I rewatched the Louisville game this past weekend and couldn’t help but be impressed by Hannah Stuelke. Simply put, she had no problem staying in front of her opponent (low bar, I know, but it’s us). A few things struck me:
- To think that Stuelke was banging around with Aaliyah Boston and holding her own is pretty amazing. Her experience in big games, esp. the NCAAT run, will pay dividends. Few freshmen get to put in minutes like that against so many Elite 8+ teams.
- I’m also glad O’Grady ended the year strong. She didn’t have the breakout year we expected but she made some strides in the gym bc she worked her way from a bench burner to a solid part of the rotation when it mattered.
- No one has really discussed the potential upside for our DEFENSE with a rotation of Stuelke, O’Grady and Goodman at the 4 and 5. Those 3 bring some defensive capabilities that we haven’t seen in a few years in the post. People keep focusing on losing Czinano and Warnock, but they were easily our 2 worst defenders.
- Furthermore, if I had to choose, I’d rather be working on rebuilding our bigs than our guards. Esp in Bluder’s system, our posts can adapt more easily from reserve to starter.
- I’m hopeful Martin and Marshalls production becomes more consistent. 15-20 pts most nights would be ideal. I do wonder if that’s a tall order (though it shouldn’t be for two 5th yrs).
- Furthermore, I think if Bluder plays to Stuelke and O’Grady’s strengths, they should be productive too. Neither needs to be Czinano 2.0. But I think they can combine for 20-25 pts and 10-15 rebounds. Efficiency and turnovers loom large for both tho.
- So many are focusing on Warnock’s ability to stretch the floor. Noted. But Bluder has proven that she knows how to be successful with a 2 in/3 out system. She used it to make the Elite 8 and win her FIRST BTT title in 2019.
- We should also be a lot less nervous about Clark relying too much on one player. Next year she’ll not only continue to improve her vision and passing, but be forced to share the ball more equally amongst her teammates (bc no one will be as automatic — or as easily neutralized by teams like NC state, IU, UConn, MD — as Czinano).
I guess I’m saying theres a real chance our offense becomes a more well rounded next year AND also a good chance that our defense improves as well.
Is there a world in which our 4 starters not named Clark could all easily go for 8-12 on any given night? On paper that shouldn’t be too difficult with Stuelke’s speed, O’Grady’s height, and two 5th yr seniors.
Not to mention Clark being Clark and returning 10 other kids who have played together for 1-2 years already, many of whom could start at other P5s (Feuerbach did, as a freshman). Most coaches would say this is an enviable position to be in!
My biggest worry for next season — will we ever learn to defend the 3 pt line? It seems almost all of our most excruciating losses this and last season (K-State, Creighton, @Illinois, @ MD, vs OSU in ‘22, LSU) all occurred bc we simply couldn’t (wouldn’t?) guard the perimeter. I for one would love to see some growth in that regard for next year.
Side note: I was also reminded of that ESPN article from the fall that listed the 20 WBB players who need a breakout season for their team to reach its potential…including Gabbie Marshall. Almost prescient. I wonder how her off-season is going.
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