https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/34732429/women-college-basketball-way-too-early-top-25-2022-23

I thought it would be fun to get a little discussion going about the season and where Crme sees us.

My thoughts: I kind of like the lack of confidence the outsiders are giving this team. I do believe they have to prove themselves worthy, but I am actually really excited with their potential! I know one thing, Nicki seems to be so passionate about the sport, the program, the girls, and her staff. Nothing from her won't be because of a "lack of effort".

Three big 12 teams ahead of us, but doesn't surprise me. I definitely have Baylor and the other three at the top of the conference for preseason.

Thoughts??

I think the ranking will be great motivation for Nicki and this team. This team has a lot of talent and seems to have great chemistry with each other. If they can adjust to Nicki's system and playing with each, other Baylor will be a very dangerous team.

I really don't get all of the love for Texas. They lost a lot of starters last year. They did well in portal but have a lot of new players. Also Taylor Jones, the Center from NC State, is coming back from major injury. Texas may be great but that remains to be seen

Big 12 will definitely be completely at the top this year.

Way under valued at 19, Nicki's team is going to be hard to beat this year.

Only 3 SEC teams in top 25. Is SC gonna mow through that conference?

Bear3 said:

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I think the ranking will be great motivation for Nicki and this team. This team has a lot of talent and seems to have great chemistry with each other. If they can adjust to Nicki's system and playing with each, other Baylor will be a very dangerous team.

I really don't get all of the love for Texas. They lost a lot of starters last year. They did well in portal but have a lot of new players. Also Taylor Jones, the Center from NC State, is coming back from major injury. Texas may be great but that remains to be seen

Big 12 will definitely be completely at the top this year.

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I think it's the coach. He's legit.

Bear3 said:

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I think the ranking will be great motivation for Nicki and this team. This team has a lot of talent and seems to have great chemistry with each other. If they can adjust to Nicki's system and playing with each, other Baylor will be a very dangerous team.

I really don't get all of the love for Texas. They lost a lot of starters last year. They did well in portal but have a lot of new players. Also Taylor Jones, the Center from NC State, is coming back from major injury. Texas may be great but that remains to be seen

Big 12 will definitely be competitive at the top this year.

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Bear3 said:

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Bear3 said:

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I think the ranking will be great motivation for Nicki and this team. This team has a lot of talent and seems to have great chemistry with each other. If they can adjust to Nicki's system and playing with each, other Baylor will be a very dangerous team.

I really don't get all of the love for Texas. They lost a lot of starters last year. They did well in portal but have a lot of new players. Also Taylor Jones, the Center from NC State, is coming back from major injury. Texas may be great but that remains to be seen

Big 12 will definitely be competitive at the top this year.

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Very competitive! Should be a good fight.

Bear3 said:

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I really don't get all of the love for Texas. They lost a lot of starters last year. They did well in portal but have a lot of new players. Also Taylor Jones, the Center from NC State, is coming back from major injury. Texas may be great but that remains to be seen

Big 12 will definitely be completely at the top this year.

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I agree. They did lose a lot of experienced talent this past off season, including their leading scorer and, they did gain some talent to make up but are they really a top 5 team?

I am most interested to see how Shaylee Gonzales does as, while she was very talented in a non P5 conference (Mountain West), she will be stepping up to a tougher league.

I believe Iowa State will be the cream this year and will be interested in watching when they play Texas.

Dr. J said:

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Bear3 said:

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I really don't get all of the love for Texas. They lost a lot of starters last year. They did well in portal but have a lot of new players. Also Taylor Jones, the Center from NC State, is coming back from major injury. Texas may be great but that remains to be seen

Big 12 will definitely be completely at the top this year.

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I agree. They did lose a lot of experienced talent this past off season, including their leading scorer and, they did gain some talent to make up but are they really a top 5 team?

I am most interested to see how Shaylee Gonzales does as, while she was very talented in a non P5 conference (Mountain West), she will be stepping up to a tougher league.

I believe Iowa State will be the cream this year and will be interested in watching when they play Texas.

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The first key in beating ISU is to not put them on the line. Make them make shots.

Bear3 said:

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I really don't get all of the love for Texas. They lost a lot of starters last year.

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Oh, I totally get it. That man has practically done miracles with the team he inherited and what they lost is nothing compared to what they have gained. They will be a tough out for almost anyone in the nation if they gel the right way.

As far as our Bears are concenred I can see that maybe losing at home in the second round last season casts a degree of doubt on our new staff. However, I do think CNC is fully capable of producing winning teams. It's a different type of winning culture that she's creating and I like it. We are defintitely being undervalued by the media and will have a really good, exciting team this year with the new additions.

I think the race for the conference championship will be tight but ultimately between us and Texas and maybe a three way sitiuation with Iowa State. I don't see us finishing behind Oklahoma at all.

Probably a bit too high for a pre-season rating of a team that lost the majority of its firepower and is essentially relying on transfers from other schools to make up the difference. While there is certainly some talent coming in from the transfer portal, there's no way of knowing whether or not the chemistry will work. And, the team will be highly reliant on production from the transfers since most of the returning players are mainly good role players. So, it would have been fair to leave us out of the Top 25 to begin the season.

That doesn't mean we won't FINISH in the top 25. Nikki is a good coach. If the chemistry works out well, then this is a team that has a shot at competing for one of the Top 4 spots in the Big 12. It will be interesting to see where the chemistry starts in that first game and how it grows through the year.

After listening to CNC talk and how players respond to her I don't care what experts predict on paper. The Big12 runs through Waco for both bb programs until further notice. Sheaffer is a great coach and anywhere but Austin that would be enough. The city of Austin and NIL money flying around does not equal a winning formula in any sport (swimming & diving aren't real collegiate sports, just olympic training grounds on a college campus)

RaisedOnBear said:

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After listening to CNC talk and how players respond to her I don't care what experts predict on paper. The Big12 runs through Waco for both bb programs until further notice. Sheaffer is a great coach and anywhere but Austin that would be enough. The city of Austin and NIL money flying around does not equal a winning formula in any sport (swimming & diving aren't real collegiate sports, just olympic training grounds on a college campus)

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Not a huge UT fan myself but I do give credit where it's due. Have you noticed what that Texas coach has done in his first two seasons with a roster Aston left with not much talent on it? Do I think CNC can be as successful? Of course! But we're going to have to keep working hard to remain amongst the top programs. It's no longer a given.
Let's not kid ourselves about the powerhouse that's being built down the road. We know all the signs because we watched Kim come in here and build our program into a major powerhouse.

itsjuzme said:

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Not a huge UT fan myself but I do give credit where it's due. Have you noticed what that Texas coach has done in his first two seasons with a roster Aston left with not much talent on it? Do I think CNC can be as successful? Of course! But we're going to have to keep working hard to remain amongst the top programs. It's no longer a given.
Let's not kid ourselves about the powerhouse that's being built down the road. We know all the signs because we watched Kim come in here and build our program into a major powerhouse.

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Powerhouse? Maybe. Unfortunately we will have to watch from the sidelines when they move to the SEC in 2 years. That is a whole different conference in terms of football AND basketball, especially in WBB.

Dr. J said:

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itsjuzme said:

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Not a huge UT fan myself but I do give credit where it's due. Have you noticed what that Texas coach has done in his first two seasons with a roster Aston left with not much talent on it? Do I think CNC can be as successful? Of course! But we're going to have to keep working hard to remain amongst the top programs. It's no longer a given.
Let's not kid ourselves about the powerhouse that's being built down the road. We know all the signs because we watched Kim come in here and build our program into a major powerhouse.

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Powerhouse? Maybe. Unfortunately we will have to watch from the sidelines when they move to the SEC in 2 years. That is a whole different conference in terms of football AND basketball, especially in WBB.

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It should definitely be interesting but that will be their journey and good luck to them. The departure of UT and OU should certainly make things easier in the Big 12. In the meantime CNC will need to work hard to sustain the level we have been spoiled with by the KM years. The resurgence of UT and OU WBB programs plus the national attention ISU has been getting won't make it any easier on us.