01-29-2012, 02:36 PM
Agreed on all the major themes: great atmosphere at Maples, one Ref trying to make herself the star, wondering about Nneka's production (later getting word from post-game talk on her illness), very nice step-up by Chiney.
From where I was sitting, that Ref seemed to enjoy getting the ire of the crowd on her really bad calls.
But, congratulate Cal, they came to play and made the most of what they were seeing out there. If playing top seeds close really counted with voters, Cal would already be ranked.
Harder to sit thru, but good to see Stanford pushed hard in a game. Knowledgeable people in my area were also wondering about the substitution patterns. Some players can go 0-fer and still get court time, while others are pulled after a minute on court or have 1 mistake. For example, Bonnie went 2-2 on 3's in a span of about 1 minute. (Great teams and coaches collectively recognize a hot hand [possibility], and get that player the ball again.) No chance to see if Bonnie was hot, she was pulled from the game -- I don't think she took another FG or 3ptFG attempt after going 2-2 on 3-pointers, at a critical momentum changing time.
But, the coaching staff orchestrated the win .. they should know their players best.
As supportive fans, several of us can still play what if, and wonder why NOT more Amber, to contain the perimeter penetration (while knowing Amber still needs to get in better shape and Lindy is a more vocal leader); why NOT more Bonnie when she's feeling it from 3 (knowing Tinkle and Greenfield are physically stronger). But at crunch time, I guess it comes down to - who you trust.
Another very nice game to experience at Maples.
From where I was sitting, that Ref seemed to enjoy getting the ire of the crowd on her really bad calls.
But, congratulate Cal, they came to play and made the most of what they were seeing out there. If playing top seeds close really counted with voters, Cal would already be ranked.
Harder to sit thru, but good to see Stanford pushed hard in a game. Knowledgeable people in my area were also wondering about the substitution patterns. Some players can go 0-fer and still get court time, while others are pulled after a minute on court or have 1 mistake. For example, Bonnie went 2-2 on 3's in a span of about 1 minute. (Great teams and coaches collectively recognize a hot hand [possibility], and get that player the ball again.) No chance to see if Bonnie was hot, she was pulled from the game -- I don't think she took another FG or 3ptFG attempt after going 2-2 on 3-pointers, at a critical momentum changing time.
But, the coaching staff orchestrated the win .. they should know their players best.
As supportive fans, several of us can still play what if, and wonder why NOT more Amber, to contain the perimeter penetration (while knowing Amber still needs to get in better shape and Lindy is a more vocal leader); why NOT more Bonnie when she's feeling it from 3 (knowing Tinkle and Greenfield are physically stronger). But at crunch time, I guess it comes down to - who you trust.
Another very nice game to experience at Maples.