[qwerty49]

I was thinking about the almost non-stop games for Stanford through the end of this month: 10 games in 24 days, including 2 road trips.  That's a WNBA-level schedule.

In 2022-2023, Stanford has 31 regular season games, and likely 3 PAC-12 tournament games, and a potential for 6 NCAA tournament games, giving a potential 40 games.  (For comparison, So. Carolina has only 29 regular season games; UConn has 31 regular season games.)

In 2021-2022, Stanford played 36 games, one short of playing in the NCAA championship game.  (Potential: 37)
In 2020-2021 (COVID-impacted), Stanford won the NC, playing only 33 games when 4 were cancelled.  (Potential: 37)
In 2019-2020 (COVID-shortened), Stanford played 33 games, but the potential for 6 more NCAA tournament games were cancelled. (Potential: 39)
In 2016-2017, Stanford played 38 games, one short of playing in the NCAA championship game. (Potential: 39)
In 2009-2010, Stanford played 38 games, losing the NC game. (Potential: 38)
In 1999-2000, Stanford played 33 games, losing after the 2nd round of the NCAA tourney. (Potential: 37)
In 1989-1990, Stanford played 33 games, winning the NC game. (Potential: 33)

Playing a game gives experience but takes some toll on the body of the players, and it also takes time away from classes.  The NCAA has continued to stretch the allowed number of games in the season. 

It appears that maybe S. Carolina has chosen not to play as many games as possible.  I wonder if that will be an advantage.

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Interesting article in the SF Chron this am, about need for Stanford to do better using the bench than in the S Carolina game. 

The game in November is not the national championship game.  It is at the time of the year that a team is developing game conditioning and honing its tools.  I have no problem with pushing the players endurance now, seeing how (and having them see how) they play when tired, especially against a top team.

SCar cancelled a game this season against BYU due to the incident at BYU involving the Duke WVB team playing there and hearing racist remarks, so they would have one more game on this season's schedule unless they added a game.  Not sure if they did.  It was supposed to be their season opener.

Agree that the bench was not used well against SCar.  I don't think expecting players to play 35 minutes or so a game for one particular game should be an issue generally. We have such a good, deep bench though, that what they gain with maybe some extra energy late vs a possible slight drop off in performance from the bench would probably be worth it.  Depends on how they use the bench too.  I would prefer one sub at a time if the sub has not played much previous seasons or against a team like SCar.  Like put in Bosgana for Jump for a bit with the rest of the starters still in, see how she does, stuff like that.  They tried Demetre very briefly but that's it.

Chimera brings up a very good point.  We don't really get a good feel for the bench if there's a CTT-style hockey-line change and the 2nd stringers end up playing with each other.  And of course in garbage time when our 2nd or 3rd team is playing against the opponents' bench.  I think it's a much better measure when the sub gets quality time with the starters.  Those are the kinds of things I think November is for.

[qwerty49]

I was thinking about the almost non-stop games for Stanford through the end of this month: 10 games in 24 days, including 2 road trips.  That's a WNBA-level schedule.

In 2022-2023, Stanford has 31 regular season games, and likely 3 PAC-12 tournament games, and a potential for 6 NCAA tournament games, giving a potential 40 games.  (For comparison, So. Carolina has only 29 regular season games; UConn has 31 regular season games.)

In 2021-2022, Stanford played 36 games, one short of playing in the NCAA championship game.  (Potential: 37)
In 2020-2021 (COVID-impacted), Stanford won the NC, playing only 33 games when 4 were cancelled.  (Potential: 37)
In 2019-2020 (COVID-shortened), Stanford played 33 games, but the potential for 6 more NCAA tournament games were cancelled. (Potential: 39)
In 2016-2017, Stanford played 38 games, one short of playing in the NCAA championship game. (Potential: 39)
In 2009-2010, Stanford played 38 games, losing the NC game. (Potential: 38)
In 1999-2000, Stanford played 33 games, losing after the 2nd round of the NCAA tourney. (Potential: 37)
In 1989-1990, Stanford played 33 games, winning the NC game. (Potential: 33)

Playing a game gives experience but takes some toll on the body of the players, and it also takes time away from classes.  The NCAA has continued to stretch the allowed number of games in the season. 

It appears that maybe S. Carolina has chosen not to play as many games as possible.  I wonder if that will be an advantage.

---

Interesting article in the SF Chron this am, about need for Stanford to do better using the bench than in the S Carolina game. 

The game in November is not the national championship game.  It is at the time of the year that a team is developing game conditioning and honing its tools.  I have no problem with pushing the players endurance now, seeing how (and having them see how) they play when tired, especially against a top team.

SCar cancelled a game this season against BYU due to the incident at BYU involving the Duke WVB team playing there and hearing racist remarks, so they would have one more game on this season's schedule unless they added a game.  Not sure if they did.  It was supposed to be their season opener.

Agree that the bench was not used well against SCar.  I don't think expecting players to play 35 minutes or so a game for one particular game should be an issue generally. We have such a good, deep bench though, that what they gain with maybe some extra energy late vs a possible slight drop off in performance from the bench would probably be worth it.  Depends on how they use the bench too.  I would prefer one sub at a time if the sub has not played much previous seasons or against a team like SCar.  Like put in Bosgana for Jump for a bit with the rest of the starters still in, see how she does, stuff like that.  They tried Demetre very briefly but that's it.

Chimera brings up a very good point.  We don't really get a good feel for the bench if there's a CTT-style hockey-line change and the 2nd stringers end up playing with each other.  And of course in garbage time when our 2nd or 3rd team is playing against the opponents' bench.  I think it's a much better measure when the sub gets quality time with the starters.  Those are the kinds of things I think November is for.