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WBB: Stanford 90 FGCU 70 sweet sixteen bound! - 81alum - 03-18-2018

Preview:
We have actually played the FGCU Eagles once before--a Chiney led team beat them during the Puerta Vallarta tournament in November 2013.  It was Tara's 900th win.  But everyone but the coaches on both teams has changed, and FGCU is an exceptionally dangerous, unorthodox team.  The slogan on their T-shirts is "raining threes" and it is not bluster.  Kiana Williams is our most prolific three point shooter with 69, and no one else has half that many.  FGCU has players who have made 88, 71, 59, 52, and 50 treys.  They have several players shooting them above 40%, and they average [i]36% as a team! So it is obvious that perimeter defense is critical.  But that is what Missouri thought, and Missouri got burned.  It will be a very difficult defensive challenge for us.  Meanwhile, FGCU pinned their defense on disrupting passes and blocking out.  Despite the humongous height disadvantage they rebounded nearly as well as Missouri. 
[/i]
Overview:
Rebounding rebounding!  We had 55 and they had 19.  +34 rebounds will make up for a multitude of ills, such as our 18 turnovers.  A sagging man defense that deliberately left the Eagle's only poor three point shooter open, and Alanna Smith's strongest game in months, helped us beat the best three point shooting team in the nation.

Flow of the Game:
A decent crowd turned out for Britt and Kaylee's last game at Maples, and the dueling bands, two sets of cheerleaders, and the Dollies kept us entertained when the ball was not bouncing.  The officiating had a few strange calls and provoked some lusty booing, but it did not seem to be manifestly unfair in one direction or the other.  The tension though was very high, and the fact that we got off to a fast start really helped to calm nerves and settle us in to a business-like game.

One of the best first quarters we have played all year--perhaps in several years--was followed by a dreadful second quarter.  In the first quarter we scored 33 points on astronomically high percentage shooting.  We began with an Alanna midrange jumper, a FGCU miss and an Alanna rebound, then a Kaylee layup +1.  After an exchange of misses Alana made another jumper for a 7-0 lead and FGCU called a timeout as the crowd roared its approval.  FGCU then made three treys in rapid succession to tie the score at 9, and the crowd began to realize what kind of team we were up against.  But virtually every shot we threw up went in--including free throws by Marta, treys by DiJonai and Kiana, a putback by Maya, and on and on.  I looked up at the scoreboard and we were somehow ahead 33-17 after finishing on an 8-0 run.

The second quarter was bad, but fortunately not quite as bad as the first quarter was good.  FGCU did not really do better with its offense, but our offense stalled and scored only 10 points--less than 1/3 what we scored in the first quarter.  Meanwhile FGCU continued with its rain of threes, making 4 of them in a modest span, and also a couple of layups and some free throws and cut into our margin.  We were up 43-35 at the half and the game certainly seemed in doubt.  At the half I thought another quarter like the first and we will win the game, but an another quarter like the second and we will lose it.

The third quarter, fortunately, went much better than the 2nd.  We continued to hound the boards, giving FGCU almost no second chances, while giving ourselves plenty of them.  FGCU played Missouri almost even on the boards, but we had the biggest rebounding margin I think I have ever seen us accumulare, +34.  Britt, who had been quiet offensively, began to make layups, and Alanna, who had been making layups began to stroke her treys.  Marta also unloaded a trey.  FGCU also began to get more and more players into foul trouble.  It seems their effective defense in the 2nd quarter was costly to them in terms of fouls.  The quarter ended after DiJonai made a nice trey on an assist from Kaylee, and we led 66-48. 

The fourth quarter saw China Dow drain four treys in her last college game, and FGCU fought hard until the end.  But Alanna made another trey and then nearly everyone on the floor made at least one layup--FCGU looked like they had been run ragged by the Princeton and were beginning to become unable to keep up, and we scored 24 to close out the game 90-70.

Performances:
Tara showed her genius once again with her defensive strategy.  We did not go small--Kaylee and Alanna were on the floor most of the time and they would come to the perimeter and use their length to disrupt three point shots.  Our smaller guards played most of the FGCU players as closely as they could, but sometimes when they got stuck on screens they left open shots.  Kiana got burned on a couple of them, fouled a screener once as she tried to push through, and sometimes got victimized as her mark just shot over her head.  But if we were guarding the perimeter so closely, why didn't FGCU drive on us the way they did against Missouri?  Because we always sagged off of one FGCU player to keep someone closer to the basket for help.  The player we deliberately left open was mostly #42 who shoots 23% of her threes.  When she got the ball on the perimeter you could see our players backing away from her and practically daring her to shoot it.  It seems to have worked.  #42 was 0/5 for the night, 0/4 from three point range, and more importantly her defender was available to shut down driving lanes.

Our gigantic rebounding advantage showed up in points--we had 19 second chance points to their 3.  We also had 40 points in the paint to their 12.  I think that answers the question as to whether we could shut down the lanes.  We had 7 blocks to their 1--several of those coming when FGCU did try to drive to the rim.  We shot treys at a higher percentage than they did--a whopping 53% to their 37%.  But 37% is very high and they made 17 treys against us--they deserved their reputation.

In Kaylee Johnson's last game at Maples she turned in a fine performance, with 6 points, her trademark 12 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks.

In Brittany McPhee's last game at Maples she turned in a fine performance, with 17 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. 

Alanna Smith was the point leader with 28 points on 11/21 shooting and a wonderful 4/7 from three, along with 12 rebounds for a double double.  This was the best we have seen her play in months. 

Dijonai Carrington had 14 points off the bench and 2/2 from long range, and excellent defense, to go with 5 rebounds and 2 steals in only 20 minutes.

Kiana Williams was also in double digits with 12 points and a team leading 6 assists to 1 turnover.

Marta Sniezek made 5/6 of her free throws and contribute 8 points and 4 assists.

Maya Dodson got into the game and impressively snagged 3 O-boards, put one back, and blocked 2 shots.  Not bad for 11 minutes.

Conclusion:
I lingered a bit after the game, though I usually rush home to get the write-up done.  These last home games are always bittersweet.  The players begin to feel like family--falsely of course, since we know them only in their public personas.  But fans do feel an emotional bond, though it is one-way, and the normal cycle of college breaks that bond once a year as several young women graduate and move ahead with their lives.  We will see Brittany McPhee and Kaylee Johnson on television for at least one more game, but never again as players in Maples.  They have each contributed to our pleasure as fans, and I wish them very well.  Of course, nothing would please me more than to see them win a few more games, but if they do it will be far away from here.

Re: WBB: Stanford vs. FGCU Monday 6:00 - JJJ - 03-18-2018

Press conference from FB page:

http://www.facebook.com/StanfordWBB/videos/10156320931879885/?notif_id=1521405070882834&notif_t=live_video

Re: WBB: Stanford vs. FGCU Monday 6:00 - 81alum - 03-18-2018

(03-18-2018, 02:38 PM)JJJ link Wrote:  Press conference from FB page:

http://www.facebook.com/StanfordWBB/videos/10156320931879885/?notif_id=1521405070882834&notif_t=live_video
Thanks!

Hah!  First question to Tara was how she planned to stop both the three point shot and the layup, and she answered "We have a plan and we will see if it works tomorrow."  Not giving anything away. 

Tara gave a long answer about the FGCU offense and she is impressed.  "It is not one dimensional" she said.  With all the three point shooters you have to guard them and come out to the perimeter, and that opens up the offense for movement.  For example, FGCU has won several big games without shooting a lot of threes.

Re: WBB: Stanford vs. FGCU Monday 6:00 - JJJ - 03-18-2018

(03-18-2018, 03:03 PM)81alum link Wrote:  [quote author=JJJ link=topic=18887.msg226182#msg226182 date=1521409132]
Press conference from FB page:

http://www.facebook.com/StanfordWBB/videos/10156320931879885/?notif_id=1521405070882834&notif_t=live_video
Thanks!

Hah!  First question to Tara was how she planned to stop both the three point shot and the layup, and she answered "We have a plan and we will see if it works tomorrow."  Not giving anything away. 

Tara gave a long answer about the FGCU offense and she is impressed.  "It is not one dimensional" she said.  With all the three point shooters you have to guard them and come out to the perimeter, and that opens up the offense for movement.  For example, FGCU has won several big games without shooting a lot of threes.
[/quote]
I think you're the one that deserves the thanks for all your write-ups!
I'm enjoying the ride this team, and the men too, are giving us!

Re: WBB: Stanford vs. FGCU Monday 6:00 - 81alum - 03-18-2018

So what do you all think Tara will come up with to try to stop FGCU's offense?

The problem is obvious--because all five players they put on the floor are proficient three point shooters, they all have to be guarded at the perimeter.  But if we guard them at the perimeter they become a threat to beat their defender and get a layup.

At the press conference today Tara was asked this question and simply said that we would have a scheme and we would see if it worked when we tried it.  She also said that before we played them 4 years ago she had never seen this particular scheme and that our players had been warned that it would be a very unusual game.

So who has a guess on what we will do on the defensive end?  Having a big shot blocker around the basket at all times would cut down on those layups, but that would mean leaving someone open on the perimeter.  I almost wonder about some sort of weird 4-1 zone.  Something unorthodox to stop something unorthodox.

On the offensive end I think we need to find a way of getting and converting lots of O-boards against this short team.  But Mizzou did not--FGCU boxed out extremely well with their smaller players. 

Re: WBB: Stanford vs. FGCU Monday 6:00 - FarmDad.01 - 03-18-2018

My guess: Defend FGCU's (quite short) sharpshooters out to the 3-pt line, but no further. If, in the first half, they convert better than 33% from longer range, adjust at halftime.

Re: WBB: Stanford vs. FGCU Monday 6:00 - TheFarm07 - 03-18-2018

Well I hope we won't have opportunities to get too many o-boards, simply because I hope all our first shots go in. :)

Maybe looking at FGCU's losses and see what those teams did to get the win might help and Tara probably has done this.

We've had a couple common opponents and I'm just looking at the box score, so obviously that doesn't tell the whole picture.

Against OSU, the Buckeyes blew them away winning by 42 pts. Mitchell had 34 pts, but she's a high scorer. But between her and Harper, they were an efficient 19/27 for 51 pts against FGCU. FGCU attempted 42 3-pointers and made one-third of them. They also turned the ball over 17 times. OSU also outrebounded them 47-29

Against Belmont, it looks like the guards were pretty successful against FGCU again. Belmont's Smith and Maggard combined for 44 pts on 18/34 shooting. Again, FGCU lost the rebounding battle 40-29.

This is an extremely cursory and shallow glance and I would believe the scouting effort will look to see what teams have done to be successful against them this season, but there's a possible pattern.

I would have to imagine a quicker and by that emphasis, smaller lineup, IMHO. As 81 pointed out, our defense needs to prevent them from hitting the 3-pointer but we have to keep up with them when they try to drive. So a suggested defense of Sniezek, Williams, McPhee, Carrington and Smith might see the bulk of the minutes. Who else is quick and agile on defense? Romano?

On the offensive end, do they play a lot of zone? If they don't, I could see us getting the ball inside, either Alanna in the post or drives by McPhee to score.

Re: WBB: Stanford vs. FGCU Monday 6:00 - 81alum - 03-18-2018

They play mostly man--at least they have so far.  At the presser one of our players was noting that most teams don't like to play 5 on 5 man against us--an allusion to the Princeton and the frustration of keeping up with it.  So my guess is we will just run our Princeton until we see what they do to try to stop it.  They seem to be aggressive enough on defense to cut off passing lanes and usually provoke a lot more turnovers than they give away.  But the Princeton is often quite good against overly aggressive man defenses--at the very least all that running around slows them down over the course of the game.

It is our defense of them that should be interesting. 


Re: WBB: Stanford vs. FGCU Monday 6:00 - JJJ - 03-18-2018

I believe Romano is one of our more tenacious defenders and would love it if she got some extended PT.

Re: WBB: Stanford vs. FGCU Monday 6:00 - 81alum - 03-19-2018

A nice article about Anna Wilson is out today.  More details about her injuries.

https://www.sfgate.com/collegesports/article/Stanford-s-hard-luck-Wilson-watches-the-Big-12762719.php

Quote:"She has great basketball instincts, a strong body,” head coach Tara VanDerveer said. “You saw what she’s capable of in (the Ohio State) game.  She was an outstanding high school player, but in college if you can’t work, if you can’t get in great shape, if you can’t get on the court, then people are passing you by. She needs a ton of reps. She needs a great offseason.”


Re: WBB: Stanford vs. FGCU Monday 6:00 - TheFarm07 - 03-19-2018

We lead 33-17 (I can't believe this thread was buried on the 2nd page--busy sports day for Stanford apparently).

Our offense this quarter has been the best I've seen, accurate shooting, sharp passes and exploiting mismatches inside. We are shooting a UConn-like 70% with Smith a perfect 6/6 from the field for 13 pts. Best yet, we scored 33 pts and our best offensive player McPhee only has 2 and it's not like she's been shut down. The whole team has been superb.

Defensively, FGCU is 5/14 from 3 pt range.

Oh, we also outrebounded them 16-2.

Let's keep it up!!

Re: WBB: Stanford vs. FGCU Monday 6:00 - CompSci87 - 03-19-2018

Terrible 2nd quarter as our offense stagnated, under increased defensive pressure by the munchkins, plus perhaps a letdown in effort and alertness. 43-35 at half.

Re: WBB: Stanford vs. FGCU Monday 6:00 - mbdude - 03-19-2018

it did seem as offensive intensity deteriorated. 10 turnovers - some very poor lazy passes

Re: WBB: Stanford vs. FGCU Monday 6:00 - TheFarm07 - 03-19-2018

We lead 43-35 at the half. That half was the season in a nutshell. A fantastic first quarter followed by a second quarter that wanted me to rip out all my hair. After exploding for 33 pts in the first ten, we barely made it into double digits in the second 10 mins. Turnovers and silly mistakes, amateur hour at the best.

In the back of my mind, I knew that our offense the first quarter was a brobdingnagian anomaly and we probably would revert as we have done so.

So, that thought came true, as we only mustered 4 points in the first 5 minutes of the second quarter. I knew we wouldn't be shooting 70% all game long, but as typical, we took the foot off the gas pedal and committed silly turnovers and head-scratching mistakes, trying to force our way through double teams and errant passes.

FGCU is an extremely dangerous team, we cannot let them back in the game. That has been the most frustrating thing about our team. We cannot build on big leads, there's always too much of a swing the other way.

This is one and done. A few bad calls or a few shots in a row and you can see what was once a big lead change into a tied game and then anything can happen. A 18-pt lead dwindled to 5 points at one point and we are now only up by 8 at half.

Yea, FGCU picked it up, but it's as if every time a team comes back, we are surprised to see a rally. We start making bad decisions offensively and you know you can't completely shut down a team like FGCU for the entire 40 minutes.

Re: WBB: Stanford vs. FGCU Monday 6:00 - CompSci87 - 03-19-2018

3rd quarter better so far, but still some sloppiness. One stat I love: FGCU 3-point percentage is 37%... Stanford 60%.

Re: WBB: Stanford vs. FGCU Monday 6:00 - TheFarm07 - 03-19-2018

We lead 66-48 after three. That was a much better quarter coming out of the halftime break. We scored 23 and limited FGCU to just 13. We are limiting them to 33% shooting from long range, while hitting 50% ourselves.

I think we just need fast breaks to fuel our offense for layups. When we get into a halfcourt set with a big lead, we just are not that crisp because we seem to want to waste time and/or attempt low percentage shots/passes.

Re: WBB: Stanford vs. FGCU Monday 6:00 - TheFarm07 - 03-19-2018

We win 90-70 in a game that shouldn't have been frustrating as the final score would indicate.

Positives:

- Alanna Smith has found her grove, starting the game a perfect 7/7 and ending up with a double double (28 pts, 12 rebounds)
- Our offense, fueled by steals and turnovers, for 3 quarters, showed that we are capable of scoring more than 60-70 points, finished with 3 of 4 quarters scoring at least 23 pts.
- Four players in double figures. McPhee had 17 pts and only needed 1 more rebound for a double-double for herself, but Kiana had 12 pts and Carrington had 14 pts.
- Our defense. Even though FGCU made 17 3-pointers, we locked them down when necessary, especially when our offense was struggling. We used our size, blocking 7 shots and outrebounding them 55-17.

Negatives:

- Our inability to build a lead. The second quarter was 10 minutes of torture sandwiched between three quarters of excellent play. I don't know what happened, but I've seen that show too many times in the past. We had traces of it early in the fourth after we expanded the lead back to 18. One consequence of not building a lead is that we are forced to play our starters longer, especially to keep an explosive team like FGCU from coming back. Alanna had an injury scare deep in the fourth when she should have been already on the bench if we had a bigger lead. Hopefully, it was just a tweak, but that's the very real risk when you can't expand a lead from 15-20 to 25-30 and beyond.
- 18 turnovers, a lot of them during our cold phase. Still too many unforced errors, whether it's ill-advised passes or forcing something that leads to an offensive rebound. Play with aggression, but not recklessness.

Re: WBB: Stanford 90 FGCU 70 sweet sixteen bound! - JJJ - 03-19-2018

Presser:

http://www.facebook.com/StanfordWBB/videos/10156324731094885/

Re: WBB: Stanford 90 FGCU 70 sweet sixteen bound! - 81alum - 03-19-2018

The write-up is finished at the top.  Highlights: +34 on rebounds and +16 on second chance points.

Re: WBB: Stanford 90 FGCU 70 sweet sixteen bound! - JJJ - 03-19-2018

from gostanford.com:

http://gostanford.com/news/2018/3/19/womens-basketball-sweet-again.aspx

No big deal but the stats here seem to indicate an even wider rebounding differential.