Geno kills the traditional post player in WBB

[j66kicker]

Not so Lew Alcindor --I always how he had the energy to play with 20000 conquests.

That was Wilt

 

[BroadwayVa]

To me the game of basketball changed in the Olympics. European bigs shooting 3's, opening up the lane for dribble drive and spreading the floor. 3 pointers are game changers and even if you get a 20 -20 from a big, you have to have some 3 's to open things up for everyone else.

Last night, I thought slowing the game down worked well for South Carolina, but also took them out of rhythm. Trying to execute at the end of the shot clock for 40 minutes against UCONN is difficult. UCONN kept hurrying things up and in the second half, and to me, it was the mental exhaustion rather than physical that did the Gamecocks in. They had the game in control until the final minute of the 2nd quarter and then the last minute of the 3 rd quarter UCONN jumped further ahead. Mentally draining and frustrating.

Slowing the game sometimes is good--it keeps the score down--but way too often teams slowing the game get in a rut--then then lose their minds trying to play catch up--it hardly ever, if ever works. You play your game against everyone--and if you are good you shall win. If not--there is always another game.

 

[BroadwayVa]

That was Wilt

You are correct Lew only had 19000!! (kidding). How do you have the energy for the game--(i suppose you can ask--which game?)

 

[Oldbones]

???????????????

That's great and all but I wasn't talking about SC's conditioning in relation to UCONN's.. call SC out of shape and slow, that's fine, I'm not arguing that. That's another conversation.

But that's not the reason Wilson didn't produce as effectively in the 2nd half.. its because she was double and triple teamed. Wilson is well equipped to play 4 quarters. Her effectiveness decreased because she was being defended differently (and occasionally fouled, but I digress on THAT subject as well).

SC, I personally hope that you and CockyLH and other Columbia-directed posters stay around the BY. We seem to have lost posters from other competitor schools along the way. The season has a long way to go.

 

[Bestiarius]

I think it was her shorts. They were a bit too short.

... and in a bunch at one point.

 

[meyers7]

Uh. Phil Jackson might have something to say about that.

The Jordan pippen Rodman Bulls killed the center.

Are you shading Luc Longley?

 

[JoePgh]

I think Davis and Gray spent so much energy trying to take KLS out of the equation that it threw them off offensively. If just a few more of their shots had fallen the complexion of last night's game would've been different in my opinion.

Bingo! And you may just have identified Lou's actual (and crucial) contribution to UConn's victory last night. If, by consuming defensive attention and energy from Davis and Gray, she reduced their scoring by more than her own scoring was reduced, then that was a net victory for her and UConn, and a net loss for them and for South Carolina.

 

[Vowelguy]

Are you shading Luc Longley?

Wouldn't I have to know what a Luc Longley is in order to throw him/her/it shade?

 

[meyers7]

Wouldn't I have to know what a Luc Longley is in order to throw him/her/it shade?

You brought up the Bulls.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Oldude - interesting but I don't think it is all that accurate for a few reasons:
1. One of the issues with the big man/woman center is god only makes a few of them every decade it seems, and there are a lot more teams than 'bigs' to go around, so it has always been an issue for most teams to figure out a way to counteract the few teams that have the big guys. Three point shooting certainly helps, and speed and smarts and passing have all been countermeasures. But the Griners and Jabars will always have a place at the table when they come along because they do pose serious issues for the teams that aren't lucky enough to snag one of them. In the pros where true zone defenses are not allowed you can force them outside on defense usually and that creates a problem for them, but in college where defensive three seconds doesn't exist ..

2. Geno certainly didn't create the idea of multifunctional undersized posts, most people attribute it to European basketball imports to the pros. Rebecca, Lauren Jackson, EDD, and Stewart all have exhibited that inside and outside skill, but they have all performed best when paired with a more traditional post player. If Geno had Tina Charles still on hist roster she would being taking a lot of minutes away from Gabby or Napheesa and Geno would be more relaxed about the outcome of the season! Next year and the year after he will be really happy to have BIG options in the lineup. This team is lots of fun to watch and root for and they are playing fabulous basketball, but the NC trophy hasn't been engraved yet!

3. For just a moment, fantasize about what might have been had Wilson chosen UConn! I think she and Geno would have made a pretty good match, and UConn would be even more dominant right now. OK - back to reality, love this team, and what they have done, but Gabby and Napheesa are also pretty unique players, and I wouldn't like to plug two other 6'1/5'11 players into their roles - can't think of another two playing college ball right know that would be getting it done, can you? So .. the formula depends on two unique players, not something that will start a trend!

I was going to high light those words that were outstanding--but I can't == just too many. So I'll just say para 2 and 3 I liked a lot.

I agree Geno will be more than pleased next year --he may even get giddy--IF and ONLY IF--the two imports do as anticipated!!
He has a recruiting class 360 teams would pay for--but untried and no Div 1 Experience.
If the Two import are as advertized along with 4 of the starting 5 plus Danger--and assuming Walker is a ready to go Div 1 kind of kid--at least for scoring--. Geno will do all end of games giggling. Recently Geno has been as loosey goosey as I've ever have seen him. Kidding the interviewer about who KLS's coach was--etc.
However, I wonder about Aj'a--her intensity--her need to win hard fought games--would that change under Geno?? Just a wonderment!!?? One more observation: Geno works with the talent (or lack thereo of) present to him big, tall, wide, short, thin, athletic, or not---he has learned many tricks of his trade to mask those bits and pieces that are apparent weaknesses.

 

[CMC'72]

They were absolutely right, but the 2 dominant BIGS were 6’1” & 5’11” and they didn’t play for South Carolina.

I learned alot from your info, so thanks! That line above was the best!

 

[Henry]

To the OP, very good post. Unfortunately, the men have not gotten the message. They keep recruiting big man projects who they hope will clog the lane and blocks shots. They got the blocked shots but only clog the lane to our detriment.

 

[CMC'72]

As underrated as Gabby and Pheesa are, is as overrated as Coates is.

It seems Coates can do it slip in punches and injuries, like that elbow to the stomach against KLS. She's a brute, not a basketball star.

 

[hoopingcrane]

I was thinking it started with EDD before Stewie.

I think it started with Lobo before EDD.

 

[BobbyJ]

???????????????

That's great and all but I wasn't talking about SC's conditioning in relation to UCONN's.. call SC out of shape and slow, that's fine, I'm not arguing that. That's another conversation.

But that's not the reason Wilson didn't produce as effectively in the 2nd half.. its because she was double and triple teamed. Wilson is well equipped to play 4 quarters. Her effectiveness decreased because she was being defended differently (and occasionally fouled, but I digress on THAT subject as well).

I agree with you here SCG. IMO, it's Staley's offense( or lack thereof ) that wastes Wilson's abilities. She sets her bigs up to be isolated and denied the ball because there's very little movement in the half court and good defenses know that without the high- low there will be no easy points. SC gets no points in transition and generates nothing off their defense which dooms bigs like Wilson that can run to be stuck in that low post watching poor shooters launch 3's. Granted, UConn is an out of the norm level of defense but against most teams, if Staley knew how to open up and get some easy points SC should score more than 77 a game.

 

[oldude]

To the OP, very good post. Unfortunately, the men have not gotten the message. They keep recruiting big man projects who they hope will clog the lane and blocks shots. They got the blocked shots but only clog the lane to our detriment.

Unfortunately there are a limited number of athletic bigs available each year, so most colleges recruit "projects" and hope for the best.

 

[Sonny44]

Coates had the better game last night of SC's 2 bigs, shooting 4-6 with 14 rbs. Wilson all but disappeared in the 2nd half.

She was distracted, you know, the I coulda played here syndrome.