[81alum]

Here are my takeaways from this game.

1) We won, but were soundly beaten in 2 of the 4 quarters.  We have plenty to work on.  Turnovers continue to be a significant issue, with 17 of them.

2) Van Gytenbeek got her chance today against the very best competition, and she showed us something we haven't seen before.  She had nerves of steel and was 3/3 for 8 points at the very moment we broke the game open and reversed Oregon's momentum.  She showed sharp shooting skills and psychological fortitude.  She also had an assist and no turnovers in her 14 minutes of play.

3) Oregon has shown how to stop or at least slow down Belibi, who was held to 3/9 and took a couple of wild shots she should not have.  Their zone collapsed inward and often refused to let her get into the area of floor where she could be effective.  Their zone is active enough to expand back out to the perimeter but the only way to defeat it is to have strong outside shooting, and ours was mediocre from range today. 

4) Wilson was nails.  So happy she came back for this year.

5) Williams may have saved the game, but she was 3/13 and 0/6 from long range.  Fortunately Wilson and Von Gytenbeek were hot from distance, or the Oregon zone would never have unclogged.

6) Tara likes to kill clock when she has a big lead, trading points for time.  It infuriates us some of the time, but she has the most wins in WBB, not us.  It is similar to Shaw predictably running the ball when the football team is ahead.  But it was unnerving to see a 17 point lead at the 8 minute mark dwindling away.  That is when Jones made a jumper--the last basket of the game for us.  Only free throws after that.

7) I like Prechtel in this game and think she should have gotten more minutes.  She seems tailor made for killing zones, since she can shoot over them.  I think she played better than Belibi today, given the nature of the opposition.

8) Needless to say, we missed Lexie.  Lacie made only one basket, and Oregon could afford to focus on other players.  Our offense improved when Van Gytenbeek or Wilson were on the floor and Lacie was not.  Still, she was superb on defense as always.

[81alum]

Here are my takeaways from this game.

1) We won, but were soundly beaten in 2 of the 4 quarters.  We have plenty to work on.  Turnovers continue to be a significant issue, with 17 of them.

2) Van Gytenbeek got her chance today against the very best competition, and she showed us something we haven't seen before.  She had nerves of steel and was 3/3 for 8 points at the very moment we broke the game open and reversed Oregon's momentum.  She showed sharp shooting skills and psychological fortitude.  She also had an assist and no turnovers in her 14 minutes of play.

3) Oregon has shown how to stop or at least slow down Belibi, who was held to 3/9 and took a couple of wild shots she should not have.  Their zone collapsed inward and often refused to let her get into the area of floor where she could be effective.  Their zone is active enough to expand back out to the perimeter but the only way to defeat it is to have strong outside shooting, and ours was mediocre from range today. 

4) Wilson was nails.  So happy she came back for this year.

5) Williams may have saved the game, but she was 3/13 and 0/6 from long range.  Fortunately Wilson and Von Gytenbeek were hot from distance, or the Oregon zone would never have unclogged.

6) Tara likes to kill clock when she has a big lead, trading points for time.  It infuriates us some of the time, but she has the most wins in WBB, not us.  It is similar to Shaw predictably running the ball when the football team is ahead.  But it was unnerving to see a 17 point lead at the 8 minute mark dwindling away.  That is when Jones made a jumper--the last basket of the game for us.  Only free throws after that.

7) I like Prechtel in this game and think she should have gotten more minutes.  She seems tailor made for killing zones, since she can shoot over them.  I think she played better than Belibi today, given the nature of the opposition.

8) Needless to say, we missed Lexie.  Lacie made only one basket, and Oregon could afford to focus on other players.  Our offense improved when Van Gytenbeek or Wilson were on the floor and Lacie was not.  Still, she was superb on defense as always.

[Spiny_Norman]

Stanford has now defeated 3 top 10 teams (well, teams that have been ranked in the top 10) in the past 4 games. Each of those teams defeated Stanford last season. They have done this without playing a home game and without some key players. I'm thrilled.

It's still early January. 2/3 of the conference season to go. You want to peak in March (and April), not January. I like the team's trajectory. Now let's keep the players healthy and rested as classes start for winter quarter.

[Spiny_Norman]

Stanford has now defeated 3 top 10 teams (well, teams that have been ranked in the top 10) in the past 4 games. Each of those teams defeated Stanford last season. They have done this without playing a home game and without some key players. I'm thrilled.

It's still early January. 2/3 of the conference season to go. You want to peak in March (and April), not January. I like the team's trajectory. Now let's keep the players healthy and rested as classes start for winter quarter.

[M T]

From what I saw, it is hard to believe that Brink was -7.  In 13 minutes, she pulled down 6 rebounds, blocked 2 shots, and hit 2 of 3 inside the arc, missed 1 from the 3pt line, and was called for a foul.

Ah, she was in for 3 minutes in the 4th when Oregon made 2 shots and Stanford none.

Williams's 6 TO hurt.

Rebounds: St: O: 12O 27D    O: 14O 23D
Stanford: 34% on offense.  66% on defense.  So, it wound up even.

[M T]

From what I saw, it is hard to believe that Brink was -7.  In 13 minutes, she pulled down 6 rebounds, blocked 2 shots, and hit 2 of 3 inside the arc, missed 1 from the 3pt line, and was called for a foul.

Ah, she was in for 3 minutes in the 4th when Oregon made 2 shots and Stanford none.

Williams's 6 TO hurt.

Rebounds: St: O: 12O 27D    O: 14O 23D
Stanford: 34% on offense.  66% on defense.  So, it wound up even.

[Phogge]

Belibi needs to work on catching the ball. Fundamental.

[Phogge]

Belibi needs to work on catching the ball. Fundamental.

[chimera]

Great win!  Oregon is very good, worthy of their ranking.  I don't think we played near our best.  Boxing out was not good, thus rebounding should have been better.  Too many turnovers.  Several players seemed to be rushing a bit, trying to play too fast.  Defense early was not great, though at the end it was much better and locked UO out when they tried to come back (except the turnovers that lead to their scores near the end).  We did miss the players who sat out.  Hope they are all well and this was just contact tracing.  This was definitely not Fran's best game.  She was rushing I thought, not grabbing rebounds as well as usual, and struggling to finish.  Kiana was a mixed bag, too much dribbling into traffic and/or tough shots that she missed, but she came through at the line late.  

To the good, super good to see Jana play that way against a top team.  Great shooting, no turnovers I don't think, worked hard on D.  Anna was excellent all game.  Ashten had some very good minutes, looking confident and not fouling.  

Given everything, thumbs way up.  I do think we missed Lexie, who we often overlook, as well as the others who were out.  

I have never seen a team bat so many O boards out to three point shooters as UO did.  They kept doing that early in the game and the shooter would hit a wide open three.

[chimera]

Great win!  Oregon is very good, worthy of their ranking.  I don't think we played near our best.  Boxing out was not good, thus rebounding should have been better.  Too many turnovers.  Several players seemed to be rushing a bit, trying to play too fast.  Defense early was not great, though at the end it was much better and locked UO out when they tried to come back (except the turnovers that lead to their scores near the end).  We did miss the players who sat out.  Hope they are all well and this was just contact tracing.  This was definitely not Fran's best game.  She was rushing I thought, not grabbing rebounds as well as usual, and struggling to finish.  Kiana was a mixed bag, too much dribbling into traffic and/or tough shots that she missed, but she came through at the line late.  

To the good, super good to see Jana play that way against a top team.  Great shooting, no turnovers I don't think, worked hard on D.  Anna was excellent all game.  Ashten had some very good minutes, looking confident and not fouling.  

Given everything, thumbs way up.  I do think we missed Lexie, who we often overlook, as well as the others who were out.  

I have never seen a team bat so many O boards out to three point shooters as UO did.  They kept doing that early in the game and the shooter would hit a wide open three.

[BostonCard]

It's a W - which is most important.



But this team almost choked away a 17 point lead against a less-talented, less-deep team.  So the W doesn't feel quite as satisfying as it should (and in reality, is).

You say tomato; I say we easily beat a top-15 team (in the end, it was a three possession win) despite being down three players (1 a starter), culminating a four game stretch in which we beat 3 top-15 teams, and still have not been "home" in ages.  I mean the closest they came in the fourth quarter was 5 points and ESPN's win probability meter didn't get below a 95% chance of winning for Stanford (I think 95.3% was the trough).  The whole point of building a 17 point lead is that you can have a run of playing like crap and still win by 7.

BC

[BostonCard]

It's a W - which is most important.



But this team almost choked away a 17 point lead against a less-talented, less-deep team.  So the W doesn't feel quite as satisfying as it should (and in reality, is).

You say tomato; I say we easily beat a top-15 team (in the end, it was a three possession win) despite being down three players (1 a starter), culminating a four game stretch in which we beat 3 top-15 teams, and still have not been "home" in ages.  I mean the closest they came in the fourth quarter was 5 points and ESPN's win probability meter didn't get below a 95% chance of winning for Stanford (I think 95.3% was the trough).  The whole point of building a 17 point lead is that you can have a run of playing like crap and still win by 7.

BC

[MJinSD]

I agree, way too many turnovers including 12 steals!  They need to work on their ball handling. Van Gytenbeek surprised me, and I loved her grit.  Cameron Brink has that same grit and feistiness, so does Anna. We need more of that on this team.  Belibi had problems catching and holding on to the ball today, but still played tough and she's improving by leaps and bounds game by game.  I love what Ashten did in this game and I agree, she should get more minutes.  I also hate it when Tara stalls at the end of the game.  We had a good flow going so why not just keep playing?  I think we could have easily won by 20 points.  Haley was steady eddy in this game and really sees the floor well, although I think she's capable of so much more.  Kiana didn't have her best game but she's the calm in the middle of the storm that keeps this team together.  

Here are my takeaways from this game.

1) We won, but were soundly beaten in 2 of the 4 quarters.  We have plenty to work on.  Turnovers continue to be a significant issue, with 17 of them.

2) Van Gytenbeek got her chance today against the very best competition, and she showed us something we haven't seen before.  She had nerves of steel and was 3/3 for 8 points at the very moment we broke the game open and reversed Oregon's momentum.  She showed sharp shooting skills and psychological fortitude.  She also had an assist and no turnovers in her 14 minutes of play.

3) Oregon has shown how to stop or at least slow down Belibi, who was held to 3/9 and took a couple of wild shots she should not have.  Their zone collapsed inward and often refused to let her get into the area of floor where she could be effective.  Their zone is active enough to expand back out to the perimeter but the only way to defeat it is to have strong outside shooting, and ours was mediocre from range today. 

4) Wilson was nails.  So happy she came back for this year.

5) Williams may have saved the game, but she was 3/13 and 0/6 from long range.  Fortunately Wilson and Von Gytenbeek were hot from distance, or the Oregon zone would never have unclogged.

6) Tara likes to kill clock when she has a big lead, trading points for time.  It infuriates us some of the time, but she has the most wins in WBB, not us.  It is similar to Shaw predictably running the ball when the football team is ahead.  But it was unnerving to see a 17 point lead at the 8 minute mark dwindling away.  That is when Jones made a jumper--the last basket of the game for us.  Only free throws after that.

7) I like Prechtel in this game and think she should have gotten more minutes.  She seems tailor made for killing zones, since she can shoot over them.  I think she played better than Belibi today, given the nature of the opposition.

8) Needless to say, we missed Lexie.  Lacie made only one basket, and Oregon could afford to focus on other players.  Our offense improved when Van Gytenbeek or Wilson were on the floor and Lacie was not.  Still, she was superb on defense as always.

[MJinSD]

I agree, way too many turnovers including 12 steals!  They need to work on their ball handling. Van Gytenbeek surprised me, and I loved her grit.  Cameron Brink has that same grit and feistiness, so does Anna. We need more of that on this team.  Belibi had problems catching and holding on to the ball today, but still played tough and she's improving by leaps and bounds game by game.  I love what Ashten did in this game and I agree, she should get more minutes.  I also hate it when Tara stalls at the end of the game.  We had a good flow going so why not just keep playing?  I think we could have easily won by 20 points.  Haley was steady eddy in this game and really sees the floor well, although I think she's capable of so much more.  Kiana didn't have her best game but she's the calm in the middle of the storm that keeps this team together.  

Here are my takeaways from this game.

1) We won, but were soundly beaten in 2 of the 4 quarters.  We have plenty to work on.  Turnovers continue to be a significant issue, with 17 of them.

2) Van Gytenbeek got her chance today against the very best competition, and she showed us something we haven't seen before.  She had nerves of steel and was 3/3 for 8 points at the very moment we broke the game open and reversed Oregon's momentum.  She showed sharp shooting skills and psychological fortitude.  She also had an assist and no turnovers in her 14 minutes of play.

3) Oregon has shown how to stop or at least slow down Belibi, who was held to 3/9 and took a couple of wild shots she should not have.  Their zone collapsed inward and often refused to let her get into the area of floor where she could be effective.  Their zone is active enough to expand back out to the perimeter but the only way to defeat it is to have strong outside shooting, and ours was mediocre from range today. 

4) Wilson was nails.  So happy she came back for this year.

5) Williams may have saved the game, but she was 3/13 and 0/6 from long range.  Fortunately Wilson and Von Gytenbeek were hot from distance, or the Oregon zone would never have unclogged.

6) Tara likes to kill clock when she has a big lead, trading points for time.  It infuriates us some of the time, but she has the most wins in WBB, not us.  It is similar to Shaw predictably running the ball when the football team is ahead.  But it was unnerving to see a 17 point lead at the 8 minute mark dwindling away.  That is when Jones made a jumper--the last basket of the game for us.  Only free throws after that.

7) I like Prechtel in this game and think she should have gotten more minutes.  She seems tailor made for killing zones, since she can shoot over them.  I think she played better than Belibi today, given the nature of the opposition.

8) Needless to say, we missed Lexie.  Lacie made only one basket, and Oregon could afford to focus on other players.  Our offense improved when Van Gytenbeek or Wilson were on the floor and Lacie was not.  Still, she was superb on defense as always.

[TheFarm07]

It's a W - which is most important.



But this team almost choked away a 17 point lead against a less-talented, less-deep team.  So the W doesn't feel quite as satisfying as it should (and in reality, is).

You say tomato; I say we easily beat a top-15 team (in the end, it was a three possession win) despite being down three players (1 a starter), culminating a four game stretch in which we beat 3 top-15 teams, and still have not been "home" in ages.  I mean the closest they came in the fourth quarter was 5 points and ESPN's win probability meter didn't get below a 95% chance of winning for Stanford (I think 95.3% was the trough).  The whole point of building a 17 point lead is that you can have a run of playing like crap and still win by 7.

BC

Yes, I agree, considering the factors going into this game and our record the last couple weeks, those are all positives that we should be pleased with and optimistic about our team's chances heading into the next couple months.

Having said that, considering the lead we took into the fourth quarter in this game and how we gave up most of it, hopefully we will work on improving our gameplay and correcting those mistakes so that opposing teams won't be able to go on those runs in the future.

It's nice to have that cushion in situations like today when we needed it, but I don't like flirting with danger if we can avoid it. If Sabally didn't travel looking for a teammate to pass it to after stealing the in-bound play, we could have been only up by one possession with less than a minute left and who knows what could have happened. A bad call (or no call), a lucky shot, etc. and Oregon could have come away with a great win for their team and a heartbreaking loss by us.

I don't like to have the game come down to that, if we don't have to, certainly in games, when we had a sizeable lead going into the last quarter.

[TheFarm07]

It's a W - which is most important.



But this team almost choked away a 17 point lead against a less-talented, less-deep team.  So the W doesn't feel quite as satisfying as it should (and in reality, is).

You say tomato; I say we easily beat a top-15 team (in the end, it was a three possession win) despite being down three players (1 a starter), culminating a four game stretch in which we beat 3 top-15 teams, and still have not been "home" in ages.  I mean the closest they came in the fourth quarter was 5 points and ESPN's win probability meter didn't get below a 95% chance of winning for Stanford (I think 95.3% was the trough).  The whole point of building a 17 point lead is that you can have a run of playing like crap and still win by 7.

BC

Yes, I agree, considering the factors going into this game and our record the last couple weeks, those are all positives that we should be pleased with and optimistic about our team's chances heading into the next couple months.

Having said that, considering the lead we took into the fourth quarter in this game and how we gave up most of it, hopefully we will work on improving our gameplay and correcting those mistakes so that opposing teams won't be able to go on those runs in the future.

It's nice to have that cushion in situations like today when we needed it, but I don't like flirting with danger if we can avoid it. If Sabally didn't travel looking for a teammate to pass it to after stealing the in-bound play, we could have been only up by one possession with less than a minute left and who knows what could have happened. A bad call (or no call), a lucky shot, etc. and Oregon could have come away with a great win for their team and a heartbreaking loss by us.

I don't like to have the game come down to that, if we don't have to, certainly in games, when we had a sizeable lead going into the last quarter.

[crackpot]

Great shorthanded win. Impressed by Jana's composure

...especially as she was getting tossed around out there!

[crackpot]

Great shorthanded win. Impressed by Jana's composure

...especially as she was getting tossed around out there!

[teejers1]

3) Oregon has shown how to stop or at least slow down Belibi, who was held to 3/9 and took a couple of wild shots she should not have.  Their zone collapsed inward and often refused to let her get into the area of floor where she could be effective.  Their zone is active enough to expand back out to the perimeter but the only way to defeat it is to have strong outside shooting, and ours was mediocre from range today.  

Oregon switched up defenses nicely.

Against zone, I'd have Haley or Prechtel at the FT line area (and if they're both in, then put Prechtel out at 3 point line) and then have Brink or Belibi in the low block.  You need a threat from high post area, and preferably one who can also pass to open three shooter of the post getting position in the low block.  Brink can also shoot from there, but her low post moves are quite good, too.  At one point in 2H today, pretty sure I saw Belibi with ball at high post and the Oregon D sagged - that is not ideal personnel placing, imo.

Wilson has been such an important contributor this year - great to see.

Most encouraging thing to this fan:  there is still so much more upside to this team.  Fran is only going to improve with time and experience; and other players (I won't name names) are showing confidence, even in limited minutes.  And a bunch of the sloppy turnovers can be eliminated.  Lots of upside to yet be realized . . . which is so flipping exciting.

P.S.  Thought Stanford was very fortunate on the Sabally travel call (especially since it looked like the travel actually occurred right as she caught it and not when they blew the whistle).  Also thought at least one of the calls on Boley was dubious - another break for Stanford.  Overall, I thought the refs were consistent in the type of game they called (allowing more contact that we often see in conference games).  I'll take that over nonstop whistles any day.

[teejers1]

3) Oregon has shown how to stop or at least slow down Belibi, who was held to 3/9 and took a couple of wild shots she should not have.  Their zone collapsed inward and often refused to let her get into the area of floor where she could be effective.  Their zone is active enough to expand back out to the perimeter but the only way to defeat it is to have strong outside shooting, and ours was mediocre from range today.  

Oregon switched up defenses nicely.

Against zone, I'd have Haley or Prechtel at the FT line area (and if they're both in, then put Prechtel out at 3 point line) and then have Brink or Belibi in the low block.  You need a threat from high post area, and preferably one who can also pass to open three shooter of the post getting position in the low block.  Brink can also shoot from there, but her low post moves are quite good, too.  At one point in 2H today, pretty sure I saw Belibi with ball at high post and the Oregon D sagged - that is not ideal personnel placing, imo.

Wilson has been such an important contributor this year - great to see.

Most encouraging thing to this fan:  there is still so much more upside to this team.  Fran is only going to improve with time and experience; and other players (I won't name names) are showing confidence, even in limited minutes.  And a bunch of the sloppy turnovers can be eliminated.  Lots of upside to yet be realized . . . which is so flipping exciting.

P.S.  Thought Stanford was very fortunate on the Sabally travel call (especially since it looked like the travel actually occurred right as she caught it and not when they blew the whistle).  Also thought at least one of the calls on Boley was dubious - another break for Stanford.  Overall, I thought the refs were consistent in the type of game they called (allowing more contact that we often see in conference games).  I'll take that over nonstop whistles any day.

[Spiny_Norman]

Does anyone know if the team is returning to campus this week before the trip to Boulder and Salt Lake City? They might want to avoid all other students.

[twitter]https://twitter.com/StanfordDaily/status/1347689329334751234[/twitter]

[Spiny_Norman]

Does anyone know if the team is returning to campus this week before the trip to Boulder and Salt Lake City? They might want to avoid all other students.

[twitter]https://twitter.com/StanfordDaily/status/1347689329334751234[/twitter]

[teejers1]

Does anyone know if the team is returning to campus this week before the trip to Boulder and Salt Lake City? They might want to avoid all other students.

[twitter]https://twitter.com/StanfordDaily/status/1347689329334751234[/twitter]

Shocker:  kids arriving from parts unknown to college and bring Covid to campus; and cases spread.

Hope the teams stay in Santa Cruz - don't they have to if following SCC protocols (they were more than 150 miles from the county at some point in this endless roadie . . .)?  When and if the teams return to campus - especially if it occurs during first wave spike of on-campus cases - we will start seeing Stanford players get positive results.  It's inevitable (sadly).  Let's just hope there is not too much disruption of schedule (though disruption is a hallmark of this season).

[teejers1]

Does anyone know if the team is returning to campus this week before the trip to Boulder and Salt Lake City? They might want to avoid all other students.

[twitter]https://twitter.com/StanfordDaily/status/1347689329334751234[/twitter]

Shocker:  kids arriving from parts unknown to college and bring Covid to campus; and cases spread.

Hope the teams stay in Santa Cruz - don't they have to if following SCC protocols (they were more than 150 miles from the county at some point in this endless roadie . . .)?  When and if the teams return to campus - especially if it occurs during first wave spike of on-campus cases - we will start seeing Stanford players get positive results.  It's inevitable (sadly).  Let's just hope there is not too much disruption of schedule (though disruption is a hallmark of this season).

[Softball Fan]

It always drives me nuts when players (not just Wilson at the end) push the boundaries of the rules unnecessarily. Pick up the ball and walk before time runs out, pass the ball at half court flirting with backcourt violations, not properly staying out of bounds when inbounding the ball after made baskets...  I guess I’m officially old. 
;)

Yes,  but with Wilson there was 0.3 seconds left in the game and everyone on the court was standing around accepting the game was out of reach.  When Oregon inbounded the ball they just stood there and let the .3 seconds run out.  I felt it was an unnecessary call but I understand the ref is expected to call everything they see.

---

Yay Prechtel.  Nice game.

[Softball Fan]

It always drives me nuts when players (not just Wilson at the end) push the boundaries of the rules unnecessarily. Pick up the ball and walk before time runs out, pass the ball at half court flirting with backcourt violations, not properly staying out of bounds when inbounding the ball after made baskets...  I guess I’m officially old. 
;)

Yes,  but with Wilson there was 0.3 seconds left in the game and everyone on the court was standing around accepting the game was out of reach.  When Oregon inbounded the ball they just stood there and let the .3 seconds run out.  I felt it was an unnecessary call but I understand the ref is expected to call everything they see.

---

Yay Prechtel.  Nice game.

[Hulk01]

A key: our defense took away the three opportunities from Mikesell, Boley, and Paopao.
(Wilson's D on her, start to finish, seemed key, too.
Add her to the Pac-12 All Defensive team.)

Those three entered the game averaging 19.8 points on 14.3 threes per conference game. 
They were a combined two for six: six points.

Encouraging: we beat a very good team despite poor games from three of our starters.

[Hulk01]

A key: our defense took away the three opportunities from Mikesell, Boley, and Paopao.
(Wilson's D on her, start to finish, seemed key, too.
Add her to the Pac-12 All Defensive team.)

Those three entered the game averaging 19.8 points on 14.3 threes per conference game. 
They were a combined two for six: six points.

Encouraging: we beat a very good team despite poor games from three of our starters.

[jonnyss]

haley took over the game in the 3rd. she was great.

jana showed us why we recruited her.

i agree with others that, at the end of the game, tara chose to run clock rather than run the offense. scary and boring, but we were far ahead, so a calculated risk rather than ineptitude - and successful.

fran usually has great hands. and usually passes with great accuracy. she was out of sorts today - except for that fabulous block.

[jonnyss]

haley took over the game in the 3rd. she was great.

jana showed us why we recruited her.

i agree with others that, at the end of the game, tara chose to run clock rather than run the offense. scary and boring, but we were far ahead, so a calculated risk rather than ineptitude - and successful.

fran usually has great hands. and usually passes with great accuracy. she was out of sorts today - except for that fabulous block.

[BobK]

Team will be in Santa Cruz then San Mateo county for several days each.
Probably the same hotel in San Mateo as Christmas. Great bar

[BobK]

Team will be in Santa Cruz then San Mateo county for several days each.
Probably the same hotel in San Mateo as Christmas. Great bar

[pefloresjr]

One of the issues this team has to learn to deal with is being the undisputed No. 1.  The longer that goes on, the greater the pressure.  When we face a good team like Oregon that is used to running and gunning (or at least used to scoring a lot), the opponent can sometimes play really carefree ball.  I think that was a factor in the first half.  We looked tight and had trouble adjusting to their aggressive defense on Belibi.  We got it almost back to even at the half and played with a plan in the 3rd quarter.  The team looked comfortable and loose during that span.  In the 4th, when the lead started to slip away and we were trying to burn clock, we were never able to get our offensive rhythm back.  That is usually where Williams or Jones steadies the ship with some clutch shots.  Those had to come from the freethrow line today.  It was far from perfect, but I think it was a needed learning and growing experience for this team and for our coaches in handling this team.  A great win overall.  

I really think Oregon is every bit as good as UCLA and Arizona.  With other good teams in the Pac-12 (WSU is even a real threat this year), Stanford will be battle tested for tournament play.  (Knocking on wood and hoping the team makes it to that point without many more health issues.)

Cheers,
Pete F.

[pefloresjr]

One of the issues this team has to learn to deal with is being the undisputed No. 1.  The longer that goes on, the greater the pressure.  When we face a good team like Oregon that is used to running and gunning (or at least used to scoring a lot), the opponent can sometimes play really carefree ball.  I think that was a factor in the first half.  We looked tight and had trouble adjusting to their aggressive defense on Belibi.  We got it almost back to even at the half and played with a plan in the 3rd quarter.  The team looked comfortable and loose during that span.  In the 4th, when the lead started to slip away and we were trying to burn clock, we were never able to get our offensive rhythm back.  That is usually where Williams or Jones steadies the ship with some clutch shots.  Those had to come from the freethrow line today.  It was far from perfect, but I think it was a needed learning and growing experience for this team and for our coaches in handling this team.  A great win overall.  

I really think Oregon is every bit as good as UCLA and Arizona.  With other good teams in the Pac-12 (WSU is even a real threat this year), Stanford will be battle tested for tournament play.  (Knocking on wood and hoping the team makes it to that point without many more health issues.)

Cheers,
Pete F.

[BostonCard]

Would you guys have preferred we played the third quarter even and headed into the fourth quarter down 47-46, and then outscored them 23-15 in the fourth to win the game by the exact same margin?

BC

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One of the issues this team has to learn to deal with is being the undisputed No. 1.  

Well, we are not a unanimous #1.  NC State has 2 votes and UConn has 1 in the AP poll; Louisville has 1 vote in the Coach's poll.

BC

[BostonCard]

Would you guys have preferred we played the third quarter even and headed into the fourth quarter down 47-46, and then outscored them 23-15 in the fourth to win the game by the exact same margin?

BC

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One of the issues this team has to learn to deal with is being the undisputed No. 1.  

Well, we are not a unanimous #1.  NC State has 2 votes and UConn has 1 in the AP poll; Louisville has 1 vote in the Coach's poll.

BC

[81alum]

Here are the press conferences:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooYuEt0J...e=emb_logo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUiIf4VS...e=emb_logo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy1KWKyZ...e=emb_logo

[81alum]

Here are the press conferences:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooYuEt0J...e=emb_logo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUiIf4VS...e=emb_logo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy1KWKyZ...e=emb_logo

[StanFanFam13]

Here are the press conferences:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooYuEt0J...e=emb_logo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUiIf4VS...e=emb_logo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy1KWKyZ...e=emb_logo

I'm not terribly familiar with the SWBB "press corps," as it were. Is there a story behind junior correspondent Pepper?

[StanFanFam13]

Here are the press conferences:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooYuEt0J...e=emb_logo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUiIf4VS...e=emb_logo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy1KWKyZ...e=emb_logo

I'm not terribly familiar with the SWBB "press corps," as it were. Is there a story behind junior correspondent Pepper?