Boston Bullies Brink, Belibi

[UcMiami]

Although Boston is surely much stronger than Brink, I think the match-up is a bit more complicated than this. For one thing, Brink is deceptively strong; she is also very quick. And Brink, who is very fast basket to basket, may, in effect, run Boston into the ground if she attempts to keep up. (And, if she doesn't, that likely means some easy baskets for Stanford.) Whether Brink can stay out of foul trouble is an open question, but Tara also has Belibi and Prechtel as backups, and, as you point out, the latter especially will pose some challenges for Boston given her shooting from beyond the 3-point line (the Louisville game was not an outlier). (Brink can shoot from there as well.) So positives and negatives on both sides.

Bilibi hasn't made a three all year (only taken 1), Prechtel until her 3-3 last night was shooting .346 from 3 having taken 52 total, and Brink is at .379 having taken only 29 all season. Not sure having those three taking a lot of threes is a surefire winning strategy - maybe it works or maybe like Brink last night it is brick city.

It was clear last night that Louisville didn't have the size or will to control the boards, I think SC can do better. If they can keep Stanford to shooting 40% and not give up a ton of O boards they have a chance - otherwise Stanford will win

 

[RedStickHusky]

Please everyone do not overlook AZ. This is a one and done scenario and anything can happen as we've all seen through history of college basketball tournaments. Lets not talk about the Finals until we actually get there.

You are right of course. I'm just running scenarios. No disrespect intended.

 

[Stymie]

I’d guess that Geno is impressing on the team that if they have a “lapse”, abandoning the movement on offense (as admitted by players in post game pressers), they’ll be sitting in the stands with SC ( my guess) watching the finals. They admitted that this is the reason they found themselves trailing the 2nd half.
Of course, he’ll phrase it in ways that will are way above my pay grade.
I trust his abilities as well as their dedication.
IT IS RIGHT THERE FOR THEM.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Although Boston is surely much stronger than Brink, I think the match-up is a bit more complicated than this. For one thing, Brink is deceptively strong; she is also very quick. And Brink, who is very fast basket to basket, may, in effect, run Boston into the ground if she attempts to keep up. (And, if she doesn't, that likely means some easy baskets for Stanford.) Whether Brink can stay out of foul trouble is an open question, but Tara also has Belibi and Prechtel as backups, and, as you point out, the latter especially will pose some challenges for Boston given her shooting from beyond the 3-point line (the Louisville game was not an outlier). (Brink can shoot from there as well.) So positives and negatives on both sides.

I think Belibi, who knows Boston well from practice, and Prechtel look like better defensive matchups than Brink.

If it is Brink v Boston I would expect both teams to go right to that matchup on offense to try and get quick whistles.

I think South Carolina's strength might be an advantage, but that remains to be seen.

Stanford's depth and length and range might well be the difference.

 

[cohenzone]

Let’s just win our game.

 

[HopJim]

is the reason we will play SC in the Championship game (I am making the big assumption that we beat AZ). I don't think Stanford has anyone that can cope with Boston inside. Brink, while talented, doesn't have the strength to cope with Boston. Perhaps the best matchup overall might be Prechtel as she at least has the shooting range to pull Boston away from the basket on the Stanford offensive end.

Wild prediction based on overreaction to the "UConn foul" is that Boston will be in constant foul trouble and combined with her getting gassed easily, only plays half of the game. Every pick she sets is a moving pick - refs call two quick fouls on her, leading to significant bench time.

 

[JordyG]

is the reason we will play SC in the Championship game (I am making the big assumption that we beat AZ). I don't think Stanford has anyone that can cope with Boston inside. Brink, while talented, doesn't have the strength to cope with Boston. Perhaps the best matchup overall might be Prechtel as she at least has the shooting range to pull Boston away from the basket on the Stanford offensive end.

A like for the header.

 

[jonson]

Bilibi hasn't made a three all year (only taken 1), Prechtel until her 3-3 last night was shooting .346 from 3 having taken 52 total, and Brink is at .379 having taken only 29 all season. Not sure having those three taking a lot of threes is a surefire winning strategy - maybe it works or maybe like Brink last night it is brick city.

It was clear last night that Louisville didn't have the size or will to control the boards, I think SC can do better. If they can keep Stanford to shooting 40% and not give up a ton of O boards they have a chance - otherwise Stanford will win

I was speaking to Prechtel's shooting from 3, and not necessarily Brink's. I also didn't intend to suggest that Belibi is a threat from 3, or anywhere not close to the basket. In any case, if Brink's misses during the Louisville game are included in her total, shouldn't Prechtel's makes be included as well? That brings Prechtel's current number to .382 (21/55) and Brink's, as you say, to .379 (11/29). The attempts are, at least in part, a function of minutes played (Brink averages 18.3, Prechtel 13.5), and so perhaps a bit misleading. However, they do suggest that Prechtel shoots and makes a fair number of threes when she is on the court. And the numbers could obviously go up or down in any given game. But, in my view, both percentages are certainly respectable, and better, I believe, than the 3-point percentage of any UCONN player whose first name isn't Paige.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I think Belibi, who knows Boston well from practice, and Prechtel look like better defensive matchups than Brink.

Strongly disagree. Belibi just ins't tall enough, she wouldn't be able to do much w/ Boston. Prechtel gets some blocks, but Brink is a shot blocking machine. And I know, everybody looks at her and thinks she's skinny so she must be a pushover. She's not. She's done just fine guarding post players who are bulkier than Boston this year.

 

[jazz]

I think Stanford is the better team and I think Boston is a bit overrated. But...I want SC and Boston in the final. I just want Boston to see what she is missing. I think we play them much better this time around than the first time. SC does not close the gap and win, we widen the gap and win by double digits.

Yes I fully expect Uconn to crush Arizona and play for title number 12!

 

[nwhoopfan]

I was speaking to Prechtel's shooting from 3, and not necessarily Brink's. I also didn't intend to suggest that Belibi is a threat from 3, or anywhere not close to the basket. In any case, if Brink's misses during the Louisville game are included in her total, shouldn't Prechtel's makes be included as well? That brings Prechtel's current number to .382 (21/55) and Brink's, as you say, to .379 (11/29). The attempts are, at least in part, a function of minutes played (Brink averages 18.3, Prechtel 13.5), and so perhaps a bit misleading. However, they do suggest that Prechtel shoots and makes a fair number of threes when she is on the court. And the numbers could obviously go up or down in any given game. But, in my view, both percentages are certainly respectable, and better, I believe, than the 3-point percentage of any UCONN player whose first name isn't Paige.

It's weird, Lauren Cox from Baylor was credited as being a threat from 3. She made 38 for her career, never more than 15 in a season, and hit .322 during her 4 years. Stanford has 2 post players that can step out and him them often enough that opponents have to guard them.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Strongly disagree. Belibi just ins't tall enough, she wouldn't be able to do much w/ Boston. Prechtel gets some blocks, but Brink is a shot blocking machine. And I know, everybody looks at her and thinks she's skinny so she must be a pushover. She's not. She's done just fine guarding post players who are bulkier than Boston this year.

Belibi has probably spent 10,000 hours defending her and is considerably stronger.

I haven't watched most of Stanfords games, so I'm going to need to see some credits for the number of talented post players Brink has faced that are bigger or bulkier than Boston.

 

[BostonBay]

Boston is the 2nd best player in college, behind Paige - period. Many are not happy with Dawn's "coaching" this year. Boston should have been much better.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I haven't watched most of Stanfords games

And yet you insist on your position.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Boston is the 2nd best player in college, behind Paige - period. Many are not happy with Dawn's "coaching" this year. Boston should have been much better.

"Many people are saying?"

 

[bballnut90]

is the reason we will play SC in the Championship game (I am making the big assumption that we beat AZ). I don't think Stanford has anyone that can cope with Boston inside. Brink, while talented, doesn't have the strength to cope with Boston. Perhaps the best matchup overall might be Prechtel as she at least has the shooting range to pull Boston away from the basket on the Stanford offensive end.

I think Brink can hold her own if she doesn't get into foul trouble. She's not built like a linebacker but she's a pretty physical player and has length that matches Boston. Boston is very strong but doesn't bulldoze players over or seek out contact the same way a lot of physical posts do so I think the combination of Brink, Prechtel and Belibi do fine.

 

[ConwayGmck]

....and then they play "Sweet Caroline" at the end of the 3rd Period......

 

[Gamecockfan77]

And yet you insist on your position.

I've seen Belibi play a lot. I've seen Brink play a little.

I'm open to being persuaded.

Separate, but related question aimed at increasing my general knowledge of Women's college basketball.

Who are all these bigger and bulkier posts than Boston that Brink has been dominating out west?

 

[fly2themoon]

Brink was taken to locker room last night for what the announcers said was a leg injury. Once she returned to the game she had athletic tape on the back of one leg which probably indicates a hamstring. This could impact her mobility.

Excellent observations!

 

[Boreifs]

Although Boston is surely much stronger than Brink, I think the match-up is a bit more complicated than this. For one thing, Brink is deceptively strong; she is also very quick. And Brink, who is very fast basket to basket, may, in effect, run Boston into the ground if she attempts to keep up. (And, if she doesn't, that likely means some easy baskets for Stanford.) Whether Brink can stay out of foul trouble is an open question, but Tara also has Belibi and Prechtel as backups, and, as you point out, the latter especially will pose some challenges for Boston given her shooting from beyond the 3-point line (the Louisville game was not an outlier). (Brink can shoot from there as well.) So positives and negatives on both sides.

Boston may be stronger than the Stanford bigs, but they are much faster and in much better condition. In a transition game, Boston really struggles to get up and down the floor over a long period. The fact that Stanford has three centers to run at her makes it even more difficult. Having said that, guard play wins championships. Stanford’s are a senior and a grad student.

 

[Boreifs]

I was speaking to Prechtel's shooting from 3, and not necessarily Brink's. I also didn't intend to suggest that Belibi is a threat from 3, or anywhere not close to the basket. In any case, if Brink's misses during the Louisville game are included in her total, shouldn't Prechtel's makes be included as well? That brings Prechtel's current number to .382 (21/55) and Brink's, as you say, to .379 (11/29). The attempts are, at least in part, a function of minutes played (Brink averages 18.3, Prechtel 13.5), and so perhaps a bit misleading. However, they do suggest that Prechtel shoots and makes a fair number of threes when she is on the court. And the numbers could obviously go up or down in any given game. But, in my view, both percentages are certainly respectable, and better, I believe, than the 3-point percentage of any UCONN player whose first name isn't Paige.

Both are close to 40 per cent, which is the traditional barometer for a good three-point shooter. 4-10 produces 12 points; one needs 6-10 inside the arc to match that.

 

[Cuango]

Boston is the 2nd best player in college, behind Paige - period. Many are not happy with Dawn's "coaching" this year. Boston should have been much better.

I might concede your point if you added potentially the second best, but there’s no way she was actually the second best player this year! That honor, imo would go to Clark. Just because you could be, even if it is universally acknowledged to be the case, doesn’t make you that unless your play actually shows it. However,I totally agree with you that she has massively (my word) underachieved this season. Is it Dawn’s coaching that is responsible? That is surely part of the reason, at least. Something is wrong when your “generational” post player is having games where she only takes 4 shots and your guards are going 7 for 23, 6 for 22. I just feel sad that, up to now at least, she is not maximizing (or even fulfilling) her enormous potential.

 

[Huskie78]

Please everyone do not overlook AZ. This is a one and done scenario and anything can happen as we've all seen through history of college basketball tournaments. Lets not talk about the Finals until we actually get there.

After witnessing Morgan William's shot IN PERSON,
I take NO GAMES for granted anymore!

 

[nwhoopfan]

I've seen Belibi play a lot. I've seen Brink play a little.

I'm open to being persuaded.

Separate, but related question aimed at increasing my general knowledge of Women's college basketball.

Who are all these bigger and bulkier posts than Boston that Brink has been dominating out west?

Miller from UCLA and Pili and Jackson from USC are plenty beefy. I didn't say dominating these players, you did, I merely pointed out she's been able to match up w/ them physically despite giving up quite a bit of weight.

 

[shiverz45]

Don't sleep on Amihere. She has had a good tournament and starting to show why Dawn thinks she will be the best pro out of all the sophomores when it is all said and done.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Miller from UCLA and Pili and Jackson from USC are plenty beefy. I didn't say dominating these players, you did, I merely pointed out she's been able to match up w/ them physically despite giving up quite a bit of weight.

I'll grant you Jackson is plenty big (bigger than Boston though?), but Pili and Miller don't list any bigger than 6'1. And Jackson is hardly in the same class as a player (7 and 4).

Look, I was not beating my chest about how Boston was definitely going to dominate Brink.

I was saying that Staley would likely go right at her if that was the matchup.

And I expect that Stanford would do the same if that is the matchup South Carolina chose on the other end.

There are a lot of ways that Stanford can help Brink other than making it a pure one on one post battle and I'm sure they will do that.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Gotta say, I've enjoyed Boston's interviews. Seems like a nice kid.

But to me Boston is an underperformer. She has yet to be integrated in the offense. Yes, the team is immensely talented. But Coach Geno could have achieved so much more with her....

 

[LoTrader]

I think Brink can hold her own if she doesn't get into foul trouble. She's not built like a linebacker but she's a pretty physical player and has length that matches Boston. Boston is very strong but doesn't bulldoze players over or seek out contact the same way a lot of physical posts do so I think the combination of Brink, Prechtel and Belibi do fine.

Look, Tara has options and a multitude of players she can throw at Boston, and SC's other BIGs. South Carolina does not have an advantage in the post as much as some want to believe. Stanford is loaded at the 4/5 positions.

 

[UcMiami]

A very lot depends on the SC guards. For Dawn being a national team PG, I am surprised at how poorly SC guard development has been over the years - the best guard play she has gotten is with transfers it seems.

Everyone says how Boston has 'disappointed' this year, but when watching them play, it is surprising how often she is frozen out of the offense by her quick shooting guards. With a force like Boston, she should get a touch in every offensive set (and not out at the three point line.)

 

[Gamecockfan77]

A very lot depends on the SC guards. For Dawn being a national team PG, I am surprised at how poorly SC guard development has been over the years - the best guard play she has gotten is with transfers it seems.

Ty Harris was a four year starter, an All American, all SEC, and won the Dawn Staley award last freaking year.

Tiffany Mitchell was the two time SEC POY, an All American, and a Dawn Staley award winner.

Cooke was first team SEC this season. Henderson lead the league with 5 assists a game while shooting 40% from three point range.

Markeisha Grant, La'Keisha Sutton, Ieasia Walker, Val Naimina all earned all conference honors under Staley. As did Te'a Cooper.