blackie said:
bawitdaball said:
Bear3 said:
I also think NIL is playing a big part in getting less high school recruits. Michael Motta said we cannot match the amount many BiG 10 and SEC schools are offering. He also said NIL plays a big part in most recruit's decisions. Also some recruits are choosing to stay close to home which is understandable.
I don't think there is any question that Nicki and staff can develop players. Look at Jana, Yaya, Kyla, Jada, Bella, Caitlin Bickle and even an elite player like Buggs. All are much better than they were when they came to Baylor.
While all are better, they are also older. I'm not convinced that CNC can develop a team at the college level. I think many of her players will be well suited for the WNBA, especially compared to Mulkey. But I've seen Baylor struggle at times to get the ball in the hoop. And I haven't seen a play she runs to incorporate the bigs down low to visually see the ball go in. Right now, she relies heavily on a dribble-drive offense. That works when you have a group of highly talented players like you do in the pros. I personally feel there is too much parity in regard to talent at the college level to successfully do that night in and night out. We also miss way too many layups. Like, way too many. And our defense isn't great. And we foul a lot. This team has plenty of time to grow and mesh, but I'm struggling to see the run we were all hoping for. Hope I'm wrong.
I think you may be selling her short, but we'll see. She has talked about most, if not all the things you mention, so I believe the mindset is there. While frustrating I saw plenty of missed layups with KM's players. But time will tell you may be correct. The improvement of Buggs and Bella from year 1 is visually significant. How much of that is age versus development, I am not qualified to say, but I don't even know how you tell the difference.
You are not wrong in comparison to Kim's teams. But I also think they shot a lot more of them. I'd be curious of the layup percentages. Our offense right now just relies so much on the outside shot falling, and if it isn't, driving to the basket and creating. Wish there was more balance. I also don't think we have a player that can take over a game. We have good roll players, but we don't have the "x" factor player. Andy my comments before regarding development are just that, thoughts. And something I've had rummaging around in my head for the last two years. I am not sure Andrews has gotten better (granted, she's had injuries) and I'm not sure Caitlin got better outside of her just being able to play and gain court experience, which she never was able to do under Mulkey. And maybe it is more the transfer portal than CNC specifically, but I don't feel Blackwell improved at Baylor, and I'm not sure Edwards did either. Maybe players haven't had time to get comfortable with CNC's system, or maybe the portal players were bringing in don't mesh as well with her system as we hope (and suspect). Walker has been an exception, and I do feel Jana was starting to find her groove - but coming back as strong as before from an ACL injury is never a guarantee. It's probably a lot of things, I just feel that we shouldn't be struggling to find the bottom of the net against a team like Texas A&M Corpus Christi - especially if we're hoping to reach an Elite Eight. Also, what do I know - merely my thorughts three weeks into the season.