Which 2019 Recruit will make the earliest impact?

That is mine as well.

Because of Rueck’s focus on defense, I think Kennedy Brown will be the first to see significant time... mainly because of a comment Rueck made, saying that she seems to have an instinct for the correct angles to play on defense. Being taught those angles is a big part of the the learning curve. I believe Mitrovic will be second, but will eventually get more time than Morris. I admit I don’t know as much about Taylor Jones, but am hopeful she becomes a good backup for Taya.

I've been thinking about this a lot, but I have NO answers. I expect Taya will make huge strides this off season, most likely her biggest strides yet, and unless there is an injury, I don't think any of the new players will beat her out for a starting position. I also like the little we have seen from Trish the last few weeks. I don't know if she will be our starting Post, but I wouldn't count it out, and I do expect her to get significant minutes as a backup if not the starter.

Although Kennedy is rated higher by some services, and is a McDonalds All American, Taylor has been rated higher by at least one service, and because of missing time her junior year and missing the AAU circuit last summer, she may not be rated as high as she deserves. I do think Taylor's High School competition was weak, but she knows how to put the ball in the basket, and looks to be a good rebounder. I was watching Kennedy video today, and she does everything well, especially defensive shot blocking. Which one of them is closest to being ready? I have no idea, but I expect one of them, maybe both, will both backup Taya and play some post. We could go big, with three of the bigs in at the same time, but how do you do that when you have wing/guard talent like Destiny, Aleah, Mik, and Kat? Talk about being versatile, next year should have plenty of combo possibilities.

So where does that leave Andrea? I'm trying to leave her out until I know she is cleared to play. If she's ready, wow, what do you do with all that talent? I throw her into the same boat with Kennedy and Taylor, as playing both post and PF, but how do you find time for all that talent?

As for Jelena, I don't think she plays unless Trish is not ready. I have high hopes for Jelena, but I don't really think she is as far along as the others. It will be great if I am wrong, but she seems to still need to get in better condition, and to work on getting used to the speed of the game. This may not mean anything, but one of the articles about her mentioned that she has a maximum of 5 years with the Beavs (which is the case for all players except for rare cases of being granted a sixth year), but just the way it was mentioned made me wonder if the coaches had talked to her about the possibility of redshirtting.

Great topic! I have no idea what will happen. Perfect time for the trip to Italy, so the new and young players will have some extra time to get ready for the season. One thing for sure, 5 on 5 practice should be very good!

I still think somebody's going to redshirt, and it's going to be Jelena. That will spread the really bigs over 3 classes.

You have 200 minutes total to spread around, 80 of which are in the back court. Those are almost all going to go to Destiny, Mik, and Aleah. 40 minutes at wing, 30 of which are going to go to Kat. Of the remaining 90 minutes, one would assume 25 are going to Taya. That leaves you 65 minutes to divide up among Andrea, Patricia, Kennedy, Taylor, Jelena, Janessa, and Maddie.
Seven players, 65 minutes.

Too many bigs, not enough minutes; 4 bigs in one class if nobody redshirts. It's going to happen.

I think if AA can play (and I think she will), she has more time in the system than incoming folks, so I would give her the nod.
PM is making strides, and will likely replace Jo in the starting line up.
Kennedy Brown is likely the new KTMac, especially, if as noted here, she has "instinctual defense".
Taylor probably backs up PM or PM backs up Taylor.
Jelena probably plays, but will get spot duty reminiscent of Jo's first year until she gets going....
I think the real onus is on Taya, Maddie and Janessa to continuing growing, since the incoming talent level is increasing dramatically.
Of those 3, I still hold out high hopes for Taya.....

Regardless, with the incoming height, I look forward to more "playing above the rim" than we have seen to date. If AA and others in the paint can do this consistently, we don't need her to dunk, and the Beavers will be formidable indeed:



Go Beavers!

I wouldn't mind seeing hockey line subbing next year with lots of fresh legs coming in frequently for the first 30 minutes. Kind of like ASU is doing.
The last 10 minutes is for coffee drinkers only. Closing time.