OK, There's not much in the news about the WBB program lately (its getting to be Football Season don't ya know) so lets talk a little about what we Do know.
We know the 2017-18 WBB roster will include five new faces this season (at least players that did not see the floor last year). That is, if you include Rachel Blackburn, who sat out the year to recuperate from surgery; Bria Stallworth and Janay Morton who practiced but had to sit the year out because of transfer rules, And highly-regarded incoming freshmen, Kate Cain and Taylor Kissinger (the 20th ranked incoming class in WBB by some accounts).
I expect a vastly better season this year than last (only seven, count-'em, seven wins last year, not including the squeaker win in the Exhibition game) despite the necessity of having to replace productivity from the departing Jessica Shepard (18.6 ppg & 9.8 rpg). It will be difficult to replace Shepard's contributions; But, the task will be a lot easier by the eligibility of Stallworth (13.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists pg during her freshman year at UMass) and Morton (13.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists pg as a Jr at Eastern Michigan).
I think we can also expect Year-over-Year improvement in the games of (now) Sophmores, Nicea Eliely, Hannah Whitish, and Grace Mitchell; as well as continuing maturity from Juniors Maddie Simon, Darrien Washington, and Seniors Jasmine Cincore & Emily Wood. Lets add in that despite being over-matched all season, five of the 22 losses last year were by 10 points or less. Last season, the team was characterized by 'Grit; No Quit,' in face of the disappointing losses. There is also the distinct prospect of better Team Chemistry and coordination this year as the team gains familiarity with new Coach Amy Williams and her Assistants.
There are several challenging games in the non-con (Clemsen, Creighton, Drake, Kansas, etc.) that should tell us a little more about where the season is headed.
Lastly, lets add to the above the four commitments so far for 2018-19; three- 4* and one-3* recruits (see the separate thread) and the prospects for a resurgence in the fortunes of the Husker WBB program may not be so improbable after all.
We know the 2017-18 WBB roster will include five new faces this season (at least players that did not see the floor last year). That is, if you include Rachel Blackburn, who sat out the year to recuperate from surgery; Bria Stallworth and Janay Morton who practiced but had to sit the year out because of transfer rules, And highly-regarded incoming freshmen, Kate Cain and Taylor Kissinger (the 20th ranked incoming class in WBB by some accounts).
I expect a vastly better season this year than last (only seven, count-'em, seven wins last year, not including the squeaker win in the Exhibition game) despite the necessity of having to replace productivity from the departing Jessica Shepard (18.6 ppg & 9.8 rpg). It will be difficult to replace Shepard's contributions; But, the task will be a lot easier by the eligibility of Stallworth (13.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists pg during her freshman year at UMass) and Morton (13.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists pg as a Jr at Eastern Michigan).
I think we can also expect Year-over-Year improvement in the games of (now) Sophmores, Nicea Eliely, Hannah Whitish, and Grace Mitchell; as well as continuing maturity from Juniors Maddie Simon, Darrien Washington, and Seniors Jasmine Cincore & Emily Wood. Lets add in that despite being over-matched all season, five of the 22 losses last year were by 10 points or less. Last season, the team was characterized by 'Grit; No Quit,' in face of the disappointing losses. There is also the distinct prospect of better Team Chemistry and coordination this year as the team gains familiarity with new Coach Amy Williams and her Assistants.
There are several challenging games in the non-con (Clemsen, Creighton, Drake, Kansas, etc.) that should tell us a little more about where the season is headed.
Lastly, lets add to the above the four commitments so far for 2018-19; three- 4* and one-3* recruits (see the separate thread) and the prospects for a resurgence in the fortunes of the Husker WBB program may not be so improbable after all.