Okay Russ, you asked me my opinion, my turn: Do you really think the margin of victory against terrible teams is any indication of the strength of a Big Ten team?
Does it indicate that this team is ready to compete with a Connecticut? No, of course not. Does it indicate that this team is improved over last year? Yes, absolutely.....if you say you don't see the improvements that this team has made in year 2 under Coach Geralds. Then to me, you are not really being honest.
The two transfers are huge improvements over last year. I really didn't know what to expect when Petree and Harper committed. I knew next to nothing about them. But even you have to admit they have been very good so far.
Next and maybe more importantly.....unforced turnovers are way down. Can it be improved even more? Once again, absolutely.....cutting turnovers is something that can always be improved.
I think the big value in these type of games is building the teams confidence and comradery. I'm a huge believer in the importance of confidence in sports. Most times if you believe you are going to be successful then you will be. If you think you are going to fail then most likely you will.
These games also show Coach Geralds and her staff what they need to work on and it gives the chance to experiment with different lineup combos.
You also seem to doubt Coach Geralds because of her experience I guess. I'm more of the school of thought that if you can coach, you can coach, no matter the level. The little administrative things that you obsess over don't really worry me. She will learn on the fly just like everyone who moves into a new more difficult position.
I also think the Freshmen will end up playing meaningful minutes before the season is done. Coach Geralds seems to take her time with integrating Freshmen into the rotation. If you remember, Ava Learn did not play much at all early last season. Then in the second half of the season she became a valuable contributor.
My preseason hopes were a 20+ win season and at least 1 win in the Big Dance. I've seen nothing so far to make me doubt that they are capable of that and even more.