I have completed my 2nd viewing of each game, and have a few observations in their regard.
But first, I openly admit that watching tape (live TV & replay) is not the same as watching the games live, and actually sitting in Gill to take in the games first hand...
I've scouted live, and I've scouted via film study - and watching the game live has lots of advantages. But so does tape - - especially the ability to watch a single play over and over to break down exactly what happened. Enough preamble.
Positive observations: 1. This team is more athletic than meets the eye, and certainly more athletic than I previously thought. Hunter, AJ, Schuler and Dom (and, of course, Reagan) are athletic by every basketball standard. Ironically, 3 of these players are Frosh, so that may be good fortune, or it might be by design. In today's recruiting world, it's hard to say.
2. The defense is better than I previously thought. For me it's hard to figure out Rueck's defense (even thoughI have been breaking down defenses for 25 years) because I have trouble seeing how his players fill their court positions. But, however, they do it, they are good at it. At this stage of the season the defense is considerably better than the offence - and it probably will remain that way all season. It is on defense where the athleticism of the above name players shines most noticeably. With the exception of Reagan Beers, who really is the only elite offensive player on the roster.
3. The team meets all the requirements for "team" play, for "team-first" mentality. This is a big deal. It will not win game unto itself, but it greatly increases the chances. I have not noticed a single player whose game interferes with, or takes away from, a teammate's game. That is rare in college basketball.
Not-so-Positve Observations:1. This team is still offensively challenged, with the except of Reagan Beers. If she missed 6 games, for example, I think the Beavs would struggle to average 55 points per game. Schuler is beginning to show offensive flashes - which is good. AJ, in my view, is a serious disappointment on the offensive end of things. Her athleticism, verticality, driving ability, pull up jumper, yield far less point production than makes sense. That AJ doesn't get 2 or 3 offensive boards per game is, to me, a head scratcher.
2. The team still has no real pure shooter, and I do not see one emerging. Blacklock is on the verge, but she doesn't get enough floor time to truly test her prospects as a premiere shooter. Gardiner has moments and flashes, but not enough to quality as an excellent shooter.
3. The team is in need of a power-forward. Rees is good enough, but brings little "power" to the power-forward position.
Ballpark Summary:The Beavs are a solid team that plays excellent defense and average offense. The post game is great with Beers in the picture - otherwise, not good. They lack offensive rebounding considering the athleticism of Beers and AJ....
It's still early in the conference season so it's unknown if this team can win on the road. If it can, I think everyone will need to upgrade their assessment of this year's team. At the moment I'm a "believer" by habit, but not yet from evidence!! Over and out.
GO BEAVS!!