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On3 Preseason Top 25

3397char

3397char

All-American
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Jun 30, 2025
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SeaPinesHeel said:
completely agree. who do they even have this year?? they put their good players in the W
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The top 7 teams on Talia's list return a lot of talent and/or add a bunch of proven transfer stars.

But starting at her #8 Tennessee and going down, there is a bunch of roster turnover, so it is really hard to rank teams this year.

UNC and NCSU both lost 3 of their 4 best players. This is pretty on par for the rest of the top 25 beneath them.
  • UNC returns Kelly and Nivar which is pretty similar to NCSU's Zoe Brooks and Tilda Trygger in terms of returning proven talent.
  • NCSU probably brought in the best transfer in Pierre, though Harris and Aarnisalo are a great duo collectively.
  • Both teams will be relying on young role players to step up into bigger roles: Thomas, Toomey, Grant and Aarnisalo for UNC. Zamareya Jones, Devyn Quigley, Lorena Awou and Qadence Samuels for NCSU.
  • To me the difference between the teams is the freshman classes Brooks (#22) and Henderson (#24) are McD A-A level players for UNC. UNC also has middle 4 star level players Quieroz (#77) and Astakhova (International players are not ranked). Whereas NCSU has two middle 4-star level players Adelaide Jernigan (#58) and Ky'She Lunan (#60).
So in fielding a top 5 group of starters there is not much advantage for either team. But UNC (in my opinion) wins on depth and just the number of players with a high ceiling who may prove to be stars.

But I don't have much issue with the rankings. Frankly I am concerned about our unproven ability to play top notch defense, which we have hung our hat on in the Banghart era. But if we do, the sky is the limit.
 
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Carolina151

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Jul 30, 2024
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3397char said:
The top 7 teams on Talia's list return a lot of talent and/or add a bunch of proven transfer stars.

But starting at her #8 Tennessee and going down, there is a bunch of roster turnover, so it is really hard to rank teams this year.

UNC and NCSU both lost 3 of their 4 best players. This is pretty on par for the rest of the top 25 beneath them.
  • UNC returns Kelly and Nivar which is pretty similar to NCSU's Zoe Brooks and Tilda Trygger in terms of returning proven talent.
  • NCSU probably brought in the best transfer in Pierre, though Harris and Aarnisalo are a great duo collectively.
  • Both teams will be relying on young role players to step up into bigger roles: Thomas, Toomey, Grant and Aarnisalo for UNC. Zamareya Jones, Devyn Quigley, Lorena Awou and Qadence Samuels for NCSU.
  • To me the difference between the teams is the freshman classes Brooks (#22) and Henderson (#24) are McD A-A level players for UNC. UNC also has middle 4 star level players Quieroz (#77) and Astakhova (International players are not ranked). Whereas NCSU has two middle 4-star level players Adelaide Jernigan (#58) and Ky'She Lunan (#60).
So in fielding a top 5 group of starters there is not much advantage for either team. But UNC (in my opinion) wins on depth and just the number of players with a high ceiling who may prove to be stars.

But I don't have much issue with the rankings. Frankly I am concerned about our unproven ability to play top notch defense, which we have hung our hat on in the Banghart era. But if we do, the sky is the limit.
Click to expand...
It would also appear, based on the exh game vs Maryland they only plan to go 6 deep. That’s an injury away from trouble and 2 away from disaster.
 
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Jriv23

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Jul 31, 2025
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Yeah, Wes is a very good coach. I do not have anything bad to say about him if I am being honest.
 
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