[treetop11]

I was at the game and spent much of it confused.  I was confused about the line-up, why we played without two bigs for the most part, when that is our strength and could have countered OSU's strength inside more.  I was confused as to why we so often had only one perimeter player out there who had the green light when OSU was totally packing the paint.  I was confused at the subbing, at how many 2 minutes and done subs we used and at how little bench scoring we got.  I was confused because so often we got a rebound, rushed it up court like we wanted to play fast but then passed to a wing, often Emma-Nnopu, who was as wide open as could be, and instead of shooting or attacking we just ran offense, which plays to OSU's strengths as a defensive team (they play better half court scouting report D than scrambling D off a fast break).  I was confused at how Lepolo was considered so indispensable she hardly came out but this game she mostly sat (still not 100%?  Then why did she play?). I was confused at why Betts and/or Prechtel did not get more run, given the style of play and the size of the other team inside.  I was confused about more but I guess that is enough confusion for one game.

I was also sad because we still can't shoot from outside, we had 5 assists all game, which is crazy low, the defense couldn't stop them early so they made it a tight game, and mostly because I sense the coaches do not have a good handle on things, that they are still struggling to figure out how to use the bench, even what sort of offense will work best with this team.  I do not sense the team coming together and improving as the team usually starts to do about now.  OSU played pretty well and is better than earlier this season because they have Gardiner back, but still and all, we should be better by more than we showed this game.  

I am losing hope that the shooting will come around or that the bench, which we touted as so good and so deep, will provide the scoring lift you need or the consistency you need.  We just seem to be making games harder than they could be or should be.  Five assists is all you need to know against a pretty non-aggressive, low pressure defense.  The game was frustrating, not because the team was bad like against USC but because aside from shooting not so well, they weren't that bad, and the game was still so close.  Are we really that much better than the bulk of the conference?  Sure doesn't look that way.  If we are not, well, most of the teams we are struggling to beat won't be making much noise in the NCAAs...

I share your confusion. A while back, Tara said that they were still trying to figure out who to play and who to play with whom. Evidently it's still a mystery. Basically, we have two AA star players, an all conference player, and a bunch of really good players with various degrees of potential and abilities. It seems that Tara not having found a clear cut lineup and rotation has opted to try to get matchups, try to find combinations that work, and get everybody some minutes. It's only partly working.

Problem falls on recruiting and balancing the roster. We are heavy on bigs, but light on guards and wings in terms of top level performance. Lepolo is excellent, but we really could use Nivar, Harriel, Bosgana, and Demetre to step up big time. All four can handle the ball and capable of hitting threes. They just need to do so. Of course, their PT has been limited so it's tougher for them to get in the groove.

[treetop11]

I was at the game and spent much of it confused.  I was confused about the line-up, why we played without two bigs for the most part, when that is our strength and could have countered OSU's strength inside more.  I was confused as to why we so often had only one perimeter player out there who had the green light when OSU was totally packing the paint.  I was confused at the subbing, at how many 2 minutes and done subs we used and at how little bench scoring we got.  I was confused because so often we got a rebound, rushed it up court like we wanted to play fast but then passed to a wing, often Emma-Nnopu, who was as wide open as could be, and instead of shooting or attacking we just ran offense, which plays to OSU's strengths as a defensive team (they play better half court scouting report D than scrambling D off a fast break).  I was confused at how Lepolo was considered so indispensable she hardly came out but this game she mostly sat (still not 100%?  Then why did she play?). I was confused at why Betts and/or Prechtel did not get more run, given the style of play and the size of the other team inside.  I was confused about more but I guess that is enough confusion for one game.

I was also sad because we still can't shoot from outside, we had 5 assists all game, which is crazy low, the defense couldn't stop them early so they made it a tight game, and mostly because I sense the coaches do not have a good handle on things, that they are still struggling to figure out how to use the bench, even what sort of offense will work best with this team.  I do not sense the team coming together and improving as the team usually starts to do about now.  OSU played pretty well and is better than earlier this season because they have Gardiner back, but still and all, we should be better by more than we showed this game.  

I am losing hope that the shooting will come around or that the bench, which we touted as so good and so deep, will provide the scoring lift you need or the consistency you need.  We just seem to be making games harder than they could be or should be.  Five assists is all you need to know against a pretty non-aggressive, low pressure defense.  The game was frustrating, not because the team was bad like against USC but because aside from shooting not so well, they weren't that bad, and the game was still so close.  Are we really that much better than the bulk of the conference?  Sure doesn't look that way.  If we are not, well, most of the teams we are struggling to beat won't be making much noise in the NCAAs...

I share your confusion. A while back, Tara said that they were still trying to figure out who to play and who to play with whom. Evidently it's still a mystery. Basically, we have two AA star players, an all conference player, and a bunch of really good players with various degrees of potential and abilities. It seems that Tara not having found a clear cut lineup and rotation has opted to try to get matchups, try to find combinations that work, and get everybody some minutes. It's only partly working.

Problem falls on recruiting and balancing the roster. We are heavy on bigs, but light on guards and wings in terms of top level performance. Lepolo is excellent, but we really could use Nivar, Harriel, Bosgana, and Demetre to step up big time. All four can handle the ball and capable of hitting threes. They just need to do so. Of course, their PT has been limited so it's tougher for them to get in the groove.