3-0 for the ACC last night.
I was at the State game where they beat East Tennessee State 80-55. Sloppy start for the Pack, I think they had 12 first half turnovers before settling in and only having 2 in the second half.
State clearly doesn't have an answer yet in the post. They started former transfer, senior Lizzy Williamson who has good size but honestly is very unathletic and stiff. She doesn't move fluidly and is a major weakness on offense. She was benched fairly early and barely was used again the remainder of the game. Sophomore Mallory Collier perhaps looked the best as far as scoring, she has nice touch in the post however doesn't move well defensively and isn't much of a rim protector or plus rebounder. True Freshman Lorena Awou I think has the highest ceiling, she is very raw (I think didn't start playing basketball until a couple years ago) but she has great size, a good strong frame, and is physical. I really think she has potential to be a force down the road - just not sure that is going to be THIS year.
The other option for the Pack would be to go small or at least more finesse. Disappointingly, Sophomore Maddie Cox didn't show much at all last night. I thought last year she flashed at times and showed potential as sort of a stretch 4, she didn't have it last night for whatever reason. She only played 8 minutes, very surprised honestly. True Freshman Tilda Trygger played 10 minutes and she has great size at 6'5 maybe 6'6, moves very fluid, very comfortable handling the ball and can stroke the long range jumper and 3 pointer. She is not the most physical player ever though. Did block 2 shots and grab 3 boards while finishing with 3 points in her 10 minutes - I think she has a lot of potential if she can gain confidence and embrace a little more physicality in her game.
Now on the bright side...Zoe Brooks had a career high 21 points, knocked down 2 3's which is notable because that was not something she really even attempted much last season and would be a huge boost if she's able to be a respectable shooter from deep as well. She was great last night, Saniya did what she always does - deflects passes, pokes away dribbles, gets steals and generates easy looks in transition. She finished with 11 and 7 as well as 3 steals. Aziaha James didn't break a sweat and had 17 points and 9 boards. Maddison Hayes was her typical perfect complimentary piece with 11 points on 5-7 shooting. And I thought both Freshman guards showed they have promise. Zam Jones didn't have her shot going but you can see she belongs. Devyn Quigley looked good too I thought, maybe has moved ahead of Laci Steele on the depth chart, she played 13 minutes and had 4 points and a couple rebounds.
Next up for the Pack is a Final Four rematch with South Carolina. I don't expect much there as a State fan, going into a game against SC with no one you feel good about in the post is probably not going to end well. But we will see how the young bigs do and see just how much the Pack can successfully ride their guard play or not.
We got slaughtered on the offensive boards.. missed 24 layups. Its a problem for us that our two players that will live on the free throw line are terrible ft shooters.
