Random IUWBB Recruiting

[TTT 1,252]

3 hours ago, mike vannice said:

How good is she?

8 points per game.  She could play.  Not a high impact player but solid role player.  Overall, would fit T. Moren and IU Ladies and contribute.  A few points, a couple rebounds.  Defense would as usual need to improve but seems like a buy in type player if she were to go to IU.  High character.

[Aaron 4,390]

31 minutes ago, TTT said:

8 points per game.  She could play.  Not a high impact player but solid role player.  Overall, would fit T. Moren and IU Ladies and contribute.  A few points, a couple rebounds.  Defense would as usual need to improve but seems like a buy in type player if she were to go to IU.  High character.

A last starter or first player off bench ceiling. Can play at power five level but definitely not a star. Different player but probably can contribute at a similar level to Bargesser.

Would be a nice depth piece but not a difference maker. A center like Williams or Merkle would be difference maker and what team needs right now more than anything.

[TTT 1,252]

FEATURED

Column | Gracie Merkle has become a liability for Penn State

• Noah Aberegg | The Daily Collegian
•  
• Jan 27, 2025
•  
•  
•  2 min to read

 

 

Center Gracie Merkle (44) shoots the ball during the Penn State women's basketball game against Rutgers at the Bryce Jordan Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Scarlet Knights beat the Nittany Lions 73-77.

Samantha DiCamillo

 

Coming into the 2024-25 campaign, 6-foot-6 center Gracie Merkle was hailed as the biggest acquisition for Penn State.

"We are thrilled to welcome Gracie to our Penn State family," coach Carolyn Kieger told Penn State Athletics. "Her dominance in the post is unparalleled.”

Merkle led Bellarmine in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage last season – the latter of which she led the nation, draining 70.2% of her shots.

 

Through 12 games, Merkle displayed that success at Penn State, leading the team with 20.3 points per game. Her scoring ranked in the top five in the Big Ten, and Merkle’s play was unstoppable.

That was, until the final game of 2024, when she was shut out against Minnesota. With only one field goal attempt in 21 minutes, Merkle was empty for the first time.

While she’s found the net in each game since, the Bellarmine transfer hasn’t returned to her early-season level of productivity. Arguably, she’s been worse, and her play has been a liability for the blue and white.

Physically, Merkle has all the attributes of a successful center. She’s 6-foot-6 and has the height to out-rebound opponents. She also has a large frame, giving her the ability to work in the paint.

However, Merkle doesn’t often out-rebound opponents and her paint play is minimal.

When the Mount Washington, Kentucky, native is on the court, she simply stands under the basket waiting for a pass and an opportunity to score. This worked through the first two months as she put up double-digit field goal attempts in nine games.  However, teams began scouting how she scored and planned against that, which was highlighted against Minnesota. Double-teamed and denied down low, Merkle hasn’t found another way to score.

 

With her big frame, Merkle has the size to work from the high post and back down defenders to the basket. She has the body to be physical and fight for points – but she doesn’t.

Instead, she stands as a liability to the Lady Lions, committing 2.4 fouls per game and 3.2 turnovers per game.

When Merkle does occasionally drive, she does so forcefully – too forcefully with her frame. She often commits a charging foul and turns the ball over as a result.

The Lady Lions have committed too many turnovers to succeed this season, but Merkle’s frequent dropped passes in the paint have turned what should’ve been easy points into turnovers.

Against Rutgers on Sunday, Merkle came off the bench for the first time this season after starting 20 straight games for the blue and white. When asked why Merkle came off the bench, Kieger offered a simple, yet telling answer.

“Practice. Whoever practices hard earns it,” Kieger said.

Merkle has been seen as one of the slower players on the court, and while her large frame can slow her down, her level of hustle isn’t on par with the rest of the Lady Lions.

Some thoughts on Gracie Merkle playing at Penn State.

 

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 11,052]

Pass 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 88,948]

Not sure why we'd want a Meister clone based on Meister's performance this season.  And I'm in no way saying Lilly doesn't practice hard I'm just comparing on-court results and I don't see any better player in Merkle.

[TTT 1,252]

Faith Wiseman 6’4”.  Just pointing out that she is available to play a little bit as a sophomore and develop more playing time her junior and senior year.

Gracie Merkle is a pass for me as well after reading the article I posted.