Bison 2024 Recruits are Signed

True, they haven’t looked good in the first two games. But one factor is that they were playing teams that are far better than what they will see in the patriot league. Woodruff booked a very hard OOC schedule this year, with six of the 11 opponents being top 125 teams, I was told by an administrator that he has booked a number of guarantee games because they are raising money to do a European trip in the future. In any event it’s hard to judge how they will do against PL teams.  I am expecting them to finish fifth or sixth in the league, but I’d love to see better. Next year should be better for sure, as they will not lose much to graduation.

I am a little less pessimistic than you about the current talent level.  Yes, there are not enough players who can get their own shot, but the team is not bereft of talent. Both Sullivan and Sofilkanich have the potential to be above-average patriot league post players. Theodorsson was on the all rookie team last spring and imo has the potential to eventually make some level of All-PL. O’Connor is a good athlete and plays very good defense, but it’s unclear if she will develop an offensive game.

One wild card is Blake Matthews. She was very good in high school, and Woodruff expected her to become a good PG for the Bison. Unfortunately, she injured her knee late in her senior year, which set her back, and then she again injured the knee early last season after having won the starting PG job. She was able to return at a little less than full strength, but she wasn’t able to get back to her previous level. Then she suffered a bad ankle sprain, which further set her back. And finally, just before official practice started this year, she had another knee problem that cost her five weeks of practice. So it’s possible she may never live up to her potential, but it’s too soon to say for sure. One thing to remember is that she won the starting job early last year, starting ahead of Dingler and Tai Johnson. I have watched her in practice when she was reasonably healthy and she has great speed and the ability to get into the lane for shots. Also, despite being only 5–4, she was the third leading rebounder on the team in terms of percentage of available rebounds. That gives you some idea of her athleticism.

I am hoping we will see more offensive production against FDU and also against the other four OOC teams that are closer to PL–level. If they struggle to score in those games, then my level of concern will definitely rise. Finally, not that it matters, but this team actually still has one Roussell recruit, Julie Kulesza.