01-10-2014, 08:16 PM
Overview:
Chiney shot jumpers from all over the court, including her first trey of the season, to score 30 points, and Amber made a return to offensive form with 14 points made off of two treys and several lighting fast darts to the basket.
Flow of the game
The flow of the game was all Stanford. There was not much of a horse race to call.  The usual starters started, but nearly everyone eventually got to play. Stanford got out in front rapidly by making four shots in a row. Sara James hit a couple of treys, and Ruef began to hit uncontested midrange jumpers that (uncharacteristically) swished all net, and Chiney rapidly established that she would take and hit jumpers. The lead stretched to the 20-30 range when Utah star Plouffe got into foul trouble, and bounced around the 20s for the rest of the game. Lili took a nasty elbow to the face and had to ice her jaw, but did come back into the game, so I was relieved that there seems not to have been a serious injury.
Utah has a history of holding the Stanford offense down, probably because they usually have good posts who can keep Chiney somewhat in check. But this year Chiney was shooting unmolested jumpers and usually making them (13/17), which completely threw the Utah defense for a loop. To add to that problem, we also were 8/14 from three point range. If this torrid three point shooting keeps up we will be unstoppable anywhere this side of Connecticut. But I keep reminding myself that shooting treys is streaky--even for whole teams.
The offense really seemed to click, passing was crisp. There were 23 assists on 35 made baskets. A few of the other baskets were probably Amber going coast-to-coast. 11 players scored. All in all, a very satisfying offensive performance.
Performances
Chiney is still on pace to break the all-time record for points at Stanford by adding this 30 point performance. Amber dished out 6 assists to 0 turnovers. She has become a very reliable ball handler. Ruef's jumper just looked great, and she snagged a career high 14 rebounds.Â
But here is a strange and somewhat disturbing stat: we made 57% of our three point shots but only 53% of our free throws. This is turning into what may be the worst free throw shooting season in our history. At 63.8% Stanford is ranked #286 in the nation in team free throw%. Last year we were 71.8% and ranked 88th. Two years ago we were 76.2 and ranked 15th.
Brianna Roberson played 10 minutes and does look very fast. Tess got a basket--points 5 and 6 on her season. Karlie had an amazing steal that she plucked out of the upraised hands of a Utah player.Â
Of some concern--I did not see Erica McCall. I wonder if she is OK and if she made the trip. Kailee Johnson picked up 4 fouls in 16 minutes of play. Our frosh bigs seem to be having problems adjusting to the college level on defense. Chiney did, too, as I recall, and fouled out a few times her first year.
Parting thoughts
This was almost too easy. The game at Colorado on Sunday may be the most difficult Pac12 game we will play this season. Colorado is playing quite well and is in its own house--and there won't be a return visit to Maples. Setting that aside, though, this was one of the most complete offensive games we have played, and I think we are beginning to see the team jell around the scheme and execute with confidence. Now, just make those free throws!
Chiney shot jumpers from all over the court, including her first trey of the season, to score 30 points, and Amber made a return to offensive form with 14 points made off of two treys and several lighting fast darts to the basket.
Flow of the game
The flow of the game was all Stanford. There was not much of a horse race to call.  The usual starters started, but nearly everyone eventually got to play. Stanford got out in front rapidly by making four shots in a row. Sara James hit a couple of treys, and Ruef began to hit uncontested midrange jumpers that (uncharacteristically) swished all net, and Chiney rapidly established that she would take and hit jumpers. The lead stretched to the 20-30 range when Utah star Plouffe got into foul trouble, and bounced around the 20s for the rest of the game. Lili took a nasty elbow to the face and had to ice her jaw, but did come back into the game, so I was relieved that there seems not to have been a serious injury.
Utah has a history of holding the Stanford offense down, probably because they usually have good posts who can keep Chiney somewhat in check. But this year Chiney was shooting unmolested jumpers and usually making them (13/17), which completely threw the Utah defense for a loop. To add to that problem, we also were 8/14 from three point range. If this torrid three point shooting keeps up we will be unstoppable anywhere this side of Connecticut. But I keep reminding myself that shooting treys is streaky--even for whole teams.
The offense really seemed to click, passing was crisp. There were 23 assists on 35 made baskets. A few of the other baskets were probably Amber going coast-to-coast. 11 players scored. All in all, a very satisfying offensive performance.
Performances
Chiney is still on pace to break the all-time record for points at Stanford by adding this 30 point performance. Amber dished out 6 assists to 0 turnovers. She has become a very reliable ball handler. Ruef's jumper just looked great, and she snagged a career high 14 rebounds.Â
But here is a strange and somewhat disturbing stat: we made 57% of our three point shots but only 53% of our free throws. This is turning into what may be the worst free throw shooting season in our history. At 63.8% Stanford is ranked #286 in the nation in team free throw%. Last year we were 71.8% and ranked 88th. Two years ago we were 76.2 and ranked 15th.
Brianna Roberson played 10 minutes and does look very fast. Tess got a basket--points 5 and 6 on her season. Karlie had an amazing steal that she plucked out of the upraised hands of a Utah player.Â
Of some concern--I did not see Erica McCall. I wonder if she is OK and if she made the trip. Kailee Johnson picked up 4 fouls in 16 minutes of play. Our frosh bigs seem to be having problems adjusting to the college level on defense. Chiney did, too, as I recall, and fouled out a few times her first year.
Parting thoughts
This was almost too easy. The game at Colorado on Sunday may be the most difficult Pac12 game we will play this season. Colorado is playing quite well and is in its own house--and there won't be a return visit to Maples. Setting that aside, though, this was one of the most complete offensive games we have played, and I think we are beginning to see the team jell around the scheme and execute with confidence. Now, just make those free throws!


