[81alum]

Creme said Miss State will get Portland #1 if Oregon loses

I guess it really makes little difference, since Miss St and Oregon just swap seeds for Portland, but I'm just surprised that Oregon's head-to-head win over Miss St earlier in the year doesn't seem to count for much.

Don't forget who pays Creme's salary.  
Silly me... I forgot that when I wondered how Mississippi State was rated that high.

In past years Charlie Creme seemed like a Stanford fan to me--he has consistently, year after year, overestimated our placement.  Maybe that changes as the WBB world shifts west.  But he is the last person I would accuse of being biased against Stanford.

I can also say that Charlie has quite often been way off in his bracketology.  Last year I think was one of his more accurate years, but in previous years it almost seemed to me as if the committee went out of its way not to reproduce Creme's prediction.

As for the Chicago bracket, let's keep in mind we will need to win three games before the actual placement becomes truly relevant.   But if we got there and if Notre Dame did too, I am not sure that playing Notre Dame would be any worse than anyone else.  We've played Baylor and I would not like a repeat.    If I had to pick from UConn and Notre Dame I think I would pick Notre Dame to play.  I think that like Oregon, Notre Dame relies on offense and can be disrupted.  So I am fine with his prediction, for what little it is worth.

[81alum]

Creme said Miss State will get Portland #1 if Oregon loses

I guess it really makes little difference, since Miss St and Oregon just swap seeds for Portland, but I'm just surprised that Oregon's head-to-head win over Miss St earlier in the year doesn't seem to count for much.

Don't forget who pays Creme's salary.  
Silly me... I forgot that when I wondered how Mississippi State was rated that high.

In past years Charlie Creme seemed like a Stanford fan to me--he has consistently, year after year, overestimated our placement.  Maybe that changes as the WBB world shifts west.  But he is the last person I would accuse of being biased against Stanford.

I can also say that Charlie has quite often been way off in his bracketology.  Last year I think was one of his more accurate years, but in previous years it almost seemed to me as if the committee went out of its way not to reproduce Creme's prediction.

As for the Chicago bracket, let's keep in mind we will need to win three games before the actual placement becomes truly relevant.   But if we got there and if Notre Dame did too, I am not sure that playing Notre Dame would be any worse than anyone else.  We've played Baylor and I would not like a repeat.    If I had to pick from UConn and Notre Dame I think I would pick Notre Dame to play.  I think that like Oregon, Notre Dame relies on offense and can be disrupted.  So I am fine with his prediction, for what little it is worth.

[jonnyss]

It looked to me like the success of the Hebard/Ionescu pick-and-roll derived from one overwhelming characteristic -- the effectiveness of Hebard's hip [and, occasionally, knee] in disrupting the defender without drawing a foul call.  If I recall correctly, Hebard either never got called [or got called only once] for screens that almost always involved a very well-timed and well-placed hip check.  At least two of the Hull fouls, where they were called for running into Ionescu while trying to get around the screen, looked like they were set in motion by a nifty Hebard hip-check to the involved Hull at just the right time.  And, even when there was no foul called on anyone, the screen either got Ionescu free for a relatively uncontested shot or set Hebard up perfectly on the roll as the defenders recovered.

For many years it has been frustrating to watch our bigs get called for illegal screens at the elbow or thereabouts due to sliding over enough to make the screen work.  Ionescu and Hebard, however, worked out the timing and proximity of their screens so well that Hebard's movement was highly effective, but sufficiently subtle, so as not to draw a foul call most of the times it was employed.  It would be great if we could get a duo working that well in the future...

yes! on one of the late fouls by a hull, i thought that she came outside the screen cleanly, and just as she passed, hebard pushed her into ionescu. or, as you write, it may have been a hip-push.

[jonnyss]

It looked to me like the success of the Hebard/Ionescu pick-and-roll derived from one overwhelming characteristic -- the effectiveness of Hebard's hip [and, occasionally, knee] in disrupting the defender without drawing a foul call.  If I recall correctly, Hebard either never got called [or got called only once] for screens that almost always involved a very well-timed and well-placed hip check.  At least two of the Hull fouls, where they were called for running into Ionescu while trying to get around the screen, looked like they were set in motion by a nifty Hebard hip-check to the involved Hull at just the right time.  And, even when there was no foul called on anyone, the screen either got Ionescu free for a relatively uncontested shot or set Hebard up perfectly on the roll as the defenders recovered.

For many years it has been frustrating to watch our bigs get called for illegal screens at the elbow or thereabouts due to sliding over enough to make the screen work.  Ionescu and Hebard, however, worked out the timing and proximity of their screens so well that Hebard's movement was highly effective, but sufficiently subtle, so as not to draw a foul call most of the times it was employed.  It would be great if we could get a duo working that well in the future...

yes! on one of the late fouls by a hull, i thought that she came outside the screen cleanly, and just as she passed, hebard pushed her into ionescu. or, as you write, it may have been a hip-push.

[M T]

New RPI we are 4.   Hoping for Portland but agree a very long shot

Wilson my hero of the game but a great job on D and so close on several of her missed threes

Key arena in Seattle being remodeled so Vegas a very lociall choice and the men here this week
Great restaurants at the MGM.

UConn will likely move up in RPI, assuming they win, possibly bumping both Stanford & Oregon down.  But Miss St. will likely stay #8.   How they might get a #1 seed is beyond my pay scale (way beyond it).

Hmmm...  maybe next year you can introduce Joan to some of the great restaurants (see her post).  Oh, wait, PAC-12 is changing venues.
Have you already reserved at the Mandalay Bay for next year?... We should have a really good team.

[M T]

New RPI we are 4.   Hoping for Portland but agree a very long shot

Wilson my hero of the game but a great job on D and so close on several of her missed threes

Key arena in Seattle being remodeled so Vegas a very lociall choice and the men here this week
Great restaurants at the MGM.

UConn will likely move up in RPI, assuming they win, possibly bumping both Stanford & Oregon down.  But Miss St. will likely stay #8.   How they might get a #1 seed is beyond my pay scale (way beyond it).

Hmmm...  maybe next year you can introduce Joan to some of the great restaurants (see her post).  Oh, wait, PAC-12 is changing venues.
Have you already reserved at the Mandalay Bay for next year?... We should have a really good team.

[biketoc]

That was a very impressive 3 game run the team put together.  So many high points but the biggest surprise was probably Anna Wilson’s game vs Oregon.  Man, she was all over Ionescu.  Maya was awesome…I loved that block to open the game.  Alanna had a couple of good blocks too.
There are so many great comments and observations on this thread.  I am glad the Hebard hip check was mentioned.  She was doing it all game.  The other violation never called is the Ionescu ball carry.  She gets a brobdingnagian advantage because during her dribble she will put her hand completely under the ball and hold it there for a second.  Normally that is an indication that the player has ended her dribble, but quite often she will then restart her dribble and change direction or drive to the basket.  The announcers always talk about what a great move she has, but they know it is illegal.  She is an extremely talented player, but I don’t enjoy watching her.
 
I don’t think it matters what region we end up in, it will be a tough road.  There are so many good teams throughout the country now.  I believe there is a pretty good argument for us to go to Portland as a 2 seed (as opposed to Oregon if they are a 2).  We split with Oregon and we beat Baylor.  No one else has done that.

[biketoc]

That was a very impressive 3 game run the team put together.  So many high points but the biggest surprise was probably Anna Wilson’s game vs Oregon.  Man, she was all over Ionescu.  Maya was awesome…I loved that block to open the game.  Alanna had a couple of good blocks too.
There are so many great comments and observations on this thread.  I am glad the Hebard hip check was mentioned.  She was doing it all game.  The other violation never called is the Ionescu ball carry.  She gets a brobdingnagian advantage because during her dribble she will put her hand completely under the ball and hold it there for a second.  Normally that is an indication that the player has ended her dribble, but quite often she will then restart her dribble and change direction or drive to the basket.  The announcers always talk about what a great move she has, but they know it is illegal.  She is an extremely talented player, but I don’t enjoy watching her.
 
I don’t think it matters what region we end up in, it will be a tough road.  There are so many good teams throughout the country now.  I believe there is a pretty good argument for us to go to Portland as a 2 seed (as opposed to Oregon if they are a 2).  We split with Oregon and we beat Baylor.  No one else has done that.

[FarmDad.01]

"[Ionescu] is an extremely talented player, but I don’t enjoy watching her."

Me neither. Two recent cracks in her "great player," "generous sportswoman" facade: 

In Oregon's late-Feb loss to underdog UCLA, she was forced to commit her fifth foul late in Q4. Instead of going to the bench to await the team handshake, she stormed off to the locker room.

On Sunday, her post-game behavior was criticized by an Oregon sportswriter. As Stanford was on court accepting the trophy, Coach Graves and Ruthy Hebard strolled alongside each other through the tunnel under the stands. Ionescu charged ahead of them. Maybe because after Stanford broke a 51-51 tie with 3:31 left in Q4, she hogged six of the Ducks's last nine shots -- and made only two of them. Talk about boiling water in your veins...

That said, I agree with biketoc that she's extremely talented, and her game will present well in the WNBA.

[FarmDad.01]

"[Ionescu] is an extremely talented player, but I don’t enjoy watching her."

Me neither. Two recent cracks in her "great player," "generous sportswoman" facade: 

In Oregon's late-Feb loss to underdog UCLA, she was forced to commit her fifth foul late in Q4. Instead of going to the bench to await the team handshake, she stormed off to the locker room.

On Sunday, her post-game behavior was criticized by an Oregon sportswriter. As Stanford was on court accepting the trophy, Coach Graves and Ruthy Hebard strolled alongside each other through the tunnel under the stands. Ionescu charged ahead of them. Maybe because after Stanford broke a 51-51 tie with 3:31 left in Q4, she hogged six of the Ducks's last nine shots -- and made only two of them. Talk about boiling water in your veins...

That said, I agree with biketoc that she's extremely talented, and her game will present well in the WNBA.

[81alum]

Highlights:

https://pac-12.com/article/2019/03/10/20...3th-pac-12

https://www.facebook.com/StanfordWBB/vid...538968426/

Press conferences:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=655897151495214

Kiana Williams interview:
https://pac-12.com/videos/2019-pac-12-wo...rs-carried


Dijonai Carrington interview:
https://pac-12.com/videos/stanford-women...e-can-beat

Alanna Smith interview:
https://pac-12.com/videos/2019-pac-12-wo...layer-says

Tara Vanderveer interview:
https://pac-12.com/videos/2019-pac-12-wo...rown-group
That's about as emotional as Tara gets.

Awesome Carrington highlights:
https://pac-12.com/videos/2019-pac-12-wo...ord-claims

The postgame highlight that we missed when ESPN cut them off:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HfoN8OOYHY

ESPN Replay of the entire game:
http://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=95c2...1f3cc42237

[81alum]

Highlights:

https://pac-12.com/article/2019/03/10/20...3th-pac-12

https://www.facebook.com/StanfordWBB/vid...538968426/

Press conferences:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=655897151495214

Kiana Williams interview:
https://pac-12.com/videos/2019-pac-12-wo...rs-carried


Dijonai Carrington interview:
https://pac-12.com/videos/stanford-women...e-can-beat

Alanna Smith interview:
https://pac-12.com/videos/2019-pac-12-wo...layer-says

Tara Vanderveer interview:
https://pac-12.com/videos/2019-pac-12-wo...rown-group
That's about as emotional as Tara gets.

Awesome Carrington highlights:
https://pac-12.com/videos/2019-pac-12-wo...ord-claims

The postgame highlight that we missed when ESPN cut them off:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HfoN8OOYHY

ESPN Replay of the entire game:
http://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=95c2...1f3cc42237

[jad]

I don't think enough props can be given to Anna Wilson for her performance yesterday.

Watching the semifinal, it became apparent to me what screwed up Oregon was denying their movement with the ball.  UCLA had the lateral quickness to cut down on penetration angles, and that kept them from having to overrotate their defenses to cover and thus leave open someone, generally a perimeter shooter.  With the Hulls out there, they can deny passing angles with their length, but were consistently trailing the play on drives.  Going under the screen, they couldn't recover in time to stop the drive, and that was leading to their foul trouble.

Wilson was having none of that.  Fighting through screens, or diving quickly under them and getting into the driving lane opposite, she forced Ionescu to either pull up (which, to be fair, Sabrina does really well), or kick the ball back out.

One under-praised moment in particular - simple pick and roll with Hebard in the second half, and Dodson comes off to deny the drive.  Wilson, instead of continuing to trail after Ionescu, darts quickly into the passing lane to deflect away a Ionescu drop pass that would've led to an easy layup for Hebard.  That's just great anticipatory defense and speed.

VG

Clearly the pick and roll was a point of emphasis as its the bread and butter of Oregon's offense.  Lacie Hull intercepted an Ionescu bounce pass off of it in the first quarter.  Very similar to Wilson's  latter move.

[jad]

I don't think enough props can be given to Anna Wilson for her performance yesterday.

Watching the semifinal, it became apparent to me what screwed up Oregon was denying their movement with the ball.  UCLA had the lateral quickness to cut down on penetration angles, and that kept them from having to overrotate their defenses to cover and thus leave open someone, generally a perimeter shooter.  With the Hulls out there, they can deny passing angles with their length, but were consistently trailing the play on drives.  Going under the screen, they couldn't recover in time to stop the drive, and that was leading to their foul trouble.

Wilson was having none of that.  Fighting through screens, or diving quickly under them and getting into the driving lane opposite, she forced Ionescu to either pull up (which, to be fair, Sabrina does really well), or kick the ball back out.

One under-praised moment in particular - simple pick and roll with Hebard in the second half, and Dodson comes off to deny the drive.  Wilson, instead of continuing to trail after Ionescu, darts quickly into the passing lane to deflect away a Ionescu drop pass that would've led to an easy layup for Hebard.  That's just great anticipatory defense and speed.

VG

Clearly the pick and roll was a point of emphasis as its the bread and butter of Oregon's offense.  Lacie Hull intercepted an Ionescu bounce pass off of it in the first quarter.  Very similar to Wilson's  latter move.

[BobK]

Is it Mandalay Bay for sure next year? I was there for the thanksgiving tourney 2017 so that’s fine and I know the restaurants there too.

Seattle has much bigger crowds but of course great restaurants at the venue in Vegas. That said hope back to Seattle for the crowds

Key arena In Seattle will reopen in 2020

[BobK]

Is it Mandalay Bay for sure next year? I was there for the thanksgiving tourney 2017 so that’s fine and I know the restaurants there too.

Seattle has much bigger crowds but of course great restaurants at the venue in Vegas. That said hope back to Seattle for the crowds

Key arena In Seattle will reopen in 2020

[Phogge]

The Raiders stadium is near Mandalay. You could visit Bobbbbbb and dream of the next Warren Wells or Cotton Davidson.

[Phogge]

The Raiders stadium is near Mandalay. You could visit Bobbbbbb and dream of the next Warren Wells or Cotton Davidson.