Why are we not recruiting or developing post players?
Why isn’t there a bigger emphasis on recruiting and developing true post players? I feel like we’ve seen this play out over the last several years under Coach MD. We keep trying to move small forwards into center/post roles, and it just hasn’t worked. Our strategy seems to be built around speed and trying to outrun everyone, but in my opinion, that only takes you so far.
We can beat lower-level teams, but once ACC play starts and the competition gets tougher, we struggle because we simply don’t have enough strength and presence inside. We get outmatched in the paint.
And on that note, I really felt like there was a missed opportunity with Aniya Trent last year. We had all season to develop her, especially during easier games, and I don’t think that happened. They should have let her get more minutes because we needed depth and development down the stretch. I just don’t feel like she got the opportunities she needed.
Carleigh does an AMAZING job — I love her game. But she needs help inside. Looking at the current roster, I don’t feel like we’re setting her up for the best possible season. It feels like she’ll be asked to carry too much of the load again.
I’d really like to see us actively recruit true centers. Are they just that difficult to find? Because most of the recruits I’ve seen coming in are guards and forwards, and I’m not sure that solves the problem. I know Liz Kitley was a once-in-a-generation player, but we have to start somewhere.
I liked Kyla a lot last year, but she wasn’t a true center, and she was basically our only “big.” That just doesn’t feel sustainable. I'd like to see us be a more balanced team.
Am I the only one feeling this way? Let me know what you think.
Either way, I'm really excited for another year! Go Hokies!
18 Replies
2mo
As you said, small lineup only takes you so far.
That's why I really want to see Trent starting this year. That would make a big difference.
(In response to this post by hokieball23)
2mo
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
2mo
I said small lineup only takes you so far.
I believe it 100%.
(In response to this post by ancient alien 2018)
2mo
which means you don't believe Duffy recruits and develops Bigs. Pretty simple
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
2mo
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
2mo
Just my preference.
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
7
7Hokie1
2mo
(In response to this post by hokieball23)
2mo
I have really paid attention to women's CBB, especially VT and ACC, over the past 4 years. One of my biggest takeaways is that there are very few polished, talented and dominating post players over 6'4''. We got so spoiled with Liz. And we have seen many players who are 6'5'' or taller who are not very good. I am comfortable with the "bigs" on our current roster. It seems that we have at least 5 players who are in the 6'4'' range who are also athletic. (We all loved Kayl but she was not tall enough to excel in the ACC/P4.) Go Hokies!!!
(In response to this post by hokieball23)
2mo
post player....
I am not sure why you think we didn't recruit any. And I believe we are working to develop Trent and Jenkins. Trent has been developing. The fact that she played against ACC-level competition, as well as P4 level competition in the islands tournament tells you that she was developing to the point that she could be trusted. What would be an indicator of more development in your mind?
More scoring? I am not sure that is an indicator of development. Freelon was not a focal point of our offense. She got a lot of her scoring from offensive rebounding and working to get buckets.
- Trent moved the ball in our offense. She went to the right people.
- She moved into spaces that freed her up to get a potential pass or get out of the way of a driver.
- She screened and rolled and rarely got passes.
I would push back on the notion that she was not developed. She got playing time. She got time to shine when Freelon got in foul trouble.
Jenkins...just because she didn't play alot does not mean she has not been developing. I can coach kids all I want on concepts, skills, etc. That doesn't mean they are ready to play alot against big time opponents.
And this off-season, they are working.
(In response to this post by hokieball23)
2mo
There aren't many of those. We have only had 1 in our history
(In response to this post by hokieball23)
2mo
Trent weren't ready for major minutes last year but should be much-improved this year. I've seen some reporting that Harris-Mott is much more college ready than Jenkins and Trent were a year ago so we could see contributions from all 3 this year.
CMD clearly thinks that between the three of them and Latham, we are in good shape at the 4-5 because she didn't appear to prioritize anyone else in the portal. I am sure she went after some but the cost-benefit isn't there if she believes in the three younger players. Let them get heavy minutes in November and December to get ready for ACC play.
(In response to this post by hokieball23)
2mo
and 2 transfer post players in the last 2 classes. I'll add those up for you: five total post players in the last 2 classes.
As for development, Freelon increased her efficiency and point production by 30%-50% across the board, while becoming an even better defender and rebounder in just a single partial year playing for Duffy.
Meanwhile true Fr Trent made great progress to the point that she was playing 15+ mins in critical ACC games.
So your premises are both false.
** Edited by King of Hokies at 5/20/2026, 11:33:39 AM
(In response to this post by hokieball23)
2mo
Regarding Trent, if she was good enough to get PT she would have gotten it. Regarding “Kayla”, I think you might mean Kayl
(In response to this post by hokieball23)