addition, but I still think we need a defensive 5; not for most of our games, but for the games when we must defend one of the great bigs in today's game: Iriafen, Betts, Beers, Lee, or pretty much the entire South Carolina front court. Having someone to hamper a dominant big and absorb some fouls will be imperative if we have dreams of a championship.

Do you think Karlen could go against these bigs and hold her ground? She's not thin like Nat but she's only 6'2" and so she's giving up a lot of height. I didn't watch Marquette much so I cannot evaluate how she would perform in these types of situations. I know Maddy can provide some assistance, but that takes away from her offense and she can also be foul prone. Are 3 front court players (Westbeld, Karlen and Koval) enough to fill 2 positions in the tournament? Will all three be available in the postseason?

post player. Karlen is more of a stretch four than a low post player from what I have seen of her. As you noted, Maddy Westbeld does pick-up fouls when she has to defend the low post for more than a few minutes per game. Weimar would be a good time sharer with Koval; she was the Patriot League defensive player of the year...

...in my opinion. If Niele could get Caitlyn Weimar to share time with Kate Koval, you'd add very tall and active post defender, which could make up for the absence of Kylee Watson. Karlen is an all-round forward, just like Maddy, but I could see her on the floor at the same time as Maddy, playing wing on a zone, with Soni moving up top. That would be a great big lineup.