Dogging the team? As far as recruiting, it is always just an opinion until seasons pass. However, the fact that the team is 4 players short of the maximum should give out a clue that recruiting may have lacked. As far as the quality of the recruits that actually are on the current team, I don't think I ever stated they were sub-par. I did say that I was disappointed that SS had not IMO did any better than the average Slinker class. I don't know how long you have followed the program, but Slinker was not a bad recruiter. However, I did expect based on the buildup of Stephens and the normal enthusiasm associated with a coaching change plus the great number of scholarships available that last years class would be a definite upgrade. I didn't see that uptick on paper and thus far I have not seen it on the court. In fact this team is lacking in critical areas. There is obviously an issue at the point and an overall lack of front court size. Losing El and others and the failure of Thompson and Calvin to join the team complicated these issues. However, all this is the responsibility of Stephens.

What kind of players should she be recruiting?

That question is getting redundant. She and every other coach in the world should be recruiting the best players they have any chance to sign. The problem is signing them. Based on her one class, and two early signees; I no longer expect more than the norm at UNT WBB. It would be nice if like Slinker, she could manage a few out of the top thirty recruits in Texas and an occasional standout like Amber Jackson. It would also be nice to be able to sign some of the top recruits out of the metroplex, she did get one in Godbolt. I have nothing against out of state recruiting, but there are a lot of Texas players in the Cuffee, Brown, and Hawkins category. I would have expected her last year to have signed a better class of junior college players to offset the lack of junior and senior players. She took risks on two tall jucos that look questionable in hindsight.

Obviously, with Stephens preferred brand of basketball; she needs hard working players that can handle playing full court press basketball. She apparently must also try to limit those players to the type that can put up with her demands which judging from her track record is not that easy.

The question is redundant because I asked 3 times and still haven't gotten a clear answer. "The best players she can sign"... do you think a coach just gets who they can without effort? Pretty hard to sign (especially in TX) out of the TX top 5 or 10 or even 30 - when you are battling programs like UT, TAMU, TT, and SMU for the same recruits.

The coach is in her 2nd year. She has to "sell" a program that has 400 wins in 34 years of basketball (less than 12 wins a season). She is losing support quickly from the MG fanbase because she's not a miracle worker. Her high standards are for what she sees for the future. I'm sure being a recruiting coach in the past gives her no credibility on accessing talent and we, as fans are much more aware of what she is trying to accomplish with the talent she is bringing in.

I'm also pretty sure in all of your years of following women's basketball (not just UNT's accomplishments or lack there of) you completely understand how shallow the wbb talent pool is. After the top 25 recruits (nationally) - the pool is pretty level. Check rosters/game stats of ANY team in the SBC and you will see that almost ALL do not play their freshman (except for blowouts). And of the ones that DO play their freshman, they are in the same boat as us (with the exception of Denver).

Godbolt fulfills a need (as I have said over & over). If there were older players in front of her, she would not get the minutes that she does. She is good but her "game" is dependent on her heart and athleticism, not her skills. She has no left hand and is consistent because she is only attempting high percentage shots. As long as she continues to develop she will continue to be more of a benefit to the team. Last night was a clear indicator of how effective she is - when playing against 1 of the best posts in the conference. I am not bashing her - I have said in the past - I watch much more than the ball going in the hoop and "HEART" is getting her playing time. She knows her job and doesn't do more than she can. UNT (mid-major) is a good fit for her - because at the major D1 level, she would have had to play out on the wing and her ball handle and outside shot are not her strengths. She has earned "Freshman of the year", by all means - but if there were others (more developed & more seniority) that were ahead of her - I don't think she would have gotten the opportunity to play as much as she does.

According to what has been written - she did get a FEW top 30 recruits out of TX. Hudson, Hughes and Kellum. All TX natives. Godbolt wasn't even rated/ranked in Texas - so SS found a needle in the haystack. The newcomers (incoming signees) will see limited minutes next year. Not because they aren't "good", simply because SS is building a stable of players that fit her style. Not everyone is D1 built... meaning some girls (guys too) that get to this level based on sheer talent do not do well under the demanding schedule and commitment that the scholarship entails. I would think coaching in Conference USA & the ACC (plus playing for OK State), she is familiar with what it takes to be successful and has a good grip of what works/ doesn't work.

Next year is going to be brighter. As the team aclimates to the coach, understanding and confidence is built and chemistry will grow. I know everyone feels the need to be a critic (self included), but some of it that is directed at SS is uncalled for. As fans, it is clear some don't trust what she is trying to do - and in the same breath, the same fans want top notch players to trust her. Kind of a parody, don't you think?