Sears came with a lot of hype, but also with the unknowns you cite. Having a year to rehab and watch may be just the thing she needed to adjust so that she's not going to be thrown into the fire next season. Carleigh Wenzel redshirted, albeit for different reasons, but I think redshirting benefitted her as a player and the team as a whole especially because she'll be eligible next year and will be the leader of a very experienced group of teammates that have grown up together assuming they all stay. A couple of portal additions plus maturing second year players will make this a deep and experienced team next year. I don't expect a final four team next year, but I see a veteran team that is going to be a tough out for any opponent.