Kornet's role in 15-16

[TheMont]

I'm really interested in discussing how Kornet fits into the rotation for next season.

At the beginning of last season, she played heavy minutes. She started twice and otherwise was quick off the bench and played 20-30 minutes. And she played well. A bit inconsistent offensively, but so was everyone else. Then conference play happened and her minutes dropped dramatically. She only played double digit minutes 3 times (twice in blowouts). She had a couple of DNPs. She played 3 total minutes in the Big 12 tournament.

Someone said in another thread that this team is at its best when Gioya Carter is player her best. I agree. At the beginning of conference play when the team went on a run, Gioya was playing at a torrid, All-American pace, and Kornet essentially lost her spot. Maddie also needs minutes. I agree with a ton of posters here who think she has the highest ceiling on this team and can impact a game with ease. I was thrilled when everything started to connect for her and she earned more playing time.

Last year's team had a lot of parts, particularly at the 2 and 3 positions. Sherri seemed a bit lost early on with rotations/minutes. When she figured it out and turned the season around with the start of conference play, that was one of her greatest accomplishments IMO. Unfortunately, Kornet was negatively affected and I personally don't think it was deserved.

I've read a lot of people (including Sherri, if I recall correctly) chalking it up to Kornet needing to play better defense. Now I'm not an expert (and I 100% think Sherri is) and I also do not attend practices, but when she was playing heavy minutes, I don't remember her making many absentminded defense plays. Even later in the season, when our guards were in heavy foul trouble (partly due to poor defense), Nicole didn't even get relief time.

She seems like an absolutely great kid and, to her credit, her enthusiasm was untethered when she lost playing time. But she brings a Whitney Hand-esque joy when she plays, and I hope she can find her role. Thoughts?

 

[sybarite]

I did watch Kornet on defense in one game. She came in, got out of position, and was responsible almost single-handedly for an opponent's quick five points. She was under the rim when the player she was guarding made a three. She lunged out there, but much too late, not getting with six feet at the time of the shot.

I keep watching Kornet and seeing the talent that had her labeled as an All-American. She has the ability. She has the energy. She makes things happen. Unfortunately, Kornet is still a freshman. That's the only way that I can describe it. She plays like a freshman. She looks for a place for her shot rather than creating a shot, which she can. She moves too late to the proper place to be on defense, and it gets her in trouble.

If she would settle down and get into the flow, get her ten minutes per game and hustle, she could be very useful. She has to learn to be in the right spot on defense. She has to learn to use her feet before getting the ball or before the person she's guarding has the ball. She doesn't prepare or prevent. She needs to just do that. When she gets a shot, take it. But, use her natural ability to do simple things: cover your player, shoot when open, crash the boards but not over the back.

If Maddie and Gabbi get into their smooth running game, Kornet can excel in that. She is good in the open court, and they love to run. Both get the ball down the court in a hurry. That gives them a chance to use their natural abilities. Maddie can run and jump. Gabbi can operate in the open court and create. Notice that Gabbi or Maddie brought the ball up, and things happened when they did. Peyton is a little slower and can be caught. She is most effective when she steals it herself and gets behind the defense before it reacts. I think Gioya is better in a set offense. She can make things happen in a set, especially if she is squared away when she drives. She has to get square before she shoots on those drives into the middle. Deadly when she does, and she gets it to Kay Kay well in that situation.

Sherri mentioned that Peyton and Maddie understand each other and work together well. I think we saw a little of Vivi getting into that. But, it seemed like Gioya and Kay Kay were in one game, with Peyton, Maddie, and Gabbi in another. That flow has to intertwine this year.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Kornet has some natural ability but she doesn't have a high basketball IQ to direct her talent. I think Sherri has lost confidence in her and unless she starts playing smarter, I doubt she will get significant minutes in close games.

 

[Oliver Hardy]

I agree with Norm. She is going to be a sub-10 minute a game reserve with a couple of solid games coming off the bench.


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