Looking ahead to next year

[SoonerNorm]

I like Maddie but I would not start her until she realizes she needs to score the basketball. I believe she can, she just consistently turns down opportunities to score. I favor players who are not afraid to score.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I should have added that she needs to cut way down on the turnovers as well.

 

[scrybe]

Agree with both of your last two posts, Norm. But I also think those issues are directly related to Maddie's lack of confidence due to the two ACLs.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Agree with both of your last two posts, Norm. But I also think those issues are directly related to Maddie's lack of confidence due to the two ACLs.

I don't see how taking an open shot can be related to bad knees (as far as I know she has no pain in either knee). I can certainly see a reluctance to penetrate (something Maddie does pretty often) with bad knees but taking an open shot should be a priority whether she has bad knees or not.

 

[sybarite]

I don't see how taking an open shot can be related to bad knees (as far as I know she has no pain in either knee). I can certainly see a reluctance to penetrate (something Maddie does pretty often) with bad knees but taking an open shot should be a priority whether she has bad knees or not.

Do you mean to appear as negative about Maddie as you appear to be from your posts?

 

[Oliver Hardy]

Let me answer that for Norm, Syb.

No more than you appear to be a smitten school boy over her.

 

[sybarite]

Let me answer that for Norm, Syb.

No more than you appear to be a smitten school boy over her.

A good number of us are, if you haven't noticed. We have seen the talent, a talent above what is usually available.

 

[Oliver Hardy]

I am hopeful, Syb. Hopeful. I think Norm is just being cautious and realistic.

Maddie has potential. Next year will be her big exam: can she be a solid, continous, starter and play maker; a player that is a difference maker instead of a 10-12 minute sub off the bench.

As I said in a thread several weeks back. She still has the chance.

Those putting Kornet in the starting line-up or having her as some kind of consistent, significant sub, I am afraid, are going to be sorely disappointed.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I am hopeful, Syb. Hopeful. I think Norm is just being cautious and realistic.

Maddie has potential. Next year will be her big exam: can she be a solid, continous, starter and play maker; a player that is a difference maker instead of a 10-12 minute sub off the bench.

As I said in a thread several weeks back. She still has the chance.

Those putting Kornet in the starting line-up or having her as some kind of consistent, significant sub, I am afraid, are going to be sorely disappointed.

Exactly right. We need to wait and see if that potential can turn into a really good basketball player. It looks like Sherri agrees with that.

 

[scrybe]

I don't see how taking an open shot can be related to bad knees (as far as I know she has no pain in either knee). I can certainly see a reluctance to penetrate (something Maddie does pretty often) with bad knees but taking an open shot should be a priority whether she has bad knees or not.

My point was not that bad knees were keeping Maddie from shooting the basketball. Just that those two devastating injuries may have negatively affected her confidence. And, yes, I do believe that could cause her to be reluctant to shoot the basketball. But, then again, what do I know?

 

[Mac]

Ijeoma has been putting up decent numbers, with a few strong rebounding games. It looks like her season is over.

http://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/ijeoma-odimgbe/7diqIhaDEeOZ5AAmVebBJg/default.htm

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2015/02/17/3570914/kendrick-girls-wear-down-johnson.html

 

[SoonerNorm]

Ijeoma has been putting up decent numbers, with a few strong rebounding games. It looks like her season is over.

http://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/ijeoma-odimgbe/7diqIhaDEeOZ5AAmVebBJg/default.htm

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2015/02/17/3570914/kendrick-girls-wear-down-johnson.html

I am interested to see what Sherri has in mind for Odimgbe. The other day I penciled her in as a starter for no other reason than, I can't figure out why she signed Odimgbe when we have Kaylon, Treece, and ViVi in the lineup to play center. To bring her in as a fourth center just makes no sense to me. Reading between the lines, it seems like Sherri may want to double up with bigs even thought that is foreign to what she has done in some time. Could this be a return to the days of Courtney and Ashley? Might be. Could be. We'll see.

 

[35TangoTango]

I am interested to see what Sherri has in mind for Odimgbe. The other day I penciled her in as a starter for no other reason than, I can't figure out why she signed Odimgbe when we have Kaylon, Treece, and ViVi in the lineup to play center. To bring her in as a fourth center just makes no sense to me. Reading between the lines, it seems like Sherri may want to double up with bigs even thought that is foreign to what she has done in some time. Could this be a return to the days of Courtney and Ashley? Might be. Could be. We'll see.

And with Mulkey coming in the next year, I would think that if there's any chance Odimgbe could develop a face-the-basket game, we'd try her at forward.

 

[sybarite]

And with Mulkey coming in the next year, I would think that if there's any chance Odimgbe could develop a face-the-basket game, we'd try her at forward.

I'm wondering if the reverse isn't more likely. From what I have read, Odimgbe is a rebounder and shot blocker. I have seen nothing indicating that she is a shooter. Nancy is a shooter. I wonder if we, on offense, don't use Nancy as a high post because she can hit a free throw line jumper, and Odimgbe down low. They can't guard both.

 

[Mac]

I'm wondering if the reverse isn't more likely. From what I have read, Odimgbe is a rebounder and shot blocker. I have seen nothing indicating that she is a shooter. Nancy is a shooter. I wonder if we, on offense, don't use Nancy as a high post because she can hit a free throw line jumper, and Odimgbe down low. They can't guard both.

I agree, Mulkey is the one I would want shooting, she has a nice high release... someone compared her to Anna Prins (ISU).

 

[YCN]

Just to make a statement, Maddie's not a true 4 nor will she ever be. Sherri is loath to place labels on players, but Ms. M's position on the court needs to be Wing.

Maryland won a national championship on the shoulders of a wing. Maddie's not the biggest wing, but the way she can penetrate and pass, and rebound against the bigs, Wing is the only position that truly suits her.

For anyone who doesn't have a clue about what I'm saying, a wing is a special kind of forward with a combination of guard and post skills. Unlike a "true" 4, a wing works outside in, and is capable of stop-and-pop for a 3, or to penetrate to score against bigger players. The usual occupation of the power forward is to post up looking away from the basket, somewhere in the vicinity of the free throw line.

She'll never be that player, but she sure has great possibilities as a wing/forward.

 

[sybarite]

I agree, Mulkey is the one I would want shooting, she has a nice high release... someone compared her to Anna Prins (ISU).

In some respects, Mulkey is more like Griner. Prins was never really a go to the rim player, nor was she a shot blocker. Griner played better facing the basket once she developed her little jumper. She could hit it over anyone, and it was deadly. She could also hit free throws. If you remember, Williams was the rebounder. Everyone guarded Griner, and Williams played like a tougher Nina Davis, although not quite as astute. I wouldn't be surprised to see Mulkey in a combination with Vivi or Odimgbe in that Griner/Williams format. Both Odimgbe and Vivi are bigger than Williams was.

 

[YCN]

In some respects, Mulkey is more like Griner. Prins was never really a go to the rim player, nor was she a shot blocker. Griner played better facing the basket once she developed her little jumper. She could hit it over anyone, and it was deadly. She could also hit free throws. If you remember, Williams was the rebounder. Everyone guarded Griner, and Williams played like a tougher Nina Davis, although not quite as astute. I wouldn't be surprised to see Mulkey in a combination with Vivi or Odimgbe in that Griner/Williams format. Both Odimgbe and Vivi are bigger than Williams was.

My fondest dream is that Nancy could become some sort of Super-Wing, a player that has guard skills and can drive and post up, but who you'd never want to see in your face in the lane on a drive.

I can wish if I want to...

 

[sybarite]

My fondest dream is that Nancy could become some sort of Super-Wing, a player that has guard skills and can drive and post up, but who you'd never want to see in your face in the lane on a drive.

I can wish if I want to...

Nancy? Dribble? Can she? That's a lot of distance that a ball has to bounce to get back up to her hand.

 

[YCN]

Nancy? Dribble? Can she? That's a lot of distance that a ball has to bounce to get back up to her hand.

She didn't start as a giant. Neither did David Robinson, who was a 6'1" point guard when he was accepted to the Naval Academy, and 6'9" when he showed up on campus, and 7'0" by his sophomore year.