Heads-up: KML/Bria on TV Saturday at....

[RockyMTblue2]

KML was a real force and leader. Bria was the most effective guard IMO. Sims is a very good ball handler, but made some highly questionable drives to the basket that went nowhere. Australia got a lot of second chances. Shooting and defense need to improve for Monday. Does not look like a cohesive, practiced team (cuz they are not of course).

 

[pap49cba]

Great win but this team will have its hands full with Russia given their lack of size. Sherri is going to have couple of sleepless nights.....

 

[UConnCat]

Russia and Team USA have played two common opponents: Sweden and the Czech Republic.

USA 101 Czech Republic 66
Russia 74 Czech Republic 66

USA 103 Sweden 72
Russia 74 Sweden 68

 

[HuskyFan1125]

So just watched the game! Although I'm no coach (especially for USA basketball) but I don't understand why Ellenberg started instead of an additional post. I feel like 2 posts, kml, and Hartley and Simms in the backcourt would have been a better option.

Just my 2 cents, but hey, a victory is a victory and I love Coach Coale.

 

[dtbtbtb]

So just watched the game! Although I'm no coach (especially for USA basketball) but I don't understand why Ellenberg started instead of an additional post. I feel like 2 posts, kml, and Hartley and Simms in the backcourt would have been a better option.

Just my 2 cents, but hey, a victory is a victory and I love Coach Coale.

Agree. I think the starting 5 (at least from what I saw this game) would look better with Theresa P. instead of Herberts and Bradford instead of Vegas. I thought that the player of the game was actually Bria who played good defense and was actually trying to find open players and oyu can see the chemistry between her and KML. If Shonie is not injured than it makes no sense to play Ariel M. and not her. Shonie is a much better player than Ariel IMO.

 

[blackbird]

Bria with 5 assists and 1 turnover. That's always good to see.

 

[msf22b]

Was it really a tough D? They gave up 78 points. (honest question - I didn't see the game)

They did play tough D within the context of a thrown together group seemingly left largely to their own devices.
They made some good steals and blocks, were in the passing lanes, caused a bunch of time violations.

Let's not forget, the Aussies were big, tough, talented and physical and clearly had been together far longer.
In the first quarter, they were relentless in their moves insides and sniping outside, were 10 of 10 at the outset or something like that. But the team found a way to disrupt their offense, climb back into the game while not shooting particularly well and in the third and half of the fourth quarter dominate.

The effort is there.

 

[ochoopsfan]

Sheri wisely shortened her rotation and relied heavily on Bria, Odyssey and Kaleena. Ellenberg, Hooper and Plaisance gave some quality minutes and Bedford came through in the clutch.

The team defense was about what you would expect from players thrown together only a short time ago, which is to say it was not very good. Individually, the D was generally ok, but Harberts, to cite but one example, seemed over-matched by the taller and quicker Aussie forwards.

You might want to watch the replay of the last 14 seconds and see who the Aussies went to twice to score, who was defending her on the USA team, and what happened to the shots by the Aussie player.

Statistically speaking it wasn't very different with Plaisance on the court vs Harberts. Plaisance was a +1 and Harberts was a -2. Hooper was -5.

This team isn't built for play inside to the bigs, or hasn't run very many plays to any of the bigs, and the coach has rarely used two bigs(Gray, Harberts, Hooper or Plaisance) on the court at the same time( about 5.40 of two bigs on the court out of the 40 minute game) . Anytime anyone other than Plaisance is on the court there is a disadvantage in the height between the other teams bigs and the USA squad. But this is the squad the committee or coaches chose in Colorado. It has got us to the Gold Medal game. One more step needed, but it will be a "big" step.

 

[Icebear]

There were many bigs who were unavailable because of injuries or other reasons. Stef being one and Stewie being on the U19 team and Chiney having an academic obligation.

Others like EDD and Griner had moved onto the WNBA. Tough year for available bigs.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

I think I heard that Shoni was injured / sick, I didn't quite catch what was said

I'm not sure if the step through move someone commented on above is specifically banned in the NCAA, or is simply considered travelling. And I think there is some debate whether or not it is or isn't technically traveling. There are players in the W that do step-throughs.

 

[Icebear]

The step-through move the way executed in international ball, generally, requires the extra Euro step and IS called traveling under US rules.

In US ball once a pivot foot is established it must remain in place until the ball is released in Europe traveling is not called until the pivot foot touches the ground again after losing contact.

This allows a player to gain another 3' past a defender as one maneuvers a defender to one side pivots past them and then releases the pivot moving through and past to release the shot before the former pivot touches down again.

Like the Euro step on a drive in the lane it is about how one interprets when steps start and end.

 

[Buckaroobanzai]

Recorded the game and watched it this morning (after church). I was really impressed with the play of Bria, Kaleena and Sims. They certainly appeared to be the best players on the USA team and they were the "rocks" on whom Sherri Coale depended in the clutch. ( And losing a 15 point lead gave us a potentially new definition of "clutch." ) Plaisance and Bradford were solid. Massengale was a disappointment. Marianna Tolo on the Australian team is a tough physical player. ( It would have been fun to see Stef take her on. ) But that "step through" move would certainly be a travel in the NCAA and presumably in the WNBA. Frankly, I like it, but it would require using the wider international lane. I do like the "continuation" rule in international play - it adds excitement to the game. Based on the way Bria and Kaleena are playing, the coming season could be a hoot!

 

[ochoopsfan]

Tolo, #14 for the Aussies, has played pro ball the past two years. Last season she played in France(she has already resigned for next year) and averaged 14ppg, and the previous year in Australia averaging 13ppg.
I looked at the Russian roster and 10 of the 12 players have played pro ball in Russia, most have two years experience. Some will be on the team that Nneka Ogwumike just signed with in Russia, so we are talking about an elite level league.
The USA might be the only "True" student team in the entire games.
Lets kick there butts.

 

[UConnCat]

In the 2011 WUG, Team USA didn't play Russia which finished 5th overall. Team USA - led by EDD, the O sisters, Diggins, etc. -- soundly beat Taiwan for the gold after a tough semi-final game against Australia (79-67).

In the 2011 WUG, Team USA defeated Russia 83-64 for the gold and was led in that game by Tina Charles' 28 pts and 18 rebounds. The 2011 team included an injured Maya (who didn't play at all), Danielle McCray, Tiffany Hayes, J.Lavender, J. Pohlen, Danielle Robinson, K.Pedersen, etc.

 

[dtbtbtb]

The thing is that this team is far from the best that could have been put together if all jr and seniors would have been available. Think how much better and way more balanced this team will look with Dolson, E. Williams, Thomas (MD) and O (Stanford) to name few.

 

[Phil]

I'm not sure if the step through move someone commented on above is specifically banned in the NCAA, or is simply considered travelling. And I think there is some debate whether or not it is or isn't technically traveling. There are players in the W that do step-throughs.

By prohibited, I meant (like Icebear said) that it would be called traveling.

 

[Geno-ista]

Just noticed:

Behind the AUS basket is a solid bank of dark red seats, all empty.

Behind the US basket is an active area with a walkway and large floor area at parquet level, generally white in color, with cheerleaders moving around and jumping etc (not at floor level but up one level in the arena). All this makes for a *very* busy background, lots of 'noise' and movement in line of sight when you're trying to shoot from outside.

I'm hoping the USA gets hot at the other basket in the 2nd half. Looks much easier from a shooters' standpoint. You don't often see KML draw air.

VAMike- that was some game. I just watched my recording of the game. If that Ausie post doesn't get in foul trouble and have to sit for so long- I don't think we win that game. Not sure of spelling, but Messingale from Tenn, and Arenberg from Oklahoma seamed to hurt us. Our posts were dominated at times. your observations about shooting at each hoop seamed to hit the mark. Sims is a great player. Hartley is also a terrific player and those two with KML seamed to be the anchors. That girl from Central Michigan looks kind of like Cheney Oguimake. There doesn't seam to be alot of great team chemestry, which is probably impossible in the time they have..
Also- I must have seen at least 5 travels on Austrailia-- I mean changing pivots in the low post and taking extra steps in traffic - that weren't called. And some really cheap fouls.

 

[Geno-ista]

The thing is that this team is far from the best that could have been put together if all jr and seniors would have been available. Think how much better and way more balanced this team will look with Dolson, E. Williams, Thomas (MD) and O (Stanford) to name few.

That is true about this not being our best.But is Austrailia diluted by other players that they could have fielded going to the other venues that our other players are going to? Or is this their absolute best??? They really ate us up at times. If their starting post doesn't sit because of fouls for so long we lose that game.