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Post by skyrider on Jan 16, 2017 16:59:41 GMT -8
I have been reading the threads for a couple of years now. I enjoy the enthusiasm and intense interest in the OSU women's team.
I anticipated that after last year's tremendous accomplishment, the team would be good but not nearly as good as last year.
Now I am not so sure that they not be able to become a team that in it's own way, is as talented as the final four squad. Does that mean they will win as many games, the conference title, and go far in the tournament? Probably not, since that requires a great deal of luck in addition to skill (unless you are UConn of course).
However the inside strength they are showing (Gulich, Brown, Orem) along with the always solid defense and returning veterans (Gabby and Sydney) and promising newcomers lead me to believe they could be an excellent team.
The ingredient that could make this happen I believe is Katie McWilliams. She is a very talented tall(6' 2") athletic player who currently seems to be struggling with her shot. I know Scott has her filling the role of substitute point guard, and while I am sure his judgment is accurate, I hope she will progress to the point where she is playing 3 different positions (some point guard, some shooting guard, and hopefully a lot of small forward). Clearly it is up to her to improve her shooting and scoring to make that happen.
A final observation-the new freshman point guard is so fundamentally sound and poised that it is easy to overlook just how good she is. Not flashy, very team oriented, lots of physical ability and strength. |
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2ndGenBeaver
Sophomore
Posts: 1,837 
Grad Year: 1991 (MS/CS) 1999 (PhD/CS)
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Post by 2ndGenBeaver on Jan 16, 2017 18:37:39 GMT -8
Great observations, skyrider, and welcome to (posting) to the board.....
I anticipated a much greater drop-off with this team over last year's, but I think the emergence of Orum, Brown, Pivec and Tudor has really made it so this team is right back to where we were at......I thought I heard coach SR observe that this team is ahead of last years on rebounds and blocks, so "Ruth by committee" must be working (and Deven/Jamie by committee).
We have trouble with lightning-quick guards, so we could go far in the tourney if we don't come upon a team with some of those in the early rounds. Our bigs seem to be able to hold their own against what we have seen so far, will be interesting to see how we fare against ASU......Would be good to host the opening rounds in Corvallis again. Lot of good teams in the Pac-12, lots of season left. I think the champion this year could have 3 or 4 losses. Have to stay away from the injury bug.
I actually think that we are also under-utilizing Kalmer - she has shown she can be instant offense, we should cultivate that trait. She also has good ball handling and reasonable D.........getting Kalmer and McWilliams firmly entrenched in the rotation could really pay dividends, especially since Pac-12 teams seem to be keying on Sydney and sending 2 players out on her at the top of the key. Looks like Coach Rueck thinks so as well from what he did at USC.
Excited for this year to play out, and for what it portends for next year's team as well!
Go Beavs!
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Post by skyrider on Jan 17, 2017 5:44:47 GMT -8
Excellent observation about Kalmer. She appears to have a huge upside in terms of offensive potential. Outstanding shooter and also seems to be able to get her own shot which is an invaluable quality to have.
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Snafu
Freshman
Posts: 155
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Post by Snafu on Jan 17, 2017 7:57:54 GMT -8
It's all about depth, like every sport. I believe this team has the overall talent to develop excellent depth. That is the element that sets apart good from great teams.
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lefty
Freshman
Posts: 441
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Post by lefty on Jan 17, 2017 8:48:30 GMT -8
I am surprised that they are doing as good as they are with the league stronger than last year. They are improving rapidly, but replacing Jamie, Ruth, and Devon from last year is a challenge of immense proportions. Kalmer reminds me of Jamie and needs to be in the rotation. McWilliams it's just of matter of confidence. She has the protential to be one of the best players in the league. I enjoy watching this team. Scott is one of the best coaches in the country.
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Post by Werebeaver on Jan 17, 2017 8:49:31 GMT -8
Excellent observation about Kalmer. She appears to have a huge upside in terms of offensive potential. Outstanding shooter and also seems to be able to get her own shot which is an invaluable quality to have. Kalmer to Orum to put OSU up 10 at end of 3Q. Check out Syd's reaction on the bench. That's the enthusiasm of a coaches' daughter / gym rat / lover of the game who just saw a perfectly executed play by her teammates. I'm relishing every game this season because I'm going to miss her when she graduates. |
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Post by beavs6 on Jan 17, 2017 9:01:28 GMT -8
There is a HUGE common thread for the kids SR brings in...and it is NOT talent alone. He must really do his homework on things like work ethic, character, coachability, attitude etc. I do not know all these girls personally, but have met a few. Some of the players we have "lost" to other programs as well. The young ladies becoming grown women that SR is bringing into the program really are of the highest quality...as people.
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Post by Tigardbeav on Jan 17, 2017 9:42:03 GMT -8
One thing i enjoy watching is the defense that the women bring. They are in good defensive position, hands up and move their feet. Then they box out well. Good coaching all around
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Post by beavdowg on Jan 17, 2017 11:51:50 GMT -8
Something's kept Kalmer on the bench though. I don't think I remember seeing her at all in games vs. Stanford or UCLA. I could be wrong, but if any they weren't significant minutes. I wonder why he won't let her play more?
Go Beavs!!
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Post by beavsteve on Jan 17, 2017 13:24:40 GMT -8
Something's kept Kalmer on the bench though. I don't think I remember seeing her at all in games vs. Stanford or UCLA. I could be wrong, but if any they weren't significant minutes. I wonder why he won't let her play more? Go Beavs!! I've been wondering about this for some time now. I wish Gina Mizell of the Oregonian would investigate this, though there is probably a reluctance talk publicly about players weaknesses. I know SR has recognized her abilities in post game interviews this year. While her hand injury may have slowed her emergence this year, other possibilities are: 1) her defense (always a top consideration for SR). Tougher for shorter guards. In the last game USC took advantage of mismatches on her. 2) TO's in some of her appearances. I've noted some very bad passes, though she has made some great ones too! 3) ability to work within the offense (maybe too inclined towards getting her own shot?) She is clearly getting better at everything and can be a huge contributor offensively. She is very self-driven and competitive and I can imagine how tough it must be for her to not be out there. I think we will see a lot more of her the rest of the way this season and she will be a key player next year. |
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2ndGenBeaver
Sophomore
Posts: 1,837
Grad Year: 1991 (MS/CS) 1999 (PhD/CS)
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Post by 2ndGenBeaver on Jan 17, 2017 15:50:58 GMT -8
There is a HUGE common thread for the kids SR brings in...and it is NOT talent alone. He must really do his homework on things like work ethic, character, coachability, attitude etc. I do not know all these girls personally, but have met a few. Some of the players we have "lost" to other programs as well. The young ladies becoming grown women that SR is bringing into the program really are of the highest quality...as people. Thanks for bringing this up: as a Beaver sports fanatic I get wrapped up in the W-L records and Top-25 ranking and March madness.......but at the end of the day as a 2nd generation OSU alum I want to feel good about the academic component and the people growth/development as well - and it warms my heart that we seem to have a team full of quality, successful student athletes who model great citizenship and are wonderful examples in the community. And if we have to be a rung lower in the Pac-12 standings, but get there without producing menaces to society, so be it. That said, Coach SR has shown us that he can do it the "right way" - he is doing good and doing well. And that is the hallmark of a great coach and of great recruiting! What is really cool is he did this from day one, from the open auditions era. And I suspect those potential "menaces to society" have tell tale signs that a perceptive vetting process can uncover.....and if you are confident in your coaching and talent level, you don't need to gamble on "wild cards" to put you over the top (a lofty position I hope some of our men's sports might reach in time), and those type of players are likely not attracted to our program as well. Go Beavs! |
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2ndGenBeaver
Sophomore
Posts: 1,837
Grad Year: 1991 (MS/CS) 1999 (PhD/CS)
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Post by 2ndGenBeaver on Jan 17, 2017 15:59:07 GMT -8
Something's kept Kalmer on the bench though. I don't think I remember seeing her at all in games vs. Stanford or UCLA. I could be wrong, but if any they weren't significant minutes. I wonder why he won't let her play more? Go Beavs!! I've been wondering about this for some time now. I wish Gina Mizell of the Oregonian would investigate this, though there is probably a reluctance talk publicly about players weaknesses. I know SR has recognized her abilities in post game interviews this year. While her hand injury may have slowed her emergence this year, other possibilities are: 1) her defense (always a top consideration for SR). Tougher for shorter guards. In the last game USC took advantage of mismatches on her. 2) TO's in some of her appearances. I've noted some very bad passes, though she has made some great ones too! 3) ability to work within the offense (maybe too inclined towards getting her own shot?) She is clearly getting better at everything and can be a huge contributor offensively. She is very self-driven and competitive and I can imagine how tough it must be for her to not be out there. I think we will see a lot more of her the rest of the way this season and she will be a key player next year. I too would love to hear more about what is going on there, but SR isn't big on talking about injuries (and I don't know what the rules and regulations say on the topic). For example - is Janessa Thropay looking at redshirting, or will she be back soon? Back to Kalmer - your list of possibilities is a good one - I suspect the injured hand plus some combination of these other things. She seemed very focused on proving she could score *and* dish in the time she was out there against USC (and did so quite effectively). And in earlier games where she was DNP she looked pretty bummed out to not be mixing it up. I utterly agree with your observation - I think she has a very high ceiling on this team, and when she is averaging 15 points and 5 dimes next year everyone will be wondering where she came from :-). Go Beavs! |
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