Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2017-18 presented by ESPN

[bballnut90]

What I hate about these preseason lists is they usually just look at the talent level of the players on the current rosters and underplay the significance of coaching and how teams performed the previous year. Does Creme really think Ohio State is Final Four bound when they couldn't nab a top 4 seed this year and got blown out by a Turner-less ND by 23? Does he really think Baylor will be back in the Final Four when they haven't made one in 5 straight years, every year with a more talented roster than the one they have?

My top 10 would be:
1. Connecticut..no brainer
2. South Carolina...they still have Wilson who is a beast and both guards back. They aren't going to be as good, but Wilson will get more touches and South Carolina has only lost 9 games over the last 3 years. I'll be stunned if they aren't in the Final Four.
3. Mississippi State....they proved they were among the best of the best this year and return their 3 best players. Schaefer is an outstanding coach, as shown in their Elite 8 and Final Four wins.
4. Notre Dame...Muffett is a great coach and she still has a solid roster coming back led by Mabret and Ogunbowale. They've been the epitome of consistency the past 5-6 years and will be good once again even if it's a bit of a rocky start.
5. Texas...Aston has her most talented roster ever.
6. Baylor..Brown is outstanding, Wallace is good, but they should take a step back without Jones/Davis/Prince. This could present an opportunity for Cox to get more minutes and live up to her #1 hype.
7. Stanford...Tara's teams always overachieve, and they have a good core back in McPhee, Sniezek, and Smith.
8. UCLA...their great class will be seniors and they have a good recruiting class coming in.
9. Tennessee...should be much higher if they play up to their potential, could finish unranked once again as well. So unpredictable.
10. Louisville...so much talent but they've underachieved for a couple of seasons now. I don't think Walz is very good at developing talent and don't see this team making big strides next season.
11. Oregon...good coaching and a great core of young players. Can they take the next step and play with more consistency in a grueling conference?
12. Florida State...good coaching and Shakayla Thomas.
13. Ohio State...so much talent, such bad defense.
14. Oregon State...Rueck is one of the best coaches in the country and will find a way to continue cranking out wins without Wiese.
15. Duke....another team with some great players but dreadful coaching.

 

[volnbama_]

CHW will get this proud program back battling for Sweet 16's

 

[SCspur]

What I hate about these preseason lists is they usually just look at the talent level of the players on the current rosters and underplay the significance of coaching and how teams performed the previous year. Does Creme really think Ohio State is Final Four bound when they couldn't nab a top 4 seed this year and got blown out by a Turner-less ND by 23? Does he really think Baylor will be back in the Final Four when they haven't made one in 5 straight years, every year with a more talented roster than the one they have?

My top 10 would be:
1. Connecticut..no brainer
2. South Carolina...they still have Wilson who is a beast and both guards back. They aren't going to be as good, but Wilson will get more touches and South Carolina has only lost 9 games over the last 3 years. I'll be stunned if they aren't in the Final Four.
3. Mississippi State....they proved they were among the best of the best this year and return their 3 best players. Schaefer is an outstanding coach, as shown in their Elite 8 and Final Four wins.
4. Notre Dame...Muffett is a great coach and she still has a solid roster coming back led by Mabret and Ogunbowale. They've been the epitome of consistency the past 5-6 years and will be good once again even if it's a bit of a rocky start.
5. Texas...Aston has her most talented roster ever.
6. Baylor..Brown is outstanding, Wallace is good, but they should take a step back without Jones/Davis/Prince. This could present an opportunity for Cox to get more minutes and live up to her #1 hype.
7. Stanford...Tara's teams always overachieve, and they have a good core back in McPhee, Sniezek, and Smith.
8. UCLA...their great class will be seniors and they have a good recruiting class coming in.
9. Tennessee...should be much higher if they play up to their potential, could finish unranked once again as well. So unpredictable.
10. Louisville...so much talent but they've underachieved for a couple of seasons now. I don't think Walz is very good at developing talent and don't see this team making big strides next season.
11. Oregon...good coaching and a great core of young players. Can they take the next step and play with more consistency in a grueling conference?
12. Florida State...good coaching and Shakayla Thomas.
13. Ohio State...so much talent, such bad defense.
14. Oregon State...Rueck is one of the best coaches in the country and will find a way to continue cranking out wins without Wiese.
15. Duke....another team with some great players but dreadful coaching.

This seems to be the clearest assessment of any of the predictions that I've seen. SC, MSST, and Tenn could all be in the final 4 this year. Has that ever happened??

 

[Nute Gunray]

What I hate about these preseason lists is they usually just look at the talent level of the players on the current rosters and underplay the significance of coaching and how teams performed the previous year. Does Creme really think Ohio State is Final Four bound when they couldn't nab a top 4 seed this year and got blown out by a Turner-less ND by 23? Does he really think Baylor will be back in the Final Four when they haven't made one in 5 straight years, every year with a more talented roster than the one they have?

My top 10 would be:
1. Connecticut..no brainer
2. South Carolina...they still have Wilson who is a beast and both guards back. They aren't going to be as good, but Wilson will get more touches and South Carolina has only lost 9 games over the last 3 years. I'll be stunned if they aren't in the Final Four.
3. Mississippi State....they proved they were among the best of the best this year and return their 3 best players. Schaefer is an outstanding coach, as shown in their Elite 8 and Final Four wins.
4. Notre Dame...Muffett is a great coach and she still has a solid roster coming back led by Mabret and Ogunbowale. They've been the epitome of consistency the past 5-6 years and will be good once again even if it's a bit of a rocky start.
5. Texas...Aston has her most talented roster ever.
6. Baylor..Brown is outstanding, Wallace is good, but they should take a step back without Jones/Davis/Prince. This could present an opportunity for Cox to get more minutes and live up to her #1 hype.
7. Stanford...Tara's teams always overachieve, and they have a good core back in McPhee, Sniezek, and Smith.
8. UCLA...their great class will be seniors and they have a good recruiting class coming in.
9. Tennessee...should be much higher if they play up to their potential, could finish unranked once again as well. So unpredictable.
10. Louisville...so much talent but they've underachieved for a couple of seasons now. I don't think Walz is very good at developing talent and don't see this team making big strides next season.
11. Oregon...good coaching and a great core of young players. Can they take the next step and play with more consistency in a grueling conference?
12. Florida State...good coaching and Shakayla Thomas.
13. Ohio State...so much talent, such bad defense.
14. Oregon State...Rueck is one of the best coaches in the country and will find a way to continue cranking out wins without Wiese.
15. Duke....another team with some great players but dreadful coaching.

This is a great analysis/prediction! You are a brilliant student of WCBB.

 

[Nuyoika]

I know what you're a doin ...

I haven't been on this site long but I have been here long enough to know that there is ZERO need for an outside poster to "stir the pot". You have far more than enough disgruntled posters or nega-Vols as I have seen them called that fly the orange flag to do that. You also have more than enough posi-Vols to combat it. I mainly just watch and join in where I feel I have something useful to contribute. I'm not the "come on your site and try fighting with people" guy. Not my style.

 

[Smallvol#1]

This seems to be the clearest assessment of any of the predictions that I've seen. SC, MSST, and Tenn could all be in the final 4 this year. Has that ever happened??

Won't happen. The committee will never put all three in separate brackets. They'll play each other before any FF game.

 

[Amb3096]

Won't happen. The committee will never put all three in separate brackets. They'll play each other before any FF game.

If they are #1 or #2 seeds, it's more likely that they will be in separate regions. The committee generally tries to prevent #1 vs #2 inter-conference matchups in the regional final, unless the other #1/#2 have all played each other during the season.

 

[LasVegasBill23]

I like Ohio State lower, and Ms State higher.... perhaps to trade places.....

 

[Ladyvol777]

This will be Tennessee year. Even if they get the number 1 class next year that team will not be as good as the 2017 - 2018 team. Getting McCoy and or Mompremier would help but next year will be it, no next year after this team. Diamond DeShields, Jaime Nared, and Mercedes Russell.

 

[LasVegasBill23]

This will be Tennessee year. Even if they get the number 1 class next year that team will not be as good as the 2017 - 2018 team. Getting McCoy and or Mompremier would help but next year will be it, no next year after this team. Diamond DeShields, Jaime Nared, and Mercedes Russell.

I applaud your optimism.... but I do not see how we can go from out of the top 25, double digit losses, and a 2nd round exit from NCAA, to stellar results with the changes in our team..... those being the addition of Te'a Cooper and 4 freshmen.

If it is to happen, Te'a has to improve over what she did in 15-16.... and one or more of the freshmen has to have a breakout non-freshman-like year, ala Destiny Slocum.

Needless to say the ladies have to put in effort on a consistent basis, and show more heart than they did last year.

 

[ladyvosl23]

It's helps with depth we looked tired a lot last Year and you can't deny that playing 40 every in sec is tough and we add more points on the team if you add consistency we will be really good

 

[mike099]

It's helps with depth we looked tired a lot last Year and you can't deny that playing 40 every in sec is tough and we add more points on the team if you add consistency we will be really good

Agreed, but a big part of getting to a final 4 is team chemistry, leadership and sound coaching especially in tight games.

 

[maxvolfan]

Our team has the talent to go undefeated next year. The question is will they have the mental toughness to get them there.

 

[Prophet1]

Well, its good to know that Uconn is number one and beatable if you
let everyone else tell it. Just like the last time.
Sc lost too many guns and Wilson will be smothered in the post..Welcome to Mercedes's country Ms.Aja`.
Miss St won the real championship game.
Ohio st and Maryland lost key players to the transfer pool and Texas always underachieve.
Baylor thinks Brown is Griner but have no Sims.
Watch out for the Lady Vols , they have top experience talent and a
loaded bench.
And a focus coach.

 

[Prophet1]

Mompreimer will become a Lady Vol.

 

[SCspur]

Well, its good to know that Uconn is number one and beatable if you
let everyone else tell it. Just like the last time.
Sc lost too many guns and Wilson will be smothered in the post..Welcome to Mercedes's country Ms.Aja`.
Miss St won the real championship game.
Ohio st and Maryland lost key players to the transfer pool and Texas always underachieve.
Baylor thinks Brown is Griner but have no Sims.
Watch out for the Lady Vols , they have top experience talent and a
loaded bench.
And a focus coach.

1. SC lost but also gained. Ty Harris will be one of the best pg in the country next year. Cuevas, HH, Jennings, and Cliney are all capable of stepping up as well as an offensive talented freshman class to provide depth. The Champs are ready to defend their title.
2. If Miss St. won the real championship how come they left Dallas with nothing 🤔
3. You say Texas alway underachieve but so does Tenn. This isn't the first year the Vols had a loaded team. This is the year for Holly to put up or shut up.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

1. Sc lost but also gained. Ty harris will be one of the best pg in the country next year. Cuevas, hh, jennings, and cliney are all capable of stepping up as well as an offensive talented freshman class to provide depth. The champs are ready to defend their title.
2. If miss st. Won the real championship how come they left dallas with nothing 🤔
3. You say texas alway underachieve but so does tenn. This isn't the first year the vols had a loaded team. This is the year for holly to put up or shut up.

lol 😂😂😂

 

[Smallvol#1]

I haven't been on this site long but I have been here long enough to know that there is ZERO need for an outside poster to "stir the pot". You have far more than enough disgruntled posters or nega-Vols as I have seen them called that fly the orange flag to do that. You also have more than enough posi-Vols to combat it. I mainly just watch and join in where I feel I have something useful to contribute. I'm not the "come on your site and try fighting with people" guy. Not my style.

He probably was questioning your usage of the pronoun us, as in "...Let's get some consistency back and just stay in the Top 25 from start to finish." Just an assumption, could be wrong on it.

 

[Besti]

And a focus coach.

Yes, next year Holly will focus.

 

[LasVegasBill23]

Our team has the talent to go undefeated next year. The question is will they have the mental toughness to get them there.

I cannot believe your first sentence.... seriously ... on the basis of what? The same gals who could not avoid losing a dozen games... including a couple to Alabama.... ?? I love optimism, but to suggest an undefeated season, something we have only done one time.... is quixotic at the very least

 

[LasVegasBill23]

Well, its good to know that Uconn is number one and beatable if you
let everyone else tell it. Just like the last time.
Sc lost too many guns and Wilson will be smothered in the post..Welcome to Mercedes's country Ms.Aja`.
Miss St won the real championship game.
Ohio st and Maryland lost key players to the transfer pool and Texas always underachieve.
Baylor thinks Brown is Griner but have no Sims.
Watch out for the Lady Vols , they have top experience talent and a
loaded bench.
And a focus coach.

I was following you until i got to the last 4 lines....
1. Top experienced talent? Wasn't this the dream 3 who were going to bring the bacon home last year? ... and a dozen losses.... and it was the way they lost... seeming very disinterested many nights.... just saying'
2. a loaded bench? People on the forum here have already begun to speculate how hard it is going to be having our starters play 40 minutes each game for lack of a bad bench.... just very very curious.... who is so competent on the bench that they are going to get those minutes? The freshmen?
3. a focused coach? Has she not been that focused for almost 40 years she has been coaching? Specifically what is Holly going to do differently? She hasn't brought anything different to the party in her 6 years as acting and hired head coach. She has had plenty of talent to work with.... many top 5 or 6 nationally ranked players....

I want to believe, but i think the idea is to take one game at a time.

 

[T.J.]

I was following you until i got to the last 4 lines....
1. Top experienced talent? Wasn't this the dream 3 who were going to bring the bacon home last year? ... and a dozen losses.... and it was the way they lost... seeming very disinterested many nights.... just saying'
2. a loaded bench? People on the forum here have already begun to speculate how hard it is going to be having our starters play 40 minutes each game for lack of a bad bench.... just very very curious.... who is so competent on the bench that they are going to get those minutes? The freshmen?
3. a focused coach? Has she not been that focused for almost 40 years she has been coaching? Specifically what is Holly going to do differently? She hasn't brought anything different to the party in her 6 years as acting and hired head coach. She has had plenty of talent to work with.... many top 5 or 6 nationally ranked players....

I want to believe, but i think the idea is to take one game at a time.

:thumbsup:

 

[jwhite9]

I cannot believe your first sentence.... seriously ... on the basis of what? The same gals who could not avoid losing a dozen games... including a couple to Alabama.... ?? I love optimism, but to suggest an undefeated season, something we have only done one time.... is quixotic at the very least

Don't see anything wrong with that statement. They didn't say we are going undefeated they said WE HAVE THE TALENT TO GO UNDEFEATED which I actually agree but it all comes down to coaching which may not work in our favor LOL. We have our 3 ALPHAS coming back in DeShields, Russell and Nared. We get Cooper back and a strong physical presence in Green not to mention the #1 recruiting class so we actually have a great shot to be honest.

 

[Bulldog_Vol]

Don;t see nothing wrong with that statement. They didn't say we are going undefeated they said WE HAVE THE TALENT TO GO UNDEFEATED which I actually agree but it all comes down to coaching which may not work in our favor LOL. We have our 3 ALPHAS coming back in DeShields, Russell and Nared. We get Cooper back and a strong physical presence in Green not to mention the #1 recruiting class so we actually have a great shot to be honest.

If we had a head coach that has proved capable of developing talent and winning at the highest level, then I would automatically consider us winners of the SEC and FF bound. The roster we had two seasons again was just as talented as this upcoming one. In the Elite game we lost vs Syracuse, our starting five included 4 players we will have on next year's roster. We shall see.

 

[LasVegasBill23]

Don't see anything wrong with that statement. They didn't say we are going undefeated they said WE HAVE THE TALENT TO GO UNDEFEATED which I actually agree but it all comes down to coaching which may not work in our favor LOL. We have our 3 ALPHAS coming back in DeShields, Russell and Nared. We get Cooper back and a strong physical presence in Green not to mention the #1 recruiting class so we actually have a great shot to be honest.

I try to stay off people's opinions.... because they are just that.... but to say that we have good shot at going undefeated... wow... that is such a stretch... yes we have talent i have agreed with that all along... but getting them to all to want to play on any particular night has been difficult.... how are they going to put it all together 30 something times in a row next year.... oh i don't know... i should just go along with the thinking...