Next Years Roster-Discussion

[richthedentist]

Here is the list as I see it of what will be our roster next year(If I made an error please correct me)

Returning:
Zippy Broughton- Jr 5'7"- Guard
Stephanie Guihon- Sr- 5'6"- Guard
Arella Guirantes- Redshirt Sr- 5'11"- Guard(Didn't realize she was that tall)
Joiya Maddox- Soph- 5'10"- Guard
Mael Giles- Sr- 6'1"- Forward
Tyia Singleton- Redshirt Soph- 6'2"- Forward
Tekia Mack- Sr- 6'1"- Forward

Incoming class ranked #1 in Big 10 #8 overall
Diamond Johnson- 5'5"- Guard #6 overall recruit
Sakima Walker- 6'4"-Center #21 recruit
Chyna Cornwell- 6'3"- Forward #48 recruit
Elizabeth Martino- 6'0"- Guard #53 recruit
Erica Lafayette- 6'0'- Wing- #40 recruit

Impressions first and foremost we NEED Arella to return or we are really in trouble
Second barring injuries we will have 12 scholarship girls so we should have good depth
We are very thin in the post which makes Maori's departure really hurt so we have to hope Sakima can come in and play immediately
We really need the freshman to play a big role hopefully CVS will let them play right away something that has not been a hallmark of hers with freshman but I think it will be a necessity

Please others eval returning players and what you think for next year

Really bored at home!!

 

[Colerr]

I think we will grab some transfers.

 

[RUcrazee]

Agree totally with everything stated above by the dentist. Arella hopefully comes back and leads along with Tekia. An improved Maori would have been the perfect piece to complete this team. Since that's not the case, Cornwell and Walker are going to have to grow up quick. I think Cornwell is up to that challenge,.....looking at her highlights, she looks pretty polished in the post. Haven't seen any clips of Walker. Martino will also be ready to play big minutes. That Maryland area that she played in seems to be a pretty competitive scene filled with savvy ballplayers. She will be able to spell Arella so she doesn't have to play 40 min a game. Cornwell may be our best bet at center unless Tyia really works hard this summer on her offensive game.

And of course, Diamond should get plenty of minutes in relief of Zippy. I wouldn't mind seeing her start at point and have Zippy as the Shooting Guard. Maybe she would be more aggressive if she's not worried about organizing the offense. Diamond is a more natural point guard than Zippy. Zippy has been robotic running the point like KK was for her first three years. She is the X-factor to our team because she has the potential to be next level. Diamond's game is really going to help bring Zippy's game to another level.

If Mael Giles continues to improve her outside shooting, we may want to employ the Golden State style of position-less starting five. Her, Tekia, Arella, Zippy, and Diamond w/o a conventional-type post player. Lots of flexibility.

Maddox, Lafayette, and Guidon in addition to the other freshman already mentioned really gives us pretty good depth similar to what we had at full strength last year. We could even go back to that platoon system at times when we want to save the legs of our starters. Maddox has work to do to beat out Martino. She's gotta work on her handle and defense so she can play in crucial moments. Last year she was really one-dimensional.

 

[RUcrazee]

So much to say,....I thought I'd break it up. Regarding freshman playing time. I think Viv will play a freshman if they are ready. You may have seen in my prior posts, I like to call them true "ballers". If they can "ball", they will play from day 1. Cappie, Piph, Betnijah, Tyler. All good examples. I think it is safe to say that Diamond is in that category. Not sure about the others, although I think Martino and Cornwell may be close.

Another good example that I've mentioned before is a player of the caliber of Owusu at Md. Flat-out "baller".

 

[richthedentist]

So much to say,....I thought I'd break it up. Regarding freshman playing time. I think Viv will play a freshman if they are ready. You may have seen in my prior posts, I like to call them true "ballers". If they can "ball", they will play from day 1. Cappie, Piph, Betnijah, Tyler. All good examples. I think it is safe to say that Diamond is in that category. Not sure about the others, although I think Martino and Cornwell may be close.

Another good example that I've mentioned before is a player of the caliber of Owusu at Md. Flat-out "baller".

I think one of the bigs is going to have to play from day 1 so hopefully 1 of them is up to the task

 

[RUcrazee]

I think one of the bigs is going to have to play from day 1 so hopefully 1 of them is up to the task

Good point. I think we need to have at least one solid conventional post player ready to go from Day 1. Especially for games against teams with strong post players. Michigan is going to be one of those teams in the Big. They are adding another good one to arguably the best in the Big in N. Hilmon and a pretty good Verazao. But some teams allow for us to be able to play small....like we did, surprisingly, successfully this year. After seeing Maori wasn't ready, I thought we were in for a long season. Hats off to Tekia and Mael. And of course, Jordan for stepping her game up.

 

[RC66]

Am I the only one that saw Slim progressing A LOT during the second half of last season? I think I see more contribution possibilities from her than anyone else here.

 

[RUClassof67]

Am I the only one that saw Slim progressing A LOT during the second half of last season? I think I see more contribution possibilities from her than anyone else here.

Agree - she can finish well (one of Jordan's strengths this year) and she played well when pressed into action. Remember she had a medical year and will be a redshirt sophomore in 2021-21.

 

[Degaz-RU]

With the WNBA likely shut down for the summer, there’s really no reason for Arella to leave.

 

[RUcrazee]

Am I the only one that saw Slim progressing A LOT during the second half of last season? I think I see more contribution possibilities from her than anyone else here.

I observed her becoming more comfortable with the offense and being on the floor after sitting out the previous year. She came in as a strong rebounder,...and I saw that immediately in her play. Skill wise, she has a lot of work to do and it showed often this season. The good thing is that she plays hard and I believe she will improve the skills. Imo she needs to work on her footwork and shooting mechanics. She did not finish well around the basket consistently this season. Baskets she did finish were usually putbacks or dump off passes...although she missed her share of those bunnies.

Jordan was the opposite. Excellent footwork, nice, soft shooting touch, and an array of moves with her back to the basket. Finished regularly. Such a pleasant surprise she was.

Cornwell, ....based on highlights I've seen, has decent footwork and pretty good shooting touch. I think she may have a higher basketball IQ at this time.

Walker...I just haven't seen at all, so I can't say where she fits in this order. She has the benefit of an NBA post player dad, so she most likely will be ready sooner than later.

Viv usually goes by seniority if its even, so if Tiya puts in the work like Jordan did, she will most likely get the starting job.

 

[RUJMM78]

Rutgers needs a grad transfer at the center position to provide depth when other players get in foul trouble.

 

[richthedentist]

Rutgers needs a grad transfer at the center position to provide depth when other players get in foul trouble.

Agreed that would be a great pickup does anyone in the know know if there are any centers in the portal?

 

[RUcrazee]

We lost out on a potential grad transfer that would have brought experience, 3pt shooting, and all-around offensive skills.
Petra Holesinska from Illinois just committed to UNC. According to a tweet from an Illinois insider, Ryan Evan, she was being courted by Md, Tenn, Indiana, Florida, Ga.Tech, and RUTGERS, among others.

Imo, would have likely started at the two guard with Zippy at point, allowing Diamond to be first off the bench and have less pressure put on her at the start of her RU career.
Well,.... at least she didn't go to any of our BIG10 opponents.

 

[Colerr]

I think we have a pretty good shot at some transfers. I think we have a pretty good shot at landing Kierstan Bell, considering we were in her final two and she said it was very hard to say no to CVS.

Also with the news of Mississippi State coach going to Texas, should Rickea Jackson choose to transfer as well...I'd like our shot at her too, we were in her final 3, and she also said it was hard to say no to CVS as her family loves CVS.

I just hope CVS and staff are really looking at the transfer portal because there are big pieces we could get for next year and beyond.