KLS vs. Coates, By The Numbers

[JoePgh]

I found this to be an interesting comparison from last night's game box score:

Katie Lou Samuelson: 22 minutes, 2 points, 4 fouls, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, one turnover

Alaina Coates: 26 minutes, 2 points, 4 fouls, 9 rebounds, 0 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers

KLS guarded Tiny Roy, who scored 0 points on 3 shots.

Coates guarded Morgan Tuck, who scored 16 points on 13 shots. How did that work out?

Of all the predictions that could have been made about this game, predicting that KLS (despite scoring just 2 points) would have a better stat line than Coates, and actually contribute more to her team's success than Coates, would have been the least plausible.

 

[Fiftyish]

KLS played pretty well for a freshman in a big time game. What was interesting was that she did not attempt any 3's even thought she had a few open looks. Not sure why she didn't jack up a few.

 

[uconnfan68]

KLS played pretty well for a freshman in a big time game. What was interesting was that she did not attempt any 3's even thought she had a few open looks. Not sure why she didn't jack up a few.

Confidence is lagging.

 

[Sonny44]

I said in another thread I DON'TKNOW WHY Dawn even starts Coates. After this, I would start White over her.

 

[Sonny44]

Confidence is lagging.

Yes, it did seem that she decided before the game not to shoot.

 

[Vowelguy]

Tuck is a bad matchup for Coates bc she's too quick and can take her out to the perimeter and drive past her. And UConn's defense limited the entry passes into Coates.

This incidentally shows my concern about next year (if Tuck doesn't return). A quick front line of Collier and Williams would be much too small against SC. Butler is a bigger body but doesnt have the range or speed of Tuck, meaning a more clogged lane.

 

[Vowelguy]

I said in another thread I DON'TKNOW WHY Dawn even starts Coates.

Leading rebounder and 3rd leading scorer.

 

[calpedaler]

Lou had a player chasing her all over. That certainly open things up even more for Stewie and Morgan. She did have an open look 2 times when she made the extra pass to Kia for 3.

 

[Sonny44]

Leading rebounder and 3rd leading scorer.

Ok, I guess she really produces against the "have nots".

 

[Artifact]

Yes, it did seem that she decided before the game not to shoot.

Perhaps, she was encouraged, by staff, to play a more defensive game then a offensive game at this stage of her development.

 

[Vowelguy]

Ok, I guess she really produces against the "have nots".

SC has beaten 8 teams currently ranked in the top 25.
In those games, she has averaged
11.8 pts
11.0 rebounds
1.8 asst
1.4 stls
1.3 blks
1.5 TOs
31.5 mins

 

[Roundball fan]

Just wondering, does any one think Geno tells Lou to get a little aggressive and really go after a rebound. I have watched her and she could use a little badass in her rebounding. She did play pretty good over all, just wish she would show a little mean girl side of her.

 

[JoePgh]

Just wondering, does any one think Geno tells Lou to get a little aggressive and really go after a rebound. I have watched her and she could use a little badass in her rebounding. She did play pretty good over all, just wish she would show a little mean girl side of her.

A couple of thoughts about this:

1. Lou will become a better rebounder (she is already moderately good), but it would take a team of prize-winning Freudian analysts to bring out any inner "mean girl" in Lou, if that even exists. Maybe harder even than with Ann Strother.
2. If you say that at least Coates outdid Lou in the rebounding category, please note that a slender 5-11 high jumper named Gabby had 10 rebounds to Coates' nine. That, plus some improvement from Napheesa and Natalie, does not make me think that SC will dominate the boards in next year's game, even if Morgan does not return.

 

[GiladKatzDeli]

KLS has come a long way on defense from the beginning of the season. I thought she played pretty good defense last night. She got hit with a tough blocking foul, but I think her length bothered some people.

 

[Kaizen]

I think among KLS's 4 fouls, 2 are not valid...

 

[TheGOAT23]

KLS has come a long way on defense from the beginning of the season. I thought she played pretty good defense last night. She got hit with a tough blocking foul, but I think her length bothered some people.

As a freshman, she did very well considering it was on a big stage with 18,000+ screaming fans. Overall, not a bad game from KLS. Her defense was pretty solid and I actually thought she drew an offensive foul on Cliney. I thought that she had a clear look from 3 in the 4th quarter, but she drove the baseline and committed an offensive foul. If you're not scoring, there are other facets of the game where you can contribute. I was a little surprised at Kia after the Tulane game. Just because you don't score doesn't mean that you didn't help the team. Her defense is relentless every game and she gives 110% night in and night out with her energy and hustle.

 

[huskyd]

A couple of thoughts about this:

1. Lou will become a better rebounder (she is already moderately good), but it would take a team of prize-winning Freudian analysts to bring out any inner "mean girl" in Lou, if that even exists. Maybe harder even than with Ann Strother.
2. If you say that at least Coates outdid Lou in the rebounding category, please note that a slender 5-11 high jumper named Gabby had 10 rebounds to Coates' nine. That, plus some improvement from Napheesa and Natalie, does not make me think that SC will dominate the boards in next year's game, even if Morgan does not return.

Very good, Joe. That's exactly right: Gabby is amazing. I watched in wonder as she dove repeatedly into a very large and clogged middle to emerge with the ball. This young lady's transformation to a forward borders on the miraculous. Who else but Geno, huh?

 

[Siestakeyfan]

I think among KLS's 4 fouls, 2 are not valid...

AGREED !!

 

[JordyG]

I though KLS was great on defense. Her best game so far. As I've said before her footwork while defending off the dribble is miles better than it was. She has great court vision and anticipates well. Her length gives small wings fits. Offensively though I thought SC called her bluff. They stayed in her shorts on the perimeter. Especially when she was in her favorite spot in the right corner. SC refused to let her shoot uncontested 3's. Twice she tried to score off the dribble (from the right corner). Once she succeeded, once she was called for the offensive foul. Once UCONN tried to get her open on a screen (from the right) which didn't set well and she didn't quite move well enough to get the shot off. But Geno was clearly happy with her defensively. I also thought she beat her opponent to the spot on that one blocking foul.

 

[j66kicker]

Just wondering, does any one think Geno tells Lou to get a little aggressive and really go after a rebound. I have watched her and she could use a little badass in her rebounding. She did play pretty good over all, just wish she would show a little mean girl side of her.

I've seen it, in a couple of Nike TOC games I saw in her senior year. Didn't necessarily care for it then, but must admit I've kinda been wanting to see it come out.

 

[Geno-ista]

Confidence is lagging.

I don't think that was it. They guarded her way out on the perimeter- this allowed us to spread the floor and exploit them with our big three. She also made the extra pass a few times to wide open shooters like Nurse once or twice. She had a solid game I thought.

 

[ochoopsfan]

I though KLS was great on defense. Her best game so far. As I've said before her footwork while defending off the dribble is miles better than it was. She has great court vision and anticipates well. Her length gives small wings fits. Offensively though I thought SC called her bluff. They stayed in her shorts on the perimeter. Especially when she was in her favorite spot in the right corner. SC refused to let her shoot uncontested 3's. Twice she tried to score off the dribble (from the right corner). Once she succeeded, once she was called for the offensive foul. Once UCONN tried to get her open on a screen (from the right) which didn't set well and she didn't quite move well enough to get the shot off. But Geno was clearly happy with her defensively. I also thought she beat her opponent to the spot on that one blocking foul.

Agree, and what Lou did, by being closely guarded on the perimeter, didnt show up in a box score. She helped create the space needed for Stewie, Mo and Morgan to drive the lane as often as possible as help side defense wasnt able to get there.
Some times people see a box score and say a player didnt do much as she only took one shot all game. But if you watch the game, and have a good opinion of what goes on, as most Boneyarders do, you know better. What Lou did better in this game vs the last game was she moved a lot more.

 

[Geno-ista]

I though KLS was great on defense. Her best game so far. As I've said before her footwork while defending off the dribble is miles better than it was. She has great court vision and anticipates well. Her length gives small wings fits. Offensively though I thought SC called her bluff. They stayed in her shorts on the perimeter. Especially when she was in her favorite spot in the right corner. SC refused to let her shoot uncontested 3's. Twice she tried to score off the dribble (from the right corner). Once she succeeded, once she was called for the offensive foul. Once UCONN tried to get her open on a screen (from the right) which didn't set well and she didn't quite move well enough to get the shot off. But Geno was clearly happy with her defensively. I also thought she beat her opponent to the spot on that one blocking foul.

Jordy- every word is exactly what I saw!

 

[JordyG]

To my fault I don't think I praised KLS's defense enough. Whatever opponent was in front of her she did really well denying them the ball and staying in front of them. She jumped the lanes very well. She played highly effective, aggressive defense. As time goes on and she becomes adept at positioning herself for rebounds (like Gabby) and reads the ball off the rim better she's going to be a defensive beast. With such offensive ability she's soon going to figure that end out. She's going to be a nasty all around player.