[pepper1]

It was a very entertaining game and a gutsy win by the Cardinal on a day when they were throwing up scores of bricks on open 3's.  The Bares also showed grit in hanging in there after several Stanford runs where they could easily have quit.  After three straight top-10 recruiting classes, the Bares are finally delivering on some of their potential -- their talent was very evident.  Clarendon was especially impressive and Boyd, despite the Iverson-like love for any shot she could find, invent or imagine, looked like a real offensive force, especially for a frosh.  Coach Gottlieb clearly is turning the Bares into a power that will challenge the Cardinal going forward ... which I think will be a good thing.

The Three Sisters (Toni has established her credentials as the Third in big games) all were impressive, even though Nneka was evidently playing hurt.  There was outstanding interior defense by both teams, and Chiney was the best of an outstanding group.  It was a bit of a bummer that Amber was pretty much of a non-factor in this game after the pub her freshman PG matchup with Boyd got before the game.  We'll need her to be ready to play in the games in March if we are going to be successful.  Toni fortunately did not seem to have any problem handing the point against a quick & physical Bare D.  Lindy, Taylor & Jos all played tough throughout the game & did not let their weak offensive games discourage them on the other end (special kudos to Lindy particularly for hanging tough on D when her shooting was such a mess) and on the boards.  Nneka's and Chiney's uncharacteristic rebound fumbling from the Washington game had totally disappeared today.

Almost losing a Pac-12 game at home will hopefully be a wake-up call for the team and provide some coaching opportunities for Tara & staff.  The rematch over in Berkeley ought to be worth the trip across the Bay. 

[pepper1]

It was a very entertaining game and a gutsy win by the Cardinal on a day when they were throwing up scores of bricks on open 3's.  The Bares also showed grit in hanging in there after several Stanford runs where they could easily have quit.  After three straight top-10 recruiting classes, the Bares are finally delivering on some of their potential -- their talent was very evident.  Clarendon was especially impressive and Boyd, despite the Iverson-like love for any shot she could find, invent or imagine, looked like a real offensive force, especially for a frosh.  Coach Gottlieb clearly is turning the Bares into a power that will challenge the Cardinal going forward ... which I think will be a good thing.

The Three Sisters (Toni has established her credentials as the Third in big games) all were impressive, even though Nneka was evidently playing hurt.  There was outstanding interior defense by both teams, and Chiney was the best of an outstanding group.  It was a bit of a bummer that Amber was pretty much of a non-factor in this game after the pub her freshman PG matchup with Boyd got before the game.  We'll need her to be ready to play in the games in March if we are going to be successful.  Toni fortunately did not seem to have any problem handing the point against a quick & physical Bare D.  Lindy, Taylor & Jos all played tough throughout the game & did not let their weak offensive games discourage them on the other end (special kudos to Lindy particularly for hanging tough on D when her shooting was such a mess) and on the boards.  Nneka's and Chiney's uncharacteristic rebound fumbling from the Washington game had totally disappeared today.

Almost losing a Pac-12 game at home will hopefully be a wake-up call for the team and provide some coaching opportunities for Tara & staff.  The rematch over in Berkeley ought to be worth the trip across the Bay.