I love Sherri as much as the next person but Jennie has done something to the psyche of this team. In the last five years, if we got down by 19 at home, we would have been blown out but these girls are really something else and have made our team a tough out against anyone.
The turning point for Sherri was when she lost the two freshman studs to Arkansas and Rice three years ago. Or was it four? Since then, there started being rumors of being racist, and we ended up with short, mostly unathletic teams. Then last year with COVID, their numbers further dwindled with injuries and up playing several games with seven players or less. They didn't ever have walkons to have a couple of subs. The team this year has stayed pretty healthy, except for the sad, strategic loss of LLanusa less than two weeks ago.
But you're right. Baranczyk can coach. I don't think she's quite as good as Moser, but close. And I suspect they'll have a slightly better season. Both of them are trying hard to develop their depth. Jennie is having a better go of that, primarily because she was left more athletes, despite the thin roster a year ago.
I'm watching nearly every minute of both basketball teams on tv when it's available. And that hasn't happened in a whiile. The girls are fun to watch. There is an intelligence in the play of both teams. I liked Lon and I liked Sherri, but this is a step up on both sides. Both coaches are hard nosed. This works well for a while, when the previous results have been a little lower than we wanted. Let's hope their welcome doesn't wear out. I love the way Jennie is developing her non-starters. They still make too many dumb mistakes. But that has improved substantially.
I think they might finish in the top four in the conference. I want to see how they do in conference road games. But I'm ready to be really optimistic.
