Wildcats, Nittany Lions Face Different Challenges

The 2013-14 season is in full swing, but its easy to start thinking about next year following the early signing period. Two Big Ten programs –Northwestern and Penn State — are in different situations. Penn State will be losing a strong senior class at the end of the year, while Northwestern is a young program on the rise.

The  All Star Girls Report recently released its national Top 150 for the Class of 2014, and we are taking that opportunity to look down the road and profile a number of programs.

The Northwestern Wildcats signed three prospects during the early period. Point guard Morgan Green is rated as the No. 104 prospect in the country by ASGR, and she will be joined by wing Maya Jones (No. 229) and shooting guard Alexis Glasgow (No. 349). That group was rated as the 68th-best class by ASGR. Penn State will add just one newcomer, Duke transfer Sierra Moore, but that was enough to put the Nittany Lions at No. 48 on ASGR’s list.

“Penn State is going to lose four senior starters who accounted for most of their offense. Most importantly, they will be losing Maggie Lucas,” noted ASGR analyst Bret McCormick. “They are going to be counting on (rising senior post) Tori Waldner and (rising junior post) Candice Agee heavily next year. They also have a strong rising sophomore class which is led by Kaliyah Mitchell. Sierra Moore, the Duke transfer, will also be a sophomore, and she could become an immediate starter.

“At Northwestern, Joe McKeown has done a great job, and they have a very bright future. They are off to a good start this year, and they will have all their starters back next year. They have four double-figure scorers in Nia Coffey, Maggie Lyon, Lauren Douglas and Christen Inman, and all four will be back. I also think they will get help from their freshmen next year. Morgan Green should get serious playing time, and both Maya Jonas and Alexis Glasgow should contribute.”

Now in its 18th year, the All Star Girls Report is the leader in women’s basketball scouting. ASGR’s rankings are compiled by veteran analyst McCormick, who rated over 1,800 athletes in the class. ASGR members can log in and view the complete updated rankings at www.ASGR.info.

Here is a quick look at the ASGR Super Six for 2014 along with a quick comment from McCormick:

1- A’ja Wilson (Uncommitted): “She is a long, athletic lefty who could play all five positions. She has those types of skills. A’ja is just special. They have some top schools, but they are going to keep looking and talking to schools. ”

2- Gabby Williams (UConn): “Gabby is another very versatile player. She has tremendous athletic ability, and she can do it all on the court. It only takes you a couple of minutes to recognize Gabby’s talent level. She is recovering from an ACL injury so she didn’t play over the summer, but hopefully she will be back at full speed.”

3- Kelsey Mitchell (Ohio State): “Kelsey is a quick, strong, left-handed guard. She is a great passer, but it is her scoring that makes her special. She can hit the long three or the pull-up jumper, and she can attack the rim. She also loves to have the ball at the end of a tight game.”

4- Brianna Turner (Notre Dame): “She is athletic and long, and she could probably play the three, four or five. She can compete in the paint, she can hit the three, and she can take the ball coast-to-coast. She will make an immediate impact in South Bend.”

5- Gabby Green (California): “Gabby is another great athlete with a long, strong body. She has a great basketball IQ, and she can act like a point forward. She is also a great defender. She just has an all-around game.”

6- Sadie Edwards (UConn): “Sadie is an athletic combo guard who is just great off the bounce. She can handle the ball and attack the rim, or she can use her pull-up jumper. She has worked hard to refine her skills, and she has become a complete player.”