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Last look at 2005-06 Lobos
I did a season recap and preview of next year in today's Tribune.
Coach Don Flanagan and the players mostly rated themselves as overachievers because of the tough schedule and injuries they overcame.
It didn't make the story, but Katie Montgomery said she thought the team didn't quite overachieve because the Lobos lost close games they easily could have won on the road.
The injury bug could have an impact on next year's team depending on how Montgomery recovers from off-season foot surgery and the extent of sophomore forward Dionne Marsh's thigh injury.
The Lobos look promising next season except for the gap at center. Flanagan's decision to play Abbie Letz at the four a lot and his impatience for mistakes may have hindered Angela Hartill's development. That may have been why you saw so much of Hartill in the second half against Baylor.
I think the Lobos overachieved considering Letz, Jana Francis and Judy Vogt were not supposed to be anything more than role players at best.
They didn't hold it together in conference play but picked up some pretty big wins to compesate for erratic road play.
Next year's team ought to continue the steady progress of the program.
It will feature some interesting moves, including the possibility of recruit Amy Beggin starting at point and Montgomery moving to shooting guard. Flanagan also looks for Marsh's continued development and dominance.
What do you think?
Did the Lobos overachieve?
Will next year's team keep pace with the ever rising standards of New Mexico women's basketball?
Posted by ilimon at 02:47 PM | Permalink
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Posted by: InvestUNM | March 22, 2006 05:01 PM
Any word who is on the Non-Conference schedule for 2006-2007? I think we play at Oklahoma but who else (besides NMSU twice)?
Posted by: Iliana Limon | March 22, 2006 07:51 PM
The only games I know locked in for sure next season are at Oklahoma and the two-game series with New Mexico State.
I would expect to see the series with Texas and Minnesota continue, with the Longhorns coming to The Pit and the Lobos heading back to Minnesota.
I'm not sure about Arizona State, but I wouldn't be surprised to see that one stay on the schedule.
If Purdue coach Kristy Curry is hired at Texas Tech, look for a renewal of that rivalry somewhere down the line. Lobos assistant coach Yvonne Sanchez and Curry are friends who have crossed paths recruiting in Texas. It seems like a good game for both teams to have on the schedule.
The interesting thing about women's basketball is that the Lobos' enhanced national profile and huge fan base doesn't seem to hurt their scheduling the way it shackles football and men's basketball.
Thanks to the parity in the women's game, coaches are seeking out chances to test their teams in hostile environments like The Pit to prepare players for a grueling season. It's the way the game ought to be played.
Posted by: Ed P (aka Nexrad) | March 22, 2006 09:31 PM
Mandi at the point and Katie at the 2 did not give UNM a driving-guard threat as both were spot-up shooters. I know nothing of Amy's style of play, but both Brandi and Julie are more suited to the shooting/slashing guard position.
Julie can drive and also spot-up, while Brandi is our best at executing the pull-up jumper. Both will likely be better at what they do next season. Of Katie, Amy, Julie, and Brandi...one will be the odd man out as Flan needs a physical post to keep Dionne away from foul trouble. Dionne will get as many minutes as she can handle, and if she avoids foul trouble then 30+ minutes are hers for the taking. Playing time issues next season will make this season just concluded seem simple. Good luck coach.
Posted by: christopher | March 22, 2006 09:47 PM
Overachievers? If I hurt as bad as most of those young women I wouldn't get out of bed, much less win basketball games. Looking back at the season, it is clear that when the Lobos have it going very few teams can play with them. Imagine their level of play if they could walk upright - or even sleep without pain.
Congratulations, Lobos - you were the best we've yet seen. You've set the bar impossibly high; let's hope next year's team can approach your standards.
And thank you Iliana Limon for your excellent coverage.
Posted by: Matt | March 23, 2006 12:16 PM
I think we saw Katie neutralized a lot when she had to bring up the ball against faster, more athletic point guards. A move to the off-guard sounds great, IF Amy Beggin is up to it. Katie could average 15 points or more as a shooting guard her senior year.
Posted by: John | March 24, 2006 01:40 PM
I understand the injuries hurt the team a lot, but that doesn't explain how we go to NMSU and win in triple overtime after beating Texas in their crib. A non-conference schedule with only two loses (probably to a final four team) and then a third place finish in conference is a big underachivement in my book.
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Posted by: William Naegele | March 22, 2006 04:06 PM