[stopandpop]

The starting line-up of AGARA, SOMFAI OGDEN, SWAIN and LEPOLO was what I predicted, as well as the off-the-bench 4some of CLARDY, ESCHMEYER, IJIWOYE and STEVENSON. Disappointed with OGDEN being a non-factor in offense, but this is just the first game, albeit an exhibition game. Would like to see UMEH used a little bit more than just garbage time minutes.

CLARDY is becoming the gem of a player at the guard position, and I actually like her being that offensive sparkplug off the bench. Also, IJIWOYE as a defensive catalyst off the bench, and ESCHMEYER as the first post substitute off the bench.

The nice thing about SWAIN and LEPOLO being the starting guards is that both can play the PG position, so CLARDY coming off the bench as a SG for either of them works out smoothly.

First, the good news.  Swain, Somfai and Eschmeyer showed off their talent and potential, considering this was their first college game.  Swain is exceptionally fast, quick and athletic, providing a 1st. quarter burst that gave Stanford their first separation from a feisty well-coached Cal State LA team.  The Cal State coach made a defensive adjustment going into the 2nd. quarter that seemed to frustrate Hailee and she did not score after that. Eschmeyer will need to work on more upper body strength to catch and finish stronger in the paint, but last night she demonstrated a couple of nice post moves (with baby hooks) for points and a spectacular dribble drive to the hoop, from out on the perimeter.  Watching Alex, one can imagine what a difference-maker she will be, perhaps as early as mid-December.  Somfai was the most impressive of the three, the only player other than Clardy who scored in all 4 quarters.  Lara has a big, strong body, with great footwork who can create and score from both inside and from the perimeter (and with more experience playing with a new group of teammates), lshe will present problems for a lot of Stanford opponents this season.

I was unexpectedly pleased at how early and long Kate played the above-mentioned freshmen.  That may all change this coming Monday with the first regular season game against UNC Greensboro, but giving these three significant minutes right off the bat has to boost their confidence and that Kate sees them as major players this season.  A brobdingnagian plus.

The other good news-  Nunu and Chloe were rock-solid.  I loved Nunu's mid-range jumpers and work under the basket.  Chloe seems to be our best defensive guard (a couple of steals, I believe), and she looked dynamic taking the ball to the hoop and a sweet 3-pointer in the third quarter (22 points in all).

The not-so-good news:  Kate is sticking with her predictable offense, which we saw on display last season and a carry-over from Tara's final season. Despite being vastly undersized and less talented, Cal State L.A. had prepared for Stanford's offense and their perimeter defense was effective.  What resulted in an 85-50 blowout was our size, talent and depth. The problem for me is, this perimeter side-to-side passing along with the high post (as more of a facilitator), takes away from one of Stanford's greatest strengths- exceptional size and athleticism on the front line (if you have Eschmeyer at the 5 with Agara and Somfai as bookends).  Far too many times I saw our guards dribbling out on the perimeter with the clock winding down; and not sure what to do.  I watched carefully every time Eschmeyer would post-up with only one defender behind her (calling for the ball) and rarely did the pass go into her.  Instead, the ball was reversed and around the perimeter and only when Alex moved to the high post (where she was much less of a threat), did she get the pass.  Flash back to the Cam Brink era, especially her last season and you saw the same thing.  You had the #1 post player in America; a first team All-American- posting up with only one defender behind her- Yelling for the ball- and she rarely got it.  I wish Kate will install some high/low action on occasion.  We saw it a few times with Brink and Betts, and later Brink and Kiki to good effect, but I'm afraid that will not be in Kate's playbook.

Defensively, I was surprised how easily Cal State's shifty little guards were able to juke and shed some of our perimeter defenders and get into the lane.  Fortunately, our superior size often blocked them, but when Cal State pulled our Bigs out from the paint, there were clear lanes to the hoop.  Granted, first game and with such a young team, but our defense must tighten up considerably.

As others have noted, disappointed with Ogden.  I sense that Stevenson and Lepolo have reached their ceilings.

[stopandpop]

The starting line-up of AGARA, SOMFAI OGDEN, SWAIN and LEPOLO was what I predicted, as well as the off-the-bench 4some of CLARDY, ESCHMEYER, IJIWOYE and STEVENSON. Disappointed with OGDEN being a non-factor in offense, but this is just the first game, albeit an exhibition game. Would like to see UMEH used a little bit more than just garbage time minutes.

CLARDY is becoming the gem of a player at the guard position, and I actually like her being that offensive sparkplug off the bench. Also, IJIWOYE as a defensive catalyst off the bench, and ESCHMEYER as the first post substitute off the bench.

The nice thing about SWAIN and LEPOLO being the starting guards is that both can play the PG position, so CLARDY coming off the bench as a SG for either of them works out smoothly.

First, the good news.  Swain, Somfai and Eschmeyer showed off their talent and potential, considering this was their first college game.  Swain is exceptionally fast, quick and athletic, providing a 1st. quarter burst that gave Stanford their first separation from a feisty well-coached Cal State LA team.  The Cal State coach made a defensive adjustment going into the 2nd. quarter that seemed to frustrate Hailee and she did not score after that. Eschmeyer will need to work on more upper body strength to catch and finish stronger in the paint, but last night she demonstrated a couple of nice post moves (with baby hooks) for points and a spectacular dribble drive to the hoop, from out on the perimeter.  Watching Alex, one can imagine what a difference-maker she will be, perhaps as early as mid-December.  Somfai was the most impressive of the three, the only player other than Clardy who scored in all 4 quarters.  Lara has a big, strong body, with great footwork who can create and score from both inside and from the perimeter (and with more experience playing with a new group of teammates), lshe will present problems for a lot of Stanford opponents this season.

I was unexpectedly pleased at how early and long Kate played the above-mentioned freshmen.  That may all change this coming Monday with the first regular season game against UNC Greensboro, but giving these three significant minutes right off the bat has to boost their confidence and that Kate sees them as major players this season.  A brobdingnagian plus.

The other good news-  Nunu and Chloe were rock-solid.  I loved Nunu's mid-range jumpers and work under the basket.  Chloe seems to be our best defensive guard (a couple of steals, I believe), and she looked dynamic taking the ball to the hoop and a sweet 3-pointer in the third quarter (22 points in all).

The not-so-good news:  Kate is sticking with her predictable offense, which we saw on display last season and a carry-over from Tara's final season. Despite being vastly undersized and less talented, Cal State L.A. had prepared for Stanford's offense and their perimeter defense was effective.  What resulted in an 85-50 blowout was our size, talent and depth. The problem for me is, this perimeter side-to-side passing along with the high post (as more of a facilitator), takes away from one of Stanford's greatest strengths- exceptional size and athleticism on the front line (if you have Eschmeyer at the 5 with Agara and Somfai as bookends).  Far too many times I saw our guards dribbling out on the perimeter with the clock winding down; and not sure what to do.  I watched carefully every time Eschmeyer would post-up with only one defender behind her (calling for the ball) and rarely did the pass go into her.  Instead, the ball was reversed and around the perimeter and only when Alex moved to the high post (where she was much less of a threat), did she get the pass.  Flash back to the Cam Brink era, especially her last season and you saw the same thing.  You had the #1 post player in America; a first team All-American- posting up with only one defender behind her- Yelling for the ball- and she rarely got it.  I wish Kate will install some high/low action on occasion.  We saw it a few times with Brink and Betts, and later Brink and Kiki to good effect, but I'm afraid that will not be in Kate's playbook.

Defensively, I was surprised how easily Cal State's shifty little guards were able to juke and shed some of our perimeter defenders and get into the lane.  Fortunately, our superior size often blocked them, but when Cal State pulled our Bigs out from the paint, there were clear lanes to the hoop.  Granted, first game and with such a young team, but our defense must tighten up considerably.

As others have noted, disappointed with Ogden.  I sense that Stevenson and Lepolo have reached their ceilings.