[teejers1]

If that 25 footer doesn't go in for South Florida, we win the game and the mood on the board is way different. Looks like I'm definitely an outlier when it comes to confidence about this team. I would most certainly have preferred to win today, but all in all I'm pretty happy with where we are because a few things have happened that I personally think we need in place to be great:
1) Cam has to be a focal point of the offense and step into the role of being a legitimate threat all the time (i.e. no more games with 4 shots). This is a big step for her, it's happening, and I give her and the coaching staff credit for evolving. The other players have to adjust around that. It may mean less/no playing time for the other bigs. But it's necessary for the team to be great. Cam also has to stay on the court. Looks like she's learning how. 
2) Lacie needs to be the point guard (yes, this is my opinion and others feel differently I know). I won't elaborate any more as to why because I already have and don't want to sound like a broken record. For me, the decision isn't even close. 
3) We need to have Jump and others (today Demetre) hit threes. I think this is beginning to happen. We know Prechtel and Wilson can and will deliver from deep. I also think we'll get 3's from Cam and the Hulls, and maybe even Haley too as the season progresses.  With Cam being more of a threat down low and being a good passer, we'll get more open threes (a la her passes to Demetre and Lacie today). That is so tough to guard. Either double her and we get a 3 or don't and see if you can stop her with one defender. 

Some of the issues we've seen so far will simply go away on their own over time. They will start making their free throws at a reasonable %. It may not be 75%, but it will be more than 60%. Haley and Lexie will also return to their former selves (actually I'm kinda worried about Haley). When these things start to happen, we will be beating teams like Texas and USF by double digits. (South Carolina is another level above though. Gonna be tough to take them down, especially at their place).

My biggest question is can the players hang together through all this churning and find their on-court chemistry? This is not easy, for coaches or for players. But I do think Tara excels in this area and the players do trust her. They also benefit from knowing what it takes to be a champion. Not sure there's a better coach out there to handle such a large roster.

Stay tuned for a fun year. Really psyched to see what tomorrow will bring.

1.  I'm with mbdude and CardFan10Fan on NOT being a fan of the quick triggers from Tara.  Especially since it's applied in inconsistent manner (it's that kind of stuff that breeds claims of favoritism).  The truth of the matter is this: you can put any 5 players on Stanford's roster (assuming normal distribution of guards and posts) for 4-7 minute stretches, and they would be fine. These are all highly regarded hoopsters.  They just need confidence to play well; and it's impossible to develop confidence if you think one mistake is going to lead to an immediate pull.  

2.  Not sure how you can be so certain that Lacie is the best answer at PG when we haven't really seen other options (most notably JVG).

3.   On Haley, I also entertained notion of "the yips" as possible explanation.  But you can "play through it" in 20s of minutes (not 30s).

4.   I actually think the team will be good, including in March.  But you have to let the kids play, including through a mistake or two.  If everyone knew on the floor knew they'd be in for 4-5 minutes, minimum (barring foul trouble or something extraordinary), the quality of play would noticeably improve.  That's my firm belief, but it will never be put to the test.

5.  Cam is a good shooter.  How she clanged those 2 FTs (missing badly) in 1H was/is a complete mystery, and a pretty strong sign that things are just off right now.


P.S.  I'm not worried about Lexie . . . unless she starts getting tugged early and often from the floor.  That will mess with anyone's game, including a 4-year starter and vital piece of a national championship team.

[teejers1]

If that 25 footer doesn't go in for South Florida, we win the game and the mood on the board is way different. Looks like I'm definitely an outlier when it comes to confidence about this team. I would most certainly have preferred to win today, but all in all I'm pretty happy with where we are because a few things have happened that I personally think we need in place to be great:
1) Cam has to be a focal point of the offense and step into the role of being a legitimate threat all the time (i.e. no more games with 4 shots). This is a big step for her, it's happening, and I give her and the coaching staff credit for evolving. The other players have to adjust around that. It may mean less/no playing time for the other bigs. But it's necessary for the team to be great. Cam also has to stay on the court. Looks like she's learning how. 
2) Lacie needs to be the point guard (yes, this is my opinion and others feel differently I know). I won't elaborate any more as to why because I already have and don't want to sound like a broken record. For me, the decision isn't even close. 
3) We need to have Jump and others (today Demetre) hit threes. I think this is beginning to happen. We know Prechtel and Wilson can and will deliver from deep. I also think we'll get 3's from Cam and the Hulls, and maybe even Haley too as the season progresses.  With Cam being more of a threat down low and being a good passer, we'll get more open threes (a la her passes to Demetre and Lacie today). That is so tough to guard. Either double her and we get a 3 or don't and see if you can stop her with one defender. 

Some of the issues we've seen so far will simply go away on their own over time. They will start making their free throws at a reasonable %. It may not be 75%, but it will be more than 60%. Haley and Lexie will also return to their former selves (actually I'm kinda worried about Haley). When these things start to happen, we will be beating teams like Texas and USF by double digits. (South Carolina is another level above though. Gonna be tough to take them down, especially at their place).

My biggest question is can the players hang together through all this churning and find their on-court chemistry? This is not easy, for coaches or for players. But I do think Tara excels in this area and the players do trust her. They also benefit from knowing what it takes to be a champion. Not sure there's a better coach out there to handle such a large roster.

Stay tuned for a fun year. Really psyched to see what tomorrow will bring.

1.  I'm with mbdude and CardFan10Fan on NOT being a fan of the quick triggers from Tara.  Especially since it's applied in inconsistent manner (it's that kind of stuff that breeds claims of favoritism).  The truth of the matter is this: you can put any 5 players on Stanford's roster (assuming normal distribution of guards and posts) for 4-7 minute stretches, and they would be fine. These are all highly regarded hoopsters.  They just need confidence to play well; and it's impossible to develop confidence if you think one mistake is going to lead to an immediate pull.  

2.  Not sure how you can be so certain that Lacie is the best answer at PG when we haven't really seen other options (most notably JVG).

3.   On Haley, I also entertained notion of "the yips" as possible explanation.  But you can "play through it" in 20s of minutes (not 30s).

4.   I actually think the team will be good, including in March.  But you have to let the kids play, including through a mistake or two.  If everyone knew on the floor knew they'd be in for 4-5 minutes, minimum (barring foul trouble or something extraordinary), the quality of play would noticeably improve.  That's my firm belief, but it will never be put to the test.

5.  Cam is a good shooter.  How she clanged those 2 FTs (missing badly) in 1H was/is a complete mystery, and a pretty strong sign that things are just off right now.


P.S.  I'm not worried about Lexie . . . unless she starts getting tugged early and often from the floor.  That will mess with anyone's game, including a 4-year starter and vital piece of a national championship team.