If ND doesn't add a post player, then we'll be seeing a team
by MPG (2019-07-14 13:20:08)

In reply to: Hmmm. Baylor Might Be Holding Off...  posted by dillon77

Post Reply Return to McGraw's Bench

like the DePaul and Marquette teams of recent years: strong guard play that will win games, except against teams with strong post players. That formula will usually produce a win or two in the NCAA tourney.

I Think Your Analogy Discounts Mik Vaughn...
by dillon77  (2019-07-14 18:15:24)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

..whom, I believe, you challenged to get some 9 rebounds per game and score 12 points per contest. Guess who did that, roughly, for Marquette last year? Erika Davenport, the undersized 5'11" forward (stretch there) who came in a 11.4 ppg and 9.3 rpg.

Going south to DePaul, they relied on their point guard -- Kelly Campbell -- to lead the team in both assists and rebounds.

I think both of those teams would jump up and down to have had 6'3" Mik Vaughn. If the Irish can get the numbers you ask of her, those will probably produce some pretty good blocks and uncharted things like intimidation.

We can hope that Danielle Cosgrove at the collegiate level is more than just 3-point shooting. I know I saw lefty and righty jump hooks in the lane when I saw her play as a sophomore and junior!

My point is, with Dani Patterson's transfer, there just don't appear to be many options for serviceable bigs next season. But we're not without some height. We've just got to hope they both develop and that Mik Vaughn can stay in games. And that Sam Brunelle can be a combination of Elena Della Donne, Kat Westbeld and Jess Shepard, all rolled into one! That won't happen for a frosh, but I'm kind of looking forward to how this puzzle is addressed (at least from a coaching standpoint).

What I will be watching (and critical of) is what happens with the Class of 2020 and 2021.

Even Mik Vaughn at 12 and 9 per game would not
by MPG  (2019-07-14 20:55:30)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

be enough to offset good teams with power players in the low post. DePaul was pounded on the boards while being eliminated by Missouri State in the first round of the NCAAs and Marquette lost a tough one in the second round at TAMU.

My projected level for Mik Vaughn's production would be great if there were another inside player to assist in a significant way. I don't see an Erica Davenport on ND's roster to help her or a 6'2 Marte Grays who was DePaul's leading scorer. We don't have additional forwards with their level of athleticism. This is the crux of my argument that ND is going to look like a DePaul or Marquette in the coming season.

The 2018 and 2019 off-seasons saw the loss of five forwards: Nelson, Westbeld, Turner, Shepard, and Patterson as well as the addition of two: Cosgrove and Brunelle. Three forwards is not enough to compete for a spot in the Elite Eight. With such low numbers at forward, ND cannot overcome even a case of the flu or a sprained ankle or two. Maybe there is a 2019 international power forward west of the Pacific or east of the Atlantic!