[Card10Fan]

The Notre Dame / UConn game was interesting to watch. I set the DVR and just finished it. The Nd guards Miles and Citron (specifically) attacked and attacked the basket really well all game. UConn couldn’t defend them. Citron reminds me of Lexie Hull: scrappy, decent shooter, attacks the hoop well. Fudd hardly played due to injury but I don’t know it would have made a difference. It was ND’s day. 

I’m not sure how we’d match up against either team. I think our post play is better but our guard  play is worse. Who do we have besides Haley that can attack the basket and make plays or get fouled every time. Don’t know what would win out in such a game. I really don’t want to see UConn or South Carolina again unless it’s the national championship game. 

Also of note, Tennessee’s leading scorer Rikea Jackson didn’t play today and was said to be indefinite and a coaches decision. Will she play when they visit Stanford in 2 weeks. We will see.

[Card10Fan]

The Notre Dame / UConn game was interesting to watch. I set the DVR and just finished it. The Nd guards Miles and Citron (specifically) attacked and attacked the basket really well all game. UConn couldn’t defend them. Citron reminds me of Lexie Hull: scrappy, decent shooter, attacks the hoop well. Fudd hardly played due to injury but I don’t know it would have made a difference. It was ND’s day. 

I’m not sure how we’d match up against either team. I think our post play is better but our guard  play is worse. Who do we have besides Haley that can attack the basket and make plays or get fouled every time. Don’t know what would win out in such a game. I really don’t want to see UConn or South Carolina again unless it’s the national championship game. 

Also of note, Tennessee’s leading scorer Rikea Jackson didn’t play today and was said to be indefinite and a coaches decision. Will she play when they visit Stanford in 2 weeks. We will see.

[81alum]

After watching the Gonzaga/Tennessee game my biggest worry about Tennessee is injury.  Two Gonzaga players were seriously injured in that game, although only one of the injuries can be attributed to rough play--an elbow to the face.  The refs were not calling that game tightly and the physical contact was really getting out of hand.

---

Also of note, Tennessee’s leading scorer Rikea Jackson didn’t play today and was said to be indefinite and a coaches decision. Will she play when they visit Stanford in 2 weeks. We will see.

Not only was Jackson missing, so too were Franklin and Hollingshead.  They have 3 more games before they play us, however, so we will know a lot more about them before our game.

[81alum]

After watching the Gonzaga/Tennessee game my biggest worry about Tennessee is injury.  Two Gonzaga players were seriously injured in that game, although only one of the injuries can be attributed to rough play--an elbow to the face.  The refs were not calling that game tightly and the physical contact was really getting out of hand.

---

Also of note, Tennessee’s leading scorer Rikea Jackson didn’t play today and was said to be indefinite and a coaches decision. Will she play when they visit Stanford in 2 weeks. We will see.

Not only was Jackson missing, so too were Franklin and Hollingshead.  They have 3 more games before they play us, however, so we will know a lot more about them before our game.

[WBB fan]

Tara now has another record -- most times for her team in the top 25

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-bask...appearance

Also new ESPN power rankings out. Lots of movement below the top two.  Re Stanford, I like the fact that they highlight Stanford having had 7 different people as leading scorers in our 11 games, thus making it hard to scout the team and draw up a  defensive plan. I can't imagine that any other team in the country has this much spread in who is scoring.

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-bask...uconn-down

[WBB fan]

Tara now has another record -- most times for her team in the top 25

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-bask...appearance

Also new ESPN power rankings out. Lots of movement below the top two.  Re Stanford, I like the fact that they highlight Stanford having had 7 different people as leading scorers in our 11 games, thus making it hard to scout the team and draw up a  defensive plan. I can't imagine that any other team in the country has this much spread in who is scoring.

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-bask...uconn-down

[BostonCard]

I mean, there are teams that routinely get scoring from no more than 7 players, so, yeah.

Here's the breakdown:
SDSU: Iriafen (16)
CSUN: Betts (18)
Pacific: Iriafen (15)
Portland: Jones (17)
Cal Poly: Jump (24)
South Carolina: Brink (25)
Florida Gulf Coast: Jones (24)
Grambling St.: Jump (19)
Hawai'i: Prechtl (17)
Santa Clara: Jump (19)
Gonzaga: Demetre (17)


By player:
Jump (3), Iriafen (2), Jones (2), Betts (1), Brink (1), Prechtel (1), Demetre (1)

For the season, four players are averaging in double digits, and eight are averaging more than 5 ppg:
Jump (12.4 ppg)
Brink (12.4 ppg)
Jones (11.1 ppg)
Iriafen (10.5 ppg)
Betts (7.3 ppg)
Bosgana (5.7 ppg)
Prechtel (5.4 ppg)
Demetre (5.2 ppg)

That is an unusually tight grouping of double-digit scoring players.

BC

[BostonCard]

I mean, there are teams that routinely get scoring from no more than 7 players, so, yeah.

Here's the breakdown:
SDSU: Iriafen (16)
CSUN: Betts (18)
Pacific: Iriafen (15)
Portland: Jones (17)
Cal Poly: Jump (24)
South Carolina: Brink (25)
Florida Gulf Coast: Jones (24)
Grambling St.: Jump (19)
Hawai'i: Prechtl (17)
Santa Clara: Jump (19)
Gonzaga: Demetre (17)


By player:
Jump (3), Iriafen (2), Jones (2), Betts (1), Brink (1), Prechtel (1), Demetre (1)

For the season, four players are averaging in double digits, and eight are averaging more than 5 ppg:
Jump (12.4 ppg)
Brink (12.4 ppg)
Jones (11.1 ppg)
Iriafen (10.5 ppg)
Betts (7.3 ppg)
Bosgana (5.7 ppg)
Prechtel (5.4 ppg)
Demetre (5.2 ppg)

That is an unusually tight grouping of double-digit scoring players.

BC

[Hoops9092]

Interesting not to see Louisville, Texas nor Tennessee in the top 25. Kinda refreshing. 

Pac-12 looks great with 4 in the top 15 and 5/25!

[Hoops9092]

Interesting not to see Louisville, Texas nor Tennessee in the top 25. Kinda refreshing. 

Pac-12 looks great with 4 in the top 15 and 5/25!

[CompSci87]

FWIW, Stanford is unanimous at #2.

[CompSci87]

FWIW, Stanford is unanimous at #2.

[BostonCard]

Does that mean we try harder?

BC

[BostonCard]

Does that mean we try harder?

BC

[M T]

Does that mean we try harder?

How about some "We Try Harder" buttons for  the team?  Or at least some posters with that on it.

The downside is that I don't know that Avis ever got to #1.

[M T]

Does that mean we try harder?

How about some "We Try Harder" buttons for  the team?  Or at least some posters with that on it.

The downside is that I don't know that Avis ever got to #1.

[TheFarm07]

FWIW, Stanford is unanimous at #2.

Tara also passed Pat Summit with the most appearances as head coach of a team in the Top 25 at 619 weeks; 592 with them here on the Farm.

[TheFarm07]

FWIW, Stanford is unanimous at #2.

Tara also passed Pat Summit with the most appearances as head coach of a team in the Top 25 at 619 weeks; 592 with them here on the Farm.

[crackpot]

FWIW, Stanford is unanimous at #2.

It must've hurt some people not to put UConn there.

[crackpot]

FWIW, Stanford is unanimous at #2.

It must've hurt some people not to put UConn there.

[TheWildJacko]

Fudd hardly played due to injury but I don’t know it would have made a difference.

Oof she hurt her knee again? That is really sucky. She and UCONN are not having good injury luck this year. I hope she doesn't have to stay out too long.

[TheWildJacko]

Fudd hardly played due to injury but I don’t know it would have made a difference.

Oof she hurt her knee again? That is really sucky. She and UCONN are not having good injury luck this year. I hope she doesn't have to stay out too long.

[crackpot]

Does that mean we try harder?

How about some "We Try Harder" buttons for  the team?  Or at least some posters with that on it.

The downside is that I don't know that Avis ever got to #1.

I don't believe they did. About a decade ago, they dropped that (brilliant) slogan when they got new leadership ("oh, look, shiny new thing!").

Avis is now #5.

[crackpot]

Does that mean we try harder?

How about some "We Try Harder" buttons for  the team?  Or at least some posters with that on it.

The downside is that I don't know that Avis ever got to #1.

I don't believe they did. About a decade ago, they dropped that (brilliant) slogan when they got new leadership ("oh, look, shiny new thing!").

Avis is now #5.

[oldalum]

Avis is now #5.

According to Forbes, Hertz is still one ahead of them at #4. They just can't quite make it past their nemesis.

[oldalum]

Avis is now #5.

According to Forbes, Hertz is still one ahead of them at #4. They just can't quite make it past their nemesis.

[qwerty49]

FWIW, Stanford is unanimous at #2.

It must've hurt some people not to put UConn there.

LOL, especially in Storrs.

I have a good friend, a fellow Stanford alum, who was born and raised in CT.  Through the years we've been to many football games together -- in the Bay Area, on the road, and at Bowls.  Every March he forgets where he went to college and becomes a rabid UConn fan, even to the point of rooting for them against us.  He thinks Geno is Naismith reincarnated.  It's hard work, but I simply ignore him for about 6 weeks every year.

[qwerty49]

FWIW, Stanford is unanimous at #2.

It must've hurt some people not to put UConn there.

LOL, especially in Storrs.

I have a good friend, a fellow Stanford alum, who was born and raised in CT.  Through the years we've been to many football games together -- in the Bay Area, on the road, and at Bowls.  Every March he forgets where he went to college and becomes a rabid UConn fan, even to the point of rooting for them against us.  He thinks Geno is Naismith reincarnated.  It's hard work, but I simply ignore him for about 6 weeks every year.

[Card10Fan]

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/colle...632637.php 

For those who aren't subscribers; Tara says Lepolo is playing too many minutes. She wants to be intentional about getting Nivar and Harriel more PG minutes so Lepolo stays fresher.  Tara also specifically mentions Jump playing too many minutes as well. Part of that is trying to establish who else is a consistent 3 point threat aside from Jump.

Tara also says Betts needs more game minutes but certain matchups have played a role in her on-court time and that she is another month or two away from feeling really confident on the court.

[Card10Fan]

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/colle...632637.php 

For those who aren't subscribers; Tara says Lepolo is playing too many minutes. She wants to be intentional about getting Nivar and Harriel more PG minutes so Lepolo stays fresher.  Tara also specifically mentions Jump playing too many minutes as well. Part of that is trying to establish who else is a consistent 3 point threat aside from Jump.

Tara also says Betts needs more game minutes but certain matchups have played a role in her on-court time and that she is another month or two away from feeling really confident on the court.

[Maple Leaf]

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/colle...632637.php 

For those who aren't subscribers; Tara says Lepolo is playing too many minutes. She wants to be intentional about getting Nivar and Harriel more PG minutes so Lepolo stays fresher.  Tara also specifically mentions Jump playing too many minutes as well. Part of that is trying to establish who else is a consistent 3 point threat aside from Jump.

Tara also says Betts needs more game minutes but certain matchups have played a role in her on-court time and that she is another month or two away from feeling really confident on the court.

Thanks for the update/information.

[Maple Leaf]

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/colle...632637.php 

For those who aren't subscribers; Tara says Lepolo is playing too many minutes. She wants to be intentional about getting Nivar and Harriel more PG minutes so Lepolo stays fresher.  Tara also specifically mentions Jump playing too many minutes as well. Part of that is trying to establish who else is a consistent 3 point threat aside from Jump.

Tara also says Betts needs more game minutes but certain matchups have played a role in her on-court time and that she is another month or two away from feeling really confident on the court.

Thanks for the update/information.

[81alum]

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/colle...632637.php 

For those who aren't subscribers; Tara says Lepolo is playing too many minutes. She wants to be intentional about getting Nivar and Harriel more PG minutes so Lepolo stays fresher.  Tara also specifically mentions Jump playing too many minutes as well. Part of that is trying to establish who else is a consistent 3 point threat aside from Jump.

Tara also says Betts needs more game minutes but certain matchups have played a role in her on-court time and that she is another month or two away from feeling really confident on the court.

Great article, and it closely parallels what many people here have been saying: get Nivar and Harriel more experience at PG, get Betts more time so that in 1-2 months she is fully integrated into the rotation, figure out how to keep Brink from fouling, develop a second consistent three point shooter.  Yes, yes, yes, and yes.  It did not take Tara's genius to figure those 4 things out, but it probably makes all of us fans feel just a little bit smarter.

[81alum]

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/colle...632637.php 

For those who aren't subscribers; Tara says Lepolo is playing too many minutes. She wants to be intentional about getting Nivar and Harriel more PG minutes so Lepolo stays fresher.  Tara also specifically mentions Jump playing too many minutes as well. Part of that is trying to establish who else is a consistent 3 point threat aside from Jump.

Tara also says Betts needs more game minutes but certain matchups have played a role in her on-court time and that she is another month or two away from feeling really confident on the court.

Great article, and it closely parallels what many people here have been saying: get Nivar and Harriel more experience at PG, get Betts more time so that in 1-2 months she is fully integrated into the rotation, figure out how to keep Brink from fouling, develop a second consistent three point shooter.  Yes, yes, yes, and yes.  It did not take Tara's genius to figure those 4 things out, but it probably makes all of us fans feel just a little bit smarter.

[jonnyss]

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/colle...632637.php 

For those who aren't subscribers; Tara says Lepolo is playing too many minutes. She wants to be intentional about getting Nivar and Harriel more PG minutes so Lepolo stays fresher.  Tara also specifically mentions Jump playing too many minutes as well. Part of that is trying to establish who else is a consistent 3 point threat aside from Jump.

Tara also says Betts needs more game minutes but certain matchups have played a role in her on-court time and that she is another month or two away from feeling really confident on the court.

i would infer that tara no longer wants to rotate haley and talana at point guard, which will please some fans.

[jonnyss]

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/colle...632637.php 

For those who aren't subscribers; Tara says Lepolo is playing too many minutes. She wants to be intentional about getting Nivar and Harriel more PG minutes so Lepolo stays fresher.  Tara also specifically mentions Jump playing too many minutes as well. Part of that is trying to establish who else is a consistent 3 point threat aside from Jump.

Tara also says Betts needs more game minutes but certain matchups have played a role in her on-court time and that she is another month or two away from feeling really confident on the court.

i would infer that tara no longer wants to rotate haley and talana at point guard, which will please some fans.

[M T]

If a coach wants a player to have less minutes, then the coach can cause that to happen.  If the coach doesn't do that, it is for a reason.  The other players aren't yet performing as well as the players that are playing more than the coach wishes.  If you sit your better players so others can play, you risk having a game turn against you.  So, I interpret Tara wanting starters to play less means she wants the non-starters to play well enough that she can rest the starters.

In a single game, playing too much can cause your effectiveness to decrease.  But what does "[Lepolo's] minutes are starting to take a toll" mean?  She's young enough that 3 days ought to be sufficient for muscles to recover.  But there's more than muscles involved.

+/- per 40 minutes:
Lepolo 32.4
Brink 38.3
Jones 29.9
Jump 33.9
Iriafen 29.6
Emma-Nnopu 27.2
Belibi 21.6
Prechtel 29.1
Nivar 36.0
Bosgana 29.0
Demetre 30.9
Harriel 36.0
Betts 32.3

Frankly, those numbers for the non-starters surprised me.  Some of that is they have had relatively more time against weaker teams.

[M T]

If a coach wants a player to have less minutes, then the coach can cause that to happen.  If the coach doesn't do that, it is for a reason.  The other players aren't yet performing as well as the players that are playing more than the coach wishes.  If you sit your better players so others can play, you risk having a game turn against you.  So, I interpret Tara wanting starters to play less means she wants the non-starters to play well enough that she can rest the starters.

In a single game, playing too much can cause your effectiveness to decrease.  But what does "[Lepolo's] minutes are starting to take a toll" mean?  She's young enough that 3 days ought to be sufficient for muscles to recover.  But there's more than muscles involved.

+/- per 40 minutes:
Lepolo 32.4
Brink 38.3
Jones 29.9
Jump 33.9
Iriafen 29.6
Emma-Nnopu 27.2
Belibi 21.6
Prechtel 29.1
Nivar 36.0
Bosgana 29.0
Demetre 30.9
Harriel 36.0
Betts 32.3

Frankly, those numbers for the non-starters surprised me.  Some of that is they have had relatively more time against weaker teams.

[OCcardinal]

Fudd hardly played due to injury but I don’t know it would have made a difference.

Oof she hurt her knee again? That is really sucky. She and UCONN are not having good injury luck this year. I hope she doesn't have to stay out too long.

Just reported Fudd's expected to be out 3-6 weeks. Yikes. https://www.espn.com/womens-college-bask...-3-6-weeks

[OCcardinal]

Fudd hardly played due to injury but I don’t know it would have made a difference.

Oof she hurt her knee again? That is really sucky. She and UCONN are not having good injury luck this year. I hope she doesn't have to stay out too long.

Just reported Fudd's expected to be out 3-6 weeks. Yikes. https://www.espn.com/womens-college-bask...-3-6-weeks