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WBB: Stanford 74 UNC 65 in storybook Maples finale for Ruef - Printable Version

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WBB: Stanford 74 UNC 65 in storybook Maples finale for Ruef - 81alum - 04-01-2014

Overview:
This was the most exhilarating sporting event I have attended in my life, with Maples nearly packed with ardent fans of this team, all of us knowing this was the last game in Maples for Chiney, Mikaela, and Sara.  Mikaela played the game of her life and won the MVP award for the tournament.  UNC shot the lights out in the first half from three point range and put our hopes in serious jeopardy, but the fans seemed to will the team on, roaring deliriously with every steal, block, defensive stop, and made shot.  Finally we pulled ahead deep in the second half, only to lose the lead again temporarily, and then finally to regain it and assure a trip to the final four.

I was very much afraid that the weekday night and the early start would diminish attendance, but it seemed to me that there were only a smattering of empty seats--which could have been purchased by South Carolina or Penn State fans.  The house was effectively full.  Even better, people were prepared to make noise.  They applauded and yelled profusely at every opportunity, including when we were down.  I have never seen a WBB crowd behave like this.  The fans clearly knew that something special was in the air--that our team really seemed to need our help to get over this hump--and that there would never be another opportunity to let Chiney, Mikaela, Sara, and Toni know our appreciation.

Flow of the Game
UNC has been famous for its tenacious man defense this year, with lots of steals, but they seem to have caught Tara by surprise in the first half with a man that clogged the paint and denied the entry passes in to Chiney, and a much more liberal sprinkling of zone than is normal for them.  This should not have taken us by surprise, since they did show some zone against South Carolina.  But I got the feeling that they were doing to us exactly what we did to Florida State--caught us completely unprepared for their surprise defense.

But it was not all their doing.  It was only after the second or third blown referee call that I actually noticed that the referee looked a lot like Missy Barlow.  OMG.  It was Missy Barlow.  Chiney was almost completely stymied in the first half, because even when she got the ball the UNC posts simply pushed her with their bodies.  It was exactly what UCLA did to her in the Pac 12 tournament final last year.  I had a clear view of several of the most egregious non-calls.  So long as Chiney did not have the ball it was sumo wrestling.  When she did have the ball they could do anything they pleased without their arms.  Even worse, when Chiney drove on the basket she got called for charging when the UNC players were clearly moving.  I was seriously thinking of what kind of write-up I would post here if we lost.  I decided the whole write up would be as follows: "We played our hearts out.  Missy refereed.  We lost."

But while we were stymied on offense, UNC got extremely hot from three point range.  In fact, they hit 5 consecutive three point jumpers without a miss in less than three minutes.  Allisha Gray proved to be every bit the perimeter threat I feared--she really outclassed Diamond DeShields as a pure shooter.  With every UNC shot seemingly on a string and with UNC shutting down Chiney with an assist from Missy, things were looking bleak.  About 10 minutes into the game we were down by 13 and did not seem to have any capacity to catch up.  Only Amber was keeping some offense going--she made three 2s and two 3s in the first half.

Even at our low ebb the crowd was cheering, trying to rejuvenate the team's energy.  A key moment came when Mikaela Ruef hit a three point jumper.  Prior to that she was 2/13 for the season--almost always on desperation shots with the shot clock about to expire.  She went on to hit two more treys in the game, and each one broke another vertebrae in the NC back.  With some more help from Amber and finally a layup from Chiney, we managed to close the gap to six points at the half, and all of us were praying that Tara could make some defensive AND offensive adjustments.

After halftime, Ruef quickly made another trey, as did Lili, but UNC also got a couple of quick baskets.  It did not seem as if our defense was doing any better, although we started off in a zone defense.  As much as we liked Mikaela's three pointer, all of us knew that we would never win the game by relying on Ruef treys.  But then Ruef hit a third trey--and in one game exceeded her total for the rest of the year.  I think those three shots did not win the game on their own, but they sent a powerful message to the rest of the team.  If Mikeaela was going do something so extraordinary, almost as if she were willing the team to victory, then everyone else could certainly pick it up a notch or two to honor her efforts.  And sure enough, everyone did.

Chiney reeled off three straight layups, one assisted by Amber, one assisted by Mikaela, and one assisted by Lili.  She finally seemed to be getting position and getting behind the UNC defense.  Those three layups gave us the lead, and by the time Bonnie hit her next trey we were up 6.  We traded jumpers but UNC made a small run keyed by some questionable fouls and took a 1 point lead with 4 minutes left after a three point jumper by a bench player.

The next four minutes went by in a delirium.  Lili made two key jumpers, in each case the ball hit the front of the rim and barely rolled over and went down.  Chiney made a beautiful layup after a bullet feed from Ruef that brought the crowd to its feet--to stay there for the rest of the game.  Bonnie and Chiney made free throws and Amber turned a Diamond DeShields turnover into a nifty layup-and-one, and the game ended  in a 9 point win.  That margin was grossly deceptive about the rigor of the struggle that was required to obtain this victory.


Re: WBB: Stanford 74 UNC 65 in storybook Maples finale for Ruef - BostonCard - 04-01-2014

Great game, and way to go Mikaela.  You need players to step up when they had to, and I am glad Sara, Mikaela, and Lilli did over the last couple days.  Chiney was, of course a given.  That being said, I'm not sure that depending on a player who is 2/13 in three pointers all season to hit three of them in a game is a winning strategy long term.  We better have the game of our lives on Sunday.

BC

Re: WBB: Stanford 74 UNC 65 in storybook Maples finale for Ruef - 81alum - 04-01-2014

Performances:
Mikaela Ruef, how we have grown to love you.  You just got better and better all year.  Today you finished with 17 points, and you led Chiney for much of the game.  3/5 from three point range--as I said, more than doubling your annual total.  Add to that 9 rebounds against one of the toughest rebounding teams we have seen, and 3 critical assists.  Seeing you win the tournament MVP was one of the most heartwarming moments I have felt.  (Oddly, the other one I remember was when Grace Mashore made her first trey of her senior year on her farewell appearance on senior day.  A standing ovation for her that day.)  Those three Ruef bombs were worth much, much more than 9 points.  I think they salvaged the game and a trip to the final four, by inspiring your teammates to focus.

Chiney Ogwumike, I must have written more than a hundred posts about you, all too often unfairly saying "Chiney did her usual thing and got (ridiculously high number of points) on (ridiculously high percent) shooting and pulled down (ridiculously high) number of rebounds, all while being the epitome of a team leader.  I don't know what exactly was going on in the first half, but I now believe your father when he said that "Ogwumike" means "warrior."  It looked to me as if you were fighting through some sort of adversity--I thought you may have sounded congested at the press conference, but at the least you were battling talented players who keyed on you and an  untalented referee who didn't.  Still, by the end of the game you had solved the puzzle, and collected 20 points and 10 rebounds.  That series of three layups late in the second half really sealed the deal.

Amber Orrange.  You were all that stood between us and a complete meltdown in the first half.  Your twelve points kept us in the game, kept us scoring at least some while the team tried to figure out how to get on track.  Your 14 points and 4 assists were critical, and the fact that you had only 1 turnover against one of the best stealing teams in the country was essential and remarkable.

Lili Thompson.  You had tough defensive assignments and still scraped together 10 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals.  I am so happy we will have your around for a few more years.  And of course, we probably would not have been playing this game at all if not for your superb work in the Penn State game.

Bonnie Samuelson.  13 points, 4 rebounds, a couple of assists, and a whole lot of defense against quicker and bigger players.  Very impressive.  You did not get discouraged when several of your shots did not go down in the first half, but you kept shooting, and sure enough, they finally began to drop.  You are a more mature shooter than two years ago--less streaky and more reliable.  Your presence on the court changes the defense and makes it easier for your teammates.

Sara James.  Sara, your whole stat sheet was nearly blank, but you have never been about stats, but about heart.  And you showed that in a major way in the few short minutes you played, getting that early steal on yet another classic Sej hustle play.  I have so appreciated your spirit here at Stanford, and of course am regretful that your health prevented you from realizing your full physical potential.  But your spirit and grit helped your teammates play at a much higher level, and that kind of leadership contributed in countless ways to our successful season.

Parting Thoughts
I'm not going to think too much about UConn.  We did not play them all that badly in the Fall, and we are a vastly different team today than we were then.  Of course, they are improved too, but it is hard to know how a match up will go.  Tara is always at her best on the first game of a weekend tourney, since she does such a good job scouting and preparing.  So I expect we will play respectably and give them a game, and if we can do that, anything can happen.  Connecticut will feel much more pressure than we will if they ever get seriously threatened.

But here is where my mind is at--we got to see several cherished players win their last game at Maples, and they took us on a thrilling ride to do so.  Anything more for me is icing.  And so it is good bye to Chiney, Mikaela, Sara, and of course Toni.  You have all had a role in brightening the little basketball niche in my life, and I thank you for all the wonderful afternoons and evenings at Maples. 

Now go beat the Genodawgs!


Re: WBB: Stanford 74 UNC 65 in storybook Maples finale for Ruef - sheriand - 04-01-2014

Wow!  That was really amazing!  Such a great atmosphere in Maples.  The energy level was incredible.  Really great write-ups, 81alum, thank you!!  I was so happy for Mikaela to get this special recognition at the end.  I remember Bobby Kelsey remarking that Mikaela was a "special project" of hers years ago, because Mikaela was so unfocused.  I hope Bobby watched tonight's game!    So proud of this team and I've booked our flights to Nashville.  Who will be there?

Re: WBB: Stanford 74 UNC 65 in storybook Maples finale for Ruef - Jskass - 04-01-2014

agreed it was an amazing environment, with a crowd that was relentlessly unwilling to stop urging the team on to greatness...I loved
Chiney's comments about heart, and the mental toughness of this team. The physical conditioning also must have helped! Congrats to the entire team for a job very well done and for the patient confidence and work ethic to persist, as well as to the coaching staff for good halftime adjustments.

We have absolutely nothing to lose against UConn -- no one but us thinks we have a chance, so we can be relaxed and just go for it..."why not us?"

Re: WBB: Stanford 74 UNC 65 in storybook Maples finale for Ruef - Griffins78 - 04-01-2014

Agreed - great writeup(s) 81alum. Do think the fans and home court helped make a difference too. Kudos to all the fans cheering and willing the team to win. 5 players in double figures. Every basket counted.

So very happy for Mikaela Ruef. She has come so far through her career at Stanford. I followed her in her senior year in high school because a client was in Ohio and followed her throughout her high school. She was shy and quiet and awkward as a freshman. To see her showing her emotion on the court and her intelligence off the court has been heart warming to see. Her whole body yells and celebrates when she makes a big basket. I was shocked when she won the MVP of the tournament. Not because she won, I've been saying how big a role she has been playing this and last year. But because she doesn't get much recognition. I was so happy she finally did - in her last game at Maples. Good for Mikaela.

and wbbfan - we're going to Nashville. To be honest, we booked our hotel and flights a long time ago. We booked an extra hotel room at the Loews Hotel next to Vanderbilt that you're welcome to. 5 nights at $145.33 + tax.

any believers out there? - TrumpCard - 04-02-2014

Before the UNC game, I suggested that WBB is one of Stanford's best chances to keep the streak of national championships alive.  Are there more believers out there now?  The UConn will be tough, but with Ochonwa out, the NC could end up being anti-climactic for the winner.   

Re: WBB: Stanford 74 UNC 65 in storybook Maples finale for Ruef - Kathy - 04-02-2014

One game at a time.
Beat UConn!

Re: WBB: Stanford 74 UNC 65 in storybook Maples finale for Ruef - teejers1 - 04-02-2014

The post-game celebration inside Maples was oh so sweet, too!

Loved the comments from Coach Tara and Chiney, and loved Chiney's reaction to Mikaela being named Regional's MOP.

Man, this team and this program are so easy to root for:  well done coaches and players!

Re: WBB: Stanford 74 UNC 65 in storybook Maples finale for Ruef - 81alum - 04-02-2014

Stanford just posted this video.  A well edited and very touching montage of last night:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4msHGjl-Ss&list=PLB8AF6966085FF2EA&index=2

I thought of particular interest was Tara's whiteboard before the game, where you can clearly read the whole game plan.  Going over that should provide some very interesting tidbits, including seeing what they were planning to do with each UNC player.

The most touching scenes are Chiney and Mikaela talking about their feelings at the press conference. I was left teary eyed.  In fact, this video is so positive that it even shows Missy Barlow making a GOOD call.  Look at the expression on Amber's face after she makes that fantastic layup with Chiney kneeling in front of her, at Bonnie's face after winning, or at Mikaela's after hitting her bombs. 

"It's unreal what just happened.  We have so much heart"  -- Chiney
"There's no greater feeling that I have had here in my entire time, and I'm so happy, words can't describe it, happy is not happy enough."  -- Mikaela

Re: WBB: Stanford 74 UNC 65 in storybook Maples finale for Ruef - 81alum - 04-02-2014

In case anyone is wondering why Chiney was bottled up in the first half but became her usual self in the second, North Carolina basically says it at their press conference:  the officiating changed.

Quote:XYLINA McDANIEL: Officiating to me was just inconsistent. Sometimes they let us battle in there and sometimes they'd call a foul. So you really didn't know when and where you could be physical. I mean, yeah, in my eyes it was just inconsistent.... I mean, the second half we couldn't play as hard as we wanted to in the post because I mean we did have -- I had two fouls in the first half. I believe Stephanie ended up having two fouls in the first half.  I mean, we're not going to be able to battle as hard as we wanted to, and that's what we do. We battle hard in the post to stop the post players so I mean, that helped them out a lot

Coach Calder:  I thought the game could have been more physical than it was actually played. We wanted to bang her more down inside. We banged her in the first half and they allowed us to do that, and we wanted to bang her more in the second half. "

Q. Just to clarify, you said you wanted to bang her or you thought you banged her in the first half or in the second half. You're talking about Ogwumike, right?

COACH CALDER: Yeah, we thought we could have banged her more.

http://www.gostanford.com/pdf9/2670818.pdf

What unsavory language, and what an unsavory strategy.  Any pity I felt for UNC just evaporated.  On the other hand, I do think they got the "inconsistency"
factor right.

All that said, they mentioned one other reason Chiney was able to do so much better in the second half--Mikaela's threes made it impossible to double team Chiney, since they had to send a post out to guard Mikaela.

Quote:COACH CALDER: Well, we play the percentages. You're going to have to look at it. I think Ruef made two threes all year. Is that right? Do you know? She made two all year and she made three tonight. We played the percentages. We backed off her in the first half and we were able to put somebody in front and behind Ogwumike, and that gave us a lot of confidence. Then she made a couple of threes, and that obviously changed the game when she was able to make those threes. So I thought that was big. Then that left single coverage down inside on Ogwumike, and we weren't able to handle her like we had wanted to in the second half."


Re: WBB: Stanford 74 UNC 65 in storybook Maples finale for Ruef - terry - 04-02-2014

Calder is a tool.

Re: WBB: Stanford 74 UNC 65 in storybook Maples finale for Ruef - CornFed - 04-02-2014

(04-02-2014, 05:27 PM)81alum link Wrote:What unsavory language, and what an unsavory strategy.  Any pity I felt for UNC just evaporated.

I agree with you 81alum, and "unsavory" is absolutely the perfect term.

Re: WBB: Stanford 74 UNC 65 in storybook Maples finale for Ruef - fullmetal - 04-02-2014

Did Calder previously coach the UNC women's soccer team?  I'm confused.  /sarcasm