01-29-2012, 03:43 PM
Penn State just got knocked off too. It is just really, really hard to avoid upsets let alone keep these long winning streaks alive. I think Gino was actually somewhat relieved when his team's came to an end. A few more points:
C.al has lost 4 games to ranked teams by a total of nine points. They can play.
I have been very critical of Lindy's defense, especially her lack of lateral movement against quick guards. However, I agree that she was an important contributor yesterday. Specifically, she noticed teammates being beaten, and played some excellent help defense. She knows what she is doing running the offense, and is vocal directing some of the younger players. She did begin to sag too far back in the middle allowing jump shooters to get too close, and she telegraphs her entry passes, so I'm still not thrilled when she gets big minutes. She may be limited physically, but she is intelligent on the court, and hustles, so maybe she's earned her PT.
I would put Stanford at #4. I expect them to get to Denver, but it by no means feels inevitable as it sometimes did last year. I can see them beating either UConn or Notre Dame on a neutral court, but it does seem to be shaping up as a battle for #2 behind Baylor.
Depth is certainly becoming an issue this year due to injuries. I thought the problem in the post this year would be getting playing time for everyone who deserved it.
Jasmine and Alex will be red shirt eligible (is that the correct phrasing?) so they might be around for sometime. Toni is just a sophomore. I'm much more worried about losing Nneka than I am Lindy. ;) I confess that I couldn't see how they would replace Candice, and I couldn't see how they would replace Jayne (ditto for Kayla and Jeanette) but somehow they keep putting a first rate team on the court. Maybe, just maybe, Tara's in the Hall of Fame for a reason!
C.al has lost 4 games to ranked teams by a total of nine points. They can play.
I have been very critical of Lindy's defense, especially her lack of lateral movement against quick guards. However, I agree that she was an important contributor yesterday. Specifically, she noticed teammates being beaten, and played some excellent help defense. She knows what she is doing running the offense, and is vocal directing some of the younger players. She did begin to sag too far back in the middle allowing jump shooters to get too close, and she telegraphs her entry passes, so I'm still not thrilled when she gets big minutes. She may be limited physically, but she is intelligent on the court, and hustles, so maybe she's earned her PT.
I would put Stanford at #4. I expect them to get to Denver, but it by no means feels inevitable as it sometimes did last year. I can see them beating either UConn or Notre Dame on a neutral court, but it does seem to be shaping up as a battle for #2 behind Baylor.
Depth is certainly becoming an issue this year due to injuries. I thought the problem in the post this year would be getting playing time for everyone who deserved it.
Jasmine and Alex will be red shirt eligible (is that the correct phrasing?) so they might be around for sometime. Toni is just a sophomore. I'm much more worried about losing Nneka than I am Lindy. ;) I confess that I couldn't see how they would replace Candice, and I couldn't see how they would replace Jayne (ditto for Kayla and Jeanette) but somehow they keep putting a first rate team on the court. Maybe, just maybe, Tara's in the Hall of Fame for a reason!