For a little "insider" insight into Utah's season, there are these radio interviews with Utah coach Lynne Roberts:
https://espn700sports.com/news/lynne-rob...h-1-17-19/
https://espn700sports.com/bill-riley-sho...in-top-25/
In the second (more recent) interview they talk quite a bit about Tara, with admiration. Who doesn't?
Asked about anything she has learned from watching Tara, Roberts complimented her steadiness and her game plans. "Anytime you play Stanford, you know they are coming in and are going to take away the 2 or 3 things you are good at, and you have to be prepared for 4-5-6. That is what makes them so hard to beat--that they are so good at taking you out of what you are good at."
Utah has just 8 healthy players, 4 of whom are freshmen. HOWEVER, in the second interview Roberts said that Edwards, their superstar freshman, dislocated her shoulder in the Cal game and is "day to day." If she is out they will be down to 7 players and will have lost their best freshman. A lot could hinge on how healthy she is.
She was realistic about their chances of continuing their amazing record against the gauntlet they face ahead. By the same token, "We have to beat a great team we haven't beaten yet" if they expect to get national recognition. Utah has the two highest ranked recruits in their history coming next year, so they will only get better--and as this year's four freshmen gain experience--watch out.
Their freshmen have won "freshman of the week" award 7 of the 10 times it has been given so far. DreUna Edwards has 4 of those, Dru Gylten 2, and Andrea Torres 1. Gylten is the starting point guard reference above averaging 8 points and with 113 assists to 53 turnovers. Torres hasn't started yet, but is a 6'2" Canadian forward.
One thing you notice right away is that Utah is not a short team. In fact, they may overall be a taller team than we are. Alanna might have to have to defend someone her own size, and Coffee may well have a defensive role today.
When Lynne Roberts beat Cal on Friday, that marked her 300th win. Certainly not in Tara territory, but not bad. The other day a few of us were musing at the game about who was the 5th best pac 12 coach--given that Tara, Rueck, Graves, and CTT are obvious locks for the top 4. We didn't come up with a consensus. I didn't think of it at the time, but Roberts may well be better than Close, Trakh, Gottlieb, et. al.
https://espn700sports.com/news/lynne-rob...h-1-17-19/
https://espn700sports.com/bill-riley-sho...in-top-25/
In the second (more recent) interview they talk quite a bit about Tara, with admiration. Who doesn't?
Asked about anything she has learned from watching Tara, Roberts complimented her steadiness and her game plans. "Anytime you play Stanford, you know they are coming in and are going to take away the 2 or 3 things you are good at, and you have to be prepared for 4-5-6. That is what makes them so hard to beat--that they are so good at taking you out of what you are good at."
Utah has just 8 healthy players, 4 of whom are freshmen. HOWEVER, in the second interview Roberts said that Edwards, their superstar freshman, dislocated her shoulder in the Cal game and is "day to day." If she is out they will be down to 7 players and will have lost their best freshman. A lot could hinge on how healthy she is.
She was realistic about their chances of continuing their amazing record against the gauntlet they face ahead. By the same token, "We have to beat a great team we haven't beaten yet" if they expect to get national recognition. Utah has the two highest ranked recruits in their history coming next year, so they will only get better--and as this year's four freshmen gain experience--watch out.
Their freshmen have won "freshman of the week" award 7 of the 10 times it has been given so far. DreUna Edwards has 4 of those, Dru Gylten 2, and Andrea Torres 1. Gylten is the starting point guard reference above averaging 8 points and with 113 assists to 53 turnovers. Torres hasn't started yet, but is a 6'2" Canadian forward.
One thing you notice right away is that Utah is not a short team. In fact, they may overall be a taller team than we are. Alanna might have to have to defend someone her own size, and Coffee may well have a defensive role today.
When Lynne Roberts beat Cal on Friday, that marked her 300th win. Certainly not in Tara territory, but not bad. The other day a few of us were musing at the game about who was the 5th best pac 12 coach--given that Tara, Rueck, Graves, and CTT are obvious locks for the top 4. We didn't come up with a consensus. I didn't think of it at the time, but Roberts may well be better than Close, Trakh, Gottlieb, et. al.