RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
81alum - 03-20-2022
As everyone has said, what a wonderful second half, and what a wonderful game for Lexie. I am so sad I could not be in attendance for the seniors' last game at Maples--watching at home with an ankle in a cast.
The first half confirmed all my worst fears--that perhaps we are overrated given how weak the Pac 12 is and given our three losses outside the Pac. That even Kansas can provoke us into too many turnovers and a couple of fouls on the wrong person and our rhythm offense gets discombobulated.
All that changed in the second half--in particular in the 3rd quarter. How many times this year have we scored 32 in a quarter? Perhaps one other game? That was spectacular and the Lexie show. On defense, Kansas scored around the same number of points each quarter--their 2nd was actually worse than their 3rd--so our defense was somewhat consistent. And we held Kersgeiter and Jackson to 7 and 8 points and made them try to beat us with others. The scouting report defense worked.
But our offense either clicks or it doesn't, and it clicked once Lexie supplied the spark. We heard from the announcers that the Kansas plan was to deny us the paint and force us to shoot from outside. That was no revelation, it seems to me that that is every underdog's plan against us since they know that our three point shooting runs hot and cold, and betting on it running cold is their best chance to win. But 13/26 from three point range destroyed that plan.
Also important is that Kansas ultimately wound up with more turnovers than we did. Even in the first half when we were doing silly turnover after silly turnover, both teams wound up with 10 turnovers.
All in all, a wonderful, uplifting note to end the 5 seniors time at Maples. And Lexie is beginning to look more and more like a national award winner, if she keeps this up.
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
petersalas - 03-20-2022
Get well soon.. something must have told me someone was missing because I never cheer loudly because I get somewhat embarrassed, but today I don’t know who I was cause I joined in the loud cheers today! So I cheered loudly for you… what a great game!!! Kansas bench antics didn’t bother the Cardinal too much… but Kansas did their best to no avail.
(03-20-2022, 08:48 PM)81alum Wrote: As everyone has said, what a wonderful second half, and what a wonderful game for Lexie. I am so sad I could not be in attendance for the seniors' last game at Maples--watching at home with an ankle in a cast.
The first half confirmed all my worst fears--that perhaps we are overrated given how weak the Pac 12 is and given our three losses outside the Pac. That even Kansas can provoke us into too many turnovers and a couple of fouls on the wrong person and our rhythm offense gets discombobulated.
All that changed in the second half--in particular in the 3rd quarter. How many times this year have we scored 32 in a quarter? Perhaps one other game? That was spectacular and the Lexie show. On defense, Kansas scored around the same number of points each quarter--their 2nd was actually worse than their 3rd--so our defense was somewhat consistent. And we held Kersgeiter and Jackson to 7 and 8 points and made them try to beat us with others. The scouting report defense worked.
But our offense either clicks or it doesn't, and it clicked once Lexie supplied the spark. We heard from the announcers that the Kansas plan was to deny us the paint and force us to shoot from outside. That was no revelation, it seems to me that that is every underdog's plan against us since they know that our three point shooting runs hot and cold, and betting on it running cold is their best chance to win. But 13/26 from three point range destroyed that plan.
Also important is that Kansas ultimately wound up with more turnovers than we did. Even in the first half when we were doing silly turnover after silly turnover, both teams wound up with 10 turnovers.
All in all, a wonderful, uplifting note to end the 5 seniors time at Maples. And Lexie is beginning to look more and more like a national award winner, if she keeps this up.
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
BillBradley - 03-20-2022
Has there ever been a better Stanford WBB single game all-around performance than Lexie's tonight? Over the years, there have been 30+ point performances, triple doubles, Cam's 20-20's this season, etc. But consider what Lexie did tonight:
Offensively:
- 36 points on 21 shots (14-21)
- Made all types of shots. Finished at the rim, a bunch of mid-range/dribble pull-ups, and 6 for 11 from 3. We've had plenty of 30+ point games, but any close to that versatility?
- Perfect 2 for 2 from the line
- 3 assists and just 2 turnovers
Defensively (quite sure there's never been a better defensive performance):
- Lockdown D as always
- Diving everywhere, countless deflections (including one while on the floor), and winning every 50/50 ball
- 6 steals
- 6 boards
I dare anyone to find a better Stanford WBB performance than that, let alone in a tournament game that was tied at half. Wow Lexie...
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
TheWildJacko - 03-20-2022
(03-20-2022, 08:53 PM)BillBradley Wrote: Has there ever been a better Stanford WBB single game all-around performance than Lexie's tonight? Over the years, there have been 30+ point performances, triple doubles, Cam's 20-20's this season, etc. But consider what Lexie did tonight:
Offensively:
- 36 points on 21 shots (14-21)
- Made all types of shots. Finished at the rim, a bunch of mid-range/dribble pull-ups, and 6 for 11 from 3. We've had plenty of 30+ point games, but any close to that versatility?
- Perfect 2 for 2 from the line
- 3 assists and just 2 turnovers
Defensively (quite sure there's never been a better defensive performance):
- Lockdown D as always
- Diving everywhere, countless deflections (including one while on the floor), and winning every 50/50 ball
- 6 steals
- 6 boards
I dare anyone to find a better Stanford WBB performance than that, let alone in a tournament game that was tied at half. Wow Lexie...
Jeanette Pohlen vs. UCONN to break the Streak comes to mind as a performance that at least comes close:
31 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 turnovers. 8-15 from the floor, 5-9 from 3, 10-10 from the line. Played all 40 minutes.
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
chimera - 03-20-2022
Second half was a lot of fun. Great crowd, great show by Lexie, great win. first half turnovers were almost all silly stuff from us. Some of that was our two main point guards were both sitting for much of the half with two fouls. Jones has not seemed herself thus far. That we are winning relatively easily with her not playing close to her best is a good sign, assuming she picks it up starting against MD. After that annoying first half with too many turnovers and middling defense, I felt we would step it up in the third, and they sure did. Much better defense, no more silly turnovers and better rebounding did the trick.
Lexie was a joy to watch. She did everything well. Nice games for Brink and Belibi, with pretty much everyone who played contributing well.
I think some of the first half was jitters and maybe a bit of an adjustment coming off almost two weeks without a game and the Friday game being just no competition, nothing to get a team ready for a "real" game with pace, physicality and size from the opponent.
Refs were not great. That "charge" on Jones was ridiculous and they had a few other very bad calls too.
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
M T - 03-20-2022
(03-20-2022, 09:46 PM)TheWildJacko Wrote: Jeanette Pohlen vs. UCONN to break the Streak comes to mind as a performance that at least comes close:
31 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 turnovers. 8-15 from the floor, 5-9 from 3, 10-10 from the line. Played all 40 minutes.
Haven't we been blessed by great people that were also pretty good basketball players.
Thanks, Tara!
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
TheWildJacko - 03-20-2022
(03-20-2022, 08:53 PM)BillBradley Wrote: Has there ever been a better Stanford WBB single game all-around performance than Lexie's tonight? Over the years, there have been 30+ point performances, triple doubles, Cam's 20-20's this season, etc. But consider what Lexie did tonight:
Offensively:
- 36 points on 21 shots (14-21)
- Made all types of shots. Finished at the rim, a bunch of mid-range/dribble pull-ups, and 6 for 11 from 3. We've had plenty of 30+ point games, but any close to that versatility?
- Perfect 2 for 2 from the line
- 3 assists and just 2 turnovers
Defensively (quite sure there's never been a better defensive performance):
- Lockdown D as always
- Diving everywhere, countless deflections (including one while on the floor), and winning every 50/50 ball
- 6 steals
- 6 boards
I dare anyone to find a better Stanford WBB performance than that, let alone in a tournament game that was tied at half. Wow Lexie...
KU Coach Brandon Schneider agrees with you:
“Lexie just went into takeover mode, and it’s as elite (of an) offensive performance as I’ve probably witnessed in person — and the manner of which she scored in just every way possible,” Schneider said. “So a lot of credit to her and to Stanford on their performance tonight.”
Read more at:
https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article259601809.html#storylink=cpy
RE: WBB: Stanford vs. Kansas Sun 6pm -
2006alum - 03-20-2022
(03-20-2022, 08:14 PM)Card10Fan Wrote: Maples was LOUD and the fans were engaged. What a great environment.
First game back since COVID (in part because back in the area for the first time since COVID). It definitely did seem more raucous that in the recent past, but this is also the first time we've been really good hosting in the post-season since the Ogwumike era. When I think about how much more active even our Cardboard threads are than they were during the (relative) lull of the Orrange/Bird/Karlie/McPhee/Smith/Carrington years, it's telling that winning brings the fans back.
What can you say about Lexie that hasn't already been said? I agree with Bill that this was the most complete performance I've ever seen in a Cardinal uniform. Pohlen had some standout games on offense but she never had Lexie's motor on defense. When the game was back and forth, it was Lexie who got those gutsy tie-ups, Lexie poking balls and getting steals, Lexie getting some devastating cuts (with major credit to Jones and Brink, who were so great at feeding her in the backdoor), Lexie hitting the treys from hand-offs from Belibi at the elbow. Which is just to say, as much as Lexie gutted us to the win, her teammates were also finding her and making it look easy on offense, and she is so versatile that she was taking everything she was getting on offense, and making it happen through guts on defense. It was the very best kind of hero ball.
I didn't want to jinx it at halftime, but it felt like it was close only because of our own self-inflicted wounds. We were better on o-boards, on passing, and on fouls in the second half. Part of what I love about our team is we have so many players that can go off in any given game, that when we find that player, they give everyone else confidence and the whole team rises with them. This game, it was Lexie.
Jones had another uneven game, and it's really easy to highlight her total whiff passes, but she herself has said she likes high risk high reward passing, and she had a few beauties to Lexie when the game was still very much in question.
Interesting how little we looked to score in the paint after Q1. Once Lexie started making great cuts, it seemed like we shifted from feeds inside.
To me, the point when I felt like Lexie was going to be superwoman was at 12-11 when Lexie was inside and called on Jump to switch from the corner with her, did so, lost her defender, got the hand off from Belibi, hit a trey, then seconds later on defense poked the ball away from the guard, chased it down, hit the floor, passed it seated to Jones, and drew the foul. That was when I knew Lexie was not going to let us lose. I'm rewatching the game now and the commentators noted how much the crowd was responding to Lexie "doing the dirty work as one of the most underrated players in the country." truer words never spoken, and our section, at least, was on our feet cheering on that amazing sequence.
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
M T - 03-20-2022
At 2:23 3Q, Kansas made a 2-pt shot bringing the score to 56-46. By the time they got another point 6 minutes later, at 5:55 4Q, Stanford had scored an additional 24 points, 80-46. Wow.
(The 10-minute stretch 3Q 6:00 to 4Q 6:00 saw the score go from 45-42 to 80-46, a 35-4 whirlwind, with 22 points by Lexie!)
Kansas must have felt a bit like this....
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
BillBradley - 03-20-2022
(03-20-2022, 10:30 PM)TheWildJacko Wrote: (03-20-2022, 08:53 PM)BillBradley Wrote: Has there ever been a better Stanford WBB single game all-around performance than Lexie's tonight? Over the years, there have been 30+ point performances, triple doubles, Cam's 20-20's this season, etc. But consider what Lexie did tonight:
Offensively:
- 36 points on 21 shots (14-21)
- Made all types of shots. Finished at the rim, a bunch of mid-range/dribble pull-ups, and 6 for 11 from 3. We've had plenty of 30+ point games, but any close to that versatility?
- Perfect 2 for 2 from the line
- 3 assists and just 2 turnovers
Defensively (quite sure there's never been a better defensive performance):
- Lockdown D as always
- Diving everywhere, countless deflections (including one while on the floor), and winning every 50/50 ball
- 6 steals
- 6 boards
I dare anyone to find a better Stanford WBB performance than that, let alone in a tournament game that was tied at half. Wow Lexie...
KU Coach Brandon Schneider agrees with you:
“Lexie just went into takeover mode, and it’s as elite (of an) offensive performance as I’ve probably witnessed in person — and the manner of which she scored in just every way possible,” Schneider said. “So a lot of credit to her and to Stanford on their performance tonight.”
Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article259601809.html#storylink=cpy
Great performances are typically just measured by the production on offense - points, shooting %, etc. Pohlen's game that you pointed out was certainly one of the all time greats. But what makes Lexie's performance tonight extra-special is that she was superb on both offense AND defense. The number of deflections, loose balls, diving on the floor, tie-ups...just tremendous. No one (that I can think of) does all that on top of dropping 36.
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
TheWildJacko - 03-20-2022
(03-20-2022, 10:41 PM)BillBradley Wrote: (03-20-2022, 10:30 PM)TheWildJacko Wrote: (03-20-2022, 08:53 PM)BillBradley Wrote: Has there ever been a better Stanford WBB single game all-around performance than Lexie's tonight? Over the years, there have been 30+ point performances, triple doubles, Cam's 20-20's this season, etc. But consider what Lexie did tonight:
Offensively:
- 36 points on 21 shots (14-21)
- Made all types of shots. Finished at the rim, a bunch of mid-range/dribble pull-ups, and 6 for 11 from 3. We've had plenty of 30+ point games, but any close to that versatility?
- Perfect 2 for 2 from the line
- 3 assists and just 2 turnovers
Defensively (quite sure there's never been a better defensive performance):
- Lockdown D as always
- Diving everywhere, countless deflections (including one while on the floor), and winning every 50/50 ball
- 6 steals
- 6 boards
I dare anyone to find a better Stanford WBB performance than that, let alone in a tournament game that was tied at half. Wow Lexie...
KU Coach Brandon Schneider agrees with you:
“Lexie just went into takeover mode, and it’s as elite (of an) offensive performance as I’ve probably witnessed in person — and the manner of which she scored in just every way possible,” Schneider said. “So a lot of credit to her and to Stanford on their performance tonight.”
Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article259601809.html#storylink=cpy
Great performances are typically just measured by the production on offense - points, shooting %, etc. Pohlen's game that you pointed out was certainly one of the all time greats. But what makes Lexie's performance tonight extra-special is that she was superb on both offense AND defense. The number of deflections, loose balls, diving on the floor, tie-ups...just tremendous. No one (that I can think of) does all that on top of dropping 36.
Great points. Rewatching now, what is also impressive to me is how much Lexie works to get open on offense. Over and over she cuts in towards the basket and then pops back out to the arc, gets the pass and hits the shot. Or starts to pop out to the arc, then changes direction and cuts towards the basket for a backdoor layup. Her defenders just can’t keep up because she never stops moving.
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
M T - 03-20-2022
Maybe I've figured out what lit the fire under Lexie (beside the obvious, that is).
The competitiveness of the twins is legendary.
Sorry, Hannah, 60% for your threes tonight just wasn't quite enough.
Before the game, 3PT%
1. Lacie 25/59 42.4%
2. Hannah 78/193 40.4%
3. Lexie 50/125 40.0%
After the game,
1. Lacie 26/62 41.9%
2. Lexie 56/136 41.2%
3. Hannah 81/198 40.9%
Let's see if Lacie steps up her game. At the time, I thought Lacie's 3 tonight was critical. The score was tied and KU getting the lead might have really given them a boost. Lacie put the first nail in their coffin in the 3Q.
Cam has also climbed a bit above 60% FT%. while the team is at 68.4%
I was glad to see Alyssa get some time tonight. And Jordan Hamilton.
In the first half, rebounds were Stanford 18-16.
In the second half, rebounds were Stanford 18-8.
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
teejers1 - 03-20-2022
Randoms from the game:
1. In Q1, I turned to my son and said "this is the kind of game where Tara plays Lexie 40 minutes, even if she isn't scoring much." It was evident from the jump that Lexie was "on it" all over the court. You could just see she was doing all the little things on both ends of the court. And THEN she decides to go COMPLETELY OFF offensively, just for good measure. An all-time performance.
2. Stanford's 1H problems, imo, was too much dribbling or holding the ball. When people are open on the wings or in the post, you have to get them the ball promptly - the hesitation allowed the D to recover. That was my initial take, anyway, watching live.
3. In Q3, it was just flat raining on the Stanford end of the court. That was a blitzkrieg . . . and a really impressive one.
4. I agree with poster who said the biggest bucket of the game was Lacie's trey from WAY up top. It was great redemption for the air ball (or was it? Did it scrape iron?) that immediately preceded it, and just felt very important.
5. Again, Cam should get a double-double rolling out of bed, she's that good. And she did tonight. If she does not, then Stanford could be in trouble.
6. It goes w/o saying that Lexie will not have another game like this the rest of the tourney, but as others have noted, many players on the roster can pick up the differential (most notably Haley and Anna). The depth of this team may be its biggest asset. But you hope that someone will always be ready to (and actually) step in and step up if the team needs a lift. The danger is if an opponent decides to lock down on the 3 line and Stanford must score twos. The 1H was an indication of that. We'll see.
On to Spokane for team and staff (and some lucky fans, too). Congrats all.
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
magnus - 03-21-2022
Lexie must be the most fit/in shape NCAA Women's BBall player in the country. She just never stopped running.
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
treetop11 - 03-21-2022
(03-20-2022, 10:41 PM)BillBradley Wrote: (03-20-2022, 10:30 PM)TheWildJacko Wrote: (03-20-2022, 08:53 PM)BillBradley Wrote: Has there ever been a better Stanford WBB single game all-around performance than Lexie's tonight? Over the years, there have been 30+ point performances, triple doubles, Cam's 20-20's this season, etc. But consider what Lexie did tonight:
Offensively:
- 36 points on 21 shots (14-21)
- Made all types of shots. Finished at the rim, a bunch of mid-range/dribble pull-ups, and 6 for 11 from 3. We've had plenty of 30+ point games, but any close to that versatility?
- Perfect 2 for 2 from the line
- 3 assists and just 2 turnovers
Defensively (quite sure there's never been a better defensive performance):
- Lockdown D as always
- Diving everywhere, countless deflections (including one while on the floor), and winning every 50/50 ball
- 6 steals
- 6 boards
I dare anyone to find a better Stanford WBB performance than that, let alone in a tournament game that was tied at half. Wow Lexie...
KU Coach Brandon Schneider agrees with you:
“Lexie just went into takeover mode, and it’s as elite (of an) offensive performance as I’ve probably witnessed in person — and the manner of which she scored in just every way possible,” Schneider said. “So a lot of credit to her and to Stanford on their performance tonight.”
Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article259601809.html#storylink=cpy
Great performances are typically just measured by the production on offense - points, shooting %, etc. Pohlen's game that you pointed out was certainly one of the all time greats. But what makes Lexie's performance tonight extra-special is that she was superb on both offense AND defense. The number of deflections, loose balls, diving on the floor, tie-ups...just tremendous. No one (that I can think of) does all that on top of dropping 36.
Both you and chimera once again nail it with excellent comments.
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
CompSci87 - 03-21-2022
(03-20-2022, 11:36 PM)M T Wrote: At the time, I thought Lacie's 3 tonight was critical. The score was tied and KU getting the lead might have really given them a boost. Lacie put the first nail in their coffin in the 3Q.
As a smaller matter, Lacie also silenced the KU band with her 3. Those of us who were at the Friday early game probably noticed that after Georgia Tech's point guard shot an air ball, KU's band would loudly chant "air ball, air ball" whenever she touched the ball from then on. They kept it up to where it was really annoying. They finally stopped the next time she made a shot, which was quite a while later.
Tonight Lacie shot an air ball, triggering the KU band. We got the O board, the ball came right back to Lacie, and they started chanting. You can hear it on the TV broadcast. But Lacie calmly drained the 3, and that quickly shut them up before they got well started.
BTW, my favorite Lacie 3 is this one from the South Carolina game earlier this year. A bit of heroics mostly forgotten as Stanford couldn't quite pull out the win.
https://youtu.be/chWohzxFN5o
Tonight was Lacie's last game in Maples too. We'll miss them both!
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
81alum - 03-21-2022
(03-20-2022, 09:56 PM)chimera Wrote: Refs were not great. That "charge" on Jones was ridiculous and they had a few other very bad calls too.
They got a deflection out-of-bounds wrong on Jump, but so did the announcers--it was deceptive from one angle. But one of the first half turnovers should not have been a turnover.
Press conference. Tara: "It boiled down to we had Lexie and they didn't."
Looking ahead: "We are playing teams we know. Let's see who has improved the most."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEPMyuPm_Mg
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
BostonCard - 03-21-2022
Yeah, the deflection out of bounds was probably off them. It’s a bit hard to tell from the angle they showed, but are defender was adamant she didn’t touch it, and that’s the sort of thing you would know. They only showed one replay and it wasn’t from an angle you could tell.
It didn’t wind up mattering, but at the time the game was close enough that I was upset they didn’t review it, and it was followed a few plays later by Jones’ “charge”.
On the other hand, there were probably a few times when we could have been whistled for a foul, but the refs called it a tie up.
It’s the kind of game where you are glad the margin was large so that the refs didn’t have a chance to make a difference.
BC
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
jonnyss - 03-21-2022
(03-20-2022, 11:12 PM)TheWildJacko Wrote: Great points. Rewatching now, what is also impressive to me is how much Lexie works to get open on offense. Over and over she cuts in towards the basket and then pops back out to the arc, gets the pass and hits the shot. Or starts to pop out to the arc, then changes direction and cuts towards the basket for a backdoor layup. Her defenders just can’t keep up because she never stops moving.
wildjacko reminded me yesterday of a different kind of great performance: candice wiggins' 41 points against kristi tolliver's 36 points for maryland in 2008. great in a different way: the game was super close, and it was 2 great players matching up.
RE: WBB: Stanford 91 Kansas 65 Lexie with 36 in last Maples game -
TheWildJacko - 03-21-2022
(03-21-2022, 07:55 AM)jonnyss Wrote: (03-20-2022, 11:12 PM)TheWildJacko Wrote: Great points. Rewatching now, what is also impressive to me is how much Lexie works to get open on offense. Over and over she cuts in towards the basket and then pops back out to the arc, gets the pass and hits the shot. Or starts to pop out to the arc, then changes direction and cuts towards the basket for a backdoor layup. Her defenders just can’t keep up because she never stops moving.
wildjacko reminded me yesterday of a different kind of great performance: candice wiggins' 41 points against kristi tolliver's 36 points for maryland in 2008. great in a different way: the game was super close, and it was 2 great players matching up.
Yes, that game was classic! BTW, if anyone has a recording of that game, I would LOVE to get my hands on a copy.