https://instagr.am/p/DK22aZwoPN8

It will be interesting to see who starters will be. Bella, Buggs and Taliah are locks. Not sure who will take other 2 spots……

Bear3 said:

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It will be interesting to see who starters will be. Bella, Buggs and Taliah are locks. Not sure who will take other 2 spots……

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Yes, it will be interesting who the starting 5 will be - I can see at least 4 different combinations....I do not know but what I do know is that the second 5 ..........will be LEATHAL

I imagine that Marcayla will come off the bench, getting plenty of minutes. Some really good depth at the 2 and 3 spots. Fontleroy, Scott, Pemberton, and Deng all have more experience. I don't know if Scott plays PG or not. Deng is listed at 6-2 so perhaps the 3 for her?

So the starting lineup could be...

5 - by committee
4 - Littlepage-Buggs
3 - Fontleroy
2 - Scott
1 - ?

If Scott plays the point, then that moves Bella to the 2 with perhaps Deng or Pemberton starting at the three? Or would one of those newcomers be better at the 2? Lots of interchangeable parts at the 2 and the 3. Coach Callen is right in that with this group, they might be able to run some teams out of the gym. If Johnson can adjust to the speed of play, she will get lots of minutes.

Jana should be the starting PG

One moron's take on depth chart, at least to start in November:

5 - Kiersten Johnson, Kyla Abraham
4 - Dariana Littlepage-Buggs, Kayla Nelms
3 - Bella Fontleroy, Kiera Pemberton, Marcayla Johnson
2 - Taliah Scott, Yuting Deng
1 - Jana Van Gytenbeek, Ella Brow, Ines Goryanova

• This team has a lot of positional flex. Most of these players can shift a position, and some can probably play 3 positions (notably Fontleroy and Deng).
• Johnson may prefer playing 4 over 5, Nelms may fit best at 5, Pemberton and Johnson promise to have good athleticism to go with their height, and all 5 guards can probably operate as combo guards at either position.
• Littlepage-Buggs is listed on the roster as a G/F. I don't think we've seen her play G in entire 3 years.
• Johnson and Goryanova could very well play themselves into the primary rotation, but it's June prior to their first year of college competition, so there is much to be learned (by them about the college game, and by us about their skill set).
• I agree that Deng may or may not start, but she'll get starter's minutes and she may finish most games. She'll be a valuable part of this team. Did you see the roster lists her at 6'2"? Auburn listed her at 6'0". That's a big disparity; somebody's exaggerating, or she had a big growth spurt.
• Collen noted in her last press conference that we have several players who can play PG, but 3 of them (Van Gytenbeek, Goryanova, Scott) are returning to action after season ending injuries, so there's a lot of uncertainty as to how their health and their confidence in their bodies will respond.
• I'm wondering if Nelms may best fit at the 5. Even though she's only 6'1", she has a broad body, and needs to improve her quickness to be an effective 4. With her ability to shoot from outside, she could present an interesting matchup as a stretch 5.
• We don't know how this roster will play out, but there is interesting potential for a very successful season. On paper, it's very exciting to see the increased size, also knowing we still have speed and athleticism.

Excellent post. It will be interesting to see who starts at point guard. I think it might even be Talah since I think we might bring in Jana a little slowly initially. I do think Jana will be back to full speed hopefully later in the season, but knowing her, she'll probably be ready at tip off. I'm really interested to see what. Ines can bring. She has a great outside shot and a quick release and I'm hopeful she can start as a confident competent shooter.

Look at all the pictures you Yu'ting is in and it looks like she is 62. She is taller than DLB and Bella and Marcayla.

I'm really hoping we can get continued growth from Kyla and consistent rim running rebounding and rim protection from Johnson.

Hope Kayla can shoot outside like she does in practice. If so, she will be valuable, but she needs to learn to work the ball around and not take the first available shot.

I can't wait to see what we get from Kiera and Marcayla. They're both athletic and strong. I think there will be a lot of positional overlap between those two and Bella and. DLB. Oh

Polarbear said:

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One moron's take on depth chart, at least to start in November:

5 - Kiersten Johnson, Kyla Abraham
4 - Dariana Littlepage-Buggs, Kayla Nelms
3 - Bella Fontleroy, Kiera Pemberton, Marcayla Johnson
2 - Taliah Scott, Yuting Deng
1 - Jana Van Gytenbeek, Ella Brow, Ines Goryanova

• This team has a lot of positional flex. Most of these players can shift a position, and some can probably play 3 positions (notably Fontleroy and Deng).
• Johnson may prefer playing 4 over 5, Nelms may fit best at 5, Pemberton and Johnson promise to have good athleticism to go with their height, and all 5 guards can probably operate as combo guards at either position.
• Littlepage-Buggs is listed on the roster as a G/F. I don't think we've seen her play G in entire 3 years.
• Johnson and Goryanova could very well play themselves into the primary rotation, but it's June prior to their first year of college competition, so there is much to be learned (by them about the college game, and by us about their skill set).
• I agree that Deng may or may not start, but she'll get starter's minutes and she may finish most games. She'll be a valuable part of this team. Did you see the roster lists her at 6'2"? Auburn listed her at 6'0". That's a big disparity; somebody's exaggerating, or she had a big growth spurt.
• Collen noted in her last press conference that we have several players who can play PG, but 3 of them (Van Gytenbeek, Goryanova, Scott) are returning to action after season ending injuries, so there's a lot of uncertainty as to how their health and their confidence in their bodies will respond.
• I'm wondering if Nelms may best fit at the 5. Even though she's only 6'1", she has a broad body, and needs to improve her quickness to be an effective 4. With her ability to shoot from outside, she could present an interesting matchup as a stretch 5.
• We don't know how this roster will play out, but there is interesting potential for a very successful season. On paper, it's very exciting to see the increased size, also knowing we still have speed and athleticism.

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That was not a post by a moron - your too hard on yourself... I thought it was an excellent post ...with enough hedging to make a politician proud.
Nicki does let DLB bring the ball up the floor after a made basket when there is no pressure - My heart leaps into my throat if there is even token pressure but hey it's all good - most of the time.
You hit the nail on the head Speed, Athleticism and I will add Versatility with the entire roster being able to play more than one position. I would love to get my hands on an opposing teams scouting report - Gotta keep opposing coaches up at night.
Dcheeta is right Deng is a legit 6'2" and can play taller than that !!!
As for Nelms - she has the bulk to bump with Crooks - that might be fun to watch.
I think Pemberton is going to have a very short learning curve - she is Nicki's needle in the haystack recruit.
While not a surprise like Pemberton watch for Marcayla to make Nicki find her some minutes.
Right now I cannot think of a team that can run with us for 40 minutes - not even South Carolina. Maybe USC if JU JU is healthy.

Gang's all here 😎#SicEm | #GreaterThan pic.twitter.com/uLlHTWMPVE

— Baylor Women's Basketball (@BaylorWBB) June 16, 2025

Based on the comments CNC made during her interview with Ashley, I think you are right on bringing Jana (and Ines) along slowly. I do not think Jana will start until at least January from the comments made during that interview. I think that leaves Scott to play point, and move Deng into starting at SG. Of course, if anyone is capable of moving up the timeline significantly, it is Jana. Still, I would think CNC will be cautious with her, making sure she is 100% in February and March.

I think our days of playing 3 short guards are finally over. We could very well be starting 4 players at least 6'.

This is the most athletic team Nicki has had at Baylor. She also has a lot of good depth and versatility. It is going to be a fun season! I do pray we can avoid serious injuries…

blueeyedbear said:

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Right now I cannot think of a team that can run with us for 40 minutes - not even South Carolina.

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Really?? Do posters print stuff like this because it's what they're wishing for or do they really believe it? SC played for the NC last year. Won it all the year before. And they have been infused once again with some great portal players and recruits. I don't think we are quite in their category yet. I mean....we lost to the 7th place team in the SEC (Ole MS) on our home court with a packed house, and that was with Vonleh, an almost elite post player. It's not uncommon for sports fan to have high HOPES, but it seems in the last 4 years there have sure been a lot of wild statements made on here that makes it hard for folks who are more realistic to keep an interest in the program.

Oh look Blue brought up Mulkey again yet people are supposed to believe im the one obsessed with her?? It's you… you're the one who can't let her go.
But yes when you make ******ed comments like that we should expect a natty. There are plenty of teams who could run with BU. But god forbid ANYONE disagree with your take..
Take a long look in the mirror you ****ing hypocrite.
Also show me 1 post that shows I don't like the trajectory of the team? You can't because they don't exist. I've been more than complimentary of CNC. And most who actually take time to read can attest to that

blueeyedbear said:

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Only you and geewago could infer your takes into and obfuscate what I said.
So, for the benefit of you two intellectual migets I shall simplify it for you both - I was not talking about a track team I was talking about overall team speed on a basketball team !!
There are many more tangible attributes and talents that are needed to win a basketball game .... of which team speed is a SMALL part but nonetheless a PART.

What's the matter you two run out of candles for your Mulkey Shrine and have to create something from your over active imaginations and somehow infer that it's about NC ????
Your Idle left of her own volition - get over it.
The trajectory of the program is moving in the right direction and you do not like it - maybe that is what this is really all about

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Not sure that one Sweet 16 appearance in 4 years can be considered as "moving in the right direction," but to each his own.

Bottom Line: The minimum expectation for this upcoming year is simple.

We either win a Big XII Trophy (Regular Season or Conference Tournament) OR we get to AT LEAST the Sweet 16.

Anything short of that and you can expect to hear even more grumbling from the fanbase.

LTBear19 said:

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blueeyedbear said:

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Not sure that one Sweet 16 appearance in 4 years can be considered as "moving in the right direction," but to each his own.

Bottom Line: The minimum expectation for this upcoming year is simple.

We either win a Big XII Trophy (Regular Season or Conference Tournament) OR we get to AT LEAST the Sweet 16.

Anything short of that and you can expect to hear even more grumbling from the fanbase.

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That's very reasonable expectations LTBear. This years team could very well be good enough to fight for the conference title. At the same time I think TCU & ISU fans are feeling the same way and I can see why. There may be a sleeper show up as well. If the WBB team could put a season together that would propel them even into the Elite 8 That would surely boost recruiting more than anything else. Unless there's some Trillionaire out there that wants to donate 50 million so we can buy 5 of the top 10 recruits in the country.

IowaBear said:

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Oh look Blue brought up Mulkey again yet people are supposed to believe im the one obsessed with her?? It's you… you're the one who can't let her go.
But yes when you make ******ed comments like that we should expect a natty. There are plenty of teams who could run with BU. But god forbid ANYONE disagree with your take..
Take a long look in the mirror you ****ing hypocrite.
Also show me 1 post that shows I don't like the trajectory of the team? You can't because they don't exist. I've been more than complimentary of CNC. And most who actually take time to read can attest to that

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Catlin's Senior year Geno commented that Baylor had ELITE speed at the guard position and he was concerned !!! Refresh my memory who won that game ? Speed is only ONE factor in determining who wins a basketball game. Somehow that statement of mine was convoluted to mean that this year's team will go undefeated and win a National Title ??? WHERE EXACTLY DID I SAY THAT A .HO ? How do you two get there from what I actually said ??? I will tell you how - You jumped on the Titanic with your buddy geewago's "******ED" statement. .....evidently without reading what I actually posted. He is the one who said I was predicting an undefeated season and National Title - No such prediction was made by me. I expect that lack of ethics from him - but you are better person than that or at least I used to think so. I have been around the game to long to make such a statement.
You have a personal animosity towards me because I and a couple of others who know exactly what was happening in the BU athletic hallways and Administration offices and reported it on this board and St. Mulkey was exposed.
I have said it a dozen times if I said it once BU WBB AND BU owes Kim Mulkey a debt that can NEVER be repaid. But you are a fence post, a brick wall - no ears all mouth. You are the first one to knee jerk respond to any post that dares tell the truth about KM or even mention her name like you are the Knight charged with guarding the Holy Grail.

My comparison to South Carolins and USC was just that a comparison to teams known for their team speed.- to leap from that statement and claim it was ******ed just shows why you and LT Bear lead Sicem in the most requests for putting on ignore.

This currant, roster has ELITE speed at every position .... I know because I actually attend practices, and I can see it with my own eyes. After 40 years of playing and coaching some of it at the D1 level I can judge talent just fine. I have never seen a woman's team with this much speed at every position - EVER !.
I do not care if anyone disagrees (contrary to your post) - any poster is entitled to his/her opinion (but I do defend my opinion when its warranted just as you do !!) - what I do care about is when my post is taken out of context or worse - my words are appropriated into something I did not write because of personal bias and animosity so strong that they just can't resist posting any asinine thing that pops into their head ......for what purpose eludes me but what a pathetic life it must be..

You are the one who brought NC into it - ???? She was not part of my Post - Why ? because I am obviously pleased with the recruiting class, she and her shorthanded Staff busted their behinds on signing and deserve some props by pointing out something (team speed) that is worthy of recognizing ?? Really sad

So much talent!

I think i really enjoy how this team is going too look entirely different and i think we will be even faster this year than last year and have way more shooters.

Worrying about which players start is nonsense.
Flo Thamba started on a National Championship team.

Minute distribution and which players close tight games are what really matters.