I don't think the type of offense is that big of a deal. You play the cards that are dealt. It may be easier to recruit to a four-guard offense, but those guards must be able to defend taller players and rebound.
We really had a pretty good mix in 2002. We just ran into probably the best team of all time in the finals. How many of those were stars in the pros for years? We had some borderline superstars who just missed being great as individuals. But, they fit together well. What was the position of each of those starters? Were they a typical 1,2,3,4,5-team?
What I tend to see is what I think would work well for Sherri. She coaches guards well, and she always seems to have a forward who plays tough. What I think we have lacked is the Breanna-type, as everyone does. But, what that means is a type that can create when the other team's defense is working. I rather like what Sherri is recruiting in that regard.
If the other team is playing solid defense, we may find that Maddie does have a bit of Breanna in her. She can drive better than anyone other than DRob. She can hit from outside. She has shown that she can hit short jumpers. Can she put all of that together and create? What about Gioya or Derica? Everything that I've read says they might be able to create when the defense tightens up. They are the type that can hit from anywhere. Curiously, that's the impression that I had of Peyton.
I've not been jealous of the teams that had a Griner or a "name your favorite Ohio State center here." I've always wanted a Candice Parker or Wiggins or Augustus type that could create on their own, although I don't know that Parker fits that. Wiggins and Augustus, like Breanna, could shoot from outside, drive for a jump shot, or drive the lane. One player like that can set up your posts, spot shooters, etc. We've not really had that. I had high hopes for Whitney prior to her injury. Now, I am looking to Maddie----or Gioya, Derica, or Peyton.
It just isn't a good idea to play a 1,2,3,4,5-offense if you can't recruit that type of player. UConn usually can, but even UConn doesn't always have what they want. Everyone else seems to be short a piece. The missing piece tends to be an outstanding post (not many around), a creator, or a point. That two-guard has to be more than just a spot shooter for the team to be successful.
If you look at ND, they seem to have a great scheme, just not the superstars that others have. They beat UConn what, seven of eight, until Breanna grew up? Once the star got some confidence, she overwhelmed the ND superiority in scheme.
