[pepper1]

81alum was kind in her description of this game as an "ugly win."  After watching the grim game on Saturday vs. CO, I did not think things could get worse, but I turned out to be an optimist.  This was nearly unwatchable basketball tonight, though in fairness the rugby-rules officiating through most of the game made the play of two unexceptional teams look even worse.  After two forgettable home games against two of the weakest teams in the Pac-12, several takeaways for me were:

1.  It is remarkable how far the team has regressed since its early games against CT and TX.
2.  The lack of inside presence (on offense and defense) and toughness seem like insurmountable obstacles for the Cardinal to compete with even moderately good teams, even if Tara & crew can coach the team into more effectively playing her new offensive scheme.
3.  It looks likely based on the current level of play that the Cardinal's streak of consecutive NCAA tourney appearances will end this year, leading one to ponder whether Tara would accept an invite to the WNIT in March.
4.  Aside from W/L results, the team's style of play left many fans groaning the past two games and one wonders if the team's largely loyal fans could give up on this team.

Looking for positives tonight (which required an electron microscope), I saw some encouraging offensive moves near the basket from Kaylee to go with her strong rebounding effort against the beefier inside players from UT and the continued valiant play from Amber and Lili.

Turning around this team and this season will test Tara and her staff's coaching skills. 

[pepper1]

81alum was kind in her description of this game as an "ugly win."  After watching the grim game on Saturday vs. CO, I did not think things could get worse, but I turned out to be an optimist.  This was nearly unwatchable basketball tonight, though in fairness the rugby-rules officiating through most of the game made the play of two unexceptional teams look even worse.  After two forgettable home games against two of the weakest teams in the Pac-12, several takeaways for me were:

1.  It is remarkable how far the team has regressed since its early games against CT and TX.
2.  The lack of inside presence (on offense and defense) and toughness seem like insurmountable obstacles for the Cardinal to compete with even moderately good teams, even if Tara & crew can coach the team into more effectively playing her new offensive scheme.
3.  It looks likely based on the current level of play that the Cardinal's streak of consecutive NCAA tourney appearances will end this year, leading one to ponder whether Tara would accept an invite to the WNIT in March.
4.  Aside from W/L results, the team's style of play left many fans groaning the past two games and one wonders if the team's largely loyal fans could give up on this team.

Looking for positives tonight (which required an electron microscope), I saw some encouraging offensive moves near the basket from Kaylee to go with her strong rebounding effort against the beefier inside players from UT and the continued valiant play from Amber and Lili.

Turning around this team and this season will test Tara and her staff's coaching skills.