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Take 5: Summitt Hoops writers take on five WBB questions

By Blake DuDonis

CHATTANOOGA, TN - NOVEMBER 25: Green Bay Phoenix head coach Kevin Borseth reacts to a play and speaks to an official during the NCAA women's basketball game between Wisconsin - Green Bay and UT Chattanooga on November 25, 2016, at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, TN. Wisconsin - Green Bay defeated Chattanooga 71-55. (Photo by Frank Mattia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHATTANOOGA, TN - NOVEMBER 25: Green Bay Phoenix head coach Kevin Borseth reacts to a play and speaks to an official during the NCAA women's basketball game between Wisconsin - Green Bay and UT Chattanooga on November 25, 2016, at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, TN. Wisconsin - Green Bay defeated Chattanooga 71-55. (Photo by Frank Mattia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT- DECEMBER 03: Kristina Nelson #21 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Jackie Young #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish react to basket while on the bench during the the UConn Huskies Vs Notre Dame, NCAA Women’s Basketball game at the XL Center, Hartford, Connecticut. December 3, 2017 (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT- DECEMBER 03: Kristina Nelson #21 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Jackie Young #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish react to basket while on the bench during the the UConn Huskies Vs Notre Dame, NCAA Women’s Basketball game at the XL Center, Hartford, Connecticut. December 3, 2017 (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Question 2: Who is the most improved player thus far from last season?

Potkey- Before the season started, Debbie Antonelli told me to keep an eye on Notre Dame sophomore guard Jackie Young. “Does she make a big jump from a freshman to a sophomore? I am going to anticipate yes. She is going to have a big year.” Antonelli’s analysis was spot on as usual. Young is averaging 15.9 points and 8.1 rebounds after averaging 7.3 points and 4.6 rebounds last season. Given how hindered Notre Dame is by injuries, the Irish have needed Young’s contributions. Head coach Muffet McGraw challenged Young to take on a bigger role and she has delivered so far.

In terms of the most improved collective group, Rutgers (8-2) has already won more games than it did all of last season when it finished a program-worst 6-24. Having senior guard Tyler Scaife back is obviously a huge lift. The Scarlet Knights played South Carolina tough in a 10-point loss. The timing is advantageous with head coach C. Vivian Stringer having recently signed a contract extension. 

DuDonis- I agree with Rhiannon about Young but I, ever the mid-major apologist, am going to go with Carmen Grande of Ball State University. Grande has been a major part of the Cardinals rotation from the moment she arrived on campus as a freshman, but her play this year has taken a huge jump. She is averaging 14.6 ppg on 35% shooting from the field and 41% from three, all of which are career highs. Not only that, but she is handing out 9.5 assists per game, second in the country. 9.5! Ball State is 7-0 after taking down Purdue on the road on Monday night, a game that saw Grande score 17 points and hand out 7 assists. Ball State has quietly been one of the most consistent mid-major programs over the past few years and Grande deserves a ton of credit for that.  

Dull- Katie Lou Samuelson.  I’m a sucker for shooters that can get down into the post.  Hopefully she’s able to work all the way back from her foot injury soon to continue to build on what she’s shown down there. As if UConn weren’t already tough to guard, getting the ball to her inside just gives them another option.  Teams can’t just hope to throw a small, quick guard onto her.  Gabby Williams, Napheesa Collier and Azura Stevens playing a lot together could force teams to do that anyways.  

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