Post by 411500 on Feb 15, 2018 10:49:41 GMT -8
Coach R. and staff face their toughest challenge of the year Friday when they take on UCLA at Gill.
Why the toughest?
Because it's that time of year. The time when you show what you are and what you got.
The Beavs are now pretty much what they are. There won't be any great tactical changes, no great "chemistry" improvements, no single player will suddenly get stronger or faster, the team is not changing what it does or how it does it. It's February - what we've been waiting for since November.
What makes this game tough is that UCLA represents the new wave of WBB grounded in speed and athleticism - a wave that is slowly but surely taking over the entire WBB landscape. The Bruins have speed, off the charts athleticism, and the experience to meld the two.
In Jordin Canada, Monique Billings, and Kelly Hayes UCLA boasts the most talented collection of seniors in the Pac.
Jordin Canada, their All-American point guard, can do it all. And she does it consistently. She soon will own the all-time Pac-12 record for assists - so she passes as well as she scores. Monique Billings a 6'4" premiere post player boasts exceptional length and she hits the boards. Kelli Hayes is an ideal 5th player who does a bit of everything for Coach Cori Close.
In a nutshell, UCLA has players who play the brand of basketball that gives the Beavers fits: fast, mobile athletes who pressure on D, attack on O, and score from just about everywhere.
Can Coach R and the Beavs handle UCLA's impressive collection of mature talent? That remains to be seen. If they can't you will hear fans asking why the Beavs don't more have lightning quick athletes. But if the Beavs do win UCLA fans will be asking their own questions.
The Beavs are not as quick, nor as athletic as the Bruins. But the Beavs do pass well, they spread the court, they run a disciplined offense, they play solid defence, and they have perimeter shooters who drain the 3 as well as any WBB team in America.
And, one more thing, in Coach Rueck the Beavs have a brilliant coach who prepares his players to handle whatever the opposition delivers.
Even when the opposition is mighty UCLA.
And, one more thing, the game is at Gill.
So, if not the toughest, it sure as hell will be tough. Wish I could be there.
GO BEAVS !!
Why the toughest?
Because it's that time of year. The time when you show what you are and what you got.
The Beavs are now pretty much what they are. There won't be any great tactical changes, no great "chemistry" improvements, no single player will suddenly get stronger or faster, the team is not changing what it does or how it does it. It's February - what we've been waiting for since November.
What makes this game tough is that UCLA represents the new wave of WBB grounded in speed and athleticism - a wave that is slowly but surely taking over the entire WBB landscape. The Bruins have speed, off the charts athleticism, and the experience to meld the two.
In Jordin Canada, Monique Billings, and Kelly Hayes UCLA boasts the most talented collection of seniors in the Pac.
Jordin Canada, their All-American point guard, can do it all. And she does it consistently. She soon will own the all-time Pac-12 record for assists - so she passes as well as she scores. Monique Billings a 6'4" premiere post player boasts exceptional length and she hits the boards. Kelli Hayes is an ideal 5th player who does a bit of everything for Coach Cori Close.
In a nutshell, UCLA has players who play the brand of basketball that gives the Beavers fits: fast, mobile athletes who pressure on D, attack on O, and score from just about everywhere.
Can Coach R and the Beavs handle UCLA's impressive collection of mature talent? That remains to be seen. If they can't you will hear fans asking why the Beavs don't more have lightning quick athletes. But if the Beavs do win UCLA fans will be asking their own questions.
The Beavs are not as quick, nor as athletic as the Bruins. But the Beavs do pass well, they spread the court, they run a disciplined offense, they play solid defence, and they have perimeter shooters who drain the 3 as well as any WBB team in America.
And, one more thing, in Coach Rueck the Beavs have a brilliant coach who prepares his players to handle whatever the opposition delivers.
Even when the opposition is mighty UCLA.
And, one more thing, the game is at Gill.
So, if not the toughest, it sure as hell will be tough. Wish I could be there.
GO BEAVS !!