BabHorn
10,000+ Posts
--cuz there is nothing else going on that is public that we can talk about.
One senior, three juniors, one soph, and five frosh. This is a young team but with a very solid and experienced core. Four have at least 3 starts with three starting at least 29 of the 33 games. One can figure that those three are likely to continue to start unless someone else in their position steps up and overtakes them. Look for Kat, AG, and AT to set the pace for this team. Realistically, if those three have been working hard at improving, I don’t see anyone starting in their place. While their positions may vary, for example, Kat could be a PF instead of a wing, they should be the three that others fit around instead of supplant.
At this point, there is no better rebounder or three point shooter than Kat. AG is a dominant shot blocker inside and an outstanding rebounder. AT is the best assist player on the team and a very good 3pt shooter. For the other two, Yvonne is a solid 3pt shooter and, with AT, a ballhawk on defense. Cokie is the best returning FG% shooter on the team and provides a very good inside offensive presence. Defensively, she has the potential to be one of the best post players at the Forty Acres. For her, conditioning is key. If she can play effectively for 20-25+ minutes a game, the Horns take a big jump forward on both ends of the court.
You could put the vets on one team and the frosh on the other and have two pretty good squads. The frosh should have the edge in quickness and speed but the vets have experience and defensive play on theirs. And Kat will bury those 3’s given half a second to get it off. Realistically, a combination of the two squads is likely to be the starters at two key points in the season: the start of the season and the start of conference play. I would expect either or both of Tiffany and Chelsea to be starting by conference play, probably in one of the wing positions. If Kat is playing the wing, one of the frosh should be a starter. If Kat is needed inside, both could be starters. I expect all four US frosh to play significant minutes. Shanice, from Canada, is the unknown. She could log significant minutes at the PG position or be sitting behind both AT and Yvonne, getting in only in blowouts. She does come in with some outstanding credentials from high school as a PG, so it will be interesting to see how quickly she picks up the system and how much time she gets on the floor.
And can’t forget Kenisha Harris, who will be walking on. She was primarily a post player in high school but at 5-10 or 5-11, is more likely to play on the perimeter although there have been some tough inside players at around 6 feet in the Big 12. She certainly knows how to finish inside and has a nice outside shot.
Kat is the lone senior and one can’t ask for anyone better to set the tone for the team as far as work ethic goes. I hope she is much more vocal but that may not be her personality. The juniors will need to help in providing leadership and leading by example. Each has areas in which they need to improve and if they have worked as hard this summer as they did last summer, we will see some tremendous improvement in each one. The mantle of leadership goes from class to class although individuals can step up at any time, from their first day on campus to their last year. There are no “stars” on this team as recognized by the media. Kat has the best name recognition and is the one most likely to be on preseason teams. Cokie and Tiffany are big name recruits that will be followed to see if they reach their projected impact. The team has players focused on reaching team goals and understanding that, while some individual players may get the accolades, it’s the team play that will result in reaching their team goals.
Last season was a disappointment with the early exit from the NCAAs. Still, the team’s fourth play finish in the Big 12 (tied with A&M at 10-6) was improvement. This season, it doesn’t get easier with Baylor returning the core players from their Final Four appearance. A&M, which swept Texas last season, having reloaded and expecting a better season with more experienced players, and OU returning most of their backcourt from their Final Four appearance as well as getting Whitney Hand back from a season ending injury. The team could be better and not see any substantial movement in the Big 12 standing. The best indicator will be in the NCAAs, which in the fourth year of Coach G’s reign, is once again considered a given by fans. There is no longer anxiety about whether the team will be invited but rather whether they will get a favorable seed, preferably one close by so that travel is not too far or expensive. That, too, is an indication of the improvement of the team as are fans increased expectations. After all, we are Texas. And playing for championships is only to be expected.
One senior, three juniors, one soph, and five frosh. This is a young team but with a very solid and experienced core. Four have at least 3 starts with three starting at least 29 of the 33 games. One can figure that those three are likely to continue to start unless someone else in their position steps up and overtakes them. Look for Kat, AG, and AT to set the pace for this team. Realistically, if those three have been working hard at improving, I don’t see anyone starting in their place. While their positions may vary, for example, Kat could be a PF instead of a wing, they should be the three that others fit around instead of supplant.
At this point, there is no better rebounder or three point shooter than Kat. AG is a dominant shot blocker inside and an outstanding rebounder. AT is the best assist player on the team and a very good 3pt shooter. For the other two, Yvonne is a solid 3pt shooter and, with AT, a ballhawk on defense. Cokie is the best returning FG% shooter on the team and provides a very good inside offensive presence. Defensively, she has the potential to be one of the best post players at the Forty Acres. For her, conditioning is key. If she can play effectively for 20-25+ minutes a game, the Horns take a big jump forward on both ends of the court.
You could put the vets on one team and the frosh on the other and have two pretty good squads. The frosh should have the edge in quickness and speed but the vets have experience and defensive play on theirs. And Kat will bury those 3’s given half a second to get it off. Realistically, a combination of the two squads is likely to be the starters at two key points in the season: the start of the season and the start of conference play. I would expect either or both of Tiffany and Chelsea to be starting by conference play, probably in one of the wing positions. If Kat is playing the wing, one of the frosh should be a starter. If Kat is needed inside, both could be starters. I expect all four US frosh to play significant minutes. Shanice, from Canada, is the unknown. She could log significant minutes at the PG position or be sitting behind both AT and Yvonne, getting in only in blowouts. She does come in with some outstanding credentials from high school as a PG, so it will be interesting to see how quickly she picks up the system and how much time she gets on the floor.
And can’t forget Kenisha Harris, who will be walking on. She was primarily a post player in high school but at 5-10 or 5-11, is more likely to play on the perimeter although there have been some tough inside players at around 6 feet in the Big 12. She certainly knows how to finish inside and has a nice outside shot.
Kat is the lone senior and one can’t ask for anyone better to set the tone for the team as far as work ethic goes. I hope she is much more vocal but that may not be her personality. The juniors will need to help in providing leadership and leading by example. Each has areas in which they need to improve and if they have worked as hard this summer as they did last summer, we will see some tremendous improvement in each one. The mantle of leadership goes from class to class although individuals can step up at any time, from their first day on campus to their last year. There are no “stars” on this team as recognized by the media. Kat has the best name recognition and is the one most likely to be on preseason teams. Cokie and Tiffany are big name recruits that will be followed to see if they reach their projected impact. The team has players focused on reaching team goals and understanding that, while some individual players may get the accolades, it’s the team play that will result in reaching their team goals.
Last season was a disappointment with the early exit from the NCAAs. Still, the team’s fourth play finish in the Big 12 (tied with A&M at 10-6) was improvement. This season, it doesn’t get easier with Baylor returning the core players from their Final Four appearance. A&M, which swept Texas last season, having reloaded and expecting a better season with more experienced players, and OU returning most of their backcourt from their Final Four appearance as well as getting Whitney Hand back from a season ending injury. The team could be better and not see any substantial movement in the Big 12 standing. The best indicator will be in the NCAAs, which in the fourth year of Coach G’s reign, is once again considered a given by fans. There is no longer anxiety about whether the team will be invited but rather whether they will get a favorable seed, preferably one close by so that travel is not too far or expensive. That, too, is an indication of the improvement of the team as are fans increased expectations. After all, we are Texas. And playing for championships is only to be expected.
