WBB: Stanford 87 Iowa State 81 (OT)

WBB: Stanford 87 Iowa State 81 (OT) - Printable Version

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WBB: Stanford 87 Iowa State 81 (OT) - 81alum - 03-22-2024

Preview: Stanford vs. Iowa State, Sunday 7pm, ESPN

Iowa State came from a 20+ point deficit and an uninspired first half to defeat Maryland in their second half and earn the right to play us on Sunday.

Iowa State is unranked and was 4th in the Big 12 behind Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas State. Massey has them at 28, the NET at 70. They have lost 11 games this year, most recently to Texas in their tournament finals. But they finished the year strong with wins over Baylor, Oklahoma, and Kansas State. They are a better team now than they were early.

Iowa State is coached by Bill Fennelly, who has been there for 29 years and is almost as venerable as Tara. Tara and Bill go way back—we have played Iowa State a number of times in the tournament. Perhaps the most famous time was when Jane Appel broke the Stanford record for points with 46 against Iowa State in 2009. Oddly, Iowa State’s big freshman center Audi Crooks just gave a similar performance against Maryland tonight with 40 points.

Fennelly’s teams have always been famous for emphasizing the three point shot, although this year Crooks gives him an all-American (honorable mention) center who can stick 18/20 shots in the basket. Couple that with an average of 9 three pointers made a game and you get a high powered offense.

Crooks averages around 20 points a game, and I doubt she can get 40 points against Brink and Iriafen. She is large and strong and runs surprisingly well, and it will be impossible to move her out of position. I think Brink can front her, though, and deny her the pass—even lobs. Most of her points against Maryland were on the high-low game and clearly we need to disrupt that.

But Iowa State has numerous other scoring threats. They have 7 players shooting over 30% from three point range, each of whom has made at least 20 and several more than 40. Those shots did not fall for them in the first half against Maryland, but they began to fall in the second half and helped them make up their deficit. Perimeter defense will be very important, and it has been something of a weakness for us. We can’t afford to sag off of anyone to double anyone else.

I believe we can hold Iowa State to many fewer than the 96 points that Maryland just gave up. Brenda Freise is famous for not emphasizing defense, and Iowa State averages 75 points per game. The real key is the matchup between our offense—which has struggled sometimes lately, and Iowa State’s defense, which gives up a generous 69 point per game. If we can get our own offense on track we should be able to do enough on defense to win, but if our offense sputters and looks stagnant as it did at times tonight, then Iowa State could become a real threat to us.

In short, we need to prevent Crooks from getting so many touches on the ball by denying her the entrances passes, we need to stay disciplined on the three point line to prevent Iowa State from shooting 42% from three point range which they did today, and we need to get our own offense in a better flow. I do not think Iowa State can defense both Brink and Iriafen inside, but we have to be able to feed it to them.

RE: WBB: Stanford vs. Iowa State Sunday - martyup - 03-22-2024

We shot 45% from beyond the arc today. I like our chances.

RE: WBB: Stanford vs. Iowa State Sunday - WBB fan - 03-22-2024

Another great preview. Thanks.

In a way, this game reminded me of that 2009 game when Appel scored 46 that you mention. Iowa State in that game focused on defending our 3 point shots and mostly had only one defender on Appel. Not a good plan! Tonight, seemed to me that Maryland was focused on defending the 3, wasn't double teaming Crooks much, and she had multiple easy shots. In fact, this occurred to me as I was watching the game.

RE: WBB: Stanford vs. Iowa State Sunday - MiniBlueHawkCard - 03-23-2024

Mark me down for incredibly nervous about how post play will be officiated in this game. Crooks has only fouled out once all year so getting her into foul trouble is not particularly likely. On the other hand, we all know how disruptive foul trouble can be for Stanford's posts.

RE: WBB: Stanford vs. Iowa State Sunday - Bampa - 03-23-2024

(03-23-2024, 06:41 AM)MiniBlueHawkCard Wrote: Mark me down for incredibly nervous about how post play will be officiated in this game. Crooks has only fouled out once all year so getting her into foul trouble is not particularly likely. On the other hand, we all know how disruptive foul trouble can be for Stanford's posts.

That is my biggest concern. I am sure they will try to get Brink in four trouble early.

RE: WBB: Stanford vs. Iowa State Sunday - 81alum - 03-23-2024

Crooks is a solid but not an elite quality rebounder. She averages about 8 a game, 2-3 of them O-boards. I think Brink and Iriafen are superior rebounders when they put their minds to it, and that could be a key point of emphasis for us. Iowa State was shockingly bad at rebounding during the first half last night, though they turned it around in the second.

Crooks does not commit a lot of fouls, but I think that may be because she is not as active on defense as most centers are. She has only 18 blocks on the year. She is an offensive powerhouse, but not a commanding defensive presence the way Brink is. Remember, Crooks is still a freshman. Defense takes time and experience to improve. She may become more formidable over the years ahead.

I worry less about Crooks and more about the Iowa State strength (three point shooting) against our weakness (perimeter defense.) I think Tara will figure out how to control Crooks. Whether we have four perimeter defenders who can each individually close out and shut down their four perimeter shooters is another matter.

We had better have a very good offensive game.

RE: WBB: Stanford vs. Iowa State Sunday - Hoops9092 - 03-23-2024

I'm sure we will do the double down and sag off a perimeter player, the classic Tara move against teams with dominant posts. I remember the days of playing Courtney Paris or Ashley Walker/Devanei Hampton and we had similar attack that were successful. She really is Paris-esque.

RE: WBB: Stanford vs. Iowa State Sunday - WBB fan - 03-23-2024

Another article from the SF Chron - this one from Sports columnist Ann Killion about Kiki -- "God She's Goodf" [quote from the Norfolk State coach]. Put it in this thread because it's about Kiki's role in Norfolk State games, the whole season, and about the Iowa game upcoming. Note the comment about how she's gotten her chance to shine in part due to departure of Betts and others to graduation. Also that her major goof (calling a timeout in overtime when we didn't have on) against S Carolina last year impacted her confidence in herself all year long.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/stanford-s-kiki-iriafen-shining-ncaa-19364147.php

RE: WBB: Stanford vs. Iowa State Sunday - MV72018 - 03-23-2024

(03-23-2024, 07:58 AM)81alum Wrote: Crooks is a solid but not an elite quality rebounder. She averages about 8 a game, 2-3 of them O-boards. I think Brink and Iriafen are superior rebounders when they put their minds to it, and that could be a key point of emphasis for us. Iowa State was shockingly bad at rebounding during the first half last night, though they turned it around in the second.

Crooks does not commit a lot of fouls, but I think that may be because she is not as active on defense as most centers are. She has only 18 blocks on the year. She is an offensive powerhouse, but not a commanding defensive presence the way Brink is. Remember, Crooks is still a freshman. Defense takes time and experience to improve. She may become more formidable over the years ahead.

I worry less about Crooks and more about the Iowa State strength (three point shooting) against our weakness (perimeter defense.) I think Tara will figure out how to control Crooks. Whether we have four perimeter defenders who can each individually close out and shut down their four perimeter shooters is another matter.

We had better have a very good offensive game.

You will remember how Tara 'figured out' how to stop JuJu and in the process left Forbes wide open time after time....I agree, Stanford had better bring its 'A' game on O. I was not particularly impressed with the entry passes last night -- or with the way some of them were bumbled. (I did like the entry pass that Brink caught and redirected to the corner for a trey. Clean and crisp ball movement led to a successful open shot.) I hope Bosgana can replicate or come close to replicating, because it can't be taken for granted that Jump will score in double figures or that Lepolo will score at all, which turns our O into a two-woman affair, with little help from the bench. We need someone, preferably two people, to step up and score in double digits to at least get us above 70 points. We may need more than 80 for the W, depending on how tight or porous our D turns out to be.

RE: WBB: Stanford vs. Iowa State Sunday 7pm - 81alum - 03-23-2024

The game on GO Stanford now shows as Sunday 7pm. They'll certainly miss us on the east coast.

(03-23-2024, 10:11 AM)MV72018 Wrote: You will remember how Tara 'figured out' how to stop JuJu and in the process left Forbes wide open time after time....I agree, Stanford had better bring its 'A' game on O. I was not particularly impressed with the entry passes last night -- or with the way some of them were bumbled. (I did like the entry pass that Brink caught and redirected to the corner for a trey. Clean and crisp ball movement led to a successful open shot.) I hope Bosgana can replicate or come close to replicating, because it can't be taken for granted that Jump will score in double figures or that Lepolo will score at all, which turns our O into a two-woman affair, with little help from the bench. We need someone, preferably two people, to step up and score in double digits to at least get us above 70 points. We may need more than 80 for the W, depending on how tight or porous our D turns out to be.

I doubt that we will start out by doubling Crooks. We'll find out if Brink or Iriafen can handle her on their own, probably by fronting her. Doubling her would leave an Iowa State shooter open, and we can't afford that. Crooks has just 34 assists on the year, however, which seems low for a center of a three point shooting team. If she gets the ball, she shoots it rather than passing it. Probably no need to pass it--the whole battle with her is preventing her from getting the ball in the first place.

I also have not been happy with our entrance passes. With Brink and Iriafen we should be getting the ball low on the block more often. It is hard to make those passes against the zone, however. We got burned a few times early in the game and seem to have backed off. We can't afford for that to continue. If we can get the ball inside, I like our chances against Crooks.

Radically different teams, but both teams can be defeated if the other defense can prevent entrance passes into the low post.

RE: WBB: Stanford vs. Iowa State Sunday 7pm - BosCard - 03-23-2024

I’m hopeful that the gauntlet that was the PAC-12 this season has prepared us to face the different kinds of teams in this tournament. For example, Oregon State with Beers and Utah with Pili present a similar defensive challenge of big strong power post player surrounded by 3-point shooting (including a very good 3-point shooting PF in Gardiner).

RE: WBB: Stanford vs. Iowa State Sunday - Blue Hawk (Mizzou) Card - 03-23-2024

(03-23-2024, 06:41 AM)MiniBlueHawkCard Wrote: Mark me down for incredibly nervous about how post play will be officiated in this game. Crooks has only fouled out once all year so getting her into foul trouble is not particularly likely. On the other hand, we all know how disruptive foul trouble can be for Stanford's posts.

When I read the CardBoard, I pretty much read the posts without noticing who wrote them. So I was reading this post, and I thought "that poster is worried about EXACTLY the same thing that I am worried about, concerning Iowa State."

So I looked to see who this brilliant poster was . . . .

The poor guy never had a chance in life, or at least in Stanford fandom, considering who his dad is.

RE: WBB: Stanford vs. Iowa State Sunday 7pm - Card Fan in OR - 03-23-2024

With the second round of the Tournament commencing tomorrow, it is long overdue that I share my gratitude to all the posters here, but most, most, most of all to 81alum. Your posts have tremendously nurtured my interest in and affection for Stanford women's basketball. I have been a fan for as long as I remember, but, with your help, I have become a much more knowledgeable and educated fan. Thank you so much. And the same to other posters, too, but for me, 81alum and his (?) previews have helped bring me to a new level.

On a separate note, I have confirmed something I long suspected in this Tournament. I am a Midwestern boy who emigrated to Palo Alto, the Bay Area, and then to Oregon. As I found myself rooting enthusiastically for Arizona this afternoon, I knew that my allegiance to the Pac- (8, 10, 12) is and was (after Stanford) geographical. I will so, so miss a major West Coast conference to root for. If we are unable to win it all this year--and I hope we are--I will be rooting for USC, UCLA (yes for both), or Oregon State to be victorious. Colorado, Utah, OK, but not the same level of fandom.

Thanks again, 81 alum.

RE: WBB: Stanford vs. Iowa State Sunday 7pm - BobK - 03-23-2024

Great post card fan. 81 is a treasure
I too am a pac whatever fan and will be following all the present Pac 12 in the future

RE: WBB: Stanford vs. Iowa State Sunday 7pm - M T - 03-23-2024

A different pair of eyes on the match up:

I don't know of any reason that Iowa State will be able to defend against Brink+Iriafen.
Clearly Stanford's record is better.

Iowa State's playing time by height is
6'2" 33min; 5'8" 31min; 5'11" 29min; 6'3" 26min; 6'2" 24min; 5'9" 22min; 5'10" 19min; 6'5" 12min
Stanford:
6'0" 34min; 5'7" 30min; 6' 3" 27min; 6'4" 26min; 6'3" 21min; 6'2" 18min
Iowa State has two players with about 160 assists. A/TO: 1.54 and 1.89
Stanford's Lepolo A/TO 2.25.

Team stats:
Stanford Iowa State
29-5 21-11
Scoring 77.5-58.9 75.2-68.6
2pt % 52.1% 52.8%
3pt % 35.2% 37.6%
Asst % 62.4% 69.4%
Reb/gm 44.6 40.8
TO/gm 12.4 16.3
Stl/gm 5.1 4.8
Blk/gm 5.1 3.0

SOS 14 | 16 10 | 13 (Warren Nolan | Massey)
Opp Win% .6209 .6117
Opp 2pt% 38.1% 43.2%
Opp 3p% 29.2% 32.1%
Opp Reb/gm 31.7 32.1
Opp TO/gm 11.3 10.7
Opp Stl/gm 5.9 9.1
Opp Blk/gm 2.5 2.8

It seems pretty clear that Stanford's defense is a bigger difference statistically in favor of Stanford than Iowa State's offensive advantage.
Contrary to 81alum, I see the two teams as very similar.

Looking at the difference between their Feb 10 home loss to Oklahoma 86-72 versus their Mar 11 away win vs Oklahoma 85-68:
Both games were pretty much decided in the first half as the eventual winner had a 14 point lead.
Looks like the same personnel in both games. Crooks was 3 of 8 in the first game, 12 of 19 in the second.
High turnovers in each for both teams. Iowa State 20 and 21 TO; Oklahoma 19 and 15 TO.
Oklahoma had 32 bench points in the win but only 4 in the loss.
OU was 5 of 12 from 3 in Q1 in the win but 1 of 8 from 3 in Q1 in the loss.
My guess is that OU couldn't or didn't want to get the ball inside early and chose to shoot 3s. In one game they went in; in the next, they didn't.

Looking at their two losses to Texas: loss by 21 at Texas Feb 17; neutral court loss by 17 Mar 12.
Crooks got 24 and 25 points.
Texas kept Iowa State's 3-point attempts subdued: 7 of 15 and 6 of 12.
Iowa State had 16 and 20 turnovers.
Texas had more rebounds. 38-27 and 30-27.

RE: WBB: Stanford vs. Iowa State Sunday 7pm - old spanish trail - 03-23-2024

(03-23-2024, 05:32 PM)BobK Wrote: Great post card fan. 81 is a treasure
I too am a pac whatever fan and will be following all the present Pac 12 in the future

Yes to all.

leftcoast - Leftcoast - 03-23-2024

Root for USC!?! You are a forgiving soul.

Reminder .. USC viciously stabbed the conference in the back and stabbed a “conference of champions” voodoo doll while their abandoned partners attempted CPR. Their non football atheletes/fans/donors didn’t participate as much as their football counterparts but they wear the same foul colors.

I am cursing the Trojans to lose every game in all sports by 100 to 0 unless they are playing their hunchback minions UCLA and then I’ll root for a tornado to engulf the arena/field/stadium and the game to end as a 0-0 tie.

I may call off the curse in 50 years if they’ve spent 49 of them groveling and begging to join the inevitable next West Coast league.

But I’m not bitter or anything.

Go Kansas!

RE: leftcoast - old spanish trail - 03-23-2024

(03-23-2024, 06:26 PM)Leftcoast Wrote: Root for USC!?! You are a forgiving soul.

Reminder .. USC viciously stabbed the conference in the back and stabbed a “conference of champions” voodoo doll while their abandoned partners attempted CPR. Their non football atheletes/fans/donors didn’t participate as much as their football counterparts but they wear the same foul colors.

I am cursing the Trojans to lose every game in all sports by 100 to 0 unless they are playing their hunchback minions UCLA and then I’ll root for a tornado to engulf the arena/field/stadium and the game to end as a 0-0 tie.

I may call off the curse in 50 years if they’ve spent 49 of them groveling and begging to join the inevitable next West Coast league.

But I’m not bitter or anything.

Go Kansas!

LOL. Good points but didn't change my mind. Too much SC and UCLA in the family.

RE: leftcoast - pefloresjr - 03-23-2024

(03-23-2024, 06:37 PM)old spanish trail Wrote:
(03-23-2024, 06:26 PM)Leftcoast Wrote: Root for USC!?! You are a forgiving soul.

Reminder .. USC viciously stabbed the conference in the back and stabbed a “conference of champions” voodoo doll while their abandoned partners attempted CPR. Their non football atheletes/fans/donors didn’t participate as much as their football counterparts but they wear the same foul colors.

I am cursing the Trojans to lose every game in all sports by 100 to 0 unless they are playing their hunchback minions UCLA and then I’ll root for a tornado to engulf the arena/field/stadium and the game to end as a 0-0 tie.

I may call off the curse in 50 years if they’ve spent 49 of them groveling and begging to join the inevitable next West Coast league.

But I’m not bitter or anything.

Go Kansas!

LOL. Good points but didn't change my mind. Too much SC and UCLA in the family.

What's family got to do with it? Half of my family (including my beloved mother) are foolish Dodgers fans. Am I rooting for the Dodgers if the Giants get eliminated based on family affinity? Hell no.

Cheers,
Pete F.

RE: leftcoast - Card Fan in OR - 03-23-2024

No reminder needed, Leftcoast. And I am less forgiving than old spanish trail. Once the Tournament ends, I will not follow the two LA schools--and will curse them for what they did. Not too fond of UDub or my home state Ducks, either. For now, though, the better they do, the better we are. At least, that's how I choose to see it.