01-06-2020, 02:57 PM
As to the specific (game vs. the Huskies), first half was obviously non-ideal, though it seemed like we were missing a lot of bunnies. That, plus a lot of turnovers (nothing new for us, but esp. likely given how good UW is on defense), and some weak outside D on Rees, was the difference in the first half.
Second half, we looked like a well-oiled machine, and man oh man, when Williams turns it on, she's nearly unstoppable. What can so hard with her is that she will often run hot and cold, either within games (often cold in the first half and hot in the second half, as with last night), or from one game to another (compare the past two games to the two prior). It's clear how much of a difference she will make for us against top teams like Oregon and Oregon State, especially with Carrington out.
In terms of the general (our season to date, and ahead), I guess I'm fairly sanguine because if you told me at the start of the season that we'd not only be without Smith, but also Carrington and Dodson, and we'd be playing 2-3 frosh for most of the game, I'd definitely not thought we could go 13-1. Without Carrington and Dodson, I just don't think a Final Four run is a realistic expectation - I'd view us a tier back from UConn, Oregon, Oregon State, South Carolina, and Baylor, which right now seem like the best 5 teams in the country, with us, Louisville, NC State, and possibly UCLA just a tier below. Think about it - other than Williams and Fingall (still coming back from ACL), who are other our senior leaders on this team? I think Wilson and Jerome are spirit leaders, but they just don't have the floor minutes to lead on the floor. That was supposed to be Carrington, and unfortunately we just don't have her right now.
In this sense, I view this season less as a "rebuilding" year as a "transition" year, because we're building for the future now. If Carrington can't come back soon, and isn't going to seek a medical red-shirt, then we essentially need to start thinking about the future now - getting the shooting guards who can replace her like Lexie & Lacie, Jones, and Jump (to some degree) as much time as possible. That means more turnovers and some sloppy play, that means we sometimes will give up a rebounding edge by playing smaller lineups, and that means an Elite Eight rather than Final Four run is a more realistic milestone to shoot for. If we're without Dodson this season, then the more minutes Belibi has to develop her back-to-the-basket moves, the better. Fingall is really strong around the basket, but she's also a terrific high post forward, and Belibi isn't. But that means accepting some of her back-to-backet plays will get rejected, or will end up as a bunny.
I guess once I heard that Carrington and Dodson were out with no timetable for return, my expectations rather radically readjusted, and the net effect, among other things, is that I'm enjoying a team largely comprised of freshmen and sophomores developing before my eyes. 40 point blowout wins? No. But so much to invest in now and see the fruits of over the next 2-3 seasons. :)
Second half, we looked like a well-oiled machine, and man oh man, when Williams turns it on, she's nearly unstoppable. What can so hard with her is that she will often run hot and cold, either within games (often cold in the first half and hot in the second half, as with last night), or from one game to another (compare the past two games to the two prior). It's clear how much of a difference she will make for us against top teams like Oregon and Oregon State, especially with Carrington out.
In terms of the general (our season to date, and ahead), I guess I'm fairly sanguine because if you told me at the start of the season that we'd not only be without Smith, but also Carrington and Dodson, and we'd be playing 2-3 frosh for most of the game, I'd definitely not thought we could go 13-1. Without Carrington and Dodson, I just don't think a Final Four run is a realistic expectation - I'd view us a tier back from UConn, Oregon, Oregon State, South Carolina, and Baylor, which right now seem like the best 5 teams in the country, with us, Louisville, NC State, and possibly UCLA just a tier below. Think about it - other than Williams and Fingall (still coming back from ACL), who are other our senior leaders on this team? I think Wilson and Jerome are spirit leaders, but they just don't have the floor minutes to lead on the floor. That was supposed to be Carrington, and unfortunately we just don't have her right now.
In this sense, I view this season less as a "rebuilding" year as a "transition" year, because we're building for the future now. If Carrington can't come back soon, and isn't going to seek a medical red-shirt, then we essentially need to start thinking about the future now - getting the shooting guards who can replace her like Lexie & Lacie, Jones, and Jump (to some degree) as much time as possible. That means more turnovers and some sloppy play, that means we sometimes will give up a rebounding edge by playing smaller lineups, and that means an Elite Eight rather than Final Four run is a more realistic milestone to shoot for. If we're without Dodson this season, then the more minutes Belibi has to develop her back-to-the-basket moves, the better. Fingall is really strong around the basket, but she's also a terrific high post forward, and Belibi isn't. But that means accepting some of her back-to-backet plays will get rejected, or will end up as a bunny.
I guess once I heard that Carrington and Dodson were out with no timetable for return, my expectations rather radically readjusted, and the net effect, among other things, is that I'm enjoying a team largely comprised of freshmen and sophomores developing before my eyes. 40 point blowout wins? No. But so much to invest in now and see the fruits of over the next 2-3 seasons. :)