http://utrockets.com/news/2016/4/21/wome...ath=wbball

Some good credentials. Great PG play would make a huge difference for the Lady Rockets.

I was already pretty excited about next year's team. These last two JUCO signings make me think that we will be one of the teams to beat next year in the MAC. Even with the losses of Harris and Capotosto, I think we will be a significantly improved team.

I think that the biggest concern headed into next year was if Cunningham could adequately replace Harris. It looks as if Coach Cullop is "taking out some insurance" to make sure Harris is replaced one way or another.

Maybe the latest player will be the UT version of Cha Sweeney.

(04-22-2016 05:17 AM)Dwight Wrote:  I was already pretty excited about next year's team. These last two JUCO signings make me think that we will be one of the teams to beat next year in the MAC. Even with the losses of Harris and Capotosto, I think we will be a significantly improved team.

Yeah but I think some change in method need be done so that the team is built from the Freshman recruit on up instead of patched up later. Fans too I think build that relationship over the four years. Two years and out doesn't give anyone much time to build loyalties and community I think.

I just don't see us recruiting the talent we need to get us to the NCAAs. With exception to Naama, we haven't been able to attract and develop a dominant scorer that can basically carry the team to victory when necessary

(04-22-2016 10:09 AM)Rocket_Fanatic Wrote:  I just don't see us recruiting the talent we need to get us to the NCAAs. With exception to Naama, we haven't been able to attract and develop a dominant scorer that can basically carry the team to victory when necessary

Getting Naama was a total fluke. Cullop never saw her play in person, so it was a roll of the dice. She could have easily been a total failure.

Teams that recruit JC players late are panicking. I hope these players work out, but the quality JUCO's sign early.

I agree with east that, from a fan's point of view, it is most satisfying when players come in as freshmen and develop over the years. On the other hand, I'm pretty happy that we recruited Haylie Linn and Brenae Harris. I would've rather watched both of them for four years, but I won't complain.

In response to Fanatic, I would say that not all MAC championship teams have a single dominant scorer who carries the team to victory. We will have some very good players on next year's team. Time will tell whether they are good enough to earn an NCAA bid. Bravo-Harriot and McIntyre are the kind of talent that we need to win the conference. We had one awful recruiting classes and one or two average ones, but more recently we have done well.

Detroit's comment that UT is panicking is completely out of the blue, in my opinion. We had thirteen players on scholarship, and we were set up to be a better-than-average MAC team, at least, probably a title contender. We had two scholarships left, and we used them. Where is the evidence of panicking? You say that the quality JUCOs sign early, but it looks otherwise to me. Both of our recruits have good credentials and appear to be quality JUCOs. I guess we'll no more after next season. For you to say that recruiting these players is a sign of panic maybe is a reflection of your frustration about some of our past recruiting classes. I don't see any basis in reality for your statement. Maybe you should tell the Buffalo men's coach that only desperate coaches sign JUCOs late and that the quality JUCOs are unavailable by then. He went to the NCAA this year with serious contributions from late JUCO signees.

(04-22-2016 01:02 PM)Dwight Wrote:  I agree with east that,

...bunch of other stuff...

(04-22-2016 10:09 AM)Rocket_Fanatic Wrote:  I just don't see us recruiting the talent we need to get us to the NCAAs. With exception to Naama, we haven't been able to attract and develop a dominant scorer that can basically carry the team to victory when necessary

Naama was never really what I would call a dominant scorer. Averaged 15 points per game her best season. Of course, she could take over games at times, and was clutch late in the game, but what really set her apart was her all court ability, ball handling and that there wasn't really a weak spot in her game.

Rockets haven't had true dominant scorer since Knuth, although Tia Davis and Kahli Carter each had 1 big season.

Actually, scoring hasn't really been the problem for the Rockets this past few years. Comparing to the two 29 win teams, last season's team actually scored more points per game. The big issues recently have been defense and rebounding. Defensively, this past year's team gave up 15 more points per game than the 13-14 team that won 29. Yes, 15 more points.

I'm hoping that the new additions bring renewed emphasis on defense, and that we find at least 1 dominant rebounder. I think the scoring will be fine.

(04-22-2016 01:02 PM)Dwight Wrote:  I agree with east that, from a fan's point of view, it is most satisfying when players come in as freshmen and develop over the years. On the other hand, I'm pretty happy that we recruited Haylie Linn and Brenae Harris. I would've rather watched both of them for four years, but I won't complain.

In response to Fanatic, I would say that not all MAC championship teams have a single dominant scorer who carries the team to victory. We will have some very good players on next year's team. Time will tell whether they are good enough to earn an NCAA bid. Bravo-Harriot and McIntyre are the kind of talent that we need to win the conference. We had one awful recruiting classes and one or two average ones, but more recently we have done well.

Detroit's comment that UT is panicking is completely out of the blue, in my opinion. We had thirteen players on scholarship, and we were set up to be a better-than-average MAC team, at least, probably a title contender. We had two scholarships left, and we used them. Where is the evidence of panicking? You say that the quality JUCOs sign early, but it looks otherwise to me. Both of our recruits have good credentials and appear to be quality JUCOs. I guess we'll no more after next season. For you to say that recruiting these players is a sign of panic maybe is a reflection of your frustration about some of our past recruiting classes. I don't see any basis in reality for your statement. Maybe you should tell the Buffalo men's coach that only desperate coaches sign JUCOs late and that the quality JUCOs are unavailable by then. He went to the NCAA this year with serious contributions from late JUCO signees.

I agree 100% with your comments. We all identify with players who are here for four years but the examples you gave are players who will always be special to me.

Anyone who has coached will tell you that it is easier to prepare to play against a team with one dominate player, rather than a team with balanced scoring potential. A good example was the Delaware team we played with the arguably the best player in the country, Elena Delle Doone. We beat them with a team of balanced scorers. I admit she was amazing to watch and still is.

To say Coach Cullop recruited out of panic is ridiculous. There have been years that she held back filling scholarships rather than filling them just to fill spots.

Thanks for speaking up against negative comments!