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Take 5: New Year’s edition

By Blake DuDonis

DICK CLARKS NEW YEARS ROCKIN EVE WITH RYAN SEACREST 2018 Live performances from Times Square in the heart of New York City, are featured on Americas biggest celebration of the year, DICK CLARKS NEW YEARS ROCKIN EVE WITH RYAN SEACREST 2018, airing on the ABC Television Network. (Photo by Lorenzo Bevilaqua/ABC via Getty Images)TIMES SQUARE BALL DROP
DICK CLARKS NEW YEARS ROCKIN EVE WITH RYAN SEACREST 2018 Live performances from Times Square in the heart of New York City, are featured on Americas biggest celebration of the year, DICK CLARKS NEW YEARS ROCKIN EVE WITH RYAN SEACREST 2018, airing on the ABC Television Network. (Photo by Lorenzo Bevilaqua/ABC via Getty Images)TIMES SQUARE BALL DROP /
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CORAL GABLES, FL – DECEMBER 10: Kentucky guard Maci Morris (4) plays during a women’s college basketball game between the University of Kentucky Wildcats and the University of Miami Hurricanes on December 10, 2017 at Watsco Center, Coral Gables, Florida. Miami defeated Kentucky 65-54. (Photo by Richard C. Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CORAL GABLES, FL – DECEMBER 10: Kentucky guard Maci Morris (4) plays during a women’s college basketball game between the University of Kentucky Wildcats and the University of Miami Hurricanes on December 10, 2017 at Watsco Center, Coral Gables, Florida. Miami defeated Kentucky 65-54. (Photo by Richard C. Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Question 1: Now that we are in a new year, what team most needs to make a “resolution” and change up what they are doing in order to get going in the right direction?

Rhiannon Potkey (@RPotkey)-  It could be a long season for Kentucky if the Wildcats don’t find an offensive identity and find some confidence in their shot-making abilities. The Wildcats were expected to endure some growing pains with a young team and the loss of Makayla Epps and Evelyn Akhator to graduation. Epps brought a certain bravado that is unquantifiable. But the Wildcats (8-7) have lost six straight as they enter the heart of SEC play with a visit to Texas A&M next on the schedule. Kentucky’s losses have all come against quality teams, and playing Middle Tennessee State on the road is not something many teams will do. But the offensive numbers have dipped, punctuated by a season-low 49 points against Tennessee in the SEC opener over the weekend.

Kentucky needs to get junior guard Taylor Murray back on track and playing with the fearlessness she displayed much of last season. They have a tough leader in Maci Morris, but Kentucky needs more weapons to emerge to contend with the remainder of the schedule. Head coach Matthew Mitchell’s solution is a basic, yet sound plan – “We’ve got to get in the gym, shoot the ball better, control all the things that are within our control and play better basketball.”

Howard Megdal (@howardmegdal)-  I have some concerns about Duke. They lost at Miami, and with trip to Louisville coming up, they are staring 0-2 start in the ACC in the face. Backcourt injuries to Mikayla Boykin and Kyra Lambert have them thin at guard, and a team with Lexie Brown and Rebecca Greenwell ought to be dreaming bigger.

Ben Dull (@splitthepost)- I think the Atlanta Dream have a move in them before the start of the 2018 season. With Angel McCoughtry back in action, I’d expect them to be eager to make a run for a top 4 seed. She and Tiffany Hayes can lead the way offensively, but they need some supporting players that can spot up and hit open shots. 

On top of that, they lack a long term (and possibly an immediate) option at the 4 spot. Last season’s trade has really hamstrung them. 

Blake DuDonis (@Coach_Blake_)- Virginia. After a 20-13 season last year and narrowly missing the NCAA tournament (a place the Cavaliers haven’t been since 2010), there was a lot of reason for optimism in Charlottesville. With several key, young players back, Virginia was picked high in the preseason conference polls but so far those expectations have gone unmet. They currently sit at 9-6 with their best non-conference win being over an average Indiana team. To their credit, they are 2-0 in the ACC, with a solid win over Syracuse at home and another over lowly Pittsburgh. The ACC is down a bit this year so there are wins to be had but Virginia better pick them all up if they want any shot at the Big Dance.

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