THE ARIZONA WILDCATS WILL BE THE SURPRISE LURKING IN THE SHADOWS OF THE PAC12 NEXT SEASON!!

Charlie Creme and just about everyone else in the WBB world has written off the Wildcats as "one hit wonders." To them, Aari and Arizona were just a one time shooting star in the basketball firmament. It was great while it lasted, but they've moved on now, back to the humdrum Wildcats . . . Aari's gone. Charlie just projected Arizona as an eight seed in his too early 2022 bracket, along with DePaul, Georgia, and Florida Gulf Coast. 

Wait just an everlovin minute, people! 

Adia Barnes is no "one hit wonder." She's an exceptional person and an even better recruiter and coach. There's passion and fire behind those dark eyes. Great players can feel it. That's why Aari left Washington with her . . . and the two of them transformed a perennial cellar-dweller down in the desert into a national supernova. 

Not-so-great players can feel it too - and want to be part of what she's puttin down. When she winks and smiles at them for putting out super maximum effort - they catch fire and shock the country by whipping UConn on nationwide TV. That's what she does . . . and major recruits watched it happen and want to be part of it. 

I'll give you an inkling of how enormous that upset was. Because the eastern sports media was so overwhelmingly positive that Paige Bueckers and her team of Huskies would win the 2021 NCAA Women's Tournament, you had to bet $450 in Vegas on the Huskies - in order to win $100. Or you could bet $350 on the "field" (the other 63 teams) and if any one of those other teams won the tournament, you would win $100. In other words, Stanford, South Carolina, N.C. State, Maryland, Baylor, Texas A&M, and Louisville (the other one and two seeds) were all just chopped liver in the eyes of the WBB establishment and the odds-makers.  

The pundits have all moved on, but I think Tara knows the truth about Adia Barnes. You hear about players who will run through a wall for a coach. That's the calibre of coach we're talking about down in Tucson.

How hard is it to replace a scorer like Aari McDonald?   

It's hard. But Adia doesn't mind hard, and she's well on her way. She just got a firm commitment from Anna Gret Asi, an Estonian 5'-10" star who is a prolific three point shooter. She's also mobile and aggressive off the dribble - has a deadly pull-up jump shot and a lethal hook shot with either hand. A fantastic freshman prospect.    

Aaronette Vonleh is a five star recruit, the No.# 38 player in the 2021 class. She's a 6'-3" post player who is built large, quick, powerful, and nimble. Her older brother's in the NBA.

Madison Conner is a 5'-11" four star freshman recruit who averaged 20 points, 3 assists, and 7 rebounds for her senior season in high school. She's a good three point shooter and can score right or left off the dribble.

Koi Love is a 6' junior forward transfer from Vanderbilt who averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds last season in the SEC.

Taylor Chavez is a senior guard transfer from Oregon who will be a strong back-up point guard for Shaina Pellington.

Ariyah Copeland is a 6'-3" grad transfer from Alabama who was a double/double machine in the paint last season and had the 3rd highest shooting percentage in the nation at 61%.

Gisela Sanchez is a 6'-3" freshman forward from Spain. She's talented, agile, and committed. She comes from the same team in Spain as Helena Pueyo.

Trinity Baptiste graduated and signed with a Russian pro team for the next season. 

The returning players from the national runner-up team in 2021: 

Sam Thomas 6' grad student, captain, and emotional leader. Next season she'll increase her scoring average to make up for the loss of Aari. 

Cate Reese is a 6'-2" post player with a lot of talent and an even bigger heart. She'll increase her scoring average next season. 

Bendu Yeaney is a 5'-10" guard. 

Lauren Ware is a 6'-5" post player.

Helena Pueyo is a 6' junior guard.

Shaina Pellington is a 5'-8" senior point guard understudy of Aari McDonald. She's super fast and ultra quick, much like her mentor.

Marta Garcia transferred to Florida Atlantic.

Tara Manumaleuga transferred to TCU.

There is no available information on the remaining players from the 2021 roster: Mara Mote, Derin Erdogan, or Semaj Smith.

By March of next year, Arizona will be rounding into shape as a dangerous challenger to the Stanford Cardinal. Expect to see a starting lineup something like this:

Sam Thomas 6'-0" grad student guard.

Shaina Pellington 5'-8" senior point guard

Anna Gret Asi 5'-10" freshman guard

Cate Reese 6'-2" senior forward

Aaronette Vonleh 6'-3" freshman post player

Adia will have this team playing like Wildcats. Next season will be one to remember. I've got my season tickets - do you?  

THE BEAVERS WILL DEFINITELY BE READY TO CHALLENGE THE CARDINAL COME NEXT MARCH!

You would think the team from Corvallis would be as quiet and stable as the tree-lined streets of this conservative Oregon town - as quiet as its by-the-numbers coach. But no. Oregon State's women's basketball team, like the Ducks and the Bruins this off-season, is a cauldron of instability. Who knows what will come of all this coming and going.

Aleah Goodman sadly is gone. She's trying to find a place in professional basketball.

Sasha Goforth also has sadly gone-forth. She's transferred to her home town school in Fayetteville, the University of Arkansas.   

Jasmine Simmons has gone back home to Australia.

And Savannah Samuel has transferred to West Virginia.

Katie Faulkner, Scott's Assistant, has moved to Seattle to become an Assistant for the Huskies.

Brian Holsinger, another Assistant Coach, has moved to become the Head Coach at Montana.

That's certainly a lot of going, alright. So, who's coming?

There are some terrific recruits:

Greta Kampschroeder is a 6' guard, the 8th ranked recruit in the nation, a McDonald All American who averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds as a senior in high school.

A.J. Marotte is a 6'-1" guard who was a four time 6A All State player and averaged 18 points and 9 rebounds as a senior in high school.

Talea von Oelhoffen is a 5 star, 10th ranked recruit who left high school after three years and played last season at OSU and, for the most part, played like a college junior.

And two good Grad Transfers: Emily Codding a 6' point guard from Saint Mary's University and Tea Adams a 5'-9" guard from San Diego State.

And there are plenty of talented players who are staying:

Taylor Jones, a 6'-4" Junior who was All Pac12 and led the conference in rebounding last season.

Kennedy Brown, a 6'-6" junior post player coming back from injury.

Taya Corosdale a 6'-3" senior forward.

Jovana Subasic, a 6'-4" red shirt senior forward.

Ellie Mack a 6'-3" senior forward.

Jalena Mitrovic a 6'-9" red shirt sophomore post player.

Noelle Mannen a 5'-6" junior guard.

Andrea Aquino a 6'-9" red shirt junior post player.

What will the Beavs look like next March (besides America's tallest Division One roster)? Look for a starting lineup that resembles this:

Emily Codding a 6'-0" grad transfer point guard.

Talea von Oelhoffen a 5'-11" freshman shooting guard.

Greta Kampschroeder a 6'-0" freshman guard.

Taya Corosdale a 6'-3" red shirt senior forward.

Taylor Jones a 6'-4" junior post player.

You'd better believe the PAC12 will be a tough neighborhood next season. The Beavers will definitely be ready to challenge our beloved Cardinal. Their second unit will offer a lot of problems as well. January, February, and March will be more like running a gauntlet than a conference season. And the PAC12 Tournament will feel like a war zone. But if Stanford can emerge victorious and healthy, we'll be battle-hardened and prepared to go for back-to-back championships. 

GO STANFORD!!

UCLA IS A GREAT SCHOOL. CORI CLOSE IS A GREAT COACH. I THINK THEY'LL BECOME A CHALLENGER BY MARCH OF '22

UCLA, like Oregon, is a seething stew of recruits, transfers, opt-ins and opt-outs for last season and the coming season.

Michaela Onyenwere is gone to the WNBA. That's simple and clear.

Some of their players from last season will return: Charisma Osborne will be back, as will Emily Bessoir, Kiara Jefferson, Kayla Owens, Camryn Brown, and Chantel Horvat.

Dominique Darius will return, but use her married name Dominique Onu.

Izzy Anstey was unable to join the team from Australia last season because of Covid19. Apparently she'll play next season.

Gemma Potter was also unable to come from Australia last season, but has since decided to turn pro and won't be coming next season.

Natalie Chou graduated, but will take the extra season offered by the NCAA and play next season.

Jaden Owens has transferred to Baylor and won't be a Bruin (at least not a UCLA Bruin) next season.

Brynn Masikewich opted out of last season and stayed home in Canada rehabbing an injury. It appears she'll play in Westwood next season.

Angela Dugalic transferred from Oregon and will play for UCLA next season.

Iimar'i Thomas, Jaelynn Penn, and Gina Conti are all planning to play for the Bruins next season as Grad Transfers. 

Thomas was a star at Cincinnati as a senior and averaged 23.7                     points and 7.5 rebounds per game. She scored a total of 1900 points and pulled down 800 rebounds in her four year career. She's going to do a lot of damage next season.

Penn was injured much of last season, but was a significant player for an Indiana Hoosier team that was climbing out of the cellar of the Big Ten and ended last season making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Jaelynn will help the team from Westwood.

Conti was Wake Forest's starting point guard who averaged 14 points and 5 assists last season. That's the position UCLA most needed last season and most sorely lacked. Gina Conti will make a big difference in Bruinland next season.    

So, I come out of all that kind of scrambled - but, definitely leaning toward UCLA becoming a challenger for Stanford's regular season and conference tournament championships.

I predict we'll see a starting lineup that looks something like this:

Charisma Osborne        Shooting Guard

Gina Conti                    Point Guard

Iimar'i Thomas             Guard

Emily Bessoir               6'-4' Forward

Angela Dugalic.           6'-4" Forward

I'm anxious to see what Cori can put together - or rather cook up - out of this seething stew. I think she's got the makings of a PAC12 challenger. Beware of the Bruins in 2022. 

 

A PREVIEW OF THE PAC12 TEAMS THAT WILL CHALLENGE THE CARDINAL - STARTING WITH THE OREGON DUCKS

The Ducks are coming and going like crazy. I really don't know what's going on in Eugene. I think of Kelly Graves as one of the best coaches in the country, and he seems like a great guy, as well. So what's up? Taylor Mikesell left and went to Ohio State. Taylor Chavez left for Arizona. Jaz Shelley went to Nebraska. Angela Dugalic left for UCLA. 

Must be a playing time problem. Angela and the others must figure they'll get more playing time for the Bruins. Etc. Etc.

I was stunned by Oregon's poor play against Louisville in the NCAA Tournament. After good games against South Dakota and Georgia they played a total clunker against the Louisville Cardinals and ended up losing by 18. They scored 14 points in the first half! Dana Evans (Louisville's All American guard) had more than that by herself.    

So, what about Oregon's next season?

First off, they get their excellent point guard back. Te-Hina Paopao will play for the USA Under 19 team this summer in Hungary after recovering from a knee injury that kept her out most of last season. She was named to the All PAC12 team as a freshman. And next year she'll make a huge difference and emerge as a star player in our conference.

Sedona Prince will play for the USA AmeriCup Team this summer in Puerto Rico and will return a better player from the experience. She'll anchor the Ducks in the paint as one of the nation's best go-to post players next season. 

Nyara Sabally will play in Germany this summer and come back to Eugene ready to play some inspired basketball for the Ducks.

Chanaya Pinto has enrolled at Oregon after graduating from Northwest Florida State College where she was a starter for two years, including the 2021 National Junior College Champions. She was second team Juco All American and will help the Ducks.

Endiya Rogers, an All-PAC12 player, has decided to transfer as a junior from USC to Oregon. She'll make a huge difference. 

Shannon Dufficy is a 6'-2" forward grad transfer from Missou.

Taylor Hosendove is a 6'-1" guard grad transfer from Georgia State.

Ahlise Hurst is a 5'-9" guard grad transfer from New Mexico. 

Phillipina Kyei is a 6'-8" incoming freshman recruit from Calgary, Alberta Canada. She's originally from Gyana and just started playing basketball three years ago. We'll see what she can do for the Ducks.

Taylor Bigby is a 6'-1" freshman recruit from Las Vegas.  

The returning sophomores:

Kylee Watson 6'-4" Forward

Maddie Scherr 5'-11" Guard

Sydney Parrish 6'-2" Guard

Those that read this blog know that I've predicted that Oregon would have a great year and end up losing to Stanford in the National Championship game next April. That was before I knew that four of their better players were transferring. Are there strong players in the Portal planning to join up? At this point I'm left in a quandary - wondering if the Ducks can get their "quact" together. I think this starting lineup will give anyone a hell of a contest next season:

Te-Hina Paopao 5'-9" Point Guard

Endiya Rogers 5'-7" Shooting Guard

Sydney Parrish 6'-2" Guard

Nyara Sabally 6'-5" Forward

Sedona Prince 6'-7" Center  

 

NEWS FLASH!!

 WHAT FANTASTIC NEWS!!

Anna and Alyssa are coming back!! Both are taking advantage of the NCAA's decision to offer seniors an additional year of eligibility, because of the messed up Covid season they just went through. 

If you were listening during the 2020/2021 season, the Stanford coaches and players were continually commenting about how much help, support, and leadership Alyssa Jerome gave the younger players every day. 

After winning the MVP award for the Tournament, the first thing Haley told the interviewer was how Alyssa put her arm around her before the fourth quarter of the championship game and told her, "This is your time. You can be the MVP. Go out there and win it."

Alyssa dispensed so much selfless maturity and wisdom from the first practice in October to the last quarter in San Antonio, it's impossible to overestimate her benefit to the team next season. Our four new freshmen will have our favorite Canadian there like a coach/player/friend who knows the ropes and wants to help you - and you're eighteen and can use a lot of help.

And Anna. Number 3 is quiet and quick - reticent to shoot and she "loves to play defense." And Oh, I left out tough and determined - great handle, almost no turnovers, terrific passer, surprising rebounder, and when she does shoot, she scores. It's impossible to put a value on Anna Wilson. She's invaluable. Add her to any practice and the defensive intensity increases automatically.  

Let the numbers speak. Against UCLA Charlisse Leger-Walker had 28 points, at Oregon State she had 22 points, and against Anna Wilson she had 6. Everywhere Charlisse wanted to go - Number 3 was already there. 

When Anna and Alyssa decided to return for another year, Stanford instantly got tougher, grittier and a whole lot closer. I couldn't be more thrilled and grateful to have these two very different, but equally important additions to our roster next season.

GO STANFORD!! LET'S GO BACK TO BACK!!   

ONCE AGAIN THE PAC12 PLAYERS AND STANFORD PLAYERS IN PARTICULAR WERE EGREGIOUSLY IGNORED IN THE END OF SEASON AWARDS

I've watched the  semi-final game against South Carolina a number of times on YouTube. It was one of the hardest fought games of the post-season - men or women - well officiated, well coached, and well played. The effort expended by each team was prodigious, and they were so evenly matched you felt throughout that it would come down to the last few seconds.

In spite of their effort to be even-handed, the ESPN coverage was slanted toward the East Coast team. It's a  regional bias pervasive throughout the national sports media - sort of like Texans cheering for Texas teams in bowl games. New York media types can't help preferring eastern teams - especially when they're playing teams from thousands of miles away with players they're much less familiar with.  

Rebecca Lobo was almost worshipful of Aliyah Boston's offense and defense, when to me it looked like Stanford's post players were every bit as effective and kept Boston pretty much in check throughout. When you look at all the All American teams, Aliyah's name is at the top, and she was expected by many to be named the national player of the year. Neither Haley Jones nor Lexie Hull were named to any All American teams - not even third string or honorable mention - nor were they finalists for the Wooden Award (Paige Bueckers won it) or for the Wade Trophy (NaLyssa Smith won it.) (Really?) 

As I see it, Stanford will have to kick the door in and force the eastern writers, analysts, and commentators to recognize the greatness of our players. When you have six or seven great scorers on your team and you play in the toughest conference in the nation, your numbers don't look like Paige's or NaLyssa's. Next year we need to win the NCAA Tournament again - and again in 2023. Then, the voters and selectors will be forced to give our great players the awards and the acclaim they deserve.