Farawayfan

You are absolutely correct! From https://www.ncsasports.org/coronavirus-sports/ncaa-eligibility-coronavirus: "There are two factors that control the availability of scholarships at the D1 and D2 levels. The NCAA scholarship limits per sport and whether or not the school is fully funded. For D1 fall sports, seniors who have scholarships and who will be using the extra year of eligibility will not count against the team’s scholarship limit for the 2021-22 season. This does not mean a college will go over the limit of maximum scholarships. Each school will decide how many scholarships they can fund for each team depending on their budget. In a recent survey, 80% of college coaches said they do not plan on cutting scholarships as part of their budget cutting measures." Also, wouldn't a returning 5th year's (Leet's) scholarship be guaranteed for the year, once offered, just like any other? Maybe no one has an answer because this is all new.

The number of scholarships for a team will not change. Still 15 scholarships for WBB.

And if it's a new coach which recruits that signed actually come?

So many tough questions and conflicting views. I forget who the coach was but I'm thinking John Cheney, had the following discussion at a coaching clinic: Attendee: Coach, what do you use for a press break? Coach: I give it to my point guard and have everyone else get out of the way. A: What if that doesn't work? C: I get a better point guard. That isn't a reflection on Reinke, who did a really good job for someone who really isn't a point guard. Recruiting is the biggest part of the college basketball game. If the current Head Coach and staff can identify and then get the right players then the team will be better. It feels like the former coach got a little lazy and recruited a whole bunch of the same type of guard. You can't win with 8 identical guards. Seems like from the get go the current staff was very aggressive in their search for players.

Weekend Predictions What's everyone thinking? I'm taking 12 point win today and 23 point win tomorrow:)

I figure the most coach-controllable thing with the same players from a previous year/HC is the defensive effort and result you get game in and game out. Changing defensive philosophy takes time and they seem to be catching on. They gave up 6 less ppg this year in Summit League compared to last year. In the regular season games last year v SDU they gave up 93 and 76 points in 46 and 28 point losses. This year they surrendered 72 and 64 and both games were battles. I still think the pg that they brought in from Evansville is the piece that you are talking about that was missing. She would have been a huge help in the 3 ot games and the 5 others they lost by less than 10 (all in league play). I feel like they are pretty close to being a contender. A few breaks this year and they'd be looking at a 3 v 6 or 4 v 5 game at the tourney. I want to see Bernhard bring in her own players. I wonder what the kids they recruited are like? Maybe she recruited players who can shoot it better? She did say that they had placed high priority on recruiting. Will they even still come if she isn't here? Maybe that should go on the recruiting thread?

Here's hoping the Hawks are firing on all cylinders this weekend! It would be amazing to get an upset win.

They really seemed to know what shot they were looking for in that Friday win. Ladies were ready to shoot it on the kick out or the pass-pass whenever they got penetration. Passes were on time, on target. That's when you get people hitting shots!

Sounds like former HC got lazy and lost interest and that theory seems to pan out with a lot of the same type of guards on the roster. Not sure who brought Wallace in (given timing of transfer portal and Brew's dismissal sounds like Coach Bernhard did) but she seems to be one type of guard you mentioned that's missing. She would have made a big difference when she got settled in. I figure you have to give a new HC a chance to put their stamp on a roster. Regardless if they were here before as an assistant or associate, recruiting is ultimately on the HC.

Hadn't seen that. They turned around the next day and lost by 30+ too. Have faith!

Is Omaha a tough place to play? Even with half capacity fans? I'm assuming they will have half or less. I feel like if the UND ladies get rolling a little we will see more consistent play which could equal a little win streak. 6 of the last 8 games on the schedule look like pretty even matchups.

It's a big weekend for the Hawks. Gonna get that elusive first win Friday in a close game and then, with the weight lifted, they will win by a larger margin Saturday. It's gonna be fun.

Lane's sister is a walk on and will be another body in a year when they have been badly needed. Having said that, the article basically says she will be getting ready for next year so I'm not putting any unfair expectations on her. I hear that if a scholarship spot had been available they would have brought in one of next year's scholarship guards but all 15 are given out. Covid didn't change the number of scholarships unfortunately. Speaking of the Lane that is playing, Olivia was really good last weekend. She's developing very nicely it seems.

Nobody loses a year of eligibility this year. Pretty sure if they had any scholarships available they would have brought someone in at Christmas, provided it was someone who could help. The scholarship cap is still 15 despite covid. You can't just tell someone that they no longer have a scholarship mid season. In order to recruit successfully in the future you have to regain that reputation for treating players well.

Anyone have any info on how many are dressing this weekend?

Wouldn't Brewster have had the final say in recruiting? Need better shooters for sure. Wallace going down certainly hurt the pg position but agreed there too, that a pg is needed.

Some players have showed marked improvement, especially defensively. I think they are the ones who are getting the bulk of the minutes. If you have players left over from previous HC that weren't players the current HC would have brought in, because of being less skilled, less athletic or having a lower bball iq, playing them becomes very difficult. If you have a chance to ride 6 players and get a win right now you pretty much have to do it. I get what you are saying and squeezing those extra seconds out of the bench is like walking a fine line. I guess what I'm saying is that I don't feel she got outcoached so much as she had trouble with lack of depth of talent.

I had the link working in the 2nd quarter at some point.