|
|
Post by skyrider on Mar 6, 2018 9:28:15 GMT -8
The strong consensus on this site seems to be that OSU will be better next year than this year.
I hope that is the case, but my concern is that we will have significant gaps in terms of talent at both the "4" and "5" positions.
It does not appear that currently we have a real "4" on the roster. The most talented player at that position is Corsdale, but she plays much more like a three.
At the "5" we lose by far the best player on the current team, and are going to depend on two freshman (our current other post player gives 100% effort but is very very limited in terms of quickness, jumping ability, etc., etc.). Normally even if the two freshman end up being good players, it usually takes a couple of years of work for them to contribute a lot (i.e. Ruth Hamlin).
I look forward to the expert Beaver followers on this site to reassure me that indeed we will have an even better team next year.
One last note-If Pivec could become a better 3 point and mid-range shooter that would be a huge plus in my mind. She is so good in so many ways but seems to miss so many easy shots both right at the basket and right in the key with mid-range shots.
|
|
|
|
Post by beavadelic on Mar 6, 2018 12:23:17 GMT -8
The strong consensus on this site seems to be that OSU will be better next year than this year. I hope that is the case, but my concern is that we will have significant gaps in terms of talent at both the "4" and "5" positions. It does not appear that currently we have a real "4" on the roster. The most talented player at that position is Corsdale, but she plays much more like a three. At the "5" we lose by far the best player on the current team, and are going to depend on two freshman (our current other post player gives 100% effort but is very very limited in terms of quickness, jumping ability, etc., etc.). Normally even if the two freshman end up being good players, it usually takes a couple of years of work for them to contribute a lot (i.e. Ruth Hamlin). I look forward to the expert Beaver followers on this site to reassure me that indeed we will have an even better team next year. One last note-If Pivec could become a better 3 point and mid-range shooter that would be a huge plus in my mind. She is so good in so many ways but seems to miss so many easy shots both right at the basket and right in the key with mid-range shots. Definiely no expert, but with Destiny Slocum eligible and running the point with expertise, we will be very guard-rich. This could present SR with some different options. He could go with a more up-tempo style and play “small-ball” if the bigs aren’t developing as quickly or at the level that he needs from them. He is a good enough coach that he could adapt. The only given will be that they will play tough defense. If what I have seen and heard from Destiny translates to her play for us next fall, she will lead inspired efforts every time out. We may have to tweak our offensive and defensive approaches to fit different strengths overall on our roster, but just the addition of Destiny should have everyone excited. |
|
|
|
Post by skyrider on Mar 6, 2018 12:32:43 GMT -8
The strong consensus on this site seems to be that OSU will be better next year than this year. I hope that is the case, but my concern is that we will have significant gaps in terms of talent at both the "4" and "5" positions. It does not appear that currently we have a real "4" on the roster. The most talented player at that position is Corsdale, but she plays much more like a three. At the "5" we lose by far the best player on the current team, and are going to depend on two freshman (our current other post player gives 100% effort but is very very limited in terms of quickness, jumping ability, etc., etc.). Normally even if the two freshman end up being good players, it usually takes a couple of years of work for them to contribute a lot (i.e. Ruth Hamlin). I look forward to the expert Beaver followers on this site to reassure me that indeed we will have an even better team next year. One last note-If Pivec could become a better 3 point and mid-range shooter that would be a huge plus in my mind. She is so good in so many ways but seems to miss so many easy shots both right at the basket and right in the key with mid-range shots. Definiely no expert, but with Destiny Slocum eligible and running the point with expertise, we will be very guard-rich. This could present SR with some different options. He could go with a more up-tempo style and play “small-ball” if the bigs aren’t developing as quickly or at the level that he needs from them. He is a good enough coach that he could adapt. The only given will be that they will play tough defense. If what I have seen and heard from Destiny translates to her play for us next fall, she will lead inspired efforts every time out. We may have to tweak our offensive and defensive approaches to fit different strengths overall on our roster, but just the addition of Destiny should have everyone excited. Thanks for the feedback! I was assuming that Scott would want to use the formula that has been so successful (Big post player/ three point shooters). You know what they say about "assuming". |
|
|
|
Post by lotrader on Mar 6, 2018 16:41:57 GMT -8
It all depends on the new freshman BIGs coming into the program. We are incredibly rich in players who can play the point, and wings. Coach Rueck will have multiple combinations with Kalmer, Pivec, Slocum, Goodman, Kat Tudor. We are rich at the point and wings, but no so at the 4/5. Let's hope our incoming freshman BIGs are ready to play when they get on campus.
|
|
|
|
Post by skyrider on Mar 6, 2018 16:50:05 GMT -8
Perhaps Corsdale will grow (physically and mentally)into a strong "4". She certainly had an overall good year for a freshman.
|
|
|
|
Post by lotrader on Mar 6, 2018 16:58:46 GMT -8
Perhaps Corsdale will grow (physically and mentally)into a strong "4". She certainly had an overall good year for a freshman. Yes, I hope she does that this WEEK! We need TC to be physically and mentally strong in the upcoming tournament. She wilted in the ASU games. Rueck will get her prepared, but in the off season, she needs to bulk up her upper body, and, work on her quickness (feet). She has definitely been a positive surprise for OSU this year. She seems like a great fit at OSU. |
|
2ndGenBeaver
Sophomore
Posts: 1,826 
Grad Year: 1991 (MS/CS) 1999 (PhD/CS)
|
Post by 2ndGenBeaver on Mar 6, 2018 18:21:50 GMT -8
One of those replacement bigs is the 6th ranked recruit in the country, and should be able to contribute to some degree right away....UConn was after her, and you can't coach 6'9". Between the three bigs we at least pick up 15 fouls and 30 shots influenced (half the shots in a game, in other words), which is the basis of SR's defensive philosophy - make opponents take difficult shots. Both incoming players seem to have better foot speed and foot work than our returner, and so we should gain in the rebounding department as well.
And note the returner will have had a year in the system. Lots of players in the SR system have made impressive leaps forward from year to year.
At the 4, we need the returners to continue to advance. We are hard on TC in this forum, she is a true freshman and has turned in some great performances along with the typical freshman up and down travails.
Adding Destiny will do wonders for another weakness of this team - ball safety and turnovers, along with delivering the ball to the interior. I hate to be too critical, but much of the time our bigs need to not just flash open but stay open before they get the ball this year, and there is less anticipatory passing or "throwing them open" going on - at this level if you haven't been plying the PG trade your whole life, it is not instinctive enough. The BIG intangible on DS is her enthusiasm and fire - in the Syd Wiese territory.
I suspect Jazz will be a pleasant surprise - I have been impressed by her quickness and hops on video.
All of that said, I think we will be in about the same position in the Pac-12 as we are this season. Note that I think this season has been a masterful one of masking weaknesses, to the tune of a top 10 ranking. To sustain that level of play next year while losing the best player on the team, a POTY candidate and the rock of the team would be incredible.
The scenarios I play out in my head don't have many of our current starters playing large roles - they likely will. If one or two of them make the "Kolbie leap" we could be the surprise of the conference. I really see TC and Aleah with very high ceilings that they have not come close to hitting yet, and SR players usually make huge leaps over time....
I am excited for the future. I am telling my wife it is time to get season tickets, because I think the group that will take the floor next year will play in a Final Four before they are done. The journey should be a fun one, regardless.....
Go Beavers!
|
|
