Transition scoring.....

[VAMike23]

Showtime, it was not!

[I have to complain about something - it's a mojo thing.]

In all seriousness, we--especially Bria--need to clean up our execution on fast break opportunities sometimes. This was the only sore spot the entire game for me; there were at least 3 times when Bria had the ball on the break and did *not* have clear separation from the defender but *did* have a trailer in perfect scoring position..... that she did not or would not pass to.

It's one thing to take advantage and push the ball when you have separation. There are few players better at taking advantage of this than Bria Hartley. It takes a certain attitude--as Geno spelled out clearly in the post-game, Bria is the one player on our team that, in the heat of battle, always feels and believes she is the best player on the floor. However, when you are playing against a team like ND and you are being contested on the break by someone like Diggins, McBride, or even another one of their players, you MUST HIT THE @&#(!?!*$%! TRAILER when it is clearly available!!!! Not only did she not hit the trailer, but a couple of times on the missed or blocked shot that ensued, we ended up fouling or losing the ball in the scrum.

This is just fundamental fast break basketball. I know she thinks she is going to score on every single one of those plays (she isn't) and can potentially pick up an +1, but she needs to be more disciplined. I'm not saying every play was like this--far from it---but there were several more instances of this than should be the case with an experienced 3-year guard. If it's just you and the defender and you have a path, go for it! The end of last year's FF game comes to mind. Great take by Bria, at a crucial time. But when you are being contested, especially when you're coming in from the left side of the rim (Bria being righty) and you have a trailer in a 2-on-1 situation, use the trailer!

<< Mojo rant off !!!! >>


.

 

[Sonny44]

In most cases she scores and the trailers weren't in that good position.

Anyway, if you really want to find something to complain about here's mine. Why has getting the ball in bounds all of a sudden become such an adventure? This is a team problem, not just one player.

 

[VAMike23]

In most cases she scores and the trailers weren't in that good position.

Anyway, if you really want to find something to complain about here's mine. Why has getting the ball in bounds all of a sudden become such an adventure? This is a team problem, not just one player.

In the several instances I'm thinking of, the trailer was in *perfect* position and well ahead of the defense.

And yeah - the inbounds plays were a little stressful at times as well

 

[jsloanjr]

I suspect she will clean that up on Tuesday night............

 

[EricLA]

I actually pretty much totally agree with Mike. Part of the problem was she was driving against AA Diggins who played better defense on Bria than Bria's offense was capable of (on those drives). She did have one fast break where I think Achonwa was after her but it was clear Briai was faster and had an easier lane to the basket. But you are correct - it was 2 on 1 situations. She should have either stopped and let the defender go past her or passed the ball to the other person running the break with her. Part of the problem is that Bria drives with her head down and doesn't look up when she gets a full head of steam like that. There were great shots of it from the camera angle behind the basket on her drives.

Still, L'ville doesn't have anyone like Skyler Diggins on their team. Bria is much more athletic than any of the L'ville guards except maybe for Smith. Side note - i was really impressed with Bria Smith. Walz shifted her over the the 1 spot so Shoni could play the 2 and Smith has been very impressive. She reminds me a lot of Hartley and vice versa - their size, athleticism, etc. That will be an entertaining matchup!

 

[Vowelguy]

Getting the ball in shouldn't be a problem with Stewart on the floor. She's too quick for big defenders and too tall for smaller defenders. She should be an easy target.

 

[Icebear]

Bria needed to take the pull up jumper or pass on at least two of those three breakaways. She, also, might have done well to cross Skylar and the basket to her strong hand and to put Skylar more on her back and left.

 

[Vowelguy]

It's easy to second guess Hartley, but when you've got one of the best players ever at stripping the ball on your heels, it's a lot harder to be looking around the court and aware of who's trailing.

 

[Wally East]

Anyway, if you really want to find something to complain about here's mine. Why has getting the ball in bounds all of a sudden become such an adventure? This is a team problem, not just one player.

Can I complain about lobbing the ball into a very covered player?

 

[VAMike23]

Can I complain about lobbing the ball into a very covered player?

Yes, you may! Multiple times, even!

 

[Icebear]

A coouple of times on those the player trying to release was grabbed and couldn't disengage cleanly.

 

[CTyankee]

We are doomed!!!!!

 

[housekeys]

Showtime, it was not!

[I have to complain about something - it's a mojo thing.]

In all seriousness, we--especially Bria--need to clean up our execution on fast break opportunities sometimes. This was the only sore spot the entire game for me; there were at least 3 times when Bria had the ball on the break and did *not* have clear separation from the defender but *did* have a trailer in perfect scoring position..... that she did not or would not pass to.

It's one thing to take advantage and push the ball when you have separation. There are few players better at taking advantage of this than Bria Hartley. It takes a certain attitude--as Geno spelled out clearly in the post-game, Bria is the one player on our team that, in the heat of battle, always feels and believes she is the best player on the floor. However, when you are playing against a team like ND and you are being contested on the break by someone like Diggins, McBride, or even another one of their players, you MUST HIT THE @&#(!?!*$%! TRAILER when it is clearly available!!!! Not only did she not hit the trailer, but a couple of times on the missed or blocked shot that ensued, we ended up fouling or losing the ball in the scrum.

This is just fundamental fast break basketball. I know she thinks she is going to score on every single one of those plays (she isn't) and can potentially pick up an +1, but she needs to be more disciplined. I'm not saying every play was like this--far from it---but there were several more instances of this than should be the case with an experienced 3-year guard. If it's just you and the defender and you have a path, go for it! The end of last year's FF game comes to mind. Great take by Bria, at a crucial time. But when you are being contested, especially when you're coming in from the left side of the rim (Bria being righty) and you have a trailer in a 2-on-1 situation, use the trailer!

<< Mojo rant off !!!! >>


.

Agree with everything you say concerning the fundamentals and risk of taking it up against Diggins. Better decisions could have been made. Having said that, I was happy to see the aggressive nature of Bria's game. Even when it could have cost us, I still felt it is the thing for her to do. Bria knows the player she is and this is the kind of edge she needs to play with. Players like her do not stop when they fail. They continue to challenge. The last thing I wanted to see was her going into a shell and thinking about the consequences of being stopped a second time. You never question your skills at this level. That is like writing your own death warrant.

In general, I would encourage this type of play, as long as you can back it up with stellar defense, thus preventing any real damage to the team. That is the key; as long as you can defend them, you can take risks on offense. That is what needs to be taken away by this team.

 

[housekeys]

In most cases she scores and the trailers weren't in that good position.

Anyway, if you really want to find something to complain about here's mine. Why has getting the ball in bounds all of a sudden become such an adventure? This is a team problem, not just one player.

Next time you see us struggle, do not watch the player throwing the ball in. Instead keep your eye on the players trying to get open to receive the ball. There you will find your answer. [ hint: clutch and grab ]

 

[blackbird]

Bria is used to being able to break away from the defender. And being so fast that defenders can't really set up defense in time, so she scores easily. I thought that FF game proved to me she wasn't completely healthy. Diggins wouldn't have been able to catch her if she was. (Watch Bria's sophomore season against ND for proof.)

I want Hartley looking to score on fast breaks. For one, she's quite good at scoring on fast breaks, for another she's not that great at passing. She's also usually going full speed, making it much harder to pass. (When she's slowed down, she'll usually make a pretty good pass..but not at full speed.)

And I have to disagree about the trailer. There might have been one time (and I think that was the time Diggins wasn't there..) but other than that, it was usually Hartley and Diggins one on one. (She had that opportunity four times. 3 times she was on an island with Diggins. 3 times she got "blocked.")