First Game Notes

[illiniboiler]

Probably dumb to post anything on this abandoned site, but some may check in. Here's my take on 80-69 win over N. Alabama
--To be brutally honest this is the least talented squad that Versyp has had. For the first time since our national championship, there are no bonafide stars. MCGlauglin would be one but she's out. They do have some good players, Farquar and Traylor being by far the best. The rest are a mix and max rotation. However, not to let the men outdo them, the new center Kyle has major player written all over her, garnering 16 points in about ten minutes. The other highly touted frosh Layden seems to have an IQ for the game, but only took and missed two treys and hit one FT. Offensively, the Boilers missed a ton of 3's and most points were inside, off fTS and Farquar's good jumpers. Defensively uneven, as they allowed a lot of easy interior layups. N, Alabama is far and away not the best team they will play. At this point, I do not expect big things from this team, but maybe it is too early. They do have size, but Trayor is the only true pg and she will be worn to a frazzle if she has to play the kind of minutes she did tonight.
--But here is the rub and maybe some one can fill me in on where these players are as I thought for the first time in forever, the team would have some decent depth. I know Doumbia was not granted eligibility, but where are Hardin, Mokolo and Whilby, all three who certainly should be rotation players, with Hardin, minus Mac, one of their key 3 pt shooters.

 

[TC4THREE]

Disappointed with the outside shooting numbers. I fear that's a trend that will last all season, or at least as long as KM is out. Hardin did not play and she could knock some down some outside shots too.

Not sure why Kyle was limited to only 8 minutes given her production. Layden playing over half the game was good to see. Didn't convert a field goal but only attempted 2 (both 3's) and chipped in 5 boards and 3 assists while committing only 2 turnovers.

14 turnovers. Over the past several years, I've been conditioned to feel good about anything less than 20. I don't know what kid of defense North Alabama played but I'm guessing they weren't aggressive and pressing us all game long.

We'll likely need much better shooting to beat any of the better teams on the schedule. I'm just hoping to see player development this season. I want to see Kyle and Layden play alot. I want to see efficiency on offense and an emphasis on taking care of the ball. I don't particularly care about our win/loss record. Who even knows if there will be a NCAA tournament? I think the entire focus should be shaping a team for next year.

 

[DocRon]

Probably dumb to post anything on this abandoned site, but some may check in. Here's my take on 80-69 win over N. Alabama
--To be brutally honest this is the least talented squad that Versyp has had. For the first time since our national championship, there are no bonafide stars. MCGlauglin would be one but she's out. They do have some good players, Farquar and Traylor being by far the best. The rest are a mix and max rotation. However, not to let the men outdo them, the new center Kyle has major player written all over her, garnering 16 points in about ten minutes. The other highly touted frosh Layden seems to have an IQ for the game, but only took and missed two treys and hit one FT. Offensively, the Boilers missed a ton of 3's and most points were inside, off fTS and Farquar's good jumpers. Defensively uneven, as they allowed a lot of easy interior layups. N, Alabama is far and away not the best team they will play. At this point, I do not expect big things from this team, but maybe it is too early. They do have size, but Trayor is the only true pg and she will be worn to a frazzle if she has to play the kind of minutes she did tonight.
--But here is the rub and maybe some one can fill me in on where these players are as I thought for the first time in forever, the team would have some decent depth. I know Doumbia was not granted eligibility, but where are Hardin, Mokolo and Whilby, all three who certainly should be rotation players, with Hardin, minus Mac, one of their key 3 pt shooters.

Whilby announced in September that she will sit out the season, suppsoedly due to COVID risks. She would have been a senior so I think she is gone for good. On radio during the game Tim Newton said that only 10 of the 15 on the roster were "available." But I missed his pre-game comments. Other than Doumbia and McLaughlin, I was surprised at the absence of Hardin, Mokolo and Harmon. There was no hint of that on Versyp's show a week ago.

I thought they looked pretty good (always the optimist). I was so impressed with Ra Shaya. She seemed completely relaxed and athletic under the basket. Madison appeared tense to me but contributed and made some beautiful passes. I was also impressed by Brook Moore being able to nicely bring the ball up in those 6 mins when Traylor was on the bench.

I was so surprised that Ajah Stallings started and played 32 mins. She was throwing up bricks in her shooting (0-5) but defensively was impressive and had that knack for being in the right place in the right time. Versyp has said "She has been amazing for us. She is a great ‘program kid.'"

So happy that Farquhar seems to be even better than she was before her injury. She will be a standout for us all year. What an improvement for her (and Diagne) from when they first arrived.

We need to remember that North Alabama had already played two games before meeting us. While fatigued, they did not have to go through the opening night jitters that we did. I can't wait for Madison to start taking and hitting her shots. And for our overall shooting to be much better... I think it will be.
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[Rapko]

Probably dumb to post anything on this abandoned site, but some may check in. Here's my take on 80-69 win over N. Alabama
--To be brutally honest this is the least talented squad that Versyp has had. For the first time since our national championship, there are no bonafide stars. MCGlauglin would be one but she's out. They do have some good players, Farquar and Traylor being by far the best. The rest are a mix and max rotation. However, not to let the men outdo them, the new center Kyle has major player written all over her, garnering 16 points in about ten minutes. The other highly touted frosh Layden seems to have an IQ for the game, but only took and missed two treys and hit one FT. Offensively, the Boilers missed a ton of 3's and most points were inside, off fTS and Farquar's good jumpers. Defensively uneven, as they allowed a lot of easy interior layups. N, Alabama is far and away not the best team they will play. At this point, I do not expect big things from this team, but maybe it is too early. They do have size, but Trayor is the only true pg and she will be worn to a frazzle if she has to play the kind of minutes she did tonight.
--But here is the rub and maybe some one can fill me in on where these players are as I thought for the first time in forever, the team would have some decent depth. I know Doumbia was not granted eligibility, but where are Hardin, Mokolo and Whilby, all three who certainly should be rotation players, with Hardin, minus Mac, one of their key 3 pt shooters.

 

[illiniboiler]

Good solid comments. Yes like the men probably playing for next year, but sure is strange about those three “missing”
Players, all of who might contribute. That they did not even appear on the bench is concerning.

 

[TC4THREE]

Good solid comments. Yes like the men probably playing for next year, but sure is strange about those three “missing”
Players, all of who might contribute. That they did not even appear on the bench is concerning.

If they weren't on the bench and they weren't otherwise expected to miss time, that might suggest Covid quarantines? I don't know but just hazarding a guess. It might also explain why nobody talked about it.

 

[DavidBoiler]

Probably dumb to post anything on this abandoned site, but some may check in. Here's my take on 80-69 win over N. Alabama
--To be brutally honest this is the least talented squad that Versyp has had. For the first time since our national championship, there are no bonafide stars. MCGlauglin would be one but she's out. They do have some good players, Farquar and Traylor being by far the best. The rest are a mix and max rotation. However, not to let the men outdo them, the new center Kyle has major player written all over her, garnering 16 points in about ten minutes. The other highly touted frosh Layden seems to have an IQ for the game, but only took and missed two treys and hit one FT. Offensively, the Boilers missed a ton of 3's and most points were inside, off fTS and Farquar's good jumpers. Defensively uneven, as they allowed a lot of easy interior layups. N, Alabama is far and away not the best team they will play. At this point, I do not expect big things from this team, but maybe it is too early. They do have size, but Trayor is the only true pg and she will be worn to a frazzle if she has to play the kind of minutes she did tonight.
--But here is the rub and maybe some one can fill me in on where these players are as I thought for the first time in forever, the team would have some decent depth. I know Doumbia was not granted eligibility, but where are Hardin, Mokolo and Whilby, all three who certainly should be rotation players, with Hardin, minus Mac, one of their key 3 pt shooters.

I totally disagree... I think it is a very talented group....Karissa will be back in a couple of weeks or so, she is a bonafide star, I love Tamara, I think Kyle is a star in the making at Center, she has to work on her stamina apparently, I don't understand why though, shouldn't they be in shape? I love Layden, but she seemed very tentative to shoot the ball, but had a brilliant pass to Kyle for a layup. Layden will be a very steady 4 year player and imho a star. Her size and length on the perimeter are something Purdue hasn't had at that position for many years. She will be a floor leader unlike we've seen in a long time. Traylor is head and shoulders the best player on the floor for Purdue until Karissa returns. She's an All B1G performer and she has improved... very talented player and she is very dynamic and the leader of the team right now until Layden becomes more comfortable and Karissa returns. I also like Grant a lot. She's not a star but she's very steady and scored in double digits last night. The Center position is improving steadily, Gony and Diagne show some promise and steady improvement, but the star of the group is Kyle for sure. Her height is something you can't teach...She needs to be able to stay on the floor for 25 minutes a game, and she will get there. I also liked what I saw from Brooke Moore. She didn't shoot the ball particularly well, but she shows athleticism, speed and a nice mid range jumper. She can score and handle the ball and is a nice backup option to have off the bench in the backcourt. Remember that Bria Harmon and Cassidy Hardin did not play... they will add a lot... Harmon is ultra fast and quick on the floor, runs the break well and Hardin is a legit 3 point shooter. The one player that I wonder about is Woltman. She is the top rated player on the team coming out of HS besides Karissa, when you go back and look at each player's prospect ratings. She was a top 20 recruit according to some recruiting services, but has she improved? She's got great size for a PF, 6-4 and appears very strong. But she doesn't appear to have great offensive skills yet and lacks a confident long range outside jump shot. Versyp played her in the post for several minutes in the first half yesterday, as opposed to playing her at the 4 or PF position. She had a nice sequence yesterday where she did score on a nice little jumper on a post move, that was encouraging to see. I thought for sure Rickie would start at the 4 with Tamara at the 3 and Kyle at the 5 or post/Center spot to start yesterday's game, and I think that will eventually be the starting lineup in the front court down the road. And then in the 2nd half of yesterday's game Sharon sat Woltman for almost all of the 2nd half...Is she in Sharon's doghouse? And then when she re-entered the game late she didn't play with a lot of focus, causing a turnover, etc. Hopefully Woltman improves as the season goes along and she settles back in at the PF spot. Interesting that as the game went along Traylor, Tamara Farquhar, and Layden played the most minutes. And along with Kyle, were the leading scorers. When McLaughlin returns that is your starting 5. McLaughlin and Traylor in the backcourt, Farquhar, Layden and Kyle in the frontcourt imho or should be, talent wise.. All of these players are global top 30 recruits, Farquhar may not have been but has made herself into a very good D1 college player... probably ends up being the best rebounder in Purdue history when her career is over. Are there any stars? YES! McLaughlin when she retuns is a star, so is Traylor...Kyle and Layden will be at some point. They need Woltman to emerge and show her potential.. will that ever happen? Who knows... the rest are good complimentary pieces though. Harmon will surprise also when she comes back. The only difference between this season and last season are Harris and Oden. Harris was very talented I grant you that, but Kyle has potential to be great. Oden was a great shooter, but Layden will eventually be a better all around player than Oden was. So this team imho has talent. And I don't think it is the least talented team that Sharon has had... JMHO #BoilerUp

 

[DavidBoiler]

Whilby is no longer with the team... Makolo is out for the season with an injury, and Doumbia was not granted a transfer exception and has to sit out this season. Karissa will be back in December or at the latest early January. Harmon is your back up PG to Traylor and will be back shortly and Moore showed potential as a very good BU PG, but expect Traylor to play the most minutes on the team night in and night out. She is the best player on the floor by a mile, and rightfully so, she was very highly recruited and is now a junior and according to Sharon has really stepped up her game during the offseason and looked great last night.

 

[DavidBoiler]

While I like this season's team, like the Purdue men's team though I think next year will be the really exciting season for this team. They have 4 talented recruits coming in from the just signed 2021-22 class that includes a great PF prospect from Georgia that Sharon compares to Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton, and the seniors this season like McLaughlin and Farquhar will all be allowed to return for another season next year, Kyle and Layden will be a year older and more mature, and this team will be incredibly deep barring injuries... This won't be a B1G title competing season for Purdue this season, but they are building, getting much needed experience for the future, getting experience for next year, and they will surprise I think this season.

 

[TC4THREE]

It seems weird to me that Kyle is only in condition to play 8 minutes but she was able to more or less dominate while she was in. Maybe she is coming off an illness (again, perhaps Covid?) or something because that sure doesn't look like 8 minutes of she-showed-up-out-of-shape production to me.

 

[illiniboiler]

Glad for the optimism and glad to be wrong. I did not know that MCLauhglin would return that early. Thought they said she was out for the year. That is a huge deal and will make this team much more formidable. Just found out about Mokolo etc. Hardin is needed and Harmon can spell KT. Boiler up!
P.S. Good to have some women's bb talk on here during isolation.

 

[DocRon]

I totally disagree... I think it is a very talented group....Karissa will be back in a couple of weeks or so, she is a bonafide star, I love Tamara, I think Kyle is a star in the making at Center, she has to work on her stamina apparently, I don't understand why though, shouldn't they be in shape? I love Layden, but she seemed very tentative to shoot the ball, but had a brilliant pass to Kyle for a layup. Layden will be a very steady 4 year player and imho a star. Her size and length on the perimeter are something Purdue hasn't had at that position for many years. She will be a floor leader unlike we've seen in a long time. Traylor is head and shoulders the best player on the floor for Purdue until Karissa returns. She's an All B1G performer and she has improved... very talented player and she is very dynamic and the leader of the team right now until Layden becomes more comfortable and Karissa returns. I also like Grant a lot. She's not a star but she's very steady and scored in double digits last night. The Center position is improving steadily, Gony and Diagne show some promise and steady improvement, but the star of the group is Kyle for sure. Her height is something you can't teach...She needs to be able to stay on the floor for 25 minutes a game, and she will get there. I also liked what I saw from Brooke Moore. She didn't shoot the ball particularly well, but she shows athleticism, speed and a nice mid range jumper. She can score and handle the ball and is a nice backup option to have off the bench in the backcourt. Remember that Bria Harmon and Cassidy Hardin did not play... they will add a lot... Harmon is ultra fast and quick on the floor, runs the break well and Hardin is a legit 3 point shooter. The one player that I wonder about is Woltman. She is the top rated player on the team coming out of HS besides Karissa, when you go back and look at each player's prospect ratings. She was a top 20 recruit according to some recruiting services, but has she improved? She's got great size for a PF, 6-4 and appears very strong. But she doesn't appear to have great offensive skills yet and lacks a confident long range outside jump shot. Versyp played her in the post for several minutes in the first half yesterday, as opposed to playing her at the 4 or PF position. She had a nice sequence yesterday where she did score on a nice little jumper on a post move, that was encouraging to see. I thought for sure Rickie would start at the 4 with Tamara at the 3 and Kyle at the 5 or post/Center spot to start yesterday's game, and I think that will eventually be the starting lineup in the front court down the road. And then in the 2nd half of yesterday's game Sharon sat Woltman for almost all of the 2nd half...Is she in Sharon's doghouse? And then when she re-entered the game late she didn't play with a lot of focus, causing a turnover, etc. Hopefully Woltman improves as the season goes along and she settles back in at the PF spot. Interesting that as the game went along Traylor, Tamara Farquhar, and Layden played the most minutes. And along with Kyle, were the leading scorers. When McLaughlin returns that is your starting 5. McLaughlin and Traylor in the backcourt, Farquhar, Layden and Kyle in the frontcourt imho or should be, talent wise.. All of these players are global top 30 recruits, Farquhar may not have been but has made herself into a very good D1 college player... probably ends up being the best rebounder in Purdue history when her career is over. Are there any stars? YES! McLaughlin when she retuns is a star, so is Traylor...Kyle and Layden will be at some point. They need Woltman to emerge and show her potential.. will that ever happen? Who knows... the rest are good complimentary pieces though. Harmon will surprise also when she comes back. The only difference between this season and last season are Harris and Oden. Harris was very talented I grant you that, but Kyle has potential to be great. Oden was a great shooter, but Layden will eventually be a better all around player than Oden was. So this team imho has talent. And I don't think it is the least talented team that Sharon has had... JMHO #BoilerUp

Good comments. As Versyp (and others) have said, there is practice shape and game shape.

And next time, DavidBoiler, think about paragraphs? That was hard reading. (Grin)
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[KidsDoc]

IN addition Layden looked somewhat slow and didn't jump real well or shoot well. That is the bad news. The good news is that she has only had 4 practices . She injured her knee and wears a big knee brace which hampers her. Once she gets more practice time and her knee heals then we can see her play like she is capable of.

Kayla(?) is a great addition at center. the only thing I saw is that she doesn't really jump. I would imagine that she never had to jump in HS to shoot or get a rebound so she is going to need to really work on drills to improve her jumping ability as by not jumping you make yourself more like player who is smaller than you.