[TonyLima]

First, thank you TonyL for posting the game over on Youtube.  I just finished watching it.  It is so helpful.  Hopefully I won't have to miss any more games!

Now having seen it, let me emphatically answer the question about Iriafen.  I don't think I have ever seen a player take such a big step forward going into her junior year.  She looked good at this time last season, too, and did taper off.  But her performance so far this year is an order of magnitude better than that.  She has added moves around the basket that I have never seen her do before and she has been finishing nearly every shot.  Her mid range jumper vanished last year, but it looks so smooth this year.  And her rebounding has skyrocketed--perhaps because that is what we need from her.  It might be heresy to say this, but as good as Brink is, Iriafen looks as good on offense or may be better.  Of course, all that may change against quality opponents--which we will soon see.

On rebounding, Hawaii sent 5 back on defense whenever a shot was released, so they gave up on O-boards completely.  Just not a part of their strategy.

Jump continues to show how she has broadened her game.  Her mid range jumper and floater were always there, but she is executing them more regularly now.  This will make her harder to defend.

Ogden has such a smooth shot.  So far I don't think I have seen her miss, and what is more, I don't think I have seen any of her shots even graze the rim.  Swoosh after swoosh, from several levels.  I agree that a couple of her fouls were iffy, and she needs to develop her defensive game, but she is going to be terrific.

It was good to see Demetre get back on track.

I think I agree that the guards did what they needed to do.  The concern is that other teams might pack the paint to suffocate Brink, Iriafen, and Agara, put their best perimeter defender on Jump, and dare us to shoot treys with whoever is left.  That was the standard strategy used by every team that beat us last year, I think.  Until we see a competent team try that strategy against us this year, I don't think we will know whether our guards are going to be an offensive liability or not.  So far so good.

You’re welcome. I’m just sorry for the technical glitches.

[TonyLima]

First, thank you TonyL for posting the game over on Youtube.  I just finished watching it.  It is so helpful.  Hopefully I won't have to miss any more games!

Now having seen it, let me emphatically answer the question about Iriafen.  I don't think I have ever seen a player take such a big step forward going into her junior year.  She looked good at this time last season, too, and did taper off.  But her performance so far this year is an order of magnitude better than that.  She has added moves around the basket that I have never seen her do before and she has been finishing nearly every shot.  Her mid range jumper vanished last year, but it looks so smooth this year.  And her rebounding has skyrocketed--perhaps because that is what we need from her.  It might be heresy to say this, but as good as Brink is, Iriafen looks as good on offense or may be better.  Of course, all that may change against quality opponents--which we will soon see.

On rebounding, Hawaii sent 5 back on defense whenever a shot was released, so they gave up on O-boards completely.  Just not a part of their strategy.

Jump continues to show how she has broadened her game.  Her mid range jumper and floater were always there, but she is executing them more regularly now.  This will make her harder to defend.

Ogden has such a smooth shot.  So far I don't think I have seen her miss, and what is more, I don't think I have seen any of her shots even graze the rim.  Swoosh after swoosh, from several levels.  I agree that a couple of her fouls were iffy, and she needs to develop her defensive game, but she is going to be terrific.

It was good to see Demetre get back on track.

I think I agree that the guards did what they needed to do.  The concern is that other teams might pack the paint to suffocate Brink, Iriafen, and Agara, put their best perimeter defender on Jump, and dare us to shoot treys with whoever is left.  That was the standard strategy used by every team that beat us last year, I think.  Until we see a competent team try that strategy against us this year, I don't think we will know whether our guards are going to be an offensive liability or not.  So far so good.

You’re welcome. I’m just sorry for the technical glitches.