I know the cupboard was left a little bare with all the transfers last year, but how are we looking for the '25-'26 season? I keep wanting a reason to get excited about VT sports but it's difficult in the new world.
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Guards:
Wenzel appears to be a known commodity at 14 ppg, a near even ATO margin, and a steal or two a game, while being average from the FT line. It is possible that her game has some more upside with more consistent talent around her.
A healthy Suffren should be a solid upgrade to Lani White. She still has less than a full season on her legs, and the two were very close in most statistical categories, though Suffren was the more aggressive defender and passer, while having a FG% 7 points higher than White.
Nelson is almost identical to Suffren, though an increased role might see a bit more production.
Melannie Daley is where I expect Suffren and Nelson to be, ability-wise, though Daley is a more prolific scorer and has 30 starts and 94 games under her belt in the BigTen.
Sophie Swanson is right there too. I swear I'm seeing the same stats with each of these guards, though Swanson is a little big more aggressive from range.
Wells was very much a reserve guard last year, and with 5 more veteran players ahead of her and a top 100 Frosh coming in, I don't see how that will change much.
Wings:
Baker, I expect to be as productive as last year. With some development from the guards, she might not have to be in as long as she was last year, in a team leading 34.1 mpg.
Petersen should also improve after her Frosh season.
Kilah Freelon should provide solid wing depth. She isn't a range shooter, but she is not afraid to go inside, shooting >50% for her career.
Forwards:
Amani Jenkins and Aniya Trent are both coming in as the only real bigs on the team at 6-3. Both were highly rated coming out of high school, but they will be very raw in ACC play. Baker might have to take more of a forward role this season as opposed to her range, as she will likely be the starting C on the team.
Overall:
This might be the "Position-less" basketball that Duffy was talking about last year. We don't have a true, experienced big this year, and that will be a weakness on the year. We have 10 players with power conference experience, 9 with legitimate playing time. A big may not be a problem if this is a team that runs and a team that attacks the rim, getting other team's bigs in foul trouble.
Petersen, Suffren, Swanson, Daley, and Nelson all averaged 80% or better from the line last year on a collective 178 attempts, making 144 in the process. At the same time, Wenzel and Baker each hit greater than 75% last season, 193 makes on 250 tries. Freelon managed almost 80% in her one year as a FT starter, where she hit 63 of 79 attempts. I don't know what caused her to have a lower output last season. Those 9 players collectively shoot at 400/507 from the line, or 78.9%. That would be good for 8th in the country last year and best in the ACC.
Looking at the rest of the ACC, guard-play is going to be absolutely critical; perhaps more so than forward-play.
The top 4 teams last year were loaded with guards.
NC State: Aziaha James, Saniya Rivers, Madison Hayes (all to the WNBA), Zoe Brooks, Zamareya Jones. All guards, all were top 5 for NC State in scoring. They added Qadence Samuels from UCONN and Adelaide Jernigan, a highly touted recruit.
Notre Dame: Hannah Hidalgo (ACCPOY), Olivia Miles (transferred out), Sonia Citron (WNBA), Cassandre Prosper. Added veteran Kelly Ratigan, Vanessa de Jesus, and Iyana Moore from the portal.
Duke: Ashlon Jackson, Oluchi Okananwa (transferred out), Reigan Richardson (WNBA), Taina Mair, Jadyn Donovan. Added Riley Nelson, Hailey Johnson from the portal and the #4 player in the class in Emilee Skinner.
UNC: Alyssa Ustby (graduated), Lexi Donarski (graduated), Reniya Kelly, Indya Nivar, Lanie Grant, Trayanna Crisp, Grace Townsend (graduated). Added are Nyla Harris and Elina Aarnisalo from the portal and the #20 and 21 recruits Taliyah Henderson and Nyla Brooks.
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I think Swanson is Wenzel 2.0...can be really good at times...and really out of control at times. Can be an important part of the offense; but can't BE the offense.
I think a key for the season is for players like Daley, Baker, and hopefully Sears to be the ones to pressure the defense in the half court...strong players that can make contested shots when need be and create open looks for others. Also need Suffren on the floor a lot with her elite speed/quickness; when you have an advantage, you have to use it. Looks like rebounding and interior D will be by committee. So yeah, a little closer to position-less basketball.
I do like Harris-Mott for the future; might be a little more athletic than the 3 we'll have out there this year.
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I didn't get to watch as much basketball this past season, but do you know who is expected to be the primary ball handler? I'm no expert, but sometimes it feels like Wenzel would be more effective off the ball.
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Unfortunately I expect Wenzel to be primary. I agree that Suffren seems a more natural PG and Kate Sears coming in is definitely a better ball handler than Wenzel.
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I would totally expect that from CMY, but have you seen that in Coach Duffy? I seem to recall when Suffren was healthy she seemed to be getting more and more time at point as Wenzel moved to 2. With Nelson coming on I think we will see more of two who can play point sharing the duties out of the three of them, and not as much Wenzel as pure PG.
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That is what I recall towards the end of the season as well. Hopefully we start that way. I love Carleigh's effort but there were multiple games when she was just a turnover machine.
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Comments
Drink
look at the time stamp....
Got 'eem
I guess I shouldn't've tried to look up some additional information to put in my post.
Next time, Gadget
Next time
So we add a coach who's a known recruiter and within four days we have 2 commits.
I'm glad we can still buy recruits the old fashioned way.
Hardies Coupons?
I know the cupboard was left a little bare with all the transfers last year, but how are we looking for the '25-'26 season? I keep wanting a reason to get excited about VT sports but it's difficult in the new world.
We out performed expectations last year. I expect going to the big dance this year.
Guards:
Wenzel appears to be a known commodity at 14 ppg, a near even ATO margin, and a steal or two a game, while being average from the FT line. It is possible that her game has some more upside with more consistent talent around her.
A healthy Suffren should be a solid upgrade to Lani White. She still has less than a full season on her legs, and the two were very close in most statistical categories, though Suffren was the more aggressive defender and passer, while having a FG% 7 points higher than White.
Nelson is almost identical to Suffren, though an increased role might see a bit more production.
Melannie Daley is where I expect Suffren and Nelson to be, ability-wise, though Daley is a more prolific scorer and has 30 starts and 94 games under her belt in the BigTen.
Sophie Swanson is right there too. I swear I'm seeing the same stats with each of these guards, though Swanson is a little big more aggressive from range.
Wells was very much a reserve guard last year, and with 5 more veteran players ahead of her and a top 100 Frosh coming in, I don't see how that will change much.
Wings:
Baker, I expect to be as productive as last year. With some development from the guards, she might not have to be in as long as she was last year, in a team leading 34.1 mpg.
Petersen should also improve after her Frosh season.
Kilah Freelon should provide solid wing depth. She isn't a range shooter, but she is not afraid to go inside, shooting >50% for her career.
Forwards:
Amani Jenkins and Aniya Trent are both coming in as the only real bigs on the team at 6-3. Both were highly rated coming out of high school, but they will be very raw in ACC play. Baker might have to take more of a forward role this season as opposed to her range, as she will likely be the starting C on the team.
Overall:
This might be the "Position-less" basketball that Duffy was talking about last year. We don't have a true, experienced big this year, and that will be a weakness on the year. We have 10 players with power conference experience, 9 with legitimate playing time. A big may not be a problem if this is a team that runs and a team that attacks the rim, getting other team's bigs in foul trouble.
Petersen, Suffren, Swanson, Daley, and Nelson all averaged 80% or better from the line last year on a collective 178 attempts, making 144 in the process. At the same time, Wenzel and Baker each hit greater than 75% last season, 193 makes on 250 tries. Freelon managed almost 80% in her one year as a FT starter, where she hit 63 of 79 attempts. I don't know what caused her to have a lower output last season. Those 9 players collectively shoot at 400/507 from the line, or 78.9%. That would be good for 8th in the country last year and best in the ACC.
Looking at the rest of the ACC, guard-play is going to be absolutely critical; perhaps more so than forward-play.
The top 4 teams last year were loaded with guards.
NC State: Aziaha James, Saniya Rivers, Madison Hayes (all to the WNBA), Zoe Brooks, Zamareya Jones. All guards, all were top 5 for NC State in scoring. They added Qadence Samuels from UCONN and Adelaide Jernigan, a highly touted recruit.
Notre Dame: Hannah Hidalgo (ACCPOY), Olivia Miles (transferred out), Sonia Citron (WNBA), Cassandre Prosper. Added veteran Kelly Ratigan, Vanessa de Jesus, and Iyana Moore from the portal.
Duke: Ashlon Jackson, Oluchi Okananwa (transferred out), Reigan Richardson (WNBA), Taina Mair, Jadyn Donovan. Added Riley Nelson, Hailey Johnson from the portal and the #4 player in the class in Emilee Skinner.
UNC: Alyssa Ustby (graduated), Lexi Donarski (graduated), Reniya Kelly, Indya Nivar, Lanie Grant, Trayanna Crisp, Grace Townsend (graduated). Added are Nyla Harris and Elina Aarnisalo from the portal and the #20 and 21 recruits Taliyah Henderson and Nyla Brooks.
I think Swanson is Wenzel 2.0...can be really good at times...and really out of control at times. Can be an important part of the offense; but can't BE the offense.
I think a key for the season is for players like Daley, Baker, and hopefully Sears to be the ones to pressure the defense in the half court...strong players that can make contested shots when need be and create open looks for others. Also need Suffren on the floor a lot with her elite speed/quickness; when you have an advantage, you have to use it. Looks like rebounding and interior D will be by committee. So yeah, a little closer to position-less basketball.
I do like Harris-Mott for the future; might be a little more athletic than the 3 we'll have out there this year.
I didn't get to watch as much basketball this past season, but do you know who is expected to be the primary ball handler? I'm no expert, but sometimes it feels like Wenzel would be more effective off the ball.
I am guessing Suffern.
Unfortunately I expect Wenzel to be primary. I agree that Suffren seems a more natural PG and Kate Sears coming in is definitely a better ball handler than Wenzel.
I would totally expect that from CMY, but have you seen that in Coach Duffy? I seem to recall when Suffren was healthy she seemed to be getting more and more time at point as Wenzel moved to 2. With Nelson coming on I think we will see more of two who can play point sharing the duties out of the three of them, and not as much Wenzel as pure PG.
That is what I recall towards the end of the season as well. Hopefully we start that way. I love Carleigh's effort but there were multiple games when she was just a turnover machine.