finally have more post players because I think with this team she would've stayed outside and thrived. We'll miss Mackie's D (steals & taking charges) but I'm hoping Suffren has a breakout season for VT

With Latham and, to some extent, Hurst (depending on how much she plays around the basket), we might have a more 'go to" presence in the lane. Over the course of last season, Freelon was less of a top option in the offense (IMO) but go more and more of points off of offensive rebounds or in transition. The post-up game was not featured extensively. I think with Latham, there might be more use of her as a go to option. Much will still depend on the development of Jenkins and Trent. Trent got more time last year and showed awareness of where to be on offense and could move the ball like the fulcrum at the top of the key. She could also catch passes in the lane. Hopefully, Jenkins also shows more and more. If those three + Dimaro can hold their own defensively as well as against the interior players from Duke, Louisville, NC State, UNC, etc... then there is promise. On the perimeter, I think we remain an unknown until we see more. Last year, Suffren and Wells were not reliable from the 3-pt line. And neither would really orchestrate the offense from a PG mindset. Sufften was more of a driver when she had the ball, and less of a facilitator. We need outside shooting as well as a game manager. We will see if their outside shooting has improved. We don't know that until we see if. Suffren's mid-range jumper improved, but she rarely passed out of a screen and roll situation or when she took on two people with an open teammate around the block. Also, right now, we have no idea how Sears will do both on offense and defense, no matter her HS pedigree A key will be for Wenzel to improve her ability to shoot consistently (avoid shooting under 30% for stretches), be able to finish, etc. I do think we will lose a bit from not having Baker shooting bang-bang-3s. It is not clear YET if we have a replacement for that. Even if people poo-poo her because of a slide toward the end of the year, she was a valuable member of the offense. The key will be to have more balance. Will we? We know that people will score. How much? How? How many reliable outside shooters will we have? Will our spacing be better? Will we be tenacious on the offensive rebounds like Freelon was.

think the personnel better fits Duffy’s style. A good example would be posting up our best three point shooter a lot last year because we needed her height inside. This squad was recruited for the style Duffy plays. I’m pretty optimistic.

I thought we had a good team before we added Dimaro. I've felt for the last couple of years there was way too much pressure on Carliegh. She never complained, and she never wilted, but she had a very difficult job. Other teams could focus on her, bang her around, and make life generally tough. Now that there's more help and depth, I expect her to really shine. I think the other players on the team are all good players, and will make major contributions. I'm looking for a fun successful season.

I am still concerned about PG depth and consistent outside shooting. With Baker gone, teams will try to take Carleigh away and make someone else score - not sure who that someone else will be on a game-to-game basis. And before everyone starts pounding the table for Sears regarding PG depth and outside shooting, we all need to pump the brakes. I think she can be a very good player in time but she has never played a minute of ACC basketball, coming from a lower-level of HS basketball, and coming off a severe injury.

** Edited by mrknowitall at 7/7/2026, 8:19:37 PM