http://www.utrockets.com/ViewArticle.dbm...=209283941

Also, the Collegian tweeted this tidbit this morning:

Quote:Cullop also said Inma Zanoguera and Andola Dortch have gotten even better. "I think people will be surprised at just how much better."

The team players were waitresses at a charity event I attended last night. Coach C was our waitress. Not bad but she shouldn't wuit her day job. Silent auction included a basket with four UT shirts, WNIT DVD and a signed ball. Another item was honorary coach for an upcoming game. H2O took home four shirts, WNIT DVD, a signed ball and the opportunity to be honorary coach. I don't really like the "honorary" thing because I've been working on this high post offense I'm dieing to implement.....

Anyway, Coach C said "patience" is her watchword. We have one center right now and will probably play four guards. Finally, if there's a player in the MAC as ripped as Zonoguerra I'd be surprised. Looks like she's in great shape. With Andola and some help from the new recruits I'm optomistic.

Collegian Article on Dortch & Zanoguera ... mostly on Inma: http://www.independentcollegian.com/spor...-1.2841473

There is also a nice article in that other paper on De Alfredo.

I think we are runaway the most athletic team in the MAC now. Went from being big and slow, with guards who push....to an entire team that pushes the tempo. Shooting needs to improve, and neutralizing Lebron over at CMU is a tall order, but I like our chances.

(10-16-2013 10:13 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  I think we are runaway the most athletic team in the MAC now.

At this point there does appear to me to be more talent in this class than in the two prior recruiting classes (Inma being the notable exception); however, I think we may have to wait until after January 4, 2014, to get a clearer understanding of the full extent to which your unbridled optimism is justified

(10-16-2013 10:13 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Went from being big and slow, with guards who push....to an entire team that pushes the tempo.

You may be treading on thin ice with the Kool Aid Crowd with this statement. Last season any time anyone questioned the lack of playing time for younger players (from the now non-existent class of 2012 or the 2011 class--other than Inma and Stephanie) it was taken as a personal attack on Coach Cullop and her staff. The "senior class" accomplishments (along with the "player development takes time" mantra) were always trotted out to validate all recruits, the good and the bad, by the single-minded and worshipful Kool Aid Crowd.

To their credit, a number of the senior class were key defensive players which has been the cornerstone of much of the program's success during the Cullop era. Still, defense is easier to teach and learn than is athleticism.

(10-16-2013 12:58 PM)T-Town Wrote:  

(10-16-2013 10:13 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  I think we are runaway the most athletic team in the MAC now.

At this point there does appear to me to be more talent in this class than in the two prior recruiting classes (Inma being the notable exception); however, I think we may have to wait until after January 4, 2014, to get a clearer understanding of the full extent to which your unbridled optimism is justified

(10-16-2013 10:13 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Went from being big and slow, with guards who push....to an entire team that pushes the tempo.

You may be treading on thin ice with the Kool Aid Crowd with this statement. Last season any time anyone questioned the lack of playing time for younger players (from the now non-existent class of 2012 or the 2011 class--other than Inma and Stephanie) it was taken as a personal attack on Coach Cullop and her staff. The "senior class" accomplishments (along with the "player development takes time" mantra) were always trotted out to validate all recruits, the good and the bad, by the single-minded and worshipful Kool Aid Crowd.

To their credit, a number of the senior class were key defensive players which has been the cornerstone of much of the program's success during the Cullop era. Still, defense is easier to teach and learn than is athleticism.

I think we'll end up being pretty happy with the 2011 class. We'll know soon. 2012 was a complete bust, obviously, and 2010 was a bit of a disappointment. I'm pretty excited to see what this year's class has to offer. Of course, a team is judged as a whole, not by class. The Rockets have been consistently very good for several years, which is why some of us think Cullop has done a great job.

Does that get me membership in the Kool Aid Crowd?

(10-16-2013 08:00 PM)Dwight Wrote:  Does that get me membership in the Kool Aid Crowd?

I suspect that probably 95% or more of the fan base, including myself, think that from a number of perspectives Coach Cullop has done a great job in bringing the program back to prominence. However, some people, myself included, are of the opinion that there is always room for improvement and there are goals still to be achieved which is a view apparently not shared by the Kool Aid Crowd. My take is that they tend to believe anyone not totally satisfied with the status quo who dares to expect more or raise any criticism whatever is somehow being disloyal to the program, or worse, questioning Cullop's coaching abilities and/or her character. At this point they usually claim the mantle of "good fans" while trying to marginalize any critics by questioning their loyalty or the depth of their support for the program, either directly or by insinuation.

So there you have my definition of the criteria for membership in the Kool-Aid Crowd. Do you merit membership? Your last statement: "which is why some of us think Cullop has done a great job" while not definitive might be construed as a symptom thru an apparent failure to recognize that while some fans believe that there still more that program can achieve. most fans , including these, nevertheless would agree that Cullop has done an outstanding job. Rather than dig thru all the WBB threads from last season, I will leave up to you as to whether or not you think you meet (or fail to meet) the criteria I have outlined above.

(10-17-2013 12:00 AM)T-Town Wrote:  

(10-16-2013 08:00 PM)Dwight Wrote:  Does that get me membership in the Kool Aid Crowd?

I suspect that probably 95% or more of the fan base, including myself, think that from a number of perspectives Coach Cullop has done a great job in bringing the program back to prominence. However, some people, myself included, are of the opinion that there is always room for improvement and there are goals still to be achieved which is a view apparently not shared by the Kool Aid Crowd. My take is that they tend to believe anyone not totally satisfied with the status quo who dares to expect more or raise any criticism whatever is somehow being disloyal to the program, or worse, questioning Cullop's coaching abilities and/or her character. At this point they usually claim the mantle of "good fans" while trying to marginalize any critics by questioning their loyalty or the depth of their support for the program, either directly or by insinuation.

So there you have my definition of the criteria for membership in the Kool-Aid Crowd. Do you merit membership? Your last statement: "which is why some of us think Cullop has done a great job" while not definitive might be construed as a symptom thru an apparent failure to recognize that while some fans believe that there still more that program can achieve. most fans , including these, nevertheless would agree that Cullop has done an outstanding job. Rather than dig thru all the WBB threads from last season, I will leave up to you as to whether or not you think you meet (or fail to meet) the criteria I have outlined above.

I may have taken a sip now and then. It tastes really sweet but unfortunately is not part of a healthy, well-balanced diet.

(10-17-2013 05:49 AM)Dwight Wrote:  I may have taken a sip now and then. It tastes really sweet but unfortunately is not part of a healthy, well-balanced diet.

We've ALL taken a glass or two. Wouldn't be good Rocket fans if we hadn't. We'll struggle this year early but we'll be alright.