Post by skyrider on Feb 16, 2023 17:37:30 GMT -8
hoopherritic,
Outstanding observations and insights! I would appreciate your view on how this team will fare next year assuming that all current players that can return do so and the two new freshmen arrive.
Thank you!
Standard 5: Beers, Gardner, TVO, AJ, Martha
Small ball 5: Gardner, TVO, AJ, Martha, Lex
Jumbo package: Jelena, Beers, Gardner, TVO, AJ
That core three can defend everywhere and switch everything which is incredibly important in the Pac12.
I think Timea will be our leading scorer and and Raegan up next. Talia and AJ will be about the same on a team that does that it will just vary by game. I think that will be the hard pill to swallow; a team where TVO is the leading scorer I don't think can make a deep run. Sunday was the first time she missed a game and that team was engaged in a way I haven't seen yet. Maybe first half against AZ. It's not strictly about basketball as it appears to me she doesn't have the leadership gene.
If Timea gets defense figured out and if AJ can be consistent plus bring that 3 up above 33% that alone levels up this team. Even if AJ isn't scoring I see here as our own Draymond Green; elite utility player who can switch everything.
Martha is going to be a great PG, she just needed an entire year to turn her body in that of a P5 player. I think she will be the biggest surprise next season.
Things I'm worried about: Lex, her knee isn't right you can see it when she runs down the court. Her experience has helped her mitigate the effect of it but hopefully she can rest and recover this off season. Adlee will need to find speed that I haven't seen from her and Lily will need to put on ~15 lbs. At her length she needs to be an option at the 4 when we need it.
Tactically if I were to change one thing it would be to change our fast break strategy. I die inside a little every time I see a competent ball handler get a D board and then a smaller player turns around to get the ball from them while the other team uses that 2 seconds to get back on D. On this team right now if Jelena or Raegan grab a D board, sure look for the outlet. If anyone else grabs the D board EVERYONE should hit the lanes and we should even think about setting up in the half court until we get to the nail and we've been stopped with no option but to setup. Last year Rueck intentionally slowed the game down to accommodate Talia, it's time to give up on that.
hoopheritic
If I were SR I would put you on the payroll right now! Great input from you-clearly explained and organized.
It appears to me that SR "demands" that before anything else can happen after the team gets a defensive rebound, the player who has the rebound must wait for SR to set up in the "Grand Puba" position near the mid court line and give the "royal command" for whatever he insists must be carried out next.
Obviously I am exaggerating some, but good basketball requires flexibility and often instant adjustment. I think that is severely limited with the Beavs because of SR's coaching style.
Go Beavs!
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