02-18-2020, 12:04 AM
The four remaining opponents we have are tough opponents, among the toughest in the country. We have to go on the road for two of those games and 2 of our 3 losses have been away at Maples. Yes, we are not perfect and we've played pretty sloppily even in victories. We are also missing two critical players. It would help if we get a surprise on Friday evening and DiJonai is able to suit up and play.
Given all that, we are still 23-3 and one of the best teams in the country. Even with Carrington and Jones out, we still have a multitude of weapons and a toughness when the chips are down. When thinking about these games, we often ponder who's going to stop Ionescu, Pivec, McDonald or Richardson, etc.? But let's also think about it from the other team's perspective as well.
I am sure our four opponents (even Oregon) aren't taking us lightly either. They've seen the improvement of Prechtel and Belibi over the season, witnessed Kiana's heroics, incorporated the return of Dodson and accounted for the 3-point prowess of the Hull sisters and Jump. They know we have a Hall of Fame coach who will game plan the best possible strategy to defeat them. We are a handful for any team and we'll give all four opponents all they can handle.
IMHO, I think either sweeping or getting swept is highly unlikely. I don't see us putting together four perfect games to beat these high quality opponents in back-to-back weekends. However, I also am very doubtful that we will lose all four either. Oregon State after a fast start seems more mortal, and even though Arizona and Arizona State are very dangerous, they both have their flaws. And well, Oregon is Oregon. It would take a perfect game to beat them. They seem extremely finetuned like the UConn teams with Stewart, Jefferson and Tuck or Moore, Montgomery and Charles. I rather save that perfect game for the national semis or finals. :)
I am hoping for 3-1, and would be somewhat disappointed in 2-2. I agree, that it would be great and further our chances of another FF appearance if we can get either the 4th #1 seed or the top #2 seed. I much rather face a NC State or a Maryland or even UConn this season than one of the top 3 teams, but if we have to face Baylor or South Carolina (I don't think they would put us in the same regional as Oregon, especially if we played them 3 times before the NCAA tournament), then we'll just have to go out there and try our best and hopefully by that time, DiJonai would be back and maybe Haley might make an appearance (I know slim chance, but that Elite 8 game will be either March 29 or 30, which is 6 weeks away and Tara hasn't announced Jones' injury is season-ending yet). Losing to Texas hurts as they have been decently good, but not great in the Big 12, having lost recently to a 13-11 Kansas team who is 2-11 in conference.
Given all that, we are still 23-3 and one of the best teams in the country. Even with Carrington and Jones out, we still have a multitude of weapons and a toughness when the chips are down. When thinking about these games, we often ponder who's going to stop Ionescu, Pivec, McDonald or Richardson, etc.? But let's also think about it from the other team's perspective as well.
I am sure our four opponents (even Oregon) aren't taking us lightly either. They've seen the improvement of Prechtel and Belibi over the season, witnessed Kiana's heroics, incorporated the return of Dodson and accounted for the 3-point prowess of the Hull sisters and Jump. They know we have a Hall of Fame coach who will game plan the best possible strategy to defeat them. We are a handful for any team and we'll give all four opponents all they can handle.
IMHO, I think either sweeping or getting swept is highly unlikely. I don't see us putting together four perfect games to beat these high quality opponents in back-to-back weekends. However, I also am very doubtful that we will lose all four either. Oregon State after a fast start seems more mortal, and even though Arizona and Arizona State are very dangerous, they both have their flaws. And well, Oregon is Oregon. It would take a perfect game to beat them. They seem extremely finetuned like the UConn teams with Stewart, Jefferson and Tuck or Moore, Montgomery and Charles. I rather save that perfect game for the national semis or finals. :)
I am hoping for 3-1, and would be somewhat disappointed in 2-2. I agree, that it would be great and further our chances of another FF appearance if we can get either the 4th #1 seed or the top #2 seed. I much rather face a NC State or a Maryland or even UConn this season than one of the top 3 teams, but if we have to face Baylor or South Carolina (I don't think they would put us in the same regional as Oregon, especially if we played them 3 times before the NCAA tournament), then we'll just have to go out there and try our best and hopefully by that time, DiJonai would be back and maybe Haley might make an appearance (I know slim chance, but that Elite 8 game will be either March 29 or 30, which is 6 weeks away and Tara hasn't announced Jones' injury is season-ending yet). Losing to Texas hurts as they have been decently good, but not great in the Big 12, having lost recently to a 13-11 Kansas team who is 2-11 in conference.