Arizona State announced on Saturday that Molly Miller, who has been at Grand Canyon the last 5 years, is the new head women's basketball coach. GCU announced today that South Carolina assistant Winston Gandy has been hired to replace Miller.

These moves may have ramifications for the current rosters at both ASU and GCU, perhaps especially at Grand Canyon, a future Mountain West opponent. Of GCU's 2024-25 WBB roster. 12 of the 16 players were either seniors or grad students. The 2025-26 Roster page is already up...but there are NO players listed. Grand Canyon had 4 HS seniors from the 2025 recruiting class committed.

In the announcement, GCU stated, "Our goal is to have a top-25 women's basketball program...he understands the support [NIL $$ ???] we are surrounded with... As one of the largest private Division I universities in the country, we have the resources to attract the most elite coaches [and players]. My translation: Money is no object, and we're not going to be outspent.

Given the announcement and the type of player that Gandy is used to working with, expect GCU to go after lots of the top players in the portal.

It also makes me wonder about Grand Canyon's long-term committment to the Mountain West.

ASU has 11 players currently listed on their 2025-26 roster page. 5 of those listed are currently in the transfer portal. Arizona State has NO HS senios listed from the 2025 recruiting class. Like Gandy at GCU, she is promising BIG results in Tempe. Expect ASU to also be very aggressive in the transfer portal.

Thank you.
I'm sure that during the recruiting process, Jen Gross and staff thoroughly discussed playing Sussex and Bennett together. After all, it's not a "what if/"; it's a "when we do." There were times this season that both were on the floor together with Nya, or Tova or Syd (5'9"). There were actually times I wished that both were out there with Tova, because I felt it was potentially our most potent offensive lineup. Those three could all score at all three levels.

We saw how tough Bennett wasin the Big West Tournament - not that there was really any question. She's also got a little more of an attitude than she showed last season. I saw several HS clips of her staring down bigger girls after she'd finished at the rim against them.

Sussex is also tougher than she looks. When Riverside Secondary won the BC provincial championship her junior year, Sussex played in the post the entire game against 6'1" all-everything Kiera Pemberton (North Dakota). Obviously, given the outcome, more than held her own.

That being said, I agree that either Glad or Sussex could come off the bench depending what we may get via the portal. The problem there is that UCD isn't a destination basketball school, for players and we're still in the BW, which isn't a highly respected conference. I'm afraid that players usually look at other options first, UNLESS they want to come here for grad school. There are probably some coaches, mostly West Coast, that know the kind of program Gross runs and would encourage players to look at us more seriously. Assuming they care about a departing player, which I'm sure some do.

Finally, I don't see Bria returning. 1) I don't see her having a larger role next season, and 2) UCD has always tended to encourage their graduates to go elsewhere for rad school.

Today: A possible lineup and filling out the roster:

Since you have to start somewhere, below is my best guess at the 2025-26 lineup going into summer practice - the first time the entire roster is together - based on the 11 players currently on campus or committed. Players off the bench listed in the order I think they may appear.

Starting on the perimeter: Nya Epps, Ryann Bennett, Avery Sussex
Off the bench: Sahana Kanagasabay, Carrington Davis, Sophie Lentfer

Starting in the front court: Megan Norris, Clara Glad
Off the bench: Ally Fitzgerald, Theoni Tsami, Emmy Ersdala

Note: Bria Shine entered the transfer portal as a grad transfer on 3/21. If she were to withdraw and return, Bria would add depth to the front court, as she has played both forward and post. The question is, “Would her role and minutes be likely to grow if she returns to the Aggies?”

It wouldn’t surprise me if by the first game, Carrington Davis is the first perimeter player off the bench.

Help from the Portal?

Currently, with returning players and incoming freshmen, the 2025-26 Aggie WBB roster stands at 11 players, which really isn’t enough to start the season. The last few years, Davis has carried 13 or 14 players, so expect Davis to be looking for 2 or 3 more players, most likely through the transfer portal.

The other option is a late-committing freshman or freshmen who de-committed due to a coaching change (currently 25 coaching changes in D1 women’s basketball). Those freshmen names are difficult to unearth, so I’m only going to talk about the portal.

Even more than the previous pages, what I’m going to say going forward is really crystal ball stuff. I guessed at how Jen Gross and her staff have assessed the returning platers and the incoming freshmen. But at least I had game observations and/or stats to look at. Having said that…

With the current question marks in the front court that have already been discussed, it seems the priority should be on finding a post player and a forward.

With impending graduation of Megan Norris after next season, it would be ideal to find a young post player - someone with 2, if not 3 years of eligibility remaining. In addition to providing immediate depth, that player would hopefully take on a larger role the following season(s). At the very least it should provide time to recruit a freshman post player in the 2026 recruiting class.

At the forward position, the UCD coaching staff might prefer a transfer with only 1 year of remaining eligibility, similar to Tess Sussman in the 2022-23 season. If it looks like Theoni Tsami is the future, an experienced forward looking for a good grad program could fill the starting role now allowing Clara Glad to swing between guard and forward position as needed, which would strengthen both front and back courts. It also gives Tsami more time to ease back onto the court, and time see if either Emmy Ersdala or Sophie Lentfer might be a fit.

Obviously, nothing says that bringing in a perimeter player is off the table. The Aggies will be a young team next year, so an experienced guard, especially a big guard from a Power 4 or high mid-major program who could play some forward in the Big West would be a possibility..

The transfer portal will open to all players after the second round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament is complete. Currently it’s open to grad transfers, players from schools with a coaching change and players who redshirted during the 2024-25 season - I think that’s it. As of today there are @200 players in the portal - a few look interesting. Once it opens to everyone, expect another 1000 - 1200 players to enter, based on the last 5 years.

If anyone wants to play at roster building, this is a good site: https://wbbblog.com/womens-basketball-transfers-d-i-2024-25/

Bria Shine has entered the transfer portal as a grad transfer. I imagine she's looking for a scholarship to help pay for grad school.

She apparently has either a Covid year to use, or a 5th year due to injury. Bria missed the entire 2022-23 season due to a knee injury.

I believe current NCAA rules allows up to 15 full ride scholarships for WBB. I don't think the proposed settlement of the anti-trust suit changes that. I don't know if UCD has had the resources to fund that many full ride scholarships in the past. Players could also have qualified for academic or local scholarships as well.

I don't know what resources for WBB scholarships UCD will have going forward.

Yes, I will give my thoughts in the next post, which will be today or tomorrow. :>)

The incoming freshmen:

For people like us, evaluating the defensive skills of incoming freshmen is iffy at best. No one EVER posts defensive highlights, except for blocks and steals, neither of which figure prominently in the Aggies’ team defense scheme. Suffice to say that it’s a rare frosh that comes in ready to play D1-level defense.

At this point, the assumption is that all of these players will play, instead of redshirt.

Carrington Davis (5’10” Guard, Rialto High School, Rialto CA)
Davis was a 4-year varsity player, 3-year starter at Rialto High School in the CIF-Southern Section, averaging 24.1 ppg., 9.6 rpg., and 4.1 apg. over her high school career. Rialto went to the section playoffs all four of Carrington’s seasons, winning the 4AAA title in 2022-23. She played club basketball for Cal Sparks, in the Nike EYBL circuit. Kile Bennet and Sussex, she can play either guard spot and scores at all three levels. Having competed successfully at high levels as a prep, I expect Carrington will add quality depth to the backcourt, and push for playing time.

Emmy Ersdala (6’1" Guard, Norrköping Dolphins, Vasteras, Sweden)
Emmy plays in Sweden’s top club league, Basketligan Women. She’s played in all but 2 games this season averaging 16 minutes, 6.6 points, and 2.6 rebounds. Watching video of Norrköping games, it’s difficult to assess the quality of play. However, this is a WOMEN’S league. Emmy regularly competes with and against players ages 18 to early 30’s. Combined with the generally more physical play in the international game, that experience should benefit her. While her commitment announcement lists Emmy as a guard, at 6’ 1”, she may immediately project as a forward, given the needs in the Aggie front court.

Sophie Lentfer (6’0" Guard, Grace Christian High School, Anchorage, AK)
Sophie was a 4-year varsity starter at Grace Christian High School in Anchorage, also a 4-year starter at outside hitter on the volleyball team. She’s played club basketball for Truframe and FBC Northwest Alliance. Lintfer is a multi-time All State selection, and 2023-2024 State Player Of the Year. Career stats unavailable, since her high school hasn’t reported stats to MaxPreps the last 2 seasons. Like Emmy Ersdala, it’s difficult to assess the relative level of Alaskan competition from highlight clips. At this point, Sophie looks like she may fit either on the perimeter or at forward.

Tomorrow (or perhaps Monday - have some family obligations this weekend): A possible lineup and filling out the roster

HA! You've spotted the heritage of my sordid background: High School English teacher and grant writer for our district.

I agree that the sports information department could use some help. The errors in many of the articles on the UCD Athletics web site really irk me. They're so basic and so avoidable.

But thank you.

Returning Backcourt Players:

Despite the departures of Sabel, Burns and Baker, the Aggies have a strong nucleus of returning guards, led by rising senior Nya Epps.

After two years playing behind Evanne Turner, Epps smoothly transitioned to starter. Already a formidable defender, Nya improved significantly in every offensive category. Epps broke the 20-point barrier twice, and ended the year as the team’s #3 scorer. Watching her interact with teammates on the court and on the bench, it’s clear that she’s begun asserting the leadership that the Aggies will need from her next season. Like Megan Norris, Nya needs to become a more consistent double-digit scoring threat next season.

Joining Epps in Jen Gross’ 3-guard, Princeton offense will be true sophomores, Ryann Bennett and Avery Sussex, and redshirt sophomore Sahana Kanagasabay.

Bennett played in every ballgame, averaging over 19 minutes a game. Solid defensive skills, unusual for a freshman, along with the ability to play both guard spots made Ryann one of the first perimeter players off the bench. Bennett put up more than solid numbers, played through some typical freshman miscues, and finished the season playing her best basketball at crunch time. Ryann should definitely move into the starting lineup next season. The only question is where.

Like most freshmen, Sussex was still mastering D1-level defensive skills, yet averaged right at 8 minutes a game. Very confident, Avery exhibited the passing and scoring abilities that attracted Jen Gross’ interest, Like Bennett, Avery can score at all three levels, and she put up decent numbers relative to playing time. Also like Bennett, Sussex is comfortable playing either guard position. Improvement on defense will likely determine if Avery moves into a starting role or comes off the bench.

Sahana Kanagasabay transferred from Providence, and saw limited playing time, in part because she backed up Tova Sabel (and the more experienced Clara Glad), and in part because she was coming off a knee injury that cost her most of her freshman season. Despite playing limited minutes in 14 games, Sahanna seemed an able defender and rebounder. Her speed and quickness were also apparent. If Sahana can progress into a solid option off the bench, it will further solidify the backcourt.

At this point, the development of Sussex and Kanagasabay seems crucial to what the Aggie rotation will look like next season. IF it goes well, the versatile Clara Glad is more available for minutes in the front court, where the Aggies are a little thin at this point. Either way, it will may influence what kind of players Jen Gross and her staff look for in the portal, or among late freshman commits, if viable prospects are still available.

Tomorrow: the incoming freshmen.

Front Court Returnees:

At this point the front court has quality - Megan Norris, and question marks. And a possible answer.

Three-year starter and mainstay in the post, Norris returns to Hamilton Court for her final Aggie season. As a junior, Megan showed improvement in most statistical categories, becoming the team’s #2 scorer. Importantly, she was often at her best in big moments: draining a 3-ball with less than 3 minutes left to give Davis the ultimate lead in the must-win final game at UCSD. Or her 19 point, 15 rebound road outing that fueled a 45 point, 2nd half rally to stun Idaho. Megan needs to become a consistent double-digit scorer next season, AND importantly, stay on the court.

Backing up Norris, Ally Fitzgerald brings a sweet shooting touch off the bench, and a wiggy back, which is one of the question marks. Fitzgerald missed games when her back flared up, and wore a therapeutic device while on the bench. She still upped her playing time over the previous year, improved her rebounding, 3-point shot, and scoring average. A healthy Fitzgerald strengthens the post next season, and possibly the following season. Since Ally played limited minutes in few games as a Colorado freshman, she could get a 5th year of eligibility. Working to get a healthIer back should be an off-season priority.

Theoni Tsami is the other question mark. Theoni redshirted her freshman year, and played for Greece in the U20 Eurobasket last summer, averaging 17 mpg, 5 rpg, 2 assists, and shot 38% from the field. A knee injury prior to the Aggies’ exhibition game cost her the 24-25 season. In her single appearance on Hamilton Court during the Aggies’ 2023 exhibition game, she definitely looked like a player to watch. Her return and development would really bolster the UCD front court.

Because Clara Glad has mostly backed up Tova Sabel, we think of her as a perimeter player. But when Mazzie Harris and Bria Shine missed a couple of late season games, and Fitzgerald was limited by back issues, Clara stepped into the front court at forward, and played well. Currently, Glad is the tallest returning player with NO injury history, and who has some game experience at forward. Clara improved across the board during her sophomore season, regardless of position, and her increasing confidence was apparent. At this point, she should be expected to contend for a starting position or play significantly increased minutes off the bench…somewhere.

Tomorrow: the returning backcourt players.

It’s a little confusing for sure. Vic played her freshman year at Irvine, and a few games her sophomore year. I think an issue developed between her and the coaching staff. She wasn’t specific, but definitely alluded to it on social media.

She’s played 3 full seasons here at Davis, which uses up her four years of eligibility. She also walked on Senior Day this year. She’s also pictured with the other four seniors on the WBB Instagram page.

So I’m assuming that she won’t be back. The extra Covid year was supposed to be done with last year’s graduates, but I still see some players used them this year. There’s at least 1 player in the portal now who is noting that she has a Covid years remaining. So who knows?

My take: at this point, don’t count on her for next season, and if she’s back it’s a bonus.

There are now 3 postseason tournaments for Women's D1 basketball.
Obviously the NCAA Tournament is #1, and picks their bracket first. The WBIT, also an NCAA controlled event, picks their bracket 2nd. The WNIT, privately owned, now picks their bracket 3rd. The Aggies (as well as UC Irvine) were arguably snubbed by the WNIT, in favor of 6 teams with losing records, notably on our area, Pacific and St. Mary's.

Found these in WarrenNolan.com

RPI:

Irvine 125
UCD 155
USF 158
UOP 208
SMC 211

Strength of Schedule:
USF 0.5192
UOP 0.4992
SMC 0.4810
UCD 0.4645
Irvine 0.4574

St.Mary's lost to both Irvine and Riverside, and beat UCSD in 2 OT. Pacific beat LBSU and lost to Santa Barbara.

I hope that Rocko and the UCI AD make some pointed complaints. You know we'll hear from P4 schools that feel snubbed.

Hawaii is in the WBIT, which is now the #2 postseason women’s tournament. They are an aq for winning the regular season title, but losing in the tournament.

St. Mary’s was seeded 6th in the WCC tournament, and was beaten in the 3rd round by #7 Pacific by 15. Pacific lost in the quarterfinals to #3 Washington State by 11.

Neither Irvine nor Davis was selected to the WNIT, which is now the #3 post season tournament. Despite having better records that 22 of the 48 teams selected. Four teams selected had losing records. No teams from the BW or MW made the tournament.

Movie lover & DrMike - I stand corrected. I relied on my memory and a quick perusal of the bio on the UCD MBB website. Did not due diligence as I should. Mea culpa! : > (

Three last thoughts (for me) on this thread.

I heard John Madden once say that if a coach is doing a good job, it was stupid to get rid of him unless you absolutely KNEW you had someone better signed and ready to step in and replace him. Not sure that's very realistic in the present coaching climate, in just about any sport.

Kind of related to that, Jim Les WANTS to be at UCD. He voluntarily left his alma mater, Bradley, to return to the Sacramento area and take the UCD job, because he and his wife wanted to return to this area. This isn't a stepping stone for Jim Les, the way it would be for many good, even very good, coaches who might replace him. Having someone who wants to stay at a UCD type school in a Big West or Mountain West conference is worth a great deal. IMHO

Jen Gross seems to have a great deal of respect for Les. That says a great deal as well.

A 21-win season is good in anyone’s book. In more prestigious conferences, that many wins gets you into the tournament. Several teams with worse records will receive at large bids this year.

Jen Gross and her staff do a great job. This was a great group to work with, fun to watch and they never quit. But the fact is that this team had one dependable double-digit scoring threat - Tova Sabel. Nya and Megan improved in all offensive categories this year, but neither were consistent scorers. Megan hit double-digits in 14 games; Nya did it 9 times. Tova a hit double-digits 28 times.

That allowed teams to focus too easily on Sabel, and that made us too vulnerable, especially against better / better-coached teams. It’s like Tova was our Steph Curry, but we didn’t have a Klay to go with, that someone else that had to be equally accounted for. Second option by committee just isn’t as effective.

Agree with you on that. Physicality seems to be a chronic issues for the Aggies. Our women are just too nice; need some players who have an edge or who grew up with several older brothers. The last team that didn't seem to bother was when Nagel-Gianotti-Nafekh played. They weren't overly physical, but it didn't seem to throw them off.

As for turnovers, those have been a problem. However, since Gross has been head coach, the Aggies have been between 13-20 per game each year - career average is 15+. The backdoor cut is key to the Princeton offense as she runs it, and it isn't an easy play to execute. It's beautiful when you do it, but it is turnover prone...and that doesn't include the missed layups. Those TO's we have to live with. It's the "got-rattled" and the open-court bad pass turnovers they have to avoid.

I think Laura Baugh is now probably the point person on coaching the bigs. Based on her University of Tennessee and WNBA stints.

And looking at the data in the Cal Matters article, we've been outspent on the NIL front by UCSB, UCSD, UCI and Sac State, Since none of the three UC's have football programs, MBB is probably their flagship sport, and get the lion's share of NIL. The NIL spending disparity for our MBB program is probably much worse than just the gross amounts indicate.

Finally to CA Forever's point, "It shouldn't be any harder to recruit to Davis than the other UCs", Santa Barbara,San Diego (La Jolla), and to a little lesser degree, Irvine are all more of the California Image / Vibe than Davis is. We got no sandy beach to walk along. That in itself is probably a big selling point, especially for out-of-state and foreign players.