Texas WBB 2024-2025 Season

kcjem said:
We have all seen Vic speak about the goal of living in the top 10 teams, and the work it takes to pay the rent there. It is such an exciting time in women's basketball right now with all the dynamic players, and the articles highlighting those women include Horns in the mix, always with Booker and often Rori as well. I am so excited to see these women get their season launched today because Vic has truly guided this program back to the top, and I think these ladies certainly have a chance to be there at the end. Time to sit back and enjoy (sweat, cheer, scream, leap, clap) the ride for another year. Horns Up! This Horns Fan is ready to give them all I got!! LFG!
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Yes, and since you are relatively new here, please be aware that Vic has inexplicably managed this in spite of the invaluable advice from our posters (we know better), who have questioned his every coaching hire, every recruiting decision, every portal move, every scheduling decision, every substitution, every lapse in play, and every mismanaged loss.

Welcome aboard!
 
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Zig72 said:
Yes, and since you are relatively new here, please be aware that Vic has inexplicably managed this in spite of the invaluable advice from our posters (we know better), who have questioned his every coaching hire, every recruiting decision, every portal move, every scheduling decision, every substitution, every lapse in play, and every mismanaged loss.

Welcome aboard!
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The only head coach who is above being questioned for their suspect decisions is the one who is undefeated and wins the national championship every season. Even UConn posters on their message board will disagree with some of the decisions the great Geno Auriemma makes.
 
Whaddya think about today's game? Yes, it was against SEMO, but everyone showed up!

I think of all the newcomers, Oldacre the most valuable (that being said, Phelia didn't play and it was SEMO).

In a secondary role, she had 14 rebounds. Looking at her two years at Miami, the most rebounds she's had in a game were 9 in one game last year - and she had the 7th most minutes on that team. I had a flash during the game, "Man, she reminds me of Stacy Stevens. Parked under the basket and going up and going up and standing her ground until she gets the rebound and the putback. No one is going to move her from her spot and she's focused on just that ball."

And you saw the speed of Preston. During the game, I thought, "You know, do we really need Chavez with this one in the fold?"
 
racerx5908 said:
And you saw the speed of Preston. During the game, I thought, "You know, do we really need Chavez with this one in the fold?"
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So, because Preston has "speed" that means we don't "need" a player like Chavez? Chavez might be one of the best shooters and scorers to ever come out of the state of Texas. If our coaching staff wants/needs her, so do I.
 
Sangre Naranjada said:
I know what you're getting at. We will be all right without Chavez, but we'll be even better with her.
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The rumor of $1M in NIL and the fact that she hasn't indicated a preference as she's still shopping leaves a negative taste for me.

I'm all for student athletes getting paid. But not unproven (at the college level) players still in high school.

I think of the pitcher that Tech "bought" from Stanford. $1M for ONE YEAR. But, she was a freshman of the year and then in her sophmore year, player of the year.

But ONE year!
 
racerx5908 said:
The rumor of $1M in NIL and the fact that she hasn't indicated a preference as she's still shopping leaves a negative taste for me.

I'm all for student athletes getting paid. But not unproven (at the college level) players still in high school.

I think of the pitcher that Tech "bought" from Stanford. $1M for ONE YEAR. But, she was a freshman of the year and then in her sophmore year, player of the year.

But ONE year!
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I thought about adding "assuming no locker room issues" but left it out because I thought it might stir up a hornet's nest.
 
I’m with all regarding Preston. She’s much better skilled and composed than most freshman point guards. Impressed. I’m gonna watch the game again on an overreaction Monday and pick up some more information. In the “worthless” section is my previous and continuing thought that Preston is actually left-hand predominant. I know several of ya’ll have chastised me (very kindly) that I’m mistaken. This game is first time I’ve been able to watch her play in a continuous stretch. It’s really unimportant…..kinda….but it appears her left hand is the one she is most comfortable with. She’s so much more fluid that direction, and even though her right hand is really good, she does come back left when opportunity rises. Guess I’m obsessed with being correct all the time……but if anyone would watch closely her play….and confirm/deny my theory….i would appreciate it. That’s all I got this morning…..getting my second cup of Joe and enjoy being retired, happy and healthy.
 
flash34 said:
I’m with all regarding Preston. She’s much better skilled and composed than most freshman point guards. Impressed. I’m gonna watch the game again on an overreaction Monday and pick up some more information. In the “worthless” section is my previous and continuing thought that Preston is actually left-hand predominant. I know several of ya’ll have chastised me (very kindly) that I’m mistaken. This game is first time I’ve been able to watch her play in a continuous stretch. It’s really unimportant…..kinda….but it appears her left hand is the one she is most comfortable with. She’s so much more fluid that direction, and even though her right hand is really good, she does come back left when opportunity rises. Guess I’m obsessed with being correct all the time……but if anyone would watch closely her play….and confirm/deny my theory….i would appreciate it. That’s all I got this morning…..getting my second cup of Joe and enjoy being retired, happy and healthy.
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Although she is definitely right-handed, she does seem to prefer attacking from the left side and is very good at it!
 
@brnkj

What did you think about Jak's play? She made some errors, sure, but I was very impressed with the physical strength she displayed on several rebounds, splitting double teams, etc. She was doing things out there that she couldn't do the last two years.

Did you notice anything else that stood out?
 
I watched Texas and Notre Dame games yesterday (on different screens at same time) with focus on matchups for our December game. Hidalgo and Miles are really good…..as are the 7 players who played. One girl got 4 minutes so not including her. Certainly Hidalgo vs Harmon will be a tremendous match-up. Not sure who wins that. If Harmon was a little further along in her recovery, I’d pick her but Schaefer probably manages her minutes closely. Having Preston guard Hidalgo will help as she’s the only one on team to have a chance at that. Perhaps tiring Hidalgo out with Harmon….then Preston is an advantage. Miles is really good so Phelia and Holle will need to slow her down. Irish have size and a corner 3 point shooter and physical and well balanced. Horns have more depth. #4 vs #6 ranked teams. I believe Horns are better but playing in South Bend gives Irish a boost. In my fair and biased judgment, I’m picking Horns by 4.356 points.
 
Sangre Naranjada said:
@brnkj

What did you think about Jak's play? She made some errors, sure, but I was very impressed with the physical strength she displayed on several rebounds, splitting double teams, etc. She was doing things out there that she couldn't do the last two years.

Did you notice anything else that stood out?
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I noticed her improved strength, particularly when hitting the boards. But I think the light still hasn't quite come on for her yet. I believe she missed a defensive rotation (maybe a couple) and still a bit prone to getting herself in trouble handling the ball. Also, when she makes a mistake instead of bouncing right back she tends to hang her head for a second. So, while she definitely has physical abilities, the mental part is still not quite there IMO. If it's not there by now, not sure that it will be.
 
Regarding Jak’s play, she still has the maddening issues we’ve come to love. Schaefer seems a little more calm on those. She struggles against smaller and quicker players. However she provides something to the team that no other current player does. Against a bigger team, her length will help. And she has a shooter’s mentality. I’ve come to grips with the fact, she is who she is. Embrace small improvements year over year……and don’t expect her to suddenly be an all-American. Some games she will struggle and some games she will excel. I’ve expected her and Schaefer’s frustration to lead to a transfer. But she appears not to be like the rest…..she’s gonna stick it out. My perception is she’s a good student and the UT experience fits her. I’m a fan of hers…..even through the mistakes.
 
In my Notre Dame analysis, Booker is the difference maker. ND doesn’t have a stopper for her. Not sure who does. We’ll be ok inside and at other positions. She just needs to bring her average game. She always shows up. If can keep Harmon and Booker without foul trouble Horns will be fine.
 
Sangre Naranjada said:
@brnkj

What did you think about Jak's play? She made some errors, sure, but I was very impressed with the physical strength she displayed on several rebounds, splitting double teams, etc. She was doing things out there that she couldn't do the last two years.

Did you notice anything else that stood out?
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This follows my poor-man's analysis that Jak has reached the closest to her playing potential this year.

Other things I didn't note earlier. There were times that Preston and Oldacre were looking to the bench asking for guidance as to who they needed to guard. They kept looking back at bench and pointing down court asking, "Who do I cover?" And weird the bench with all those coaches wasn't telling them what to do.

Carlton, with many more minutes played, started favoring the leg with the huge brace on, as if soreness was creeping up.

A few times, I saw Vic smile. Once was when Rori did the over-the-shoulder flip to Oldacre right as the half ended.

I will say that the newcomers don't have.....hesitation or reluctance or are intimidated when they're given the ball and they're driving in to score. And, I directly compare that to Jak's first year on court.
 
A couple more observations. Pleasantly surprised at Oldacre’s mobility and especially her hands and free throw shooting. No clankers that someone with that size might exhibit. We’ve upgraded our second post over last year. With Jones injury history, Oldacre could be a critical piece during the year. Lee seems to be confident, good defensively and not hesitant to shoot when available…..she’s a player. I’m impressed with her although a little shorter than expecting but one of the better athletic bodies on the court. Carlton seems ok, confident with skills, and will matchup well with some players…..but not with others. She appears shorter than I was expecting and a little slower but can certainly play at this level. She’ll have the harder path to playing time of the 3 freshmen. Will be a nice substitution for Moore next year. I didn’t see her favoring her knee. I was disappointed in not seeing Phelia play. Interjecting her into starting line-up changes things up significantly. With Holle sliding back into a 6th man role, the second team will be a load for other teams.
 
I was interested to watch the type of pressure Schaefer would employ. It’s not the first year deny the inbound pass and all other passes as well pressure. At least in first game. With the guard depth he has always wanted now on the team, will be interesting to see going forward. Against some teams, might still get the deny pressure. Against some with a Hidalgo, probably not. Schaefer will always use the defensive pressure but perhaps some inbound pressure ….then solid half court pressure. Anxious to see how he employs it with the good guards. The weakest link is having Jones or Oldacre having to guard backcourt center/pressbreaker. Anxious to see with more tools.
 
Lamar’s first game against UTSanAntonio was a 36 point win. They shot 24-29 from free throws. Had 23 turnovers. Played like 13 players. I’m thinking a 30+ point win.
 
I agree with everything @brnkj says. Do you see how much depth we have now at Guard. Jak is still playing tentatively, still does not handle the ball well, still having mental breakdowns on the court. When Laila comes back, I just do not see her getting increased playing time.
 
flash34 said:
A couple more observations. Pleasantly surprised at Oldacre’s mobility and especially her hands and free throw shooting. No clankers that someone with that size might exhibit. We’ve upgraded our second post over last year. With Jones injury history, Oldacre could be a critical piece during the year. Lee seems to be confident, good defensively and not hesitant to shoot when available…..she’s a player. I’m impressed with her although a little shorter than expecting but one of the better athletic bodies on the court. Carlton seems ok, confident with skills, and will matchup well with some players…..but not with others. She appears shorter than I was expecting and a little slower but can certainly play at this level. She’ll have the harder path to playing time of the 3 freshmen. Will be a nice substitution for Moore next year. I didn’t see her favoring her knee. I was disappointed in not seeing Phelia play. Interjecting her into starting line-up changes things up significantly. With Holle sliding back into a 6th man role, the second team will be a load for other teams.
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I, too, was pleasantly surprised with Oldacre's play. Granted, it was only SEMO, but boy does she really clog up the lane with her size and presence. I feel much better about our 5 position as long as she and Taylor can stay healthy.

Not so fast with Holle slipping into 6th man role. She is the Glue player to Vic's team and does all the little things right: Rebounding, tenacious defender, her long range shot is deadly now. Vic said it himself, he may toy with a 4 guard lineup at times, which means Shay will still get her minutes and then some.
 
wkass said:
I, too, was pleasantly surprised with Oldacre's play. Granted, it was only SEMO, but boy does she really clog up the lane with her size and presence. I feel much better about our 5 position as long as she and Taylor can stay healthy.

Not so fast with Holle slipping into 6th man role. She is the Glue player to Vic's team and does all the little things right: Rebounding, tenacious defender, her long range shot is deadly now. Vic said it himself, he may toy with a 4 guard lineup at times, which means Shay will still get her minutes and then some.
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I love how Holle plays, but the main issue is no true perimeter ball-handling skills and inability to create for herself. The lack of that skill set on the floor can stymie the offensive flow. That's where Phelia is far more skilled. There's a reason she's on the Wooden Watch List... she's REALLY good. I just hope she gets comfortable enough in the Texas system to show us. I've been watching her at Michigan the past few years, and have always been very impressed by her.
 
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There are multiple skills that Holle brings to the game that Schaefer simply couldn’t take her off the floor last year. She does EVERYTHING right. She’s always been a little under the radar but I firmly believe when she’s done, she’ll be recognized and remembered as one of Texas’ best. A consummate teammate, student and Horn. Never would I downgrade her contributions. One of my all time favorites. She’ll do wonderful in life. Enjoy her for another 35 or so games. We’ll miss her after March. And Schaefer offered that she would be his 6th player.
 
flash34 said:
There are multiple skills that Holle brings to the game that Schaefer simply couldn’t take her off the floor last year. She does EVERYTHING right. She’s always been a little under the radar but I firmly believe when she’s done, she’ll be recognized and remembered as one of Texas’ best. A consummate teammate, student and Horn. Never would I downgrade her contributions. One of my all time favorites. She’ll do wonderful in life. Enjoy her for another 35 or so games. We’ll miss her after March. And Schaefer offered that she would be his 6th player.
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Shae has definitely been a very valuable piece, and has done nothing but work hard with a great "team first" attitude and improved every year. As Vic says, she's everything that's right about college athletics. There were three players that Vic couldn't take off the floor last year... Mostly due to Rori's injury and the lack of depth in the back court. The same thing two seasons ago with the lack of depth and the injury to Sonya Morris.

By stating that there are dimensions of Holle's game that don't exist is in no way "downgrading" her.... it's stating facts. Every player has strengths and weaknesses. To be fair, I believe Shae played mostly in the paint during her high school career. So to see her bloom into a valuable starting perimeter player on an NCAA Elite 8 team speaks volumes about her work ethic and commitment to reaching her full potential.
 
Has there been any explanation from ESPN-SEC about the lack of play by play announcers for the SEMO game? Perhaps that will be the way it will be but I find it very odd. I may try listening to Craig Way on radio while watching the game on n Wednesday. Getting each synced with the other is a challenge though.
 
Lamar is a semi-familiar team as it's one of the regular "tune-up" teams we typically play. But looking back, we haven't played them since Dec 2020 (77-49) and it says attendance was "zero" which means it was one of the COVID games.

They're 1-0 with a 98-62 beatdown of TAMU-San Antonio, which I'd never heard of until looking up the stats!

But, they were 24-7 in last year and 20-12 the year before that.

And then, Wikipedia reminds me why their coach Aqua Franklin seems so familiar:

A'Quonesia Krashun Franklin, also known as Aqua, is an American basketball coach and former player. She played two seasons in the WNBA. She was a three-year captain of the Texas A&M team from the 2005–06 to 2007–08

And she played for Vic while he was at A&M!

Which tells me she'll play Vic-style defense.
 
Sad news for Jenna and unfortunate news for Baylor; guess they will hope Matharu arrives soon and ready to go.

 
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