A lot of things to like in this game, which might as well have been an exhibition. But first, Tempie did the chalk talk which means there was a lot of substance.
With regard to our offense, the variation on the Princeton that we run looks for lots of passes to cutting players who can take it to the basket. The way to prevent that from working is to stand in the cutting and passing lanes--or packing it into the paint. This then leaves the three point line open.
When playing against us, opposing teams can pick their poison. Early this year they elected to mess up our movement and cutting which left our three point shot open. Davis and Indiana defended the three point line which theoretically should have left the driving lanes more open. Davis did not have the personnel to conduct that defense nearly as well as Indiana did. Indiana took away the three and was disciplined and athletic and long enough to keep the drives to the basket somewhat under control too.
Tempe also mentioned a bunch of psychological factors in that game, all of which we knew about or guessed. Last year we lost to Gonzaga and easily defeated Indiana, which is now without their star player. All together too easy after beating Gonzaga not to be overconfident.
Tempie also noted that Indiana played defense differently against us than they had vs. any of their earlier opponents this year. There was nothing on film that could have prepared us for what they did. She was very complimentary of the Indiana coaching and preparation which (my interpretation) took us by surprise. "It was textbook" I think she said. They installed an entirely new look just for us, and they had the personnel to pull it off.
Tempie also was asked about our new players. She was complimentary about all of them, and also noted next years stupendous recruiting class. The three freshmen are still learning and adjusting but they all will see more time in the rotation as they progress. Transfer MA Stevenson is enormously talented and quite cerebral--wants to learn everything, but there is an adjustment there too lest the paralysis of analysis set in. Muscle memory takes time. And Tess Heal started tonight which tells you something about their confidence in her.
As for tonight's game, I would not read too much into it, but it was fun, as far as I could tell no one was hurt, it probably got our players' confidence back up a bit, and everyone got to play. Nothing to complain about there. The most notable things I could observe:
1) Demetre's step back jumper is completely unstoppable when it is on. A couple of those shots were off balance and they went in anyway. No way to defend that. If she keeps that accuracy we will wind up winning some games that we are not expected to win.
2) Heal had a very good game. Very accurate shooting. But strangely no assists. Who had the assists? Bosgana had 6. Maybe we have gotten Bosgana all wrong. She is a point-wing. Meanwhile, Clardy's shooting seemed to come back down to earth, seemingly justifying the Heal start.
3) Harriel had the primary defensive assignment on Morgan State's top shooter and top scorer, Bannerman. Bannerman was held to 2 points. That is an accomplishment.
4) Of the three freshmen, Umeh seemed to be most adjusted, as her points and stat line show. Against Morgan State she could play at both ends of the court, but her defense will need to improve if she is going to contribute against evenly matched opponents. Ijiwoye is fun to watch and is a steal-machine, but is a little bit undisciplined and needs some maturity, as going 1-6 from the free throw line shows. But she is dripping with talent and could grow into a really important part of the team. Peterson has a ways to go. No points and one rebound, but she was beaten when on defense several times. Against a weak Morgan State team. So I will be looking for her to make the big freshman to sophomore leap that so many have, but do not expect to see a lot of her this year.
With regard to our offense, the variation on the Princeton that we run looks for lots of passes to cutting players who can take it to the basket. The way to prevent that from working is to stand in the cutting and passing lanes--or packing it into the paint. This then leaves the three point line open.
When playing against us, opposing teams can pick their poison. Early this year they elected to mess up our movement and cutting which left our three point shot open. Davis and Indiana defended the three point line which theoretically should have left the driving lanes more open. Davis did not have the personnel to conduct that defense nearly as well as Indiana did. Indiana took away the three and was disciplined and athletic and long enough to keep the drives to the basket somewhat under control too.
Tempe also mentioned a bunch of psychological factors in that game, all of which we knew about or guessed. Last year we lost to Gonzaga and easily defeated Indiana, which is now without their star player. All together too easy after beating Gonzaga not to be overconfident.
Tempie also noted that Indiana played defense differently against us than they had vs. any of their earlier opponents this year. There was nothing on film that could have prepared us for what they did. She was very complimentary of the Indiana coaching and preparation which (my interpretation) took us by surprise. "It was textbook" I think she said. They installed an entirely new look just for us, and they had the personnel to pull it off.
Tempie also was asked about our new players. She was complimentary about all of them, and also noted next years stupendous recruiting class. The three freshmen are still learning and adjusting but they all will see more time in the rotation as they progress. Transfer MA Stevenson is enormously talented and quite cerebral--wants to learn everything, but there is an adjustment there too lest the paralysis of analysis set in. Muscle memory takes time. And Tess Heal started tonight which tells you something about their confidence in her.
As for tonight's game, I would not read too much into it, but it was fun, as far as I could tell no one was hurt, it probably got our players' confidence back up a bit, and everyone got to play. Nothing to complain about there. The most notable things I could observe:
1) Demetre's step back jumper is completely unstoppable when it is on. A couple of those shots were off balance and they went in anyway. No way to defend that. If she keeps that accuracy we will wind up winning some games that we are not expected to win.
2) Heal had a very good game. Very accurate shooting. But strangely no assists. Who had the assists? Bosgana had 6. Maybe we have gotten Bosgana all wrong. She is a point-wing. Meanwhile, Clardy's shooting seemed to come back down to earth, seemingly justifying the Heal start.
3) Harriel had the primary defensive assignment on Morgan State's top shooter and top scorer, Bannerman. Bannerman was held to 2 points. That is an accomplishment.
4) Of the three freshmen, Umeh seemed to be most adjusted, as her points and stat line show. Against Morgan State she could play at both ends of the court, but her defense will need to improve if she is going to contribute against evenly matched opponents. Ijiwoye is fun to watch and is a steal-machine, but is a little bit undisciplined and needs some maturity, as going 1-6 from the free throw line shows. But she is dripping with talent and could grow into a really important part of the team. Peterson has a ways to go. No points and one rebound, but she was beaten when on defense several times. Against a weak Morgan State team. So I will be looking for her to make the big freshman to sophomore leap that so many have, but do not expect to see a lot of her this year.