I am not as critical on their playing and I am with starters and others
on a rotation.

...We know nothing what is happening behind the scenes. Was he told to gain
weight to play low post. How much time in practice does she get to
develop skills and work with starters. As a reserve does she just a dummy
against the starters. How much learning is she getting not in the rotation
and only playing in clean up times.

...We can not compare her playing time and performance with the rest of the
team. It is not fair. Been there done that. I can write a book on sitting
the bench. You do not develop skills by watching. You need actual plahing
time and is key moments not garbage time. When a coach puts a player in
at garbage time It is to protect the starters mostly. You do not learn and
develop in garbage time.

...They will develop mostly in practice in actually playing in the
system. We have no idea how the coaching staff uses her bench players in
practice. They are concerned with the coming game and ensure the team is
ready. MM is mostly a 7 or 8 player team during an actual game. So her
focus to ensure those players are ready. I am not saying they are forgotten
but the time spent with them is limited. She only has so much practice
time available per ncaa rules.

...The best chance for Cosgrove and the rest of the players is now until
when the team gets together to start the season. This is the prime time
to develop and get ready to show everyone what she can do.

...This is a real good year for Danielle because of losing so many great
players.. Coaches can not focus on 1 or 2 players. They will put them all
through the ringer to see who has it and does not. We are low on numbers
in the post so she will be given a long look and Carol will keep a good
eye on her and make changes where needed.

...We all need to give first year players a break. The world has just
changed over for them. They are no longer the best player on the court.
It is a major change and adjustment time for these young players. They
are going through a whole new world. For some it will take a little
more time. Look at Koko as a prime example. It took her part of her
junior and her senior year to get comfortable and contribute. We have
gotten on Diamond for her performance. Again all players are different
and learn at different ways. One other factor are the coaches. They may
get frustrated with a player if they do meet coaches expectations. They
may than become the forgotten child.

...All I am saying is do not judge a player by their first or some
cases their second year. Not everyone is in a position like Abby. She
had a great first year. Good job Abby.

...I have a pretty good idea how they feel. Before I became a starter. I
was so far down the pecking order that I was sharing space on the bench
with the cockroaches. Even they seem to get more attention than me. It was
a lonely feeling that questions yourself and what others thinks about
you. But you bring up your pride and suck it up and work 10 times harder
than the other players. You volunteer for everything. You make sure the
coaches see everything you do. Before you know it. You are waving by to
the cockroaches and are moving up the food chain. There is not a better
feeling in the world.

...Patience and time are keys. Danielle will be fine. She will show us
what she has when she returns in the fall. Go Danielle, Go Bench.

Thanks

SEG/Chief

observation that Mik Vaughn will need bench support in the low post because she fouled at a high rate during the regular season. I noted her fouls per 30 minutes of playing time were double what the statistics showed for ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Brianna Turner. It is valid to compare stats on a per minutes basis, rather than a per game basis.

He speculated that ND may go with four guards at times because the team currently lacks low post depth. I agreed because ND will be blessed with four tall, multi-talented guards.

I expressed my concerns about Danielle Cosgrove's readiness to offer support in the low post next season because of her rebounding. Seeing her play in person in all of the home games and several road games, I noted that she was frequently beaten to rebounds by opposing players. She had 17 rebounds in 118 minutes of regular season action compared to Nicole Benz's 15 rebounds in 67 minutes. I believe that Danielle needs to improve her strength and agility and hope that we will see an improved version of her in November. Some feistiness would also help her game. Markisha Wright showed me a lot more determination coming off the bench during her first year at ND. I don't expect first year players to be perfect; I do look to see signs of hope for their future development.

In regard to practice, this year's team had the advantage of practicing in July for the August trip to Europe. The male practice players took some time away from the reserves beginning in October. However, they were not at practice every day and were not there at all during the three weeks between Christmas and the beginning of classes in mid-January.

They all showed signs of being lost at times. What I look for is that little
evidence or spark they are trying to figure it out. I am looking at their
aethletic ability. I seen that in Danielle, Jordan, and Dani. I think
Dani is going to be a lot better than what she is given credit for. Same
with Jordan.

...I agree Danielle needs to put the work in as of last week and get
ready for the season. If she does the work I expect her to do. I will
not be surprised by her improvement.

...I am big into the mental part of the game. This year is really a good
year for all the girls Mik, Dani, Danielle, Jordan, and Abby. They all
know what is at stake with all 5 starters gone. It is up to ALL of them
to do their part to continue with ND's winning tradition. None of them
is going to want to be the one to fail. They ALL also see there
opportunity to get on the court other than garbage time.

...You never know this may also be an opportunity for the walk ons to
see playing time, other than the last 2 minutes. They have all improved
and have contributed a lot to this program. Would be surprised to see those
2 get more playing time. MM is a loyal coach and she acts accordingly. So
hope to see it. I hope to see it if the opportunity presents itsef. That
atleast 1 will get a scholarship to finish off their career.

Thanks, Good job, Good comments.

SEG/Chief