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Post by sewingbeaver on Mar 14, 2023 12:11:51 GMT -8
I'm hoping the other thread for "Portal" can stay talk about potential players and discussion of their contributions.
Here let's talk about the current roster and any gaps to be filled.
Returning guards: TVO AJ Martha
Adlee Lily
Returning forwards/posts: Raegan Timea Shalexxus
TBD: Jelena
Freshman guards: Kennedie Donovyn
True PG: lots of you think it is a must get from portal. Some say that a roster of 10 with 7 guards - no need to add. How many of the top 16 teams in NCAA have a "true" PG?
I think the portal needs to bring some post players to the roster.
GO BEAVS!
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Post by rmancarl on Mar 14, 2023 12:36:21 GMT -8
I'm not with the group that think you must have a 'true point guard'. In listening to bennyshouse posters, usually their definition calls for a player that very few teams have. I do think a point or combo guard who can score and be a 3pt threat would have been a big help last season, and probably the upcoming season as well, unless one of the other young players is ready to contribute. If it were me, I would definitely look for a talented guard in the portal, and although I could be wrong about SR, I think he may be more inclined to go with the current roster at guard.
As per your post, there isn't much height for next season, so a back player with size would help. I do think AJ has the ability to play big, and she is someone I consider a a forward first, and a guard second.
Injuries (and transfers) have hurt the Beavers in recent years, adding some players from the portal for depth would be nice.
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Post by wbosh15 on Mar 14, 2023 12:59:18 GMT -8
I think you need at least one 4/5 from the Portal if Jelena comes back, and probably 2 if she doesn't. I do think currently with the roster as is, Aaron is probably playing the 4 more often than anything else.
I'm trying to keep at open mind about AJ possibly playing some 4, but I'm just not sure I like it much. I think you just lose too much on the glass.
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Post by rmancarl on Mar 14, 2023 13:42:39 GMT -8
AJ definitely gives up a little height if playing the 4 spot, but her overall length, speed, and jumping ability fits in well if needed for some minutes at the 4. AJ is probably the most athletic player on the team. With Bendu gone, I'm not sure anyone is as fast as AJ....maybe Martha. I also think she has the best jumping ability, but that hasn't yet translated into rebounding. I said this last year after the end of the season, so now I'm a broken record, but I'd like to see the coaches work with her on rebounding positioning and anticipation, and on her ball handling skills. She probably isn't as athletic as Sasha, but I think AJ has the potential to burst by her defender like Sasha did. Sasha's first step from the FT line, or top of the key, was amazing. It was one step, and she was gone! Because of her athletic ability, she has as good a chance as anyone for vast improvement. Whether she gets there or not, I don't know, but I do think we saw solid growth in her game from season 1 to season 2.
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Post by skyrider on Mar 14, 2023 14:21:02 GMT -8
AJ definitely gives up a little height if playing the 4 spot, but her overall length, speed, and jumping ability fits in well if needed for some minutes at the 4. AJ is probably the most athletic player on the team. With Bendu gone, I'm not sure anyone is as fast as AJ....maybe Martha. I also think she has the best jumping ability, but that hasn't yet translated into rebounding. I said this last year after the end of the season, so now I'm a broken record, but I'd like to see the coaches work with her on rebounding positioning and anticipation, and on her ball handling skills. She probably isn't as athletic as Sasha, but I think AJ has the potential to burst by her defender like Sasha did. Sasha's first step from the FT line, or top of the key, was amazing. It was one step, and she was gone! Because of her athletic ability, she has as good a chance as anyone for vast improvement. Whether she gets there or not, I don't know, but I do think we saw solid growth in her game from season 1 to season 2. rmancarl.
Thanks for the excellent topic!
To me the key to OSU remaining competitive during the portal/NIL turmoil is to (a) retain the players who selected OSU and (b) to have the coaching/player commitment to improving their game during the "off season".
Probably I (and perhaps many other Beaver WBB fans) have been spoiled/deluded by the tremendous development year to year of the likes of Jamie Weisner, Syd Weise, Gabby Hansen, Ruth Hamlin, Alea Goodman, Marie Gulich and others.
Frankly if the NIL (players being paid) situation continues as it is without regards to limits,etc. , I believe that complaining about Coaching if the Coach is at one of the"have not" money tree schools will be futile and without merit!
Go Beavs!
P.S. This is a substantial shift from my previous position that required a much better "ready to go" point guard. Yes, that would seem to be a
good solution but without (a) and (b) above happening I do not believe improvement would happen.
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Post by grayman on Mar 14, 2023 17:52:33 GMT -8
I keep using the term true point guard but I think we're getting a little too stuck on semantics here.
It's really about filling roles.
What I mean by a true point guard is a player who has strong ballhandling skills combined with enough quickness to handle pretty tough defensive pressure and the ability to take the ball to the hoop. And then good passing ability along with a solid understanding of the offense. And a good outside shooter to boot.
If that player is a combo guard in that she can move to the 2 at times if there's someone else who can take on the point guard role, then great.
I would be interested in seeing what Marotte can do at the point. If she can play it at a high enough level that would definitely make her a combo guard.
On the other hand, I don't think she's a good fit for the 4 at all. She lacks height for the spot and she's pretty slender. Not sure if she can thrive in physical play.
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Post by believeinthebeavs on Mar 14, 2023 18:53:49 GMT -8
I wonder if the coaches are going for 1 or 2 post/pf players. It really depends on whether Jelena stays or goes. If she stays we could get by with 1 but 2 would also be good. If she goes then we will really need 2. I hope the coaches have some idea of what she is thinking.
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Post by hoopheritic on Mar 15, 2023 9:22:15 GMT -8
I think you need at least one 4/5 from the Portal if Jelena comes back, and probably 2 if she doesn't. I do think currently with the roster as is, Aaron is probably playing the 4 more often than anything else. I'm trying to keep at open mind about AJ possibly playing some 4, but I'm just not sure I like it much. I think you just lose too much on the glass. It looked like Rueck intentionally kept Marotte off the O-boards and sent her back on D as soon as a shot went up. Probably to stifle breaks. I'd be interested to see what she could do if she were allowed to crash the glass on offense. Having been in college for as long as she has been I think Lex is too skinny to be really effective defending a strong 4 but she is also not quick enough to defend in space. Timea will be a great matchup problem in the 4 spot. If we make any portal pickups I would think we need another big. |
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Post by skyrider on Mar 15, 2023 10:12:13 GMT -8
I think you need at least one 4/5 from the Portal if Jelena comes back, and probably 2 if she doesn't. I do think currently with the roster as is, Aaron is probably playing the 4 more often than anything else. I'm trying to keep at open mind about AJ possibly playing some 4, but I'm just not sure I like it much. I think you just lose too much on the glass. It looked like Rueck intentionally kept Marotte off the O-boards and sent her back on D as soon as a shot went up. Probably to stifle breaks. I'd be interested to see what she could do if she were allowed to crash the glass on offense. Having been in college for as long as she has been I think Lex is too skinny to be really effective defending a strong 4 but she is also not quick enough to defend in space. Timea will be a great matchup problem in the 4 spot. If we make any portal pickups I would think we need another big. hoopheritic
As always sir, your observations and analysis are appreciated. No news is good news so far for the Beavs in terms of portal announcements!
I am curious in regards to Martha's situation. What does the group think about (a) her chances for staying vs portal and (b) whether she has the potential (or will even be given a fair opportunity) to be a significant player for the Beavs.
Also I really hope that Jelena returns. She has improved steadily every year, and has stuck with the program and given her best efforts.
Go Beavs!
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Post by rmancarl on Mar 15, 2023 10:27:36 GMT -8
Personally, I like Martha. I think her main issue may have been on the defensive end. Could she be the starter for the Beavs next season? I think so. Will she ever become All Pac12? I doubt it. Martha is a good passer and solid shooter. If the rest of the team has scoring threats and she is not pressured to be a scorer, I think she could be very good in the SR system. It all comes down to her ability to guard bigger guards who are just as quick as she is. Martha's overall experience may give her an edge over Donovyn or Kennedie early in the season.
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Post by hoopheritic on Mar 15, 2023 12:50:34 GMT -8
It looked like Rueck intentionally kept Marotte off the O-boards and sent her back on D as soon as a shot went up. Probably to stifle breaks. I'd be interested to see what she could do if she were allowed to crash the glass on offense. Having been in college for as long as she has been I think Lex is too skinny to be really effective defending a strong 4 but she is also not quick enough to defend in space. Timea will be a great matchup problem in the 4 spot. If we make any portal pickups I would think we need another big. hoopheritic
As always sir, your observations and analysis are appreciated. No news is good news so far for the Beavs in terms of portal announcements!
I am curious in regards to Martha's situation. What does the group think about (a) her chances for staying vs portal and (b) whether she has the potential (or will even be given a fair opportunity) to be a significant player for the Beavs.
Also I really hope that Jelena returns. She has improved steadily every year, and has stuck with the program and given her best efforts.
Go Beavs!
Foreign players transfer at a significantly lower rate than US players. I think Martha will be a more than serviceable PG next year. She can figure out defense. |
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Post by rmancarl on Mar 16, 2023 9:06:34 GMT -8
Hoopheritic, is there documentation on the foreign players transferring less? I know of quite a few who have transferred now that the portal has come in to play.
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Post by lotrader on Mar 17, 2023 4:59:54 GMT -8
Jada Curry would be a HUGE get!
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Post by ricke71 on Mar 18, 2023 15:38:50 GMT -8
It looked like Rueck intentionally kept Marotte off the O-boards and sent her back on D as soon as a shot went up. Probably to stifle breaks. I'd be interested to see what she could do if she were allowed to crash the glass on offense. Having been in college for as long as she has been I think Lex is too skinny to be really effective defending a strong 4 but she is also not quick enough to defend in space. Timea will be a great matchup problem in the 4 spot. If we make any portal pickups I would think we need another big. hoopheritic
As always sir, your observations and analysis are appreciated. No news is good news so far for the Beavs in terms of portal announcements!
I am curious in regards to Martha's situation. What does the group think about (a) her chances for staying vs portal and (b) whether she has the potential (or will even be given a fair opportunity) to be a significant player for the Beavs.
Also I really hope that Jelena returns. She has improved steadily every year, and has stuck with the program and given her best efforts.
Go Beavs!
Inside knowledge person Vicki Maxon has stated that Jelena is NOT returning (in a reply to a tweet). So...Will the Beavs have a viable > 6'3" backup for Reagan? |
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Post by qbeaver on Mar 18, 2023 16:37:19 GMT -8
I keep using the term true point guard but I think we're getting a little too stuck on semantics here. It's really about filling roles. What I mean by a true point guard is a player who has strong ballhandling skills combined with enough quickness to handle pretty tough defensive pressure and the ability to take the ball to the hoop. And then good passing ability along with a solid understanding of the offense. And a good outside shooter to boot. If that player is a combo guard in that she can move to the 2 at times if there's someone else who can take on the point guard role, then great. I would be interested in seeing what Marotte can do at the point. If she can play it at a high enough level that would definitely make her a combo guard. On the other hand, I don't think she's a good fit for the 4 at all. She lacks height for the spot and she's pretty slender. Not sure if she can thrive in physical play. A true point guard to me is a pass first player...old school. Someone who gets the ball to the players in the right position for their best chance of success. I'm not particularly thinking we need a player like that,or can have good success without have one. I want two guards who don't have defined roles,but can have a bit of point and off guard in their skill set. That being said,guards win you games. As Ralph Miller used to say...guards set your offense and your defense. They are your first line of defense. I would much rather have great guards than interior players personally. |
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