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Post by kiyoat on May 7, 2024 15:44:22 GMT -6
Great Intro presser! Not a lot of our (those of us following along with the progress of the hire/ recruits/ staffing) current questions answered, but it was cool to hear from Coach E. Sounds like they will still take some time on staffing decisions, but no specifics given. In lieu of a no-holds barred press Q and A session, she got a major softball session with Jay... it was still an enjoyable interview (as always with Jay). Has there ever been a no holds barred press conference at USD with a new hire? What sorts of questions would be asked here that would actually be answered? Sorry, not trying to be difficult, but I am trying to understand expectations for a new hire press conference. “No holds barred” was a bit of hyperbole, of course. But, yes. Members of the press were allowed to have a Q & A at the end of Coach K’s and Coach Pete’s introduction pressers, if memory serves. An interview with Jay, as entertaining as it is, is definitely what I would call a “softball” in terms of hard-hitting questions. It’s fine. I will just have to wait and see what happens with the assistants and on the recruiting end. I’m just impatient.
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Post by kiyoat on May 7, 2024 11:29:18 GMT -6
Was updating this 2025 thread, and it looks like our two recruits have had different reactions to the new staff. Bartlett has retweeted and liked several USD tweets, but Schlagel has not. She does still list her status as a USD commit, so no reason to be too worried... but I'll feel better when we know more. Schlagel is a huge recruit in my view. Possibly the next Grace-type player.
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Post by kiyoat on May 7, 2024 10:35:10 GMT -6
Great Intro presser! Not a lot of our (those of us following along with the progress of the hire/ recruits/ staffing) current questions answered, but it was cool to hear from Coach E.
Sounds like they will still take some time on staffing decisions, but no specifics given.
In lieu of a no-holds barred press Q and A session, she got a major softball session with Jay... it was still an enjoyable interview (as always with Jay).
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Post by kiyoat on May 7, 2024 7:49:25 GMT -6
Once our staff is announced, ... I'll have a lot of work updating the recruiting threads... I do appreciate the "re-offer" announcements, though. I have to think that all previous offers with the previous staff are essentially expired, unless we see otherwise. (I'm really hoping we end up keeping Mike, but that's 100% up to Coach E).
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Post by kiyoat on May 7, 2024 5:30:05 GMT -6
I hope the roster has not been updated because it still shows all the assistant coaches from last year. I’d be surprised if it showed any staff changes before they were officially announced! Notice that her husband Devin is not on the list yet. Honestly I’m surprised Kayla hasn’t taken any assistants with her yet. We have heard that she tried to get Mike, but haven’t heard about the others, so either she didn’t ask or they declined too. Think of it this way: getting commitments from players and recruits before you start evaluating staff is pretty smart, don’t you agree?
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Post by kiyoat on May 6, 2024 16:05:40 GMT -6
Kieffer was solid as a freshman, if she can develop into that point guard role we need we're going to be in great shape. Truth be told though we need to either add or develop all 4 of those things kiyoat! Yeah, I agree. Two things you can't teach are size/length and athleticism. You can improve shooting efficiency with repetition, but by college, kids tend to either be great shooters or they aren't. But defense... to me, that's mostly about effort and technique. Anyone can learn to play defense better (if you are willing), and great coaches spend a lot of time and energy teaching that. I was amazed how fast we became an elite defense between the 2017 and 2018 seasons under Coach P. If that's what you emphasize, ... that's what you get. JMO
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Post by kiyoat on May 6, 2024 15:10:00 GMT -6
So with Hillman and RLG confirmed, and Monahan questionable as a transfer, looks like we might have two scholarships open...
So what need are we looking to fill?
1. an experienced forward/center to help transition our talented but inexperienced post room?
2. a versatile and athletic wing/forward to add size/ athleticism?
3. an elite ball-distributing and ball-control PG to cut down on turnovers?
4. a shut-down defender in any position?
right now our class distribution of scholarships for 2024/25 is:
Senior 3 Junior 2 Soph 2 Fresh 6
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Post by kiyoat on May 6, 2024 14:56:09 GMT -6
Great stuff! Big relief to see the re-commitment to the new staff.
This might further confirm that Monahan is gone, but I feel pretty good about who is all coming back. The program has had enough success for long enough that it is a selling point, I think. Coach E probably has been working the phones hard, too (I would assume).
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Post by kiyoat on May 6, 2024 9:35:24 GMT -6
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Post by kiyoat on May 6, 2024 8:54:41 GMT -6
So far the early offers from the new coach are all for Nebraska girls with good size (RLG, Dolliver, Medeck). I like the renewed focus on Nebraska, which we also recruit heavily in Volleyball! Many of these girls play both sports.
Not that we need to abandon Minnesota, Iowa or SD or anything (or even Wisconsin). Based on twitter follows Coach E has recruited basically a similar region to USD (and many of the same girls) for a long time. I'd wager she and her husband have a lot of HS and club contacts that will pay immediate dividends for Yote WBB.
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Post by kiyoat on May 6, 2024 8:40:48 GMT -6
3 follows (Kayla, Gabby, Taylor) also followed by our three new coaches Carrie, Deven and Bailey (not announced as assistant yet), (and they extended an offer May 5) Addison Medeck, 6-2 CenterPapillion, NE ETG Midwest Elite AAU twitter.com/MedeckAddisonOffers:2024 May USDNew offer out to Lauren's little sister, Addison Medeck!
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Post by kiyoat on May 5, 2024 22:09:47 GMT -6
2 twitter follows from Mike and Gabby: edit: with new staff, also followed by Carrie and Devin - offered Halle Dolliver, 5-10 WingMalcom HS, NE (Lincoln) ETG Midwest Elite AAU twitter.com/HalleDolliverPrepGirlsHoops #1 player in NE Also a standout VB player (both parents are tall - guessing she might not be done growing?) Offers: 2024 Apr - Colorado StateMay - USDJun updated with offers. She is now rated PrepGirls Hoops #1 2026 player in Nebraska.
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Post by kiyoat on May 5, 2024 10:50:49 GMT -6
I feel so much better about next year than I did 3 weeks ago. We're better on paper but we still have to play the game. That being said, I fell much better about our coaching too. If Coach E can get them playing better defensively, we would already be better than the previous two seasons.
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Post by kiyoat on May 5, 2024 8:31:56 GMT -6
With just one spot left, I’d take the BPA (best player achievable) approach to the portal. If that’s a post, great. But, for example, I wouldn’t feel the need to pass up on a better wing with versatility for a questionable post. Yeah, this is what I’m thinking too. Even without the experience, we suddenly have a lot of options at post with Haydon, RLG, Hillman and Wilke. We probably don’t need another true guard.
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Post by kiyoat on May 3, 2024 16:36:37 GMT -6
Interesting choice. I remember her mentioning when she first came to USD that she did not like living in the big city. Belmont is in Nashville. Smaller than Chicago, I guess.
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