The echoes of the National Championship pageant still linger, yet the arrival of crisp autumn wafts of aged apples, plump pumpkins, and forfeit flowers turn our attention to the sound of basketballs bouncing on hardwood floors. If we are thinking about new ways to scare the bejeezus out of the little kiddies on Halloween, then a new collegiate women’s basketball season must be lurking right around the corner. Unlike the scientific positivists, we know “nothing is written!” What will be written this year, like other years, will depend on competence, chemistry, and courage. Belief to the contrary is inconsequential at best and self-fulfilling at worst.
This is a new year, and those who fail to see change are as doomed as those who fail to see what remains the same. Adjusting old knowledge with new circumstances—the former being the weakness of the young, the later, the weakness of the old—keeps us successful in our endeavors. We trust that Muffet and her staff, along with their celebrated, hand-picked players, and with the support of the Irish faithful will, again, blend old knowledge with new circumstances to rise above any fatalistic finalities, pessimistic presuppositions, and grim gravity to once more lift the treasured trophy with exuberance—full of wonder but free of warrant.
Change, despite the momentary orientation of our consciousness, is constant, and to get us started with the new year, here is a chart of much of what has changed from last year. The teams selected are those which are generally considered to be the best, at least at the start of the season. The players listed as “Gain” are new ones who are eligible to play. Those listed as “Loss” played last year, but will not play this year. (Note: transfers not yet approved to play are not included.) I include the reasons for the changes, namely, HS (coming from high school), xfer (transfer), injury, grad(uation). Heights and average ratings are also shown, as well as McDonald’s All Americans. We of McGraw’s Bench have a prophecy to fulfill, as Muffet declared us to be “the best fans in the nation.” Being the best may mean being the most knowledgeable. Hopefully, this chart will help.
Comments and corrections are graciously welcome. (previous corrections made 10-24-18)
Replies:
- Awesome work. You rock! * - drmurray 2018-10-24 09:27:16
- You forgot to include Lili Thompson * - cbiebel 2018-10-23 11:55:14
- Yes, that was a tough call… - BabaGhanouj 2018-10-23 12:04:41
- Thank you for additional info. - BabaGhanouj 2018-10-23 11:14:50
- Great job. Besides the fact the Kakala transferred - Fighting_Artichoke 2018-10-23 10:36:55
- Thanks * - BabaGhanouj 2018-10-23 10:59:26
- FYI: Lexi Morris at Baylor is still in school and will - Fighting_Artichoke 2018-10-23 10:39:04
- Exactly, that is why she is listed as a Loss, but - BabaGhanouj 2018-10-23 10:54:49
- Outstanding work. Tremendous. Thanks. * - RISteve 2018-10-23 10:24:29
- Great Resource! One Late Change to Louisville - dillon77 2018-10-23 09:52:10
- Thanks. Actually I have that as a note in the chart, - BabaGhanouj 2018-10-23 11:01:54
- One nit: Aja Wilson graduated a year ago - NDLAW88 2018-10-23 08:59:09