WBB: Griner and Wilson

[ScottS]

I know this is looking ahead to next season, but what does everyone think about these 2 on the court at the same time and how do you think other teams will defend against it? Also, if KM can recruit Kelsey Bone, you'd have a 6'3" Wilson, 6'5" KBone, and 6'8" Griner. I say that would be unstoppable. National title.

[ScottS]

Here is a write up on Bone.
http://www.illinihq.com/news/print/2009/01/27/bone_to_pick_illini_in_hunt

She looks like another Courtney Paris.

[SmokeyMt.Bear]

I know this is looking ahead to next season, but what does everyone think about these 2 on the court at the same time and how do you think other teams will defend against it? Also, if KM can recruit Kelsey Bone, you'd have a 6'3" Wilson, 6'5" KBone, and 6'8" Griner. I say that would be unstoppable. National title.

Would be very difficult to defend if we have kids who can knock down threes. What scares me is that if the game is close late, as neither of this kids shoots FTs very well at all, it might become a foul shooting contest that we would lose. OU has lost several games over the past four years, including to us, when Paris was put on the line late. Other than that one area, I see no side to this pairing at all.

[setshot]

I venture to suggest that the combination of Wilson and Griner, assuming that they are on the floor at the same time, whether in a zone or in a man-to-man (woman) defense, would pose the most formidable interior defense in the history of women's collegiate basketball. Wilson is an outstanding defender and a great shot-blocker, and there is no question that Griner, at 6'8" and an 86" wingspan and mobile as well, will be a force in the interior unlike anything we have seen before.

It will be interesting to see how Mulkey aligns them on the offensive end. I would put Griner up high much of the time, where her height would create passing opportunities for Wilson as well as for the perimeter cutters, and it would enable her to crash the offensive board. Wilson could exchange with her without much loss of continuity, depending on the defender assigned to each. It will be fun, and productive.

One thing is certain--it will allow great pressure to be put on the perimeter players on opposing teams, because any sashay into the paint will likely be a misadventure. I expect a lot of transition baskets and points off the break, next year. I also expect Melissa Jones to be a very integral part of the team....she is steady, an improving perimeter shooter, a good ball handler, and does a good job on the weakside boards. But the key will be the health and the adjustment of the other girls coming in with Griner. They will have to be better than most frosh players are in the early going, and improve by Conference time if the Lady Bears are to be the team that we all hope that they will be.

[fathermoon]

Here is a write up on Bone.
http://www.illinihq.com/news/print/2009/01/27/bone_to_pick_illini_in_hunt

She looks like another Courtney Paris.

The article didn't mention Baylor. Is Bone considering us? Don't tease, Scott. No teasing allowed.

[caesarscott]

The article didn't mention Baylor. Is Bone considering us? Don't tease, Scott. No teasing allowed.
not that plugged into recruting but the last i heard it was UT vs Aggy, with a lean towards Aggy

[xiledinok]

I am so sick of the Brittany Griner threads. I've been told by other school fans that we could win national championships with her. Those fans aren't Baylor fans and are rivals of the school get her on campus. Get BTT to be her body guard for 4 years (blind fold him on occassions). Get her here!

[SmokeyMt.Bear]

not that plugged into recruting but the last i heard it was UT vs Aggy, with a lean towards Aggy

I heard from scouts she will be better within a year than anyone in college ball (not my thoughts, but she must be pretty dog gone good to get that kind of praise). Baylor is not on her list, from what I hear neither is A&M. Texas is her #2 with South Carolina #1. She is a huge Dawn Staley fan, so . . . I am thinking she is heading east. If she goes to Texas and teams with Reed, could be quiet a duo inside.

[uglytobone]

I wonder what practices are going to be like. It's bound to mess with their heads when driving in the paint.

[BUChris]

I know this is looking ahead to next season, but what does everyone think about these 2 on the court at the same time and how do you think other teams will defend against it? Also, if KM can recruit Kelsey Bone, you'd have a 6'3" Wilson, 6'5" KBone, and 6'8" Griner. I say that would be unstoppable. National title.


I was eating my pablum and when I read this I just drooled. :loopy: Is coach working on Bone to recruit her? Maybe she thinks Washington could do the same thing, but then what do I know.

[ScottS]

Ok, I have no inside information. The only things I've seen are an Aggy lean, with UT in there, plus SC and IL. I just think, without a signature yet, that we should still try. Otherwise, we will be going against her. We've seen what OU has had for 4 years, with CP.

[ScottS]

I am so sick of the Brittany Griner threads.

X,
If you are sick of them, why click?

[Juncbear]

In 5A ball, to my knowledge, they have met only one time and that was this past November 22. Dulles won the game, 64-63. Griner scored 24 points, 10-20 and 4-6 FT. Bone totaled 18 points, 7-15 (46.67%) and 4-6 FT. Rebounding went to Griner with 10 (5 OREB, 5 DREB) and Bone had 7 (2 OREB, 5 DREB). Griner also won the blocked shots 6 to 0.

Box score
http://www.chron.com/sports/highschoolsports/results.html?site=default&Season=2008&tpl=Boxscore&Sport=22&ID=27367&TeamID=1197&SearchType=Teams

The two teams could possibly meet again in the playoffs. Nimitz finished district play with a perfect 12-0 record and overall record of 31-1 and still ranked at the top of 5A girls basketball. Dulles is in the top 5, #4 I believe. Nimitz will start the playoffs against Chavez High at 7:30 tuesday Feb. 17 at the Barnett Sports Complex just south of Loop 610 at 6800 Fairway, off Telephone Road.

[SmokeyMt.Bear]

We should all be excited but cautious no matter the level of skills displayed in high school. In the pre message board and internet days the sports magazines really stoked the recruiting fires by spotlighting can't miss high school phenoms. The one who got more hype than any other was Ralph Sampson. He was going to change the way the game was played. He was dominating, but his team never won an ACC title, much less an NC (yet everyone predicted both). And he was incredibly skilled. 7' 3", could handled the ball like a guard, good outside shot, but...

Tiffany Jackson was labeled the same way in the women's game. Tenn and Texas fought over her and when she went to Austin it was a assumed that, coupled to all the other talent they had, the Horns would reign for four years. An unknown and overlooked Sophia Young ate her alive. Jackson simply never got much better than she was in high school.

Griner and Bone might live up to the hype, but once they step up to major college basketball unseen weaknesses might bubble to the top. And, it takes a team to win this game. Our men pretty much shut down Griffin the other night, but some overlooked kids on OU beat us. Last year KSU's Beasley lit us up for more than 40 points and 20 boards, and we still won.

Bottom line, relish the fact we landed #1 but don't let your expectations get too high. Right now Tenn has nine McDonalds' All-Americans and are having problems beating teams with none.

[BEAR]

Wit her arrival....
The departure of the "Promise Land Boys"
and the total bust of the Drew Crew this year....
Women's Basketball will once again claim its place as the #1 Winter Sport in Waco.

[DefenseFirst]

I would imagine that Bone, a consensus national top 3 player, doesn't want to compete to be the best post in her own recruiting class. KMR plainly made her first choice to make a run at Griner, and she of course succeeded. You can't blame Bone (or Reed, if you believe that KMR recruited her) for looking to other top programs in Texas and elsewhere.

I think that Griner will be the best recruiting tool Baylor has ever seen. With all the media coverage that she's sure to bring, top HS players will surely be aching for some national media attention. I imagine KMR will be able to sign a couple deadly shooters with all the double- and triple-teams Griner will attract. Man, I really hope we pull Odyssey Sims back on board - I saw her play over the Christmas holidays and she's pretty salty in the open floor.

Also, I hear that Bone is almost surely going to A&M.

[fathermoon]

We should all be excited but cautious no matter the level of skills displayed in high school. In the pre message board and internet days the sports magazines really stoked the recruiting fires by spotlighting can't miss high school phenoms. The one who got more hype than any other was Ralph Sampson. He was going to change the way the game was played. He was dominating, but his team never won an ACC title, much less an NC (yet everyone predicted both). And he was incredibly skilled. 7' 3", could handled the ball like a guard, good outside shot, but...

Tiffany Jackson was labeled the same way in the women's game. Tenn and Texas fought over her and when she went to Austin it was a assumed that, coupled to all the other talent they had, the Horns would reign for four years. An unknown and overlooked Sophia Young ate her alive. Jackson simply never got much better than she was in high school.

Griner and Bone might live up to the hype, but once they step up to major college basketball unseen weaknesses might bubble to the top. And, it takes a team to win this game. Our men pretty much shut down Griffin the other night, but some overlooked kids on OU beat us. Last year KSU's Beasley lit us up for more than 40 points and 20 boards, and we still won.

Bottom line, relish the fact we landed #1 but don't let your expectations get too high. Right now Tenn has nine McDonalds' All-Americans and are having problems beating teams with none.

I agree with your points, but remember that Griner isn't the only good player coming in next season. The entire class is ranked (or has been ranked) in the top 25 by recruiting services, so one woman will not the Baylor team be. Wilson will be just as crucial next year as she is this year, and like setshot said, Melissa Jones is going to be an important player as well.

[SmokeyMt.Bear]

I agree with your points, but remember that Griner isn't the only good player coming in next season. The entire class is ranked (or has been ranked) in the top 25 by recruiting services, so one woman will not the Baylor team be. Wilson will be just as crucial next year as she is this year, and like setshot said, Melissa Jones is going to be an important player as well.

Agreed, and that should make us good, but even with who Tenn gets every year, they don't always come together at a team to win it all (9 of their freshman and sophs were in the top 25). A few years back it took them a while to find their rhythm with Candace Parker (and everyone of those players were McDonald's All Americans). Four years ago Texas supposedly had the best recruiting class of all time. Between ACL tears and kids who simply were overrated, that group has produced nothing worth bragging about.

I think your best point is on Jones. Two schools were serious about her...us and Colorado State (a mid-major at best). But, as you stated, she might well be the key to having a very good team next year. Often the difference makers are the kids who are off the radar.

[ScottS]

Turk was supposed to get us Candace Parker.

[CentexBear]

I know this is looking ahead to next season, but what does everyone think about these 2 on the court at the same time and how do you think other teams will defend against it? Also, if KM can recruit Kelsey Bone, you'd have a 6'3" Wilson, 6'5" KBone, and 6'8" Griner. I say that would be unstoppable. National title.

They will shoot the ball and make baskets.

While on defense, they will have their arms/hands in the air.

[setshot]

Once Griner committed to Baylor two summers ago, the likelihood that Reed or Bone would sign up with the Lady Bears was almost nil. Griner will be the post player, and neither of these other two girls were going to dislodge her.
They are fine prospects, but Griner is a once in a lifetime recruit.

She cannot win it by herself, but she will make everyone around her appear to be much better than they would otherwise be because of her intimidation in the paint. They will need to recruit another post player to replace Wilson, because every team needs a competent back-up in the middle.

Mulkey has recruited tall, athletic players to complement Griner, and if even two of them live up to expectations, this will be a formidable defensive team with plenty of offensive firepower. And the young lady from Tulsa, Palmer, may not possess a well-rounded game at this point, but she has one of the quickest releases from the perimeter that I have ever seen and is very accurate. Jones also will be a threat from three point range next year. Teams that collapse on Griner and Wilson will pay a price for it.

[ChapBear]

Once Griner committed to Baylor two summers ago, the likelihood that Reed or Bone would sign up with the Lady Bears was almost nil. Griner will be the post player, and neither of these other two girls were going to dislodge her.
They are fine prospects, but Griner is a once in a lifetime recruit.

She cannot win it by herself, but she will make everyone around her appear to be much better than they would otherwise be because of her intimidation in the paint. They will need to recruit another post player to replace Wilson, because every team needs a competent back-up in the middle.

Mulkey has recruited tall, athletic players to complement Griner, and if even two of them live up to expectations, this will be a formidable defensive team with plenty of offensive firepower. And the young lady from Tulsa, Palmer, may not possess a well-rounded game at this point, but she has one of the quickest releases from the perimeter that I have ever seen and is very accurate. Jones also will be a threat from three point range next year. Teams that collapse on Griner and Wilson will pay a price for it.

Great analysis as usual Set. I would add that I don't believe that Bone is really in the same class as Griner. There was some footage recently of Griner playing an AAU game against a team that had Bone and Reed. Neither one was 1/2 the player of Griner. As you stated, because teams will find it difficult to get inside on us, the exterior defense can be intense. Some weaker teams may find it very difficult to score at all, except maybe at the foul line. The team this year can shut good Big 12 teams down for 5,7,10 minutes at a time. We kept Nebraska without a hoop for 11 or 12 minutes in the second half.

[fujobear]

Smokey is right. Look at Rutgers this year. There is more parity in women's BB and Hoopgurlz only rank players they've seen, which leaves alot of good or great players spread around. Look at LSU with Seimone and Fowles... they never won a NC.

[fujobear]

neither did Texas with Kevin Durant, and now they're expecting him to be the leading scorer in the NBA

[setshot]

Good points, all. There is a good chance that Field will be an effective high post player, with her good shot-making ability and her capacity to learn to make the interior pass. She is a bit of a 'Tweener, but makes up for it with hard work and good physicality. We will see how she develops, and whether or not she can learn to defend away from the paint, which she will have to do.

My initial post on Griner was that she would likely do for women's basketball what Bill Russell did for men's....become the dominant interior defender with enough offensive skill to help carry the team through rough patches. I watched him while he was at USF, and much of what he was able to do in terms of forcing opponents away from effective penetration and guarding not only his own man, but an entire area of the floor, Griner should be able to do. She has many of the same qualities, the capacity to run the floor, to move laterally, to block shots without making physical contact, to pass out of double-teams, and to play within herself, unselfish and geared to whatever the team needs from her at a given time. The intimidation factor that she will bring will be unlike anything the women's collegiate game has ever seen.

This is different from someone with a scorer's mentality. And Sampson, for all of his height and skill, was really a forward or guard in a 7'3" body. I do not think that post players who really wants to show that they can do it all, play on the perimeter, dribble and handle the ball, shoot from the outside, etc. are really going to bring the same qualities to the floor as the ones who define their position and improve upon it steadily. I have seen almost all the great ones of the past sixty years, and Russell is the one who most impressed me as understanding exactly what his role was and blending it in with his team. Alcindor/Jabbar was the most valuable college post player I have seen, and Bill Walton was the best all-around, but there have been a lot of great ones.

But Russell was the greatest team sport winner in the history of American sport. Two time NCAA champion, Olympic Gold, 11 NBA championships in 13 years as a professional, and in one game, winner-take-all, someone is going home games, his record was 21-0 for his career.
I do not imagine Griner to be quite in that atmosphere, no one else ever has been, but I do think that she has the physical qualities, and I am hoping that she has the mental ones, to make an impact on women's basketball not too dissimilar from the one that Russell brought to the men's game. Health and good fortune are a part of the picture for her, but she has chosen the right school and the right coaches with whom to cast her fortune, and Baylor fans should be excited about the possibility of team excellence that may come as a result.

[BUChris]

Good points, all. There is a good chance that Field will be an effective high post player, with her good shot-making ability and her capacity to learn to make the interior pass. She is a bit of a 'Tweener, but makes up for it with hard work and good physicality. We will see how she develops, and whether or not she can learn to defend away from the paint, which she will have to do.

My initial post on Griner was that she would likely do for women's basketball what Bill Russell did for men's....become the dominant interior defender with enough offensive skill to help carry the team through rough patches. I watched him while he was at USF, and much of what he was able to do in terms of forcing opponents away from effective penetration and guarding not only his own man, but an entire area of the floor, Griner should be able to do. She has many of the same qualities, the capacity to run the floor, to move laterally, to block shots without making physical contact, to pass out of double-teams, and to play within herself, unselfish and geared to whatever the team needs from her at a given time. The intimidation factor that she will bring will be unlike anything the women's collegiate game has ever seen.

This is different from someone with a scorer's mentality. And Sampson, for all of his height and skill, was really a forward or guard in a 7'3" body. I do not think that post players who really wants to show that they can do it all, play on the perimeter, dribble and handle the ball, shoot from the outside, etc. are really going to bring the same qualities to the floor as the ones who define their position and improve upon it steadily. I have seen almost all the great ones of the past sixty years, and Russell is the one who most impressed me as understanding exactly what his role was and blending it in with his team. Alcindor/Jabbar was the most valuable college post player I have seen, and Bill Walton was the best all-around, but there have been a lot of great ones.

But Russell was the greatest team sport winner in the history of American sport. Two time NCAA champion, Olympic Gold, 11 NBA championships in 13 years as a professional, and in one game, winner-take-all, someone is going home games, his record was 21-0 for his career.
I do not imagine Griner to be quite in that atmosphere, no one else ever has been, but I do think that she has the physical qualities, and I am hoping that she has the mental ones, to make an impact on women's basketball not too dissimilar from the one that Russell brought to the men's game. Health and good fortune are a part of the picture for her, but she has chosen the right school and the right coaches with whom to cast her fortune, and Baylor fans should be excited about the possibility of team excellence that may come as a result.
Carries me back more than a few years, but I clearly remember the impact of Bill Russell on NBA bb. Your comparison of Griner to Russell is not without reason or merit. I think you nailed it on the real long lasting affect that Griner will leave on college girls basketball. Good post, I wish I had your insight on the game, and next year we are getting our season tickets to the boys and girls teams as close as we can to the court, heck I may even volunteer to referee so I can get closer to the action (I would automatically be in the top 50% of ref's simply because I am not blind).

[BigKBU26]

Would be very difficult to defend if we have kids who can knock down threes. What scares me is that if the game is close late, as neither of this kids shoots FTs very well at all, it might become a foul shooting contest that we would lose. OU has lost several games over the past four years, including to us, when Paris was put on the line late. Other than that one area, I see no side to this pairing at all.

Yes, we would definitely dominate in the paint with Wilson and Griner. The problem lies in our guard play. With the loss of Morrow and Player, Jones can't play both wings. Palmer and Z are not real consistent in hitting threes and lack experience. The one player that will truly be missed next year will be Morrow. Not only is she "clutch", but her defense shutting down the opponent's best player is remarkable. Who will step out and guard Hand, Riley, Raven, Lacy, and T. Smith? I could easily see teams start the "hack a Shaq" strategy against Griner or Wilson if they do not improve their FT%.

[BCC97]

I know this is looking ahead to next season, but what does everyone think about these 2 on the court at the same time and how do you think other teams will defend against it?
As we saw last season with OU, it doesn't matter how much talent you have inside. If you don't have a complete team, you're not going to accomplish much in the end.

Hopefully the likes of Jones, Griffin, and Condrey with a healthy Wallace and the incoming freshmen will be able to make the losses of this year's senior class not hurt too much.

[BearFan33]

Fine posts everyone...

Kim Mulkey's defenses have always been good, but with Griner will reach new heights. I suspect we will see good teams having trouble scoring more than 40 points against us next year (with Wilson).

With Wilson and Griner (and the Paris sisters gone) I think we win the B12 next year. We will still have some ??? at gaurd and may have trouble replacing Morrow's offense and defense, but I think someone will step up.

[hornetmom82]

Fine posts everyone...

Kim Mulkey's defenses have always been good, but with Griner will reach new heights.


Pun intended?:lol2 :lol2

[SmokeyMt.Bear]

Fine posts everyone...

Kim Mulkey's defenses have always been good, but with Griner will reach new heights. I suspect we will see good teams having trouble scoring more than 40 points against us next year (with Wilson).

With Wilson and Griner (and the Paris sisters gone) I think we win the B12 next year. We will still have some ??? at gaurd and may have trouble replacing Morrow's offense and defense, but I think someone will step up.

Basketball is more about chemistry than lining up the greatest talent in the world. I would argue that out NC team might not have been our most talented, but it came together in a very special way. Rutgers signed incredible talent last year, but can't get them to work together. I have heard several will likely transfer at the end of the year. Tenn is having real issues finding an on the court leaders and a lineup that can play together and be consistently productive. A few years back folks were predicting that LSU would dominate the NCAAs with the kids they signed, but they didn't even dominate the SEC.

Our signing class that came in with Wilson had loads of talent, but seemingly couldn't get along with each other, couldn't play by the rules or simply didn't live up to the hype. Thus, except for Wilson, they were all gone in two years. So talking about what this team will do and all they will accomplish is putting the horse well in front of the cart and placing unfair expectations on Griner and every other kid coming in next fall.

As one of our top posters in this area noted, BigKU26, we are losing a majority of this team. Morrow and Player are the reasons we have recently won big games. Their spots are not going to be filled by Griner. Wilson will move to a four next year, and she has shown little ability to score from anywhere but under the goal. Hence trying to figure where we will land in the Big 12 race next year before we get a look in the early season at chemistry and on the court performance, is nothing more than blowing smoke into the wind. Enjoy the moment with this crew and let next year take care of itself.

[GruntTuff]

Our friend setshot is plum amazing. I have never failed to enjoy one of his posts. His sports analysis draws from a deep well of wisdom, observation and perspective that most of could only dream of possessing.

I wonder if Mr. setshot has journalism in his background and whether he has Baylor roots or athletic roots...not any of which matters even a smidgen.

Keep up the good work and keep posting regularly so the rest of us can learn from what you say.

[GruntTuff]

P.S.

And Mr. setshot has almost precisely twice as many reputation points as he has posts, so I'm not the only one who appreciates his insight.

Anyone else able to claim that distinction?

[BCC97]

Basketball is more about chemistry than lining up the greatest talent in the world. I would argue that out NC team might not have been our most talented, but it came together in a very special way. Rutgers signed incredible talent last year, but can't get them to work together. I have heard several will likely transfer at the end of the year. Tenn is having real issues finding an on the court leaders and a lineup that can play together and be consistently productive.
I agree that team chemistry is important. However, this year's Tennessee team (women) is not a good example. They have 12 players on their roster and all but one of them is a freshman (including 6 true freshmen) or sophomore. You're not going to have a lot of on-court leadership from a bunch of freshmen and sophomores. They're able to win based on the talent they have on the court, but they're also going to be quite a formidable team over the next couple of seasons.

[mangum]

Yes, we would definitely dominate in the paint with Wilson and Griner. The problem lies in our guard play. With the loss of Morrow and Player, Jones can't play both wings. Palmer and Z are not real consistent in hitting threes and lack experience. The one player that will truly be missed next year will be Morrow. Not only is she "clutch", but her defense shutting down the opponent's best player is remarkable. Who will step out and guard Hand, Riley, Raven, Lacy, and T. Smith? I could easily see teams start the "hack a Shaq" strategy against Griner or Wilson if they do not improve their FT%.
The "hack a Shaq" possibility is real, as is the possibility of a Griner/Wilson duo getting any number of opposing interior players in real quick foul trouble. KM will have our tandem at the FT line a significant amount of the time in practice. Think of it as the Young/Blackmon duo the NC year, except taller, while equally athletic.

On Griner, beyond her incredible physical gifts, what I like is her combination of quiet confidence and humility. At least that's what I saw in the video interview/highlights of her posted here a couple of months back.

[BUChris]

Basketball is more about chemistry than lining up the greatest talent in the world. I would argue that out NC team might not have been our most talented, but it came together in a very special way. Rutgers signed incredible talent last year, but can't get them to work together. I have heard several will likely transfer at the end of the year. Tenn is having real issues finding an on the court leaders and a lineup that can play together and be consistently productive. A few years back folks were predicting that LSU would dominate the NCAAs with the kids they signed, but they didn't even dominate the SEC.

Our signing class that came in with Wilson had loads of talent, but seemingly couldn't get along with each other, couldn't play by the rules or simply didn't live up to the hype. Thus, except for Wilson, they were all gone in two years. So talking about what this team will do and all they will accomplish is putting the horse well in front of the cart and placing unfair expectations on Griner and every other kid coming in next fall.

As one of our top posters in this area noted, BigKU26, we are losing a majority of this team. Morrow and Player are the reasons we have recently won big games. Their spots are not going to be filled by Griner. Wilson will move to a four next year, and she has shown little ability to score from anywhere but under the goal. Hence trying to figure where we will land in the Big 12 race next year before we get a look in the early season at chemistry and on the court performance, is nothing more than blowing smoke into the wind. Enjoy the moment with this crew and let next year take care of itself.

Your words are well received and the points you make valid. We do enjoy every game (6 in our family including grandkids) and we will miss the seniors next year. One of my favorite players in Lady Bear history is Rachel Allison. I can remember how she scrambled and fought for every loose ball starting her freshman year. I hope the girls coming in next fall will have that same fire inside, and if so we might enjoy some real good success. Your insight is much better than mine on bb. Keep posting.

[Baylor Dan]

...Your insight is much better than mine on bb. Keep posting.SmokeyMtBear don't no nothing but antique cars and old coke bottles.

[BearFan33]

Basketball is more about chemistry than lining up the greatest talent in the world. I would argue that out NC team might not have been our most talented, but it came together in a very special way. Rutgers signed incredible talent last year, but can't get them to work together. I have heard several will likely transfer at the end of the year. Tenn is having real issues finding an on the court leaders and a lineup that can play together and be consistently productive. A few years back folks were predicting that LSU would dominate the NCAAs with the kids they signed, but they didn't even dominate the SEC.

Our signing class that came in with Wilson had loads of talent, but seemingly couldn't get along with each other, couldn't play by the rules or simply didn't live up to the hype. Thus, except for Wilson, they were all gone in two years. So talking about what this team will do and all they will accomplish is putting the horse well in front of the cart and placing unfair expectations on Griner and every other kid coming in next fall.

As one of our top posters in this area noted, BigKU26, we are losing a majority of this team. Morrow and Player are the reasons we have recently won big games. Their spots are not going to be filled by Griner. Wilson will move to a four next year, and she has shown little ability to score from anywhere but under the goal. Hence trying to figure where we will land in the Big 12 race next year before we get a look in the early season at chemistry and on the court performance, is nothing more than blowing smoke into the wind. Enjoy the moment with this crew and let next year take care of itself.

Smokey, your comments are appreciated as always and this is a reasonable post. I am enjoying the moment with this crew. I do, however, believe that Mulkey's track record in developing talent speaks for itself and thus making a prediction like winning the B12 is more than "blowing smoke into the wind." I have faith in the coach. She will have the preseason and the non-conference games to work out any chemistry issues that may be presented by the influx of talent. Predicting them to win the national championship next year is unreasonable in my book. But a conference championship next season in a B12 with no clear frontrunner seems fair to me. If they don't do it, I'll still be a Lady Bear fan.

Perhaps I'm over-inflating the value of dominating post player, but I think C. Paris may be the best example of what that can do for a team. Yes, Player and Morrow are leaving, but we still have Griffin and Jones to provide some continuity.

[SicEmBears]

Griner is really well-coordiated and exceptionally athletic. Add that to her 6-9 frame and her natural instincts for the game and you have the certain makings of her reaching a higher level of women's basketball.

Gringer will be immediately become a dominant player and that will change from game to game depending upon the stategies and concoctions the opponents put together. She has the height and great ability - which cannot be coached - to go with the Mulky magic.

[BUChris]

Griner is really well-coordiated and exceptionally athletic. Add that to her 6-9 frame and her natural instincts for the game and you have the certain makings of her reaching a higher level of women's basketball.

Gringer will be immediately become a dominant player and that will change from game to game depending upon the stategies and concoctions the opponents put together. She has the height and great ability - which cannot be coached - to go with the Mulky magic.
Another good post. Interesting note, Griner's dad said she is still growing, now wears size 18 men's shoes. Something about her growth plates are still not fused or joined, so she may grow to be 6'10'' or 6'11' (that's akin to what the dad said). Wingspan is now 87" from finger tip to finger tip, Holy, moly, and she is nimble, quick, a jumping jack (or is it jill), and Mulkey, and as important, Barmore and Barrow will get a quick hold of her fundamentals. It also seems she is coachable, and a quick learner. Honestlly, I see new defenses accross the spectrum of our opponents to shut her down, or neutralize what she brings to the game. BIG Question to all. How will they attempt to shut her down on offense, and is it even possible when she is playing defense? Maybe someone with more knowledge than me can create a new thread on this subject. I'd read the thread for sure.

[IslandBear]

BIG Question to all. How will they attempt to shut her down on offense, and is it even possible when she is playing defense? Maybe someone with more knowledge than me can create a new thread on this subject. I'd read the thread for sure.

Let's not supply the enemy with useful info. Let them figure it out themselves :-)

[Baylor Dan]

Gringer will be immediately become a dominant player...How do you think Griner's freshman stats in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots will compare with those of Courtney Paris in her first year at Oklahoma?

[ScottS]

Dan,
Can Paris dunk?

[BUChris]

Scott, I think Baylor Dan is one of the better posters on BU basketball, but on this occasion you held a royal flush to his straight on your comment. CLASSIC. I am always amazed at the quick wit of Baylor Dan, but on this , he left himself wide open. I do enjoy both of your postings.

[Baylor Dan]

Scotty and BUChris did not answer the question right above them. Give it a shot guys.

As a freshman, Courtney Paris averaged 21.9 points, 15 rebounds and 3.2 blocks in an All-American season.

[BUChris]

Scotty and BUChris did not answer the question right above them. Give it a shot guys.

As a freshman, Courtney Paris averaged 21.9 points, 15 rebounds and 3.2 blocks in an All-American season.

First, I don't think the team around Paris was as well balanced as ours will be, even though we are a young team. I remember the OU teams her earlier years, and they did have talent, but I believe our other players are better support to Griner that what Paris had. I say that because I do not think we have to have the heavy inside presence on offense that OU did. So, I think Griners real impact will be on defense. My guess is 16 points, 18 rebounds and 5 blocks per game average. I think she will block shots where she was not even matched up with the shooter. She will also have a high assist number, especially for a center or post, something like 3-4 in non conference games, and going up to 5-7 in BigXII games. But then, liars can figure, but figures don"t lie, and we will not know until April 2010 and the first season is in the can.

[BigKBU26]

Winning a conference championship next season is not too far fetched with several key players leaving from other teams (Starks, Gant, Paris twins, Cortijo, Ezell, Lehning). Although OU will still be tough having quick and lethal guards ike DRob and Hand. Jones will continue to provide a spark with her never quit attitude and maybe Griffin will improve dramatically in the off season like Wilson did this year. Junior year is when most of Kim's PGs tend to show great promise.

Next year will be a learning year for Griner and the remainder of the team. IMO, the year to shine will be in 2011 when the Final Four is in San Antonio. What a better time for another NC!!!!!

[ScottS]

Scotty and BUChris did not answer the question right above them. Give it a shot guys.

As a freshman, Courtney Paris averaged 21.9 points, 15 rebounds and 3.2 blocks in an All-American season.

Oh but DannyBoy, I did answer it. On the thread you started that asked that question.

[BearFan33]

As a freshman, Courtney Paris averaged 21.9 points, 15 rebounds and 3.2 blocks in an All-American season.


Those numbers are tough to top.

I'm thinking something like 15 points, 13 rebounds and 6 blocks.