Another year, another stacked collection of talented put together by the greatest coach in women's college basketball Teri Moren (yeah, we said it). This depth chart is far from shallow, and this team looks extremely dangerous on paper.
All 13 players on this roster have a reasonable case for minutes, and like Mike Woodson on the men's side, Moren is going to have a tough time finding the proper ingredients (AKA minute allocations/rotations) to craft the perfect recipe for success.
With that in mind, the Hoosier skipper will have to establish a sort've pecking order in terms of versatility and talent, and figure out which players can bring the most to the table in this team's pursuit of W's. Clearly it is not going to be easy for Moren to establish these rankings, so we figured we would help get her strategic senses revved up.
13. Sydney Fenn
If Sydney Fenn is going to earn consistent minutes as a freshman, she is going to have to hit outside shots at a steady rate. Karoline Striplin, Lilly Meister, Faith Wiseman, and Sharnecce Currie-Jelks are also vying for frontcourt minutes, but none of them (aside from perhaps Striplin) offer the type of shooting touch from range that Fenn does.
12. Henna Sandvik
Henna Sandvik has been a beloved member of this program through her first 2 seasons in Bloomington, but the product of Finland has not been able to break through in her efforts to establish a consistent role in the rotation. Looking ahead to her 3rd campaign in the cream in crimson, her path to an uptick in role is an uphill one given the subliminal depth this team has on the wing. If she can knock down triples consistently and continue to showcase her lowkey defensive prowess than Sandvik could be due for increased minutes as a junior.
11. Sharnecce Currie-Jelks
It is no secret that SCJ was phenomenal during her freshman season at UT Martin, but that was 2 seasons ago. Fresh off of welcoming her first child to the world, it is going to take the talented big some time to re-acclimate herself on the court. With that in mind, her energetic and fearless demeanor on the floor bodes well for her chances to stay on it.
10. Julianna LaMendola
LaMendola may not have put up enormous numbers last year as a Hoosier freshman, but she did do enough of the little things to sustain a steady role throughout her first season at IU. Jules's level of confidence should amplify as a sophomore, and those boosts should be accompanied by a larger role for her. The team is going to need her defensive versatility on the wing, and the hope is that her offensive game will expand as she continues getting more and more comfortable in her own skin as a college hooper.