Preview: SMU Mustangs

  

Preview:   SMU Mustangs

WBB Website

Last Season:   14-16 and 8-10 in league play.  SMU is new to the ACC.    

Dec 21 UPDATE: SMU is 8-5 this season with wins coming against  easiest teams and losses to ASU, Minnesota, Missouri, Florida State and Old Dominion.  Best road loss against a good Florida State team 85-93 and best win over Texas Tech.  Team is 6-1 at home and 1-3 on the road and 1-1 on neutral site.  

Nia Robertson is averaging 20.1 ppg, Chantae Embry 12.6 ppg, and Jessica Peterson is a force with 10.8 ppg and 12.2 rebounds per game.

The Coaches:  

Toyelle Wilson is the Head Coach in her 4^th season.

Deneed Parker is the Associate Head Coach in her 2^nd season however in years before she spent 21 years at SMU as an assistant.  

Danielle Edwards is in her 5th year.

Anthony Anderson is in his 3^rd year.

Alex Furr is in her 2^nd year.

Losses:   

Reagan Bradley who averaged 9 ppg.

Tiara Young who averaged 17 points and 5 rebounds. 

Jiya Perry, 5’10, G, Soph. (3.1 ppg) → Delaware

Maya Chandler, 5’7, G, Sr. (5 ppg) transfer

Tamia Jones, 5’8, G, Sr. (9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.1 apg) transfer

Amirah Abdur-Rahim, 6’3, F, Sr. (11.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg) to Texas A&M

Plus two who didn’t play much transferred 

 

Additions:

Nya Robertson a 5-7 JR Guard transfer from George Washington where she averaged 16 ppg.   In her first game this current season she scored 21 points. Roberston scored 29 points in Game # 2.

Kayanna Cox, 5-10 Frosh Guard who was outstandimg in basketball, volleyball and Track & Field in HS. 

Zanai Jones, Sr Guard a transfer from Villanova where she averaged 6 ppg.   

Kaysia Woods, 6-0 SR Wing transfer from Xavier where she averaged 7 ppg.

Sandra Magolico, 6-2 SR  Forward transfer from ASU where she averaged 1 ppg.

Nicole Rodriguez, 5-8 Grad Student Guard transfer from Loyola Marymount where she averaged 10 ppg.

Kylie Marshall, 5-11 Soph Guard transfer from Texas A&M where she averaged 4 minutes per game.  

Brianna McLeod, 6-3 JR Post transfer from Colorado where she averaged one ppg. 

 

Schedule:

ASU, Minnesota, Missouri, and Texas Tech are the highlights.

 

The Team: 

TK Pitts, 6-1 JR Wing who averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds. 

Ella Brow, 5-8 Soph Guard who missed last season with injuries.  As a Frosh at SMU she averaged 4 ppg.

Donavia Hall, 5-10 JR Guard who averaged 1 ppg.

Chantae Embry, 6-1 Forward who averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds.

Jessica Peterson, 6-2 SR Post who missed last season with injuries.  The season before she averaged 5 points and 5 rebounds.   In her first game this season she had 16 points and 11 rebounds.

 

 

Prediction:

Lost to Old Dominion Saturday.  Preseason ranked is 16 in the ACC

 

2025 Recruiting:  

Sania Richardson, 5-5 PG from Oklahoma.

Alba Caballero, from Spain.

Mireia Jurado, 6-0 Guard from Spain 

Preview: Pittsburgh Panthers

 

Preview:   Pitt Panthers

WBB Website

Last Season:   8-24 and 2 –16 in league play.  Returned only 4 players.

January 28 Update: 

Stanford's next home game on Thursday, Jan 30 at 7 pm will be against Pittsburgh which has a 9-12 overall record and is 1-7 in conference play.  The Panthers have a net ranking of 155 vs Stanford's 44.  

Their only conference win was 72-59 over SMU at home and their best loss at 56-65 was to a very good Louisville team at home.  

Their top 5 scorers are shown below - click on image to enlarge.

We should expect to win this home match-up coming off the close loss to Cal in which Stanford employed a season first full court press in the 2nd half to close a 19 point deficit to 3 points at game end.

Coaches:  Troy Verdi is the Head Coach and in his 2^nd season.

Candice Finley is in her first season.

John Marcum is in his first season.  

Devan Newman also in his first season.  

Anthony Brammer is in his first season.

 

Losses:   Lost 4 transfers

Two who totaled 5 ppg transferred out.

Rapuluchi Ayodele averaged 6 ppg and transferred to Seton Hall.

Liatu King averaged 18 ppg and transferred to Notre Dame.

Jaya Jordan averaged 8 ppg.

 

 

Additions 7 transfers, 2 freshmen: 

Brooklynn Miles, 5-5 SR Guard Transfer from Kentucky who averaged 6 ppg. 

Amiya Jenkins, 5-10 JR Guard transfer from Kentucky who averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds.

MaKayla Elmore, 6-3 SR Forward transfer from Clemson who averaged 4 points and 5 rebounds.

Bella Perkins, 5-9 SR Guard transfer from USC where she averaged 8 ppg and made 52 Threes. 

Kiaia Williams, 6-0 Frosh Wing from Florida, sadly will miss the season with a knee injury.

Audrey Biggs, 6-0 Frosh Guard from KY 

Raevan Boswell, 5-11 JR Guard who transferred from Ga Tech.  Boswell who played just 8 games last season.

Khadija Faye, 6-4 Grad Student Post who transferred from Texas.  Faye payed at Texas Tech before Texas.   Faye averaged 5 points and 3 rebounds last season.

Mikayla Johnson, 6-1 Redshirt Soph Wing who transferred from Colorado.   Johnson scored 29 points on the season last year. 

 

Schedule:

Kansas and Auburn are the highlights.

 

The Team:  

Aaryn Battle, 5-10 Soph Guard who averaged 5 ppg.

Marley Washenitz, 5-7 JR Guard who averaged 4 ppg. 

Lauren Rust, 6-0 Soph Forward who averaged 3 minutes per game. 

Aislin Malcolm, 5-10 JR Guard who averaged 9 ppg.  

 

Prediction: Projected to finish last in the ACC.  

 

2025 Recruiting:  6 recruits, 5 from other countries

Macie Arzner, 5-11 Guard from Oregon.

Theresa Hagans, 5-8 Guard from Canada

Angela Le Faou, 5-11 Wing from Spain

Jayda Queeley, 5-10 PG from Canada

Divine Tumba, 6-3 Forward from Canada

Meredith Venner, 6-2 Forward from Colombia 

 

Preview: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

  

Preview:   Notre Dame

WBB Website

Last Season:   28-7 and 13 –5 in league play

Feb 6 Update:

The #3 ranked Notre Dame team is a contender for the national championship with a 19-2 record and 10-0 in ACC play.  They are led by the brilliant guard, Hannah Hidalgo who is consider a national player of the year candidate.  She averages 26.1 ppg on 50.1% shooting while hitting 42.5% of her 3-point shots, and will receive consideration as the national defensive.

But the team is loaded with a number of other top players.  The team averages 87 ppg while holding opponents to 62.1 ppg.  It would be a major upset if Stanford could beat the Irish on the road.

Included below is a 6 minute highlight video of Notre Dame's win over Louisville.

The Coaches:  

Niele Ivey is in her 4^th season as the Head Coach

Carol Owens is the Associate Head Coach and in her 25 season at Notre Dame.

Michaela Mabrey is in her 6 th season

Charel Allen is in her 3rd season.

 

Losses: 

Marshall who averaged 5 points and 4 rebounds and transferred to Miami.

 

Additions:

Kate Koval, 6-5 Frosh Post ranked # 5 out of HS.

Liatu King, 6-0 Grad Student Wing transfer from Pitt.  King averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds last season at Pitt.

Liza Karlen, 6-2 Grad Student Forward who transferred from Marquette.   Last Season Karlen averaged 18 points and 8 rebounds at Marquette.

 

Schedule: Notre Dame plays a strong schedule outside the ACC

The Team:  

Hannah Hidalgo, 5-6 Soph Guard who averaged 22 points and 4 steals per game.  She's a pre=season All-American.

Olivia Miles, 5-10 JR in elgibility however already a Grad Student. Out last season with an injury however averaged 14 points, 67 assists per game the previous season.

Sonia Citron, 6-0 SR Wing who averaged 14 points and 6 rebounds.

Mandy Westbeld, 6-3 Grad Student Forward who averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds.

Kylee Watson, 6-4 SR Post who averaged 6 points and 3 rebounds.

Cassandre Prosper, Soph Wing who averaged 5 points and 4 rebounds last season.

KK Bransford, 5-11 JR Guard who averaged 7 ppg.

Sarah Cernugel, 5-4 Guard Grad Student who averaged one ppg.  

Emma Risch, 6-1 Soph Wing.  Only played 7 games last season averaged 4 ppg before a hip injury ended her season.  Emma was ranked # 20 out of HS.

 

Prediction:  Pre season rank is # 4.   A definite candidate to win the national title.

 

2025 Recruiting:  

Leah Macy 6-3 Wing/Forward from KY, ranked # 16.   

 

ACC Preview: North Carolina Tarheels

Preview:  North Carolina Tarheels

WBB Website

Last Season:   20-13 and 11 –7 in league play

Jan 31 Update:

The 15th ranked 19-3 North Carolina Tarheels present a major challenge, and opportunity to our young team.  UNC is 7-1 in the conference and is coming off a 65-52 win over #19 Cal, outscoring the Bears 18-7 in the 4th quarter.  Their only losses have been to #3 Notre Dame, #6 UConn and #20 Georgia Tech.  

UNC is an extremely tough defensive team giving up only 54.7 ppg while averaging 73.3 ppg.  They average 12.7 turnovers per game while opponents turn it over 18.5 times per game.  One of their top defenders and starting point guard is Indya Nivar who played for Stanford last season before transferring.

They have very balanced scoring with their top 5 scorers averaging between 8.4 and 11.4 ppg.  Their leading rebounder, and scorer, is 6'1" Alyssa Ustby averaging 9.4 rebounds per game.  Click on the stats below to enlarge:

  

The Coaches:  

Courtney Banghart is the Head Coach entering her 6^th season at North Carolina after 12 years as Head Coach at Princeton.

Joanne Aluka-White is in her 6^th season.

Adrian Walters is in his 5^th season.

Cory McNeill is in his first season.  

Katherine Bixby is in her first season.  

 

Losses:  

Paulina Paris who averaged 6 ppg.

Deja Kelly who averaged 16 ppg and transferred to Oregon.

Seven others transferred out and they combined for 11 ppg.  

 

Additions: 

Lanie Grant, 5-10 Frosh Guard.  Ranked # 59.

Grace Townsend, 5-5 Grad Student Guard a transfer from Richmond

Jordan Zubich, 5-11 Frosh Guard.  Ranked # 69. 

Lexi Donarski, 6-0 Grad Student Wing a transfer from Iowa State.  Last season at Iowa State Lexi averaged 10 ppg and made 74 threes at 34%.

Blanca Thomas, 6-5 Frosh Post.  Ranked # 32.

 

Schedule:

UConn, Kentucky and Florida highlight the non conference schedule. 

 

The Team:  

Alyssa Ustby, 6-1 Grad Student Forward who averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds. 

Laila Hull, 6-1 Redshirt Frosh Wing who sat out last year recovering from a HS injury.  Hull was the Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year.  Her Dad is the Head Football Coach at Delaware State.

Maria Gakdeng, 6-3 Sr Post who averaged  9 points and 6 rebounds.  

Reniya Kelly, 5-7 Soph Guard who averaged 4 ppg.

Kayla McPherson, 5-8 Redshirt JR Guard who has hardly played due to injuries.  However in one game in November last season she was 4 of 7 from Three. 

Trayanna Crisp, 5-8 JR Guard a transfer from ASU

Sydney Barker, 5-7 Soph Guard who entered as a Walk on now on scholarships.  Played little last season.

Ciera Toomey, 6-4 Redshirt Frosh Post who was out last season recovering from a HS injury.  

Indya Nivar, 5-10 Jr Guard who averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds.  As a Frosh at Stanford Nivar averaged 3 ppg.  

 

Prediction:

Preseason rank # 17.    I don’t get why so high, but we shall see.  To me they lost a lot .   I’ve been wrong before.  

 

2025 Recruiting:  

Nyla Brooks, 6-2 Wing from VA, ranked # 17.

Tailyah Hendersen, 6-1 Wing from AZ, ranked # 21.

Taissa Queiroz, 5-11 Wing from CA, ranked # 76. 

ACC Previews: NC State Wolfpack

 

Preview:   North Carolina State Wolfpack

WBB  Website 

Last Season:   31-7 and 13 –5 in league play

January 11 Update:  Team is 11-4 overall and 3-1 in conference.  AP ranking is #21 and net ranking is #23 while Stanford has a #41 net ranking.  Coming off a 78-71 loss to Cal in a game where 5 players played virtually all the minutes. Four players were in double figures and scored almost all their points, let by #10 Aziaha James with 21 and #18 Tilda Trygger with 19.  James is a 5' 8" guard and Trygger is a 6'6" freshman from Sweden who played on their national team.

This is the team that beat us in the NCAAs last year to end our season.  

The Coaches:  

Head Coach Wes Moore is in his 11th season at NC State and has 800  wins in his 34 year head coaching career.

Associate Head Coach Nikki West is in her 5^th season.

Brittany Morris is in her 4^th season.

Ashley Williams is in her3nd season.  Williams played at NC State.

Houston Francher is in his 2^nd season as an Assistant however has also been Director of Operations.

 

Losses: 

Three players transferred who averaged in total less than 2 ppg. 

River Baldwin, who averaged 10 points and 7 rebounds.

Mimi Collins, who averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds.  

 

Additions:

 Lorena Awou, 6-5 Frosh Post from IL

Zamareya Jones, 5-7 Frosh Point Guard from NC, ranked # 17.

Devyn Quigley, 5-11 Frosh Wing from NJ, ranked # 47.  Devyn averaged 32 ppg in her Sr year in HS.

Tilda Trygger, 6-6 Frosh Post from Sweden,  Tilda played on Swedish National teams and on a team in Spain.

Caitlin Weimar, 6-4 Grad Student Post who transferred from Boston University where she averaged 18 points 10 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. 

 

Schedule:

South Carolina, LSU or Washington, Ole Miss are the highlights.  

 

The Team:  

Aziaha James, 5-8 SR Guard who averaged 17 ppg, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.  James made 75 Threes at 34%.

Madison Hayes, 6-0 Grad Student Guard who averaged 10 points and 7 rebounds.  Hayes made 56 Threes at 40%. 

Saniya Rivers, 6-1 Sr Wing who averaged 12 points 6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.

Zoe Brooks, 5-10 Soph Guard who averaged 9 points 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

Laci Steele, 5-11 Soph Wing averaged 3 ppg.  Laci was ranked # 56 out of HS.

Mallory Collier, 6-3 Soph Post who averaged 6 minutes per game.  Collier was ranked # 55 out of HS.

Maddie Cox, 6-2 Soph Forward who averaged 9 minutes last season however was ranked # 71 out of HS.

Lizzie Williamson, 6-5 Grad Student Post who played just 5 minutes a game in 19 games.  Lizzie transferred from Southern Utah 2 seasons ago where she averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds.

 

 Prediction:

Preseason NC State Ranks is  nationally.   The team returns as much as almost any in the nation plus great recruits as Frosh.  A very strong team.

 

2025 Recruiting:  None yet

 

ACC Preview: Miami Hurricanes

 

Preview:   Miami

WBB Website

Last Season:   19-12 and 8 –10 in league play

Feb 25 Update: Miami is 14-13 on the season and 4-12 in conference play.  Their net ranking is 79 and Stanford's is 51.  Miami is 2-6 in away games.  Below are the latest stats for Miami and a video of their last game, a 62-60 home win over Wake Forest.

Miami plays a veteran lineup that includes 4 graduate students, the 5'6" Cavinder sisters, 6'5" Marshall and 6'3" Williams.  In their last game vs Wake Forest, Williams scored 23, Haley Cavinder 17, Hanna Cavinder had 5 and Marshall scored 4, a total of 49 of the Miami 62 points in their home win over Wake Forest.  

The Cavinder twins are social media stars, have modeled for Sports Illustrated "Runway" and have a fitness app called Twogether - they are estimated to be worth $4.4 million from their social media activities.

Miami had lost 5 straight before their last game to the powers in the conference.  Their away game loss 74-76 to #10 NC State, and 82-83 loss to #25 Florida State shows that they are a dangerous team that can play with any team.

Miami has 9 players under 6' tall and only Williams and Marshall are above 6' tall.  Haley Cavinder dominates the ball and easily takes more shots than any other player on the season.  

A key to the game will be three point shooting where Stanford has the statistical edge hitting 36.1 ppg while Miami is at 30.8%.  We know what happened last game vs. Virginia when UVA was hot from 3, and we were not - I expect we will turn that around for a much-needed win at home.

Miami Season Stats - click on image enlarge

Miami 62-60 over Wake Forest  - Feb 22

The Coaches:  

Tricia Cullop is in her first year as the Head Coach.  Cullop was the Head Coach at Toledo for the past 16 seasons.  In her last three years her teams won 85 games. 

Fitzroy Anthony is in his 10^th year at Miami and is the Associate Head Coach.

Jessie Ivey is in her first year at Miami after 4 years at Toledo.

Danielle Page is in her first year at Miami after 6 seasons at Toledo.

Murriel Page, no relation, is in her first year at Miami after 2 seasons at Mississippi State. 

 

Losses:   

Head Coach Katie Meier retired after 19 seasons and the Head Coach at Miami.  

All these to transfer:

Ally Stedman, 2ppg.

Kyla Oldarce, 5 ppg and 4 rebounds.

Latasha Lattimore, 5 ppg.

Lazaria Spearman, 6 points and 6 rebounds per game.

Lashae Dwyer, 7 ppg.

Ja’Leah  Williams 4 ppg.

Shayeann Day-Wilson, 12 ppg and 3.5 assist per game. 

 

 Additions: 

Aurora Almon, 6-4 Redshirt Frosh Post.

Ahnay Adams, 5-6 Frosh Guard.

Darrione Rogers, 5-11 Grad Student Wing a transfer from Mississippi State where she averaged 8 ppg.

Daniela Abies, 6-0 Jr  Wing transfer from Wichita State where she averaged 13 ppg and almost 10 rebounds per game. 

Natalija Marshall, 6-5 Grad Student Post a transfer from Norte Dame where she averaged 5 points and almost 4 rebounds.  

Simone Pelish, 6-0 Frosh Guard from NY State.  A 4 star recruit.  

Leah Harmon, 5-6 Frosh Guard from NJ.  

Cameron Williams, 6-3 Grad Student Forward a transfer from Michigan.  Last season Williams average 7 points and 4 rebounds.

Sophia Zulich, 5-11 Wing Grad Student transfer from Denver where she Missed the last THREE seasons with injuries.                                   

 

Schedule:

Florida, Vanderbilt are the highlights

 

The Team: 

Jasmyne Roberts, 5-10 Sr Guard who averaged 11 ppg.

Lemyah Hylton, 5-11 Jr Guard who averaged 6 ppg.

Haley Cavinder, 5-6 Grad Student Guard who didn’t play at TCU  At Miami the year before she averaged 12 ppg. 

Hanna Cavinder, 5-6 Grad Student Guard who averaged 4 ppg the previous season. 

 

Prediction:

Only two players who played for Miami last season plus the Cavinders, of social media fame, who played the year before.   6 Grad students on the team.   We shall see how they mesh but it appears to be a rebuilding year. 

 

2025 Recruiting:  

Natalie Wetzel, 6-3 Wing Forward from PA, ranked # 79.

Soma Okolo, 6-1 Wing from TX.

Meredith Tippner, 5-10 Guard from PA, ranked # 93.

Camille Williams, 5-11 Guard from TX, ranked # 57.

 

ACC Preview: Louisville Cardinals

Preview:   Louisville Cardinals

WBB Website 

Last Season:  They were 24-10 and 12-6 in league play

Feb 8 Update:

Louisville is 16-7 overall and 9-3 in conference play.  This is a very solid team whose record is deceptive as they have played a very tough schedule including 7 ranked teams.  Their conference losses have been to #3 Notre Dame, #14 NC State and a road loss to Virginia Tech.  Best win was over #14 Georgia Tech at home.

They are coming off a 70-63 home win over #21 Cal. Below is the 6 minute highlight video of this most recent game.

Their individual season stats are shown below --- click on the image to expand the view.

The Coaches:  

Jeff Walz is the long time Head Coach with 465 wins averaging 27 wins per season.  He has coached Louisville to 12 Sweet 16s.  Also to to 8 Final 8s, 4 Final 4s and twice to the Final game.  

Stephanie Norman is in her 18^th year at Louisville and the long time Associate Head Coach. 

Jonneshia Pineda is in her 6^th year as an Assistant. 

Shay Robinson is in his 3^rd year 

Amanda Butler is in her first year after 6 years at Clemson as their Head Coach.

 

Losses:   

Eylia Love averaged 4 ppg and two others averaged less than 2 ppg.  All three have transferred from Louisville. 

Nina Richards who averaged 7 ppg.

Sydney Taylor who averaged 11 ppg.

Kiki Jefferson who averaged 12 ppg.

 

 Additions: 

 Izela Arenas, 5-9 Frosh Guard from SoCal, the daughter of long time NBA player Gilbert Arenas.  Ranked # 88. 

Reagan Bender, 5-9 Frosh Guard from Louisville.  Bender scored 1,818 points and made 212 threes in HS.

Imari Berry, 5-9 Frosh Guard from Tennessee ranked # 19. McD All American.

Anaya Hardy, 6-3 Frosh Forward from Detroit.       

Isla Juffermans, 6-4 Frosh, Forward/Post from Australia.  Named MVP of Asian U 18 tournament in 2022.  

MacKenly Randolph, 6-0 Frosh Forward from SoCal ranked # 23.  McD All American.

Tajianna Roberts, 5-10 Frosh Guard from San Diego ranked # 24.  

 

Schedule:

UCLA in Paris!, Kentucky, Colorado, Oklahoma and UConn.

 

The Team: 

Nyla Harris, 6-2 Forward who averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds last season. 

Jayda Curry, 5-6 Grad Student Guard who averaged 9 ppg and made 45 threes at 39%.

Olivia Cochran, 6-3 Grad Student Forward who averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds.  

Eseosa Imafidon, 6-5 Redshirt Frosh Post who redshirted last season.

Ifif Istanbulluoglu, 6-3 Soph Forward who averaged 2 points and 2 rebounds. 

Ja’Leah Williams, 6-0 Grad Student Guard who averaged 5 ppg. 

Merissah Russell, 6-0 Grad Student Guard who averaged 5 ppg.

 

Prediction:       

Great coach, great recruiting with three top 25 players coming in and solid returnees.    

 

2025 Recruiting:  

None yet.