10-11-2018, 02:16 AM
Interesting that Tara mentioned that although Williams would naturally rather play the 2 than the 1, she will be playing the 1 for now until Brown gets more situated in our offense. In theory, with a senior point guard (Sniezek), that wouldn't be a problem - Brown would have all year to learn. Does this mean Sniezek won't be starting? Given her overall strengths/weaknesses, she's much better as a 1 than a 2. But Tara basically didn't say anything about her at all.
I also wonder what it means that the 3 and 4 will be the same position. Are they both going to be wings ready to slide to the corners? And if so, is Smith going to be one of the 3/4 players rather than the 5 (which would presumably be Dodson and Fingall?)? IIRC, Smith came to Stanford having been used to playing the 3, so this might actually get her back to the position she's most comfortable with, and she's definitely an above average three-point shooter for someone her size. But I actually feel like she was very effective at the high post last year, so in that sense, I kind of hope she plays more of a 4 role. She's one of our few reliable shooters from the mid-court, and there were a few series of hi-low passes between her and Kayl last year that I thought helped solve some of our zone issues because Kayl could pass back out to Smith for an open mid-court jumper. But if she's out at the wing/corner, that option goes away.
(And incidentally, the other critical thing about having her or someone with size at the high post is to set screens, which will be especially important for getting physical driving players like Carrington inside to the basket. Unless we've dramatically improved our outside shooting over the summer, we'll still need an offense that allows our guards to get inside. Kayl didn't enough credit for how effective she was at doing this, and IIRC, Fingall struggled last year with a lot of moving screen fouls, so someone needs to be able to step into that role this season. Maybe, for some sets, that could be Coffee? She seems like the rare center who shoots the trey well and seems as comfortable outside as inside the box.)
I also wonder what it means that the 3 and 4 will be the same position. Are they both going to be wings ready to slide to the corners? And if so, is Smith going to be one of the 3/4 players rather than the 5 (which would presumably be Dodson and Fingall?)? IIRC, Smith came to Stanford having been used to playing the 3, so this might actually get her back to the position she's most comfortable with, and she's definitely an above average three-point shooter for someone her size. But I actually feel like she was very effective at the high post last year, so in that sense, I kind of hope she plays more of a 4 role. She's one of our few reliable shooters from the mid-court, and there were a few series of hi-low passes between her and Kayl last year that I thought helped solve some of our zone issues because Kayl could pass back out to Smith for an open mid-court jumper. But if she's out at the wing/corner, that option goes away.
(And incidentally, the other critical thing about having her or someone with size at the high post is to set screens, which will be especially important for getting physical driving players like Carrington inside to the basket. Unless we've dramatically improved our outside shooting over the summer, we'll still need an offense that allows our guards to get inside. Kayl didn't enough credit for how effective she was at doing this, and IIRC, Fingall struggled last year with a lot of moving screen fouls, so someone needs to be able to step into that role this season. Maybe, for some sets, that could be Coffee? She seems like the rare center who shoots the trey well and seems as comfortable outside as inside the box.)