It's a shame that PG Dora Goles went down with a knee injury in Idaho State's last game of the season. With Dora back, ISU might well be the pre-season favorite to the win the conference this season. They are still returning a ton of talent, but they'll have to find someone to take over the PG duties while Dora rehabilitates. Here's what the roster looks like right now:
PG
Madison Hinrichs
Callie Bourne
Assessment: Hinrichs averaged 10 minutes a game and played in every contest as a JC transfer, and had a few nice moments, but it remains to be seen if she can contribute enough to play starter's minutes every night. The coaching staff is very high on the incoming Aussie Bourne, who is playing at a very high level in her native country.
SG
Estefania Ors
Melissa Kadic
Assessment: Ors was the top player off the bench last year, but she may get to start this season with the departure of Brooke Blair. Ors is ISU's best pure shooter, hitting 46 percent of her treys last year. Kadic comes from Western Nebraska as that school's best three-point shooter and she should slot right in behind Ors.
SF
Saylor Grandon
Nuria Barrientos
Montana Oltrogge
Assessment: Grandon struggled early last season, but came on to average 11 points on 40 percent three-point shooting for the year. She's a physical player whose defensive toughness exemplifies what Seton Sobolewski's team is all about. Barrientos redshirted last year, while Oltrogge was an excellent shooter in her senior year in high school. Both bring length to the three spot.
PF
Grace Kenyon
Irene Vicente
Delaney Moore
Ellie Smith
Assessment: Kenyon was one of the best all-around players in the conference last year, averaging almost 13 points and 7 rebounds, handling out 99 assists, with 44 steals and 38 blocks. She can get better -- reduce her turnovers and shoot better from three, but her energy is a key to ISU's success. Vicente and Moore both saw significant minutes in the post last year, and should provide experienced depth. Smith, 6-2, is a redshirt with a lot of "upside."
C
Sai Tapasa
Kaitlyn Bell
Assessment: Tapasa was probably the most improved ISU player last year, averaged 9 points and almost 6 rebounds a game. She missed a couple of games with injury, but she's a strong, physical presence in the post. Bell is probably the tallest player on the team, and it will be interesting to see how the Rigby native comes off a redshirt season. Both Moore and Vicente can also cover time in the post.
Overall assessment: Deep, physical and talented team, a lot depends on what the Bengals get from Hinrichs and Bourne at the point guard. This team should be a lot of fun to watch.
PG
Madison Hinrichs
Callie Bourne
Assessment: Hinrichs averaged 10 minutes a game and played in every contest as a JC transfer, and had a few nice moments, but it remains to be seen if she can contribute enough to play starter's minutes every night. The coaching staff is very high on the incoming Aussie Bourne, who is playing at a very high level in her native country.
SG
Estefania Ors
Melissa Kadic
Assessment: Ors was the top player off the bench last year, but she may get to start this season with the departure of Brooke Blair. Ors is ISU's best pure shooter, hitting 46 percent of her treys last year. Kadic comes from Western Nebraska as that school's best three-point shooter and she should slot right in behind Ors.
SF
Saylor Grandon
Nuria Barrientos
Montana Oltrogge
Assessment: Grandon struggled early last season, but came on to average 11 points on 40 percent three-point shooting for the year. She's a physical player whose defensive toughness exemplifies what Seton Sobolewski's team is all about. Barrientos redshirted last year, while Oltrogge was an excellent shooter in her senior year in high school. Both bring length to the three spot.
PF
Grace Kenyon
Irene Vicente
Delaney Moore
Ellie Smith
Assessment: Kenyon was one of the best all-around players in the conference last year, averaging almost 13 points and 7 rebounds, handling out 99 assists, with 44 steals and 38 blocks. She can get better -- reduce her turnovers and shoot better from three, but her energy is a key to ISU's success. Vicente and Moore both saw significant minutes in the post last year, and should provide experienced depth. Smith, 6-2, is a redshirt with a lot of "upside."
C
Sai Tapasa
Kaitlyn Bell
Assessment: Tapasa was probably the most improved ISU player last year, averaged 9 points and almost 6 rebounds a game. She missed a couple of games with injury, but she's a strong, physical presence in the post. Bell is probably the tallest player on the team, and it will be interesting to see how the Rigby native comes off a redshirt season. Both Moore and Vicente can also cover time in the post.
Overall assessment: Deep, physical and talented team, a lot depends on what the Bengals get from Hinrichs and Bourne at the point guard. This team should be a lot of fun to watch.
