[BosCard]

I must admit, that assist from Lepolo to Rice made me cry a little.

Fun game to watch. Refs called every little thing, so basketballl was played an no one tried to maul another.

USA defeated overmatched Germany today 100-46.  Lepolo played 24 minutes, scored 5 points 2/2 with a free throw.  She had 6 assists and no turnovers.  Her ball handling and defense excellent.

And yet I was disappointed in one part of her game.  Perhaps she was given instructions by her coaches to look for others, and she does that exceptionally well, but I thought Talana would use this international experience to improve her offense.  Her mindset continues to be (not just pass first), but pass second and third.  There were so many opportunities for her to drive the ball (she has a strong body and can absorb contact) and she did do this - and scored, but she remains reluctant, even when she's open.

For the Cardinal to be successful, a big key is for Lepolo to become more of an offensive threat.  That helps relieve defensive pressure on Jump, Demetre and even a bit on Brink.  It will be interesting to see whether Tara gives Talana more of a 'green light' to score.  Having another offense weapon (who is already a great assist maker and a great caretaker of the ball), in the lineup changes things for the better.
 

FYI- Kiki Rice 4 points 2/7.  UCLA teammate London Jones much more productive.  After 2 games, not impressed with Hilgado at all.

Lepolo had the green light last year.  The coaches told her she needed to shoot more so the defenses weren’t playing 5 on 4.   I’m hopeful that we’ll see a more aggressive Lepolo with the Cardinal because there are less proven scorers on our team besides Brink/Jump than there are on the USA roster.  Plus I imagine the USA coaches like Lepolo’s true point guard play and maybe are emphasizing her passing because she’s starting.

[BosCard]

I must admit, that assist from Lepolo to Rice made me cry a little.

Fun game to watch. Refs called every little thing, so basketballl was played an no one tried to maul another.

USA defeated overmatched Germany today 100-46.  Lepolo played 24 minutes, scored 5 points 2/2 with a free throw.  She had 6 assists and no turnovers.  Her ball handling and defense excellent.

And yet I was disappointed in one part of her game.  Perhaps she was given instructions by her coaches to look for others, and she does that exceptionally well, but I thought Talana would use this international experience to improve her offense.  Her mindset continues to be (not just pass first), but pass second and third.  There were so many opportunities for her to drive the ball (she has a strong body and can absorb contact) and she did do this - and scored, but she remains reluctant, even when she's open.

For the Cardinal to be successful, a big key is for Lepolo to become more of an offensive threat.  That helps relieve defensive pressure on Jump, Demetre and even a bit on Brink.  It will be interesting to see whether Tara gives Talana more of a 'green light' to score.  Having another offense weapon (who is already a great assist maker and a great caretaker of the ball), in the lineup changes things for the better.
 

FYI- Kiki Rice 4 points 2/7.  UCLA teammate London Jones much more productive.  After 2 games, not impressed with Hilgado at all.

Lepolo had the green light last year.  The coaches told her she needed to shoot more so the defenses weren’t playing 5 on 4.   I’m hopeful that we’ll see a more aggressive Lepolo with the Cardinal because there are less proven scorers on our team besides Brink/Jump than there are on the USA roster.  Plus I imagine the USA coaches like Lepolo’s true point guard play and maybe are emphasizing her passing because she’s starting.