Baylor is BIG

[CocoHusky]

Ah, Ms. Cave -- the third post player. Whoa, Kim can throw/tinker her combinations of posts while keep her "steady eddies" -- the poise players -- on the floor. Should be a really intriguing match. I was a little surprised, particularly now that you have told me about Cave's absence, that Mulkey limited Cox to 4 minutes. On the other hand, Erin Boley has also found the game to be run at a faster tempo and that was against Central Michigan (who granted had some speed). She found her footing a bit better against a more pedestrian-paced Fordham team. She'll get there...one thing I have noticed: she's got a stroke and her FT-shooting is sublime.

Not exactly a stellar start for most of the 2016 class. In addition to Erin , Tori McCoy fouled out of game in 16 Minutes. Holmes in Texas looks either lost or misplaced in the post. Fingall at Stanford 4 minutes.
On the positive side C. Johnson at Louisville is in the starting line up and doing well so far.

 

[bizarro aj]

The number 9 team in the nation is a cupcake? UCLA is a very good team. What would have happened in the FSU game had Romero been playing? I suspect that the outcome may have been a bit different.

But, home court makes a major difference. It is hard to go on the road and beat a top 5 team.

Just how good is ucla? When was the last time they made the final 4? I will bet anyone ucla doesn't stay in the top 10 maybe not in the top 25. Baylor always plays cupcakes just look at their schedule last year. The only reason they agreed to play uconn is kim thinks they have a shot to beat them, and she is in for a dose of reality.

 

[easttexastrash]

Just how good is ucla? When was the last time they made the final 4? I will bet anyone ucla doesn't stay in the top 10 maybe not in the top 25. Baylor always plays cupcakes just look at their schedule last year. The only reason they agreed to play uconn is kim thinks they have a shot to beat them, and she is in for a dose of reality.

Man, who peed in your Cheerios today?

 

[Dillon77]

Not exactly a stellar start for most of the 2016 class. In addition to Erin , Tori McCoy fouled out of game in 16 Minutes. Holmes in Texas looks either lost or misplaced in the post. Fingall at Stanford 4 minutes.
On the positive side C. Johnson at Louisville is in the starting line up and doing well so far.

Jackie Young gets an incomplete because a thumb injury has sidelined her so far. Hoping that is not of
"nagging and still-around" variety...the Irish can use her talents.

As per Louisville, see Asia Durr has taken control of the rock so far. Once competition gets a little stiffer, will look for Hines-Allen to start asserting herself more.

On the "other frosh" front, see Kylee Shook got minutes at forward. I'll make note of Sam Fuehring's PT over the games. The sophomore, NJ native is another McDonald's All-American who was getting some minutes by the end of the season as a frosh last year, but there's a log jam there with Hines-Allen, Moore and now Shook. All of them will be around next year and Coach Jeff is bringing in another big. Hmmm....

 

[CocoHusky]

Jackie Young gets an incomplete because a thumb injury has sidelined her so far. Hoping that is not of
"nagging and still-around" variety...the Irish can use her talents.

As per Louisville, see Asia Durr has taken control of the rock so far. Once competition gets a little stiffer, will look for Hines-Allen to start asserting herself more.

On the "other frosh" front, see Kylee Shook got minutes at forward. I'll make note of Sam Fuehring's PT over the games. The sophomore, NJ native is another McDonald's All-American who was getting some minutes by the end of the season as a frosh last year, but there's a log jam there with Hines-Allen, Moore and now Shook. All of them will be around next year and Coach Jeff is bringing in another big. Hmmm....

Loved Fuehring in McDonald's All-American game. She made a baseline reverse layup that was and would have been surprisingly athletic for guard for a guard.

 

[Dillon77]

Loved Fuehring in McDonald's All-American game. She made a baseline reverse layup that was and would have been surprisingly athletic for guard for a guard.

She's a heady, surprisingly athletic player who I fear might get lost in the personnel shuffle out there.
I'm not suggesting this (I like our Cardinal contributors!) but I always thought she'd be a natural for Doug Bruno and DePaul.

 

[Tonyc]

For me the Baylor UConn game is a game I dont know what to expect. UConn just came off a terrific game where they found a way to win. It was their first game without the Big 3 and they figured it out and got the job done against a very good team. Baylor is another very good team. A different team. We will see if UConn got rid of the first game jitters. We will see alot on Thursday night. I expect to see UConn play better then they did against Fl St. Baylor will be sky high for this game. Many had their doubts about the FL St game and as poorly as UConn played they pulled it out. FL St had their chances late in the game and didnt cash in. Now if UConn beats Baylor there will be a new expectation on how good this UConn team is.

 

[easttexastrash]

For me the Baylor UConn game is a game I dont know what to expect. UConn just came off a terrific game where they found a way to win. It was their first game without the Big 3 and they figured it out and got the job done against a very good team. Baylor is another very good team. A different team. We will see if UConn got rid of the first game jitters. We will see alot on Thursday night. I expect to see UConn play better then they did against Fl St. Baylor will be sky high for this game. Many had their doubts about the FL St game and as poorly as UConn played they pulled it out. FL St had their chances late in the game and didnt cash in. Now if UConn beats Baylor there will be a new expectation on how good this UConn team is.

I agree, Tony. That was a big test for a team that has just really started playing together as this unit. I thought Baylor also had some first game jitters in the first half against UCLA, going down by 7 at the half and at times down double digits. But they seemed to gain their focus in the second half.

I had voted Collier as the player that would make the biggest leap for UCONN and I was right. She is a super player and I hope Baylor can contain her. I also expect Samuelson to shoot better in the comfort of her home arena. As a shooter that can make a huge difference.

Like you, I have no idea what to expect Thursday night. I would not be surprised to see UCONN win and I would not be surprised if Baylor were to win. I think it could go either way. I just hope it is as exciting as the FSU game.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Just a thought, but if Gabby and KLS have their game on along with the other starters, we might see a different game than played against FSU.

I'll put a Canadian 10 cent piece on it that you shall see a better more poised team taking thoughtful shots--with minimal fouling.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I agree, Tony. That was a big test for a team that has just really started playing together as this unit. I thought Baylor also had some first game jitters in the first half against UCLA, going down by 7 at the half and at times down double digits. But they seemed to gain their focus in the second half.

I had voted Collier as the player that would make the biggest leap for UCONN and I was right. She is a super player and I hope Baylor can contain her. I also expect Samuelson to shoot better in the comfort of her home arena. As a shooter that can make a huge difference.

Like you, I have no idea what to expect Thursday night. I would not be surprised to see UCONN win and I would not be surprised if Baylor were to win. I think it could go either way. I just hope it is as exciting as the FSU game.

For nearly 2 years I've touted Collier--you saw in the FSu game the Collier I saw in USA play. She's a keeper and she'll only get better--same with Crystal.

Samuelson--takes a game or two to get her head back into scoring--this year it's a bit difference the pressure is on her (or so she thinks) to be MS everything--score, assist, defend, rebound--she tried to do too much---as did Gabby they have to let the game come to them --not rush their shots--realize defense is their key to success and that rebounding won't be as easy as in the past. Stop the ball before it gets into the bigs of the opponents--take it away in the half court and run their offense--don't try to put 100 points on the board. Butler and Chong were very bright spots in the FSu game..

 

[HardHatGuy#2]

Back in the 2004 Men's National Semifinal, Coach K had a stable full of bigs, and he threw them all at Okafor, to no avail. Three of them fouled out beating up Emeka (Shelden Williams, 6'9; Shavlik Randolph, 6'10; Nick Horvath 6'10) but he outlasted them all by playing smart (and Coach C benching him with 2 fouls in the first half to save him for the second). C outcoached K in the defacto National Championship game because he didn't let a little thing like height beat him.

Our girls are smart, and so are our coaches; they will deal with the height differential. As for the rebounds, well, we'll keep them off the defensive boards by making all of our shots. Simple.

 

[CocoHusky]

Back in the 2004 Men's National Semifinal, Coach K had a stable full of bigs, and he threw them all at Okafor, to no avail. Three of them fouled out beating up Emeka (Shelden Williams, 6'9; Shavlik Randolph, 6'10; Nick Horvath 6'10) but he outlasted them all by playing smart (and Coach C benching him with 2 fouls in the first half to save him for the second). C outcoached K in the defacto National Championship game because he didn't let a little thing like height beat him.
Our girls are smart, and so are our coaches; they will deal with the height differential. As for the rebounds, well, we'll keep them off the defensive boards by making all of our shots. Simple.

LoL. Emeka Okafor is 6'10" and built like a tank. I would be ashamed of him if he got beat up by Candace Parker's soon to be ex-husband. But your main point is very strong.

 

[Blair]

Not to worry: our guys have 2 full days to go on a growth spurt!

As we say here in Wisconsin…it’s in the cheese..

I have a shipment of Kurds, next day air, being sent to Geno as we speak

 

[bags27]

As we say here in Wisconsin…it’s in the cheese..

I have a shipment of Kurds, next day air, being sent to Geno as we speak

Having lived in Wisconsin for 2 decades, our family was a huge fan of the 5 year old cheddar.

You sent Kurds? Did they get out of Syria okay?

 

[Blair]

Having lived in Wisconsin for 2 decades, our family was a huge fan of the 5 year old cheddar.

You sent Kurds? Did they get out of Syria okay?

AHHH MAN!....that's what i get for not checking my spelling..LOL!

5 year cheddar..love it too....have you tried the 15 year?...gooooood but pricy...

 

[chrissaran]

Crashing the boards against Baylor is going to take a team effort. Natalie by herself will not be able to control the boards. MoJeff got her share of rebounds. If she can rebound, so can this year's team.

 

[MikeR01950]

Baylor is very big and very deep in that position. We have no size really to compete 40 minutes with that. The good thing is Baylor can only play so many bigs at a time. I want to go out and give GENO some credit and here is why. Most coaches who have a young team or a team that lost a lot of senior leadership would not go out and schedule the toughest out of confrence schedule I have seen in some time. GENO could have scheduled a cup cake schedule and let his team keep the streak alive and not have any real tests. But GENO doesn't care about the streaks or losses... What he cares about is getting his team prepared for March. This is why I loved and respected the great pat summit. She would play anyone anytime any place. This team in my opinion has the toughest out of confrence schedule then anyone in the nation. I can see uconn losing quite a few of those big games. And trust me it's ok... The streak has to come to a end at some time. The point I'm making is... Once the tourney comes uconn would have faced the best out there and will only get better as the season goes. Come March they will be one of the on favorites to get to Dallas. Like GENO says once u get to the final four its anyone's chance to cut the nets down. Baylor is big and has depth... But this is why I'm so excited cause this season is full of parity and tons of talent spread around!! As much as my nerves were shot last night ... For the first time in a long time it was great to see a game come right down to the final shot. I see many upsets this year and the polls changing a lot this season!! It's going to be a great year for women's basketball.... Parity is finally here!!

 

[JoePgh]

I think that the most negative thing that came out of the FSU game for UConn was the small number of steals and forced turnovers. I don't see how they can compete seriously against Baylor unless they can get more than 15 Baylor turnovers, maybe a lot more, and score on a lot of them. A blowout in the wrong direction is possible if the play is predominantly in the half-court, or if UConn cannot disrupt passes into the post or make them prohibitively difficult by picking up the guards near mid-court.

With a small, fast team playing against a fleet of battleships, turnovers and tipped passes are absolutely an essential part of the defense. I really expected to see much more of that against FSU, particularly since FSU was Romero-less.

I also think that Natalie has to play 25 to 30 minutes and have a good defensive game. I'm thinking she may start in Kia's place, just for this one game.

 

[CBear01]

For the first time in a long time it was great to see a game come right down to the final shot

Yes that would be the infamous Stanford game. can't believe we have not have as highly contested a game in 73 matches. How many more wins can we squeeze out at the last minute?

IMO with the experience a team like, let's say SC, has in personnel I can't see us able to salvage as much if it comes down to final minutes. and oh my.....Kaela Davis....I knew she'd be a force I just didn't think she'd be such a volume scorer on that team of great scorers. at least we have until February to figure it out

 

[JordyG]

Baylor starting five:
6'4" Mompremier
5'11" Davis
5'9" Jones
6'2" Prince
5'11" Wallace

UCONN Starting 5 :
6'3" KLS
6'1" Collier
6'0" Nurse
5'11" Williams
5'8" Chong

Perfectly manageable. Baylor 6'7" coming off the bench will be matched by UCONN 6'5".

Baylor beat UCLA by wearing them down with their size inside in the second half. UCLA didn't have the stamina to play at the same pace as they did in the first half. When their legs gave out their 3 point shots either fell short or were overlong from overcompensation. Also when your legs tire you stop driving and start settling for early shots. Work them hard on both ends, be precise on offense, limit your fouls (I'm talking to you Gabby), limit your turnovers, and The UConn has a good shot. Nevertheless, there is a reason I think ND is #1 and Baylor is #2.

 

[JordyG]

I think that the most negative thing that came out of the FSU game for UConn was the small number of steals and forced turnovers. I don't see how they can compete seriously against Baylor unless they can get more than 15 Baylor turnovers, maybe a lot more, and score on a lot of them. A blowout in the wrong direction is possible if the play is predominantly in the half-court, or if UConn cannot disrupt passes into the post or make them prohibitively difficult by picking up the guards near mid-court.

With a small, fast team playing against a fleet of battleships, turnovers and tipped passes are absolutely an essential part of the defense. I really expected to see much more of that against FSU, particularly since FSU was Romero-less.

I also think that Natalie has to play 25 to 30 minutes and have a good defensive game. I'm thinking she may start in Kia's place, just for this one game.

The problem there as compared to last year was the ability for UConn to overplay the passing lanes on the offense end with the knowledge that they had a mistake eraser in the lane. This team doesn't have that. They've attempted to increase their steals by pressing, but that has had limited success, especially since UConn presses on made baskets, and plays a set defense on misses.

 

[Rixxx]

Jordy, your analysis is pretty accurate. UCLA used the three to establish at one point a ten point lead on Baylor. Those threes stopped falling in the second half and Baylor pulled away. Brown/ post position has to be limited in their damage. Key to the game, IMHO.

 

[easttexastrash]

Jordy, your analysis is pretty accurate. UCLA used the three to establish at one point a ten point lead on Baylor. Those threes stopped falling in the second half and Baylor pulled away. Brown/ post position has to be limited in their damage. Key to the game, IMHO.

UCLA shot lights out in the first half and I was praying that it didn't continue into the second half. Baylor's defense got much tighter on the shooters, which is a big part of the reason the Louisville-like shooting didn't continue. I think Kim gave the players a good chewing at halftime and got their attention.

 

[Charliebball]

Baylor is very big and very deep in that position. We have no size really to compete 40 minutes with that. The good thing is Baylor can only play so many bigs at a time. I want to go out and give GENO some credit and here is why. Most coaches who have a young team or a team that lost a lot of senior leadership would not go out and schedule the toughest out of confrence schedule I have seen in some time. GENO could have scheduled a cup cake schedule and let his team keep the streak alive and not have any real tests. But GENO doesn't care about the streaks or losses... What he cares about is getting his team prepared for March. This is why I loved and respected the great pat summit. She would play anyone anytime any place. This team in my opinion has the toughest out of confrence schedule then anyone in the nation. I can see uconn losing quite a few of those big games. And trust me it's ok... The streak has to come to a end at some time. The point I'm making is... Once the tourney comes uconn would have faced the best out there and will only get better as the season goes. Come March they will be one of the on favorites to get to Dallas. Like GENO says once u get to the final four its anyone's chance to cut the nets down. Baylor is big and has depth... But this is why I'm so excited cause this season is full of parity and tons of talent spread around!! As much as my nerves were shot last night ... For the first time in a long time it was great to see a game come right down to the final shot. I see many upsets this year and the polls changing a lot this season!! It's going to be a great year for women's basketball.... Parity is finally here!!

I do believe that Geno did say that when he set this year's schedule he believed that Morgan Tuck would be back with the team and admitted that he would have lightened up a bit if he knew she was leaving.......................

 

[MikeR01950]

I do believe that Geno did say that when he set this year's schedule he believed that Morgan Tuck would be back with the team and admitted that he would have lightened up a bit if he knew she was leaving........

I doubt it he's just making light of it.... He knew she wasn't coming back... GENO is a mastermind .. He knows what he's doing ...

 

[MikeR01950]

I doubt it he's just making light of it.... He knew she wasn't coming back... GENO is a mastermind .. He knows what he's doing ...

I do believe that Geno did say that when he set this year's schedule he believed that Morgan Tuck would be back with the team and admitted that he would have lightened up a bit if he knew she was leaving........

Great coaches and great programs know to be the best u have to play the best... Don't fear the loss... It's not about what looks good on paper or what your record looks like after a schedule of cupcakes.... Go out there play the best and win or lose will only make you stronger come March... Put your team in moments early that your not comfortable ... Be challenged early so u can learn grow and become better in the process.... That's what makes a true champion... In GENO we trust!!!!!

 

[easttexastrash]

Baylor beat UCLA by wearing them down with their size inside in the second half. UCLA didn't have the stamina to play at the same pace as they did in the first half. When their legs gave out their 3 point shots either fell short or were overlong from overcompensation. Also when your legs tire you stop driving and start settling for early shots. Work them hard on both ends, be precise on offense, limit your fouls (I'm talking to you Gabby), limit your turnovers, and The UConn has a good shot. Nevertheless, there is a reason I think ND is #1 and Baylor is #2.

The interesting thing is that other than Brown, Baylor did not have a lot of size. However, Brown was fresh in the second half and buried her defender over and over. Alexis Prince does add size to the perimeter at 6-2, but the other three players were 5-9, 5-11 and 5-11. Not once in the second half did Mulkey have two "bigs" in the game at the same time.

 

[alexrgct]

Blast from the past: I read from the forum listing here that "Baylor is BG"...

 

[CocoHusky]

QUOTE="BroadwayVa, post: 1890636, member: 6118"]For nearly 2 years I've touted Collier--you saw in the FSu game the Collier I saw in USA play. She's a keeper and she'll only get better..[/QUOTE]

Just want to point out that you were not alone or the first in praising Collier. The earliest, perhaps first praise came from @Sluconn Husky . He said something along the lines of:

Napheesa Collier is laughably good. I find myself just laughing at the things she does now. What a display of hands, skill, constant motion, athleticism....She put on a show. Boykin was really good too, much better than the other games I've seen. KLS didn't play.

But again, this whole tourney has been Collier's. She drained three long range jumpers, blocked several shots, rebounded like Dennis Rodman at times, and continued to show her great knack of scoring around the hoop. She's been shooting poorly from the foul line but looked really good on her last 3-4 attempts. Anyone who doesn't think she's the best player in her class at this point is kidding themselves.

 

[JordyG]

The interesting thing is that other than Brown, Baylor did not have a lot of size. However, Brown was fresh in the second half and buried her defender over and over. Alexis Prince does add size to the perimeter at 6-2, but the other three players were 5-9, 5-11 and 5-11. Not once in the second half did Mulkey have two "bigs" in the game at the same time.

Absolutely right. UCLA's legs gave out on the as they couldn't maintain the pace the set in the first half. At the end it was Baylor that was running up and down the court.