02-25-2024, 12:21 AM
Definitely a really rough game for Lepolo and all the backups except Clardy. Even if we had finished out the win in the final three minutes, it would have been a game that showed our weaknesses. The main being our lack of consistent scoring from the guards. I agree that it is mostly a result of our difficulties in consistently recruiting elite guards. Haley Jones was obviously elite but last year her shooting percentages fell in every category. She may have been unhappy but was also a person who was focused on being more than just a basketball player. Her podcast is called Sometimes I Hoop emphasizing the point. This year's guards have exceeded my expectations in most games and for the season. But we don't have players who can create their own shot with any consistency. At the end of the game, I felt that Arizona was excited and energized by the fact that they had a chance to win and our team became tense. Two damn bank shots went in and we couldn't find a response without Cam.
Arizona plays a hyper aggressive defense but their guards go for lots of steals by trying to jump in front of or knock down every pass. I thought they got away with some clear fouls, especially when contesting our guards bringing the ball up the court, but nothing really far out of the norm. However, Arizona's center and forwards were coached to be very physical in the paint and it was mostly directed at Kiki. They were constantly pushing her to the top of the key. Not the normal jockeying by using body position but full on two hand and hand and forearm pushes. I've rarely seen refs look the other way with so much use of hands. If they had called that defense anywhere in the normal range, the game would have been out of range for Arizona to get hot in the last few minutes. I haven't watched the recording yet, but at the game, Kiki was regularly pushed by the defenders and she was clearly frustrated by it. I was surprised she didn't lose her cool and retaliate. (I don't know if anyone else saw it but after the game some Arizona players tried to huddle up on the Stanford logo and Kiki put a stop to it and made them gather to the side of the Stanford team and logo.)
On Kiki's defense. I think she was definitely coached to stay at the bottom of the key and not follow anyone out to defend jump shots. However, in other games when she plays with Cam, she does and she usually doesn't get her hands up on the shooters. I have noticed it as a weakness in her defensive game since last year. I feel like she doesn't move her feet to get back as well when her hands are up. As a result, she is more likely to be called for a foul if the shooter takes it to the hoop. I just think it is something she has to work to improve. She is very hard working and makes lots of hustle plays all over the court so it's not an issue of being lackadaisical.
I didn't think we were outcoached, I thought we played like a team that was missing its best player and emotional leader. Our weaknesses were exposed and our players didn't step up and get it done. I have been pleasantly surprised at our performance in big games this year and #3 felt like we were over-ranked. I still see us as a likely top eight team that has the possibility of doing better or worse. In my opinion, they can go as far as Cam can take them. Hopefully she plays great in the tournament and enough other players are able to step up in each game. Hopefully tomorrow, we will see Cam on the court and we will play better. I care less about setbacks and losses if the team keeps progressing and the young players can make a bigger impact in big games.
Cheers,
Pete F.
Arizona plays a hyper aggressive defense but their guards go for lots of steals by trying to jump in front of or knock down every pass. I thought they got away with some clear fouls, especially when contesting our guards bringing the ball up the court, but nothing really far out of the norm. However, Arizona's center and forwards were coached to be very physical in the paint and it was mostly directed at Kiki. They were constantly pushing her to the top of the key. Not the normal jockeying by using body position but full on two hand and hand and forearm pushes. I've rarely seen refs look the other way with so much use of hands. If they had called that defense anywhere in the normal range, the game would have been out of range for Arizona to get hot in the last few minutes. I haven't watched the recording yet, but at the game, Kiki was regularly pushed by the defenders and she was clearly frustrated by it. I was surprised she didn't lose her cool and retaliate. (I don't know if anyone else saw it but after the game some Arizona players tried to huddle up on the Stanford logo and Kiki put a stop to it and made them gather to the side of the Stanford team and logo.)
On Kiki's defense. I think she was definitely coached to stay at the bottom of the key and not follow anyone out to defend jump shots. However, in other games when she plays with Cam, she does and she usually doesn't get her hands up on the shooters. I have noticed it as a weakness in her defensive game since last year. I feel like she doesn't move her feet to get back as well when her hands are up. As a result, she is more likely to be called for a foul if the shooter takes it to the hoop. I just think it is something she has to work to improve. She is very hard working and makes lots of hustle plays all over the court so it's not an issue of being lackadaisical.
I didn't think we were outcoached, I thought we played like a team that was missing its best player and emotional leader. Our weaknesses were exposed and our players didn't step up and get it done. I have been pleasantly surprised at our performance in big games this year and #3 felt like we were over-ranked. I still see us as a likely top eight team that has the possibility of doing better or worse. In my opinion, they can go as far as Cam can take them. Hopefully she plays great in the tournament and enough other players are able to step up in each game. Hopefully tomorrow, we will see Cam on the court and we will play better. I care less about setbacks and losses if the team keeps progressing and the young players can make a bigger impact in big games.
Cheers,
Pete F.