WBB: Stanford 83 Utah 73 -
81alum - 01-15-2022
Preview:
On January 27, 2019, Stanford trundled into Utah--probably expected an easy win. Instead, Sacramento native Erika Bean went 5/8 from three point range and Utah beat us 75-68. The Hulls, Jerome, and Wilson are the only players on our team who will remember that day, and only 6'2" forward Andrea Torres from Utah is back. I raise this however not because that particular outcome is likely again, but because Utah is not Washington State. Utah has beaten us and like Colorado is more dangerous at home. Since that game we have beaten Utah quite handily four times--with margins around 30 points.
Utah has played well so far this year, and is 9-3, but it is hard to know how they will do against elite competition. Their offense seems prolific--they have scored more than 100 points in three games, and that is saying something considering they have had 5 games postponed. And there is the problem--the 5 games that have been postponed were their first 5 Pac 12 games, dating back to late December. They played for the first time in a month against UC Riverside on Friday who filled in for a missing Cal. They have beaten Hawaii, Xavier, and a bunch of lesser programs, but lost to Gonzaga, Oklahoma, and BYU. We are their Pac 12 opener.
Utah is averaging a phenomenal 86 points per game, and averaging 11 made three point shots per game. But they lead their opponents in just about every statistical category--which may not mean a lot given their opponents. Or it might. Who knows.
Utah is led by a 6'2" freshman forward Jenna Johnson, averaging 14ppg and shooting 45% of her treys. But she gets just 23 minutes per game--Coach Lynne Roberts plays 12 players 10 minutes or more per game, so we should expect to face liberal substitutions and a lot of fresh legs at elevation.
Their most prolific three point shooter is Lynne Maxwell, a 6'0" junior guard who is shooting 45% from three point range too, but in volume.
All in all, 10 Utah players have attempted at least 10 three point shots this year, so this is certainly a team strategy. Perimeter defense will be critical.
Utah does have 6'4" and 6'5" forwards, but they have not started very much.
On offense, I would certainly anticipate that we would pound the ball inside with Brink and Belibi where we should have an advantage. If Utah plays zone and clogs the paint, then we have to hope that Jump and our outside shooting will be as good as their outside shooting. Or perhaps it will be an opportunity for Demetre to hit midrange jumpers from the elbow. By the way--did anyone see Demetre at the Colorado game?
On defense, we will need to defend the perimeter against nearly all of their players. That could leave lanes open for drives to the basket, where we will have to hope that Brink and the bigs can reject a lot of shots from smaller players--without fouling.
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
mbdude - 01-15-2022
Demetre was at game on bench, appeared to be dressed out
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
81alum - 01-15-2022
This was how the game went at Huntsman Center one year ago today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XnCz17akRA
We made 14 treys, Williams was outstanding.
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
JTM - 01-15-2022
Yes, Brooke was dressed but I didn't see Kate Paye.
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
BobK - 01-16-2022
I understand Anna is back
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
martyup - 01-16-2022
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
BobK - 01-16-2022
Great to see Kate back
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
martyup - 01-16-2022
We're defending the perimeter nicely.
Wilson is in.
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
mbdude - 01-16-2022
Getting really sloppy again
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
crackpot - 01-16-2022
Took foot off the accelerator...
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
Card10Fan - 01-16-2022
Really slow start again. Too many unforced turnovers. If we don’t score with quick offense in transition, our half court offense just hasn’t looked good. We need to get the ball inside more where we have a clear advantage.
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
martyup - 01-16-2022
6 turnovers in the 1st quarter. Why do we try to force the ball on offense. It's like a play is called and we try to run it whether it's open or not. If we just move the ball around and wait for a good opening we would avoid all these turnovers. Pretty frustrating. That last 3 was Demetre's fault. We were doing a great job gaurding the perimeter until that last shot.
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
Card10Fan - 01-16-2022
Tara not having it with Haley’s turnovers. Pulled her immediately after the last one.
Our perimeter defense has to improve ASAP. Get Wilson in there please.
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
martyup - 01-16-2022
Now 8 turnovers and we trail by 8. Not pretty.
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
mbdude - 01-16-2022
0 fgs in 4 minutes. Now our perimeter defense in nonexistent, switching off leaving shooters open
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
TonyLima - 01-16-2022
(01-16-2022, 12:39 PM)mbdude Wrote: 0 fgs in 4 minutes. Now our perimeter defense in nonexistent, switching off leaving shooters open
Didn’t we see this game yesterday?
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
mbdude - 01-16-2022
I don't understand this game plan
Utah 48% of 1st half
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
BobK - 01-16-2022
We are shooting 34% they 48%
Plus turnovers.
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
martyup - 01-16-2022
Anyone else tired of these type of games? Why can't we just play our A game horn to horn? Frustrating.
Boy did Lexie exhaust her scoring karma in her big 30+ point game? She is missing bunnies. She's 2-8 for the game and missed a few layups.
RE: WBB: Stanford @ Utah Sunday 11am -
CompSci87 - 01-16-2022
Really lackluster first half. Tara trying a lot of different players, looking for some who are awake.