A Reconsideration

This is something I’ve wanted to post for a while. It’s not new or news but more of a reconsideration. Who are the best players on the Notre Dame team? That is not only an impossible question, but a silly one as well. But, who should we consider as the best players on our team? Hannah, for sure. I won’t even bother to list her attributes, but she had the best Efficiency rating (both in her actual minutes and per a 40 minute game) of anyone, … and of anyone at any time in their careers.

But now fans’ opinions differ. Most would say Olivia is next. Even in her best year she never had Hannah’s numbers, but the difference may be inconsequential. Conventional wisdom would then say Sonia and Maddy. And we expect big things from Kate. Many expect those five to drive our team in the coming season.

However, here is my reconsideration. Liatu King played better, at least statistically, than either Sonia or Maddy last season. As far as Efficiency is concerned she matched Olivia's best year, and ranked in the 96th projectile of all college players last year. (OK, that’s a stretch, but better than 96% of all players I tracked (about 1,500) per Efficiency last year.)

We don’t know how she will be used, but reconsider Liatu King as a super star, one of the top 5% of the players in college. I have to believe she came here, among other reasons, to be a WNBA first or second round draft choice.

She also meets Dillon’s criteria as one who has developed each year in college. If she develops even more than last year, she may become our best player!

Who will have the most minutes

Koval,King,Karlen?

Good question. My unfounded guess: Koval 24 mins,

King 22 mins. and Karlen 18 mins. It may vary significantly from game to game.

Ruth Riley averaged 19 minutes per game as a freshman on a

less talented team than this year's ND team. Koval is more developed as a player at the same age because she played a much higher level of high school ball than Riley did. Having watched Karlen play for Marquette on television and in person vs Mississippi in the NCAA tourney, I am certain that she will play substantial minutes.

I think that you are right to predict variations in minutes depending on the match-ups and flow of the game in each contest.

Great question. I think King will be fantastic. I think

Koval will have the most minutes. I think Karlen will be a very strong contributor, better than most of us expect. But playing time will be tough. Looking towards a great and fun Notre Dame WBB season.

Well said. *

Now that is a "reconsideration": The idea that Liatu King

may end up being our "best player". Personally, I find it near impossible to compare the top players on this roster. Your justification is efficiency per statistics, which is a valid argument. My thoughts are that there are so many variables beyond efficiency that need consideration: Leadership, individual strenghts, performance versus top competition and others. Is defense considered in your analysis?
I will say your topic is intriguing. Liatu excelled on a very poor team. What will her stats be like on an excellent team? Chances are they won't be as gaudy, but it doesn't mean that she will not be a major contributor to the teams success. Glad to have her and also the forgotten portal pick up, Liza. (The AD version of this years team. Low preseason expectations?)

That is all I'm asking—reconsideration

… or, for many, simply a consideration. Yes, it's unusual and intriguing. I wouldn't post it, if it weren't.

Liatu King had one of the 15 highest Efficiency ratings in the country last year among the top D1 schools. Eight of those players are playing again this coming season. The other 7 all are playing in the WNBA. So, Efficiency rating, while hardly the sole measure of excellence, is pretty indicative of how the WNBA thinks. The players with the highest Efficiency rating last year, who are back, are Ayoka Lee, Kiki Iriafen, Raegan Beers, Paige Bueckers, Taylor Jones, Hannah Hidalgo, Juju Watkins, and Liatu King.

Only Notre Dame has two of the top players in Efficiency (PER) from last year.

Note, the ones who went on to the NBA are Cameron Brink, Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso, Alissa Pili, Elizabeth Kitley, Angel Reese, and MacKenzie Holmes. I guess my point is, please consider Liatu King with the company she keeps. I was surprised!

That's quite the list. We sure couldn't stop her, 34 Pts.! *