01-16-2013, 02:37 PM
Commenting on this as a two game set, the first game showed many of the flaws leading to the Stan defeat. C.al in their defeat still won the boards (which is usually Stan's strength over the years). Both games were ref'd to allow very physical play, but Stan has to learn to bump and shove when that's what the refs are allowing. The first game Stan won on guts and more effort at the end (C.al panicked a little near the end of the 1st game). C.al's coach corrected that with consistent poise and effort (in the 2nd game), while maintaining the superiority on the boards and attacking/physical style. Once the blueprint is out on how to defeat a team, they can expect to see more attacking/physical play in the coming weeks.
My 2 cents, revolves around how to strategically maximize your best asset (Chiney) long-term, while encouraging much more from other players. Chiney is not Nneka or Appel. She is much more easily smothered in the post (Chiney is not a power player or a center); and its much easier to wear her out down there -- against good teams with a solid post presence.
Ruef and Jos should be forced to do those battles down there and free Chiney up to maximize her skillset from the foul line (setup point) on in. The caveat there is Chiney has a lot of work to do to become a player who is comfortable and effective working from the foul line. (BTW ... these are the skills she'll need as a pro player one day, so why not push her toward fully developing those skills now.) I tend to focus on the best player first, because they have the most upside and potential. I'd love to see Chiney develop her mid-range game. And play to her full height in the mid-range. Meaning, develop a full arms extended shot above her head, using mostly wrist (and a little lift from ankles/legs). She'd be unstoppable with that skillset. To play near the foul line (extended in a circle near the basket), she also needs to develop (much better ball control) short one-to-two dribble moves and be able to pop upright into her new full arms extented mid-range shot. Add in some fakes and pivot moves. These things would help with the stagnant offensive. Chiney needs to make herself into a more complete and potent weapon, away from the basket a bit.
Even a great rebounder can improve. One fundamental problem is to keep the ball high (shoulder level at least), gather and go up faster from that position. Too often Chiney brings the ball all the way down to her waist to gather for a put-back, and the C.al guards were all waiting for that.
Everyone else just needs to continue developing skills and agressiveness. They are all finding out who really wants to play when you're getting pushed, punched and shoved. The best counter is to get them on the scoreboard. Some players just shoot the ball when they could concentrate a little more and make it. All the shot clock violations, because no one wanted to break the offense early enough the take the shot -- a lack of responsibility. Well, the Southern California teams will give Stan an opportunity soon to but recent lessens learned into practice. Growing pains to be sure, and an opportunity to step it up before tournament time.
My 2 cents, revolves around how to strategically maximize your best asset (Chiney) long-term, while encouraging much more from other players. Chiney is not Nneka or Appel. She is much more easily smothered in the post (Chiney is not a power player or a center); and its much easier to wear her out down there -- against good teams with a solid post presence.
Ruef and Jos should be forced to do those battles down there and free Chiney up to maximize her skillset from the foul line (setup point) on in. The caveat there is Chiney has a lot of work to do to become a player who is comfortable and effective working from the foul line. (BTW ... these are the skills she'll need as a pro player one day, so why not push her toward fully developing those skills now.) I tend to focus on the best player first, because they have the most upside and potential. I'd love to see Chiney develop her mid-range game. And play to her full height in the mid-range. Meaning, develop a full arms extended shot above her head, using mostly wrist (and a little lift from ankles/legs). She'd be unstoppable with that skillset. To play near the foul line (extended in a circle near the basket), she also needs to develop (much better ball control) short one-to-two dribble moves and be able to pop upright into her new full arms extented mid-range shot. Add in some fakes and pivot moves. These things would help with the stagnant offensive. Chiney needs to make herself into a more complete and potent weapon, away from the basket a bit.
Even a great rebounder can improve. One fundamental problem is to keep the ball high (shoulder level at least), gather and go up faster from that position. Too often Chiney brings the ball all the way down to her waist to gather for a put-back, and the C.al guards were all waiting for that.
Everyone else just needs to continue developing skills and agressiveness. They are all finding out who really wants to play when you're getting pushed, punched and shoved. The best counter is to get them on the scoreboard. Some players just shoot the ball when they could concentrate a little more and make it. All the shot clock violations, because no one wanted to break the offense early enough the take the shot -- a lack of responsibility. Well, the Southern California teams will give Stan an opportunity soon to but recent lessens learned into practice. Growing pains to be sure, and an opportunity to step it up before tournament time.