[Griffins78]

This has been a multi-year project. The coaching staff has tried many different strategies and continues to refine them. Having to deal with increasingly quick, aggressive teams' press has helped us get better at combating it to the point that this year - it seems that teams are doing it less. There are times, we burn them too (Nneka to Toni against UCLA) - which is important to keeping them from trying.

Toni has been the key - her speed, quickness, and vision have been a big part of our ability to beat the press. Amber and our other freshmen guards also give us that ability. Also - we've used big, athletic bigs that can dribble and pass, e.g, Kayla, Nneka, Chiney, Taylor - because it is more difficult to trap and shield them.

Now teams are using it selectively as you say - in the second half or at the end of the game or when we don't have the right personnel in the game - which is smart. Its a chess match and Tara will have to figure out how to adjust.

[Griffins78]

This has been a multi-year project. The coaching staff has tried many different strategies and continues to refine them. Having to deal with increasingly quick, aggressive teams' press has helped us get better at combating it to the point that this year - it seems that teams are doing it less. There are times, we burn them too (Nneka to Toni against UCLA) - which is important to keeping them from trying.

Toni has been the key - her speed, quickness, and vision have been a big part of our ability to beat the press. Amber and our other freshmen guards also give us that ability. Also - we've used big, athletic bigs that can dribble and pass, e.g, Kayla, Nneka, Chiney, Taylor - because it is more difficult to trap and shield them.

Now teams are using it selectively as you say - in the second half or at the end of the game or when we don't have the right personnel in the game - which is smart. Its a chess match and Tara will have to figure out how to adjust.