quick thoughts on next season

[thecat]

The better team won. Too many athletes. That's all.
Now, on to next year. Steffen, I, believe, can be a foundation to build on. She should be a 15 ppg player. Havel will be an upgrade at the center spot. Papenfuss looks to have good ability and strength. After that, there are alot of unknown quantities. But, Miller is a great coach and will prove it again next season as he will win another 20plus games.

[gmartin]

Don't forget Jessica Slagle and our transfer from Duke. We are not rebuilding next year we are just reloading and I think Coach Miller and this staff will work on an offensive scheme to break a press. Other MAC schools are going to take notice to how we handled the press in the EMU and GT game and Coach Miller and staff will work on breaking presses and I honestly feel this loss will only make our program better. Coach Miller has constantly been able to get the talented shooters and the best out of his players. I think Coach Miller will use this game to change up some of his recruiting and start to recruit a few more bulky/athletic girls whom can push her weight around and not get outmuscled. I think Steffen, Havel and Slagle are the 3 starters you can pencil in. I see Slagle being the captain and I think she will be more vocal than Tracy was. Slagle is a very energetic player, more so of the lines of Kate Achter. It was nice to see our incoming recruits were at St John's to watch the girls play on Saturday.

[falconwomenbball]

I wouldn't forget about Jill Stein either. She's 6'2" and is an athlete. Didn't play a whole lot but when she did, I saw very good basketball instincts. The other 2 freshmen, Jillian Halfhill and Noelle Yoder have some promise too. There will lots of competition for playing time next year. Practices will be all out. Do we need work on breaking the press? We do, but most of the MAC schools won't have the size and quickness that Georgia Tech had. All in all the future looks bright. Next year will be different but then again they all are. The team next year will take on their own identity. Looking forward to seeing what the futrure will bring. With Coach Miller, Coach Roos, Coach Poole and Coach Eckert, we have a staff that knows how to win. Everyone involved in the program is doing a great job (you too Mo).

[factman]

I agree 100% about Jill Stein and think she is a future STAR! I wish she would have played Saturday. I also believe a couple of the incoming freshmen will have a big impact on next years team.

[nwofalconfan]

I also think that Jill Stein will be a big part of next season's success. Also, I wouldn't be surprised to see at least one of next year's freshman in the starting lineup, maybe not at the start of the season, but by the start of conference play.

Chrissy Steffen has shown she has the potential to be a first team MAC performer, both offensively and defensively. Danielle Havel really contributed during the MAC tournament, and I think we will see her as either a 3 or 4.

[Falconfreak90]

I also think that Jill Stein will be a big part of next season's success. Also, I wouldn't be surprised to see at least one of next year's freshman in the starting lineup, maybe not at the start of the season, but by the start of conference play.

Chrissy Steffen has shown she has the potential to be a first team MAC performer, both offensively and defensively. Danielle Havel really contributed during the MAC tournament, and I think we will see her as either a 3 or 4.

Absolutely. Stein showed a lot of potential this year as did Havel. Steffen should be All MAC in the future.

While we *may* take a small step back next year, I think we'll still win 20+ games and contend for the MAC title.

TOGETHER WE ATTACK!!!!

[GB68]

I believe there are only 2 sure starters for next years team: Chrissy Steffen and Alexis Rogers. Every other position is up for grabs. We might even see one or two freshmen start and/or log significant minutes.

[Dukefann9er]

And BG gets one of the best recruits in the state.. and country .

[BigGibber]

Chrissy - It will be different and more difficult for her next year, a lot of the attention that Lauren and Tracy drew this year will be focused on her next year. I think she can handle it.

Danielle - She was in a bad position this year, her natural position put her behind Lauren on the depth chart which translated into no playing time, which translated into her playing and learning multiple positions and it hurt her development. I think we'll see good things from her next year.

Jess - I wouldn't be surprised to see her year be similar to that of Tene Lewis who began her senior year as the starting point guard before giving way to a freshman named Kate Achter. Logan Pastor is averaging a phenomenal 9+ assists per game in her final year at Green HS and we have yet to see what Jillian, Noelle and Simone can really do. The plus for Jess compared to Tene is that she a natural leader & a capable shooting guard and she will have plenty of opportunity to contribute even if she's not starting.

Jill - She may not be the 6'4" / 6'5" center we long for but she has the potential to develop into a "move-me-if-you-can" player that matches up well in the MAC.

Alexis, I think, will show us more athleticism and talent than we've seen in a post player in a long time. The most exciting thing about her is that she has power forward size and shooting forward skills. If Allison, Maribeth and Shanique (our lone incoming freshman post player) can develop into legitimate post players allowing Alexis to move out to the 3 spot, we will be a match-up nightmare for many teams.

I like what I see.

[BigGibber]

High school girls basketball player of the year: East Lansing's Deborah Hoekstra

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/arti ... nav%7Chead

[BGSUE]

Thanks BigGibber for the article link on Hoekstra. Fun to read about an incoming player's success.....wishing to fast-forward to next season. Time & practice will improve all of them.
more talented pieces of a new team....cause each year they're different.

[fredthefalcon]

High school girls basketball player of the year: East Lansing's Deborah Hoekstra

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/arti ... nav%7Chead

Hoeckstra was named 2nd team Class A by the Free Press today.

[Rocket_Fanatic]

I know a lot of Toledo fans think with you guys losing Lauren and Tracey that somehow you will become mediocre within the conference. I know better. Though I can't stand your coach, he will have your team ready for next season and you will probably win well over 20 games, the East division, and be in the championship game in Cleveland. Though, of course, I believe Toledo will beat you come that point. I'm just worried about teams like Central, Eastern and Akron, who I believe are programs on the rise...

[Dukefann9er]

I know a lot of Toledo fans think with you guys losing Lauren and Tracey that somehow you will become mediocre within the conference. I know better. Though I can't stand your coach, he will have your team ready for next season and you will probably win well over 20 games, the East division, and be in the championship game in Cleveland. Though, of course, I believe Toledo will beat you come that point. I'm just worried about teams like Central, Eastern and Akron, who I believe are programs on the rise...

I guess because Curt Miller wins.. #winning

[jg4242]

I know a lot of Toledo fans think with you guys losing Lauren and Tracey that somehow you will become mediocre within the conference. I know better. Though I can't stand your coach, he will have your team ready for next season and you will probably win well over 20 games, the East division, and be in the championship game in Cleveland. Though, of course, I believe Toledo will beat you come that point. I'm just worried about teams like Central, Eastern and Akron, who I believe are programs on the rise...

I guess because Curt Miller wins.. #winning

I am a huge Curt Miller fan, but I'm also a big Tricia Cullop fan (when she's not playing BG, that is....). She runs a great program, and the kind of competition she's bringing to the top of the MAC will only help all of our programs in the long run.

I agree that CMU and EMU are going to be dangerous for a couple of years. EMU is finally getting back to the level it was at when Merchant was there, and CMU is athletic as all get out. Next year should be a lot of fun!!