01-06-2014, 11:58 PM
Very good report from 81alum. I'd call out special kudos to (1) Lili for another very impressive game, showing she is probably a ready-for-prime-time frosh; (2) Chiney who showed some nice versatility with her 10-15 foot jumpers (WNBA scouts undoubtedly noticed) together with her continued sublime rebounding skills against a tall OSU front line; and (3) Mikela who came back from a really poor & awkward first half against the Ducks to (as 81alum put it) play solid throughout the OSU game -- we will need her to play big in March.
The positive comments about the OSU team were definitely merited. Had Cardinal not come out hitting everything they threw up, this could have been a very different game. OSU is well coached, play hard and have some players with some real skills. The Cardinal are fortunate that the schedule does not require them to go up to Oregon for a Duck/Beaver road trip this year -- either of those teams would be a threat playing at home. And look out for them next year ...
If one was to look for a cloud amidst the silver lining, the Cardinal continues to look thin on the front line. The Cardinal will need McCall and/or Kailee to step up in the next couple months or it will be very vulnerable inside ... especially in situations where Chiney has foul trouble or is just getting a blow. That said, 81alum may be on to something in suggesting that Tara is finding ways to capitalize on this team's quickness in the absence of the "inside pounders" we've had the last seven or eight years.
The positive comments about the OSU team were definitely merited. Had Cardinal not come out hitting everything they threw up, this could have been a very different game. OSU is well coached, play hard and have some players with some real skills. The Cardinal are fortunate that the schedule does not require them to go up to Oregon for a Duck/Beaver road trip this year -- either of those teams would be a threat playing at home. And look out for them next year ...
If one was to look for a cloud amidst the silver lining, the Cardinal continues to look thin on the front line. The Cardinal will need McCall and/or Kailee to step up in the next couple months or it will be very vulnerable inside ... especially in situations where Chiney has foul trouble or is just getting a blow. That said, 81alum may be on to something in suggesting that Tara is finding ways to capitalize on this team's quickness in the absence of the "inside pounders" we've had the last seven or eight years.