You cannot compare the situation JJ inherited with SS. Stephens actually took over a team with 4 starters returning including one that proved to be first team all conference. Jones came in after the Trilli mess and took over a team that barely eked out wins against non-scholarship programs. Also it is hard to use youth as an excuse when the team's youth is largely the responsibility of Stephens. She could have retained more of Slinker's players, she could have recruited more transfers.

I think SS has got some good young players but I would rate only Godbolt as better than the men's freshman counterparts. You also have to factor in that JJ has only two scholarship freshmen versus a larger number on the girls team. At times NT women have looked good, but overall this season has been a disaster. Reading your analysis of the players would lead one to envision a much better team than I've seen this year.

I think Stephens has established what should be a competitive group of core players next year and with I guess 4 more ships to give could turn it around next year. Her 94 feet of heat though is going to have to start including some basic defense around the bucket.

Comparing the men to the women is just my way of showing that there is a lot of criticism directed towards the women (justified or not), and they are producing more than their male counterparts (regardless of outcome), yet are subjected to a much more critical eye.

My analysis of the returning players is based on individual play. Example, BJ is a good individual player - but, not a good team player. There are 5 players on the floor and everyone has a job to do. I think roles/responsiblities have been a struggle for this team simply because there is no type of floor/ senior leadership and at times they are the proverbial "chicken with no head". It reflects on both sides of the ball and looks to be a bigger issue (as the season has progressed) on defense - because the offense has greatly improved (remember the beginning of the season, it was painful). There are also players filling in at positions that they don't feel comfortable in - which, I'm sure with the next recruiting class will be addressed.

It's funny that you think Godbolt is the better player. Of all the players that were brought in, she is the one with the least fundamental skills (besides Burwell). Her game is based on her athleticism.

She is very comfortable with her back to the basket and at her size, should have more of a skillset like Hughes. She scores a lot of high percentage shots and is highly effective against teams that don't have a strong post presence but "ordinary" against post dominant teams. She has a lot of heart and is strong like a bull - but I think looking over the previous outings - it is evident that she performs very well against teams that are weak in the post and doesn't produce as well against older, more developed post players (ex. WKU, MT, UT, TAMU, UALR). Alysha Clark (MT's All american post) had 47 points against U of South Alabama (undefeated in conf when we played USA) and 20 against UNT in 28 minutes. Godbolt scored 19 against USA and 6 against MT. The other day against UALR's post she 9 points and 4 rebounds, and the player she was guarding had 19 pts, 10 rebs (5 offensive).

So, I am a big Godbolt fan, but let's keep this in perspective. I think her going down in the record books is very good for the school, recruiting, and morale of the program but because awards of that nature are based strictly on scoring and not overall skillset - saying she is "the best", is unfair to her. Hopefully, she will continue to grow and work on her skills. It will be important for her continued success. (I hope that winning any awards will not make her "complacent". Some kids (example - Chastity Reed - UALR) develop an entitlement attitude and then curse their teammates, coaches and the refs. I don't see that being tolerated on an SS team.