[PVTree]

I imagine the games will be at the Alamodome. They divided it into 2 separate basketball venues. If each semi is played on a different court, the pregame routine may not need to be adjusted. 

If the second game is scheduled to start an hour after the first game ends (normal 2 hours for the game), even with a couple of OTs (pushes the game to 2.5 hours), the teams on the other court can do their normal pregame routines and be ready for the start of their game with only 30 minutes in-between games.

Looking at the actual times, first game is scheduled for 3:00pm. Second game is scheduled for 6:30pm. If the first have ends after 2 hours, there's 90 minutes between games. Even if the first goes to double OT, it should not affect the start of the second game as there should still be at least an hour between games.

[PVTree]

I imagine the games will be at the Alamodome. They divided it into 2 separate basketball venues. If each semi is played on a different court, the pregame routine may not need to be adjusted. 

If the second game is scheduled to start an hour after the first game ends (normal 2 hours for the game), even with a couple of OTs (pushes the game to 2.5 hours), the teams on the other court can do their normal pregame routines and be ready for the start of their game with only 30 minutes in-between games.

Looking at the actual times, first game is scheduled for 3:00pm. Second game is scheduled for 6:30pm. If the first have ends after 2 hours, there's 90 minutes between games. Even if the first goes to double OT, it should not affect the start of the second game as there should still be at least an hour between games.

[CompSci87]

Note that the first semifinal game starts at 3PM PDT for Stanford, or would start at 3PM MST for Arizona, one of the two was going to have this problem.

It’s not about the stick but the carrot.  Even though they are playing in San Antonio, ESPN still wants to showcase their home team in prime time.  Some things never change.

I'll bet that on the Boneyard folks are complaining about the 9-11pm Eastern slot for the UConn game being past their bedtime. Swapping the times would have made sense for fans of both teams.

[CompSci87]

Note that the first semifinal game starts at 3PM PDT for Stanford, or would start at 3PM MST for Arizona, one of the two was going to have this problem.

It’s not about the stick but the carrot.  Even though they are playing in San Antonio, ESPN still wants to showcase their home team in prime time.  Some things never change.

I'll bet that on the Boneyard folks are complaining about the 9-11pm Eastern slot for the UConn game being past their bedtime. Swapping the times would have made sense for fans of both teams.

[petersalas]

Normally the idea is to give the higher seed a little more rest time between games if advancing... but doesn’t make sense that Stanford got the later time slots and day later games... 

Note that the first semifinal game starts at 3PM PDT for Stanford, or would start at 3PM MST for Arizona, one of the two was going to have this problem.

It’s not about the stick but the carrot.  Even though they are playing in San Antonio, ESPN still wants to showcase their home team in prime time.  Some things never change.

I'll bet that on the Boneyard folks are complaining about the 9-11pm Eastern slot for the UConn game being past their bedtime. Swapping the times would have made sense for fans of both teams.

[petersalas]

Normally the idea is to give the higher seed a little more rest time between games if advancing... but doesn’t make sense that Stanford got the later time slots and day later games... 

Note that the first semifinal game starts at 3PM PDT for Stanford, or would start at 3PM MST for Arizona, one of the two was going to have this problem.

It’s not about the stick but the carrot.  Even though they are playing in San Antonio, ESPN still wants to showcase their home team in prime time.  Some things never change.

I'll bet that on the Boneyard folks are complaining about the 9-11pm Eastern slot for the UConn game being past their bedtime. Swapping the times would have made sense for fans of both teams.

[Leftcoast]

Line 'em up and let Tara's women knock 'em down.

We can let the game's loser complain about start-time/refs/disrupted sleep schedules while we prep for the championship game.

[Leftcoast]

Line 'em up and let Tara's women knock 'em down.

We can let the game's loser complain about start-time/refs/disrupted sleep schedules while we prep for the championship game.

[JTM]

I sure hope Cameron isn’t hobbled and can play effectively.  Injuries are such a wild card and curse of the woman’s game.

[JTM]

I sure hope Cameron isn’t hobbled and can play effectively.  Injuries are such a wild card and curse of the woman’s game.

[crackpot]

Oh, dear. The officials for the Final Four and National Championship per https://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2021/04...mpionship/

• Melissa Barlow, Las Vegas
  
• Eric Brewton, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
  
• Gina Cross, Clearwater, Fla.
  
• Cheryl Flores, Los Angeles
  
• Maj Forsberg, Honolulu
  
• Chuck Gonzalez, Huntington Beach, Calif.
  
• Felicia Grinter, Antioch, Tenn.
  
• Dee Kantner, Charlotte, N.C.
  
• Brenda Pantoja, Las Vegas
  
• Pualani Spurlock-Welsh, Decatur, Ga.
  
• Joe Vaszily, Westfield, N.J.
  

I've already spent much of the tournament cursing several of these...

[crackpot]

Oh, dear. The officials for the Final Four and National Championship per https://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2021/04...mpionship/

• Melissa Barlow, Las Vegas
  
• Eric Brewton, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
  
• Gina Cross, Clearwater, Fla.
  
• Cheryl Flores, Los Angeles
  
• Maj Forsberg, Honolulu
  
• Chuck Gonzalez, Huntington Beach, Calif.
  
• Felicia Grinter, Antioch, Tenn.
  
• Dee Kantner, Charlotte, N.C.
  
• Brenda Pantoja, Las Vegas
  
• Pualani Spurlock-Welsh, Decatur, Ga.
  
• Joe Vaszily, Westfield, N.J.
  

I've already spent much of the tournament cursing several of these...

[BobK]

You all may have Missed that Missy was the 4th official at our Louisville game. The official at the scorers table.

[BobK]

You all may have Missed that Missy was the 4th official at our Louisville game. The official at the scorers table.

[crackpot]

You all may have Missed that Missy was the 4th official at our Louisville game.  The official at the scorers table.

Funny you say that -- during the game I said out loud, "I don't see Missy, but it smells like she's here!" and was horrified/relieved to later see her at the scorer's table.

[crackpot]

You all may have Missed that Missy was the 4th official at our Louisville game.  The official at the scorers table.

Funny you say that -- during the game I said out loud, "I don't see Missy, but it smells like she's here!" and was horrified/relieved to later see her at the scorer's table.

[Spiny_Norman]

Back to South Carolina, I missed that in the Texas game they blocked 14(!!!) shots. Amihere had 9 blocks herself along with 10 points and 8 rebounds (as well as 4 fouls) in only 17 minutes. It will be interesting to see what Stanford does when she is in the game. Maybe bring in Prechtel to see if that draws Amihere away from the basket.

[Spiny_Norman]

Back to South Carolina, I missed that in the Texas game they blocked 14(!!!) shots. Amihere had 9 blocks herself along with 10 points and 8 rebounds (as well as 4 fouls) in only 17 minutes. It will be interesting to see what Stanford does when she is in the game. Maybe bring in Prechtel to see if that draws Amihere away from the basket.

[mbdude]

I sure hope Cameron isn’t hobbled and can play effectively.  Injuries are such a wild card and curse of the woman’s game.

Watching the replay of Louisville game - 4th qtr approx 4:35 mark Tara sends Cameron to scorers table, who literally hobbles over. Ashten hits a 3, Tara talks to Kate - next available view of sideline shows Lacie at scorer's table and Cameron on stationary bike. Am suprised that Tara considered putting Cameron in that point

random stats : Lexie Hull has more steals (49) than turnovers  (47) in 773 minutes
Cameron Brink has 2 more blocks than Boston but has played 360 fewer minutes

[mbdude]

I sure hope Cameron isn’t hobbled and can play effectively.  Injuries are such a wild card and curse of the woman’s game.

Watching the replay of Louisville game - 4th qtr approx 4:35 mark Tara sends Cameron to scorers table, who literally hobbles over. Ashten hits a 3, Tara talks to Kate - next available view of sideline shows Lacie at scorer's table and Cameron on stationary bike. Am suprised that Tara considered putting Cameron in that point

random stats : Lexie Hull has more steals (49) than turnovers  (47) in 773 minutes
Cameron Brink has 2 more blocks than Boston but has played 360 fewer minutes

[magnus]

I sure hope Cameron isn’t hobbled and can play effectively.  Injuries are such a wild card and curse of the woman’s game.

Watching the replay of Louisville game - 4th qtr approx 4:35 mark Tara sends Cameron to scorers table, who literally hobbles over. Ashten hits a 3, Tara talks to Kate - next available view of sideline shows Lacie at scorer's table and Cameron on stationary bike. Am suprised that Tara considered putting Cameron in that point

After her injury midway or 2/3 through the 1st quarter she didn't have the same spring in her step.  She wasn't able to run down the court like we're used to seeing and she didn't have as many jump block attempts (though maybe that saved her from picking up fouls...just staying on her feet and upright).  Probably didn't help that she had a sub at the table from like 3-4 minutes remaining in the 1st but there was no chance to get her out until under 2 minutes (if i recall correctly, there was an earlier stoppage of play, but she went to the line...and missed)

[magnus]

I sure hope Cameron isn’t hobbled and can play effectively.  Injuries are such a wild card and curse of the woman’s game.

Watching the replay of Louisville game - 4th qtr approx 4:35 mark Tara sends Cameron to scorers table, who literally hobbles over. Ashten hits a 3, Tara talks to Kate - next available view of sideline shows Lacie at scorer's table and Cameron on stationary bike. Am suprised that Tara considered putting Cameron in that point

After her injury midway or 2/3 through the 1st quarter she didn't have the same spring in her step.  She wasn't able to run down the court like we're used to seeing and she didn't have as many jump block attempts (though maybe that saved her from picking up fouls...just staying on her feet and upright).  Probably didn't help that she had a sub at the table from like 3-4 minutes remaining in the 1st but there was no chance to get her out until under 2 minutes (if i recall correctly, there was an earlier stoppage of play, but she went to the line...and missed)

[qwerty49]

I sure hope Cameron isn’t hobbled and can play effectively.  Injuries are such a wild card and curse of the woman’s game.

Watching the replay of Louisville game - 4th qtr approx 4:35 mark Tara sends Cameron to scorers table, who literally hobbles over. Ashten hits a 3, Tara talks to Kate - next available view of sideline shows Lacie at scorer's table and Cameron on stationary bike. Am suprised that Tara considered putting Cameron in that point

After her injury midway or 2/3 through the 1st quarter she didn't have the same spring in her step.  She wasn't able to run down the court like we're used to seeing and she didn't have as many jump block attempts (though maybe that saved her from picking up fouls...just staying on her feet and upright).  Probably didn't help that she had a sub at the table from like 3-4 minutes remaining in the 1st but there was no chance to get her out until under 2 minutes (if i recall correctly, there was an earlier stoppage of play, but she went to the line...and missed)

I am a perpetual worrywart and this doesn't help my outlook, doggone it.  Sending healing vibes to Cameron!  We need Belibi and Prechtel to step up, again.  Well, we will need their contributions regardless.  Boston and Amihere together will be tough.  I expect to see a lot of help D from our guards.

(My favorite play from the Mizzou State game was when their massive #50, who couldn't jump to save her life, finally got a rebound and Anna stripped the ball from her as she was bringing it down.)

[qwerty49]

I sure hope Cameron isn’t hobbled and can play effectively.  Injuries are such a wild card and curse of the woman’s game.

Watching the replay of Louisville game - 4th qtr approx 4:35 mark Tara sends Cameron to scorers table, who literally hobbles over. Ashten hits a 3, Tara talks to Kate - next available view of sideline shows Lacie at scorer's table and Cameron on stationary bike. Am suprised that Tara considered putting Cameron in that point

After her injury midway or 2/3 through the 1st quarter she didn't have the same spring in her step.  She wasn't able to run down the court like we're used to seeing and she didn't have as many jump block attempts (though maybe that saved her from picking up fouls...just staying on her feet and upright).  Probably didn't help that she had a sub at the table from like 3-4 minutes remaining in the 1st but there was no chance to get her out until under 2 minutes (if i recall correctly, there was an earlier stoppage of play, but she went to the line...and missed)

I am a perpetual worrywart and this doesn't help my outlook, doggone it.  Sending healing vibes to Cameron!  We need Belibi and Prechtel to step up, again.  Well, we will need their contributions regardless.  Boston and Amihere together will be tough.  I expect to see a lot of help D from our guards.

(My favorite play from the Mizzou State game was when their massive #50, who couldn't jump to save her life, finally got a rebound and Anna stripped the ball from her as she was bringing it down.)

[SControl]

Unsure if this has already been posted but I came across this pregame press conference of Dawn Staley where she touches on her experiences with Tara. She seems like someone hard not to root for (when no playing Stanford). 

https://youtu.be/480JlNuqqfk

[SControl]

Unsure if this has already been posted but I came across this pregame press conference of Dawn Staley where she touches on her experiences with Tara. She seems like someone hard not to root for (when no playing Stanford). 

https://youtu.be/480JlNuqqfk

[81alum]

Dawn says that "disruption" will be key to the game.  Stanford has too many players and too many offensive options to try to take away any one, instead Dawn says the defense has to disrupt the overall concept behind Stanford's offense.  I think she is right and I think Louisville showed how to do it in the first half.

Interesting that she also noted that Tara advised her not to take the Temple coaching job 21 years ago.  It gave her a "chip on her shoulder."  She said Tara was probably concerned because Dawn was still playing professionally at the time.  She nevertheless lauds Tara and says that she "would give my last for her."

"I do believe we have to play fast."  "We have to hold serve with threes."  "If they shoot their average of threes and are as efficient as usual with twos it will be a long night for us."

[81alum]

Dawn says that "disruption" will be key to the game.  Stanford has too many players and too many offensive options to try to take away any one, instead Dawn says the defense has to disrupt the overall concept behind Stanford's offense.  I think she is right and I think Louisville showed how to do it in the first half.

Interesting that she also noted that Tara advised her not to take the Temple coaching job 21 years ago.  It gave her a "chip on her shoulder."  She said Tara was probably concerned because Dawn was still playing professionally at the time.  She nevertheless lauds Tara and says that she "would give my last for her."

"I do believe we have to play fast."  "We have to hold serve with threes."  "If they shoot their average of threes and are as efficient as usual with twos it will be a long night for us."

[martyup]

In the four games they played in this NCAA tourney, the Cardinal have defeated their opponents by an average margin of 24 points. South Carolina has an average margin of 20 points, but the Texas dumpster fire brought that number up from 18.

[martyup]

In the four games they played in this NCAA tourney, the Cardinal have defeated their opponents by an average margin of 24 points. South Carolina has an average margin of 20 points, but the Texas dumpster fire brought that number up from 18.

[fullmetal]

It's funny that Coach Staley mentions disruption...my uninformed opinion is that Stanford played fewer set piece offensive plays in the 2H vs. Louisville and relied more on a looser, opportunistic offense (need to check the second-chance points by game halves...).  An offense that favors a bit of chaos is harder to disrupt.  Does South Carolina have that same defensive speed Louisville had?  If so, Stanford will need to be prepared in the 1Q, not the 3Q.

[fullmetal]

It's funny that Coach Staley mentions disruption...my uninformed opinion is that Stanford played fewer set piece offensive plays in the 2H vs. Louisville and relied more on a looser, opportunistic offense (need to check the second-chance points by game halves...).  An offense that favors a bit of chaos is harder to disrupt.  Does South Carolina have that same defensive speed Louisville had?  If so, Stanford will need to be prepared in the 1Q, not the 3Q.

[BostonCard]

Fivethirtyeight has its preview...

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/wha...538twitter

The early matchup Friday night features former pupil Staley, now back to her third Final Four in six tournaments, against VanDerveer, who faced her in the 2017 Final Four, a game won by South Carolina. That game was played at a methodical, Stanford-like pace, 65.5 possessions per 40 minutes. If Staley has her way, the 2021 matchup — featuring a very different pair of teams — will go a very different way.

“I do believe we have to play fast,” Staley said on Thursday during a media Zoom call. “We have to generate more possessions in this particular game because Stanford is very patient, offensively. They will give up a good shot, probably a few times in a possession, to get the best shot.”

More in the link.

BC

[BostonCard]

Fivethirtyeight has its preview...

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/wha...538twitter

The early matchup Friday night features former pupil Staley, now back to her third Final Four in six tournaments, against VanDerveer, who faced her in the 2017 Final Four, a game won by South Carolina. That game was played at a methodical, Stanford-like pace, 65.5 possessions per 40 minutes. If Staley has her way, the 2021 matchup — featuring a very different pair of teams — will go a very different way.

“I do believe we have to play fast,” Staley said on Thursday during a media Zoom call. “We have to generate more possessions in this particular game because Stanford is very patient, offensively. They will give up a good shot, probably a few times in a possession, to get the best shot.”

More in the link.

BC

[triangle2]

Fivethirtyeight has its preview...

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/wha...538twitter

The early matchup Friday night features former pupil Staley, now back to her third Final Four in six tournaments, against VanDerveer, who faced her in the 2017 Final Four, a game won by South Carolina. That game was played at a methodical, Stanford-like pace, 65.5 possessions per 40 minutes. If Staley has her way, the 2021 matchup — featuring a very different pair of teams — will go a very different way.

“I do believe we have to play fast,” Staley said on Thursday during a media Zoom call. “We have to generate more possessions in this particular game because Stanford is very patient, offensively. They will give up a good shot, probably a few times in a possession, to get the best shot.”

More in the link.

BC

Rebounding, rebounding, rebounding. Here’s hoping for a spectacular double-double from Jones.

[triangle2]

Fivethirtyeight has its preview...

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/wha...538twitter

The early matchup Friday night features former pupil Staley, now back to her third Final Four in six tournaments, against VanDerveer, who faced her in the 2017 Final Four, a game won by South Carolina. That game was played at a methodical, Stanford-like pace, 65.5 possessions per 40 minutes. If Staley has her way, the 2021 matchup — featuring a very different pair of teams — will go a very different way.

“I do believe we have to play fast,” Staley said on Thursday during a media Zoom call. “We have to generate more possessions in this particular game because Stanford is very patient, offensively. They will give up a good shot, probably a few times in a possession, to get the best shot.”

More in the link.

BC

Rebounding, rebounding, rebounding. Here’s hoping for a spectacular double-double from Jones.

[magnus]

Is it gametime yet?

It is very hard to do any work right now.

[magnus]

Is it gametime yet?

It is very hard to do any work right now.

[TheRicker]

Tick.....Tick.....Tick.......

[TheRicker]

Tick.....Tick.....Tick.......