[81alum]

For some perspective, we were 2-17 shooting from 3 point range against Baylor in the national semifinals.  7-14 today.  Three point shooting not only netted us a lot more points, but as has been pointed out, it also opened up the inside for drives, cuts, and backdoor plays--which we seemed better prepared to take advantage of with more team speed.

On the Amber vs. Toni comparison--I'd prefer to think of them as complementary.  Toni is more versatile and able to play either point or off guard, while Amber seems much more a pure point guard to me.  Amber's assist/turnover ratio was superb last year and late in the year she began to score too.  Toni faded late in the year as her three point shot went into a funk.  We need them both and our other guards to play well.

Today I thought they both looked terrific in the second half.  Tara was clearly very displeased with Amber's defense at one point when she allowed the back door cut, but Amber seemed poised and had 3 assists to 1 turnover.  Last spring against Baylor she had 0 assists and 3 total points, so today was a massive improvement compared with that game.  All the nerves were gone.  8 points and 3 assists against the national champions is not bad progress.

Toni had 15 points, 3 assists, and 3 turnovers today.  Last spring she had 9 points, 2 assists, and 2 turnovers.  She played better too.  Her cuts to the basket were aesthetically beautiful, and they earned her 6 free throws of which she made 5.  This was a very good day for Toni.  I do wonder what her illness was, which Tara said makes her "day to day."  I hope it is gone for good.

Of all the good things that so many players accomplished today, a soft spot in my heart goes to Mikaela Ruef.  4 offensive rebounds and 8 defensive rebounds while supplying some of the double and triple teams on Griner--after a year off.  Wonderful stuff. 

[81alum]

For some perspective, we were 2-17 shooting from 3 point range against Baylor in the national semifinals.  7-14 today.  Three point shooting not only netted us a lot more points, but as has been pointed out, it also opened up the inside for drives, cuts, and backdoor plays--which we seemed better prepared to take advantage of with more team speed.

On the Amber vs. Toni comparison--I'd prefer to think of them as complementary.  Toni is more versatile and able to play either point or off guard, while Amber seems much more a pure point guard to me.  Amber's assist/turnover ratio was superb last year and late in the year she began to score too.  Toni faded late in the year as her three point shot went into a funk.  We need them both and our other guards to play well.

Today I thought they both looked terrific in the second half.  Tara was clearly very displeased with Amber's defense at one point when she allowed the back door cut, but Amber seemed poised and had 3 assists to 1 turnover.  Last spring against Baylor she had 0 assists and 3 total points, so today was a massive improvement compared with that game.  All the nerves were gone.  8 points and 3 assists against the national champions is not bad progress.

Toni had 15 points, 3 assists, and 3 turnovers today.  Last spring she had 9 points, 2 assists, and 2 turnovers.  She played better too.  Her cuts to the basket were aesthetically beautiful, and they earned her 6 free throws of which she made 5.  This was a very good day for Toni.  I do wonder what her illness was, which Tara said makes her "day to day."  I hope it is gone for good.

Of all the good things that so many players accomplished today, a soft spot in my heart goes to Mikaela Ruef.  4 offensive rebounds and 8 defensive rebounds while supplying some of the double and triple teams on Griner--after a year off.  Wonderful stuff.