Leadership, or lack of...

[ScarletteK80]

Dawned on me today that this team is devoid of a true leader/leaders. Who would you nominate? One captain, or two?
The blank stares all around is a dead giveaway.
Eatman looks confused as well. The constant subbing in and out is so confusing, and doesn't make for any type of cohesion.
So, who would your choices be?

 

[RUfanDNT]

It is hard have a leader with so much subbing. From today's game, I would choose Shug and Osh. I also really like Lasha if only she wasn't taken out of the game so often.

 

[RUcrazee]

Jailyn has shown some leadership ability since the season started. I'd include her with the others mentioned by RUfanDNT. These transfers really do seem like they are the leaders trying to bring order to whatever Tim is trying to do. Sayawni also. I make these players the captains. All 5 of them. They have the most experience on the team.

 

[RUcrazee]

I guess you need one leader taking control of a huddle regarding communications. Like quarterbacks in football. In that case, I go with Jailyn. When she's not in, Sayawni or Shug. Osh and Lasha seem to be more of the lead-by-example type to me.

 

[Drayon10]

Jailyn has shown some leadership ability since the season started. I'd include her with the others mentioned by RUfanDNT. These transfers really do seem like they are the leaders trying to bring order to whatever Tim is trying to do. Sayawni also. I make these players the captains. All 5 of them. They have the most experience on the team.

In my opinion, Jailyn is not a good player and should be on the bench. I am puzzle as to why she plays as much time as she does. She needs to come off the bench and Victoria Morris should start in her place.

 

[RUcrazee]

In my opinion, Jailyn is not a good player and should be on the bench. I am puzzle as to why she plays as much time as she does. She needs to come off the bench and Victoria Morris should start in her place.

Yeah, I hear a lot of the fans voice their displeasure with Jailyn. I think she's been dealt an unfair hand due to the situation that she was thrust into to start the season. Having to run the point because Shug was out, combined with the fact that Tim didn't have them prepared to run his offense, made Jailyn look the worst of all the players because she often had the ball in her hands as the shot clock expired and everyone was standing around looking confused. On the wing is where she is best suited to play. You have to admit, she's looked a lot better since Shug has come back. There's nothing really to knock her for lately, IMO.

Between her and Victoria, I think Jailyn is a better defender. Victoria is a better penetrator off the dribble. Although it hasn't clearly been shown, IMO Jailyn is a better shooter. I think they went with Jailyn instead of Victoria at point in the beginning because she is a better playmaker. I've seen that quality when she is playing from the wing. They all need reps to look better from three.

And if she were to be replaced in the starting lineup, IMO, it should be Sayawni. Victoria is looking to be neck-and-neck with the freshman at this point. Might give her a slight edge on her experience.

 

[bac2therac]

you cant just recruit a slew of transfers and want leadership, thats not program building. All the leaders graduated, the ones who could fill in that role decided to bolt too.

this team isnt connected because no one is going through the process of 4 years anymore

 

[dconifer]

you cant just recruit a slew of transfers and want leadership, thats not program building. All the leaders graduated, the ones who could fill in that role decided to bolt too.

this team isnt connected because no one is going through the process of 4 years anymore

Great observation, which I think we better get used to in men's/women's basketball for most or all programs. It will be worst for basketball with only five players on the court at a time, and also the need for a cohesive strategy.

It's sad to see for me, but I know it's "progress."

 

[RUcrazee]

you cant just recruit a slew of transfers and want leadership, thats not program building. All the leaders graduated, the ones who could fill in that role decided to bolt too.

No, you can't just recruit a slew of transfers all willy nilly and expect leadership. But I do think it all depends on who you bring in. You can bring in a person who is a natural leader into a group that is looking for leadership, and have that person provide true leadership. Clear example, in a similarly fluid environment regarding player movement from team to team, would be LeBron James everywhere he goes and Jason Kidd coming to the Nets.

Our problem of leadership is not with the transfers. It is the questionable leadership of the coaches right now. After the last two games, I'm more inclined these days to be patient with them, in the faith that they may be able to right the ship.

Not saying Jailyn and Sayawni are Lebron and Kidd, but I do see leadership qualities in both of them moreso than our other players. Haven't seen enough of Shug yet to say.

 

[RUcrazee]

Nobody had a situation with transfer this year that was more pronounced than Syracuse WBB. Duke also had about as many transfers as we did. And they didn't even have a season last year. Both teams are off to pretty good starts this year. It can be argued that Syracuse has shown improvement over last year when they had more highly recruited players.

The leadership from the top down seems to be the reason for such a smooth transition from one group of players to a completely different group. I'm sure the coaches recruited players who could come in and be a team leader, if they didn't already have that leader on the roster. Watching Duke, Celeste Taylor just joined the team coming over from Texas this summer. She appears to have taken on a leadership role on that team and is doing so very well.

 

[Drayon10]

Yeah, I hear a lot of the fans voice their displeasure with Jailyn. I think she's been dealt an unfair hand due to the situation that she was thrust into to start the season. Having to run the point because Shug was out, combined with the fact that Tim didn't have them prepared to run his offense, made Jailyn look the worst of all the players because she often had the ball in her hands as the shot clock expired and everyone was standing around looking confused. On the wing is where she is best suited to play. You have to admit, she's looked a lot better since Shug has come back. There's nothing really to knock her for lately, IMO.

Between her and Victoria, I think Jailyn is a better defender. Victoria is a better penetrator off the dribble. Although it hasn't clearly been shown, IMO Jailyn is a better shooter. I think they went with Jailyn instead of Victoria at point in the beginning because she is a better playmaker. I've seen that quality when she is playing from the wing. They all need reps to look better from three.

And if she were to be replaced in the starting lineup, IMO, it should be Sayawni. Victoria is looking to be neck-and-neck with the freshman at this point. Might give her a slight edge on her experience.

It is my understanding Victoria Morris scored over 1400 points at Old Dominion, this young lady is a veteran that knows how to score the ball and we need that more than ever. Victoria is a smaller two guard but there were several games that she saved Rutgers and we need more scoring from the off guard position. With Shug Dickson at point guard and Lasha Petree at small forward, I believe Victoria complements them best at the off guard position; we need more scoring from the perimeter. Osh Brown is most comfortable and effective at the power forward and Tyia Singleton has finally awaken at the center position. With these five players starting (Dickson, Morris, Petree, Brown and Singleton), we sub in first Sakima Walker, Awa Sidibe, Kierra Sanderlin and then Sayawni Lassiter. I would love to see Chyna Cornwell play more, she is very talented and has not been given a chance to show her abilities; I would not be surprise if both she and Sakima Walker transfer. Cornwell would be justified to return back to North Carolina and attend NC State. Sad to say this but we have done a terrible job with building confidence and playing Cornwell, Walker, Erica LaFayette and Liz Martino.

 

[RUcrazee]

It is my understanding Victoria Morris scored over 1400 points at Old Dominion, this young lady is a veteran that knows how to score the ball and we need that more than ever. Victoria is a smaller two guard but there were several games that she saved Rutgers and we need more scoring from the off guard position. With Shug Dickson at point guard and Lasha Petree at small forward, I believe Victoria complements them best at the off guard position; we need more scoring from the perimeter. Osh Brown is most comfortable and effective at the power forward and Tyia Singleton has finally awaken at the center position. With these five players starting (Dickson, Morris, Petree, Brown and Singleton), we sub in first Sakima Walker, Awa Sidibe, Kierra Sanderlin and then Sayawni Lassiter. I would love to see Chyna Cornwell play more, she is very talented and has not been given a chance to show her abilities; I would not be surprise if both she and Sakima Walker transfer. Cornwell would be justified to return back to North Carolina and attend NC State. Sad to say this but we have done a terrible job with building confidence and playing Cornwell, Walker, Erica LaFayette and Liz Martino.

I agree with just about everything you stated. I think Victoria is a streaky shooter who scored a lot of points at ODU as one of the main players who took most of the shots. The ODU games I saw led me to believe she needed to work on her form on the jumpshot. Looking at her stats, she made a lot of threes, it was feast or famine from game to game. For that reason, I like Jailyn and Sayawni because they do other things and can hit the three at about the same if not better percentage as Victoria. Jailyn defends, rebounds and dishes. Sayawni defends (steals), distributes, and handles better than Victoria.

Not saying Victoria shouldn't play. She's a good energy player. I just happen to prefer the other two ahead of her at this point. But so far, there is no real separation in production, so if Tim decided to start Victoria, it wouldn't be frowned upon. I think she did start some games already, IIRC.

Who knows what the future holds as far as the transfer portal next year. But it is still very early and I wouldn't want to be the one that puts the transfer energy out there about specific players. I always say, "cream rises to the top". If they are truly ready right now, Sakima and Chyna will have their time this year. Chyna has shown some signs of not being ready in some of her brief appearances, including yesterday's game. Really, the problem is too many players on the roster to play all of them. Sidibe and Marshall are taking Chyna and Sakima's time. Tim is caught up in a seniority type of loyalty thing it seems. He needs to get past that if he wants to win and keep the job.

I just hope we don't carry as many players next year.

 

[Rufan07]

I’m worried about members of the freshman class transferring as well. I can’t for the life of me understand why they aren’t playing. News Flash these Grad Students are only here for one year! I would have been happy with Brown, Lasha, Shug and Lassiter (especially if they were trying to redshirt Sanderlin). It’s just too new many players to try to jell together.
The Maryland game was encouraging but I think it’s to late. The damage has been done and I don’t see this team making the NCAA’s. If Stringer does come back, I hope she brings with her a new a strong Assistant Head Coach who can recruit and take over when she leaves at the end of this contract. I like Nadine and Michelle and I think the players/recruits do as well.

 

[Drayon10]

I’m worried about members of the freshman class transferring as well. I can’t for the life of me understand why they aren’t playing. News Flash these Grad Students are only here for one year! I would have been happy with Brown, Lasha, Shug and Lassiter (especially if they were trying to redshirt Sanderlin). It’s just too new many players to try to jell together.
The Maryland game was encouraging but I think it’s to late. The damage has been done and I don’t see this team making the NCAA’s. If Stringer does come back, I hope she brings with her a new a strong Assistant Head Coach who can recruit and take over when she leaves at the end of this contract. I like Nadine and Michelle and I think the players/recruits do as well.

Nadine should have been selected interim or acting head coach, she is a jewel.

 

[RUcrazee]

I’m worried about members of the freshman class transferring as well. I can’t for the life of me understand why they aren’t playing. News Flash these Grad Students are only here for one year! I would have been happy with Brown, Lasha, Shug and Lassiter (especially if they were trying to redshirt Sanderlin). It’s just too new many players to try to jell together.
The Maryland game was encouraging but I think it’s to late. The damage has been done and I don’t see this team making the NCAA’s. If Stringer does come back, I hope she brings with her a new a strong Assistant Head Coach who can recruit and take over when she leaves at the end of this contract. I like Nadine and Michelle and I think the players/recruits do as well.

Not sure if you meant the sophomore class when mentioning lack of playing time.......But honestly, they are still not ready for prime time IMO, with the exception of Sakima and maybe?Liz. I expected Liz to be stronger with the ball than she has shown to be even in her brief playing time. They haven't shown that they deserve the time over the experienced transfers. And I think the gelling part is because of Tim playing musical chairs with them. Or is it more like Duck, Duck , Goose!??

Seriously though, I get worried when I see people continuing to post about somebody transferring before there's any hint of it being a reality. If you are really concerned about that , you might not want to keep drumming that thought into the atmosphere.

And regarding the NCAA Tourney, yes, we've got to play alot better to make it. But it is too early to throw in the towel right now. IIRC, there have been teams that get in with 9, 10 , maybe even 11 losses. We have what, 5 losses? If we play to our potential which would be building on what we saw yesterday against Md, we can be a 10 or less loss team and make the tourney. Especially with a strong showing in the Big Ten Tourney. A lot of bball yet to be played. I don't believe in giving up until the final whistle.

 

[Rufan07]

Not sure if you meant the sophomore class when mentioning lack of playing time.......But honestly, they are still not ready for prime time IMO, with the exception of Sakima and maybe?Liz. I expected Liz to be stronger with the ball than she has shown to be even in her brief playing time. They haven't shown that they deserve the time over the experienced transfers. And I think the gelling part is because of Tim playing musical chairs with them. Or is it more like Duck, Duck , Goose!??

Seriously though, I get worried when I see people continuing to post about somebody transferring before there's any hint of it being a reality. If you are really concerned about that , you might not want to keep drumming that thought into the atmosphere.

And regarding the NCAA Tourney, yes, we've got to play alot better to make it. But it is too early to throw in the towel right now. IIRC, there have been teams that get in with 9, 10 , maybe even 11 losses. We have what, 5 losses? If we play to our potential which would be building on what we saw yesterday against Md, we can be a 10 or less loss team and make the tourney. Especially with a strong showing in the Big Ten Tourney. A lot of bball yet to be played. I don't believe in giving up until the final whistle.

I thought everyone was given a blanket year last year? If that is true then They can technically be considered ‘Freshman’. I don’t want anyone to transfer but I pay attention to body language. Some of them seem uninterested/unhappy during the games. How can you expect them to be ready for prime time when you don’t play them? There were opportunities earlier in the season but that time was given to the grad transfers. As far as the NCAAs, I hope your right. The Maryland game was encouraging. Let’s see how they play against Penn State to see if they have turned the corner.

 

[RUcrazee]

It's an unfortunate situation when talking about everyone being happy. I think we all were saying, "what?! another transfer coming in??!, when one after another kept coming in this past spring. We could all see that somebody was not going to see a lot of time on the court. You just can't play everyone in highly contested games, which it looks like are games will be, unless we are getting blown out.

Players have to put in the work in the offseason to improve their skills and I'm not sure some of our young players have done what they needed to. Hence, the reason so many transfers were brought in. I think it was evident that our youngsters were not ready to be competitive in the Big Ten. Is it the coaches fault for not developing them quick enough, maybe, idk. Remember also, Diamond came in with them, she commanded playing time as a P-T-Per(as Dick Vitale would say). Our current freshman is carving out playing time. You have to show that you belong when you get your opportunity. Just that simple.

 

[anon_ivydyf0amkzay]

I thought everyone was given a blanket year last year? If that is true then They can technically be considered ‘Freshman’. I don’t want anyone to transfer but I pay attention to body language. Some of them seem uninterested/unhappy during the games. How can you expect them to be ready for prime time when you don’t play them? There were opportunities earlier in the season but that time was given to the grad transfers. As far as the NCAAs, I hope your right. The Maryland game was encouraging. Let’s see how they play against Penn State to see if they have turned the corner.

So you found a 73-59 game “encouraging”? Dang…