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I know Tara loves defensive teams and the Hulls + Wilson were great defenders but I’m hoping next year we see more offense for defense.  For example that would mean more time for a player like Demetre (good shooter but not great lateral quickness) vs Emma-Nnopu (great defender on par with the Hulls but not an established scorer).  It’s not that I have anything against Emma-Nnopu it’s just that we had trouble scoring against good teams last year.  And if the three wasn’t falling then it was Jones or Brink going against multiple defenders who were sagging off Wilson and Lacie.  Also the reason I think perimeter defense is less important is because we have 2 amazing shot blockers who can clean up defensive mistakes in Brink and Betts.  So if say someone gets a step on one of our perimeter defenders we still have a great back line and Brink doesn’t have to worry as much about fouls because we still have Betts.

Getting back to South Carolina, we realistically have only (3) games to prepare ourselves for that brobdingnagian battle on Nov. 20th.  I sure hope that at least two of those games are against quality opponents and ideally all three, but based on past scheduling, I am doubtful that will happen.  If we end up with another exhibition game, let's hope it's against our USA National team, like we had a few years ago.

Multiple challenges await us when we go up against the Gamecocks, but there are also opportunities:  A better effort defending Boston requires size and more size.  Remember, Brink will no longer be a post and Tara wants to keep her on the court and stay out of foul trouble, so the logical two choices would be Prechtel and Betts or Prechtel and Kiki with Betts coming in for relief.  Prechtel has proven to be a good physical defender on Boston and it not prone to fouling.  When Boston turns for one of her patented moves, another 'big' with strength must be there to smother or bother her shot.  I would love to see 6'7 Betts (hands-up) waiting for her.  Fran is a beast, but for this game, too short.

On the perimeter, our challenge will be- both our starting PG and #2 guard must be able to handle the SC pressure that is sure to come and be sufficient offensive threats to minimize any double-teaming on Jones and Brink. That challenge is magnified by the fact we are so inexperienced at the guard positions, so we need two players who will quickly rise to the top.  Who will they be?  It's been previously noted that spacing will be crucial for the team to operate and create problems for the Gamecocks and someone (Jump?) needs a hot hand that afternoon.  The greatest weapons we have are Haley and Cam, our two All-Americans and I'm encouraged from Kate Paye's comment that Tara and staff will be developing new offensive schemes and plays to take advantage of their skill-sets.  SC will do everything they can to prevent us from getting the ball to Jones and Brink.  Quick, strong penetrating guard play resulting in scoring, getting to the line and good passing will help erase that problem.  The challenge-  Will our young guards deliver?

We are certainly going to have a different starting lineup with the Hull twins and Wilson gone.  My hope is that our starting 5 for game 1 will be the same starting lineup for game 4.  Experience playing together and good performance breeds confidence.

[stopandpop]

I know Tara loves defensive teams and the Hulls + Wilson were great defenders but I’m hoping next year we see more offense for defense.  For example that would mean more time for a player like Demetre (good shooter but not great lateral quickness) vs Emma-Nnopu (great defender on par with the Hulls but not an established scorer).  It’s not that I have anything against Emma-Nnopu it’s just that we had trouble scoring against good teams last year.  And if the three wasn’t falling then it was Jones or Brink going against multiple defenders who were sagging off Wilson and Lacie.  Also the reason I think perimeter defense is less important is because we have 2 amazing shot blockers who can clean up defensive mistakes in Brink and Betts.  So if say someone gets a step on one of our perimeter defenders we still have a great back line and Brink doesn’t have to worry as much about fouls because we still have Betts.

Getting back to South Carolina, we realistically have only (3) games to prepare ourselves for that brobdingnagian battle on Nov. 20th.  I sure hope that at least two of those games are against quality opponents and ideally all three, but based on past scheduling, I am doubtful that will happen.  If we end up with another exhibition game, let's hope it's against our USA National team, like we had a few years ago.

Multiple challenges await us when we go up against the Gamecocks, but there are also opportunities:  A better effort defending Boston requires size and more size.  Remember, Brink will no longer be a post and Tara wants to keep her on the court and stay out of foul trouble, so the logical two choices would be Prechtel and Betts or Prechtel and Kiki with Betts coming in for relief.  Prechtel has proven to be a good physical defender on Boston and it not prone to fouling.  When Boston turns for one of her patented moves, another 'big' with strength must be there to smother or bother her shot.  I would love to see 6'7 Betts (hands-up) waiting for her.  Fran is a beast, but for this game, too short.

On the perimeter, our challenge will be- both our starting PG and #2 guard must be able to handle the SC pressure that is sure to come and be sufficient offensive threats to minimize any double-teaming on Jones and Brink. That challenge is magnified by the fact we are so inexperienced at the guard positions, so we need two players who will quickly rise to the top.  Who will they be?  It's been previously noted that spacing will be crucial for the team to operate and create problems for the Gamecocks and someone (Jump?) needs a hot hand that afternoon.  The greatest weapons we have are Haley and Cam, our two All-Americans and I'm encouraged from Kate Paye's comment that Tara and staff will be developing new offensive schemes and plays to take advantage of their skill-sets.  SC will do everything they can to prevent us from getting the ball to Jones and Brink.  Quick, strong penetrating guard play resulting in scoring, getting to the line and good passing will help erase that problem.  The challenge-  Will our young guards deliver?

We are certainly going to have a different starting lineup with the Hull twins and Wilson gone.  My hope is that our starting 5 for game 1 will be the same starting lineup for game 4.  Experience playing together and good performance breeds confidence.