[Hieronymus]

To remember last time, USC was able to keep a quick, athletic guard on Jump full time, and Jump went 0-5.  Meanwhile, Marshall and Akunwafo bothered Brink to the point she was 3-14, and Adika seems to be the right kind of player to guard Jones, who was 3-13.  In short, they match up 1:1 pretty well against all our main scorers.   They also got 7 steals from us while keeping their own turnovers down.    We had an apalling 8:14 assist to turnover ratio.  It was just hard to ever pass the ball, and when a team's strength is inside rather than outside, that became our fatal flaw.

On offense, I think our newish high-low offense will be required.  Betts played 3 minutes in our last game, and she and good post-to-post passes might be the way to break open the USC defense.  Clearly OSU figured out a way to get Beers going.

If Tara decides to go with two bigs (such as Brink & Betts) in that new high-low offense, how effective do you think that will be against USC's defense? You mentioned Marshall and Akunwafo were effective against Brink but if we had both Brink and Betts at the same, would Gottlieb counter with both of their posts at the same time and if so, how would that change the dynamic?

In any case, having another guard shoot consistently will help alleviate the pressure off of Jump. If whoever is playing PG (assuming the rest of the lineup would be Jump, Jones and a combo of two bigs) can make some jump shots, then that would surely help

So for me this is the most interesting of the remaining games left, even though Utah is going to obviously be higher profile. And I say that because USC has the best defense left to see if quicker teams can disrupt the current bigger version of the Stanford offense. My expectation is the high-low will work down low, but my bigger concern is on-ball defense on the perimeter with a bigger line up. Haley has struggled at times in the past as a primary ball handler, but she has looked really good the last few games in that role. This is the game though I think we find out if the bigger line up is situational or if it can be used as the general primary offense against everybody.

[Hieronymus]

To remember last time, USC was able to keep a quick, athletic guard on Jump full time, and Jump went 0-5.  Meanwhile, Marshall and Akunwafo bothered Brink to the point she was 3-14, and Adika seems to be the right kind of player to guard Jones, who was 3-13.  In short, they match up 1:1 pretty well against all our main scorers.   They also got 7 steals from us while keeping their own turnovers down.    We had an apalling 8:14 assist to turnover ratio.  It was just hard to ever pass the ball, and when a team's strength is inside rather than outside, that became our fatal flaw.

On offense, I think our newish high-low offense will be required.  Betts played 3 minutes in our last game, and she and good post-to-post passes might be the way to break open the USC defense.  Clearly OSU figured out a way to get Beers going.

If Tara decides to go with two bigs (such as Brink & Betts) in that new high-low offense, how effective do you think that will be against USC's defense? You mentioned Marshall and Akunwafo were effective against Brink but if we had both Brink and Betts at the same, would Gottlieb counter with both of their posts at the same time and if so, how would that change the dynamic?

In any case, having another guard shoot consistently will help alleviate the pressure off of Jump. If whoever is playing PG (assuming the rest of the lineup would be Jump, Jones and a combo of two bigs) can make some jump shots, then that would surely help

So for me this is the most interesting of the remaining games left, even though Utah is going to obviously be higher profile. And I say that because USC has the best defense left to see if quicker teams can disrupt the current bigger version of the Stanford offense. My expectation is the high-low will work down low, but my bigger concern is on-ball defense on the perimeter with a bigger line up. Haley has struggled at times in the past as a primary ball handler, but she has looked really good the last few games in that role. This is the game though I think we find out if the bigger line up is situational or if it can be used as the general primary offense against everybody.

[81alum]

Does anyone know about Rayah Marshall's availability for Friday's game?

She played 28 minutes on Sunday in the Oregon State game.  She came out late in the third quarter, never to return again.  The announcers were speculating that she was injured when she took a seat at the end of the bench.  Given the tightness of this overtime game, it's fair to assume that injury was a factor.

I do not know, but good catch, Warren.  It is the kind of thing that a coach would keep very close to the vest.  Marshall and Littleton are USC's two best defenders and a loss of either one would be a major blow to them.  

Rayah Marshall, who had 11 points and 14 boards for the Trojans, didn’t play in the fourth quarter or overtime with an undisclosed injury.

https://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/2023/...tball.html

---

So for me this is the most interesting of the remaining games left, even though Utah is going to obviously be higher profile. And I say that because USC has the best defense left to see if quicker teams can disrupt the current bigger version of the Stanford offense. My expectation is the high-low will work down low, but my bigger concern is on-ball defense on the perimeter with a bigger line up. Haley has struggled at times in the past as a primary ball handler, but she has looked really good the last few games in that role. This is the game though I think we find out if the bigger line up is situational or if it can be used as the general primary offense against everybody.

Astute observation.  I agree.  We could lose to any of the remaining teams, but USC has the largest, most athletic, quickest defense and may approximate the defenses of the best teams we will see in the NCAAs.

[81alum]

Does anyone know about Rayah Marshall's availability for Friday's game?

She played 28 minutes on Sunday in the Oregon State game.  She came out late in the third quarter, never to return again.  The announcers were speculating that she was injured when she took a seat at the end of the bench.  Given the tightness of this overtime game, it's fair to assume that injury was a factor.

I do not know, but good catch, Warren.  It is the kind of thing that a coach would keep very close to the vest.  Marshall and Littleton are USC's two best defenders and a loss of either one would be a major blow to them.  

Rayah Marshall, who had 11 points and 14 boards for the Trojans, didn’t play in the fourth quarter or overtime with an undisclosed injury.

https://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/2023/...tball.html

---

So for me this is the most interesting of the remaining games left, even though Utah is going to obviously be higher profile. And I say that because USC has the best defense left to see if quicker teams can disrupt the current bigger version of the Stanford offense. My expectation is the high-low will work down low, but my bigger concern is on-ball defense on the perimeter with a bigger line up. Haley has struggled at times in the past as a primary ball handler, but she has looked really good the last few games in that role. This is the game though I think we find out if the bigger line up is situational or if it can be used as the general primary offense against everybody.

Astute observation.  I agree.  We could lose to any of the remaining teams, but USC has the largest, most athletic, quickest defense and may approximate the defenses of the best teams we will see in the NCAAs.

[old spanish trail]

I agree with Hiero also.

[old spanish trail]

I agree with Hiero also.

[OCcardinal]

Nivar played only 3 minutes in the USC game, and Betts only 2.5 minutes.  I suspect minutes for both will be up this time around (most certainly for Nivar). 

Nivar had a +2 +/- in her 3 minutes, but in Betts' 2.5 minutes at the end of the 2nd quarter we went from a 3 point deficit to a 10 point deficit. That would seem to suggest that Betts does not match up well with USC, but the sample size was very small.

For Betts' first 2 minutes the lineup was: Betts, Demetre, Jones, Emma-Nnopu, Jones and Jump and USC outscored us 4-0 (free throws on two different Brook Demetre fouls).  In the last 30 seconds Brink came in for Demetre.  The result of that was Betts getting her layup blocked with 3 seconds left and then USC hitting a crazy buzzer-beater 3.  Just a bad sequence of plays.  We never really got to see what Betts and Brink could do together against USC

(And I don't want to disparage Demetre.  She actually had an okay game. She finished with a +/- of +7,  by far the best of anyone on the team.)

[OCcardinal]

Nivar played only 3 minutes in the USC game, and Betts only 2.5 minutes.  I suspect minutes for both will be up this time around (most certainly for Nivar). 

Nivar had a +2 +/- in her 3 minutes, but in Betts' 2.5 minutes at the end of the 2nd quarter we went from a 3 point deficit to a 10 point deficit. That would seem to suggest that Betts does not match up well with USC, but the sample size was very small.

For Betts' first 2 minutes the lineup was: Betts, Demetre, Jones, Emma-Nnopu, Jones and Jump and USC outscored us 4-0 (free throws on two different Brook Demetre fouls).  In the last 30 seconds Brink came in for Demetre.  The result of that was Betts getting her layup blocked with 3 seconds left and then USC hitting a crazy buzzer-beater 3.  Just a bad sequence of plays.  We never really got to see what Betts and Brink could do together against USC

(And I don't want to disparage Demetre.  She actually had an okay game. She finished with a +/- of +7,  by far the best of anyone on the team.)

[stopandpop]

Getting to the foul line at least as many as USC will be a contributing factor.  I believe the officiating this late in the season is going to allow more physicality, which favors the Trojans.

I can't imagine that we will shoot as poorly as we did down in LA, but I hope the emphasis will be attacking them down low and finding better ways to give Haley the ball (with better passing lanes) where she is able to do her damage and be more selective in shooting the 3.  Much of that was missing in the first game.  

Defensively, we need a fresh body on Littlejohn.  We had zero pressure on her before.  I hope Tara stays with the bigger lineup and more of our effective high/low game.  Ashten needs to play more as someone who can put a big body on Marshall and make her a little more uncomfortable.

What an intriguing match-up.

[stopandpop]

Getting to the foul line at least as many as USC will be a contributing factor.  I believe the officiating this late in the season is going to allow more physicality, which favors the Trojans.

I can't imagine that we will shoot as poorly as we did down in LA, but I hope the emphasis will be attacking them down low and finding better ways to give Haley the ball (with better passing lanes) where she is able to do her damage and be more selective in shooting the 3.  Much of that was missing in the first game.  

Defensively, we need a fresh body on Littlejohn.  We had zero pressure on her before.  I hope Tara stays with the bigger lineup and more of our effective high/low game.  Ashten needs to play more as someone who can put a big body on Marshall and make her a little more uncomfortable.

What an intriguing match-up.

[Spiny_Norman]

The games tonight and Monday will be the final regular season games in Maples for the 4 seniors. We all expect that Jones will be moving on after this season. We may learn a bit on Monday at Senior Night about the intentions of Belibi, Jump and Prechtel. At any rate, I hope that local fans will make the effort to come out and cheer for the team tonight and Monday, especially for these fabulous seniors.

[Spiny_Norman]

The games tonight and Monday will be the final regular season games in Maples for the 4 seniors. We all expect that Jones will be moving on after this season. We may learn a bit on Monday at Senior Night about the intentions of Belibi, Jump and Prechtel. At any rate, I hope that local fans will make the effort to come out and cheer for the team tonight and Monday, especially for these fabulous seniors.

[Spike]

Stanford is a 16 point favorite tonight!!
And Utah only 1 1/2 pt. favorite over Arizona. 
No comment.

[Spike]

Stanford is a 16 point favorite tonight!!
And Utah only 1 1/2 pt. favorite over Arizona. 
No comment.

[2006alum]

The games tonight and Monday will be the final regular season games in Maples for the 4 seniors. We all expect that Jones will be moving on after this season. We may learn a bit on Monday at Senior Night about the intentions of Belibi, Jump and Prechtel. At any rate, I hope that local fans will make the effort to come out and cheer for the team tonight and Monday, especially for these fabulous seniors.

Amen. Can't make tonight's game but very hopeful I can make Monday's to see Jones off, as I'll be traveling for work during the NCAAs, including to Vegas for the men's tourney. If anyone else is going (why would you as, Stanford fan...) let me know!

[2006alum]

The games tonight and Monday will be the final regular season games in Maples for the 4 seniors. We all expect that Jones will be moving on after this season. We may learn a bit on Monday at Senior Night about the intentions of Belibi, Jump and Prechtel. At any rate, I hope that local fans will make the effort to come out and cheer for the team tonight and Monday, especially for these fabulous seniors.

Amen. Can't make tonight's game but very hopeful I can make Monday's to see Jones off, as I'll be traveling for work during the NCAAs, including to Vegas for the men's tourney. If anyone else is going (why would you as, Stanford fan...) let me know!

[stopandpop]

Stanford is a 16 point favorite tonight!!
And Utah only 1 1/2 pt. favorite over Arizona. 
No comment.

Wow!  That 16 point advantage seems way to large, considering how poorly we played against them in LA  Would be nice to win by 16.

[stopandpop]

Stanford is a 16 point favorite tonight!!
And Utah only 1 1/2 pt. favorite over Arizona. 
No comment.

Wow!  That 16 point advantage seems way to large, considering how poorly we played against them in LA  Would be nice to win by 16.

[81alum]

Stanford is a 16 point favorite tonight!!
And Utah only 1 1/2 pt. favorite over Arizona. 
No comment.

Wow!  That 16 point advantage seems way to large, considering how poorly we played against them in LA  Would be nice to win by 16.

I wonder if the oddsmakers know something about Rayah Marshall that we don't.

---

So tonight is the last chalk talk of the season.  What is the ONE question you think should be asked of the coaches--last chance.  Keep in mind they avoid discussing injuries, player time, or revealing tactics.  But the right question can sometimes elicit some insight.

[81alum]

Stanford is a 16 point favorite tonight!!
And Utah only 1 1/2 pt. favorite over Arizona. 
No comment.

Wow!  That 16 point advantage seems way to large, considering how poorly we played against them in LA  Would be nice to win by 16.

I wonder if the oddsmakers know something about Rayah Marshall that we don't.

---

So tonight is the last chalk talk of the season.  What is the ONE question you think should be asked of the coaches--last chance.  Keep in mind they avoid discussing injuries, player time, or revealing tactics.  But the right question can sometimes elicit some insight.

[treetop11]

They only have to play Stanford once.  Utah and Colorado have tough games at Arizona this week, but also get to play bottom-dwellers ASU and Cal.  The only ranked game thatUSC and UCLA have to play is the one against Stanford; they get Cal and home games against UW and WSU, and I’d much rather my chances with one very tough match and three easier ones than four tough games.

BC

I first posted a while back about the challeges of our end of season schedule compared to the other contenders. I don't see how anyone can disagree with you Boston.

That being said, I also posted some thoughts on how to overcome the challenges. Foremost in my mind and what we saw from the team in the desert is the team's attitude. We have the best talent in the country other than So Carolina for which teams are equivalent. For us to dominate, including over strong teams and consistently, our team needs to be focused on dominating - with swagger backed by performance fueled by hihg energy, intensity, and aggressiveness. We don't need to worry about foul trouble like other teams (excepting So. Carolina), so no reason to hold back. If USC wants to play overly aggressive, push the limit on if fouls get called, and the refs let them play - then we give them aggressive play in spades. Go out there on the court with a killer instinct, and we will win the P12 and go to the NC game. We are that good. Let our 2 AAs take charge and everyone else do their thing.

And that being said, it will not surprise me if Utah drops a game unexpectedly before we meet and then Utah beats us closely in the final regualr season game, so we are tied at the top of the standings. But our victories over CU and Utah's loss to CU gives us the #1 seed in the P12 tourney which we will win. And give us a bracket like Creme is currently suggesting and I really like our chances in the NCAAs.

[treetop11]

They only have to play Stanford once.  Utah and Colorado have tough games at Arizona this week, but also get to play bottom-dwellers ASU and Cal.  The only ranked game thatUSC and UCLA have to play is the one against Stanford; they get Cal and home games against UW and WSU, and I’d much rather my chances with one very tough match and three easier ones than four tough games.

BC

I first posted a while back about the challeges of our end of season schedule compared to the other contenders. I don't see how anyone can disagree with you Boston.

That being said, I also posted some thoughts on how to overcome the challenges. Foremost in my mind and what we saw from the team in the desert is the team's attitude. We have the best talent in the country other than So Carolina for which teams are equivalent. For us to dominate, including over strong teams and consistently, our team needs to be focused on dominating - with swagger backed by performance fueled by hihg energy, intensity, and aggressiveness. We don't need to worry about foul trouble like other teams (excepting So. Carolina), so no reason to hold back. If USC wants to play overly aggressive, push the limit on if fouls get called, and the refs let them play - then we give them aggressive play in spades. Go out there on the court with a killer instinct, and we will win the P12 and go to the NC game. We are that good. Let our 2 AAs take charge and everyone else do their thing.

And that being said, it will not surprise me if Utah drops a game unexpectedly before we meet and then Utah beats us closely in the final regualr season game, so we are tied at the top of the standings. But our victories over CU and Utah's loss to CU gives us the #1 seed in the P12 tourney which we will win. And give us a bracket like Creme is currently suggesting and I really like our chances in the NCAAs.

[CompSci87]

The games tonight and Monday will be the final regular season games in Maples for the 4 seniors. We all expect that Jones will be moving on after this season. We may learn a bit on Monday at Senior Night about the intentions of Belibi, Jump and Prechtel. At any rate, I hope that local fans will make the effort to come out and cheer for the team tonight and Monday, especially for these fabulous seniors.

FWIW, I heard it mentioned recently, I think by a broadcast announcer during one of last week's games, that Jump is still thinking about whether or not to return for a fifth year.

[CompSci87]

The games tonight and Monday will be the final regular season games in Maples for the 4 seniors. We all expect that Jones will be moving on after this season. We may learn a bit on Monday at Senior Night about the intentions of Belibi, Jump and Prechtel. At any rate, I hope that local fans will make the effort to come out and cheer for the team tonight and Monday, especially for these fabulous seniors.

FWIW, I heard it mentioned recently, I think by a broadcast announcer during one of last week's games, that Jump is still thinking about whether or not to return for a fifth year.

[81alum]

The games tonight and Monday will be the final regular season games in Maples for the 4 seniors. We all expect that Jones will be moving on after this season. We may learn a bit on Monday at Senior Night about the intentions of Belibi, Jump and Prechtel. At any rate, I hope that local fans will make the effort to come out and cheer for the team tonight and Monday, especially for these fabulous seniors.

FWIW, I heard it mentioned recently, I think by a broadcast announcer during one of last week's games, that Jump is still thinking about whether or not to return for a fifth year.

At one point much earlier in the year I had heard somewhere--no longer remember where--that Jump and Belibi were considering a 5th year.  I remember that specifically because I wondered about Prechtel, there being only 2 slots.

[81alum]

The games tonight and Monday will be the final regular season games in Maples for the 4 seniors. We all expect that Jones will be moving on after this season. We may learn a bit on Monday at Senior Night about the intentions of Belibi, Jump and Prechtel. At any rate, I hope that local fans will make the effort to come out and cheer for the team tonight and Monday, especially for these fabulous seniors.

FWIW, I heard it mentioned recently, I think by a broadcast announcer during one of last week's games, that Jump is still thinking about whether or not to return for a fifth year.

At one point much earlier in the year I had heard somewhere--no longer remember where--that Jump and Belibi were considering a 5th year.  I remember that specifically because I wondered about Prechtel, there being only 2 slots.

[SkiBum80]

If you pull up ESPN NCAAW schedule for today, filtered on top 25 ranked teams, it is only PAC-12 schools.
I know kind of a Friday scheduling thing, but still a testament to how strong and tough is the PAC-12.

[SkiBum80]

If you pull up ESPN NCAAW schedule for today, filtered on top 25 ranked teams, it is only PAC-12 schools.
I know kind of a Friday scheduling thing, but still a testament to how strong and tough is the PAC-12.

[PVTree]

Stanford is a 16 point favorite tonight!!
And Utah only 1 1/2 pt. favorite over Arizona. 
No comment.

Wow!  That 16 point advantage seems way to large, considering how poorly we played against them in LA  Would be nice to win by 16.

I wonder if the oddsmakers know something about Rayah Marshall that we don't.

---

So tonight is the last chalk talk of the season.  What is the ONE question you think should be asked of the coaches--last chance.  Keep in mind they avoid discussing injuries, player time, or revealing tactics.  But the right question can sometimes elicit some insight.

Is it a sure thing that Tara will be back next year?

Are there any foreign trips planned for the summer?

[PVTree]

Stanford is a 16 point favorite tonight!!
And Utah only 1 1/2 pt. favorite over Arizona. 
No comment.

Wow!  That 16 point advantage seems way to large, considering how poorly we played against them in LA  Would be nice to win by 16.

I wonder if the oddsmakers know something about Rayah Marshall that we don't.

---

So tonight is the last chalk talk of the season.  What is the ONE question you think should be asked of the coaches--last chance.  Keep in mind they avoid discussing injuries, player time, or revealing tactics.  But the right question can sometimes elicit some insight.

Is it a sure thing that Tara will be back next year?

Are there any foreign trips planned for the summer?

[Card10Fan]

Stanford is a 16 point favorite tonight!!
And Utah only 1 1/2 pt. favorite over Arizona. 
No comment.

Wow!  That 16 point advantage seems way to large, considering how poorly we played against them in LA  Would be nice to win by 16.

I wonder if the oddsmakers know something about Rayah Marshall that we don't.

---

So tonight is the last chalk talk of the season.  What is the ONE question you think should be asked of the coaches--last chance.  Keep in mind they avoid discussing injuries, player time, or revealing tactics.  But the right question can sometimes elicit some insight.

Historically, our teams peak or play their best basketball in March. It’s a credit to our coaches for our continued improvement throughout the year. What do they as coaches do different in March to give our team so much confidence when it matters most. Do practices change? 

I too wonder about Covid years for Jump and Belibi but I assume that wouldn’t be discussed at the chalk talk. 

I’m also curious to hear more about Betts and how/why they decided now is the time for her to get more minutes. Her play is deserving of more minutes but it feels like it should have happened sooner for this team. What made them decide that now in February she needs to be on the court.

[Card10Fan]

Stanford is a 16 point favorite tonight!!
And Utah only 1 1/2 pt. favorite over Arizona. 
No comment.

Wow!  That 16 point advantage seems way to large, considering how poorly we played against them in LA  Would be nice to win by 16.

I wonder if the oddsmakers know something about Rayah Marshall that we don't.

---

So tonight is the last chalk talk of the season.  What is the ONE question you think should be asked of the coaches--last chance.  Keep in mind they avoid discussing injuries, player time, or revealing tactics.  But the right question can sometimes elicit some insight.

Historically, our teams peak or play their best basketball in March. It’s a credit to our coaches for our continued improvement throughout the year. What do they as coaches do different in March to give our team so much confidence when it matters most. Do practices change? 

I too wonder about Covid years for Jump and Belibi but I assume that wouldn’t be discussed at the chalk talk. 

I’m also curious to hear more about Betts and how/why they decided now is the time for her to get more minutes. Her play is deserving of more minutes but it feels like it should have happened sooner for this team. What made them decide that now in February she needs to be on the court.

[old spanish trail]

Re Betts, this is one area where I definitely trust Tara. Remember, Tara wanted to insert Betts when she would have an opportunity to flourish. I think she's done exactly that.

[old spanish trail]

Re Betts, this is one area where I definitely trust Tara. Remember, Tara wanted to insert Betts when she would have an opportunity to flourish. I think she's done exactly that.

[martyup]

[martyup]

[martyup]

Marshall is out for USC.

[martyup]

Marshall is out for USC.

[BostonCard]

sadly, it looks like we've picked up right where we left off against use

BC

[BostonCard]

sadly, it looks like we've picked up right where we left off against use

BC