Who is a good defender with adequate size and quick enough to guard Jones? I would have Paige guard her. Ordinarily, I wouldn't want Paige to use too much energy defensively (could do a zone instead) in order to have the fuel for offense. But, Paige is showing she can handle the conditioning demands. Azzi is another good defender, as is Christyn. I think Christyn could do the job well too, and Azzi would be my third choice. Caroline, if she gets minutes, is tallest of all, but Jones might be too quick for her. It would be interesting to have Caroline on her, though, because Caroline likes to post up near the basket against a smaller guard defender. She could get Jones to foul her. Maybe that is the best option to defend Jones. Draw Brink outside by having Liv at the elbow and let the guards attack the basket and kick it back out to open shooters.
I agree, but it wouldn't even be the size factor. Jones is smart and knows that if you come off the high screens and go right at her instead of avoiding and giving up the ball, Muhl will take it as a challenge and resort to instinct and hack and push. She wouldn't last long. Jones would do the same to Edwards. Once you get your shoulders past her, she'll grab. Ducharme just isn't quick enough on the perimeter.
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Evina as someone to spell whoever starts out guarding Jones. E has good height, good technique, good lateral quickness, and quick hands that would feast on Jones'high dribble.
Same here. I wouldn't guard Ono out there even if she makes one. She's not going to make another. It would completely gum up the pull up game at the foul line.
I don't think UConn has a good matchup for Jones. But Westbrook is probably their best option if GA plays a lot of man to man.
Nika would torture Jones outside of the key. Agree there is a height imbalance if down low, so there would have to be help in that circumstance.
CD coming off the bench will be BIG in this game....will provide the path to a close win...!!
Caroline is longer.
Outside the key is not where Jones plays. She rarely shoots the 3.
I’m thinking if the Paige and Azzi Show, featuring Chrystin Wms show up and show out (again) I think we bring those “bigs” out and we win this game. Three at 6’1” and Brink, Stanford isn’t much bigger than us. We have three 5’11” and Liv. We will turn them over, hopefully repeatedly I like our chances.
We've had the most trouble with small guards in the final four. There goes your hypothesis.
and slower.
Whoever plays better defense will win this game. I also would not count out the refs at “letting them play” in the first half and then doing a 180 in the 2nd half, Geno and his staff needs to watch out for that.
As a proud Stanford grad should.
Louis the 14th’s wife does not play for UConn.
It would not surprise me to see Ducharme getting significant minutes tonight as a defender on Jones. Caroline can block shots and get steals without stupid fouls, but Geno and his staff need to track the refs closely from the 1st half to the 2nd half.
Cudo’s for being one of the few to almost spell DeBerry’s name right. Brink has a tendency sometimes to pick up stupid fouls, if she has two fouls before halftime that makes things easier for UConn. UConn needs to shut down Jones, that’s the key, enter Caroline Ducharme. I think she will see significant minutes for that purpose.
… and Christyn… Paige, Azzi and Christyn. Williams is playing the best basketball of her career, composed, in control, and unselfish. She’s been a big part of our postseason run. I expect that to continue.
I had the same thought, and I'm doubtful we'll be able to fully assert ourselves inside. I think the bigs need to rebound, play good defense, and score when the opportunity presents itself. If they can at least not allow Stanford's inside game to get going, that'll be huge for us. I can't help but feel like the guards are going to be the ones that win this game when it comes down to it. Given they often only play with one true big in at a time, E will have a big role and I think Caroline could have some opportunities.
WE ARE DOOMED - DOOMED I TELL YOU!!!
(and yes, I will do this on every thread predicting a UConn win in order to appease the MOJO Gods. Not even one bit sorry.)
Not a good metric to hang one’s hat on.according to my calculations, if we shoot 58.3% from 3 point range, we win! that does not mean we cannot win other ways as well.
according to my calculations, if we shoot 58.3% from 3 point range, we win! that does not mean we cannot win other ways as well.
Is Jeremiah Johnson going to throw cold water on Stanford’s shooting?
