FIU is 4-5 and 0-1 in conference (lost to Denver)

Probable Starters:
Michelle Gonzalez (5'6", Jr)
Elisa Carey (6'2", Jr)
Monika Bosilj (5'10", Sr)
Ashley Traugott (5-7", Sr)
Maja Krajacic (6'4", Jr)

15 players on the roster - doesn't usually play more than 8-10 per game. 4 Freshman on the team.

Wins against Western Michigan, Jacksonville, Barry & Memphis. Lost to NC State, Wisconsin-GB, St. Joseph's, Florida, and Denver.

FIU Game Notes

UNT Game Notes

I listened to some of the game. Sounded like we played pretty well for the most part?

Not a great day to be Green in Denton, today. Thought I would get some satisfaction from the men's game - but that was just as aggravating/frustrating as the women.

Why did WBB not do well today? 2 things - BJ & Rotation.

8 turnovers from a Senior Leader on the court requires ALOT of bench time. Tonight I witnessed first-hand that #30 plays for the name on the back of her jersey, not the name on the front. On 4 different occassions, I watched her bring the ball up court in favorable situations (fast break, 3 on 2, open teammates) and kept the ball to: 1. Turn it over, 2. put up a horrible shot (that didn't fall), 3. Get it stuffed in her face or tossed. Then it turned into the ALL FOR ME-ME-ME because other players got into "fend for self" mode and no one (I MEAN NO ONE!) played together.

The substitution rotation also killed the team. Normal production for the bench is at least 15 ppg... today - 2 pts. Normal Minutes for the bench 65 Mins Per Game ... today - 44. The bench can't help if they're "on the bench".

So, what's next? Missouri... another whipping on the horizon.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Wow, not sure about all that B. James criticism. She did get 17 points and leads the club in scoring, assists and steals. Plus there is no one to replace her with.

NT played well for most of the game, and lost to a much better team. This team lacks almost everything but they played hard. NT's best four players by far are Hughes, Godbolt, James and Kellum. Hopefully Cuffee and Brown can up their game to give NT six players that have college level talent. There is absolutely no depth on this team measured by numbers or talent. Godbolt continued to excel, she plays with extraordinary effort. For this team to have any success this year, Brown is going to have to develop at point and Hughes is going to have to up her game. The raw talent is there, but she seems to play out of control far too much.

SS has due to losing players and sub-par recruiting got this team in a really bad position. She does not have the numbers to run the type of fast game she wants or the size or shooters to effectively play half court. Frankly, I didn't see more than three or four conference wins this year; but, the last two games have given me some hope. If the men had the effort put forth by the ladies tonight, they would have won by twenty.

I stick to my guns. She also leads the team in turnovers and minutes. 17 points means nothing when you have 8 turnovers and the player you are guarding has 11 points and 4 assists. I would put Hawkins in over her.

Scoring does not rate high in my book if you are not trying to win (taking a charge, helping on D, making the extra pass). Being a ball-hog does not mean you are trying to win. 90% of her assists come from the inbounds play under the basket - so, it's not like she is in the open court, finding an open teammate. I watch alot of different aspects of the game (not just how many times the ball goes in the hoop). I look for communication, sharing the ball, intensity, togetherness. In the games that I have been to, I have NEVER seen BJ run over to pick one of her teammates up when they took a charge or hit the floor - diving for a loose ball. Those are the things I am looking for. So, stats - tell alot... but they don't tell it all. This is BJ's year - she is on the cusp of putting her name in the record books - but, at what cost? Her Senior year, so far they are (4-8). Her Junior year, they were (11-20). Her Soph year, they were (14-18). Her Freshman year, they were (9-20). The year before her arrival - the women were (19-9). Now, I'm not saying she is the ONLY reason that they have lost - but kind of makes you say hmmmmm...

Kellum IS the best player on the team (all around). Godbolt IS the hardest worker in the game. Hughes, unless she can come out everynight with her 13 points is still suspect to me. Brown looked more comfortable at PG last night then she did against ULM and court time makes everyone better. It is going to kill SS next year if she doesn't get the bench more PT because they will be her Veterans and need game situation minutes to gain poise and composure at this level.

The entire team is very talented (and very young). There are intangibles that a senior leader should bring to the court in order to boost the confidence and trust in her teammates. I WATCHED... literally looked at BJ's eyes - with Hughes WIDE OPEN running the lane on a fast break... look her off and proceed to drive to the basket to get her shot STUFFED (no foul). That... is NOT trying to win.

I know my views are subjective - but I'm pretty sure I'm in the ballpark with my assessment.

The women's game is so much different then the men's - simply because women must do a lot of little things to win, since their game is played under the rim (even though players like Griner will eventually change the game). Consistency is something the team is lacking. Chemistry has only come in spurts.

Well I like your spirit if not your logic. You have to be a relative or friend to think that Hawkins should replace James or anyone else on the team. Frankly, she was a questionable recruit and has not played enough to change that opinion. She was supposedly signed to provide a three point threat even though she only averaged 8 points a game in high school. Has she even scored this year? If you are familiar at all with NT history, I think you could come up with a hundred reasons for the decline of NT's fortunes from the 19-9 year to now without any thought of James.

Everyone has opinions, and I enjoy yours; I just don't agree with some of them. Obviously, we have very different opinions on the overall talent of the team and on James' contribution. Hopefully, the team will continue to improve and you can say I told you so before the season end.