The trouble with Jones

SR went with option #2. He brought Jones out from the basket and opened up the inside for driving.

It's not so much about quick feet. Most teams do not have posts with very quick feet yet they do not have that problem. The jproblem is understanding spacing and knowing when to ajust position. They were killing Jones on picks at the top of the key. Their center, until she fouled. was setting high picks at the top of the key and Jones stayed under the basket. The player who's assignment was getting picked drove to just under the free throw line for an open basket. The hit that shot five times and that is why Scott pulled out Jones for most of the second overtime. WS was repeating that play successfully. He put Jones back in the last quarter because he wanted to run that two man game using Jones and Goodman. They used that same play but with different player to set the pick and farther in to score the a key basket at the end of the second overtime. 

Jones has got to come out and challenge those meduim range shots in the key. She does not and basically waits for players to come to her. I thought I would post this before the Washington game to see if they get Jones to make that adjustment. If not teams will attack them there all game. Now neither center was following the opposing center out because they were not a threat to score from their, but when a pick is set you have to at move out a step out farther to guard for that jumper inside the free throw line. She doesn't even have to really challenge the shot, just be in a position that the shooter thinks you might. As it is they are just shooting a slightly closer free throw. They hit at least five, perhaps six shots on that play. 

From my observations, it appears that Mitrovic is a far better defensive player. Basically because she understands spacing and utilizes it when anticipating offensive players movement. They just need to get her involved in the offense more. She will not block as many shots as Jones, but that is because they are scared of her size and do not challenge her as much. I don't believe  there is any reason that Jones can not adjust her play defensively to take advantage of the mobility she shows on offense sometimes.  Perhaps she takes staying near the basket too literally on defense. It is just a matter of learning spacing. Ironically this was Morris's problem on defense as well. I attribute this to a lack of their past coaches preparing them to play at the next level because they did not have to develop those skills against the competiion they were playing against.  

Watching Jelena in this last game I noticed all the little things she did that do not show up in the score board. She not only anticipates what the other teams offense wants to do, she does the same with her teammates and often adjusts her own positions to help them do that. This is something that many players don't get until later on. Very high BBIQ. 

Mitrovic needs to learn to pivot and shoot without first dribbling the ball when in good position near the basket.  Frustrating to see her attempt to dribble in a crowd.

The need to dribble usually stems from not feeling balanced.  That is something that hopefully will improve once she get's stronger and more used to the speed of the college game.  She really only practiced for 2 weeks last year, so physical development wise she really is a true freshman.