As women’s basketball is halfway through conference play, let’s grade the Tigers on their performances so far.
Missouri women’s basketball currently sits at 2-6 in conference play on Jan. 28. The Tigers are on a three-game losing skid as we reach the midway point of conference play with eight games remaining.
From the ups and downs of SEC action, we have graded the Tigers based on their production in conference play along with our expectations derived from non-conference competition. These grades are based on their overall production relative to both expectations and previous performances from non-conference play and past seasons.
Freshman guard Grace Slaughter: B+
Conference Stats: 33 minutes, 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists,1.6 turnovers, 47.4 FG%, 54.2 3PT%, 72.7 FT%
Slaughter has settled into her role as a Tiger perfectly. She may not set the world on fire with her defense, but offensively, she has stunned opponents from behind the arc. She currently ranks No. 5 in the SEC in 3 point shooting percentage for the season.
ESPN’s No. 53 ranked recruit in the class of 2023 has carried over her stellar efficiency from non-conference competition into SEC play while maintaining a high volume of shots. The freshman has not shied away from the brutal SEC oppositions.
Freshman guard Abbey Schreacke: C
Conference Stats: 22.6 minutes, 4.8 points, 2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 turnovers, 30.6 FG%, 23.3 3PT%, 50 FT%
The freshman guard from Quincy, Illinois has shown flashes of brilliance — specifically with her efficiency prior to conference play and utilizing her silky smooth midrange pull-up jumpshot.
However, the SEC has once again proved to be a different beast. Schreacke has gone through a slump despite receiving the starting nod against South Carolina in Mama Dembele’s lone absence.
If Schreacke can expand her arsenal this offseason, Tiger fans can expect a heavily increased scoring output.
Freshman forward Hannah Linthacum: C
Conference Stats: 13.8 minutes, 2.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 1.4 turnovers, 52.9 FG%, 20 3PT%, 33.3 FT%
Head coach Robin Pingeton has trusted Linthacum as a starter in every SEC game thus far, but has been limited in minutes. This is understandable, as many of the SEC matchups carry a deep rotation of forwards with the elite combination of size and experience.
Linthacum has struggled to guard some of the talented frontcourt players across the league as Angel Reese scored 21 points in the LSU matchup, but this experience guarding college basketball’s biggest stars will look to be crucial in her development.
Freshman forward Hilke Feldrappe: D+
Conference Stats: 9.0 minutes, 1.3 points, 0.4 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.4 turnovers, 33.3 FG% ,20 3PT%, 50.0 FT%
Feldrappe has shown her versatility throughout the season as a prototype for modern-day forwards. She has the raw assets to become a productive player in the future. Feldrappe possesses a unique combination of size, speed and playmaking capabilities along with the confidence to shoot the three ball.
If the pieces fall into place, Feldrappe could become a strong contributor. However, those days appear to be some ways away as she has failed to find her role since conference play began. For now, Feldrappe needs to focus on honing her fundamentals and developing a well-rounded skill set. She can only hope to improve game-by-game as the season closes.
Sophomore guard Ashton Judd: C
Sophomore year has been odd on the basketball court for Judd. After a great start in non-conference, Judd has hit a shooting slump in the SEC. The main area of struggle has been her 3-point shooting, sitting well below her career average of 38.2 percent . Another area of focus for Judd comes with avoiding turnovers, oftentimes making mistakes that cost Missouri potential points.
The main positive from Judd’s game comes from her rebounding ability. She’s able to get inside the paint and be aggressive on the glass for the Tigers. She also appears to be turning it around on the offensive end, with 22 points and 3-4 shooting on threes in a recent game against Arkansas.
If Missouri hopes to rack up wins down the stretch, the Tigers will need key offensive contributions from Judd.
Junior forward Sarah Linthacum: D+
Conference Stats: 3.3 minutes, 0.2 points, 0.8 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 FG%, 0 3PT%, 50 FT%
While a part of the rotation, the role of Linthacum has been extremely limited. There hasn’t been a game where the junior has played more than 10 minutes. She has been extremely passive, only shooting one shot in conference play.
When you look at a player who has a career high of 20 points, it’d be beneficial for Linthacum to attack and spark the bench unit. I’d recommend Pingeton play her more minutes, but the junior has not done anything to earn that opportunity.
On the positive end, her limited minutes give key rest to players like Slaughter, Judd or Frank without costing the team in any severe fashion.
Senior guard Mama Dembele: B+
For her first three years, Dembele was all about defense. This year, her defense has still been outstanding, nabbing a career high in overall steals, but Dembele has added a key offensive game to back it up. Dembele is first in the conference in assists this season, as well as second in steals.
The only area of concern with Dembele lies in her efficiency. She has struggled finishing through contact, and has been below her average at the free-throw line lately.
If Dembele can consistently hit her inside shots, it turns her into a key offensive piece for Missouri.
Graduate forward Abby Feit: C-
Conference Stats: 20.6 minutes, 6.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 35.4% FG, 31% 3pt, 75% FT
SEC play has been an adjustment for Feit. There have been several games where Feit has impressed, making her presence felt on the scoresheet. One game that stands out is the 11-point, four rebound performance in the team’s first SEC win against Vanderbilt.
More often than not, Feit has been extremely passive, defaulting to the 3-point line instead of driving. That has extended to the defensive end, with a limited vertical and rebounding presence which Missouri desperately needs. Wrapping this all together with a shooting slump, and Feit has been learning about the difficulty of the SEC the hard way.
Graduate forward Hayley Frank: A
Conference Stats: 36.4 minutes, 19.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 48.7% FG, 40.7 3pt%, 100 FT%
No matter the result, you can count on a great performance from Frank. In all eight SEC games, Frank has scored double-digit points.
In her final year, Frank has served as a commanding leader, especially with her shooting ability. Perhaps the most eye-popping stat is that Frank has made all 21 free throws attempted in conference play.
Her shooting has gone up in all aspects, increasing her field goal and 3-point percentage from non-conference. It’s been a phenomenal season for Frank overall, with career highs in scoring, rebounding, assists and 3-point percentage.
Giving her anything less than an “A” would be a flat-out lie.
Missouri will return to the court on the road against No. 1 ranked South Carolina onThursday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m.
Edited by Grace Ainger | gainger@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Natalie Kientzy and Grace Knight
