[M T]

Stanford Women’s Basketball on Twitter: "Still dancing ??? #GoStanford https://t.co/J5RZPqk5Sn" / Twitter

What's the story behind the line dancing?  They obviously practiced.  Tara even has it nailed.

Tara was asked about this in the presser. In essence, she thought the players were too hard on themselves about the 4Q letdown in the last game so she cooked up something fun with Haley and Kiki’s help…

Yes, but Tara had already been given one lesson before that game.

[M T]

Stanford Women’s Basketball on Twitter: "Still dancing ??? #GoStanford https://t.co/J5RZPqk5Sn" / Twitter

What's the story behind the line dancing?  They obviously practiced.  Tara even has it nailed.

Tara was asked about this in the presser. In essence, she thought the players were too hard on themselves about the 4Q letdown in the last game so she cooked up something fun with Haley and Kiki’s help…

Yes, but Tara had already been given one lesson before that game.

[BostonCard]

Here’s the embedded tweet:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/stanfordwbb/status/1508287804249321477?s=21&t=FxEi8R5uCLhWhhZTI__mgw[/tweet]

On Prechtel, I noticed that Vanderveer brought Prechtel (not Brink) in when Belibi fouled out, and even after Prechtel missed her three point shot, she stayed in until the end of the game. As others noted, she played good defense, though I was a bit surprised we didn’t go with a better rebounder with a slim lead.

BC

[BostonCard]

Here’s the embedded tweet:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/stanfordwbb/status/1508287804249321477?s=21&t=FxEi8R5uCLhWhhZTI__mgw[/tweet]

On Prechtel, I noticed that Vanderveer brought Prechtel (not Brink) in when Belibi fouled out, and even after Prechtel missed her three point shot, she stayed in until the end of the game. As others noted, she played good defense, though I was a bit surprised we didn’t go with a better rebounder with a slim lead.

BC

[BillBradley]

It takes a team and a shout to Lacie for taking charge becoming a fine point guard and better still a winner.  A Final Four Point Guard.  All played great. How about that rebound margin of 17.  We are tough

+1! Lacie is such a fighter. Defended like mad all game. Played all 40, handled the ball a ton, 4 assists and 3 TO's. Just what the doctor ordered.

[BillBradley]

It takes a team and a shout to Lacie for taking charge becoming a fine point guard and better still a winner.  A Final Four Point Guard.  All played great. How about that rebound margin of 17.  We are tough

+1! Lacie is such a fighter. Defended like mad all game. Played all 40, handled the ball a ton, 4 assists and 3 TO's. Just what the doctor ordered.

[81alum]

Anna was having trouble defending jump shots in the key. She also picked up 2 fouls in the first half and got pulled.

In the presser Tara noted that Rory was taller than Anna and was shooting over her, hence the switch to Lacie to guard her.

[81alum]

Anna was having trouble defending jump shots in the key. She also picked up 2 fouls in the first half and got pulled.

In the presser Tara noted that Rory was taller than Anna and was shooting over her, hence the switch to Lacie to guard her.

[CompSci87]

A bit late to post this now, but I just found it and it has some great stuff. It's the preview press conference before the Texas game, with all 5 starters.

https://youtu.be/DuZoPK8wtZs

[CompSci87]

A bit late to post this now, but I just found it and it has some great stuff. It's the preview press conference before the Texas game, with all 5 starters.

https://youtu.be/DuZoPK8wtZs

[teejers1]

Anna was having trouble defending jump shots in the key. She also picked up 2 fouls in the first half and got pulled.

In the presser Tara noted that Rory was taller than Anna and was shooting over her, hence the switch to Lacie to guard her.

1.  It was a gritty win for the Cardinal and reaching the Final Four is always a great accomplishment to savor.  Congrats to team and players.

2.  The press adjustment was basically as follows:  in-bound the ball to Brink (who was WAY more fleet of foot than was #1 for Texas) and then give the ball back to Haley to bring the ball up.  It largely worked.  But I do think it took a toll on Haley's O flow in 2H, as most of her points were from the stripe.

3.  I would have played a bit more zone than we actually did, but it was good to see that mixed in.  Perhaps #31's unexpected drainage of threes impelled Tara to switch back to man.

4.  Don't understand the criticism of Prechtel's trey attempt.  The shot clock was expiring, so you had to get it off.  BTW, I thought it might bounce in after hitting front rim.  Also, that look was considerably better than a few other end-of-shot-clock chucks that I saw this evening.

5.  The officials inserted themselves into the game too much for my tastes; however, I think the volume of whistles benefitted Stanford.  There were misses all over the place, which is going to happen with zebras going nuts.  BTW, did anyone think Haley was fouled on her long trey right before quarter end?  It didn't look like it, but she made 3 big FTs after that.  Of course, there were some phantom fouls called on Stanford, too.  One thing:  Cam needs to go straight up with her arms.  She has tendency to angle forward ('cuz she understandably likes the blocks) - but really, she could have been whistled for fouls more than she was.

6.  I also wondered why Wilson didn't play more.  But it's a W, and at this point, that is the key.

Stanford can win this thing.  There is still a fair amount of upside to their game, and they just got by 2 quality opponents.

[teejers1]

Anna was having trouble defending jump shots in the key. She also picked up 2 fouls in the first half and got pulled.

In the presser Tara noted that Rory was taller than Anna and was shooting over her, hence the switch to Lacie to guard her.

1.  It was a gritty win for the Cardinal and reaching the Final Four is always a great accomplishment to savor.  Congrats to team and players.

2.  The press adjustment was basically as follows:  in-bound the ball to Brink (who was WAY more fleet of foot than was #1 for Texas) and then give the ball back to Haley to bring the ball up.  It largely worked.  But I do think it took a toll on Haley's O flow in 2H, as most of her points were from the stripe.

3.  I would have played a bit more zone than we actually did, but it was good to see that mixed in.  Perhaps #31's unexpected drainage of threes impelled Tara to switch back to man.

4.  Don't understand the criticism of Prechtel's trey attempt.  The shot clock was expiring, so you had to get it off.  BTW, I thought it might bounce in after hitting front rim.  Also, that look was considerably better than a few other end-of-shot-clock chucks that I saw this evening.

5.  The officials inserted themselves into the game too much for my tastes; however, I think the volume of whistles benefitted Stanford.  There were misses all over the place, which is going to happen with zebras going nuts.  BTW, did anyone think Haley was fouled on her long trey right before quarter end?  It didn't look like it, but she made 3 big FTs after that.  Of course, there were some phantom fouls called on Stanford, too.  One thing:  Cam needs to go straight up with her arms.  She has tendency to angle forward ('cuz she understandably likes the blocks) - but really, she could have been whistled for fouls more than she was.

6.  I also wondered why Wilson didn't play more.  But it's a W, and at this point, that is the key.

Stanford can win this thing.  There is still a fair amount of upside to their game, and they just got by 2 quality opponents.

[akiddoc]

A bit late to post this now, but I just found it and it has some great stuff. It's the preview press conference before the Texas game, with all 5 starters.

https://youtu.be/DuZoPK8wtZs

Great Tara interview in the second half.

[akiddoc]

A bit late to post this now, but I just found it and it has some great stuff. It's the preview press conference before the Texas game, with all 5 starters.

https://youtu.be/DuZoPK8wtZs

Great Tara interview in the second half.

[81alum]

A bit late to post this now, but I just found it and it has some great stuff. It's the preview press conference before the Texas game, with all 5 starters.

https://youtu.be/DuZoPK8wtZs

That is worth watching even though it was the pre-game presser and it is now post-game.  In particular I thought the discussion of how the students adjusted to watching film and scouting reports over their career was insightful.

Tara's comments about the portal and NIL I thought were also interesting.

[81alum]

A bit late to post this now, but I just found it and it has some great stuff. It's the preview press conference before the Texas game, with all 5 starters.

https://youtu.be/DuZoPK8wtZs

That is worth watching even though it was the pre-game presser and it is now post-game.  In particular I thought the discussion of how the students adjusted to watching film and scouting reports over their career was insightful.

Tara's comments about the portal and NIL I thought were also interesting.

[jonnyss]

it wasn't just that anna played less in favor of another guard. mostly, fran played in anna's place. hannah played some (i believe when lexie sat).

we went big, with 2 hulls and jones, fran, and cam/ashten. we used a 2 guard, 3 forward line-up some against maryland as well, and brenda freese commented afterwards that our line-up seemed brobdingnagian. that line-up gets a lot of rebounds.

did folks notice how heated tara got when lacie was called for an offensive foul while bringing the ball up and fending off rori harmon? rare to see tara in a ref's face. i liked it.

speaking of coaches, i've changed my mind about vic schaefer. i was quite impressed with how kind he was to joanne allen-taylor when she fouled out. texas wasn't that far behind, so he could have put all his attention on scheming to catch up or even have been annoyed at her

[jonnyss]

it wasn't just that anna played less in favor of another guard. mostly, fran played in anna's place. hannah played some (i believe when lexie sat).

we went big, with 2 hulls and jones, fran, and cam/ashten. we used a 2 guard, 3 forward line-up some against maryland as well, and brenda freese commented afterwards that our line-up seemed brobdingnagian. that line-up gets a lot of rebounds.

did folks notice how heated tara got when lacie was called for an offensive foul while bringing the ball up and fending off rori harmon? rare to see tara in a ref's face. i liked it.

speaking of coaches, i've changed my mind about vic schaefer. i was quite impressed with how kind he was to joanne allen-taylor when she fouled out. texas wasn't that far behind, so he could have put all his attention on scheming to catch up or even have been annoyed at her

[Grad Fan]

speaking of coaches, i've changed my mind about vic schaefer. i was quite impressed with how kind he was to joanne allen-taylor when she fouled out. texas wasn't that far behind, so he could have put all his attention on scheming to catch up or even have been annoyed at her

Agreed - though this tweet from his assistant feels like a less than classy response to a pretty benign comment from Tara: 
https://twitter.com/Blair__Schaefer/stat...5510308865

[Grad Fan]

speaking of coaches, i've changed my mind about vic schaefer. i was quite impressed with how kind he was to joanne allen-taylor when she fouled out. texas wasn't that far behind, so he could have put all his attention on scheming to catch up or even have been annoyed at her

Agreed - though this tweet from his assistant feels like a less than classy response to a pretty benign comment from Tara: 
https://twitter.com/Blair__Schaefer/stat...5510308865

[WBB fan]

Re Vic Schaefer, I too was impressed with him after game, based on his press conference. He clearly felt for his players, respects them, cares about them as people, and their effort, and was positive about all they'd achieved. Also very emotional, not just because of a loss, but because of what it meant for the players.

---

speaking of coaches, i've changed my mind about vic schaefer. i was quite impressed with how kind he was to joanne allen-taylor when she fouled out. texas wasn't that far behind, so he could have put all his attention on scheming to catch up or even have been annoyed at her

Agreed - though this tweet from his assistant feels like a less than classy response to a pretty benign comment from Tara: 
https://twitter.com/Blair__Schaefer/stat...5510308865

Actually, I think the Texas coach may not have seen this as a "benign" comment, instead as a critical, negative, comment re the way Texas plays. Whether or not you agree with that interpretation of Tara's words, it's easy to see it way from the Texas perspective.

[WBB fan]

Re Vic Schaefer, I too was impressed with him after game, based on his press conference. He clearly felt for his players, respects them, cares about them as people, and their effort, and was positive about all they'd achieved. Also very emotional, not just because of a loss, but because of what it meant for the players.

---

speaking of coaches, i've changed my mind about vic schaefer. i was quite impressed with how kind he was to joanne allen-taylor when she fouled out. texas wasn't that far behind, so he could have put all his attention on scheming to catch up or even have been annoyed at her

Agreed - though this tweet from his assistant feels like a less than classy response to a pretty benign comment from Tara: 
https://twitter.com/Blair__Schaefer/stat...5510308865

Actually, I think the Texas coach may not have seen this as a "benign" comment, instead as a critical, negative, comment re the way Texas plays. Whether or not you agree with that interpretation of Tara's words, it's easy to see it way from the Texas perspective.

[crackpot]

speaking of coaches, i've changed my mind about vic schaefer. i was quite impressed with how kind he was to joanne allen-taylor when she fouled out. texas wasn't that far behind, so he could have put all his attention on scheming to catch up or even have been annoyed at her

Agreed - though this tweet from his assistant feels like a less than classy response to a pretty benign comment from Tara: 
https://twitter.com/Blair__Schaefer/stat...5510308865

Wow. Good thing her dad gave her a job.

[crackpot]

speaking of coaches, i've changed my mind about vic schaefer. i was quite impressed with how kind he was to joanne allen-taylor when she fouled out. texas wasn't that far behind, so he could have put all his attention on scheming to catch up or even have been annoyed at her

Agreed - though this tweet from his assistant feels like a less than classy response to a pretty benign comment from Tara: 
https://twitter.com/Blair__Schaefer/stat...5510308865

Wow. Good thing her dad gave her a job.

[chimera]

That is not a smart thing to do - call out a HOF coach over a relatively benign statement, especially in context.  I hate the way Texas plays defense, not the hustle and scrappiness, that they do well, but the constant overly physical play and the flopping.  I also wonder how that style, the crushing defense but relatively mediocre offense for a top team, will fly with top recruits, who tend to want to show off their offensive skills and not get pounded in mosh pit games.

[chimera]

That is not a smart thing to do - call out a HOF coach over a relatively benign statement, especially in context.  I hate the way Texas plays defense, not the hustle and scrappiness, that they do well, but the constant overly physical play and the flopping.  I also wonder how that style, the crushing defense but relatively mediocre offense for a top team, will fly with top recruits, who tend to want to show off their offensive skills and not get pounded in mosh pit games.

[mbdude]

As someone mentioned on another forum Tara references rugby/football quite often when talking about rough play - not directed toward any team

Local newspaper article
Hometown stars Lexie, Lacey Hull lead Stanford to victory in front of partisan Spokane crowd | The Spokesman-Review

and a nice 1 from The Athletic (may be behind paywall)
Stanford is electric, dancin’ and advancing to another Final Four – The Athletic

[mbdude]

As someone mentioned on another forum Tara references rugby/football quite often when talking about rough play - not directed toward any team

Local newspaper article
Hometown stars Lexie, Lacey Hull lead Stanford to victory in front of partisan Spokane crowd | The Spokesman-Review

and a nice 1 from The Athletic (may be behind paywall)
Stanford is electric, dancin’ and advancing to another Final Four – The Athletic

[jonnyss]

speaking of coaches, i've changed my mind about vic schaefer. i was quite impressed with how kind he was to joanne allen-taylor when she fouled out. texas wasn't that far behind, so he could have put all his attention on scheming to catch up or even have been annoyed at her

Agreed - though this tweet from his assistant feels like a less than classy response to a pretty benign comment from Tara: 
https://twitter.com/Blair__Schaefer/stat...5510308865

Wow. Good thing her dad gave her a job.

that tweet page mentions that tara was out of her seat 3 times yelling flop. good for her, about time!

[jonnyss]

speaking of coaches, i've changed my mind about vic schaefer. i was quite impressed with how kind he was to joanne allen-taylor when she fouled out. texas wasn't that far behind, so he could have put all his attention on scheming to catch up or even have been annoyed at her

Agreed - though this tweet from his assistant feels like a less than classy response to a pretty benign comment from Tara: 
https://twitter.com/Blair__Schaefer/stat...5510308865

Wow. Good thing her dad gave her a job.

that tweet page mentions that tara was out of her seat 3 times yelling flop. good for her, about time!

[TheWildJacko]

Good articles. Here's a few more:

Stanford Daily: https://stanforddaily.com/2022/03/27/sti...inal-four/
SJ Mercury News: https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/03/28/j...inal-four/
Swish Appeal: https://www.swishappeal.com/ncaa/2022/3/...xas-warren

[TheWildJacko]

Good articles. Here's a few more:

Stanford Daily: https://stanforddaily.com/2022/03/27/sti...inal-four/
SJ Mercury News: https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/03/28/j...inal-four/
Swish Appeal: https://www.swishappeal.com/ncaa/2022/3/...xas-warren

[chimera]

Maybe don't keep saying your team goal is to play defense in a way that makes the game ugly if you mind when others say they don't like it when games get ugly.  That's what it ultimately boils down to re:  Texas whining.  Tara's been saying the exact same quote for years and years in a general way, as she did the other day.  That Texas took it so personally shows that they know their style is a bit out of bounds at times.  Another team on my Ish List.

[chimera]

Maybe don't keep saying your team goal is to play defense in a way that makes the game ugly if you mind when others say they don't like it when games get ugly.  That's what it ultimately boils down to re:  Texas whining.  Tara's been saying the exact same quote for years and years in a general way, as she did the other day.  That Texas took it so personally shows that they know their style is a bit out of bounds at times.  Another team on my Ish List.

[RuralFan]

Re Vic Schaefer, I too was impressed with him after game, based on his press conference. He clearly felt for his players, respects them, cares about them as people, and their effort, and was positive about all they'd achieved. Also very emotional, not just because of a loss, but because of what it meant for the players.

---

speaking of coaches, i've changed my mind about vic schaefer. i was quite impressed with how kind he was to joanne allen-taylor when she fouled out. texas wasn't that far behind, so he could have put all his attention on scheming to catch up or even have been annoyed at her

Agreed - though this tweet from his assistant feels like a less than classy response to a pretty benign comment from Tara: 
https://twitter.com/Blair__Schaefer/stat...5510308865

Actually, I think the Texas coach may not have seen this as a "benign" comment, instead as a critical, negative, comment re the way Texas plays. Whether or not you agree with that interpretation of Tara's words, it's easy to see it way from the Texas perspective.

I have no idea if Vic Schaefer is a good guy or a bad guy, but I know that I don't like the way he coaches basketball.  Time after time last night his players were confused about a foul call against them.  Why should they be call for a foul? They were just doing what they had been taught!  I don't like the way he coaches because it increases the risk of injury, puts tremendous pressure on the officials, and makes a really ugly game to watch.  How can that be good for women's basketball?

[RuralFan]

Re Vic Schaefer, I too was impressed with him after game, based on his press conference. He clearly felt for his players, respects them, cares about them as people, and their effort, and was positive about all they'd achieved. Also very emotional, not just because of a loss, but because of what it meant for the players.

---

speaking of coaches, i've changed my mind about vic schaefer. i was quite impressed with how kind he was to joanne allen-taylor when she fouled out. texas wasn't that far behind, so he could have put all his attention on scheming to catch up or even have been annoyed at her

Agreed - though this tweet from his assistant feels like a less than classy response to a pretty benign comment from Tara: 
https://twitter.com/Blair__Schaefer/stat...5510308865

Actually, I think the Texas coach may not have seen this as a "benign" comment, instead as a critical, negative, comment re the way Texas plays. Whether or not you agree with that interpretation of Tara's words, it's easy to see it way from the Texas perspective.

I have no idea if Vic Schaefer is a good guy or a bad guy, but I know that I don't like the way he coaches basketball.  Time after time last night his players were confused about a foul call against them.  Why should they be call for a foul? They were just doing what they had been taught!  I don't like the way he coaches because it increases the risk of injury, puts tremendous pressure on the officials, and makes a really ugly game to watch.  How can that be good for women's basketball?

[81alum]

Vic Schaeffer's kindness toward his players was admirable. 

In watching his full presser, however, his overly-defensive mindset was on full display.  He was clearly very proud of holding our offense in check--even more than November, and time and time again he talked about their accomplishments on defense and never really acknowledged Stanford's even better accomplishment on defense, nor his team's offensive shortcomings.  More than once after lauding his team's defense he noted "we should have won" or "we would have won except for missing a few shots" etc.  It is as if offense really did not matter much to him.  When his team holds us to under 60 it is due to his team's tremendous defensive skill, but when his team fails to score more than 50 it is because they missed a few shots and were unlucky.

In any case, whether the Texas strategy is wise or not, it makes for a game that is a lot less fun to watch.  No one is going to play "pretty basketball" against Texas, he said.  Well, it works, and what a shame.

As for Tara's comments about football/wrestling/sumo etc. she has made those comments for years.  I remember her making them about Cori Close and UCLA back in the Chiney days.  It is just Tara lobbying the refs to allow freedom of movement.  The foul on Lacie's breakaway is a case in point--the player chasing her was bodying into her and Lacie was called for pushing back.  Texas does exactly what Tara was complaining about.

[81alum]

Vic Schaeffer's kindness toward his players was admirable. 

In watching his full presser, however, his overly-defensive mindset was on full display.  He was clearly very proud of holding our offense in check--even more than November, and time and time again he talked about their accomplishments on defense and never really acknowledged Stanford's even better accomplishment on defense, nor his team's offensive shortcomings.  More than once after lauding his team's defense he noted "we should have won" or "we would have won except for missing a few shots" etc.  It is as if offense really did not matter much to him.  When his team holds us to under 60 it is due to his team's tremendous defensive skill, but when his team fails to score more than 50 it is because they missed a few shots and were unlucky.

In any case, whether the Texas strategy is wise or not, it makes for a game that is a lot less fun to watch.  No one is going to play "pretty basketball" against Texas, he said.  Well, it works, and what a shame.

As for Tara's comments about football/wrestling/sumo etc. she has made those comments for years.  I remember her making them about Cori Close and UCLA back in the Chiney days.  It is just Tara lobbying the refs to allow freedom of movement.  The foul on Lacie's breakaway is a case in point--the player chasing her was bodying into her and Lacie was called for pushing back.  Texas does exactly what Tara was complaining about.

[Jskass]

his press conference was supportive of his players but not at all gracious. Best he could say to congratulate us (as all coaches do to their opponents in praise when they start their opening statements) was that we made a few more plays than they did. His whole theme was that TX should have won (if it were not for the free throws missed) and that our 3 point shooting was terrible. In fact he kept repeating that if they had a rematch TX would win. Likes to hear himself talk. And spare me the comments about how the Big 12 is so great. SO glad we won!

[Jskass]

his press conference was supportive of his players but not at all gracious. Best he could say to congratulate us (as all coaches do to their opponents in praise when they start their opening statements) was that we made a few more plays than they did. His whole theme was that TX should have won (if it were not for the free throws missed) and that our 3 point shooting was terrible. In fact he kept repeating that if they had a rematch TX would win. Likes to hear himself talk. And spare me the comments about how the Big 12 is so great. SO glad we won!