[M T]

Certainly I agree with the optimism.  Every team should be improving if they stay healthy.  At least Stanford has not had any significant injuries (knock, knock).  I think we're on track to be quite good next year, if Ruef can come back to be the second big. (I think Tess will still not be there.  I did like her running the court to get her basket today.)  But, our opponents will also improve from this year.

As for recent improvements, I would add Bonnie's play as something that is paying dividends.

I will add some other improvements we can wish for...

• The offense can feed the ball in to the bigs with more regularity and fewer turnovers.  This may involve dribble drives to loosen up the defense.  If Chiney is double teamed, someone should be open that can shoot, or a dribbler may find a lane.  If Jos is an alternative down low, that would be ideal.  Her shooting from 3pt land should be an occasional boost, not a curse.  Or maybe Ruef can play down low and free Jos to roam more.
  
• We can get better rebounding against tough teams.  The guards MUST take responsibility for defensive coverage and let the bigger players try for offensive rebounds rather than worrying about defense.  Our three-point misses need to be offensive weapons for us.  Everyone on the court should block out first, and not be a spectator.
  
• While our guards' ball handling is not a strong point, we can punish teams for trying to use a full court press against us.  Set up timing plays so after Chiney helps to bring the ball down, we swing it to a 3pt shooter who shoots (or passes) just as Chiney & Jos arrive at the low post area
  

[M T]

Certainly I agree with the optimism.  Every team should be improving if they stay healthy.  At least Stanford has not had any significant injuries (knock, knock).  I think we're on track to be quite good next year, if Ruef can come back to be the second big. (I think Tess will still not be there.  I did like her running the court to get her basket today.)  But, our opponents will also improve from this year.

As for recent improvements, I would add Bonnie's play as something that is paying dividends.

I will add some other improvements we can wish for...

• The offense can feed the ball in to the bigs with more regularity and fewer turnovers.  This may involve dribble drives to loosen up the defense.  If Chiney is double teamed, someone should be open that can shoot, or a dribbler may find a lane.  If Jos is an alternative down low, that would be ideal.  Her shooting from 3pt land should be an occasional boost, not a curse.  Or maybe Ruef can play down low and free Jos to roam more.
  
• We can get better rebounding against tough teams.  The guards MUST take responsibility for defensive coverage and let the bigger players try for offensive rebounds rather than worrying about defense.  Our three-point misses need to be offensive weapons for us.  Everyone on the court should block out first, and not be a spectator.
  
• While our guards' ball handling is not a strong point, we can punish teams for trying to use a full court press against us.  Set up timing plays so after Chiney helps to bring the ball down, we swing it to a 3pt shooter who shoots (or passes) just as Chiney & Jos arrive at the low post area