[81alum]

Anyone notice that as Erica's midrange jumper game has exploded, who has been feeding her assists?  Today's assists of McCall shots (10 of 12 were assisted):
Karlie 3
Bri 3
Marta 2
Kaylee 1
Alanna 1

Friday's assists of McCall shots (10 of her 11 baskets were assisted):
Karlie 3
Marta 3
McPhee 2
Alanna 1
Bri 1

Combined:
Karlie 6
Marta 5
Bri 4
Alanna 2
McPhee 2
Kaylee 1

An interesting question is why is Karlie our most effective guard at getting the ball to McCall?  I presume the answer has something to do with defenders coming out to defend her, leaving wide open passing lanes.  It simply reinforces what we already know about Karlie--she is a smart, all-around player who contributes to the team in many more ways than just her gorgeous three point shot.

Let's also be clear--these shots are not solo efforts by Erica to bail her team out.  This is different from some of those Chiney games where Chiney had to manufacture points almost by herself.  Erica's success is overwhelmingly the product of an offensive system that seems to be pretty new and has been working for at least three games now.  Erica is moving back and forth across the half court to favored spots, and the rest of the team is looking to feed her the ball on those spots, and she is of course executing once she gets the ball.

As we head into the Pac 12 tournament, the scouting reports on Erica will change and teams will adjust.  They would be foolish not to take away our best offensive weapon, so I think we have to expect that they will front Erica or double her or something--and thus we will need other players to exploit whatever openings are left by Erica drawing the defense to herself.

So here is the question: what will the other coaches do to attempt to shut down Erica now that her impact is obvious, and what should we do to be ready for it?

[81alum]

Anyone notice that as Erica's midrange jumper game has exploded, who has been feeding her assists?  Today's assists of McCall shots (10 of 12 were assisted):
Karlie 3
Bri 3
Marta 2
Kaylee 1
Alanna 1

Friday's assists of McCall shots (10 of her 11 baskets were assisted):
Karlie 3
Marta 3
McPhee 2
Alanna 1
Bri 1

Combined:
Karlie 6
Marta 5
Bri 4
Alanna 2
McPhee 2
Kaylee 1

An interesting question is why is Karlie our most effective guard at getting the ball to McCall?  I presume the answer has something to do with defenders coming out to defend her, leaving wide open passing lanes.  It simply reinforces what we already know about Karlie--she is a smart, all-around player who contributes to the team in many more ways than just her gorgeous three point shot.

Let's also be clear--these shots are not solo efforts by Erica to bail her team out.  This is different from some of those Chiney games where Chiney had to manufacture points almost by herself.  Erica's success is overwhelmingly the product of an offensive system that seems to be pretty new and has been working for at least three games now.  Erica is moving back and forth across the half court to favored spots, and the rest of the team is looking to feed her the ball on those spots, and she is of course executing once she gets the ball.

As we head into the Pac 12 tournament, the scouting reports on Erica will change and teams will adjust.  They would be foolish not to take away our best offensive weapon, so I think we have to expect that they will front Erica or double her or something--and thus we will need other players to exploit whatever openings are left by Erica drawing the defense to herself.

So here is the question: what will the other coaches do to attempt to shut down Erica now that her impact is obvious, and what should we do to be ready for it?