against A&M is likely.

A&M presents a far tougher problem to get separation from in order to get an open look than most other teams will. Horns should be able to get some more open looks against Tech and OSU.

A big if, if the Horns win out, a very possible scenario, they will finish 8-8. Regardless of their actual standing in the Big 12, that should earn them serious consideration for an NCAA berth. From there, it's up to them to take advantage of that opening. First up, though, Tech and then OSU. Next, the Big 12 tournament.
 
i have really enjoyed watching Yvonne this year. i've always loved her defensive intensity, but she has also improved so much on the offensive end this year. much more of a complete player now. she pretty much carried us in the 2nd half against A&M. even though we lost the game, seeing her drive the lane around the speedy Colson and Carter, and shoot lay-ups around Adams was pretty sweet.

as babhorn stated, we are living and dying by the guard play right now. if shots aren't falling - i.e. 1st half of the A&M game - it'll be tough to stay in games. but hopefully the A&M game will prove to be a great teaching moment. if perimeter shots aren't falling, be aggresive and take it to the paint. and don't wait until after halftime to make that adjustment.
 
I luv the 2nd half effort against AM. The offense and defense was very good. If those ladys could give that type of effort for 40 minutes every game, they would be ahand full against anyone. The defense that AM apply, most school want come close to being that tough.I luv pressure defense AM give you . Now GG did sum outstanding coaching that 2nd half.To be down and look like you were out of the game. And then to come back a surprise AM. I am impress GG and the players. I dream all the time, how good they would be with C.Reed. OMG! We just lack post and center scoring. And you must have that to be ELITE. Good Job!
Hookem'
 
If you are not excited then you are not paying attention.

Losing Reed this year was huge. UT without Reed is like Baylor without Griner. Gayle is a great blocker but not an offensive threat. Reed is both. Reed was/is our elite player. Imagine for a minute what our game would look like if we had Reed in?

Now add to that Brewer from SC and three ESPN Top 100 recruits including an All American and next year compared to this year is like night and day.

A healthy Reed this year would have been our first huge leap forward. If it doesn't happen next year, I will glady jump off the band wagon. Until then I am extremely excited.

G did not forget how to coach when she left Duke. She got here and openly said "Give me three years". After one year with the program she revised that to "4-5 years". She is not asking us for anything more than Baylor gave Mulkey or ATM gave Blair.

This coach and this program deserve our continued support. Period.
hookem.gif
 
If we could just pull together 40 minutes of intense defense we would have a few more "W"s. I have know idea how to build a team's mental toughness but we definitely need to work on this in the offseason. All I can think is spy on Geno's team to see how he does it or have them train to run a marathon or maybe a half marathon. I know two extremes but we have got to be mentally strong so we don't have these mental blocks during the games.
 
I think next year when we have more bodies we will much better able to sustain the full 40 mins. With the incoming class and Cokie's return, and Kayla starting with the team in Dec I believe, we should be at 14 for most of the season.
 
Re: When you look at who we have coming in next season combined with this year's class, and the return of Cokie, I definitely think we have the makings of a championship squad....

So is this the standard? A B12 Championship? Nat'lChamp? Next year? And if we don't? New leadership? Just trying to get a timeline.
 
How about we put a timeline on you LakeErie.

We make it to the tourney again this year and you only post negative comments about the program every other game next year.

We make it deeper into the tourney this year and you post even fewer negative comments.

We win an NC in the next four years and you never post again.

Do we have a deal?
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