Ft Hays State Postgame Thread

[Charliebball]

The same with the talk of Dorka. I love her. Love her!

But she can't be a miserable f/t shooter. If she is- then she can't be a weapon. She can be okay but not a weapon. She was miserable f/t shooter at Ohio State. This isn't "Ohio State." UCONN is out for being among top teams - not just "to be close." Every possession counts- including every f/t.

Just hard to figure out. She drills a 3, hits a 17 footer, but her only f/t clanks - and I means clanks off the back of the rim. No big deal this early and ofc only 1 f/t but definitely need to keep an eye on.

And it appears Liv and CWill still struggle to shoot. Can't believe I heard Meg include Liv as a good shooter. And to further that say "she is going to take a lot of 15 footers this year." I screamed "No!! Please no!!!"

we really are doomed.......

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Absolutely.

Not one player had any Deer in headlights and I am in love with how Caroline (I refuse Caroline Ducharme) plays. Perpetual movement. Fights \hard on defense and in the post. Her shots are the last thing I worry about.

You and I will stand shoulder to shoulder on that ridiculous Caroline Ducharme!

 

[DEpup]

Westbrook had an extremely efficient few minutes. Curious why she did not play much after starting. Could her playing time be representative of her current physical condition?

I would say the coaches know what E provides so why bother taking risks in an exhibition. She went out, hit some shots, and was efficient. Think preseason football. The prized first string players especially the veterans play a couple series and then sit the rest of the game. If I were the coaches, I want to see what the newbies do.

 

[Stymie]

I usually hate hate hate the idea of losing games. Especially a coach suggesting it. There is a thread on here that had a quote from Geno that it would be a benefit maybe to lose a couple of games. I see now with Azzi she is similar to Paige. content to let the game flow. Paige sort of changed during the Ark game. I wonder if it would take for something like that for Azzi to feel like she needs to do more. Heck she was 3-6 from 3- and one was in then rattled out. Anyhow 50% from 3 is equivalent to 75% from 2. I agree with you Azzi I want to see more aggressive but not sure she will until after something like a loss.

In regards to the potential f/t problem, unfortunately is due to the players most apt to get fouled are the players that will struggle most at the ft line.

His comments weren’t really about planning on losing games.
It was more a reference to his early season desire to schedule the toughest opponents possible; to challenge his players and give them a taste of adversity.
Let’s face it, for much of the past decade ( first the AAC, and now the reformulated Big East), the level of compilation has been wanting.
Once conference play starts, it’s pretty much a cakewalk.
How can you learn to deal with adversity when most of your games are real over by the middle of the second quarter?

 

[Blacketh’D]

Dorka impressed the most I would say because we know what our post game has been like the last couple years. I think everyone else did what was expected. They coasted through an easy win and I don’t have much takeaways. Fun seeing them play but for me that was all it was, just entertainment. More interested in next week

 

[Stymie]

Just make Dorka fire 1000 FT's a day and if that does not work, underhand.

HaHaHaHa

 

[topogigio]

Just got home from the game. Here are some observations not noted yet; no traffic getting out, relatively warm out for walk back to car, so all in all in, it was a great afternoon. The feeling of just being in an arena with real people cheering was fantastic, everyone stood for the National Anthem, and crowd sang along. Student section filled and really active and loud. Band was sharp for first game. Wearing a mask sucks!
As for the basketball; Dorka is the real deal - she will push Liv very hard for minutes, and may even deserve more time than the senior.
Azzi is lights out if left open, this will really open up the floor. She also is very good on defense, and passes well.
Ducharme IS very sneaky, as Geno would say. Her hard cuts to the basket, and finishes were quite impressive.
Paige is so cool controlling the action, She sees stuff 2 passes ahead. A couple of great passed went for naught.
Nika and Caroline Ducharme are very hard to distinguish from the upper section.
Evina was super efficient in all aspects of her game.
Oliva did finish a bit stronger than last year, a pleasant surprise, but fouls too much.
Edwards is still a beast! ( In a good sense).
Williams was terrific with her aggressive slashing moves to the basket, defense, and a couple of rebounds.
Mir was really aggressive in the minutes she played.
Piath has lost considerable weight (again in a good sense), had some nice rebounds and put backs.
Deberry is going to be good in time.
As noted in previous posts, foul shooting needs improvement.
I thought there was an E in Ft. Hays, but they competed, ran some good plays, and hit some 3's, Their hardest game is behind them.
A bottle of Coke is $6!!!!

 

[Stymie]

I DO love Liv.
Always working hard and a real team player.
With her tools and her experience-I THINK SHE NEEDS A SHOT OF AGGRESSION!
By that, I mean she needs to play more with a chip on her shoulder, show more aggression, stake out her Real Estate.
Gonna foul? Foul hard.
Want that rebound? RIP it down.
A hard foul costs just as many foul shots as a soft one.
I really, really want her to do well.
Is she hearing footsteps? (Dorka, Aayliah?)
If I were a confidant of hers, (and I’m not) I’d tell her to let it all out, play unafraid, leave it all on the court.
And while you’re in there- take no prisoners.

 

[Mdoggie]

I think initially Caroline had "deer in the headlights eyes" but settled down in the fourth quarter and displayed her complete game. And I second your emotion relative to using Caroline in lieu of the Caroline Ducharme moniker which is to me disrespectful. She is her own person. It is a lazy way referring to her.

She can’t be her own person! Are you crazy? We (boneyard) have to compare every player to a previous player. It’s the rules. If you suggest otherwis, you don’t belong here!!

 

[SVCBeercats]

Because I hadn't seen her play. By the same token, people have said "Azzi doesn't miss" - she was 3-3 in H1, and 0-5 in H2. So her shooting was not as good as anticipated. IMHO.

Fortunately, a single data point does not make a trand.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I was so happy to see live play against an opponent, even if D-2. I was also happy to see a crowd.

I thought everyone played well, some better than others, some more expected than others.

I like our new additions, especially Dorka, Azzi, and Caroline.

Before the season starts, I'm proposing a rule change. When your team gets fouled, anyone on the team can shoot the FTs. Azzi would lead the nation in scoring.

 

[Jewels]

Saylor did not play. I am not sure she was even completely suited up. Does anyone have info on her

She had a boot on her right foot

 

[oldude]

I was so happy to see live play against an opponent, even if D-2. I was also happy to see a crowd.

I thought everyone played well, some better than others, some more expected than others.

I like our new additions, especially Dorka, Azzi, and Caroline.

Before the season starts, I'm proposing a rule change. When your team gets fouled, anyone on the team can shoot the FTs. Azzi would lead the nation in scoring.

That’s what they do in soccer.

 

[Gus Mahler]

What most impressed me was just how tall and long DuCharme is. She might well be a legit 6-2.

 

[mdmiller6]

Because I hadn't seen her play. By the same token, people have said "Azzi doesn't miss" - she was 3-3 in H1, and 0-5 in H2. So her shooting was not as good as anticipated. IMHO.

She will be fine, you tell the talent is their, she just needs to shoot more.

 

[MilfordHusky]

What most impressed me was just how tall and long DuCharme is. She might well be a legit 6-2.

Both Caroline and Say are legit 6'2". Before Say got hurt and Caroline "blew up," I saw them as very similar players. If you like what you see from Caroline, that gives you an indication of Saylor's potential. Both are extremely versatile.

 

[STLCardinal]

Absolutely.

Not one player had any Deer in headlights and I am in love with how Caroline (I refuse Caroline Ducharme) plays. Perpetual movement. Fights \hard on defense and in the post. Her shots are the last thing I worry about.

"...Caroline (I refuse Caroline Ducharme)...". Thank you for that. Using initials that they don't use for themselves is a bit disrespectful. They have a name, use it.

 

[Cuango]

1. Bueckers will be so much different this year - without having to score 25 a game to compensate for limited teammates, you are going to see her defensive & assist numbers skyrocket - she might average 8-9 assists this year.

2. Worst case, right now, Azzi Fudd is basically senior Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis v2. Just being on the court as a catch/shoot player is a complete game-changer and they weren't joking that shot is pure.

3. I've tried for years to put a finger on why ONO hasn't put it together. She never been reliable or "Solid" in the way that players like Kiah Stokes or Steph Dolson were. Those two didn't make every play, but they stood their ground, didn't make mistakes, and were well positioned. They made others make mistakes - while ONO is constantly a half-step out of position, goes for pump fakes, misses bunnies, etc. Its an intangible, personality/style/confidence thing, but its very real.

Im not sayin that to trash ONO - she's good, she's fine, she is what she is and that will be valuable this season. But Dorka and Edwards ARE reliable. They make the plays they can make, all the time. They are rugged. Its just a huge deal.

4. DuCharme is real. Having a 6'2 player who is a baller, is scrappy, makes athletic/skilled plays like her is super rare. If she makes shots, you just can't take her off the floor. Assists, steals, etc is a real plus.

Not sure why you would use Kiah Stokes as an example. While she was a tremendous defensive center, her offense was basically nonexistent. ONO is so much better offensively.

 

[MilfordHusky]

She will be fine, you tell the talent is their, she just needs to shoot more.

In the second half, Azzi had 1 bad miss. But 1 trey was halfway down before coming out, and 1 pull-up fell off the rim. Those will go in more often than not.

The rest of the team shot 4-11 on FTs. Azzi was 2-2 and didn't hit the rim. She has great hands.

 

[eebmg]

What most impressed me was just how tall and long DuCharme is. She might well be a legit 6-2.

Was that ever in doubt? What surprised me was how physical she is. She really likes contact. She plays up on her man and is always moving, cutting screening.

 

[Florida Fan]

Things I liked
1. Evina was not afraid to shoot the 3 ball and looked smooth as silk doing it.
2. Dorka post moves and strong finishing and threw in an outside shot
3. Azzi burying her first 3 3 balls
4. Paige's steals and her passing
5. The bigs got in foul trouble but we have plenty.
6. Paith looks like she should get a little more time
7. Caroline Ducharme's defense, passing and cutting The 3 ball will come as Geno will say she is zero for her outside shot until she hits one.
8. CW driving and scoring and she did hit a nice pull up mid-range out of offense.
9. Nika being Nika and hitting a beautiful 3

As an admitted coach on the couch, I am in agreement that Dorka is the real deal, like a division-one-graduate transfer should be. And I also agree that Liv should be looking over her shoulders, because she wasn't in the gym shooting the open, foul-line jumpers, every day, for an hour, after practice. After today, maybe now. Nika was impressive as were Paige and Christyn. And Piath can run the floor and mix it up underneath. Ducharme may well become the charm. Of COURSE, it's too early to make firm judgements, but I am grateful for the chance to see an exhibition game right out of the gate.

 

[Mdoggie]

In the second half, Azzi had 1 bad miss. But 1 trey was halfway down before coming out, and 1 pull-up fell off the rim. Those will go in more often than not.

The rest of the team shot 4-11 on FTs. Azzi was 2-2 and didn't hit the rim. She has great hands.

Like Geno said. They need to get her more shots.

 

[eebmg]

In the second half, Azzi had 1 bad miss. But 1 trey was halfway down before coming out, and 1 pull-up fell off the rim. Those will go in more often than not.

The rest of the team shot 4-11 on FTs. Azzi was 2-2 and didn't hit the rim. She has great hands.

I wonder what a truly great FT shooter thinks when her team mates clang so many.

 

[MSGRET]

Now that the team got most of the jitters out with this game in front of a live crowd, I hope they improve in the areas that they need it and come out swinging on the 14th and bury Arkansas so bad that everyone will say that there is nothing that they have to do except play that way the rest of the season and they will win #12.

 

[D J B]

I usually hate hate hate the idea of losing games. Especially a coach suggesting it. There is a thread on here that had a quote from Geno that it would be a benefit maybe to lose a couple of games. I see now with Azzi she is similar to Paige. content to let the game flow. Paige sort of changed during the Ark game. I wonder if it would take for something like that for Azzi to feel like she needs to do more. Heck she was 3-6 from 3- and one was in then rattled out. Anyhow 50% from 3 is equivalent to 75% from 2. I agree with you Azzi I want to see more aggressive but not sure she will until after something like a loss.

In regards to the potential f/t problem, unfortunately is due to the players most apt to get fouled are the players that will struggle most at the ft line.

I quoted Geno on that thread, but the context in which he said it has to be taken into account. He was talking about purposefully scheduling difficult/challenging games with top class opponents because that is how you grow as a team. He made a specific point about how many coaches won't do that out of fear of losing and messing up their record. He then said if you want to grow as a team, you need to put it all on the line sometimes, and if you lose a game or two then it can make your team much stronger. He didn't say that it would be good to lose a game or two, but if it were to happen during the course of playing the best teams you can find, then it wouldn't necessarily be the worst thing that could happen.