[Viking_Guy]

I\'m just really not that sure about the wisdom of playing Nneka.  I know that she was probably lobbying to get into the game, but especially after a couple of bad takedowns of Stanford players in transition from behind by Duck defenders, I wanted her safely on the bench.  Hoping that Thursday\'s game against Kal will offer a slightly safer opportunity to get some quality time on the court.

When the subs came in, there was definitely a lull in the offense.  As I mentioned, Oregon was in a zone, and Stanford, instead of trying to get it inside to Boothe, seemed content to toss the ball around on the perimeter a bit too much, at least at first.  I think Mel must\'ve got a talking to at the 8 minute timeout, because she was firing entry passes into Sara from the wing on the next several possessions.

But it\'s really hard to tell anything from this game.  Westhead\'s style of play is essentially no defense other than the initial pressure, and that doesn\'t really work if the Ducks can\'t hit a shot to save their lives.  The only reason it worked in the first two minutes was that Oregon kept fouling Stanford, forcing the Cardinal to work against the press on their inbounds plays.

Gameball to Jeanette.  17 points in the first half, 20 overall in 20 minutes, punishing the Oregon press again and again.

But also strong secondary consideration for Toni, with her third strong game in a row.  3-3 from the field, including a couple of gorgeous short pull-up jumpers in the lane rather than committing the charge trying to drive all the way to the basket in transition.  4-4 from the FT line.  And watching her streak up court leaving the Oregon "defense" in her dust time and again was viscerally satisfying.

Now on to Kal, and hopefully a wonderful Senior Night for Kayla, Jeanette, Mel, Ashley and Hannah.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

I\'m just really not that sure about the wisdom of playing Nneka.  I know that she was probably lobbying to get into the game, but especially after a couple of bad takedowns of Stanford players in transition from behind by Duck defenders, I wanted her safely on the bench.  Hoping that Thursday\'s game against Kal will offer a slightly safer opportunity to get some quality time on the court.

When the subs came in, there was definitely a lull in the offense.  As I mentioned, Oregon was in a zone, and Stanford, instead of trying to get it inside to Boothe, seemed content to toss the ball around on the perimeter a bit too much, at least at first.  I think Mel must\'ve got a talking to at the 8 minute timeout, because she was firing entry passes into Sara from the wing on the next several possessions.

But it\'s really hard to tell anything from this game.  Westhead\'s style of play is essentially no defense other than the initial pressure, and that doesn\'t really work if the Ducks can\'t hit a shot to save their lives.  The only reason it worked in the first two minutes was that Oregon kept fouling Stanford, forcing the Cardinal to work against the press on their inbounds plays.

Gameball to Jeanette.  17 points in the first half, 20 overall in 20 minutes, punishing the Oregon press again and again.

But also strong secondary consideration for Toni, with her third strong game in a row.  3-3 from the field, including a couple of gorgeous short pull-up jumpers in the lane rather than committing the charge trying to drive all the way to the basket in transition.  4-4 from the FT line.  And watching her streak up court leaving the Oregon "defense" in her dust time and again was viscerally satisfying.

Now on to Kal, and hopefully a wonderful Senior Night for Kayla, Jeanette, Mel, Ashley and Hannah.

VG