Hilltoppers - Beavs next opponent 12/2

Nice win for the Beavs, Reagan and AJ had great games.

Talia struggling to score is not a great sign as we inch closer to league play because that means our 1 & 2 are not great scoring options. Reagan is going to get 20/10 most nights. Who else is going to score consistently. So far, the answer has been nobody. Hopefully these next couple of weeks, someone or even a couple of girls step up.

AJ was a revelation tonight, putting it all together - her popping those 3s in the first quarter was just fun to watch. Talia? Lots of good play but she still needs to find that shot that we all know she has. And Beers is just an elite player by any measure.

I'm not sure what role Martha will play at this point, but one injury to another guard could change that in a hurry. Love the freshmen guard play, who weren't needed much for their scoring tonight as the veterans delivered. I see Blacklock in a sixth man role - inserted in games when the opponents are soon to be much tougher, to spark a stagnant offense when they hit the scoring wall.

There was a lot of in and out shots for the beavs, especially in the second half.  Talia had several.   

Talia is the calming factor for the beavs.  A couple times things were getting hectic and as soon as Talia came in it all changed.  

I would have liked to see Adlee and Martha some but Rueck has his reasons. 

They had a couple speedy guards.  The way the Oregon girls dealt with it was very different.   On offense, Donovyn slowed it down and played very deliberate.  Once again a 0 turnover game.   On defense she backs off a bit and keeps the player in front of her.   Kennedie just speeds everything up.  I'm definitely not saying she is a good as Gabby.  Gabby played a more controlled defense.  Kennedie gets in the ball handler's face,  almost daring them to try something.   When they do she is right there.  Watching her fight through the screens is amazing.   I'm still re-watching previous games to figure out how she does it. 

Damn, Kelsey is really good.  There's a fire in her,  the second time she hit the ball off a toppers ass out of bounds had some zing to it.   Once again Kelsey led the team in minutes. 

AJ came up big and not just shooting.   She is showing that she wants to be a team leader with Talia.   This is what I wanted to see from her.   And I really like a gritty player. 

I hope Raegan is going to be OK, I want to review the play she got injured in.   As the second half went along the refs were letting a lot more go.   The toppers started getting aggressive.   The Beavs did a good job fighting through it.   

I didn't see the game but the box only shows 8 min. for DP?...She is a really good player and very experienced for a freshman...She can help this team with her speed and quickness especially when we go up against the quicker Pac-12 teams soon. I'd really like for her to get into that top 8/9 group Scott likes to go with come conference time.

Believe: Thanks for the in game reporting!...and also how did TF look for WKU?

Was there any welcoming cheer for Faustino? Glad she is doing well with the Hilltoppers.

This was a very odd game.

WK is in the top 25 in steals and top 40 in fewest turnovers, and OSU tied them with 5 steals.

AJ is now a three point specialist and not so great at med. shots. The exact opposite from last year.

Talia made some uncharacteristic mistakes on defense. I'm worried that her shooting problems are bleeding into the rest of her game. And the team really needs her to keep up her play to be successful. She's the teams best guard defender, passer, and rebounder. They need her even while she works on getting her shot back.

Rees vs Gardiner- Rees just isn't the all around player that Gardiner is. I think SR wants Rees to be the defensive backbone (Mit replacement) for the team and I don't think that's going to work. And if he doesn't give Gardiner more playing time she's going to be gone at the end of the season. SR is treating her like she's just Beers backup and she's too good to take that as her lot on the team.

Hunter is an amazing find at PG but she has limitations. Zaay, Mead in this game, tends to eat Hunter alive with head fakes etc. And OSU just doesn't have that kind of guard for her to practice against.

I just hope Beers is all right.

I've seen a pattern with how Rueck is giving minutes in the pre season.  In the "tougher" match ups, I think we are seeing Rueck's top 9.  I believe in the next game Martha, Adley, and Sela will see more minutes.  I was happy to see Dom getting in the game today.  Dom has athleticism not seen in many 6'1" players.  Dom's defense will improve at OSU, and her upside is sky high.  Adlee not playing was a surprise, but Adlee doesn't fare as well defensively vs smallish quick guards.   It was amazing at one point in the game that the Hilltoppers tallest player was no taller than any of our 5 players on the court.  Donovyn, AJ, Lily, Raegan & Kelsey.   We have a very tall team.  And that really helps a great deal on the perimeter when the opposition's guards cannot pass over the top into the key.   BTW, I saw Lily standing next to Deven Hunter post game, and Lily is as tall as Deven (in heels)?  I think Lily has grown another inch!