[stopandpop]

I must admit, that assist from Lepolo to Rice made me cry a little.

Fun game to watch. Refs called every little thing, so basketballl was played an no one tried to maul another.

USA defeated overmatched Germany today 100-46.  Lepolo played 24 minutes, scored 5 points 2/2 with a free throw.  She had 6 assists and no turnovers.  Her ball handling and defense excellent.

And yet I was disappointed in one part of her game.  Perhaps she was given instructions by her coaches to look for others, and she does that exceptionally well, but I thought Talana would use this international experience to improve her offense.  Her mindset continues to be (not just pass first), but pass second and third.  There were so many opportunities for her to drive the ball (she has a strong body and can absorb contact) and she did do this - and scored, but she remains reluctant, even when she's open.

For the Cardinal to be successful, a big key is for Lepolo to become more of an offensive threat.  That helps relieve defensive pressure on Jump, Demetre and even a bit on Brink.  It will be interesting to see whether Tara gives Talana more of a 'green light' to score.  Having another offense weapon (who is already a great assist maker and a great caretaker of the ball), in the lineup changes things for the better.
 

FYI- Kiki Rice 4 points 2/7.  UCLA teammate London Jones much more productive.  After 2 games, not impressed with Hilgado at all.

Question: is it a matter of Tara giving Lepolo a "green light to score" or a matter of Lepolo being inherently disinclined to shoot much? In how many games last did she take 10 or more shots? It may be that getting the green light to shoot more is not enough. She may need to alter her mindset.

I am confident that Lepolo knows she needs to be more aggressive and look for her own shot more on next year’s Cardinal team.  I don’t know if that is her role on this USA team with so many scorers like Rice, Jones and McMahon hunting for their own shot.

You are correct in suggesting that her role on the USA team might be passing and setting up her teammates to score, but I'm not sure I agree with your comment that Lepolo knows she needs to be more aggressive.  I HOPE she knows and she is quite capable of doing it.  Does she have the confidence and will Tara encourage her to be more of a scorer?  I don't think any of us will know the answer until that first game.  I'm rooting for her.

[stopandpop]

I must admit, that assist from Lepolo to Rice made me cry a little.

Fun game to watch. Refs called every little thing, so basketballl was played an no one tried to maul another.

USA defeated overmatched Germany today 100-46.  Lepolo played 24 minutes, scored 5 points 2/2 with a free throw.  She had 6 assists and no turnovers.  Her ball handling and defense excellent.

And yet I was disappointed in one part of her game.  Perhaps she was given instructions by her coaches to look for others, and she does that exceptionally well, but I thought Talana would use this international experience to improve her offense.  Her mindset continues to be (not just pass first), but pass second and third.  There were so many opportunities for her to drive the ball (she has a strong body and can absorb contact) and she did do this - and scored, but she remains reluctant, even when she's open.

For the Cardinal to be successful, a big key is for Lepolo to become more of an offensive threat.  That helps relieve defensive pressure on Jump, Demetre and even a bit on Brink.  It will be interesting to see whether Tara gives Talana more of a 'green light' to score.  Having another offense weapon (who is already a great assist maker and a great caretaker of the ball), in the lineup changes things for the better.
 

FYI- Kiki Rice 4 points 2/7.  UCLA teammate London Jones much more productive.  After 2 games, not impressed with Hilgado at all.

Question: is it a matter of Tara giving Lepolo a "green light to score" or a matter of Lepolo being inherently disinclined to shoot much? In how many games last did she take 10 or more shots? It may be that getting the green light to shoot more is not enough. She may need to alter her mindset.

I am confident that Lepolo knows she needs to be more aggressive and look for her own shot more on next year’s Cardinal team.  I don’t know if that is her role on this USA team with so many scorers like Rice, Jones and McMahon hunting for their own shot.

You are correct in suggesting that her role on the USA team might be passing and setting up her teammates to score, but I'm not sure I agree with your comment that Lepolo knows she needs to be more aggressive.  I HOPE she knows and she is quite capable of doing it.  Does she have the confidence and will Tara encourage her to be more of a scorer?  I don't think any of us will know the answer until that first game.  I'm rooting for her.