how much better would our team record be if
Sears could have played this season. Not rhetorical question, generally curious. Would she have made a big difference in her first season?
21 Replies
E
EDGEMAN
4mo
...probably not much different.
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
4mo
How much better our record would be if we hadn’t lost that Miami game at home early in the season. Or if the refs hadn’t handed the UNC game to the Tarheels when we played them in the regular season. We weren’t far at all from being a top 3 or top 4 team in the ACC this season. You never know how those losses fuel future wins though. We could legitimately win the ACC tournament this year if we keep playing as well as we’ve been playing. Super proud of this team and excited to see how March unfolds!
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
4mo
but I’m hoping that having a year to observe the college game up close will only help her in the long run. It’s so hard for freshmen to contribute right off the bat and we have a lot of depth at the guard positions right now. Her time is coming!
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
4mo
I am one of the biggest Sears fans there is but she hasn’t even stepped foot on a college court, enough is enough. Only the future will tell how good she is. But she has no impact on this team on the court, so it’s mind boggling to me that she is brought up so much on this board, especially in the midst of what is hopefully a deep ACC tournament run. I mean she looks very passionate on the bench cheering her teammates on but that’s it.
CMD and the girls are having a great season exceeding mostly everyone’s expectations. Firmly in the NCAA tournament and have a big time revenge game tomorrow against UNC. Go Hokies!!
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
4mo
So she would not likely have gotten much playing time at all. We imagine a recruit being awesome and lighting the world on fire. Jenkins and Trent were nice recruits and they get limited playing time despite there being a need. Sears would not play in front of 5 players who man three spots, with Wenzel and Nelson playing 30+ minutes a game
** Edited by VAHokie89 at 3/6/2026, 12:25:37 AM
** Edited by VAHokie89 at 3/6/2026, 12:25:55 AM
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
4mo
weird.
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
4mo
we lost on conference were due to getting out-muscled out fading down the stretch (Miami, ND, UNC) after leading for most of the game. She wasn't going to be playing at the end of those games, and if anything probably she will be behind defensively.
But what do i know? She's already a legend in some people's minds.
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
4mo
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
4mo
Let’s believe. She’s a promising young player for sure. And shouldn’t a Hokie message board be for VT fans hype on their team and players. Unless you’re an undercover Hoo here to sabotage our Hokie Hope 🤔 ❌
(In response to this post by DGHOKIE)
4mo
to play her first college game. Seeing that she was NC Gatorade POY and Ms. NC Basketball, based on her high school credentials, I’d say she’s pretty good. As I’ve said, time and time again, it will be interesting to see how she adjusts to the speed and physicality of ACC play.
(In response to this post by DGHOKIE)
4mo
her accolades, she was not a top 10 or even top 30 player. I don’t think we should expect her to be the next Caitlin Clarke. Not even close. Would she have been better, as a true freshman, than any other Guard on the team ? I don’t think so
(In response to this post by BackInTheBurg)
4mo
the speed and physicality of the college game. What I will say, is she can shoot the lights out and Duffy can coach. Am sure they would have had off ball screens, double screens, back door action, etc. to get her some open looks. With her shot making ability I think she would have opened up the offense and helped our bigs inside, by spreading out opponents’ defenses.
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
4mo
maybe through the portal with the returning players we should be able to really cook next year.
(In response to this post by BackInTheBurg)
J
j9hokie
4mo
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
4mo
Sr year in HS (points-rebounds-assists). She can score from anywhere on the court. It will be more about adjusting to P4/ACC-level basketball.
(In response to this post by j9hokie)
4mo
It's doubtful that she can at first.
(In response to this post by BackInTheBurg)
4mo
college game - physicality and speed. Having to redshirt this year should help. She seems like someone who puts in the work, on and off (weight room, stamina-training, etc.). We’ll just have to wait and see. I’m looking forward to seeing how her talent translates on the court.
(In response to this post by King of Hokies)
R
RJHokie
4mo
(In response to this post by King of Hokies)
4mo
played at Paul VI against the top teams in the country, was a consensus Top 5 player in her class, and a McD AA. She had tremendous athletic ability including elite speed, strength and quickness. Sears is none of those things.
Why not just let the girl come in and try to contribute before putting all these expectations on her? It's crazy.
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
4mo
All the talk about a player who hasn’t even played a college basketball game is absurd but the even crazier accusations are these expectations. I would like to just focus on this team finishing up it’s been an unreal season and there is still a lot of basketball left to play.
(In response to this post by King of Hokies)