[treetop11]

Stanford got its butt kicked on the boards: 46-37. 
Strange indeed. Was it primarily a matter of bad 
luck, bad positioning, or being out-hustled?

I saw some of all of the above, but mostly bad positioning and a couple of times, not strong enough.

---

Still have the game zooming around in my head, so wanted to post some thoughts now so maybe I can sleep tonight. 
- Interesting move by Geno to start the game in a zone. I thought that was very risky, but it paid off. 
- I have a theory on Lexie's game...she did an awesome job defensively on Bueckers. Holding her to 14 points was tremendous. Sometimes that sort of defensive assignment ends up taking all your focus and energy. She just couldn't seem to find her rhythm on offense. I so wish her 3 would have gone in to cut the lead to 2 with 45 seconds left!
- The offensive foul on Haley with around a minute left...half of Edwards foot was over the charge line. Why didn't that get reviewed? That was a pretty big call. Haley would have gotten 2 shots and instead they got 2. The inconsistencies in instant replay review drive me nuts. They'll spend forever looking to see who's fingernail hit it last or how many tenths of a second to put on the clock, but they won't look at a foot on a line?
- My two keys to the game were met: 1) Keep Bueckers under her average (check, average 14.8, held to 14)  2) Don't let Fudd go off from the 3-pt line (check - she made zero and only had 2 baskets before making free throws in the end). They only had 39 points as a team after 3 quarters. If you would have told me that would be the case before the tip (and we only made 11 turnovers and they made 19), I would have thought the game was in the bag. Guess I didn't think there was a universe where we shot that poorly.
- Big time credit to UConn for winning the game at the line. 16-20 from the line and 15-17 in the 4th is big time.
- How about Lacie's game. 9 boards, 2 steals, 0 turnovers in 40 minutes.
- I didn't like the sub to put Kiki in for Cam to start the 4th. Why? Did Cam need a rest? She only had 2 fouls? Kiki's been sitting cold on the bench all game - it's just such a tough spot to be in to have to go in and guard a UConn big in the heat of a Final Four battle, and for a freshman to boot. 
- Loved Emma coming in at the end for the press and what a play she made!
- I think it was a mistake to play Hannah so much in the second half in Anna's place. She wasn't being that effective on offense. The one thing about Anna is she makes plays and she's a winner. I think she needed to be on the court in the 4th. 
- When they played with only one big in the first half and we went with our big lineup of Hulls, Haley, Cam, and Fran, it didn't work because we couldn't guard them on the perimeter. Give Westbrook credit for hitting those 3's. Those were of immense proportions for them.
- Happy to see Prechtel give some solid minutes and can a couple shots. 
- Felt like the refs did a reasonable job tonight with the foul calls. Still a few I would have let go, but 32 is way better than 46. 
- I know they won, but I still think we are better. Just not our night. 

Obviously a tremendous year for the team. I am going to really miss this group of seniors.

Yes, I didn't like the Kiki sub-in. It didn't work out having Jump in there, but that decision, I can understand. Tara was looking for an offensive spark because we weren't clicking and missing threes. Usually, Jump may even miss her first or even second shot, but there nails a few. She did not last night and really hasn't shot well in recent games. I'm a big Jump fan but disappointed that her play has trailed off lately. 
Officiating seemed pretty good overall, but very interesting about your observation on the Haley charge, didn't see that. Question though; even if the defender is inside the arc or has a foot in, can a player still be called for a charge with a deliberate shove or push off? as opposed to just body banging?

[treetop11]

Stanford got its butt kicked on the boards: 46-37. 
Strange indeed. Was it primarily a matter of bad 
luck, bad positioning, or being out-hustled?

I saw some of all of the above, but mostly bad positioning and a couple of times, not strong enough.

---

Still have the game zooming around in my head, so wanted to post some thoughts now so maybe I can sleep tonight. 
- Interesting move by Geno to start the game in a zone. I thought that was very risky, but it paid off. 
- I have a theory on Lexie's game...she did an awesome job defensively on Bueckers. Holding her to 14 points was tremendous. Sometimes that sort of defensive assignment ends up taking all your focus and energy. She just couldn't seem to find her rhythm on offense. I so wish her 3 would have gone in to cut the lead to 2 with 45 seconds left!
- The offensive foul on Haley with around a minute left...half of Edwards foot was over the charge line. Why didn't that get reviewed? That was a pretty big call. Haley would have gotten 2 shots and instead they got 2. The inconsistencies in instant replay review drive me nuts. They'll spend forever looking to see who's fingernail hit it last or how many tenths of a second to put on the clock, but they won't look at a foot on a line?
- My two keys to the game were met: 1) Keep Bueckers under her average (check, average 14.8, held to 14)  2) Don't let Fudd go off from the 3-pt line (check - she made zero and only had 2 baskets before making free throws in the end). They only had 39 points as a team after 3 quarters. If you would have told me that would be the case before the tip (and we only made 11 turnovers and they made 19), I would have thought the game was in the bag. Guess I didn't think there was a universe where we shot that poorly.
- Big time credit to UConn for winning the game at the line. 16-20 from the line and 15-17 in the 4th is big time.
- How about Lacie's game. 9 boards, 2 steals, 0 turnovers in 40 minutes.
- I didn't like the sub to put Kiki in for Cam to start the 4th. Why? Did Cam need a rest? She only had 2 fouls? Kiki's been sitting cold on the bench all game - it's just such a tough spot to be in to have to go in and guard a UConn big in the heat of a Final Four battle, and for a freshman to boot. 
- Loved Emma coming in at the end for the press and what a play she made!
- I think it was a mistake to play Hannah so much in the second half in Anna's place. She wasn't being that effective on offense. The one thing about Anna is she makes plays and she's a winner. I think she needed to be on the court in the 4th. 
- When they played with only one big in the first half and we went with our big lineup of Hulls, Haley, Cam, and Fran, it didn't work because we couldn't guard them on the perimeter. Give Westbrook credit for hitting those 3's. Those were of immense proportions for them.
- Happy to see Prechtel give some solid minutes and can a couple shots. 
- Felt like the refs did a reasonable job tonight with the foul calls. Still a few I would have let go, but 32 is way better than 46. 
- I know they won, but I still think we are better. Just not our night. 

Obviously a tremendous year for the team. I am going to really miss this group of seniors.

Yes, I didn't like the Kiki sub-in. It didn't work out having Jump in there, but that decision, I can understand. Tara was looking for an offensive spark because we weren't clicking and missing threes. Usually, Jump may even miss her first or even second shot, but there nails a few. She did not last night and really hasn't shot well in recent games. I'm a big Jump fan but disappointed that her play has trailed off lately. 
Officiating seemed pretty good overall, but very interesting about your observation on the Haley charge, didn't see that. Question though; even if the defender is inside the arc or has a foot in, can a player still be called for a charge with a deliberate shove or push off? as opposed to just body banging?