[martyup]

Cam only had a 1 efficiency for the first half, but had a 9 efficiency in the 3rd quarter alone.  Not a coincidence that Stanford doubled up Cal in that quarter 20-10.  Got through the quarter without a foul too.

[martyup]

Cam only had a 1 efficiency for the first half, but had a 9 efficiency in the 3rd quarter alone.  Not a coincidence that Stanford doubled up Cal in that quarter 20-10.  Got through the quarter without a foul too.

[76lsjumb]

What everyone is missing is that we're not only fighting to beat Cal, but also the curse of #2, a real thing this season.

True, but the last #2 to lose was facing Iowa and Caitlin Clark at Iowa. Not sure anyone would confuse Cal and Iowa this year…

As for Tara, looks like she had a good halftime locker room, and deserves props for it. I think I finally figured out the game plan: let Bosgana loose… :-)

[76lsjumb]

What everyone is missing is that we're not only fighting to beat Cal, but also the curse of #2, a real thing this season.

True, but the last #2 to lose was facing Iowa and Caitlin Clark at Iowa. Not sure anyone would confuse Cal and Iowa this year…

As for Tara, looks like she had a good halftime locker room, and deserves props for it. I think I finally figured out the game plan: let Bosgana loose… :-)

[mbdude]

2 minutes left and only 4 players have scored for us

[mbdude]

2 minutes left and only 4 players have scored for us

[martyup]

We outscore Cal 43-21 in the second half and win 71-57.

---

[martyup]

We outscore Cal 43-21 in the second half and win 71-57.

---

[BobK]

awesome come back. From that terrible first half to the great 2nd half

Oregon State next.

Mods that comment on Cam was so not necessary

[BobK]

awesome come back. From that terrible first half to the great 2nd half

Oregon State next.

Mods that comment on Cam was so not necessary

[OCcardinal]

Interesting stats:

Great game for Kiki.  44 efficiency, which may be her most efficient game of the year.  (Her 36 point game vs Oregon State she had a 36 efficiency)

Bosgana outscored Brink 21-14.  Bosgana also played 32 minutes, which is her high for the year.  Her previous high minutes in a Pac 12 game this year was 26 vs Oregon, despite being a consistent starter.  One of the big questions in post-season play was who the key 5th player would be (beyond Brink, Iriafen, Jump and Lepolo).  Bosgana certainly earned her spot today.  She did miss 8 3s but still finished with a decent 21 efficiency. With her 4 made 3s her effective field goal percentage was 57%. And her 4 assists and 8 rebounds with 0 turnovers really helped too.

Brink with only a 14 efficiency, which may be her worst of the year for a game she played at least 20 min.  However, she lead the team with a +17 +/- (tied with Bosgana but in 6 fewer minutes). Cam's defense really makes a difference even when she isn't scoring a lot.  And she was also key in fouling out Suarez.

[OCcardinal]

Interesting stats:

Great game for Kiki.  44 efficiency, which may be her most efficient game of the year.  (Her 36 point game vs Oregon State she had a 36 efficiency)

Bosgana outscored Brink 21-14.  Bosgana also played 32 minutes, which is her high for the year.  Her previous high minutes in a Pac 12 game this year was 26 vs Oregon, despite being a consistent starter.  One of the big questions in post-season play was who the key 5th player would be (beyond Brink, Iriafen, Jump and Lepolo).  Bosgana certainly earned her spot today.  She did miss 8 3s but still finished with a decent 21 efficiency. With her 4 made 3s her effective field goal percentage was 57%. And her 4 assists and 8 rebounds with 0 turnovers really helped too.

Brink with only a 14 efficiency, which may be her worst of the year for a game she played at least 20 min.  However, she lead the team with a +17 +/- (tied with Bosgana but in 6 fewer minutes). Cam's defense really makes a difference even when she isn't scoring a lot.  And she was also key in fouling out Suarez.

[81alum]

1) Tara does what Tara does and turns the team around in the second half.  We play quite a bit of 3-2 zone, giving up some open threes but messing up Cal that shot only 21% in the second half. Meanwhile our shots start dropping and we make 50%, outscoring Cal 43-21 in the half.

2) Sad to see the injury to Onyiah, who was the real key to Cal's early success.  It reminds me of the Beers broken nose.  The refs let the game be very physical--too physical in my opinion, and when players are bodying up and pushing and shoving and flailing around, that is the kind of injury that is apt to happen.

3) Lepolo and Bosgana made ALL 7 of our threes.  Jump did not take a single trey.  Without the offense from Lepolo and Bosgana, which is not always present in our games, we lose this one.  And give Bosgana more credit for 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

4) Monster game by Iriafen.  28 points and 18 rebounds, including 6 O-boards.  What those gaudy numbers don't show though is the efficiency.  She was 11/14.

5) Only 9 turnovers on the game, pretty good by our standards.  But Tara will not be at all happy that we gave Cal 14 O-boards.  That could have cost us the game.

6) Scott Rueck said something about his team's performance at halftime of their game.  While OSU pulled it out against Colorado, OSU played terribly in the first half, especially on offense.  He noted that the bye is not always helpful.  Colorado came in after a feel-good victory.  Oregon State was slow and rusty in the first half, but once they got back in sync they were much better in the second and pulled it out.  It sounds almost exactly like our game against Cal, although we were saved by virtue of the fact that Cal is not Colorado.

[81alum]

1) Tara does what Tara does and turns the team around in the second half.  We play quite a bit of 3-2 zone, giving up some open threes but messing up Cal that shot only 21% in the second half. Meanwhile our shots start dropping and we make 50%, outscoring Cal 43-21 in the half.

2) Sad to see the injury to Onyiah, who was the real key to Cal's early success.  It reminds me of the Beers broken nose.  The refs let the game be very physical--too physical in my opinion, and when players are bodying up and pushing and shoving and flailing around, that is the kind of injury that is apt to happen.

3) Lepolo and Bosgana made ALL 7 of our threes.  Jump did not take a single trey.  Without the offense from Lepolo and Bosgana, which is not always present in our games, we lose this one.  And give Bosgana more credit for 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

4) Monster game by Iriafen.  28 points and 18 rebounds, including 6 O-boards.  What those gaudy numbers don't show though is the efficiency.  She was 11/14.

5) Only 9 turnovers on the game, pretty good by our standards.  But Tara will not be at all happy that we gave Cal 14 O-boards.  That could have cost us the game.

6) Scott Rueck said something about his team's performance at halftime of their game.  While OSU pulled it out against Colorado, OSU played terribly in the first half, especially on offense.  He noted that the bye is not always helpful.  Colorado came in after a feel-good victory.  Oregon State was slow and rusty in the first half, but once they got back in sync they were much better in the second and pulled it out.  It sounds almost exactly like our game against Cal, although we were saved by virtue of the fact that Cal is not Colorado.

[qwerty49]

On Cam’s first foul, Onyiah just lowered her shoulder and really bulldozed Cam.  She and the other Cal posts were really playing physical in the paint and the refs let a lot of stuff go. I hope her injury is not serious but in all honesty I have to admit I thought it was a bit of karma at the time.

Cam’s shot selection (or maybe it was our offensive sets) was really dubious most of the game. It made me wonder if she anticipates this kind of mauling underneath at the next level, and is working on her outside shooting in response. She’s tough but at the next level her frame can be a disadvantage in the low post.

[qwerty49]

On Cam’s first foul, Onyiah just lowered her shoulder and really bulldozed Cam.  She and the other Cal posts were really playing physical in the paint and the refs let a lot of stuff go. I hope her injury is not serious but in all honesty I have to admit I thought it was a bit of karma at the time.

Cam’s shot selection (or maybe it was our offensive sets) was really dubious most of the game. It made me wonder if she anticipates this kind of mauling underneath at the next level, and is working on her outside shooting in response. She’s tough but at the next level her frame can be a disadvantage in the low post.

[81alum]

Preview:  Stanford vs. Oregon State

We play Oregon State in the Pac 12 semifinals, Friday 5pm, televised on Pac 12 networks--the last game we will ever play on Pac 12 Networks, since if we win this one, the Pac 12 finals will be on ESPN.

We played Oregon State just last week.  The preview and thread can be found here:

https://thecardboard.org/board/showthread.php?tid=24815

Much has changed since that game, however.  Beers did not play against us, but came back to help Oregon State defeat Cal and then Colorado in today's quarterfinal game.  Beers played 29 minutes and had 14 points in her first game back, but in today's double overtime win she played 42 minutes and carried her team with 27 points and 13 rebounds.

So the first time we played OSU we did not have Brink, the second time we played them they did not have Beers.  This will be the first game with all of the weapons from both teams available.  We will no doubt be looking back more to our first game than to our second to figure out what we did to defend Beers then.  But in that game Beers had 18 points and 10 rebounds--so we did not exactly shut her down.  TVO was held to just 8 points in that first game, and we pulled off a 9 point victory.

In our second game TVO had 27 points and we squeaked by with a 4 point win.  If Oregon State can get 18 points out of Beers and 27 out of TVO, we will lose, so we need to do at least as well against them as we did in the first game.

Also concerning is that it has been a long time since that first game, and two of OSU's freshmen have developed over the weeks.  Hunter and Paurova were fearless today against the fierce Colorado defense and had 13 points each.  In fact, OSU had 5 players in double digit points today.

In short, OSU is a more complete team that is peaking right now.  We will have to play much better than we did against Cal today to win and reach the finals.

[81alum]

Preview:  Stanford vs. Oregon State

We play Oregon State in the Pac 12 semifinals, Friday 5pm, televised on Pac 12 networks--the last game we will ever play on Pac 12 Networks, since if we win this one, the Pac 12 finals will be on ESPN.

We played Oregon State just last week.  The preview and thread can be found here:

https://thecardboard.org/board/showthread.php?tid=24815

Much has changed since that game, however.  Beers did not play against us, but came back to help Oregon State defeat Cal and then Colorado in today's quarterfinal game.  Beers played 29 minutes and had 14 points in her first game back, but in today's double overtime win she played 42 minutes and carried her team with 27 points and 13 rebounds.

So the first time we played OSU we did not have Brink, the second time we played them they did not have Beers.  This will be the first game with all of the weapons from both teams available.  We will no doubt be looking back more to our first game than to our second to figure out what we did to defend Beers then.  But in that game Beers had 18 points and 10 rebounds--so we did not exactly shut her down.  TVO was held to just 8 points in that first game, and we pulled off a 9 point victory.

In our second game TVO had 27 points and we squeaked by with a 4 point win.  If Oregon State can get 18 points out of Beers and 27 out of TVO, we will lose, so we need to do at least as well against them as we did in the first game.

Also concerning is that it has been a long time since that first game, and two of OSU's freshmen have developed over the weeks.  Hunter and Paurova were fearless today against the fierce Colorado defense and had 13 points each.  In fact, OSU had 5 players in double digit points today.

In short, OSU is a more complete team that is peaking right now.  We will have to play much better than we did against Cal today to win and reach the finals.

[OCcardinal]

Brink's 3 games versus Cal this season:

12/29 @Cal 
Min 20
Fouls 4
Pts 13
FG% 66.7%
FT% N/A
Reb 7
Efficiency 15
Eff/Min 0.75

2/16 @home
Min 19
Fouls 3
Pts 14
FG% 66.7%
FT% 100%
Reb 3
Efficiency 18
Eff/Min 0.94

Today
Min 26
Fouls 4
Pts 15
REB 14
FG% 27.8%
FT% 62.5%
Efficiency 14
Eff/min 0.53

Today was her worst game vs Cal despite 15pts and 14reb being a decent line.

[OCcardinal]

Brink's 3 games versus Cal this season:

12/29 @Cal 
Min 20
Fouls 4
Pts 13
FG% 66.7%
FT% N/A
Reb 7
Efficiency 15
Eff/Min 0.75

2/16 @home
Min 19
Fouls 3
Pts 14
FG% 66.7%
FT% 100%
Reb 3
Efficiency 18
Eff/Min 0.94

Today
Min 26
Fouls 4
Pts 15
REB 14
FG% 27.8%
FT% 62.5%
Efficiency 14
Eff/min 0.53

Today was her worst game vs Cal despite 15pts and 14reb being a decent line.

[TonyLima]

On Cam’s first foul, Onyiah just lowered her shoulder and really bulldozed Cam.  She and the other Cal posts were really playing physical in the paint and the refs let a lot of stuff go. I hope her injury is not serious but in all honesty I have to admit I thought it was a bit of karma at the time.

Cam’s shot selection (or maybe it was our offensive sets) was really dubious most of the game. It made me wonder if she anticipates this kind of mauling underneath at the next level, and is working on her outside shooting in response. She’s tough but at the next level her frame can be a disadvantage in the low post.

I have a clip from the Cal timeout with 1:52 left in the game. I’ll post it shortly. Watch it, then defend Cal’s playing style.

[TonyLima]

On Cam’s first foul, Onyiah just lowered her shoulder and really bulldozed Cam.  She and the other Cal posts were really playing physical in the paint and the refs let a lot of stuff go. I hope her injury is not serious but in all honesty I have to admit I thought it was a bit of karma at the time.

Cam’s shot selection (or maybe it was our offensive sets) was really dubious most of the game. It made me wonder if she anticipates this kind of mauling underneath at the next level, and is working on her outside shooting in response. She’s tough but at the next level her frame can be a disadvantage in the low post.

I have a clip from the Cal timeout with 1:52 left in the game. I’ll post it shortly. Watch it, then defend Cal’s playing style.

[BosCard]

Iriafen may be the best mid-range shooting big that Stanford has ever had.  Like EVER.  She’s gone from maybe starter last year to definitely one of the top WNBA lottery pics next year.  Her combination of elite athleticism, quickness, rebounding and excellent mid-range shooting are taylor made for the pro game.  Like I could see her on the 2028 Olympic team if her skill set continues to progress.

[BosCard]

Iriafen may be the best mid-range shooting big that Stanford has ever had.  Like EVER.  She’s gone from maybe starter last year to definitely one of the top WNBA lottery pics next year.  Her combination of elite athleticism, quickness, rebounding and excellent mid-range shooting are taylor made for the pro game.  Like I could see her on the 2028 Olympic team if her skill set continues to progress.

[old spanish trail]

Iriafen may be the best mid-range shooting big that Stanford has ever had.  Like EVER.  She’s gone from maybe starter last year to definitely one of the top WNBA lottery pics next year.  Her combination of elite athleticism, quickness, rebounding and excellent mid-range shooting are taylor made for the pro game.  Like I could see her on the 2028 Olympic team if her skill set continues to progress.

Excellent point Boston

[old spanish trail]

Iriafen may be the best mid-range shooting big that Stanford has ever had.  Like EVER.  She’s gone from maybe starter last year to definitely one of the top WNBA lottery pics next year.  Her combination of elite athleticism, quickness, rebounding and excellent mid-range shooting are taylor made for the pro game.  Like I could see her on the 2028 Olympic team if her skill set continues to progress.

Excellent point Boston

[MV72018]

Iriafen may be the best mid-range shooting big that Stanford has ever had.  Like EVER.  She’s gone from maybe starter last year to definitely one of the top WNBA lottery pics next year.  Her combination of elite athleticism, quickness, rebounding and excellent mid-range shooting are taylor made for the pro game.  Like I could see her on the 2028 Olympic team if her skill set continues to progress.

Excellent point Boston

When Jump does nothing the whole game, Lepolo does little until late when she came alive, and Brink starts off 1 for 11 (finishing 5 for 18), we're in trouble. As it was, only 4 Cardinal players scored in the whole game and no points from non-starters!  Unbelievable. Iriakin was fabulous as usual (11 for 14 from the field?!), but one unlikely heroine of this game was Bosgana who had a very good game, arguably her best game of the season, including 4 treys. Everyone had better bring the heat from the outset tomorrow against a stronger opponent if we want to advance to the title game.

[MV72018]

Iriafen may be the best mid-range shooting big that Stanford has ever had.  Like EVER.  She’s gone from maybe starter last year to definitely one of the top WNBA lottery pics next year.  Her combination of elite athleticism, quickness, rebounding and excellent mid-range shooting are taylor made for the pro game.  Like I could see her on the 2028 Olympic team if her skill set continues to progress.

Excellent point Boston

When Jump does nothing the whole game, Lepolo does little until late when she came alive, and Brink starts off 1 for 11 (finishing 5 for 18), we're in trouble. As it was, only 4 Cardinal players scored in the whole game and no points from non-starters!  Unbelievable. Iriakin was fabulous as usual (11 for 14 from the field?!), but one unlikely heroine of this game was Bosgana who had a very good game, arguably her best game of the season, including 4 treys. Everyone had better bring the heat from the outset tomorrow against a stronger opponent if we want to advance to the title game.

[TonyLima]

Iriafen may be the best mid-range shooting big that Stanford has ever had.  Like EVER.  She’s gone from maybe starter last year to definitely one of the top WNBA lottery pics next year.  Her combination of elite athleticism, quickness, rebounding and excellent mid-range shooting are taylor made for the pro game.  Like I could see her on the 2028 Olympic team if her skill set continues to progress.

Loved her style in the paint last season. Amazed at how much she added in one year. MVP next season.

[TonyLima]

Iriafen may be the best mid-range shooting big that Stanford has ever had.  Like EVER.  She’s gone from maybe starter last year to definitely one of the top WNBA lottery pics next year.  Her combination of elite athleticism, quickness, rebounding and excellent mid-range shooting are taylor made for the pro game.  Like I could see her on the 2028 Olympic team if her skill set continues to progress.

Loved her style in the paint last season. Amazed at how much she added in one year. MVP next season.

[BillBradley]

Well, rough one for Cam but Kiki made up for it. Rough one for Hannah, and Elena made up for it. That was enough. Thankful it's over, as we looked awful for much of the game. Great move by Tara to go to the 2-3 zone.

In the post game interview with the Pac12 announcers, Cam talked about "honestly how disappointing it was to have to play through that much". Cal was definitely extra physical, oftentimes cheap. Easier said than done, but Cam has got to keep under control in games like this. She was upset a lot out there and it showed in both the fouls she picked up and her missed shots. Expect to see more of it - it's March.  

Go Card!

[BillBradley]

Well, rough one for Cam but Kiki made up for it. Rough one for Hannah, and Elena made up for it. That was enough. Thankful it's over, as we looked awful for much of the game. Great move by Tara to go to the 2-3 zone.

In the post game interview with the Pac12 announcers, Cam talked about "honestly how disappointing it was to have to play through that much". Cal was definitely extra physical, oftentimes cheap. Easier said than done, but Cam has got to keep under control in games like this. She was upset a lot out there and it showed in both the fouls she picked up and her missed shots. Expect to see more of it - it's March.  

Go Card!

[TonyLima]

Well, rough one for Cam but Kiki made up for it. Rough one for Hannah, and Elena made up for it. That was enough. Thankful it's over, as we looked awful for much of the game. Great move by Tara to go to the 2-3 zone.

In the post game interview with the Pac12 announcers, Cam talked about "honestly how disappointing it was to have to play through that much". Cal was definitely extra physical, oftentimes cheap. Easier said than done, but Cam has got to keep under control in games like this. She was upset a lot out there and it showed in both the fouls she picked up and her missed shots. Expect to see more of it - it's March.  

Go Card!

Decades ago (~1967) I was a hockey fan. Then the NHLdecided fighting would be a big draw. I stopped watching. Recently, I understand things have improved. Does not matter.

I sincerely hope (without much hope) that NCAA will crack down on the trend of WBB trending to wrestling.

[TonyLima]

Well, rough one for Cam but Kiki made up for it. Rough one for Hannah, and Elena made up for it. That was enough. Thankful it's over, as we looked awful for much of the game. Great move by Tara to go to the 2-3 zone.

In the post game interview with the Pac12 announcers, Cam talked about "honestly how disappointing it was to have to play through that much". Cal was definitely extra physical, oftentimes cheap. Easier said than done, but Cam has got to keep under control in games like this. She was upset a lot out there and it showed in both the fouls she picked up and her missed shots. Expect to see more of it - it's March.  

Go Card!

Decades ago (~1967) I was a hockey fan. Then the NHLdecided fighting would be a big draw. I stopped watching. Recently, I understand things have improved. Does not matter.

I sincerely hope (without much hope) that NCAA will crack down on the trend of WBB trending to wrestling.

[jonnyss]

to my memory, that's the most successful we have ever been with a 2-3 zone. took us a few minutes to get it going, after which it looked great. of course cal missed some open 3's that they had made in the first half.

[jonnyss]

to my memory, that's the most successful we have ever been with a 2-3 zone. took us a few minutes to get it going, after which it looked great. of course cal missed some open 3's that they had made in the first half.

[TonyLima]

Easy call on the last 2 Cam fouls Tony.

Hey, Bob, you can make your own calls. So can I.

[TonyLima]

Easy call on the last 2 Cam fouls Tony.

Hey, Bob, you can make your own calls. So can I.

[81alum]

In the post game interview with the Pac12 announcers, Cam talked about "honestly how disappointing it was to have to play through that much". Cal was definitely extra physical, oftentimes cheap. Easier said than done, but Cam has got to keep under control in games like this. She was upset a lot out there and it showed in both the fouls she picked up and her missed shots. Expect to see more of it - it's March. 

She also said that she was grateful no one was hurt.  I think she meant no Stanford player was hurt.  Because Onyiah was most definitely hurt.

[81alum]

In the post game interview with the Pac12 announcers, Cam talked about "honestly how disappointing it was to have to play through that much". Cal was definitely extra physical, oftentimes cheap. Easier said than done, but Cam has got to keep under control in games like this. She was upset a lot out there and it showed in both the fouls she picked up and her missed shots. Expect to see more of it - it's March. 

She also said that she was grateful no one was hurt.  I think she meant no Stanford player was hurt.  Because Onyiah was most definitely hurt.