I will make this for me short, sweet, and to the point. I have an appointment
soon.

1. We have one of the best coaching staffs in the country.

2. We have one of the best facilities in the country.

3. We have one of the best fan bases in the country.

4. We have 3 of the top freshman in freshman starting 4 years of play this
year.

5. We have 2 of the top grad transfers from respectable programs.

6. We have 2 post players that were determined during the off season
to transform themselves physically and MENTALLY.

7. We have bench that includes 3 players (Abby, Cole, and Benz). That
would rather wrestle a gator than give up points and lose.

8. Tradition never dies

9. Exam the hearts and brains of your talented team.

10. Are our opponents ready for the mental approach of the game and are
they ready for hell to be unleashed. According to everyone else they are
are not going to win.

11. I have been playing and watching sports served time in the military
more years than a lot of fans have been breathing. I have never used the
term or word youth as a reason for not winning. To me it is a cop out and
takes away from the desire and talent for players and participants to
win. Just my opinion.

12. So when you put together points 1 through 11. They should be scared
and shake in their sneakers when the other side sees OUR TEAM hit the
court. This team will surprise many people but not me. I believe and
trust in them. They will win. How far they go will be up to them. Thaks
for reading,

SEG/Chief

First, the fact that there are only 2 is the real problem (there were these 2 + 3 more last year)
Second, one is arguably not a post player (Cosgrove). Granted, she has size and will be expected to play underneath this year, but she was more a wing/perimeter player her freshman year.
Third, foul trouble, rebounding, and defense could be our Achilles heel this year underneath

And I hope you are right and I am wrong and we find a way to play around these limitations

Isn't is possible that they play their more natural position for offense -- not with their back to the basket, and then play under the basket when on defense because they are 6'4"?

The same could be true with Sam.

I am far more concerned that we only have two players over 6'2" than I am that one of those two plays more like a wing or small forward offensively.

I think there is a physical component to playing under the basket that many perimeter players (no matter their height) don't possess. Both Brunelle and Cosgrove will have to have this strength and physicality on defense.

I think it's easier to defend physically if you are used to being physical on offense - and this is where we could be exposed, especially if foul trouble occurs

in Michigan State's matchup zone.

Of course, he was the 2nd tallest player among starters.

and was an excellent weak-side defender.

Of course, Stewie could do just about anything (and did).

Della Donne prefers to face the basket but is very tough underneath. Meesseman is not as physical as EDD, but she'll rebound well, too.

Sam does not hesitate to play down low on defense and I think she'll be willing...and able...to do so.

Sheer body mass. I stood next to her at south dining hall. I am 6’ 2.5” and about 245 lbs. She is very strongly built and not your mothers size for a perimeter player. It’s amazing to me how much the woman’s game has changed over 30 years. When I was at ND in the late 80’s she would have been considered a center without question based on her body type. In general, the women’s game Has grown 3-4”.

She's also listed at 6'2" and has apparently started demonstrating toughness and ability inside, as well as from the wing, where she initially played.

While everyone talks about getting bigs, there just are not that many available. Plus ND has recently been running offenses that have a post and a forward (Shepard and Kat Westbeld, Turner and Shepard...with these two flipping roles from time to time).

Mik Vaughn will be the traditional post this year and next, with Danielle Cosgrove spelling her. Nat Marshall and her 6'4"-6'5" frame will come aboard. Yes, she's a tall glass of water but she can move and extend.

What will help is having some physical forwards to help out. While not Naz Hillmon-types, Sam and Maddy can work in the lane on D and rebounding. Having both will benefit our posts and the team. Plus, they both can shoot outside, presenting lots of match-up problems, as Hempfield has written.

Lastly, our guards -- save for Alasia Hayes -- are all uniformly larger, averaging 5'10"-6'0" tall. Let's hope 6'0" Alli Campbell is joined by 5'11" Caitlin Clark.

I agree with everything in your post. I always start the season off very
strong on the positive side until the season starts and can see where we
stand and could be heading.

Traditionally only 2 post would be very concerning. That is where great
athletes and great, successful and luck comes into play. MM is as good as
they come in adjusting plan A or coming up with plans B C D E F or what is
needed. The teams we are going against know our roster and what we are
lacking. What they do not know is what is going through MM and the coaching
staffs mind.

I truly believe Cosgrove and Vaughn will be ready to take on the mission
and succeed. There were many teams that won without a great Center. During
Jordans days in Chicago they did not have a Bill Walton. Wilt Chamberlain,
George Mika and so on. They had good centers that were role players the
did not cause them to lose. Cosgrove and Vaughn have dedicated themselves
physically and mentally for this season. They know what is at stake and
the world of WCBB will have eyes on them. I believe physically and
technically they are ready for the challenge. Are they ready for it
mentally. That is what we will find out very soon. I personally think
they are. Besides, Vaughn is a fellow Eastern Pennsylvanian that I have
extra confidence in her being where she needs to be. Also do not forget
how Koko transformed herself into the super 6th player off the bench we
really needed to win the NC.

...We may not win it all this year. But they will have alot of heads
shaking with their performance. I am confident in these players and
coaches. Like the late great Tug McGraw use to say. BELIEVE!!!!!

SEG/Chief

While most Irish know Danielle as a stretch 4, she (tries to) remind people that she primarily played a traditional center for her high school team in Long Island. I saw her play there twice and her primary offensive weapons were left- and right-handed swooping hook/three-quarter shots. And a turn-around jumper that probably has a step-back element to it now.

Now that Mik has had more time to gain back more stregth and some first-step quickness, I'm expecting some very good play from her.

Muffet and team expect to be very good. That's expected and fine. But they need to be realistic about the lack of collegiate playing time and take that into account. Have confidence, learn from what does not work/mistakes and keep working.

My biggest concern for Mik, Danielle and Sam is just that: there are only three of them. They'll need to avoid getting into foul trouble. Avoid cheap hand-check fouls, move your feet. Those three will need help on the boards from Anaya, Abby, etc.

There's not a lot of experience here. But there is talent. One practice and game at a time...

Alot of great information and forshight. Of course there are going to be
some road blocks a long the way. That is where Marta, and Miks experience
are important. They will have to keep those players heads on straight and
focused. Forget and move on. That simple.

...MM is saying all the right things right now. The team will have to take
steps until after the new year. We will turn into a very good team. Everyone
knows as soon as she puts her foot on the court November 5th. Everything
she said about steps is out the door.

...Post wise I believe we only will have to worry bout a hand full of teams
that will be bigger and better. What we have to be aware of and defense
against is teams going after Mik and Cosgrove, That could put Sam at the
low post. If Sam gets into foul trouble we could have a low post under 6'.

...We may run an offense similar to the one we did to win the NC. Boy our
shooters will have to be on. I am sure the 5 coaches are thinking bout the
bad possibilities that teams will try against us and come up with counter
moves.

...Mine would would change KMAC and Mabreys names, put makeup on them. Cut
their hair and give them a uniform. No body will figure it out. We have the
walkons dress up as KMAC and Mabrey It will work.

Thanks Dillon

SEG/Chief