Gabby's next challenge - Kitija Laksa? | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Gabby's next challenge - Kitija Laksa?

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Laksa was a freshman last year and the # 2 or 3 scoring option. I suspect she has developed her game as a sophomore and she is clearly USF's #1 scoring option.

We all know that Geno likes to take away an opponent's top scoring option or at least make life difficult for them (Ogunbowle & Mitchell in the 2nd half). USF has no real low post threat. I may well be wrong, but I see Gabby locking down Laksa tomorrow night.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
That's my admittedly highly anecdotal impression too. What are they doing over there rule wise or otherwise to produce this OR are we just getting their very best and wrongly extrapolating?
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That's were I would put my money.
 
oldude said:
Not sure why you would have Kia on Laksa who is listed as a forward and is the 2nd tallest starter on USF.
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Because Laska is predominantly a perimeter player, specifically a 3PT gunner who has attempted more 3Pt shots than all the other USF starters combined.
Gabby will have her hands full guarding Jespersen who is leading USF in rebounding.
I think the matchups look more like this:
Williams 5'11" on Jespersen 6"
Collier 6'1" on Pujol 6'1"
KLS 6'3" on Ferrira 5'11"
Nurse 6' on Laska 6'
Chong 5'7" on Flores 5'7"
This might be the rare/only competitive game where UCONN has a size advantage.
 
Watching the replays from last year, Laksa mostly sets up on the three-point line. Even when she's cutting through screens, her destination is the line.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
Kitija Laksa ... quite the player, but when I see her name in print I think of some Scandinavian pickled fish dish! More and more European players are filling US college ranks. Is their prep better in Europe? Do European rules make for better prep?
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meyers7 said:
That's were I would put my money.
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The one rule difference that some keep harping on is the shot clock. There are several states in US where a kid can make it through HS never having played with a shot clock. The theory (I some what buy into) is that the shot clock becomes a reality earlier in Europe so that kids develop a more diverse set of skill just incase you find yourself with the ball in your hands late in the shot clock.
 
BobbyJ said:
If Nurse can "lock it down" why didn't Auriemma just have her lock down Kelsey Mitchell in the 1st half? IMO, UConn doesn't have any lock down defenders. They run a team defense that constantly switches and shifts to cut off passing lanes. Players like Mitchell and Ogunbowale that have the green light to freelance give them fits in the open floor. They use help defense to keep these strong offensive players from both scoring AND assisting. Once they take away the ability to penetrate, they're left to chuck up low percentage shots from outside and their effectiveness is cut drastically.
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I think I read that they were going to be working on their 1v1 defense during this little break between games. Guess we'll see how well they did.
 
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Let's not forget that Jose seems to place an inordinate level of importance on beating UConn. Likely some because...well...it's UConn, some because he wants to be the first AAC team to beat UConn, some because he and Geno get along so well. I expect to see a twist or two out of USF.

We were spared that vs. DePaul because we blasted them out of the gate; anything Bruno had ready for us he likely pulled in case he needs it come March.
 
HardHatGuy#2 said:
Let's not forget that Jose seems to place an inordinate level of importance on beating UConn. Likely some because...well...it's UConn, some because he wants to be the first AAC team to beat UConn, some because he and Geno get along so well. I expect to see a twist or two out of USF.
We were spared that vs. DePaul because we blasted them out of the gate; anything Bruno had ready for us he likely pulled in case he needs it come March.
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Let's not forget how much Geno hates to loose and how perfectly capable he is of creating his own twist. UCONN's MOV against USF has actually been increasing +16, +20, +26 in last 3 games.
 
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CocoHusky said:
Let's not forget how much Geno hates to loose and how perfectly capable he is of creating his own twist. UCONN's MOV against USF has actually been increasing +16, +20, +26 in last 3 games.
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Agreed. My point is that I think he pushes his coaching friends for this. Challenges them to come up with something that he has not prepared his team for. I'm STILL waiting for someone to pull The System on him to see how we handle it.

Oh, and BTW:

grammar nazi.jpg
 
Sorry HardHatGuy#2, but it wasn't grammar (which was perfect), but spelling. (BTW, I live in that glass house, too!) :)

people-who-live-in-glass-houses-shouldnt-throw-stones-quote-1.jpeg
 
oldude said:
USF plays a lot like DePaul. Their 2nd leading scorer & top rebounder is Maria Pedersen who, at 6'0", is more of an outside scorer than traditional post. Their biggest starter is Pujol at 6'1". They played only 6 players vs Tulsa.

Of course Geno is the master, but I would put Lou on Pedersen, Pheesa on Pujol, and then Kia and Saniya/Danger on their 2 guards.

I also point out that Gabby had the primary defensive assignments to guard Ogunbowle (ND) & Mitchell (OSU), vs teams with much better post players than USF.
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I'm going to assume the player named Maria that you're referring to is Maria Jesperson, as the Bulls don't have anyone named Pederson on their roster currently. They had a 6'5" center last year that played quite a bit against Connecticut, I don't know how much she plays now, but I doubt Gabby winds up on Laksa, I believe Geno challenges Lou this game to step up her defensive game and play Laksa. They have similar games and Lou is bigger so her size may bother Laksa.
 
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iamcbs said:
I'm going to assume the player named Maria that you're referring to is Maria Jesperson, as the Bulls don't have anyone named Pederson on their roster currently. They had a 6'5" center last year that played quite a bit against Connecticut, I don't know how much she plays now, but I doubt Gabby winds up on Laksa, I believe Geno challenges Lou this game to step up her defensive game and play Laksa. They have similar games and Lou is bigger so her size may bother Laksa.
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The 6'5"' center is Katelyn Weber. She has started nine games. Freshman Tamara Henshaw, who is about 6'2," has started, in her place, the past five games.

FWIW, Laura Ferreira will not play against UCONN. She is now expected to be out for the rest of the year, due to her lingering injury. Despite her condition, she played off the bench in nine games.

For more player info see: USF Combined Team Statistics.

http://www.gousfbulls.com/pdf9/5086312.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=7700
 
Am I remembering correctly that Ferreira was playing hurt last year at the end of the season? Feet maybe?

Is this the same injury.
 
Intpseeker said:
Am I remembering correctly that Ferreira was playing hurt last year at the end of the season? Feet maybe?

Is this the same injury.
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Yes, same injury. She missed games at the beginning of the season, but was able to put in some minutes in later games. Recently, she has not played at all.
 
oldude said:
You may be right, although I point out that Gabby was assigned to guard Arike Ogunbowle & Kelsey Mitchell, two players that played on the perimeter. I guess we will know for sure tomorrow night.
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I would not be surprised if Geno has Gabby, Kia and some else switching off on Laksa. Nothing more frustrating for a player like Laksa to have to face different style defenders. We know Geno likes to "shut down" the opponents top scorer.

It's going to be a fun game.
 
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huskeynut said:
I would not be surprised if Geno has Gabby, Kia and some else switching off on Laksa. Nothing more frustrating for a player like Laksa to have to face different style defenders. We know Geno likes to "shut down" the opponents top scorer.

It's going to be a fun game.
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The one thing Laksa has going in her favor is her quick release. She is used to getting the ball and immediately shooting, even if there is no defender around. So, because of that, she is tough to defend.
 
USFMB said:
The 6'5"' center is Katelyn Weber. She has started nine games. Freshman Tamara Henshaw, who is about 6'2," has started, in her place, the past five games.

FWIW, Laura Ferreira will not play against UCONN. She is now expected to be out for the rest of the year, due to her lingering injury. Despite her condition, she played off the bench in nine games.
For more player info see: USF Combined Team Statistics.
http://www.gousfbulls.com/pdf9/5086312.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=7700
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Sucks for USF to lose Ferreira to injury. Always liked her game versatile and determined.
 
Lots of very good discussion on which Husky will earn the primary assignment to defend Laksa: Gabby, Kia, Lou or TEAM. Here's my last point in favor of Gabby.

Every time Geno & his coaches gameplan, they probably ask the question, "How can this team beat us?" If the answer to that question is, "No way, no how." then they can try some things out on offense and defense to see how certain players react in certain situations, not unlike a controlled scrimmage in practice.

With USF, while it is unlikely that the Bulls can defeat the Huskies, I think the coaching staff takes that possibility seriously against a talented, well-coached team like USF. IMO, the only way that USF threatens UConn is if Laksa goes off for 20-30 points and everybody else on the Bulls feeds of her energy to play way above their heads. The best way to burst USF's bubble and take them out of the game early is to put Gabby on Laksa, deny her the ball, and if she should get the ball, get in her face to harass the ball and challenge her shot. Every time she tries to come off a screen, another Husky jumps out aggressively to meet her. If the Huskies do it right, Laksa will be lucky to shoot 30% and they will force some turnovers = fast break points.

As I said originally on this thread, it should be great fun to watch.
 
USFMB said:
The one thing Laksa has going in her favor is her quick release. She is used to getting the ball and immediately shooting, even if there is no defender around. So, because of that, she is tough to defend.
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Point taken. BTW, we have one of those also. :D
 
A quick, unscientific look at a couple USF boxscores raises the question: Does Laksa ever pass? The two I reviewed had her at zero assists. If her game is limited to only shooting, then it doesnt matter which of UConn's excellent defenders has primary responsibility for her: The primary defender and the switches will slow/shut her down and will also reduce the times her teammates can get her the ball in the first place.
 
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