Who are you excited to see this season?

[LeoBenz74]

well fellow longhorn fans the much anticipated season is just around the corner and I'm getting antsy, so I pose the question what players are you excited to see? Any surprises? I'm excited for Ariel A, I think her sophomore season is going to be outstanding and I have confidence that she will have a 1st team all big 12 season, Brooke omg Brooke she's going to get over those freshman nerves that sometimes got the best of her and really play like a beast!!!! Both game changers....I'm really anxious to see Jordan Hosey I truly believe she will be a matchup nightmare and will do tremendous things this year...hmmmm also I'm interested on Hattis she looks awesome in the practices that I've seen might be the biggest surprise to come out this upcoming year!!!!

 

[BabHorn]

Can I say the whole team? While I have my favorites (Brady, Brooke, Kelsey), I can't wait to see how the players work as a unit. I do expect Ariel and Brooke to take a big step towards becoming the go to players this season.

 

[LeoBenz74]

Can I say the whole team? While I have my favorites (Brady, Brooke, Kelsey), I can't wait to see how the players work as a unit. I do expect Ariel and Brooke to take a big step towards becoming the go to players this season.

When's the last time we had a team this deep? Brady for her experience and charges she likes to get to hype the team up, Kelsey making unbelievable strides from freshman to soph and I know her junior year is going to be a thing a beauty....I can't wait!!! Also I can't wait until Joyner joins the team but let's just focus on this year first

 

[overseasbbfan1]

I'm looking forward to everything. Considering how well the team did last year, and adjusted after the Nneka injury to make that Sweet 16 run, it's hard not be excited about what might happen this season. I expect great things, and leadership, from seniors Imani and Empress, and look forward to the continued development of our super sophomores. And it's always exciting to see what the newcomers bring to the mix, including our new assistant coach. Should be a fun year!

 

[rattfatt]

I'm also very excited for this season, hopefully Ariel and Brady can give us some consistent 3 point shooting from the wing, which is something we really need. The players I'm most excited to see are Lashann and Sara Hattis. Lashann gives us size, skill, and athleticism in the backcourt. She also can create off the dribble for herself or teammates. I really like Sara, she has a good offensive skill set and a very good understanding of spacing on the court.

I also think Jordan Hosey will do well. We have to improve our 3 point shooting because most teams especially in conf can't match our size and they will play a lot of zone against us. So we have to make them pay, I also think Celena will play very well this year.

 

[DFW_Horn]

Have to agree with the majority about the entire team. While I agree with @rattfatt as far as 3 point shooting being a concern, I think everyone has to agree that the single biggest issue that needs to improve from previous seasons is turnovers. If this team can average 8-11 TOs a game, I think Coach Aston collects her first Big 12 Championship. If it's the same 16-19, with this deep and talented roster, they will still win more than they lose but some games will be frustrating as hell (losses that should have been wins).

 

[rattfatt]

Have to agree with the majority about the entire team. While I agree with @rattfatt as far as 3 point shooting being a concern, I think everyone has to agree that the single biggest issue that needs to improve from previous seasons is turnovers. If this team can average 8-11 TOs a game, I think Coach Aston collects her first Big 12 Championship. If it's the same 16-19, with this deep and talented roster, they will still win more than they lose but some games will be frustrating as hell (losses that should have been wins).

You're right, turnovers have been a big problem. But I don't think it's realistic to go from averaging 19-20 turnovers a game for 3 years, to 8-11 a game. I think a more realistic improvement would be to go from 19 -20 to about 15 a game. That's also why I think 3 point shooting is so important, the more turnovers you make the less possessions you get. But if you can shoot the ball well from the 3 point line it really helps with not getting as many possessions.

 

[DFW_Horn]

You're right, turnovers have been a big problem. But I don't think it's realistic to go from averaging 19-20 turnovers a game for 3 years, to 8-11 a game. I think a more realistic improvement would be to go from 19 -20 to about 15 a game. That's also why I think 3 point shooting is so important, the more turnovers you make the less possessions you get. But if you can shoot the ball well from the 3 point line it really helps with not getting as many possessions.

I can dream, can't I? As far as 3-point shooting, I think it'll be a case of whoever has a hot hand that game. Unless Lashann is a better shooter from outside the arc than I am aware of, we really don't have a designated sharpshooter - like a Chou or Ionescu in the 2016 class.

 

[Moooooo]

Anxious to see how we fill the power forward spot with no Nneka, and no Nekia. Hosey seems very undersized, but if she plays PF, perhaps her quickness will create mismatches. Hattis could see time there, but I think she would have trouble guarding any opposing PF's who step outside. Still think Aborowa is more likely going to be playing Center, but we'll see. Would be great if Caron-Goudreau were eligible, as I think she would see a lot of minutes there.

Also, anxious to see how our coaching staff improves. Can't be outcoached by TCU (like they were in Fort Worth), or by WVU (like the collapse in Morgantown), or both times against Iowa State. Have to improve defending the 3-point shot; way too many wide open looks for our opponents last season.

 

[LeoBenz74]

I certainly hope that one of the major topics for this up coming year is the turnovers and defending the 3, as far as Hosey idk I really think she is going to be phenomenal I don't think she's undersized think Nina Davis yes I know that's an anomaly but she's going to be a nightmare someone bigger than her she's going to go around with her quickness and someone smaller then she's going to just post up....oh I can't wait until the season starts!!!! Oh and Hattis I'm telling you is going to raise eyebrows around the league....hopefully all my predictions come true

 

[DFW_Horn]

Based on the available personnel, I would guess that PF playing time is going to be largely based on matchup. Against traditional power forwards, I would expect Hattis, Lang, and Aborowa to all log minutes at the position in addition to what they play at center when giving Boyette some rest. I, like @Moooooo, think Aborowa ends up at center if her actual height is in the oft-reported 6'4"-6'5" range - the Texas roster lists her at 6' 3".

Against the stretch 4 types, I see Coach Aston using Hosey's quickness and athleticism in those situations in addition to Hattis. If this is what happens, it begs the question: How and where does Akigbogun fit in? I know she was a freshman and the early injury set her back even more but I'm not sure what role she plays.

 

[BabHorn]

Re the 3pter, everyone pretty shot poorly last season compared to the 2013-14 season. Of course, it was the first year for the frosh.

Coming off last season, the 3pt stats: 2014-15 (2013-14)

Brady—36 of 115= .313 (39 of 104= .375)
Empress—3 of 30= .100 (16 of 58= .276)
Celina—14 of 42= .333 (16 of 47= .340)
Brianna has taken a total of 3 treys in two years.
Brooke—37 of 108= .343
Tasia—4 of 12= .333
Ariel—17 of 59= .288

We will have to see how Emily, LaShanna and Jordan fare from 3pt land.

I look for Brady and Brooke to be our main 3pt threats with Ariel as the third option unless one of the frosh steps up. Celina has a good shot from BTA but she does not shoot much from BTA. Her career total of 123 3pt attempts is barely ahead of Brooke’s 108 3pt attempts in one season. She’s capable of delivering a killer 3 but doesn’t look for it as much as she looks to set up someone to take it.

Brady has a chance to end up her senior season in the top ten in Texas career 3pters made and 3pters attempted. I expect Brooke to do the same by the time she finishes her career at Texas.

If our team can regain their 3pt shooting touch close to the 2013-14 season when they shot 36.5% compared to last season (29.6%), that should really help our posts dominate inside.

Our 3pt D was not bad at all. Overall, the Horns were third in 3pt defense allowing only 30.4%. Only OSU (28.2%) and Baylor (29.8%) were better for the season. In conference play, no one was better guarding the 3pt line than the Horns were (27.4% allowed). Some teams did go off on us. I remember either ISU or KSU or maybe both, having a player get loose for over five treys in a game. I think our 3pt D will be even better, with less letup this go round.

As for TOs. Horns averaged 16.3 TOs a game overall and in conference play last season. In 2013-14, the season TO average was 18.2. In 2012-13, it was 20.3. Maybe not a great big leap downwards, but a steady trend in a positive direction. Again, during the season, there were some games where the TOs were in the 20+ range. Conversely, there were some where the TOs were in single digits. I like the direction and expect another drop in the overall season TO average.

 

[justabbfan]

I can't wait to see Coach T. I loved her game in the WNBA. I hope she can teach/coach. I'm excited to see Imani and that she will be 100% healthy for the season.