[pepper1]

More good narrative from 81 and VG both!  Only a few things to add: (1) I thought the backdoor & back-screen plays they clearly set up for Sara at the beginning of the game, as well as other set plays involving players other than Chiney, were concerted efforts to get more of the team involved in the offense & to buy Chiney some space -- I hope the Cardinal continue this effort; (2) Especially in the second half, it was interesting to see how the Cardinal used Chiney extensively in a ball distribution role at the top of the key, leading to a number of easy baskets when either she or another player cut off a high post screen -- like VG, I like strategies that move Chiney off the low post & take advantage of her mobility/agility; (3) Agree that Jos seemed more floor-bound than usual but post-game interview indicated she had tweaked her ankle earlier in the week in practice ... still her ability to contribute more offensively (as she did early in the season) will be critically necessary if the Cardinal are to be any sort of threat in March; (4) rebounding showed a lot more consistent effort than in the Kal game last week, but it certainly helped that there was no one like Brandon on the court (who put up Rodman-esque rebound numbers on Thursday vs SC) ... after having the luxury of being a dominant rebounding team for the last several seasons, the Cardinal will need to continue to focus on this part of their game this season & could certainly use a second O-rebound presence to support Chiney (Jos being the logical candidate); and (5) I would just note a very peculiar officiating approach last night where the group inexplicably started calling any "touch" foul they could spot early in the second half, slowing the game a near halt (as 81 alludes to) ... it was as if they had received half-time instructions to start blowing their whistles like crazy ... didn't impact the outcome of the game but it was just strange.

After SC gave Kal a tougher-than-expected game on Thursday, it looks like Sunday may be an interesting game too, as we see what additional strategies Tara and staff have for breathing more vitality into the Cardinal O.  Last night's game certainly had a number of steps in the right direction.

[pepper1]

More good narrative from 81 and VG both!  Only a few things to add: (1) I thought the backdoor & back-screen plays they clearly set up for Sara at the beginning of the game, as well as other set plays involving players other than Chiney, were concerted efforts to get more of the team involved in the offense & to buy Chiney some space -- I hope the Cardinal continue this effort; (2) Especially in the second half, it was interesting to see how the Cardinal used Chiney extensively in a ball distribution role at the top of the key, leading to a number of easy baskets when either she or another player cut off a high post screen -- like VG, I like strategies that move Chiney off the low post & take advantage of her mobility/agility; (3) Agree that Jos seemed more floor-bound than usual but post-game interview indicated she had tweaked her ankle earlier in the week in practice ... still her ability to contribute more offensively (as she did early in the season) will be critically necessary if the Cardinal are to be any sort of threat in March; (4) rebounding showed a lot more consistent effort than in the Kal game last week, but it certainly helped that there was no one like Brandon on the court (who put up Rodman-esque rebound numbers on Thursday vs SC) ... after having the luxury of being a dominant rebounding team for the last several seasons, the Cardinal will need to continue to focus on this part of their game this season & could certainly use a second O-rebound presence to support Chiney (Jos being the logical candidate); and (5) I would just note a very peculiar officiating approach last night where the group inexplicably started calling any "touch" foul they could spot early in the second half, slowing the game a near halt (as 81 alludes to) ... it was as if they had received half-time instructions to start blowing their whistles like crazy ... didn't impact the outcome of the game but it was just strange.

After SC gave Kal a tougher-than-expected game on Thursday, it looks like Sunday may be an interesting game too, as we see what additional strategies Tara and staff have for breathing more vitality into the Cardinal O.  Last night's game certainly had a number of steps in the right direction.