6 Likes
Knowing the current roster. What are people expecting from this group this year? Last year was an obvious learning situation with some young guns learning the ropes, but you could argue the super Freshmen are now upperclassmen now after enduring an entire season and getting every possible opportunity to learn and grow.
Should we expect a jump? How big of a bounce is reasonable? Is the roster more balanced than we’ve seen in the past?
2 Likes
Feels like they’re maybe a season away from making NCAAT noise? The guard/wing group is in good shape but the frontcourt seems like a big question mark. There’s talent there, but the transfers were more of the “buried on really good teams” variety; which isn’t bad, sometimes those players pop in a new situation, but it’s just uncertain. But next season, they should be able to bring a ton of contributors back (depending on who plays this season).
6 Likes
VT faces an enormous drop off, but the ACC overall should still be a meatgrinder and they’re losing a lot inside. If things go well, I think they can be a bubble team.
1 Like
I think you can definitely expect them to be competitive even against some of the best in the conference. I still think they’re a year away, though, unless they show they are much more consistent than last year. Way too many games they were getting doubled up in one quarter despite winning or tying the other three. The frontcourt is almost entirely unproven, but the backcourt should be really solid even if it’s just mostly Kymora and Paris. Expecting a slightly improved record but still missing the tournament.
2 Likes
Feels like an NIT team, one year away from a tourney team which is good progress. Am hoping to finishing with a winning record and be at or near 20 wins.
2 Likes
My gut tells me similar to what y’all are saying. I think the team is a year maybe 2 out from making post season noise but they have enought talent and experience right now to steal a big win or 2, be competitive and finish above .500
If I see more composure on the offensive end along with a stiffer defense I will take that progression
3 Likes
This’ll be the main litmus test for next season I think. Offensive sets were fucking rough at times last year, but I think the more comfortable Mo got at the college level the better things looked towards the end of the season. She became less of a chucker and more under control running the offense.
In contrast to the men’s team I think we could serve to lower the 3 point volume a little bit and try to work a little more inside the arc.
3 Likes
Yeah, by the end of the season she went from exciting but inconsistent playmaker to “maybe the defenses need to double her on every single ball screen.” I’m looking forward to seeing how much of The Leap she makes this season.
2 Likes
If the transfers Lattimore & Grays can produce inside, and play up to their HS rankings, this could be an NCAAT team this year.
1 Like
Agree with @AdventiveQuasar and @UVApride7. I thought the offense improved pretty significantly in the last 3 weeks of the season but there were still breakdowns.
Mo becoming a composed player will be key
1 Like
Three quick thoughts on the women’s scrimmage:
- Noyan was the MVP. 11 points, plus she handled that troublesome tall guy on the men’s team. Looked super confident. I’m so bullish on her – and we get her for 3 more years!
- Offense is still hair-on-fire, high-risk, high-reward stuff. We’ll get to use the adjective “ill-advised” a lot this season. And yet… it’s fun to watch! Frustrating but fun.
- Speaking of fun, the women have 10x more fun than the men do. One example being the 3pt contest, where the women were on their feet cheering for their shooters… whereas the men sat stoically like they’re watching C-SPAN. Different styles, it’s all good… but still an obvious contrast.
5 Likes
Hard to draw too many conclusions since they were playing their practice players but agree on Noyan she looks like she’s ready to break out. Thought it was interesting that Doumbouya looked like she dressed but just didn’t play. Lauterbach also didn’t play I’m guessing because of injury but even still I think they may struggle on the interior defensively.
3 Likes
Idk how many of you watch WNBA, but Natasha Cloud, Phoenix Mercury’s point guard, is apparently speaking at UVA tonight. Along with the President of the NCAA. Anyone know what, if any, connection Cloud has to UVA? She’s fun to watch
4 Likes
DC kid. Already finished undergrad which is why she probably can make this move. No idea behind motivation
3 Likes
So Jeff Goodman’s daughter is like the women’s basketball Tipton? That’s pretty cool, feelings about dad aside.
6 Likes
It was a good time to capitalize in an open field right when the sport is booming
5 Likes
lol - already been at 3 schools - headed to her 4th
16 Likes
As good as the ACC is, middle of the conference means we probably make the NCAAT.
7 Likes