[qwerty49]

The post-game pressers are usually well worth watching.  Creighton is a tough team if you are not used to their style, which was constant, often seemingly random screens and cuts and movement.  For a top 25 game, this was an easy one.  It was only semi-close because of the sub patterns.  I think the issue is we end up with four or five subs all at once when it would help them more to have two subs with three starters or three subs and two starters more.  We played a bit frazzled at times, maybe sped up by playing such frantic defense against Creighton's funky offense.  Lots of balls went through hands or were dropped, etc.  

Lepolo put to bed any talk that she is a reluctant shooter or can't shoot.  She isn't Jump, but she has a decent shot and is willing to shoot ever after she misses a few.  Jones had another very good passing game and looks to me much more comfortable at the pg spot now, although we haven't been pressed much.  

Kate said Betts is not 100% since before the TN game, but really wants to get out there, for those wondering at her playing time.  This was not the sort of game for her to shine, having to chase littles around the perimeter.  We were switching 1 - 5 so hard work for our bigs and generally they did well.  

Our main issues besides the TOs were simply missing a lot of shots (Jump going 0-fer on her threes, for example) and lack of aggressiveness on defense, something Tara says needs to improve and that they are working on.

The substitution patterns are a nice minor quibble to have.  But it is getting pretty obvious that against top teams a mix of starters and subs is a lot better than having 4 or 5 subs on the floor.

Betts is obviously a key to that equation as she has the potential to be a real game changer.  She can dominate like Jayne Appel, but I'm not so sure that is best for us.  I still have bad memories of that loss to UConn where Jayne was hobbling around on one leg and we played great D but only led something like 20-17 at the half.  The rest of the offense needs to step up when Betts is in the game, if only to relieve some of the inevitable pressure on her.  Longer term, it's good we don't need too many minutes out of her this year, as I see the priorities with her being 1) taking care of this injury, whatever it is, 2) overall conditioning and hopefully getting at least one or two steps faster down the court, and 3) shaking that habitual single dribble in the low post.  That dribble might come in handy if she develops some high post skills; she would be impossible to stop down the lane.

[qwerty49]

The post-game pressers are usually well worth watching.  Creighton is a tough team if you are not used to their style, which was constant, often seemingly random screens and cuts and movement.  For a top 25 game, this was an easy one.  It was only semi-close because of the sub patterns.  I think the issue is we end up with four or five subs all at once when it would help them more to have two subs with three starters or three subs and two starters more.  We played a bit frazzled at times, maybe sped up by playing such frantic defense against Creighton's funky offense.  Lots of balls went through hands or were dropped, etc.  

Lepolo put to bed any talk that she is a reluctant shooter or can't shoot.  She isn't Jump, but she has a decent shot and is willing to shoot ever after she misses a few.  Jones had another very good passing game and looks to me much more comfortable at the pg spot now, although we haven't been pressed much.  

Kate said Betts is not 100% since before the TN game, but really wants to get out there, for those wondering at her playing time.  This was not the sort of game for her to shine, having to chase littles around the perimeter.  We were switching 1 - 5 so hard work for our bigs and generally they did well.  

Our main issues besides the TOs were simply missing a lot of shots (Jump going 0-fer on her threes, for example) and lack of aggressiveness on defense, something Tara says needs to improve and that they are working on.

The substitution patterns are a nice minor quibble to have.  But it is getting pretty obvious that against top teams a mix of starters and subs is a lot better than having 4 or 5 subs on the floor.

Betts is obviously a key to that equation as she has the potential to be a real game changer.  She can dominate like Jayne Appel, but I'm not so sure that is best for us.  I still have bad memories of that loss to UConn where Jayne was hobbling around on one leg and we played great D but only led something like 20-17 at the half.  The rest of the offense needs to step up when Betts is in the game, if only to relieve some of the inevitable pressure on her.  Longer term, it's good we don't need too many minutes out of her this year, as I see the priorities with her being 1) taking care of this injury, whatever it is, 2) overall conditioning and hopefully getting at least one or two steps faster down the court, and 3) shaking that habitual single dribble in the low post.  That dribble might come in handy if she develops some high post skills; she would be impossible to stop down the lane.