Bettencourt and Portugal U20 Team

[Zarathustra]

Another photo of Ines with her new "look" = muscles!

View attachment 90292

Another view of the young lady's biceps, etc. during the FIba U 20 European Championships, 2023 in
Lithuania. Friday's AM game is at 8:30 AM vs Latvia. Note Lativa was shooting 50 % from 2 point land
prior to their win over Sweden. Lativa was 62 for 124 shots = 50%. Rotten from three point land 21.1%
Portugal with somewhat balanced scoring, Latvia with three primary scorers. If Portugal keeps winning
they may replay Serbia, one of Portugal's losses.

 

[Zarathustra]

View attachment 90292

More Muscles! Where is the beach??

 

[Carnac]

It should also boost her confidence. I was most impressed by her poise last season when the roster shrunk. Practicing with her UConn team mates for 10 months has to help. This week she can see her own improvement.
Bettencourt seems motivated and she has the physical tools, decent size, fast, quick hands and intensity. I think she shouldn't be shuffled down the bench just yet. She might be the No. 4 guard. The starters know each other very well and Geno will be running some sophisticated things at both ends so subs who can fit in to what the rest are doing will be more likely to play than those who have ball skills.

Alydar, you know the rule of thumb in sports.......... the more you play, the more you play. The more she plays now, the more confident she’ll become, and the more she’ll play this winter.

 

[Argonaut]

 

[uconnfan68]

She looks much more relaxed. She’ll be a factor this year for us.

 

[Zarathustra]

Thank you for the post of Ines' game vs Hungry.... nice! There was
also a great "pile on" of the Team on the court after this
most wonderful come from behind win! Go Portugal,, beat Latvia!!

 

[HuskyNan]

Tournament stats for Portugal

 

[HuskyNan]

Ines’ stats by game. From here. Portugal at the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship 2023 - FIBA.basketball

 

[awhom111]

Next up Latvia, winners over Sweden 81 -72. Should be a real challenge.
#12 Jasa 5' 10" averages 20 ppg, Tomasicka # 24 5' 11" averages 10.5 ppg,
and # 7 Viksone (sp) 5' 10" averages 11.3. Lativa is the better rebounding
team and more blocked shots; Portugal better with 3 point shooting ( but hardly
great, 31 %), and Portugal with more assists 17.8pg, and more steals ( 12.6 pg to Lativa 7.0 )
I hate to say it, but having watched Latvia beat Sweden, Lativa might have an edge. ??
Other players for Lativa = # 35 6' 2", # 23 6' 1", # 4 6' 2" and another 6' 1" ( # 21?)
Go INES!! If Portugal makes their threes ... PORTUGAL WINS. Go Husky, Go Portugal.

Latvia did not quite perform as expected against Sweden, but they were without Tomasicka, who some people on this board have been enamored with in the past. That puts a lot more pressure on Jasa, who could have been at least a thought for the WNBA draft if she had been in a more settled club situation, and their forward Sila, who also has a lot of experience at pretty solid level.

 

[jdote33]

She looks much more relaxed. She’ll be a factor this year for us.

I may be bias and overstating but some of the stuff she's doing is really impressive. It's not like she's just hitting open shots. She's doing stuff off the dribble and creating for herself. She's taking mid range pull ups with the game in the balance and a defender in her face. Maybe the competition stateside is a bit more athletic but seems pretty promising. I do think KK will play the backup point but on the Portugal team she seems like a 2 so maybe she plays that role, occasionally spelling Azzi and Paige. But from watching I could see her one on one stuff and shot selection driving Geno a bit crazy lol.

 

[Bone Dog]

I may be bias and overstating but some of the stuff she's doing is really impressive. It's not like she's just hitting open shots. She's doing stuff off the dribble and creating for herself. She's taking mid range pull ups with the game in the balance and a defender in her face. Maybe the competition stateside is a bit more athletic but seems pretty promising. I do think KK will play the backup point but on the Portugal team she seems like a 2 so maybe she plays that role, occasionally spelling Azzi and Paige. But from watching I could see her one on one stuff and shot selection driving Geno a bit crazy lol.

In the high school games I saw, Inês seemed mainly to play the 2, often stationed in the deep corner for perimeter shot or a baseline drive. In D1 terms she looks more like a 1 than a 2 just because 5’9” doesn’t so easily drive the baseline against most teams. This means she needed to learn a new position under fire last season, and she may have overachieved in this area.

I think in the long run, KK is the pg of the future. But this fall and spring, I suspect Inês will come off the bench first, before KK at the 1 or Ashlynn at the 2. The following season, I can imagine a scenario in which the three of them platoon behind Azzi and Caroline in the backcourt. Of course, if Nika and Paige stay an extra year, they’ll all be further down the rotation. In fact, I suspect in terms of strength, speed and skills Inês occupies the very space Ashlynn will eventually take over. Allie will compete for this same space on the roster the following year.

 

[uconnfan68]

I may be bias and overstating but some of the stuff she's doing is really impressive. It's not like she's just hitting open shots. She's doing stuff off the dribble and creating for herself. She's taking mid range pull ups with the game in the balance and a defender in her face. Maybe the competition stateside is a bit more athletic but seems pretty promising. I do think KK will play the backup point but on the Portugal team she seems like a 2 so maybe she plays that role, occasionally spelling Azzi and Paige. But from watching I could see her one on one stuff and shot selection driving Geno a bit crazy lol.

She’ll need to tighten up her 3-pt shooting, but her ball-handling seems much improved.

 

[Zarathustra]

At the half : Latvia 33 Portugal 24; at the end of Q1 Latvia 20 Portugal 11.
My impression is that INES is in the " doghouse" for some reason ?? H.C. was
talking with her after a stint on the court in the first quarter and she never returned
to the floor. I might be imagining things, but Ines is now wearing her green top
over her jersey while on the bench. Everybody else is wearing their white tops.
Latvia is taller, Portugal fouls them, and ... Latvia makes their Free Throws.
I think that Latvia has made 13 free throw points in the first half.
Portugal shooting 24 %?? Ines = no points.

 

[Argonaut]

At the half : Latvia 33 Portugal 24; at the end of Q1 Latvia 20 Portugal 11.
My impression is that INES is in the " doghouse" for some reason ?? H.C. was
talking with her after a stint on the court in the first quarter and she never returned
to the floor. I might be imagining things, but Ines is now wearing her green top
over her jersey while on the bench. Everybody else is wearing their white tops.
Latvia is taller, Portugal fouls them, and ... Latvia makes their Free Throws.
I think that Latvia has made 13 free throw points in the first half.
Portugal shooting 24 %?? Ines = no points.

But she was sitting in the first seat on the bench, so she and coach must not be that much at odds, right? I know when I found myself in the dog house, I would be as far down that bench as I could get. Don’t look at me, old man.

 

[Argonaut]

At the half : Latvia 33 Portugal 24; at the end of Q1 Latvia 20 Portugal 11.
My impression is that INES is in the " doghouse" for some reason ?? H.C. was
talking with her after a stint on the court in the first quarter and she never returned
to the floor. I might be imagining things, but Ines is now wearing her green top
over her jersey while on the bench. Everybody else is wearing their white tops.
Latvia is taller, Portugal fouls them, and ... Latvia makes their Free Throws.
I think that Latvia has made 13 free throw points in the first half.
Portugal shooting 24 %?? Ines = no points.

She’s back in now and definitely doesn’t seem as comfortable as she has in other games.

 

[Zarathustra]

A great come back by Portugal to lead 37 to 35 ... But Latvia scores the last 8 points of
the quarter for the lead 43 - 37. Ines working hard... but.....

 

[Zarathustra]

Final Score Latvia 58 Portugal 49... INES 4 points.
In the final quarter there were multiple ties! Portugal then
had a poor pass, a blocked shot, missed a bunny ( easy )
and a shot clock violation. Later two missed three pointers.
Down the stretch Portugal had to
foul and Latvia hit 5 free throws in a row before the final miss.
NOT A PRETTY GAME, but win-able. Neither team (IMO) " deserved " to
win but Latvia did what was necessary to bring home the victory.

 

[Zarathustra]

But she was sitting in the first seat on the bench, so she and coach must not be that much at odds, right? I know when I found myself in the dog house, I would be as far down that bench as I could get. Don’t look at me, old man.

Yes, I suspect that I was reading too much into it. Thanks for the "better" insight.
Other Stats: Portugal 14 steals, Latvia 2 Rebounds 46 Latvia to 35 Portugal,
and the BIG ONE : Latvia hit 21 of 27 free throws ( 77.8%) and Portugal 4 of 10
free throws ( 40 %) for a 17 point differentrial! Lativa had 11 personal fouls,
Portugal 22. Also, I don't see that the final " classification" games have had
their times posted as of yet. This would determined where Portugal ends up =
somewhere between # 6 and # 8 ( out of 16 teams).

 

[awhom111]

Yes, I suspect that I was reading too much into it. Thanks for the "better" insight.
Other Stats: Portugal 14 steals, Latvia 2 Rebounds 46 Latvia to 35 Portugal,
and the BIG ONE : Latvia hit 21 of 27 free throws ( 77.8%) and Portugal 4 of 10
free throws ( 40 %) for a 17 point differentrial! Lativa had 11 personal fouls,
Portugal 22. Also, I don't see that the final " classification" games have had
their times posted as of yet. This would determined where Portugal ends up =
somewhere between # 6 and # 8 ( out of 16 teams).

8:30am ET:


5th-8th are still possible and 5th would beat out last year's 6th as their best ever finish in the competition. Turkey has some solid players with decent experience in their top division, but none that are elite prospects right now. They were defeated quite handily by Serbia in the quarterfinal.

 

[Zarathustra]

8:30am ET:


5th-8th are still possible and 5th would beat out last year's 6th as their best ever finish in the competition. Turkey has some solid players with decent experience in their top division, but none that are elite prospects right now. They were defeated quite handily by Serbia in the quarterfinal.

By the stats Portugal should win.... but Turkey has high scorer Berfin 14.6 per game #22 5'9".. and
then 6'2" Gul # 7 at 13.6 ppg, and 6' 2" Elif # 1 at 11.8 ppg, but little firepower otherwise. The Stats:
PPG Turkey 57.4 Portugal 67.0 ; FG % Turkey 30.6 Portugal 38.1; Two Point % : Turkey 32.9
Portugal 41.7, three point % Turkey 27. 3 Portugal 30 + . ..and assists : Turkey 11.2 apg
and Portugal 16.2. Surprisingly Portugal with slighly fewer Turn overs and , of course, Portugal is much
better with steals: Turkey 8.2 st p game Portugal at 13.0 steals per game. My question: WHICH
PORTUGUESE team will show up. ??? Portugal is HOT and then COLD and rather streaky = capable of coming back
but also capable of shooting themselves in the foot. !!! Go INES! Go Husky, Go Portugal!

 

[Zarathustra]

End of first Quarter PORTUGAL 15 TURKEY 14 INES no Points, but nice assist for
a three pointer. Today PORTUGAL IS MAKING SOME FOUL SHOTS

 

[Zarathustra]

End of first Quarter PORTUGAL 15 TURKEY 14 INES no Points, but nice assist for
a three pointer. Today PORTUGAL IS MAKING SOME FOUL SHOTS

END OF SECOND QUARTER PORTUGAL 32 TURKEY 18 .. 17 points for Portugal to 4 for
Turkey in the Quarter. INES is being used as a facilitator; 4 points, 2/5
1 offensive rebound, THREE STEALS!!, two assists, one foul and one turnover.
Portugal with an effective pressure defense, which leads to Turnovers, and
some nice easy bunnies. Also Turkey commits a lot of fouls and Portugal
is , finally, making their foul shots. But .... the game is not over. Let's
see what adjustments the Turkish H.C. makes at halftime. Turkey may
be severely limited by all the fouls that they have commited. LET's HOPE SO!!

 

[Zarathustra]

END OF SECOND QUARTER PORTUGAL 32 TURKEY 18 .. 17 points for Portugal to 4 for
Turkey in the Quarter. INES is being used as a facilitator; 4 points, 2/5
1 offensive rebound, THREE STEALS!!, two assists, one foul and one turnover.
Portugal with an effective pressure defense, which leads to Turnovers, and
some nice easy bunnies. Also Turkey commits a lot of fouls and Portugal
is , finally, making their foul shots. But .... the game is not over. Let's
see what adjustments the Turkish H.C. makes at halftime. Turkey may
be severely limited by all the fouls that they have commited. LET's HOPE SO!!

End of the third Portugal 48 Turkey 32. Turkey made a run of 12 to 4 for
Portugal, BUT.... INES came in with a three, a two pointer, and important
Rebound and a free throw.. It stemmed the bleeding and Portugal
regained their mojo. Let's not revert to sloppy, Portugal!!

 

[Zarathustra]

FINAL SCORE PORUGAL 63 Turkey 54.
INES 13 points in 20 MINUTES 14 SECS OF PLAY. Ines had
two fouls, Four assists, Four steals, two rebounds
and + 11 rating. Portugal moves on to Sunday and
a chance to move up in the final Tournament Rankings.
NOTE: Ines was forced to shoot a crazy shot when
Portugal's bench players seemed to ignore the shot
clock and passed the ball to poor INES with less than a second left!
not nice!!

 

[Zarathustra]

Game preview: Portugal vs Italy ( a tough game for the Portuguese young women )!
This is for FIFTH PLACE!! PPG Portugal 66.3 Italy 78.2!!! Portugal is a trace
better on three point shooting , a trace ahead on assists, a little better on not
commiting fouls. ITALY a slim lead in rebounds 26 to 25 and a good lead
on Free throws 76.6 to 67.3. Portugal with a decided advantage on STEALS
12.8 to 9.7 steals per game. It's the ppg that is concerning and ITALY has
the #4 and #5 players in the whole tournament in EFFICIENCY Matilde Villa
#6 who is #4 and Sara Ronchi who is # 5 in the tournment in effiency. Villa
scores 24.5 ppg and Rochi 16. 7 ppg. They are better two point shooting
than three point shooting. PORTUGAL needs one of their GOOD GAMES to
win thing one. HIT THOSE FREE THROWS!, GET THOSE STEALS! NO SLOPPINESS!
GO TEAM everyone needs to contribute. GO INES! GO HUSKY! GO Portugal
The Game is 8:30 AM on SUNDAY morning. VOTE FOR INES in the MVP Polling.
The VOTE should help her with any possible second team ALL TOURNAMENT
position. She is not in the running for the overall MVP.. but VOTE anyway for
the SECOND TEAM ALL TOURNAMENT possibility. IF PORTUGAL wins ( or
even it they lose, but INES has a good game ) this is a possiblity, VOTE!!