Maybe MM & Niele Are Picking Up on Something...

...and protecting ND's overall interests and needs by searching for and developing other options.

Youre'right -- on paper and tape, Caitlin Clark (CC) looks like the perfect ND prospect and MM has put time, effort and miles into this. But MPG has noted that there have no been trips to ND by CC this year and Orangutan, in particular, notes most of CC's social media tends toward Oregon. In newspaper articles, I've noted several references to Iowa schools, with some reference to "national" schools.

That said, Clark could be keeping all this close to the vest and who knows how phone conversations have gone. She still could declare for ND...after all, she said she intends to have a decision made by summer's end.

But I think Deja Kelly being considered is protecting the team's flanks. And while Kelly is not viewed as highly by services as CC, she is a noted enough talent to have firm interest by schools like Oregon (again), Duke and others. Good field general who can also look for her shot.

Got no issue with this...after getting caught last year at the witching hour with their pockets and options empty (see Aliyah Boston and Hayley Jones who waited until the last possible moment to announce their choices), it looks like there are firm options in place.

For what it's worth, a growing "gut" thought in my brain says that if CC goes elsewhere and Kelly comes here, don't be surprised if a second Westbeld comes to campus.

Good points

Westbeld seems also to be or one or "should" be an ND lean. Need to start winning not only the leans but also a surprise or two.

What Constitutes A "Surprise" To You?

It's an intriguing concept...

- A prospect that people have not heard of?
(I think in this day and age of social media, it's hard not to see who coaches are interacting with...)

- Someone affiliated with multiple schools?
(Based on what I think you're saying, Aliyah Boston choosing South Carolina over ND and virtual hometown favorite, UConn, would fall in that catgory)

In looking at ND's verbal commitments:
- Alli Campbell was interested in ND, but was something of a pleasant surprise from a process standpoint by committing so early. That helps not only to have a bird in hand, but with planning down the road.
- Nat Marshall. Had a finalist list of a lot of the usual suspects, but it looked like it got down to Stanford and ND. So were in a good place, but Stanford's been on a roll. But we won that, so that's a good, solid win.

I'd put Caitlin Clark in the same place: has visited Oregon schools, very familiar with Iowa schools and there's ND. But that's a tough competition. In the past, perhaps the Catholic background would, should, to the trick but this does not seem to the case.

And Maddy Westbeld strikes me as not necessarily being a top-line option but is moving up the list as things fall out. The trouble is sometimes those kinds of players find other ports of call. I'll bet MPG would agree with me that post/forward Naz Hillmon might've been one of those when she went to Michigan.

So, I'm interested in what you're thinking of. Enjoy the give and take. Thanks.

surprise

Someone you thought was leaning or going elsewhere, only to pick ND. I'd put Kelly in this category if she ends up committing (but seems less highly regarded than Clark).

For example, while I'm excited about Marshall, the buzz was she was probably an ND lean, especially after Stanford got filled up. I'd put Westbeld here too. Same with Brunelle and Peoples.

Yes, your Boston example works well. I'd probably put Briana Turner in this category, too. Jenna Brown would fit the surprise, at least for me, although she eventually de-committed.

Happy to be wrong about this, but it seems like ND tends to get most of the players they "should" (Skylar, Jewell, Jackie, Ali, Taya) but misses out on a couple more who seems like "should" go versus the surprises we end up getting. Of course, MM and staff are experts at developing talent.

Thanks...Get Where You're Coming From

Most of the "should" prospects you cite I totally agree with.
But sometimes the staff makes sure they get to that classification: Campbell might be a case in point. Scrawny 5'9" PG comes to Recruitapalooza and loves the place/staff/other possible teammates. MM and Niele have her back for virtually private camps. They kinda sealed the deal that way.

Dani Patterson was down to ND, UVA and Tennessee and many in Knoxville thought she was a Vol, given her love for Parker and a positive visit.
Maybe not the surprise you're looking at, but a good get.

It will be interesting to see where the next surprise situation comes up.
Getting a Cook to transfer? Fudd?

Fudd

Interesting: When Sam committed and she was there I would have thought Fudd was an ND lean. Now with Paige to UConn, who knows. She's clearly a national top prospect, and ND is due for a win with such a person after some close misses with Cox, Walker, Westbrook, etc. of late.