HookemTexas

I think part of the issue is Sark is trying to make his QBs play like NFL QBs and doesn't build his system to their strengths, they have to learn his system the way he built it. Which is fine and dandy when you have a QB with those skills sets. Deboer, Kiffin, etc. utilize QB friendly systems with easy quick reads. Additionally, I think it was Bobby or someone who mentioned this morning that it doesn't seem like Arch can audible when he sees something the defense is showing. So basically if the defense called the right D, he's handcuffed. Sark does motions to see what the defense is going to be and then makes his play call; well today's defenses are advanced enough to show one thing and actually be something else. In essence, they could be baiting Sark into doing what they wanted him to do. My data points would be - when he runs out of choices and has to let Arch play backyard football with no huddle and quick reads. Arch seems to perform significantly better.

That's fair. Where I would point to as a data point (as we don't know for sure since we're not behind the curtain) would be in Vic's rant after the embarrassing loss to Vandy last year when he was frustrated and said some things out loud. One of which was - the players not following the game plan and what was drilled in practice in the game. I can't remember his exact words, but it was something to the effect of - "many hours of work and they just ignored it It can be argued that part of coaching is getting the players to execute and do what you want them to do. I do feel like in today's NIL world that seems to be a lot harder than it used to be and many coaches are experiencing that.

Disagree with you on this one. Does Coach Vic frustrate me at times? You bet. But facts are that since Coach Conradt, Texas hasn’t been relevant in women’s bball until Coach Vic came. And Texas had some elite recruits before his time as well - but part of recruiting is on the coach. Coach Vic has recruited more elite players than Texas has seen in prior years. Karen Aston would pull maybe 1 or 2 in (Ariel Atkins) and got lucky that Brooke McCarty was good, but she wasn’t elite. Part of the reason UConn and the other schools win is because they have way more talent than the rest of the league. I argue it’s a lot easier to win when your starting team is composed of the top 50 players in the country. During their Dynasty UConn had the top ranked recruit almost every year. Now Texas is in the conversation to get those types of players where in previous years they wouldn’t even have a chance.

Thanks, I also enjoy good discussion. I agree with you on catcher. Besides her defensive abilities, one thing I forgot to mention is that Atwood was a 4 year senior who knew the pitching staff and in particular Kavan. Swan will be learning the pitchers as the season goes on, that's a big hurdle. Also agree that Maloney was likely under appreciated for all the intangibles that she brought. Her canon of an arm was also extremely accurate which is just as important. Her skillset (outside of her arm) as a RF though isn't quite as difficult to replace. Citlaly was pretty much elite in the post season when Texas needed her the most. The overall offense needs to be better consistently, there were many stretches last year where the team was blanked or stymied and scored very little. Hoping the new asst. coaches improve that. Especially the bottom of the lineup. At least on paper, they won't face as many elite arms as they did last year - Pickens, Frahm-Bahl, Canady are all gone and while there will be new good pitchers, few will be that level of elite.

Agree with all points. If Abdullah isn't ready yet, the infield is already solid. The question marks are really the corner outfield, but I'm not sure there are many questions. The positions being replaced by departing seniors (from the World Series starting lineup): Catcher - probably a slight downgrade considering Atwood's defensive prowess, she was elite. Offensively, Atwood was of course great, but struggled in the post season. I think Swan will be serviceable there and she showed up last post season so hopefully that carries over. Pitcher - I believe Lincoln is a slight upgrade over Citlaly mainly because she's a lefty. Citlaly was up and down, but she was nails in the post season when Texas needed her most. 2nd Base - Goode was good (pun intended) but you're replacing her with the player of the year who is elite both offensively and defensively. Texas upgraded. Left field - pretty much non-existent offensively except for a key Altmeier bomb when they needed it post season. Defensively it was about average, so whoever takes it over is probably an upgrade over last year. Right field - offensively, Maloney was speed on the bases, but her average dipped a little. She didn't have power, but she often turned the lineup over and did it well. Defensively she had so many outfield assists it was insane. That's where replacing her will be hard. Also expecting an offensive upgrade overall. The team is poised to make another run though (depending on how the new coaches mesh in and get the team going). I feel like the batting outside of Katie Stewart dipped a bit last year; looking for improvement there for the team overall.

Based on this article, Coach White filled the holes he had with the portal. There's a bit of a logjam in the infield with so much talent. The outfield is where some of the freshman/sophomores have a chance to break into the lineup at the corner outfield positions since Henry has CF locked down. Sneed couldn't secure the role in LF last year but will likely have first shot. I'm guessing one or both of the freshman may get the spots if they are as advertised. Additionally, if Abdullah (who was the #1 recruit) is so good you have to play her in the infield, then the likely person that gets moved would be Nichols, but she was pretty solid last year so she may get a shot at the outfield in that scenario. It's a plethora of talent and a matter of finding spots for them and keeping everyone happy. Likely will be 2-3 transfers following next season because of the logjam, especially if the 5 for 5 seniors decide to stay as the only senior that's completely out of eligibility would be Vivi Martinez.

This nails it, and shows why the team still makes a ton of penalties. There’s no discipline.

Thanks, I guess it just seems like it's more because relative to the roster size and number of teams, that's a higher percentage. I figure a 5 start would be a 5 tool player (which Michaela Landers based on her description would be), but that would knock out pitchers and catchers unless there's other factors that contribute to being a 5 star player.

Blake or anyone in the know, seems like there’s a lot more 5 stars in softball than other sports. I feel like I’m reading that a bunch of teams are signing five star players last few days on the softball Reddit. Ou, Texas, Tennessee, Bama, …

How they are able to come up with the skits and put them together pretty much in a day's time is pretty amazing.

They are uber talented but lack the "I'm going to carry this team" person and the leadership that Asjia O'Nel and Madi Skinner has. Unless they get really hot and lucky at the end of the season, it's probably an early exit this year. At this point, they won't even be a regional host which means playing that round in a hostile environment instead of Gregory. Home court advantage is massive in volleyball because of how close the crowd is, especially at Gregory where the volume levels can be deafening for the opponents.

I was wondering if she is related to the other Abdullah that’s coming in this year.

It also doesn't help that parents with talented kids are consolidating so that their kids play with good players to enhance their spotlight. Dulles is in Fort Bend which has Seven Lakes and the neighboring district is Katy. It's a bit of a microcosm of NIL at the college level. The separation between the haves and the have nots is getting bigger and bigger.

I did lol.

Maybe I’m bad luck but every time I turn in the game, Texas defense is slow and getting worked. Florida just tied it up.