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Post by skyrider on Dec 6, 2017 10:39:13 GMT -8
I am having difficulty evaluating how well this team will do this year. They are doing quite well so far even though they seem to lack talent at the strong forward position.
Am I correct about that or am I missing something? Also do they have a player who will be able to shut down the opposing teams big scorer? Clearly Pivec probably can often do it, but to ask her to do everything seems to be a bit much.
As always, I am very impressed by the excellent Coaching by Scott Rueck and the effort put out by team.
Go Beavers! |
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Post by bennyskid on Dec 6, 2017 12:02:13 GMT -8
Objectively, they are doing roughly as well as they were doing last year at this point. Last year we didn't have a marquis early game, and we lost to Marquette by one at home late in the pre-season. This year we have lost two games against teams that are much, much better than Marquette. Our victories have been at least as impressive as our early-season wins last year. We're ranked in the upper teens right now, which is a bit better than last year during the pre-season. This team is certainly very comparable to last year's team.
And it is a COMPLETELY different team. The #4 spot was a strength last year; it's the weakest spot this year. We do not have a Gabby this year, period. We have some good defenders, but no one has shown the ability to shut opponents down.
So why are we still this good? I think it comes down to two things. First, this team is more aggressive and they spread the ball around better. The offense is coming from more places. Almost every game, we have at least four players in double-figures. With Syd gone, it's like the training wheels are off for our guards and they are whizzing around like never before.
And second, Marie is just plain better this year.
We'll see if this all holds up once conference play starts. I'm really looking forward to seeing how our guards match up with Ionescu/Bando/Sabally and Marie against Hebard. That's when we'll know just how good this team really is.
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matt
Freshman
Posts: 7 
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Post by matt on Dec 6, 2017 13:05:14 GMT -8
One athlete that has not had much playing time, so far...,but shines when she does is Aleah. She is a great ball handler, great passer, can drive the lane or hit the three - very consistently. Also, just focusing on her defense - she
anticipates passing lanes and other steal opportunities.
I have not watched the ducks this year, but I believe they are better than last year because of the maturation of Ionescu and the emergence of Sabaly (sp).
I do not think that Hebbard is anywhere near Marie in terms of an inside presence. So, the ducks may be better, but so is almost everyone else in the PAC, and I don't see them going as far in the tournament as they did last year. I also see our best year coming up next year, after we add the latest recruits. Rueck may surprise again this year,
but, I think our PAC-12 streak will have a one year hiatus.
I am just happy that we are a destination for so many of these great players and that we have such a great staff.
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Post by Werebeaver on Dec 6, 2017 13:15:53 GMT -8
One athlete that has not had much playing time, so far...,but shines when she does is Aleah. She is a great ball handler, great passer, can drive the lane or hit the three - very consistently. Also, just focusing on her defense - she anticipates passing lanes and other steal opportunities. I have not watched the ducks this year, but I believe they are better than last year because of the maturation of Ionescu and the emergence of Sabaly (sp). I do not think that Hebbard is anywhere near Marie in terms of an inside presence. So, the ducks may be better, but so is almost everyone else in the PAC, and I don't see them going as far in the tournament as they did last year. I also see our best year coming up next year, after we add the latest recruits. Rueck may surprise again this year, but, I think our PAC-12 streak will have a one year hiatus. I am just happy that we are a destination for so many of these great players and that we have such a great staff. I’m not worried about üø. We always beat üø. |
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2ndGenBeaver
Sophomore
Posts: 1,820
Grad Year: 1991 (MS/CS) 1999 (PhD/CS)
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Post by 2ndGenBeaver on Dec 6, 2017 19:18:37 GMT -8
I am intrigued by this year's team....and how SR is bringing them along. It is fun to have a bunch of "unknown" commodities get lots of minutes and grow before our eyes...... I think Marie is improved, and Mik is also on an amazing trajectory. I believe the 4-spot will be by committee with Maddie and Taya getting the bulk of those minutes (Janessa is essentially going through her freshman season). It may take Taya the whole season to get settled, but she is going to present some good mismatches in the future. Kat has really stepped up her game, and both her and Kalmer are much improved on both O and D. Grymek still needs to speed up her game and work on footwork, at this point I think she will be more of the sub for Marie than a twin tower. She is growing every game - what is her ceiling without another summer of footwork and sped up opposition in practice and play? Katie showed signs of aggressiveness in Hawaii, she needs to continue down that path. I still haven't seen that 29 point Katie from the Lamar game last year yet..... And I think Goodman is the wildcard - how far can she go this season? I was impressed in the second Hawaii game - she dribbled into the defender and got picked, and from that point on she started using crossovers, hand switches, picks and behind-the-back moves to keep the ball away from a defender with superior quicks. It only took one such instance for her to adapt. She already has a pretty good grasp of the offense, and there is a budding leader lurking there...... This season rests on the development of the new adds (Goodman, Grymek, Corosdale) and us discovering very high ceilings for up until now lightly used guards (Kalmer), or guards who did not have to step up and be a go-to player in the crunch (KTMac). Syd had some weaknesses but had firm hold of the leadership and "go to" mantle, this year's team is still working out those dynamics. We will be better for the fact that (as noted by bennyskid ) Syd's role is being spread around this year. IF at least one new add and some returning guards/forwards continue on their upward trajectory and don't plateau anytime soon, we will likely be one of the top 4 or 5 teams in the Pac-12. I think there are several teams this year that will present UND or Duke like challenges for us, however, and we will be hard pressed to challenge for the title. I also (sadly) would not be surprised if this is the year the 'ucks were able to split with us, a harbinger of battles to come. What is intriguing is the fact that with the potential of this edition of the Beavers, I could just as easily be eating my words as we headed for a 14-4 sort of dominant conference season (which I suspect this year will be enough to be the top team). While that will take a ton of development, we have the team and coaching to pull it off. And given what I have seen from the potential of this team plus the recruiting class next year, the ingredients are there to become a Final Four fixture over the next 3-4 seasons. And every great journey begins with a first step, and that step is this season...... Hope that helps, Go Beavers! |
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Post by skyrider on Dec 7, 2017 2:11:08 GMT -8
Thank you very much for the insightful and informative information!
On a technical note, how do I include a previous comment in my reply? In other words, how can I go back several responses and select one to include in my reply?
Thank you!
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