Stanford-Oregon State

[tomcat]

This has become a real defensive battle. It's now 34-23, OSU, with Stanford coming on strong. Stanford is doing things that have bottled up the OSU offense. Of course, it helps that OSU has gone completely cold and its star, Sidney Wiese, is having a lousy game so far. OSU's defense is, by and large, decent, but Stanford is hitting shots now even tough ones.

 

[MilfordHusky]

36-34 after 3 quarters. Stanford is catching up by scoring 11 points per quarter, because OSU is scoring only 7.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Sue is interviewed at the break.

 

[nwhoopfan]

This game is brutal. These two teams are too much alike.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Yikes! OSU has 14 points in 24 minutes.

 

[MilfordHusky]

In addition to our game, I watched parts of the ND v. Duke, SC v. MSU, Maryland v. Purdue, and Stanford v. Oregon State games. The only team that impressed me was ND. So many teams are offensively challenged. I don't see them as serious threats.

 

[MilfordHusky]

OSU scored 22 points in the first 9 minutes and 21 points in the final 31 minutes. Eek!

 

[nwhoopfan]

Hard to argue that. Notre Dame does look like the 2nd best team in the country right now (although I didn't watch Baylor today).

 

[mntncougar]

Not impressed. Not even a little. But I did like the Samuelson fist-pump with Karlee (?) lying flat on her back.

 

[bags27]

Did I just see Sydney Wiese crying while her mother was hugging her? Sweet.

 

[nwhoopfan]

To try to save a little bit of face, OSU and Stanford played 3 times this year, and all 3 games were pretty close to unbearable to watch. They look at least a little better when they aren't playing each other. They're almost like mirror images. Tough defenses and struggle to manufacture points sometimes.

 

[tomcat]

Certainly no offense that could impress, although you have to gave both teams credit for defense. In the end, it just seemed like two teams intent on gumming up each other's works. Stanford succeeded really well. Sidney Wiese, who is supposed to be wonderful, had a nothing night , shadowed by a really tenacious defender. Stanford's Australian center, Smith, did a number on the taller OSU players.

 

[ochoopsfan]

The Rebounding Samuelson played in Connecticut today. KLS 5 v Karlie 3

 

[SCspur]

In addition to our game, I watched parts of the ND v. Duke, SC v. MSU, Maryland v. Purdue, and Stanford v. Oregon State games. The only team that impressed me was ND. So many teams are offensively challenged. I don't see them as serious threats.

Defense matters ... Baylor the only team other then UCONN that has great defense and offense. SC only scored 59 today but that was agaisnt a team thats top 10 in to country in points allowed. Agaisnt other teams they have average 80.9 ppg without Coates so I'm not worried about them scoring wise. ND while being a geat offensive team isn't good defensively and the same goes for Maryland and they will struggle with teams that can score on par with them and also play good defense IMO.

 

[Plebe]

Hard to argue that. Notre Dame does look like the 2nd best team in the country right now (although I didn't watch Baylor today).

To my eye Notre Dame and Baylor are neck and neck. That will be one heckuva national semfinal game.

 

[HumblePie]

The Rebounding Samuelson played in Connecticut today. KLS 5 v Karlie 3

And yet it was Karlie's all around play and timely baskets and free throws that sealed the victory for Stanford.

 

[Plebe]

To try to save a little bit of face, OSU and Stanford played 3 times this year, and all 3 games were pretty close to unbearable to watch. They look at least a little better when they aren't playing each other. They're almost like mirror images. Tough defenses and struggle to manufacture points sometimes.

I thought the first game, which went to 2OT at Stanford, was more entertaining. Wiese was on fire and hit a ton of amazing shots. Unlike today

 

[Jimbo]

The highlight of this game was the Sue Bird interview.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I thought the first game, which went to 2OT at Stanford, was more entertaining. Wiese was on fire and hit a ton of amazing shots. Unlike today

That game was fairly bad in regulation. A lot of drama w/ 2 OTs and definitely some clutch shooting and plays from both teams. McCall did almost nothing during regulation but came alive in the OT sessions for Stanford.

 

[triaddukefan]

And yet it was Karlie's all around play and timely baskets and free throws that sealed the victory for Stanford.

What about her flop?

 

[nwhoopfan]

What about her flop?

That might've been the play of the game. Took away a Wiese 3 from the corner that I think would've cut it back to a 2 point lead and totally changed the complexion of the game.

 

[HumblePie]

What about her flop?

Flop? Do you know the definition of the word as it pertains to basketball? As I saw it, she was floored on the play and it was hardly an act. Either way it would have been covered by my use of "all around play."

 

[MilfordHusky]

To my eye Notre Dame and Baylor are neck and neck. That will be one heckuva national semfinal game.

If they both make it.

 

[ocoandasoc]

I watched the Stanford - Oregon State game. If these are the two best teams in the Pac 12, my opinion of the conference remains unchanged. I don't see either making the elite Eight.

My God, neither team could shoot better than 33%? In a championship game? 91 points between them? And they just don't pass the eye test.

Maybe I'll be wrong and they'll both go to the Final Four. But I would bet against it. In fact, I think I will.

 

[Plebe]

I watched the Stanford - Oregon State game. If these are the two best teams in the Pac 12, my opinion of the conference remains unchanged. I don't see either making the elite Eight.

My God, neither team could shoot better than 33%? In a championship game? 91 points between them? And they just don't pass the eye test.

Maybe I'll be wrong and they'll both go to the Final Four. But I would bet against it. In fact, I think I will.

Consider the fact that Oregon State and Stanford are 6th and 7th in the country in FG% defense (just ahead of UConn at 8th).
Consider as well that this was the 3rd time these teams have met. Good defensive teams benefit from familiarity with an opponent's offense.

First you said you don't see either making the Elite 8. But then you said you would bet against either team making the Final 4. Well, since neither of these teams will be a #1 seed, neither of them will be expected to make the Final 4. Not exactly an audacious bet.