Yeah, I mean, she’s the best player in program history, and it’s not particularly close (Flaherty had a pretty nuts 2 years doing her mini-Steph impression (we could have used her last night!)). I see no reason to hang on too long.
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I probably already mentioned it, but Naz stood out to me from the first game I photographed.
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I assume Naz leaves, and Brown has said she is returning. I have no idea what is in the minds of Kiser, Dilk, and Rauch, but Kiser returning I think would be a great step towards shoring up our post offense (something Michigan has done well for 7 years running now).
As I’ve said ad nauseum in this thread, Nolan is a high quality catch & shooter, but we could use another one, especially one that can pull off the dribble.
All I know about our incoming players is their rating, and KBA’s brief statement about each on singing day. KBA’s comments suggest Clarke is a “just a shooter” type, but a high level one, that Crockett is a versatile offensive player who can play the 4 either in the post or beyond the arc. Interestingly, these two were AAU teammates (and from the same program as Nolan, Dilk, and Kiser).
The Aussie is a F/C who played 19 mpg for the Australian U19 Fiba team (that got silver to the US).
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Yeah, if you think about it, Hailey Thome had just come off a season where she played 32 minutes a game, scored 17+ ppg on 62% shooting, and grabbed 7 boards on Michigan’s team that really first returned us to the NCAA tournament to kick off our current run.
And freshman Naz straight up stole time from her as a senior, right from the jump. Thome lost 7 mpg to her.
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I could see Dilk returning, since she missed more than half the season with her injury.
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It would be great if she could recover most of her sophomore/junior level.
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It was Naz’s lateral-movement, covering guards when Michigan pressed, that was the “wow” factor to me.
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Great season, ladies, well done.
It appeared to me that this team either shot the 3 or tried to take it all the way to the rim, where they were often driving right into the defense. Didn’t notice us attempting many pull-up jumpers in the paint, which were much more open. Louisville and UConn, for comparisons, had players who thrived at this.
I think Brown is the only person on the team who can both drive the ball and shoot, and she was extremely impacted by injury.
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Personally, I like waiting 8-10 years for this kind of thing so that a new generation of young fans can learn about/be reminded of a past player’s excellence. But the trend seems to be doing it within a year or two of someone leaving.
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Quick video of Alyssa Crockett from her trainer: #BrandonClayTV: Alyssa Crockett (IN) - BCS Indianapolis Training Academy - March 24, 2020 - YouTube
Kate Clark: Highlights of Kate Clarke from the Coach Hemi Showcase - YouTube
And a video of Macy Brown (2023): Michigan Commit Macy Brown Scores 29 in Win Versus GR Christian! - YouTube
Unfortunately not alot of women’s bball highlights on youtube. I’m sure Hudl or other sources have more but I’m not a subscriber to any recruiting sites.
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As much as we’ll miss her, I think we all wish her the best! Go have a great NBA career, Naz, and then go set the world on fire with your brilliance! Thank you for what you have meant to MICHIGAN! 
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No surprise there.
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Not sure where else to put this, but I just feel compelled to say that I like Dawn Staley. She’s a bad@ss. I like her talking about tv contracts and getting paid Frank Martin’s salary, and I like that her team smokes ppl. Good luck against the 'ville, Dawn!
PS - Her star, Ayaliah Boston (sp?) – by any chance is she a sibling of or related to the UK guard from a couple years ago?
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I like watching South Carolina. I watched alot of Zia Cooke in HS (she beat Naz in the Ohio state finals Naz’ senior year for the city of Toledo’s first men’s or women’s state title since Jim Jackson was in HS) and whenever SC is on on ESPN. A ton of good players. I would expect them to beat Louisville, but if it’s low scoring, who knows. SC was not at their best against Miami or UNC, but turned on the jets against Creighton. Could be a muck it up game for Louisville. But outside of Van Lith, idk if the Cards have enough on offense to match the Gamecocks.
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I hope Kate clark turns into Caitlyn clark skill wise.
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ESPN’s Way Too Early Top-25 doesn’t include Michigan. Maryland (#5), Iowa (#6), OSU (#13), IU (#17), and Nebraska (#20) all made it on.
Yeah, I really think the loss of Naz makes people a bit skeptical if we can continue what we’ve been with her. We shall see.
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I expect a dip, for sure. However, I think there’s talent on the roster, and talent coming in. I also wonder if there will be any Super Seniors. Having any (or all) of Kiser, Rausch, and Dilk back would help.
Regardless, I can see them being in the Top 20-25 range. I think Phelia is going to break out, and provide buckets in ways that haven’t been very frequent in Ann Arbor. I’m also interested to see what Ari Wiggins is capable of, and whether Cameron Williams can start being a consistent threat in the post.
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