My observations:
1) The television coverage was abysmal. I already hate being in the ACC, just for that if nothing else.
2) Our players showed much more fight than in some previous games. They did not give up and in some cases showed promise and improvement. This was not as terrible as, say, Indiana or SMU or Cal or Ohio State. But it was still a loss, as LSU was. Our players did not show the fortitude to play their best when tired, and away, and when the game was on the line. They showed that they have heart and are competent, but they did not show that they are winners.
3) Shay Ijiwoye seemed like a wonderful start, but her lack of experience showed. I think she should become a starter as we build toward the future, but she had fewer points than Lepolo typically scored, only 1 assist, and she fouled out. She did great things on defense. Enormous potential, but on most Stanford teams she would not be a starter.
4) Bosgana did what she often does. She was almost a dominant player early on. I think she had 9 points in the first quarter, and we really needed it. Then she averaged two point each additional quarter. She is simply not consistant.
5) Demetre should be a specialist stretch 4 who comes in when we really need to spread the floor and hit some threes. She really is not right for defending or attacking in the paint. Today she had 3 treys and was 0-2 from inside. Give her credit for 7 rebounds and 2 blocks, but she is not what we need from a 5 or a 4. Filling the shoes of Iriafen or Brink is impossible, of course, but certainly not in her tool set when playing against exceptional athletes.
6) Every game educates me more and more as to what Kate Paye meant when she said Agara needs to be more of a grizzly bear and less of a teddy bear. She has enormous talent but lacks the aggression that is needed. And every offensive foul that is called on her simply reinforces passivity. I wonder what the score would have been had she driven to the basket every single time she had the ball? Would she have fouled out early?
7) Our goals for the season need to change. They are no longer about making the NCAAs or finishing high in the conference or anything else we fans might desire. Our goals are now about retaining our existing players and our incoming recruits, so that next year we will have the talent to truly rebuild. We need to win a couple of games we are not expected to win. And we are certainly not expected to win either of next week end's games at Maples. And make no mistake, under the best of circumstances NEXT year will be a rebuilding year. This year is a survival year. Bosgana, Demetre, and Harriel (at a minimum) will all be gone.
8) Two players who have seemingly disappeared--and I am not sure why--are Harriel and Umeh. Harriel was once our best shooter. Today she only took two shots and missed them both. Umeh hasn't played more than a couple of minutes since since Morgan State. We seem desperate for another big presence, and she acquitted herself well whenever we have seen her. I am beginning to worry that her lack of playing time may be something worse than a coach's decision. There has not been a chalk talk in forever (a truly terrible home schedule), but next time I certainly hope that that question gets asked.
9) It does not get easier with Florida State and North Carolina State coming to Maples next week. NC State just beat Boston College by 40 points. 13-2 Florida State just beat Syracuse. I am thankful that Cal is a good team this year, since it will complicate NC State's and Florida State's preparations--they can't afford to focus on Stanford alone. At this point I would count us very lucky to get one win out of those two games. Winning them both might help to salvage the season.
1) The television coverage was abysmal. I already hate being in the ACC, just for that if nothing else.
2) Our players showed much more fight than in some previous games. They did not give up and in some cases showed promise and improvement. This was not as terrible as, say, Indiana or SMU or Cal or Ohio State. But it was still a loss, as LSU was. Our players did not show the fortitude to play their best when tired, and away, and when the game was on the line. They showed that they have heart and are competent, but they did not show that they are winners.
3) Shay Ijiwoye seemed like a wonderful start, but her lack of experience showed. I think she should become a starter as we build toward the future, but she had fewer points than Lepolo typically scored, only 1 assist, and she fouled out. She did great things on defense. Enormous potential, but on most Stanford teams she would not be a starter.
4) Bosgana did what she often does. She was almost a dominant player early on. I think she had 9 points in the first quarter, and we really needed it. Then she averaged two point each additional quarter. She is simply not consistant.
5) Demetre should be a specialist stretch 4 who comes in when we really need to spread the floor and hit some threes. She really is not right for defending or attacking in the paint. Today she had 3 treys and was 0-2 from inside. Give her credit for 7 rebounds and 2 blocks, but she is not what we need from a 5 or a 4. Filling the shoes of Iriafen or Brink is impossible, of course, but certainly not in her tool set when playing against exceptional athletes.
6) Every game educates me more and more as to what Kate Paye meant when she said Agara needs to be more of a grizzly bear and less of a teddy bear. She has enormous talent but lacks the aggression that is needed. And every offensive foul that is called on her simply reinforces passivity. I wonder what the score would have been had she driven to the basket every single time she had the ball? Would she have fouled out early?
7) Our goals for the season need to change. They are no longer about making the NCAAs or finishing high in the conference or anything else we fans might desire. Our goals are now about retaining our existing players and our incoming recruits, so that next year we will have the talent to truly rebuild. We need to win a couple of games we are not expected to win. And we are certainly not expected to win either of next week end's games at Maples. And make no mistake, under the best of circumstances NEXT year will be a rebuilding year. This year is a survival year. Bosgana, Demetre, and Harriel (at a minimum) will all be gone.
8) Two players who have seemingly disappeared--and I am not sure why--are Harriel and Umeh. Harriel was once our best shooter. Today she only took two shots and missed them both. Umeh hasn't played more than a couple of minutes since since Morgan State. We seem desperate for another big presence, and she acquitted herself well whenever we have seen her. I am beginning to worry that her lack of playing time may be something worse than a coach's decision. There has not been a chalk talk in forever (a truly terrible home schedule), but next time I certainly hope that that question gets asked.
9) It does not get easier with Florida State and North Carolina State coming to Maples next week. NC State just beat Boston College by 40 points. 13-2 Florida State just beat Syracuse. I am thankful that Cal is a good team this year, since it will complicate NC State's and Florida State's preparations--they can't afford to focus on Stanford alone. At this point I would count us very lucky to get one win out of those two games. Winning them both might help to salvage the season.