I am the eternal optimist, and I have to agree with this. I really think we are getting close to putting the pieces together of having a team that can certainly compete for one over the next 3 to 4 years. I don't worry about putting points in the basket, if we can shore up our interior defense and rebounding, we are getting close to being tough to beat. It will be interesting what we see on the recruiting front the next couple of years.
I tend to the opposite direction. I think we will always be able to play defense. Sherri teaches the type of defense that takes away good shots and runs the shot clock down. That results in fewer fouls than trying to steal the ball, which some regard as defense.
I think that we had the pieces === almost===when Courtney was a freshman. We had a fairly dominant interior that could score and rebound. What we lacked is something that I don't think we've had in recent years----a couple of scorers. Even one can be enough, if it is the right type.
If you make the Sweet Sixteen, the chances are pretty good that you play outstanding defense. Sweet Sixteen teams tend to be well-coached, have some talent, and play defense. The thing that separates teams from that point is whether they can score. Do they have someone that is particularly difficult to guard, or who can make things happen. Do they have a Sophia, an Angel, a Maya, a Breanna? Teams that win have one thing that the teams that don't win don't have, or they have better, they have someone who can overcome the defense.
We have had some pretty good scorers, but they aren't the type that can take over a game in the Final Four. Indeed, they can disappear.
If we want to, we probably have the talent to make the Final Four next year, assuming that Kaylon and Maddie are healthy by mid-year. If they have had a full recovery by the end of the season, we can do it. Defense is a matter of want to---and Sherri generally has players who want to. Rebounding is a matter of want to. If we have a couple of good rebounders between Nicole Griffin, Nicole Kornet, Kaylon, Portia, Shaya, and Maddie, we will be OK on the boards. A couple of them have to want to.
I look more to what we might see from Maddie, Derica, Gioya, and Sharane as scorers. We know who Aaryn is. What we need is scoers who can make things happen when it is tough, who can hit mid-range shots as well as long range shots. We need an Angel, a Breanna, a Lewis----the kids who want the ball when we can't score and want to make it happen.
My excitement about Maddie is that I saw someone who I think will be like this. I see a little of Breanna in Maddie. Maddie is less polished---right now. But, she also has an attitude. We also need that attitude. I was very excited when I saw the video of Shaya against Miami. I may even be more excited by the shooting skills that I saw from Derica in the finals. I'm looking for that go-to scorer---or two---who can make it happen. I think that is what has kept us from the title.