[81alum]

Preview:

In the national semis last year we eeked out a 1 point win over South Carolina when Boston uncharacteristically missed a point blank put-back with time expiring.  Since then we have lost our leading scorer and point guard and South Carolina has lost....nobody.  South Carolina is 11-0 this year including wins over Oregon, UConn, Maryland and Duke and is ranked #1 in every poll.  We will be playing in their house, and most analysts expect us to lose.  South Carolina is thought to be this year's juggernaut, and the media has practically anointed them national champions months before the tournament is played. 

And yet....we are the team that most recently beat them, and this will inspire a level of confidence that other teams going in to their arena would lack.  This was our thread from that victory:
https://thecardboard.org/board/showthrea...#pid312278

South Carolina is a complete team, and too heavy a focus on superstar Boston would be a mistake.  That said, 6'5" junior Boston is a superstar.  She is averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds per game, to go along with 3 blocks, a couple of assists, and even a 38% three point shooting average.  This 6'5" junior has slimmed down and is even more active on defense than last year.  She makes 60% of her shots.  That is in Ruthy Hebard territory.  Last year in the semis we held her to 11 points and she was visibly frustrated, even though both South Carolina guards ran amuck over us.  She is in better condition this year and has had months to prepare for whatever Tara threw at her in March.  Expect her to do better.

South Carolina's star point guard Destanni Henderson has been out a few games with some sort of leg injury.  She had been their second leading scorer and was shooting 50% of her treys.  However, South Carolina has been rolling right along without her, they are a deep team.  If Henderson is still out against us it might weaken South Carolina--she did score 18 points against us in the semis--but her replacements present their own challenges for us.

In Destanni's place Dawn Staley has been starting 6'4" forward Laeticia Amihere as a sort of point-forward.  Amihere is a Canadian who I once coveted for Stanford (once our Canadian pipeline was going) but for one reason or another it was not to be.  Suffice it to say that 5'9" Wilson will not be defending Amihere at the point--I am curious who will.  Amihere has only taken 5 three-point shots this year but has made 4 of them, and is averaging 8 points and 5 rebounds.

The other superb South Carolina guard is 5'9" guard Zia Cooke, who gave us problems in the semifinal.  Well, that is putting it mildly.  She went off for 25 points--mostly in the second half--and we seemed to have no one who could defend her.  Wilson and Lacie know that their task is tough.  Cooke is averaging 12 ppg and so far has been a fairly average three point shooter, but her quickness makes it very difficult to prevent her from cutting to the basket.

6'1" Guard Brea Beal and 6'2" forward Victoria Saxton round out their starters.  Beal can shoot the three and Saxton is a solid glue player. 

South Carolina plays through the post.  They want Boston to get a touch on every possession.  If she is single teamed she will score the ball.  If she is doubled, she passes it out to others who can drive or shoot.  The best way to disrupt them is to prevent Boston from getting touches in the first place.  If Belibi can play she might have a big role as I could see Tara rotating a string of our bigs against her.

Last year it was Lexie (18) and Jones (24) who scored the points we needed for our win.  Each of them was 2/2 from three point range.  Williams had 8 points on 4/14 shooting. We also were 11/12 from the free throw line.  No one else was in double digits and we had to fight and scratch for every point.  Staley is a great defensive coach--we scored 15, 16, 21, and 14 points in each quarter.  It would be game changing if we could figure our how to get Jump and Prechtel more open looks at the three ball.

[81alum]

Preview:

In the national semis last year we eeked out a 1 point win over South Carolina when Boston uncharacteristically missed a point blank put-back with time expiring.  Since then we have lost our leading scorer and point guard and South Carolina has lost....nobody.  South Carolina is 11-0 this year including wins over Oregon, UConn, Maryland and Duke and is ranked #1 in every poll.  We will be playing in their house, and most analysts expect us to lose.  South Carolina is thought to be this year's juggernaut, and the media has practically anointed them national champions months before the tournament is played. 

And yet....we are the team that most recently beat them, and this will inspire a level of confidence that other teams going in to their arena would lack.  This was our thread from that victory:
https://thecardboard.org/board/showthrea...#pid312278

South Carolina is a complete team, and too heavy a focus on superstar Boston would be a mistake.  That said, 6'5" junior Boston is a superstar.  She is averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds per game, to go along with 3 blocks, a couple of assists, and even a 38% three point shooting average.  This 6'5" junior has slimmed down and is even more active on defense than last year.  She makes 60% of her shots.  That is in Ruthy Hebard territory.  Last year in the semis we held her to 11 points and she was visibly frustrated, even though both South Carolina guards ran amuck over us.  She is in better condition this year and has had months to prepare for whatever Tara threw at her in March.  Expect her to do better.

South Carolina's star point guard Destanni Henderson has been out a few games with some sort of leg injury.  She had been their second leading scorer and was shooting 50% of her treys.  However, South Carolina has been rolling right along without her, they are a deep team.  If Henderson is still out against us it might weaken South Carolina--she did score 18 points against us in the semis--but her replacements present their own challenges for us.

In Destanni's place Dawn Staley has been starting 6'4" forward Laeticia Amihere as a sort of point-forward.  Amihere is a Canadian who I once coveted for Stanford (once our Canadian pipeline was going) but for one reason or another it was not to be.  Suffice it to say that 5'9" Wilson will not be defending Amihere at the point--I am curious who will.  Amihere has only taken 5 three-point shots this year but has made 4 of them, and is averaging 8 points and 5 rebounds.

The other superb South Carolina guard is 5'9" guard Zia Cooke, who gave us problems in the semifinal.  Well, that is putting it mildly.  She went off for 25 points--mostly in the second half--and we seemed to have no one who could defend her.  Wilson and Lacie know that their task is tough.  Cooke is averaging 12 ppg and so far has been a fairly average three point shooter, but her quickness makes it very difficult to prevent her from cutting to the basket.

6'1" Guard Brea Beal and 6'2" forward Victoria Saxton round out their starters.  Beal can shoot the three and Saxton is a solid glue player. 

South Carolina plays through the post.  They want Boston to get a touch on every possession.  If she is single teamed she will score the ball.  If she is doubled, she passes it out to others who can drive or shoot.  The best way to disrupt them is to prevent Boston from getting touches in the first place.  If Belibi can play she might have a big role as I could see Tara rotating a string of our bigs against her.

Last year it was Lexie (18) and Jones (24) who scored the points we needed for our win.  Each of them was 2/2 from three point range.  Williams had 8 points on 4/14 shooting. We also were 11/12 from the free throw line.  No one else was in double digits and we had to fight and scratch for every point.  Staley is a great defensive coach--we scored 15, 16, 21, and 14 points in each quarter.  It would be game changing if we could figure our how to get Jump and Prechtel more open looks at the three ball.

[TheFarm07]

This will be a great barometer of where we are. South Carolina is the team to beat so far this season. As you pointed out, they lost no one from last year, gained a bevy of talented freshmen and are more experienced with a chip on their shoulder from their heartbreaking loss to us in the Final Four.

Playing them at their home arena will show us a third of the way through the season where we are as a team and what we need to work on, heading into conference play. South Carolina will punish you for errant passes, live ball turnovers and missed assignments.

Everyone will need to play well for us to beat them, let's see if we are up to the challenge

[TheFarm07]

This will be a great barometer of where we are. South Carolina is the team to beat so far this season. As you pointed out, they lost no one from last year, gained a bevy of talented freshmen and are more experienced with a chip on their shoulder from their heartbreaking loss to us in the Final Four.

Playing them at their home arena will show us a third of the way through the season where we are as a team and what we need to work on, heading into conference play. South Carolina will punish you for errant passes, live ball turnovers and missed assignments.

Everyone will need to play well for us to beat them, let's see if we are up to the challenge

[Card10Fan]

Keys to the game: 
1. Rebounding first and foremost. SC is so dominant on the glass. Can we win the rebounding battle or stay close. 
2. Limiting turnovers and handling their ball pressure: How well can we get into our transition offense and can our guards handle their pressure. 

Brink will need to stay out of foul trouble. I think Prechtel can expect to get similar looks from three as vs Tennessee so hopefully she carries over that momentum and knocks down her shot. I think if we rebound defensively, we can slow them down with our defense. I'm more concerned if we can garner enough offense against their stellar defense. Will be a great test in a really tough environment! Go Stanford!

[Card10Fan]

Keys to the game: 
1. Rebounding first and foremost. SC is so dominant on the glass. Can we win the rebounding battle or stay close. 
2. Limiting turnovers and handling their ball pressure: How well can we get into our transition offense and can our guards handle their pressure. 

Brink will need to stay out of foul trouble. I think Prechtel can expect to get similar looks from three as vs Tennessee so hopefully she carries over that momentum and knocks down her shot. I think if we rebound defensively, we can slow them down with our defense. I'm more concerned if we can garner enough offense against their stellar defense. Will be a great test in a really tough environment! Go Stanford!

[TonyLima]

Hey, thanks to everyone for a terrific preview. Really looking forward to this one. Team cannot afford a repeat of the 3rd quarter at TN. And please make free throws. I have several other wishes, but mostly wanted to thank each of you.

[TonyLima]

Hey, thanks to everyone for a terrific preview. Really looking forward to this one. Team cannot afford a repeat of the 3rd quarter at TN. And please make free throws. I have several other wishes, but mostly wanted to thank each of you.

[teejers1]

Keys to the game: 
1. Rebounding first and foremost. SC is so dominant on the glass. Can we win the rebounding battle or stay close. 
2. Limiting turnovers and handling their ball pressure: How well can we get into our transition offense and can our guards handle their pressure. 

Brink will need to stay out of foul trouble. I think Prechtel can expect to get similar looks from three as vs Tennessee so hopefully she carries over that momentum and knocks down her shot. I think if we rebound defensively, we can slow them down with our defense. I'm more concerned if we can garner enough offense against their stellar defense. Will be a great test in a really tough environment! Go Stanford!

I think the days of Prechtel getting uncontested looks from the three line - and even 2-3 feet beyond that - are over (at least until there is a lulll where she doesn't show much from there and coaches "forget" about that aspect of her game).  The Louisville Elite 8 game could be considered by some (wrongfully, imo) as a flukey outside shooting performance.  But with Tennessee game backing that up - and both in ultra clutch time of need - well, I don't think any coaches are going to leave her open.  [Indeed, the Tennessee coach was still miffed about that post-game, using a football analogy to depict Prechtel's treys as "busted coverage."].  Prechtel is a lethal three point shooter when her confidence is high (and it often only takes one to jump-start that confidence).  Jump is the best overall shooter from behind the arc, but I'd put Prechtel second on that list.  [Interestingly, going into this season I thought only one other player on the roster might be in contention for #2 three point marksman:  JVG (I liked the look of her stroke).  But alas, twas not to be].

[teejers1]

Keys to the game: 
1. Rebounding first and foremost. SC is so dominant on the glass. Can we win the rebounding battle or stay close. 
2. Limiting turnovers and handling their ball pressure: How well can we get into our transition offense and can our guards handle their pressure. 

Brink will need to stay out of foul trouble. I think Prechtel can expect to get similar looks from three as vs Tennessee so hopefully she carries over that momentum and knocks down her shot. I think if we rebound defensively, we can slow them down with our defense. I'm more concerned if we can garner enough offense against their stellar defense. Will be a great test in a really tough environment! Go Stanford!

I think the days of Prechtel getting uncontested looks from the three line - and even 2-3 feet beyond that - are over (at least until there is a lulll where she doesn't show much from there and coaches "forget" about that aspect of her game).  The Louisville Elite 8 game could be considered by some (wrongfully, imo) as a flukey outside shooting performance.  But with Tennessee game backing that up - and both in ultra clutch time of need - well, I don't think any coaches are going to leave her open.  [Indeed, the Tennessee coach was still miffed about that post-game, using a football analogy to depict Prechtel's treys as "busted coverage."].  Prechtel is a lethal three point shooter when her confidence is high (and it often only takes one to jump-start that confidence).  Jump is the best overall shooter from behind the arc, but I'd put Prechtel second on that list.  [Interestingly, going into this season I thought only one other player on the roster might be in contention for #2 three point marksman:  JVG (I liked the look of her stroke).  But alas, twas not to be].

[CompSci87]

They'll surely try harder to get out on her. One thing they'll still have to contend with is her high release, which makes her shot hard to contest if you aren't almost her height.

[CompSci87]

They'll surely try harder to get out on her. One thing they'll still have to contend with is her high release, which makes her shot hard to contest if you aren't almost her height.

[81alum]

Coming out to defend her is exactly what we want them to do.  That will remove a "big" from the interior and give us more room to maneuver.  Prechtel is also a very good passer and the high-low look could be very effective if she is passing to Brink or Belibi or Jones around the basket or on cuts to the basket. 

Basically, for the Princeton motion offense to work well, everyone needs to be a threat since this opens up space for movement.

---

This is an interesting news story about South Carolina's win over Duke:

https://www.thestate.com/sports/college/...stage_lead

South Carolina overwhelmed them with rebounding.

SC played mainly its starters for the whole contest except for Destiny Littleton who cam off the bench to hit 3/6 three point shots.

[81alum]

Coming out to defend her is exactly what we want them to do.  That will remove a "big" from the interior and give us more room to maneuver.  Prechtel is also a very good passer and the high-low look could be very effective if she is passing to Brink or Belibi or Jones around the basket or on cuts to the basket. 

Basically, for the Princeton motion offense to work well, everyone needs to be a threat since this opens up space for movement.

---

This is an interesting news story about South Carolina's win over Duke:

https://www.thestate.com/sports/college/...stage_lead

South Carolina overwhelmed them with rebounding.

SC played mainly its starters for the whole contest except for Destiny Littleton who cam off the bench to hit 3/6 three point shots.

[BillBradley]

Coming out to defend her is exactly what we want them to do.  That will remove a "big" from the interior and give us more room to maneuver.  Prechtel is also a very good passer and the high-low look could be very effective if she is passing to Brink or Belibi or Jones around the basket or on cuts to the basket. 

Basically, for the Princeton motion offense to work well, everyone needs to be a threat since this opens up space for movement.

---

This is an interesting news story about South Carolina's win over Duke:

https://www.thestate.com/sports/college/...stage_lead

South Carolina overwhelmed them with rebounding.

SC played mainly its starters for the whole contest except for Destiny Littleton who cam off the bench to hit 3/6 three point shots.

Both Tennessee and SC hang their hats on their rebounding. We match up great against these teams because 1) We can hang with them on the boards and 2) As a team we play faster than them and they somehow have to counter that. 

In last year's Final Four game, they did outrebound us, but only by 4, and Boston got 16 of them. On our side, we aren't as reliant on Cam. We have a bunch of rebounders including Lexie (who had 13 boards in that game!), Haley, and Lacey plus our post depth. And, as you noted 81, without Destinee Henderson the majority of their minutes come from 6 players. A tightly called game would benefit us more. So we probably won't see that. I'm expecting a really physical game and I hope we run them into the ground.

[BillBradley]

Coming out to defend her is exactly what we want them to do.  That will remove a "big" from the interior and give us more room to maneuver.  Prechtel is also a very good passer and the high-low look could be very effective if she is passing to Brink or Belibi or Jones around the basket or on cuts to the basket. 

Basically, for the Princeton motion offense to work well, everyone needs to be a threat since this opens up space for movement.

---

This is an interesting news story about South Carolina's win over Duke:

https://www.thestate.com/sports/college/...stage_lead

South Carolina overwhelmed them with rebounding.

SC played mainly its starters for the whole contest except for Destiny Littleton who cam off the bench to hit 3/6 three point shots.

Both Tennessee and SC hang their hats on their rebounding. We match up great against these teams because 1) We can hang with them on the boards and 2) As a team we play faster than them and they somehow have to counter that. 

In last year's Final Four game, they did outrebound us, but only by 4, and Boston got 16 of them. On our side, we aren't as reliant on Cam. We have a bunch of rebounders including Lexie (who had 13 boards in that game!), Haley, and Lacey plus our post depth. And, as you noted 81, without Destinee Henderson the majority of their minutes come from 6 players. A tightly called game would benefit us more. So we probably won't see that. I'm expecting a really physical game and I hope we run them into the ground.

[PVTree]

Don't know how much her conditioning has improved this year, I would still like our boys to run up and down the court to tire her and see if she can keep up.

[PVTree]

Don't know how much her conditioning has improved this year, I would still like our boys to run up and down the court to tire her and see if she can keep up.

[joemontes]

I expect #2 Stanford to lose to #1 South Carolina, I just hope they make it close because the Gamecocks will really be hungry for this one, as they have marked this rematch with red inked REVENGE in their calendar since that heartbreaking loss to the Cardinal due to a heartbreaking point blank follow-up miss at the buzzer by Aaliyah BOSTON in last season's Final Four.

[joemontes]

I expect #2 Stanford to lose to #1 South Carolina, I just hope they make it close because the Gamecocks will really be hungry for this one, as they have marked this rematch with red inked REVENGE in their calendar since that heartbreaking loss to the Cardinal due to a heartbreaking point blank follow-up miss at the buzzer by Aaliyah BOSTON in last season's Final Four.

[old spanish trail]

Don't know how much her conditioning has improved this year, I would still like our boys to run up and down the court to tire her and see if she can keep up.

Reports are that she has lost weight and conditioning has improved.

[old spanish trail]

Don't know how much her conditioning has improved this year, I would still like our boys to run up and down the court to tire her and see if she can keep up.

Reports are that she has lost weight and conditioning has improved.

[BillBradley]

The online sportsbooks have South Carolina as a 2 point favorite and are predicting a score of 68 to 66 (over/under at 134.5). Given that home court advantage is worth > 2 points, this also means that we would be favored at a neutral site. Should be a great game.

[BillBradley]

The online sportsbooks have South Carolina as a 2 point favorite and are predicting a score of 68 to 66 (over/under at 134.5). Given that home court advantage is worth > 2 points, this also means that we would be favored at a neutral site. Should be a great game.

[81alum]

Dawn Staley's presser today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZquH7Bgo08

She indicated their offense still was not efficient, but their defense was holding them up.  Later she repeats her emphasis on how well she thinks her defense is playing.  

On Stanford's offense, "There is a fluidnous to it.  We have to disrupt that."

"Henni" (Destanni Henderson) will be out there getting some minutes."  So their star guard will be back, to some degree.

[81alum]

Dawn Staley's presser today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZquH7Bgo08

She indicated their offense still was not efficient, but their defense was holding them up.  Later she repeats her emphasis on how well she thinks her defense is playing.  

On Stanford's offense, "There is a fluidnous to it.  We have to disrupt that."

"Henni" (Destanni Henderson) will be out there getting some minutes."  So their star guard will be back, to some degree.

[JTM]

A positive, can-do attitude is so important for this game.  The last two times we played Texas we were heavily favored.  Yet they were not intimidated, played fearlessly, and won both in an upset.  I hope we can do the same with South Carolina.

[JTM]

A positive, can-do attitude is so important for this game.  The last two times we played Texas we were heavily favored.  Yet they were not intimidated, played fearlessly, and won both in an upset.  I hope we can do the same with South Carolina.

[martyup]

Those gals in the background were really burning up the nets in practice.

[martyup]

Those gals in the background were really burning up the nets in practice.

[Yellowlab]

We learned a great deal against Tennessee.  This should teach us even more about this team.

[Yellowlab]

We learned a great deal against Tennessee.  This should teach us even more about this team.

[WBB fan]

Game starting in less than ten minutes. I'm really, really nervous. Getting popcorn ready for mojo

[WBB fan]

Game starting in less than ten minutes. I'm really, really nervous. Getting popcorn ready for mojo

[Griffins78]

Excited and looking forward to the tip-off. Hoping Brink has a big game.

[Griffins78]

Excited and looking forward to the tip-off. Hoping Brink has a big game.

[SControl]

Despite the early Brink foul, missed box outs, and already giving away 5 O-boards, we’re up 14-11 in Q1

[SControl]

Despite the early Brink foul, missed box outs, and already giving away 5 O-boards, we’re up 14-11 in Q1

[JTM]

Despite the mistakes, if we can only play 3 more quarters like this, I'll be ecstatic!

[JTM]

Despite the mistakes, if we can only play 3 more quarters like this, I'll be ecstatic!