This was the worst offensive game I have seen from us in a long time. At ASU in 2016 we had a 31-49 loss, and yes that one was worse. CTT knew how to create the most frustrating defenses in her day.
My heart isn't into breaking down these stats. But the story is the same as it has been the last couple games--each team perfects the defensive game plan and passes it on to the next. Put 4 players close in, perhaps even 3 in the paint, and you make it impossible for Jones to drive or Brink to operate. Put your best perimeter defender on Jump. Then let everyone else try jumpshots until they can prove they can put them in.
We started the year as a very good three point shooting team. But we have lost that focus. Jump shot an air ball today. Even when open, Jump is missing.
USC is not a great three point shooting team, and they shot 42% and made 8 of them. That was supposedly our forte, and we were 4/21. This is the third consecutive game of relatively poor shooting.
We did look tired, many shots were short.
23 to 9 fouls is a bit deceptive, since we were intentionally fouling at the end. But officiating makes a difference.
Part of the problem is the scheme--Tara has not perfected a strategy for punishing the sag-and-1 defense.
But part of the problem is pure shooting. Our shooters are missing open shots as well as contested shots. Shooting is contagious and we are infected with a miss-virus.
My heart isn't into breaking down these stats. But the story is the same as it has been the last couple games--each team perfects the defensive game plan and passes it on to the next. Put 4 players close in, perhaps even 3 in the paint, and you make it impossible for Jones to drive or Brink to operate. Put your best perimeter defender on Jump. Then let everyone else try jumpshots until they can prove they can put them in.
We started the year as a very good three point shooting team. But we have lost that focus. Jump shot an air ball today. Even when open, Jump is missing.
USC is not a great three point shooting team, and they shot 42% and made 8 of them. That was supposedly our forte, and we were 4/21. This is the third consecutive game of relatively poor shooting.
We did look tired, many shots were short.
23 to 9 fouls is a bit deceptive, since we were intentionally fouling at the end. But officiating makes a difference.
Part of the problem is the scheme--Tara has not perfected a strategy for punishing the sag-and-1 defense.
But part of the problem is pure shooting. Our shooters are missing open shots as well as contested shots. Shooting is contagious and we are infected with a miss-virus.