Non-Lady Vol Basketball News 2023-24

“The women's tournament is coming off its most successful year ever that included a record audience of 18.7 million for the title game win by South Carolina over Iowa, the highest for a basketball broadcast of any kind in five years. It outdrew the men's championship game -- UConn winning its second consecutive title with a win over Purdue -- by nearly 3 million viewers. The women's tournament also had record attendance.”

 
I’ve heard some fans say now that Clark is gone The game of WBB will fall back….not so fast imo.
There are more great players in the college game now than ever before. It's up to the NCAA and the media to continue to hype up the game and the current stars to keep the momentum going. Last year they concentrated basically on one player, maybe two with Angel. This year they have to highlight many players, because to grow the game one player can't do it alone. As I said, the media has to open their eyes and spread the word that this is a great product, and overall, they have to show the country more great matchups and promote the hell out of it. It's good to have certain players to watch, but to under value the game as a whole will not sustain it in the future.
 
I’ve heard some fans say now that Clark is gone The game of WBB will fall back….not so fast imo.
The game of basketball will not “fall back.”

Viewership of wbb will. Maybe not now that the former PAC powers will be on TV.

Big Ten attendance probably will.
 
Juju Watkins will be the next Golden Child of Women's college basketball. Other players are good but she will be the next talk of the town just as Caitlin Clark was in College, especially since USC is in the Big Ten Conference now.
 
I was trying to figure out how Diana Taurasi made the Olympic team, then I saw where Jennifer Rizzotti was on the committee.

This wasn't the best team USA could've fielded. Judging from the L they took going against the WNBA team, several of them could've been replaced for a lot better team.

For the record, I don't think the men's team was a top 3 USA team that we've seen since 1992.
This is the same locked BS type team the US Olympic softball team used to do. They ended up with a clique of old gals who were locked into places and younger better players couldn’t get a slot if a billionaire tried to buy one. It’s what we’re seeing for the US Olympic WBB team these days as well with a tilt to hetero ladies are shaded. Just put the best players on the team and be done with it no matter the outside BS. It’s funny these days watching an old tired Tarausi chasing behind younger better players fouling them as her only defense tool she has.
 
As much as I wish there were, I don’t know of any women’s college player for this coming season who will make jaws drop the way Clark did with those insane logo threes, often game winners, and often in the biggest games.

As others have mentioned, there are several phenomenal, exciting players we can all look forward to seeing. There’s as much talent in the game as there has ever been.

There are players with as much talent as Clark. No doubt. Those players will likely make SportsCenter’s Top 10 Highlights every week they play. We have PLENTY of amazing players, so WCBB will remain strong.

But like I said, I doubt any of them will leave people stunned by their audacity to consistently take and make logo threes and/or to see the floor to consistently make the kind of passes Clark routinely makes that cause fans to turn to each other and say, “How in the hell did that ball get through there?!”

It just seemed like every time Iowa was on TV that kid was doing crazy feats nobody else on the floor could do, and that even stunned the announcers.

So, yeah, I think it’s reasonable to assume that the college game will miss that unique talent. Others are well worthy of everyone’s attention, but it’ll definitely be different.

I’m not a fan of Iowa or Clark, but I’ve got eyes and ears and know what I saw and heard from others this year as they watched her play was WAY different than anything I’d ever saw and heard in the 45-plus years I’ve been watching and experiencing some amazingly talented players.
 
As much as I wish there were, I don’t know of any women’s college player for this coming season who will make jaws drop the way Clark did with those insane logo threes, often game winners, and often in the biggest games.

As others have mentioned, there are several phenomenal, exciting players we can all look forward to seeing. There’s as much talent in the game as there has ever been.

There are players with as much talent as Clark. No doubt. Those players will likely make SportsCenter’s Top 10 Highlights every week they play. We have PLENTY of amazing players, so WCBB will remain strong.

But like I said, I doubt any of them will leave people stunned by their audacity to consistently take and make logo threes and/or to see the floor to consistently make the kind of passes Clark routinely makes that cause fans to turn to each other and say, “How in the hell did that ball get through there?!”

It just seemed like every time Iowa was on TV that kid was doing crazy feats nobody else on the floor could do, and that even stunned the announcers.

So, yeah, I think it’s reasonable to assume that the college game will miss that unique talent. Others are well worthy of everyone’s attention, but it’ll definitely be different.

I’m not a fan of Iowa or Clark, but I’ve got eyes and ears and know what I saw and heard from others this year as they watched her play was WAY different than anything I’d ever saw and heard in the 45-plus years I’ve been watching and experiencing some amazingly talented players.
I agree. Looking at the W numbers, there's no doubt a big part of it is individually based in CC, and also in Angel. Sadly, I disagree that it's all, or even mostly, because of their unique talents. It's the conflict stemming fm their college encounters that drew most of the attention. Also the dogged devotion of the CC fans who follow her everywhere, tho IMO a good portion of them are drawn as "white knight" defenders of the Caitlin faith based on the "conflict". Certainly her talent and Angel's doggedness would be noticed and celebrated without the shizz, but not like this. Which is why it's kept going relentlessly online.

Whatever "it" is, there's no doubt that while attention in general is up, the numbers prove it's mostly based on those personalities and hype. I believe the college season will be the same. Attention in general will be up and the level of play keeps getting insanly better, but without the participants in the cultural battle we won't see the monster numbers we saw the last couple of years. Not a very inspiring comment on our culture.
 
There are more great players in the college game now than ever before. It's up to the NCAA and the media to continue to hype up the game and the current stars to keep the momentum going. Last year they concentrated basically on one player, maybe two with Angel. This year they have to highlight many players, because to grow the game one player can't do it alone. As I said, the media has to open their eyes and spread the word that this is a great product, and overall, they have to show the country more great matchups and promote the hell out of it. It's good to have certain players to watch, but to under value the game as a whole will not sustain it in the future.
You’re right it’s on who the media promotes, it will be interesting to see if they put the same effort, and they didn’t promote Reese at all last year, and that’s coming off a historic Championship run.
 
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I agree. Looking at the W numbers, there's no doubt a big part of it is individually based in CC, and also in Angel. Sadly, I disagree that it's all, or even mostly, because of their unique talents. It's the conflict stemming fm their college encounters that drew most of the attention. Also the dogged devotion of the CC fans who follow her everywhere, tho IMO a good portion of them are drawn as "white knight" defenders of the Caitlin faith based on the "conflict". Certainly her talent and Angel's doggedness would be noticed and celebrated without the shizz, but not like this. Which is why it's kept going relentlessly online.

Whatever "it" is, there's no doubt that while attention in general is up, the numbers prove it's mostly based on those personalities and hype. I believe the college season will be the same. Attention in general will be up and the level of play keeps getting insanly better, but without the participants in the cultural battle we won't see the monster numbers we saw the last couple of years. Not a very inspiring comment on our culture.
I feel like we will have to agree to disagree on this one, but I do think both Angel and CC are more special talents than what we have seen before, and that was bolstered bc they both have swag and personality and flare to their games, and are both less likable at times, but in an odd way you need that to be interesting lol. As rookies in the wnba, they are setting records for rebounds, assists, double doubles...and not just rookie records, all time records. They are both special and were in the same class together and running into each other in the post season. Perfect storm to generate buzz, and generate buzz it did.

With them gone, I think buzz will be taken down a notch, but the game will still be in a great and healthy spot and continue to grow.
 
I’ve heard some fans say now that Clark is gone The game of WBB will fall back….not so fast imo.
I think ESPN will have a much harder time marketing Paige as the face of WBB again especially after already doing it her freshmen year then her injuries while getting it wrong and not marketing clark and capitalizing earlier. If anything they should do more of a double duo . Buecker and Watkins to get an early head start but ESPN is all about the right now .
 
I think ESPN will have a much harder time marketing Paige as the face of WBB again especially after already doing it her freshmen year then her injuries while getting it wrong and not marketing clark and capitalizing earlier. If anything they should do more of a double duo . Buecker and Watkins to get an early head start but ESPN is all about the right now .

Yeah, they should sure sure push Watkins.

I think Hannah Hidalgo is dynamite to watch and should get a bit of spotlight too, build a little JuJu/Hannah Rivalry.

Bueckers heyday has passed she’ll (likely) be the biggest star to ever play at UCONN without a Championship. No I do not think they win one this season. ESPN said her name every 3 seconds her freshman season but Clark ended up just being better than her. Across the board.
 
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Yeah, they should sure sure push Watkins.

I think Hannah Hidalgo is dynamite to watch and should get a bit of spotlight too, build a little JuJu/Hannah Rivalry.

Bueckers heyday has passed she’ll (likely) be the biggest star to ever play at UCONN without a Championship. No I do not think they win one this season. ESPN said her name every 3 seconds her freshman season but Clark ended up just being better than her. Across the board.
Almost an hour and zero Huskie apologists…nice. 🤣🤣🤣🤙🏼
 
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I agree. Looking at the W numbers, there's no doubt a big part of it is individually based in CC, and also in Angel. Sadly, I disagree that it's all, or even mostly, because of their unique talents. It's the conflict stemming fm their college encounters that drew most of the attention. Also the dogged devotion of the CC fans who follow her everywhere, tho IMO a good portion of them are drawn as "white knight" defenders of the Caitlin faith based on the "conflict". Certainly her talent and Angel's doggedness would be noticed and celebrated without the shizz, but not like this. Which is why it's kept going relentlessly online.

Whatever "it" is, there's no doubt that while attention in general is up, the numbers prove it's mostly based on those personalities and hype. I believe the college season will be the same. Attention in general will be up and the level of play keeps getting insanly better, but without the participants in the cultural battle we won't see the monster numbers we saw the last couple of years. Not a very inspiring comment on our culture.
Wth are you talking about?
 
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Yeah, they should sure sure push Watkins.

I think Hannah Hidalgo is dynamite to watch and should get a bit of spotlight too, build a little JuJu/Hannah Rivalry.

Bueckers heyday has passed she’ll (likely) be the biggest star to ever play at UCONN without a Championship. No I do not think they win one this season. ESPN said her name every 3 seconds her freshman season but Clark ended up just being better than her. Across the board.
If you think Buekers Heyday is passed I would suggest you watch this season…..
 
I think ESPN will have a much harder time marketing Paige as the face of WBB again especially after already doing it her freshmen year then her injuries while getting it wrong and not marketing clark and capitalizing earlier. If anything they should do more of a double duo . Buecker and Watkins to get an early head start but ESPN is all about the right now .
I think people are sleeping on Olivia Miles and Hanna Hindigo (Not sure on the spelling of Hannah's last name) from Notre Dame. They are going to be a 1-2 punch that is going to be must see TV this upcoming season. They have probably the best passing and scoring guards in the country this year.
 
Hanna Hindigo (Not sure on the spelling of Hannah's last name) from Notre Dame.
Hidalgo. English pronunciation close to E Doll go.

That's Spanish for “gentleman” from hijo de—son of—algo, something/somebody, implied “important”. In Portuguese and Galician, the first letter changes to f, as in filho [pron. feel you] (son).

She is an outstanding player.

IMG_2303.jpeg


The Spanish Royal Academy of the Language offers a supporting etymology.
“hidalgo, ga
De fidalgo, y este del ant. fijo dalgo; literalmente 'hijo de algo'.”
 
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Media and fans keep speculating on whether CDS will start Fulwiley this season. I don’t know if she will, but I am very confident she will play starter minutes and she will lead the team in scoring this season. She is going to explode on the world of WBB this season without doubt, and it is within her reach to be a first team AA as a sophomore. Her talents are unique and real. Best handles in the game mixed with elite speed and playmaking ability.

I can’t predict her scoring average given Staley’s tendency to spread minutes around, but she will be one of the most productive players in the nation per minutes played. She was already that last season, out producing players like JuJu in that aspect. She is the real deal which you already know if you have seen her play. One word describes her play best, electric. Watch her rack up more highlight plays and reels this coming season. If she ever gets close to 30 minutes a game she will be a 25 ppg player with 2-3 steals, 5-6 assists and 4-5 rebounds. That girl can absolutely cook.
 
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