Stanford Postgame Thread

[jeff30189]

WOW! Compliments to Liv, from Tara. But let’s not forget this fact: UCONN does not have any All American on its roster this year.

This year's team is the classic example of the sum of the parts being greater than the whole. No one individual player is responsible for this end-of-year run. Every player has deficiencies and flaws. Multiple different players have been the one to step up when it was most needed. On paper most impartial prognosticators would say NC State, Stanford and SC would all be favored vs. UConn. Yet here we are.

The cogs of the machine fit together in a magical almost perfect synchronization, with spare parts available when something breaks. If we ever needed a game where all the parts work together perfectly it's going to be Sunday.

 

[Stinger92860]

Not when UConn was shooting three’s or short jumpers. I thought they gave too much room to Westbrook and CW, as a matter of fact, I remember TV yelling at them to keep their hands up in their faces. They defended Paige well, but she still managed 14 points. Both girls are tall and quick, they will learn though. Felt bad for them after they ran off the court in tears.

Desipte room, CW shot 3/13 and 2/6. The 2 of 6 is deceptive becuase one more hit is 50%. She needs to knock down the open shot and we know she can becuase she played very well down the stretch. I am hoping those 2 big FTs she hit will increase her confidence.

EDIT: Oh, and more Nika!!!

 

[ME Husky Fan]

According to Tara in her interview UConn had nothing to do with Stanford not playing well tonight.

She refers to Liv as Nelson-Odi...

 

[Atleast5char]

It's pretty common at this point in the season. Tara's team just lost a tough game. There wasn't going to be many pleasantries.

I was surprised, too. He did a long hug and chat with the NC State coach.

 

[Wilderness]

I thought Tara's coldness was strange too. She made a b-line for the locker room. Players were still out congratulating our team, but she zoomed out. Really odd behavior from a really classy coach...

She was also in a loser's mindset when interviewed on camera (I think after Q3). Said to my wife then, "What's up with her? That's not good." Seemed like she didn't have a clear head. Hope she's okay - has been balanced and insightful when I've heard her speak in prior years.

 

[Wilderness]

Boston looks unstoppable. If we can even slow her down we might win. It will be an interesting game.

This morning I'm wondering whether AE (and others) might be able to draw offensive fouls on her. She bulls into the lane. Risky but perhaps...

 

[hoopsfan22]

I was surprised, too. He did a long hug and chat with the NC State coach.

It's a little different with coaches where you have a long history of competing at the top of the game I think like a Tara or Muffet or Pat. They should just do away with the whole thing. All it seems to do is create controversy or even fights on the men's side. If the players want to congratulate each other they can without the line, just like they did last night. Every game we analyze a 3 second interaction at the buzzer to try to discern some meaning about how many hugs or how long it takes to whiz by each other on their way to the locker room.

 

[Wilderness]

Evina should have never passed the ball, she should have taken it back court to run additional time or get fouled.

Perhaps something to this I don't get - but at that point isn't an uncontested layup worth more than time off the clock with the attendant risk of a turnover?

 

[jchusky]

lol isn't it funny that the promo for the women's tourny by Espn featured Taurasi and A'Ja Wilson.

 

[LarryLegend]

there was a pre-game handshake which appeared cordial. I think it was that she just lost a game that all things being equal would have won. Like Geno said all week, Stanford was going to have to help them win.

 

[oldude]

A couple comments on Tara. She is a great coach who hates to lose, like most great coaches, and likely hates to lose to Geno more than anyone else. Some coaches are very good at hiding their disappointment after a loss. Clearly, Tara isn’t one of them.

One thing I did notice is that Tara kept experimenting with lineup changes, even into the 4th qtr, as if she was grasping for some combination that might turn it around. Stanford played 11 players, many of whom contributed very little.

Tara’s most questionable substitution occurred when she inserted Iriafan into the game in the 4th qtr. A freshman who had not played a single minute, played just one minute, during which she fouled Liv who converted a huge 3-pt play at a critical point in the game.

It’s not just players who make mistakes when they’re under pressure. Down the stretch of yesterday’s national semifinal game, Tara made several questionable decisions.

 

[Bama fan]

You have a TV that yells? Pretty cool.

I have a TV that yells. My wife kept asking what all the noise and hollering was in the living room. I assured her that it was the TV and spectators. From our bedroom, to her it must have sounded a lot like me. But I steadfastly held my position. If it happens again Sunday she might insist on a new TV for me!

 

[Nyskier]

I think Stanford underestimated UConn and paid the price.

 

[hoopsfan22]

She just said she likes Geno in the pre-game press conference. Like what more do people want? Hugs and kisses at the buzzer when her team just lost a tough game? And I thought our expectations for our own team were ridiculous.

 

[Husky fanatic]

The story being written is called how to overcome Bonehead plays co authored by Aalyia Edwards and Evina Westbrook. Every Bonehead play was offset by a really good play.

 

[huskeynut]

As to the handshake at the end - you can respect someone but not like them. It's okay.

 

[LarryLegend]

IMHO the play that shows PB is 100% back was the steal and layup

 

[Newfie]

In the NC game last year, Stanford did not play a good game. Even though they won, I remember thinking both Tara and the players did not look happy. It was like they had lost the game. I assume because they didn’t play well but won anyway. They didn’t play well last night either, and I’m sure Tara is very frustrated. It is difficult being the favored team, lots of additional pressure. Maybe they have trouble handling that. It makes it even more remarkable what UConn has done all these years, with the weight of expectations our players and coaches have on them. I would not read too much into Tara’s coldness.

 

[psconn]

Let‘s not miss the fact that Evina and Nika had 14 rebounds between them. In a game where every possession counted, having two guards pull down 14 boards was monumental in getting the ball in UConn’s hands and limiting second chance points for Stanford.

FACT. When things were looking like they could turn Stanford's way E and Nika were as good as you could reasonably ask for. Geno has said on several occasions that no one has to do more than what they have shown they can do in the past. Just be great at what you do. They are two prime examples.

E's points we absolutely crucial and timely. Her 6 rebounds were icing on that offensive performance.

Nika snuffed Stanford possessions 6 times in her 17.5 minutes, once with a steal. She also grabbed 3 O-Rbs, presenting UConn with a total of 9 new possessions... in 17.5 minutes! You can feel her energy in the game.

 

[hookshot]

UCF said the same thing. No credit to UConn’s defense.

I thought she was pretty much spot on in all her comments, and was echoed by Geno who said Uconn (despite their good defense) needed some help from Stanford to get a win - and, they got that help. To say that Stanford had some uncharacteristic results offensively, is not to deny that Uconn played tough defense or lessened the overall effort of Uconn, which she cited some examples of.

 

[psconn]

I disagree, I actually think Geno couldn't care less.

 

[jaydee602]

So did Ono

Yep! LOL...I knew I missed one. ONO calmly sank two big free throws with her line drive style.

 

[housekeys]

Prechtal really impressed me, Tara should have played her more, could have been a difference maker.

First time seeing her. She looks like a special player going forward (only a freshmen, I think). Luckily, Geno and the coaches do their homework. After Prechtel came into the game and immediately hit a 3 (rather effortlessly), Geno called a time-out. Geno is very selective when to call a time-out. I got the sense, it was to adjust his team for Prechtel's presence. Afterwards, Stanford looked a bit disjointed on offense as UConn was doing a good job countering whatever Tara had planned.