[WBB fan]

Great to meet people today!

It was nice! Unfortunately it was too loud even on the outer concourse and I couldn't hear what people were saying half the time, so I never did figure out who is who

So let's do it again and figure out fully who is who!

---

Great write-ups on the game from so many people. Thanks for those. I really like the perspectives. Here's another thought that the box score and last night's game provoke for me, was thinking about this while driving home -- we had 3 people with 12 points [Jones/Belibi/Iriafen] (2 of them not starters), one with 11 [Brink], and two with 9 [Wilson/Van Gytenbeek] (one not a starter). If you're an opposing coach, this has to be a nightmare to plan a defense for. With Stanford, you can't have a plan that focuses on one or two or even three people -- and you can't focus on the starters. There are just too many people on this team who are capable of scoring. Last night's game was the very epitome of balanced scoring -- and with one of Stanford's leading scorers (Lexie) only with 2 points.

And oh yes, loved Wilson's aggressiveness, not only the scoring, but the defense and a couple of those steals were just true pickpocket efforts. Fantastic work.  So glad she came back this year! She's a really special player.

[WBB fan]

Great to meet people today!

It was nice! Unfortunately it was too loud even on the outer concourse and I couldn't hear what people were saying half the time, so I never did figure out who is who

So let's do it again and figure out fully who is who!

---

Great write-ups on the game from so many people. Thanks for those. I really like the perspectives. Here's another thought that the box score and last night's game provoke for me, was thinking about this while driving home -- we had 3 people with 12 points [Jones/Belibi/Iriafen] (2 of them not starters), one with 11 [Brink], and two with 9 [Wilson/Van Gytenbeek] (one not a starter). If you're an opposing coach, this has to be a nightmare to plan a defense for. With Stanford, you can't have a plan that focuses on one or two or even three people -- and you can't focus on the starters. There are just too many people on this team who are capable of scoring. Last night's game was the very epitome of balanced scoring -- and with one of Stanford's leading scorers (Lexie) only with 2 points.

And oh yes, loved Wilson's aggressiveness, not only the scoring, but the defense and a couple of those steals were just true pickpocket efforts. Fantastic work.  So glad she came back this year! She's a really special player.

[BillBradley]

Wonderful to see Van Gytenbeek get 22 minutes in a meaningful game.  She exclusively took three point shots and made 3/7.  Her release is also very quick--she looks faster than most anyone else on the team not named Jump.  But from what I gather, her offense has never been in question.  Seeing her out there next to the Hulls does make it clear what her (and Wilson's) defensive disadvantages are.  It may have nothing to do with skill, positioning, effort etc.  Wilson and Van Gytenbeek give up a whole lot of length compared with the Hulls.  Many commentators remark on the "length" of our defense and of the Hulls in particular.  This affects our ability to deflect balls in passing lanes, and defending mismatches when forced to switch.  So Wilson may be our best defender against players roughly her size, and perhaps Van Gytenbeek can occupy the same sort of role.  The Hulls, however, can switch on and off of players and even do a passable job against a "big" if that is who gets switched onto them.  I wonder if Tara is using our shorter guards more situationally--that maybe the Hulls get more minutes when we need to defend more agile wings and taller guards.

That is so spot-on 81. Anna is our best answer to guard smaller, quicker players like Aari McDonald. But defending a taller guard like a Paige Bueckers? No way. Lexie and Lacie are way better options there. As for Jana, it looks to me like she's much more suited to be a shooting guard in the future. Her athleticism and defensive abilities are not her strengths. Jump is currently better in those categories IMO. She's a pretty good ball handler and passer, so it would help to have another ball handler on the court. But wow, her shot looks really nice. If Lacie comes back, how about a shooting lineup of Lacie, JVG, Jump, Prechtel/Demetre, and Brink? Talk about stretching the floor!

[BillBradley]

Wonderful to see Van Gytenbeek get 22 minutes in a meaningful game.  She exclusively took three point shots and made 3/7.  Her release is also very quick--she looks faster than most anyone else on the team not named Jump.  But from what I gather, her offense has never been in question.  Seeing her out there next to the Hulls does make it clear what her (and Wilson's) defensive disadvantages are.  It may have nothing to do with skill, positioning, effort etc.  Wilson and Van Gytenbeek give up a whole lot of length compared with the Hulls.  Many commentators remark on the "length" of our defense and of the Hulls in particular.  This affects our ability to deflect balls in passing lanes, and defending mismatches when forced to switch.  So Wilson may be our best defender against players roughly her size, and perhaps Van Gytenbeek can occupy the same sort of role.  The Hulls, however, can switch on and off of players and even do a passable job against a "big" if that is who gets switched onto them.  I wonder if Tara is using our shorter guards more situationally--that maybe the Hulls get more minutes when we need to defend more agile wings and taller guards.

That is so spot-on 81. Anna is our best answer to guard smaller, quicker players like Aari McDonald. But defending a taller guard like a Paige Bueckers? No way. Lexie and Lacie are way better options there. As for Jana, it looks to me like she's much more suited to be a shooting guard in the future. Her athleticism and defensive abilities are not her strengths. Jump is currently better in those categories IMO. She's a pretty good ball handler and passer, so it would help to have another ball handler on the court. But wow, her shot looks really nice. If Lacie comes back, how about a shooting lineup of Lacie, JVG, Jump, Prechtel/Demetre, and Brink? Talk about stretching the floor!

[bl82]

Wonderful to see Van Gytenbeek get 22 minutes in a meaningful game.  She exclusively took three point shots and made 3/7.  Her release is also very quick--she looks faster than most anyone else on the team not named Jump.  But from what I gather, her offense has never been in question.  Seeing her out there next to the Hulls does make it clear what her (and Wilson's) defensive disadvantages are.  It may have nothing to do with skill, positioning, effort etc.  Wilson and Van Gytenbeek give up a whole lot of length compared with the Hulls.  Many commentators remark on the "length" of our defense and of the Hulls in particular.  This affects our ability to deflect balls in passing lanes, and defending mismatches when forced to switch.  So Wilson may be our best defender against players roughly her size, and perhaps Van Gytenbeek can occupy the same sort of role.  The Hulls, however, can switch on and off of players and even do a passable job against a "big" if that is who gets switched onto them.  I wonder if Tara is using our shorter guards more situationally--that maybe the Hulls get more minutes when we need to defend more agile wings and taller guards.

That is so spot-on 81. Anna is our best answer to guard smaller, quicker players like Aari McDonald. But defending a taller guard like a Paige Bueckers? No way. Lexie and Lacie are way better options there. As for Jana, it looks to me like she's much more suited to be a shooting guard in the future. Her athleticism and defensive abilities are not her strengths. Jump is currently better in those categories IMO. She's a pretty good ball handler and passer, so it would help to have another ball handler on the court. But wow, her shot looks really nice. If Lacie comes back, how about a shooting lineup of Lacie, JVG, Jump, Prechtel/Demetre, and Brink? Talk about stretching the floor!

I'm pretty sure we've been told by sources in the know not to expect either Hull twin back, much to my chagrin, but I do like your lineup. We should also expect Hayley to continue to work on her threes.

As for Jana, shooting and passing have never been an issue. Those are her two biggest strengths. As for defense, I noticed considerable improvement last night, particularly the way she used her feet and lots of choppy lateral steps to stay in front of whoever she was guarding. Speed remains an issue, but the rest of the package is looking a lot better. Also, if you've seen how Hannah has completely transformed her game with hard work, you have to imagine that some of that is going to rub off on some of the players who are looking to get more time on the floor.

[bl82]

Wonderful to see Van Gytenbeek get 22 minutes in a meaningful game.  She exclusively took three point shots and made 3/7.  Her release is also very quick--she looks faster than most anyone else on the team not named Jump.  But from what I gather, her offense has never been in question.  Seeing her out there next to the Hulls does make it clear what her (and Wilson's) defensive disadvantages are.  It may have nothing to do with skill, positioning, effort etc.  Wilson and Van Gytenbeek give up a whole lot of length compared with the Hulls.  Many commentators remark on the "length" of our defense and of the Hulls in particular.  This affects our ability to deflect balls in passing lanes, and defending mismatches when forced to switch.  So Wilson may be our best defender against players roughly her size, and perhaps Van Gytenbeek can occupy the same sort of role.  The Hulls, however, can switch on and off of players and even do a passable job against a "big" if that is who gets switched onto them.  I wonder if Tara is using our shorter guards more situationally--that maybe the Hulls get more minutes when we need to defend more agile wings and taller guards.

That is so spot-on 81. Anna is our best answer to guard smaller, quicker players like Aari McDonald. But defending a taller guard like a Paige Bueckers? No way. Lexie and Lacie are way better options there. As for Jana, it looks to me like she's much more suited to be a shooting guard in the future. Her athleticism and defensive abilities are not her strengths. Jump is currently better in those categories IMO. She's a pretty good ball handler and passer, so it would help to have another ball handler on the court. But wow, her shot looks really nice. If Lacie comes back, how about a shooting lineup of Lacie, JVG, Jump, Prechtel/Demetre, and Brink? Talk about stretching the floor!

I'm pretty sure we've been told by sources in the know not to expect either Hull twin back, much to my chagrin, but I do like your lineup. We should also expect Hayley to continue to work on her threes.

As for Jana, shooting and passing have never been an issue. Those are her two biggest strengths. As for defense, I noticed considerable improvement last night, particularly the way she used her feet and lots of choppy lateral steps to stay in front of whoever she was guarding. Speed remains an issue, but the rest of the package is looking a lot better. Also, if you've seen how Hannah has completely transformed her game with hard work, you have to imagine that some of that is going to rub off on some of the players who are looking to get more time on the floor.

[M T]

Jones last night did indeed cut down on her turnovers--down to just 1.  That is a very good sign going into Arizona where it will be even more important.  The one turnover however was spectacular--a high looping pass that was the classic example of Jones's own definition of "high risk/high reward" that (in that case) didn't work.  I think one or two of those a game are to be expected given her production of assists.  She has had just 4 games this year in which she committed more than 3 turnovers, so most of the time she keeps them in check.  But occasionally she has those 7 turnover games when her ball control seems to unravel a little.  I'm sure opposing coaches like Adia Barnes are trying to figure out how to provoke that.

She had several high risk, high reward passes, like the highlighted sorta-back-door pass from the FT line to Brink going to the basket.  In this game, she got away with it, but that doesn't mean she has improved.  She also did the illegal throw-in that wasn't called ("traveling" on an inbounds, not after a made basket, Q1 3:35).  Still, a good game for Haley.

Belibi is just too short to be that effective against a taller, good post.  She's physical and does a good job for her size.  She only got 1 rebound in 11 minutes. 

It is unfortunate that Brink's first two (at least) fouls were called as blocks by her body against a dribbler.  She needs to control that as we want her in for rebounding (7 in 16 min.) and shooting, not guarding the dribbler.  Playing time by Brink most of this season, reverse chronologically: 16, 15, 25, 24, 24, 27, 0, 17, 8, 22, 23, 9, 35(South Florida), 33(Indiana), 19, 20, 21(Texas).   She may be great when she's on the floor, but she's not going to win any awards playing those kind of minutes.  She's 6th on the team in terms of total minutes.

Rebounding wound up pretty even in the game considering the FG% differential, which is to say, Stanford didn't do well at rebounding.  Part of that is that Brink's lack of time, and the failure to rebound by the other posts.

Again, a good FT% (76%) at 13 of 17.

Playing time:  1. Anna 31m, 2. Haley 27m, 3. Lexie 23m, 4. Jana 22m, 5. Lacie 19m, 6. Cam 16m, 7 Jordon 13m, 8 Fran 11m, 9 Kiki 10m, 10. Ashten 9m, 11 Agnes 9m, 12 Brooke 7m, 13 Alyssa 3m
Everyone should be rested for Sunday.

As for the announcers, I've liked Kevin Danna from when he was on KZSU. As for Ros, I find most of the time I just tune her out.

[M T]

Jones last night did indeed cut down on her turnovers--down to just 1.  That is a very good sign going into Arizona where it will be even more important.  The one turnover however was spectacular--a high looping pass that was the classic example of Jones's own definition of "high risk/high reward" that (in that case) didn't work.  I think one or two of those a game are to be expected given her production of assists.  She has had just 4 games this year in which she committed more than 3 turnovers, so most of the time she keeps them in check.  But occasionally she has those 7 turnover games when her ball control seems to unravel a little.  I'm sure opposing coaches like Adia Barnes are trying to figure out how to provoke that.

She had several high risk, high reward passes, like the highlighted sorta-back-door pass from the FT line to Brink going to the basket.  In this game, she got away with it, but that doesn't mean she has improved.  She also did the illegal throw-in that wasn't called ("traveling" on an inbounds, not after a made basket, Q1 3:35).  Still, a good game for Haley.

Belibi is just too short to be that effective against a taller, good post.  She's physical and does a good job for her size.  She only got 1 rebound in 11 minutes. 

It is unfortunate that Brink's first two (at least) fouls were called as blocks by her body against a dribbler.  She needs to control that as we want her in for rebounding (7 in 16 min.) and shooting, not guarding the dribbler.  Playing time by Brink most of this season, reverse chronologically: 16, 15, 25, 24, 24, 27, 0, 17, 8, 22, 23, 9, 35(South Florida), 33(Indiana), 19, 20, 21(Texas).   She may be great when she's on the floor, but she's not going to win any awards playing those kind of minutes.  She's 6th on the team in terms of total minutes.

Rebounding wound up pretty even in the game considering the FG% differential, which is to say, Stanford didn't do well at rebounding.  Part of that is that Brink's lack of time, and the failure to rebound by the other posts.

Again, a good FT% (76%) at 13 of 17.

Playing time:  1. Anna 31m, 2. Haley 27m, 3. Lexie 23m, 4. Jana 22m, 5. Lacie 19m, 6. Cam 16m, 7 Jordon 13m, 8 Fran 11m, 9 Kiki 10m, 10. Ashten 9m, 11 Agnes 9m, 12 Brooke 7m, 13 Alyssa 3m
Everyone should be rested for Sunday.

As for the announcers, I've liked Kevin Danna from when he was on KZSU. As for Ros, I find most of the time I just tune her out.

[TheFarm07]

Thank you for pointing that out, MT.

Fortunately, we are deep at post and Belibi and Iriafen filled in nicely going a combined 10/12 from the field, but Brink needs to stay on the floor. She is capable of a double-double every time she's out there, if she is out there long enough, but too many times, she picks up early fouls and Tara is forced to sit her.

Brink has All-American talent, but she's not going to fully reach that potential spending so much of her time on the bench. We've all seen the impact and the big numbers that she can put up when she plays a full game.

[TheFarm07]

Thank you for pointing that out, MT.

Fortunately, we are deep at post and Belibi and Iriafen filled in nicely going a combined 10/12 from the field, but Brink needs to stay on the floor. She is capable of a double-double every time she's out there, if she is out there long enough, but too many times, she picks up early fouls and Tara is forced to sit her.

Brink has All-American talent, but she's not going to fully reach that potential spending so much of her time on the bench. We've all seen the impact and the big numbers that she can put up when she plays a full game.

[jonnyss]

Belibi is just too short to be that effective against a taller, good post.  She's physical and does a good job for her size.  She only got 1 rebound in 11 minutes. 

1 rebound in 11 minutes is an aberration for fran.

fran averages 3.6 rebounds in 12.8 min per game. that's 11 rebounds per 40 minutes.

fran averages 8.1 pts in 12.8 min per game. that's 25 points per 40 minutes.

and she's upped her game lately. she averaged 16 points in 17 minutes in the last 2 games.

imo height is important, but not everything. ashley walker and danielle adams are both 6'1". both of them had no trouble with taller post players - including ours. charles barkley (with dennis rodman, one of the 2 best nba rebounders all-time) is 6'5", maybe 6'6". draymond green is 6'6". fran is agile, bulky, and strong; she does not get pushed around easily. and she has a long wingspread and great jumping ability.

[jonnyss]

Belibi is just too short to be that effective against a taller, good post.  She's physical and does a good job for her size.  She only got 1 rebound in 11 minutes. 

1 rebound in 11 minutes is an aberration for fran.

fran averages 3.6 rebounds in 12.8 min per game. that's 11 rebounds per 40 minutes.

fran averages 8.1 pts in 12.8 min per game. that's 25 points per 40 minutes.

and she's upped her game lately. she averaged 16 points in 17 minutes in the last 2 games.

imo height is important, but not everything. ashley walker and danielle adams are both 6'1". both of them had no trouble with taller post players - including ours. charles barkley (with dennis rodman, one of the 2 best nba rebounders all-time) is 6'5", maybe 6'6". draymond green is 6'6". fran is agile, bulky, and strong; she does not get pushed around easily. and she has a long wingspread and great jumping ability.

[acerep]

Hannah wasn't the only one missing. I didn't see Elena Bosgana either. And Jenna was nowhere to be seen.

[acerep]

Hannah wasn't the only one missing. I didn't see Elena Bosgana either. And Jenna was nowhere to be seen.

[BobK]

Thanks. All three misding last night

[BobK]

Thanks. All three misding last night

[81alum]

Thanks. All three misding last night

I have notice that Brown occasionally misses being at a game--not sure what the expectations and requirements are for an injured player.  Will be fascinating to see what she is like when she (presumably) comes back next year.

Harriel warms up every game and it has been months since we last heard from the coaches that she was dealing with some minor injury/health issues.  Is there any doubt that she is planning to save a year of eligibility?  I can't see any other explanation for a player who is healthy enough to warm up with the team for week after week but never plays so much as 5 seconds in garbage time.  I'm beginning to think of her as a member of the incoming 2022 class--except with a year of Tara-training under her belt.

As we contemplate losing Wilson and the Hulls next year, Harriel and Brown are question marks.  They will have opportunities certainly with those three probably going.  And Van Gytenbeek to add to Nival and Lepolo.  My money is on Jump, Emma-Nnopu, and Bosgana to get the bulk of the minutes--but that does not solve the point-guard issue.

[81alum]

Thanks. All three misding last night

I have notice that Brown occasionally misses being at a game--not sure what the expectations and requirements are for an injured player.  Will be fascinating to see what she is like when she (presumably) comes back next year.

Harriel warms up every game and it has been months since we last heard from the coaches that she was dealing with some minor injury/health issues.  Is there any doubt that she is planning to save a year of eligibility?  I can't see any other explanation for a player who is healthy enough to warm up with the team for week after week but never plays so much as 5 seconds in garbage time.  I'm beginning to think of her as a member of the incoming 2022 class--except with a year of Tara-training under her belt.

As we contemplate losing Wilson and the Hulls next year, Harriel and Brown are question marks.  They will have opportunities certainly with those three probably going.  And Van Gytenbeek to add to Nival and Lepolo.  My money is on Jump, Emma-Nnopu, and Bosgana to get the bulk of the minutes--but that does not solve the point-guard issue.

[mbdude]

Stanford Women's Basketball: Arizona State Postgame Press Conference - YouTube

With Kiki and Jana

[mbdude]

Stanford Women's Basketball: Arizona State Postgame Press Conference - YouTube

With Kiki and Jana