Watching the Boston College highlights

[j2d2]

on Sooner Sports I am struck by Maddie Manning's passing. Her ability and awareness seems strikingly like that of Stacy Dales'. She is uncanny.

 

[sybarite]

It is fascinating to watch Maddie make pass after pass that frees up a post, only to receive no assist for it. She is the primary reason that we can get it to the posts. Her ability to penetrate also opens up shooters. I think we are yet to scratch the surface on Maddie, and I don't think she realizes her capabilities yet.

 

[Mac]

I will admit Manning brings great versatility to the line up if she can hit her 3, if we have 4 players who can be respected from the outside in the starting line up it will go a long way this season.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I will admit Manning brings great versatility to the line up if she can hit her 3, if we have 4 players who can be respected from the outside in the starting line up it will go a long way this season.

Peyton is the only outside player whom we can count on to produce consistent scoring. Nothing I would rather see than Maddie start contributing close to Peyton but I'm afraid that's not going to happen.

 

[sybarite]

I'm not sure that we have seen how this team will set up yet.

Vivi and Kay Kay are posts. That's all.

Peyton is a scorer. But, she is also becoming more proficient in rebounding and passing. She is getting some assists.

Gabbi took a few games off. But, she seems to be getting back into the flow. She is an outside shooter and a ball-handler who can drive as well as drive and dish.

Maddie is still experimenting, and I think Sherri is experimenting with Maddie. We have seen that Maddie can take over a game. She is still our best three point shooter and our best free throw shooter. But, she is also our best passer and our best drive and dish passer. She kind of makes a lot of things happen. Given her passes, it is remarkable that she has only ten turnovers.

I still see a lot of experimenting being done. When we go on one of our scoring runs to break open a game, it usually involves one of these players. In one game, it was Derica that hit about 8 straight points.

Beyond this, we still need to see who will be playing. Will it be Gioya? If not Gioya, where does Derica fit in? If we switch to a two in and three out, I expect the two in to be a post along with McKenna or Shaya. EJ seems not to be getting minutes right now. Big learning curve.

I expect that Maddie will become more of a scorer as the season progresses. But, I think her primary role with this team is that of distributor or playmaker.