NCAA Tourney games

[ERWUC65]

Cuse proved the age old theory today. 5 will beat 1 EVERYTIME. Iowa State's high scorer Audi Crooks scored over 35 points, but the Cyclones fell in the first round today. As an old fan, Crooks is the Pete Maravich of this era. Sure she can light up score book with points, but if there's no support staff, you'll lose EVERY TIME, and that happened. I know that this may ruffle some feathers, but the Cuse could......COULD cause some difficulty Monday. They have some decent talent, and it's spread out. Syracuse's Uchie is similar to Blanca. They have good outside shooting, and a decent inside game, and like to push the action. The weakness that UCONN can exploit is at the point guard. Syracuse's starting point guard is out, and they are relying on a guard who may have difficulty with KK Arnold's quickness. She did get hot in 2nd quarter, by draining5 3's, which gave the Cuse a lead they never lost. I don't think she'll get that same chance Monday. That being all said, Cuse will give UCONN a better game than the 1 trick ponies of Iowa State would have.

That was a TOUGH game, Syracuse is going to be gassed, and... missing their PG? I see a big UConn win.

 

[GamecockFam]

A cocks fan said it’s because they have a short bench tonight.

That was me. With 9 players available, one of the starters has to be on the floor at all times. Looks like Latson got the short straw this game.

As I was watching the CBU-UCLA game it occurred to me that Audi is a very similar player on offense to Lauren. On defense there’s no contest between them, and Lauren is a bit more mobile. But when it comes to post moves, Audi just has more of them, immobile as she is, and her shooting is rather more skillful. If you ignore the difference between height vs width, the basic play is the same: a post entry pass into a physically imposing person who is pretty much impossible to defend once they get the ball.

Two additional things: first, Lauren would probably defend Audi much more effectively than vice versa. Second, analysts like to gush about Lauren’s mobility in the lane. But on offense this only consists of a pivot move to her left that she developed last season. That’s it. I get that she likes doing the pivot but it’s seems largely cosmetic since in almost every case she could more easily muscle the ball up through smaller defenders. As soon as you recognize this, then it becomes clear that she’s not doing anything different from Audi. And she misses more layups than Audi does.

To consider the broader context, I’d say that Audi probably has very little future in the W. By contrast, Lauren will be drafted and will get playing time. It’s a question how she’ll adjust to playing against opponents who are as tall and as strong as she is, are more mobile, and who can hit midrange jumpers. I’d compare her to Li Yueru, who is the same size, has a dependable midrange shot and is more mobile. Lauren is probably stronger than Yueru, but may not have any other advantage.

Great analysis! I think Li Yeuru is a great comp though I think Betts is slightly stronger and more athletic.

I agree with the Audi analysis as well. Crooks make a good college player but it won't translate to the next level.

 

[Bone Dog]

That was a TOUGH game, Syracuse is going to be gassed, and... missing their PG? I see a big UConn win.

It was a tough game. But I think it will energize Syracuse more than it will tire them out. I expect them to bring a lot of confidence into the UConn game.

 

[Bigboote]

Great analysis! I think Li Yeuru is a great comp though I think Betts is slightly stronger and more athletic.

I agree with the Audi analysis as well. Crooks make a good college player but it won't translate to the next level.

The way I see it is Betts gets by largely on height and Crooks on strength. Betts will be playing against players (almost) as tall as she, and Crooks against players as strong as she. I'm not sure Crooks makes a cut, although probably will with expansion.

Betts will be a good pro. I'm not confident one way or the other whether she'll ever be an all-star; as Bone Dog said she'll need to develop some post moves, and I'll add, more of the 15-17 foot shot.