Oregon vs Notre Dame - 3/26/18

[Orangutan]

It is and she does it every game. Not sure how she gets away with it

Was going to say the same thing but from a different perspective.

You are right that she never gets called on that type of move. She knows what refs will allow and uses her frame to her advantage accordingly.

 

[wbball novice]

I'm wondering if Z would have trouble defending and scoring against Shepherd, who reminds me a little of that Minnesota player of some years ago who was on the Lynx for a while.

 

[j66kicker]

Man I love that Sabally kid! maybe Dawn needs to get an international player or two.

Well Dawn has already missed out on Sabally’s little sister - she’ll be freshman at Oregon next year.

 

[Orangutan]

That 3-point play by Shepard was huge. ND still in striking range and McGraw usually has some good halftime adjustments.

Slightly uphill battle spotting Oregon 6 but still all to play for.

 

[TitleTown]

Anybody that wants to play Oregon instead of ND is crazy! Oregon is a much better team and creates some tough match up problems for UConn.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Do you mean she will be the best after some of the current best players retire? She's very, very good, but I can't imagine her being as great as Delle Donne or Stewart or Maya or Tina or Jonquel Jones or Griner or Nneka or Candace Parker, all of whom seem to be still playing at their peak. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems unlikely that she will be the best while they are still around. I guess only time will tell, but I will be surprised if she ever rises to that level.

Those are all frontcourt players so it's a complete apples to oranges comparison.

But never get to that level? Every single one of those players improved after they entered the WNBA. You don't think Ionescu will continue to improve? She's only a sophomore in college and she's already fantastic. Made a big jump from Fr. to Soph year. 2 more years of college, a few years in the W...I can't even imagine what she'll be in 5 years. Not to mention by then some of the players you listed will be on the back half of their career and maybe starting to decline.

 

[nwhoopfan]

As good as Ionescu has been scoring today, I think Oregon is better when she's piling up the assists. Working the 2 man game w/ Hebard or hitting Bando or others for open 3s.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Bando needs to start knocking down 3s

 

[nwhoopfan]

Shepard just missed 3 shots from point blank range on 1 possession

 

[Zanzman]

I'm wondering if Z would have trouble defending and scoring against Shepherd, who reminds me a little of that Minnesota player of some years ago who was on the Lynx for a while.

Janel mcCarvelle

 

[nwhoopfan]

early sub for McGwire, just hit a long jumper

 

[HoopsFan21]

You'd have to put Kia on Ionescu and Gabby on Hebert

 

[nwhoopfan]

cold start for Oregon, ND closes to 48-46

 

[willtalk]

Was going to say the same thing but from a different perspective.

You are right that she never gets called on that type of move. She knows what refs will allow and uses her frame to her advantage accordingly.

Refs have gone in that direction for some time. That is not calling offensive players for initiating contact. But this one was really absurd. This sort of is an off shoot of the NBA move years ago to sell their league by giving the advantage to offensive players.

 

[nwhoopfan]

"good defense" ie. Shepard got away w/ hitting Ionescu on the drive

 

[HoopsFan21]

Tied up at 48

 

[HoopsFan21]

Good lord Mabrey2 has no range limit

 

[nwhoopfan]

ND regains the lead 51-50

gotta get Hebard back in the game, I have no idea why Graves took her out a couple minutes into Q3

 

[wbball novice]

Janel mcCarvelle

Yes!

 

[nwhoopfan]

Cazorla picks up foul #3

53-50

 

[HoopsFan21]

55-50 ND 5:03 3rd TO Oregon

 

[UCBaller2012]

Shepard is such a hacker and gets called for nothing.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Shepard misses another gimme but ND gets a second chance bucket

55-50

What the heck did the Ducks do at halftime?

 

[nwhoopfan]

15-4 so far in Q3

wake up Ducks

 

[Tenspro2002]

This is why I want to play Oregon.

No defense, and questionable toughness.

 

[BostonCanuck]

Ducks continually taking outside shots when no teammates are in position near the basket to get an o-board. One-and-done for them every possession. Big adjustment needed by Graves during this time out.

 

[DefenseBB]

Sabally took too many shots that were ill advised and is why they are down and needed to move the ball more specifically to Sabrina

 

[GoUconn7961]

There is no defense in this game. None. Zip.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I hate these back to back commercial breaks. Ionescu shooting FTs when we come back, maybe that'll get them going again.

 

[Roger G]

Those are all frontcourt players so it's a complete apples to oranges comparison.

But never get to that level? Every single one of those players improved after they entered the WNBA. You don't think Ionescu will continue to improve? She's only a sophomore in college and she's already fantastic. Made a big jump from Fr. to Soph year. 2 more years of college, a few years in the W...I can't even imagine what she'll be in 5 years. Not to mention by then some of the players you listed will be on the back half of their career and maybe starting to decline.

Well, it is apples to oranges, but to be the "best player in the world" she would have to be better than much taller players. In the professional game, the advantage of taller players is accentuated, so it is harder to be the best when you are not exceptionally tall. She may get a small window wherein there are no great tall players and be for a short time the best, but I think it is unlikely. Take a look at the list of WNBA MVPs of all time. Most are very tall players, although Cynthia cooper was her size. And while Ionescu will be improving, so will players like A'ja Wilson and others as yet unrecognized. But only time will tell. That's just my opinion.