I will never give up on this team or think they do not have a chance. They
may be put in a bad situation. This could also prepare them for the
following year. Here are a few of my comments on next year.

1) It will be a slow start for the new players. I hope if the schedule
has not been completed a lot of thought should be taken into the
development of not only bb development, but more important is their
confidence. Their normal number 1 ranked schedule could lead
not only to a bad year on standings but the confidence and developmment
of these young players. A lot is going to be asked of Dani, Mik, Danielle,
Jordan, and Abby.

2) With Jackie leaving it is not imperative we recruit 1 or 2 guards and
a true post that can play immediately.

3) Lets just take Tennesseee's entire team since they did not know what
to do with the talent they had or have. I am going with you on this one.
Go after Westbrook hard. Maybe she could look at like the right coach and
team can turn her career around. I believe she would still have 2 years.

4) Team meeting and let them know the status and what the plan is. I
think it will help morale if the coaches keep the players informed of
what their plan is. I would also say this does not change anything
as for our preparation for the new year and my expectations will NOT be
lowered. It is important to take a vacation and get back to work
immediately.

5) Anya, Sam, and Gilbert are going to have to grow up in a hurry. 2 or
all 3 of them could be starters. Gilbert has a little advantage in she
has been in the program a year, even though on the unable to perform list
or what ever list you want to call it. She could not play for medical
reasons. She knows, the facilities, Niele, but most important she knows
MM. No shock treatment for her.

6) I will not mention any names. I just wonder what might be going
through the heads of players that left the program early. Are they
laughing or feeling sorry for ND. Just curious, not important.

7) I was put in a bad spot. Now I have to come up with a last second
replacement for my true love on the BB court. I sm not good with
sudden changes. I have decided it will take two to replace Jackie. So
I am going with an upperclass women in Dani and Sam. I may end up taking
some flack from back home in taking a NY player over a PA player. But,
look all major decisions, I had to go with my gut. My gut says NY and
VA. I am in trouble now.

8) Seriously, I will not give up on this team. We can not loose any
of our coaches. I have so much trust and belief in them that they will
do MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. I truly do believe that much in this coaching
staff and players coming back. They may not make the final four.
But there will be no quit in this team and they will take giant steps
throughout the season. They will shock a lot of people out there.
Especially if MM is able to convince some transfers that this is the
place to be to continue your career.

9) We still have some openings on our recruiting for some great players
that want to take on a challenge. I hope Marshall, Clark, Hailey
from WA, Cordovo (sp) post from TN, and others look at what a great
opportunity to start their career with the best school, program, coaches,
and head coach in the country. How can you turn this opportunity down.
Does not come that often. Do not answer that.

Thanks fellow BELIEVERS

P.S. If you can make it to a Grotto, this would be a good time to
do it. The big man up above is going to busy with us this year.

Thanks again.

SEG/Chief

Any chance the post commit reopens to ND?

Actually I have a few questions for you.

1) If the player is in the transfer portal. Can coaches initiate contact
with the player.

2) If the player is not in the portal coaches can not initiate contact.
Only the player can initiate the contact.

3) In your best feeling or guess or even knowledge. How many transfers
do you think MM will go after?

4) Do you think 2 guards and 1 post is reasonable and doable?

I think I have made pretty obvious that I am a big fan of the underdog.
My next question comes under that category.

5) How does going after transfers affects the opportunity for Benz and
Cole to walk on for next year?

I am a big fan of those 2 players. They work hard, make sacrifices, do
everything asked of them and expecting little in return. I would like
to see them given that opportunity again next year, if they want to.
Those 2 players are total team players. I would like to put the
talent of some P5 players that do not know how to use their talent.

That is it Dillon. Thanks.

Answers underneath your questions.

1) If the player is in the transfer portal. Can coaches initiate contact
with the player.

2) If the player is not in the portal coaches can not initiate contact.
Only the player can initiate the contact.

Answer: This is how the transfer process ("the portal") works:

The NCAA Division I Council adopted a proposal that creates a new “notification-of-transfer” model. This system allows a student to inform his or her current school of a desire to transfer, then requires that school to enter the student’s name into a national transfer database within two business days. Once the student-athlete’s name is in the database, other coaches are free to contact that individual.



3) In your best feeling or guess or even knowledge. How many transfers
do you think MM will go after?

Don't know. MM made a comment when talking after Sam and Anaya signed their letter of intent that she thought she'd try to get a post player and/or a grad transfer to help out Jackie and give another veteran presence . Well, with no Jackie, getting a vet would help even more so. MPG has researched Raoul's transfer blog and only found one forward who might give some help.

While watching the UVA-TT game, I'll peruse the list as well and see who -- if any -- jumps out from that list, both for grad transfers and/or "normal" ones.


4) Do you think 2 guards and 1 post is reasonable and doable?

Answers: As transfers? Hmmm. I don't think so...it depends on whether the ND coaches and/or team think transfers would fit in with ND. Some of the more desirable folks in the portal are from Ga. Tech, but intraconference transfer rules in the ACC are tough (sit one year and lose a year of eligibility). On the other hand, being a grad transfer in the ACC is ok.

I think I have made pretty obvious that I am a big fan of the underdog.
My next question comes under that category.
5) How does going after transfers affects the opportunity for Benz and
Cole to walk on for next year?

Shouldn't affect them at all. Right now, with frosh coming, we have 8 scholarship players. Even if we get, say, two transfers, that's only 10: plenty of space to have Nicole and Kaitlin stay in the party. Remember how valuable the walk-ons are in practice. And both of them seem to be very well liked and respected by the rest of the team.

Again Dillon you have shown you are all knowing about women's basketball.
You have always answered all my questions quickly and in a way that makes
a lot of sense.

...There probably an AD or coaching vacancy out there that you could fill.
You were a little slow on the Tennessee job. Hey, GT is still available.

I can always count on you with timely and accurate information. It really
is fun and a pleasure exchanging brain farts, I mean information with
you. Sorry, do not not what got over me there. It just comes out of no
where. Catches me with my guard down. I truly am sorry and apologize to
you from me and my brain fart. Again, terribly sorry.

You have a good week. I have to study for my test with my shrink
tomorrow. Dillon, I have been involved and following sports all my boring
and silly life. You and Baba and some others that I forget their names
are tremendously gifted with a lot of knowledge of sports, especially
CWBB. We on this board are truly fortunate to have you guys to
rack your brains with. It is not just your knowledge but your presentation
of the info. It is quick, thorough, indepth, relevent and shows a lot
of caring towards providing accurate and timely info. You pass it in a
way we are all equals. That truly is a gift and we should all be lucky.

I truly do forget names and IDs. I barely remember mine. So I apologize
for not mentioning everyone. I have been on many boards since the
invention of the wheel. This truly is the board I have had the most
fun and enjoyed the most. Every member I have read post on this baord
are truly remarkable in your knowledge, caring and making things
fun and simple.

I should change my ID to the Rambler. I ramble way to much. Thanks
everyone for allowing me an opportunity to express myself my way.
Truly means a lot to me.

Thanks again Baba, MPG, Domerduck,Jon, Dillon and many many many others

SEG/Chief

grad prospect that I have found so far is 6-2 Lydia Rivers of Radford who averaged 12 pts. and 10 rebs. per game. Her final game was 11 pts and 8 rebs. vs Maryland in the NCAA. She also had double figure rebs. vs UVA and Va. Tech. I don't see another Jess Shepard on the horizon.

If Evina Westbrook is willing to fill the Jackie role and gets a waiver due to the UT situation, then who knows. Otherwise, guards seem to be more plentiful in the grad transfer pool and Watts would be a good one to consider.

I thought Jackie would stay, until she kept saying "no decision yet." That usually means a player is halfway out the door.