[treetop11]

I think I must now agree that our pre-South Carolina schedule could have used at least one game with stiffer competition.  These are great games for such a deep team like ours since so many players get to play, but there is a point of diminishing returns to playing weaker teams and we have passed that point.  It may not have been clear how dominant our third string was going to be when the schedule was put together.  But the fact that we are pummeling opponents while our two all-Americans are having mediocre performances makes me uncomfortable.  We need to do more to get Jones and Brink up to top form before Nov 20th.

Totally agree with you except I think the Haley at PG should stop along with the Nnopu starting experiment. Put Haley at the 3 and she can run some point as a point forward. But I think we should have a true PG and one who is quicker. Lepolo is the leader so far, but Novar and even Harriel are not shabby, although Nova probably fits a 2 mold better. 

I want to see more of Brink and Betts too. They close the doors on D and talk about scoring machines in the post. Iriafen and Prechtel make a nice combo on the court at the same time as Ashten scores from outside and Kiki is fairly automatic in the post. And Ashten provides bulk while Kiki is slim on D.

 



  If this pattern continues, expect a resounding defeat next Sunday when South Carolina comes to town. 

I agree; it would have been great if we had a Top-25 opponent scheduled in before our bout with South Carolina next Sunday. It's going to be a severe step up in competition going from Pacific and Cal Poly to the defending national champions. I hope (and think) our veterans will be able to make that big leap.

I am hoping that Brink and Jones can make that instant adjustment next Sunday. They haven't had to perform well in these first few games but hopefully something clicks a week from tomorrow on the national stage against the Gamecocks. They know how good Boston and co. are and as a result, they can elevate their games accordingly.

My wife and I were at the game last evening and we sat next to Haley's parents.  It's become clear to me that both Haley and Cam are having difficulty adjusting to their new positions.  There is very little spacing for either of them to operate and most important, very few opportunities in the current offense for them to take advantage of their elite skill sets and dominate.  I'm watching them closely and at times they both look uncomfortable, whether it's Haley trying to drive the ball or Cam trying to make a play when she's out on the perimeter. 

Pacific was hurt by our size and our depth, but neither Haley nor Cam hurt them.  After 4 games, their performance has been much less than we expected.  When they have thrived and dominated in past seasons.

I don't believe Tara will make any adjustments in the offense.  I think she believes that Haley and Cam will adjust to their new positions as the season goes along- and she may be right.  But from my vantage point, here are two All-Americans (and ESPN has rated them 2 of the top 6 players in the country), who are struggling.  If it was only Cam or only Haley- that would be one thing, but it's both.  That suggests to me that the plan (moving Haley to PG and Cam to a 3), is not producing results.

We will be in Portland tomorrow and I'm hoping to heck (somehow) Haley and Cam will find a way to impose their will on the opponent.  Otherwise, we are in for a long afternoon against South Carolina.

The team has played three games, all of which were large blowouts where nobody played more than 17-20 minutes or so.  Nobody has to impose their will in a blowout like that.  The team as a group imposed their will.  I don't think Brink played the three very much at all.  She starts at the 4 and has played down low and on the perimeter.  Jones is not in that much of a different role either.  Yes, she plays point and runs the team some (not my favorite use of her either), but she also slides to the wing frequently.  There is a vast difference between a game where the team is up big very early and ends up winning by 50 or 60 and one where the starters need to play a lot more minutes against a better opponent.

The changes for Brink - playing outside a bit more, driving from outside a bit more, etc., are to her personal benefit.  In the WNBA it will help her immensely if she can play inside and outside, hit threes, defend outside, etc.  The same is true for Jones.  It will only help her game for the future if she can shoot threes more and better, control her turnovers more, and run a team sometimes.  Versatility is a big help for the pros.  The idea that they are unhappy that they are being asked (being allowed?) to expand their games is strange to me.  

You seem to be implying by saying you sat next to parents, that they are unhappy or said Jones is unhappy.  If that is not what you are implying you really should clarify.  I know someone who knows the family and has told me that Jones has been extremely happy with her Stanford career and her choice to attend.  I do not at all see unhappiness or frustration on court.  These players are smart.  They know that such a deep team requires a willingness to let others play when a game is a blowout.  That's how a team can develop.  Not a time to just ride your stars, not this early and not against the likes of Pacific.

My last point is the same one I keep harping on - it is very early.  The rotation is far from set.  Roles are far from set.  Things will change.  They always do.  Both Jones and Brink are proven players who will show out plenty.  If things are not working well, changes will be made.

[treetop11]

I think I must now agree that our pre-South Carolina schedule could have used at least one game with stiffer competition.  These are great games for such a deep team like ours since so many players get to play, but there is a point of diminishing returns to playing weaker teams and we have passed that point.  It may not have been clear how dominant our third string was going to be when the schedule was put together.  But the fact that we are pummeling opponents while our two all-Americans are having mediocre performances makes me uncomfortable.  We need to do more to get Jones and Brink up to top form before Nov 20th.

Totally agree with you except I think the Haley at PG should stop along with the Nnopu starting experiment. Put Haley at the 3 and she can run some point as a point forward. But I think we should have a true PG and one who is quicker. Lepolo is the leader so far, but Novar and even Harriel are not shabby, although Nova probably fits a 2 mold better. 

I want to see more of Brink and Betts too. They close the doors on D and talk about scoring machines in the post. Iriafen and Prechtel make a nice combo on the court at the same time as Ashten scores from outside and Kiki is fairly automatic in the post. And Ashten provides bulk while Kiki is slim on D.

 



  If this pattern continues, expect a resounding defeat next Sunday when South Carolina comes to town. 

I agree; it would have been great if we had a Top-25 opponent scheduled in before our bout with South Carolina next Sunday. It's going to be a severe step up in competition going from Pacific and Cal Poly to the defending national champions. I hope (and think) our veterans will be able to make that big leap.

I am hoping that Brink and Jones can make that instant adjustment next Sunday. They haven't had to perform well in these first few games but hopefully something clicks a week from tomorrow on the national stage against the Gamecocks. They know how good Boston and co. are and as a result, they can elevate their games accordingly.

My wife and I were at the game last evening and we sat next to Haley's parents.  It's become clear to me that both Haley and Cam are having difficulty adjusting to their new positions.  There is very little spacing for either of them to operate and most important, very few opportunities in the current offense for them to take advantage of their elite skill sets and dominate.  I'm watching them closely and at times they both look uncomfortable, whether it's Haley trying to drive the ball or Cam trying to make a play when she's out on the perimeter. 

Pacific was hurt by our size and our depth, but neither Haley nor Cam hurt them.  After 4 games, their performance has been much less than we expected.  When they have thrived and dominated in past seasons.

I don't believe Tara will make any adjustments in the offense.  I think she believes that Haley and Cam will adjust to their new positions as the season goes along- and she may be right.  But from my vantage point, here are two All-Americans (and ESPN has rated them 2 of the top 6 players in the country), who are struggling.  If it was only Cam or only Haley- that would be one thing, but it's both.  That suggests to me that the plan (moving Haley to PG and Cam to a 3), is not producing results.

We will be in Portland tomorrow and I'm hoping to heck (somehow) Haley and Cam will find a way to impose their will on the opponent.  Otherwise, we are in for a long afternoon against South Carolina.

The team has played three games, all of which were large blowouts where nobody played more than 17-20 minutes or so.  Nobody has to impose their will in a blowout like that.  The team as a group imposed their will.  I don't think Brink played the three very much at all.  She starts at the 4 and has played down low and on the perimeter.  Jones is not in that much of a different role either.  Yes, she plays point and runs the team some (not my favorite use of her either), but she also slides to the wing frequently.  There is a vast difference between a game where the team is up big very early and ends up winning by 50 or 60 and one where the starters need to play a lot more minutes against a better opponent.

The changes for Brink - playing outside a bit more, driving from outside a bit more, etc., are to her personal benefit.  In the WNBA it will help her immensely if she can play inside and outside, hit threes, defend outside, etc.  The same is true for Jones.  It will only help her game for the future if she can shoot threes more and better, control her turnovers more, and run a team sometimes.  Versatility is a big help for the pros.  The idea that they are unhappy that they are being asked (being allowed?) to expand their games is strange to me.  

You seem to be implying by saying you sat next to parents, that they are unhappy or said Jones is unhappy.  If that is not what you are implying you really should clarify.  I know someone who knows the family and has told me that Jones has been extremely happy with her Stanford career and her choice to attend.  I do not at all see unhappiness or frustration on court.  These players are smart.  They know that such a deep team requires a willingness to let others play when a game is a blowout.  That's how a team can develop.  Not a time to just ride your stars, not this early and not against the likes of Pacific.

My last point is the same one I keep harping on - it is very early.  The rotation is far from set.  Roles are far from set.  Things will change.  They always do.  Both Jones and Brink are proven players who will show out plenty.  If things are not working well, changes will be made.