[M T]

Before this game, both teams were noted for their defense.  But when you face the top teams, your defense numbers will likely fall off.

I don't think anyone has pointed out here that AZ shot a good 45.9% from the field and 46.7% from 3PT, and an ok 66.7% from the FT line.
Really good offensive stats, unless you run into a 51.9%, 47.4%, 71.4% performance.

This game was worthy of a NC championship match-up.


As for the late calls against the team playing Arizona, I'll note that as a result of those calls, the fouls on the two teams were the same (14 each) if you exclude the five intentional ASU fouls called between 0:30 and 0:20 left in the game.  I'm sure Coach Barnes appreciated that after her comments about homerism.   One theory could be that the refs (you know who) decided Stanford had already won and called fouls against Stanford just to even things up so the stats would prove (wink, wink) they called a fair game.  I'm not saying I believe that.  It would be hard to distinguish it from the well-known calling a tighter game against the team running away with a game late in the game.

Maybe Missy had more confidence that Arizona wouldn't come back to win than I did.
(Yes, I know I set that up on a tee for you.)

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Second, I'll bet it has really started to sink in with our players that no matter if you start or on the bench or you get lots or little minutes, you never know when it's your time to shine and contribute mightily. Tara has been brilliant handling the depth of this team and we have seen often that players are ready and step up when called on. Like last year, I think these young women really get the fact that it's about the team and not individuals. They should seem humble toward one another and unselfish.

I hope that isn't lost on high school stars that are thinking about where they'd like to play.

[M T]

Before this game, both teams were noted for their defense.  But when you face the top teams, your defense numbers will likely fall off.

I don't think anyone has pointed out here that AZ shot a good 45.9% from the field and 46.7% from 3PT, and an ok 66.7% from the FT line.
Really good offensive stats, unless you run into a 51.9%, 47.4%, 71.4% performance.

This game was worthy of a NC championship match-up.


As for the late calls against the team playing Arizona, I'll note that as a result of those calls, the fouls on the two teams were the same (14 each) if you exclude the five intentional ASU fouls called between 0:30 and 0:20 left in the game.  I'm sure Coach Barnes appreciated that after her comments about homerism.   One theory could be that the refs (you know who) decided Stanford had already won and called fouls against Stanford just to even things up so the stats would prove (wink, wink) they called a fair game.  I'm not saying I believe that.  It would be hard to distinguish it from the well-known calling a tighter game against the team running away with a game late in the game.

Maybe Missy had more confidence that Arizona wouldn't come back to win than I did.
(Yes, I know I set that up on a tee for you.)

---

Second, I'll bet it has really started to sink in with our players that no matter if you start or on the bench or you get lots or little minutes, you never know when it's your time to shine and contribute mightily. Tara has been brilliant handling the depth of this team and we have seen often that players are ready and step up when called on. Like last year, I think these young women really get the fact that it's about the team and not individuals. They should seem humble toward one another and unselfish.

I hope that isn't lost on high school stars that are thinking about where they'd like to play.