[chimera]

Very interesting press conference.  Tara does not seem nearly as concerned as we Cardboarders seem.  The usual stuff about how winning close games prepares you for the tournament, how well prepared Rueck always has his teams, etc.  Interesting quote "we need our players to do what the team needs them to do, not what they want to do."  I think this came after she praised Belibi's defense and also praised that she did not try to do too much offensively.

Also of note was her praise for Demetre's offense, but noting that she needs "to get her defense going."   She noted that Jump had an off night, and that we have a lot of good shooters who need to step up, citing Demetre, Bosgana, Nivar, and Lepolo as being able to "help us more" with their shots.  "They are great shooters."

"Cam and Haley put the team on their backs and that is what we needed them to do."  She noted that "no one can stop Cam" and that they continued to go to her and she continued to score when doubled and even triple teamed.  As a result, she did lose 5 turnovers (out of a total of 8 by the team) but Tara noted that she didn't mind since that was just part of taking the ball inside against the double and triple teams. 

Noted that Lepolo is at 100% but that Tara now has confidence in Nivar and it is a good thing to have two alternatives, they both can be more rested for Sunday.

With regard to the way Oregon State defended us, "We are going to see a lot of the same stuff we saw tonight, and I thought people responded well."

My analysis: Tara is well aware that every single team is going to play this defense against us because it works pretty well.  Rather than change our identity and try to defeat this defense by becoming predominantly a mid range jump shooting team, we are going to go strength-on-strength and try to help Brink score inside at the 5, low on the blocks, regardless of how they try to defend her.  This is reminiscent of Chiney or Nneka in the old triangle.  When adopting this strategy, however, a lot depends on how the officials call it and how well Brink shoots free throws, since she is going to get fouled a lot when shooting against double and triple teams.  Fortunately for us, we have killed our opponents from the free throw line the last couple of games.

Tara definitely doesn't seem concerned.  She did say we need others besides Jump to hit threes.  But she also praised Belibi for not doing too much on offense and it sure feels to me like players besides Jump are a bit reluctant to shoot open threes unless the shot clock is winding down.  She also said she was good with giving the ball to Brink even if she is double teamed or even triple teamed and for Brink to shoot against that, which is a good way to get Brink beaten up over time, and tells the shooters not to shoot, just toss the ball inside even if three defenders are hanging out waiting.  If we have good shooters we surely need to find them shots.  The way things are going does not look like the way to win championships to me.  Can't win these days without a robust three point game, which we do not have.  At this point in the season you are what your stats say you are, and we are not a good three point shooting team.

[chimera]

Very interesting press conference.  Tara does not seem nearly as concerned as we Cardboarders seem.  The usual stuff about how winning close games prepares you for the tournament, how well prepared Rueck always has his teams, etc.  Interesting quote "we need our players to do what the team needs them to do, not what they want to do."  I think this came after she praised Belibi's defense and also praised that she did not try to do too much offensively.

Also of note was her praise for Demetre's offense, but noting that she needs "to get her defense going."   She noted that Jump had an off night, and that we have a lot of good shooters who need to step up, citing Demetre, Bosgana, Nivar, and Lepolo as being able to "help us more" with their shots.  "They are great shooters."

"Cam and Haley put the team on their backs and that is what we needed them to do."  She noted that "no one can stop Cam" and that they continued to go to her and she continued to score when doubled and even triple teamed.  As a result, she did lose 5 turnovers (out of a total of 8 by the team) but Tara noted that she didn't mind since that was just part of taking the ball inside against the double and triple teams. 

Noted that Lepolo is at 100% but that Tara now has confidence in Nivar and it is a good thing to have two alternatives, they both can be more rested for Sunday.

With regard to the way Oregon State defended us, "We are going to see a lot of the same stuff we saw tonight, and I thought people responded well."

My analysis: Tara is well aware that every single team is going to play this defense against us because it works pretty well.  Rather than change our identity and try to defeat this defense by becoming predominantly a mid range jump shooting team, we are going to go strength-on-strength and try to help Brink score inside at the 5, low on the blocks, regardless of how they try to defend her.  This is reminiscent of Chiney or Nneka in the old triangle.  When adopting this strategy, however, a lot depends on how the officials call it and how well Brink shoots free throws, since she is going to get fouled a lot when shooting against double and triple teams.  Fortunately for us, we have killed our opponents from the free throw line the last couple of games.

Tara definitely doesn't seem concerned.  She did say we need others besides Jump to hit threes.  But she also praised Belibi for not doing too much on offense and it sure feels to me like players besides Jump are a bit reluctant to shoot open threes unless the shot clock is winding down.  She also said she was good with giving the ball to Brink even if she is double teamed or even triple teamed and for Brink to shoot against that, which is a good way to get Brink beaten up over time, and tells the shooters not to shoot, just toss the ball inside even if three defenders are hanging out waiting.  If we have good shooters we surely need to find them shots.  The way things are going does not look like the way to win championships to me.  Can't win these days without a robust three point game, which we do not have.  At this point in the season you are what your stats say you are, and we are not a good three point shooting team.