@Wisconsin - WNIT Super 16 - Thursday, 3/28/2024 - 7 pm - B1G+

[Reggie Redbird]

Waite’s speed is going to need to pick up for next year to take advantage of minutes opening up. She seemed to move to a role where she played if she was hitting 3s or else was out because opponents would quickly target her on the defensive end. The Charleston game was a great example of how good of a weapon she can be.

Post presence from the portal or JUCO ranks will be a must. McGowan has talent and strength not often found in the MVC, but it will be difficult for her and the incoming post recruit to absorb everything. Coffey should see more time as a stretch 4, but she was normally out on the perimeter.

It’s hard not to argue putting in P5 teams, even those with a losing record, if they mow down the top competition from mid-major conferences. I feel the squad that showed up against Marquette and Drake could have won this game, but that level of play didn’t happen on the road.

 

[Loyl2u]

Overall, I think this game was a reflection of the majority of the season and Wisconsin was built perfectly to beat us, a team that was simply a bigger reflection of the Birds with many common weaknesses. On defense, we saw a team this season unwilling or unable to pressure on the perimeter full time and lack of weak side help leading to lots of open looks without challenge for opponents, right in Whisky’s comfort zone.

Losing Abby was a blow at both ends, she plays the best consistent perimeter defense of Bird’s guards and meant one less shooting option, but what I really thought we lost from the last several years was movement. ISU did a lot of standing around in half-court offense this year and walking the ball up the floor. If both teams are standing around, the taller team(Whisky)is going to generally dominate. When I saw Abby in street clothes, my only positive thought was with Shannon and Day on the floor together, we might see increased transition looks, but that didn’t happen, as they had rare touches in open court or the point. As Madbird noted, the inability to finish around the bucket-rushing has been an ongoing issue.

Time for the Birds to get quicker, stronger, increase their endurance/intensity and reload. Looking forward to what the next rendition of ISU Women’s basketball will bring!

 

[MadBird]

Time for the Birds to get quicker, stronger, increase their endurance/intensity and reload. Looking forward to what the next rendition of ISU Women’s basketball will bring!

Yes.

And I thought Dowell looked pretty good, thin as a rail but quick and solid with the ball. Coffey looked pretty good, but had a couple "lapses" in her floor game, but had a couple nice buckets. Lenz is built a little more like the UW ladies, stronger frame, harder to get off her mark. McGowan didn't contribute last night, but has some good size and strength, it appears. So the freshman look pretty decent.

Help is on the way!

 

[mvcfan80]

Yes.

And I thought Dowell looked pretty good, thin as a rail but quick and solid with the ball. Coffey looked pretty good, but had a couple "lapses" in her floor game, but had a couple nice buckets. Lenz is built a little more like the UW ladies, stronger frame, harder to get off her mark. McGowan didn't contribute last night, but has some good size and strength, it appears. So the freshman look pretty decent.

Help is on the way!

The assumption that talented freshmen, sophomores or juniors will remain here or at any MM is no longer a valid assumption. It may happen but it can not be taken for granted. Hopefully we will retain Dowell, etc but it is a different era than it was even last year or the year before. Dowell likely has or will be approached by others with more NIL monies (even though players are not to be approached unless and until a player enters the transfer portal) and so let's see where we are when the smoke clears over the next few weeks. Fortunately the transfer portal also can and often does provide really good players to strong MM like us. Some look to join a better team and some P5 players are looking for more playing time

 

[MadBird]

The assumption that talented freshmen, sophomores or juniors will remain here or at any MM is no longer a valid assumption. It may happen but it can not be taken for granted. Hopefully we will retain Dowell, etc but it is a different era than it was even last year or the year before. Dowell likely has or will be approached by others with more NIL monies (even though players are not to be approached unless and until a player enters the transfer portal) and so let's see where we are when the smoke clears over the next few weeks. Fortunately the transfer portal also can and often does provide really good players to strong MM like us. Some look to join a better team and some P5 players are looking for more playing time

sad but true

 

[mvcfan80]

sad but true

Really sad. You get attached to players and look forward to their time here and then they may leave unexpectedly.

 

[Redbird82]

Was a good not great season, 4 straight post season, would have been 5 if not for COVID. This year we did not have the dynamic scorer we had the last 2-3 years. Dowell or incoming freshman Nelson may remedy that. Defense wasn’t quite as good as usual. Already a couple portal departures we will see what else develops, Wong returning is a positive for sure. No doubt we will be competitive, we will be as long as Gillespie is here…