Can't make a single assumption on what if scenarios
by SixShutouts66 (2024-04-16 12:19:32)

In reply to: Hypothetical questions for board experts  posted by walden2

Post Reply Return to McGraw's Bench

Your first question assumes that the only condition that would have changed is Clark came to Notre Dame. I believe significant other changes could have happened that make it difficult to answer your question.

1. Would Muffet have retired when she did?
I think there's a good chance she would have stayed for CC's for years - perhaps like Auriemma and Bueckers at UCONN.

2. Would Clark have developed the same way at ND?
She may have become the same quality player (and perhaps better), but she would have been the top player within the system (i.e. nowhere near the scorer she was at Iowa).

3. Would the same players have enrolled at ND if she was here?
My guess, within zero knowledge, is that I question whether Olivia and Sonia would choose ND. It's also hard to judge recruiting if Muffet was still the coach versus Niele. But then, I'm not sure Iowa's failure to recruit elite players alongside Clark means the same would have occurred at ND.




3.

Well-Done on ND. I'll Add a Bit There & on Iowa
by dillon77  (2024-04-16 14:01:34)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

- If Muffet had stayed, Niele would probably still be coaching in the NBA.
MM's refined Princeton-based system would probably have been the basis for the offense, giving allowances to Clark's specialties/preferences (think of the leeways designed for Jewell, Arike, etc.)

- As such, some players might've stayed, most notably Sam Brunelle, who would've had a field day getting open passes from Caitlin Clark. Abby Prohaska would've thrived being CC's wingman/protector, etc.

- Beth Morgan Cunningham -- assisted by Michaela -- would still be overseeing recruiting and the combination of offense/CC would probably have focused on some players with different skill sets.
I doubt Olivia would've come. Sonia could play with anyone, but wanted to play with Olivia, so who knows where they would've ended up? Stanford?

- However, I think there's a good chance Maddy would still have come to ND.

- Meanwhile at Iowa. The combination of Lisa Bluder/Jan Jensen have always managed to get pretty decent guard/center combinations. Not necessarily highly rated, but good. Remember Katherine Doyle and Megan Gustafson?

My guess is they'd be in the top third of the B1G, made up of four and three-star players who were coached up.