HoopDreams:
I am optimistic about our chances of returning to the Final Four, especially since the regionals are again in Portland this year. But I do have real concerns about winning it all for the PAC-12. That would be so terrific - how long has it been!?
My big question is overall team toughness, that "killer instinct." God bless Ruthy Heberd, her stats are amazing, but during crunch time in big games her rebounding tends to go south.In fact, as a team I'm not sure we got even 50% of loose balls when it counted last year. Toughness. If it weren't for Sabrina's surgical-like passes into Ruthy, not sure where we would be. She does have great hands though.
Everyone up here is hoping Sedona Prince, the 6-7 highly-regarded Texas transfer, will win her waiver to play this season. That would certainly help inside as she is very versatile, inside AND outside.
Perhaps the biggest loss, though, is 6-4 Berlin freshman Nyara Sabally having to miss her second season with another knee injury. Some say she is better than sister Satou, which is a little hard to believe. Her main strengths were to be crashing the boards as well as open floor speed.
As far as replacing PG Maite Cazorla, the surprising transfer of USC's Minyon Moore should help ease the pain. Her specialty is defense, something the Ducks have lacked. She may not be starting, however, as incoming Aussie Jazmin Shelley is already getting raves. Rookie Holly Winterburn from London is also expected to see her share of minutes.
In other words, the team will have depth it hasn't had for awhile.
As for winning the title? I guess when you have Ionescu, anything is within reach. Sorry for the rambling.
Good luck to the Bears. Was never a fan of Gottlieb. Things will only get better, just as they did here when that fiasco of a coach Westhead was replaced.
