


So, my guess is there are a few of you who can see this game somewhere where the rest of us can't, so there is no reason to provide viewing information???

Love your observations rvwsleep but you can't overstate how awesome Boston was. France had a really good center named Rupert. Boston completely owned her on both ends. To a lesser extent, so did Belibi.
The job Berube did putting this team together is impressive. Getting these kids to be this unselfish and commit to playing defense like they did to me is one of the most amazing things about their championship.
Iliana Rupert, France's star center, stat line against USA. 0 for 10 from the field, 0 points, 5 fouls, 3 turnovers. Boston and Belibi will give her nightmares for a long time.
Berube did many little things that got my attention. When Cooke had the ball stolen today because she was looking over at the bench, Berube pulled her immediately. Cooke forced a shot during garbage time near the end of the game, out she came. USA was up 40+ at the time. Finally, in one of the early games, the team came out flat at the start of the second half and she pulled all five starters. Message sent.
They had a great press that they only showed when needed, they handled full court pressure much better as the tourney progressed, teams didn't zone them even though they didn't shoot all that well from 3. They got the ball inside at will against other team's zones. Of course, the sub pattern was established early and did not change. The most minutes anybody averaged was about 22. Kids were fresh and NOBODY got hurt. Berube and her staff get A's across the board in my book for a job well done.
Thoughts.........................23-12 at the end of the first quarter.
France hit a couple of 3's to keep them from being overwhelmed.
France will not be able to overcome a 15 deficit against the USA like they did to Australia.
Horston is a ball magnet. She's the MVP, no doubt.

1. The team had four new players that were not on last year's team. (Jones!, Brink, Van Lith and I think Orsborne).Here's a final thought........If this team stays together for the next 2 FIBA tournaments, can any team beat them? They will be playing against the same teams and players they played against in this tournament with a few exceptions. Do they keep the same coaches (who already know them, and who they are comfortable with), or are they handed off to a new cadre of coaches? The scary part is all of these girls will grow, mature and get better over that period. Who is going to challenge them?Thoughts.....
I'm surprised that they were using such a comprehensive search and extensive trials to find just the right players and then just turning them over to a HS coach before the change was made. Berube is excellent.1. The team had four new players that were not on last year's team. (Jones!, Brink, Van Lith and I think Orsborne).
2. Their tryout process is so extensive that I would think that no spot is guaranteed. Van Lith, Fudd, Brink and possibly Boston could play on the team next year.
3. Berube coached a USA team last year. The US likes to rotate coaches so that nobody is saddled with too much of a time commitment. I am guessing that they would love to have Carla again but I am not sure what advantage she would have in doing it again.
4. Somebody mentioned that the switch to college coaches was a recent change. I didn't know that. It would seem like an attractive vehicle for an up and coming D2 or D3 coach to showcase their talents. Berube has been at Tufts for a while. I have no idea whether she has aspirations for a new challenge or not.
5. Watching Berube work reminded me a little of Brad Stevens. Like Stevens, Berube has the respect of the players while presenting herself for the most part in a calm, in-control manner.
Agree on all points especially Van Lith and the rankings. On Van Lith, just decide where you want to get to and go! Probably just a bad habit picked up watching her HS teammates run around trying to get open. On the rankings, I'm surprised anyone pays attention to them. The only qualifications you need to be an "evaluator" is a laptop and a lot of free weekends.Some afterthoughts on this team that I have not seen elsewhere.
Fran Belibi has really improved since last year and is no longer that girl that can dunk and will be a solid post player in college. In this game she owes her teammates about 5-6 assists that she missed or fumbled but she will never play with more talented passer.
Azzi Fudd should remain a PG because she is a better game manager than ALL the very talented 2020 PG in the class directly ahead of her.
Van Lith needs to take some of the dribbling out of her game. Much of her dribbling is not very purposeful.
One of the more remarkable stats in Horston’s game that should not be overlooked is the PF column. Despite being the most active perimeter defender (twice as many steals as next USA player) and being 2nd on the team in rebounding (many of which were under the basket) Horston fouled a total of 3 times in 7 games.
I disagree with @victor64 Carla’s grade should be A+ not an A. That press break she used against France (think I have seen it somewhere before) snatched the soul out of France and Horston applied a guillotine with her steals.
ESPN badly needs to update the 2019 class ranking. If ESPN truly believes that there are 7 players in the 2019 class better than Horston then no wonder they are losing so many subscribers.
Massive shout out to the players who did not make this squad and an especial big up to the ones that made the final 18 (River Baldwin, Alli Campbell, Aubrey Griffin, Hannah Gusters, Rickea Jackson, Angel Reese) and did not make the squad. This squad was a juggernaut! I have a sneaking suspicion that one of these cut players is going to take the Haley Jones approach, come back next year and claim a spot on the throne. Oh yea, UCONN just offered Aubrey Griffin-coincidence? Me thinks not.
I watched every second of the tourney. Here are my completely subjective rankings of the team from best to worst:
1. Horston
2. Jones. Enjoyed watching her bring the ball up against the other team's press.
3. Bueckers. The offense I knew about, the on the ball defense I did not.
4. Fudd.
5. Boston. Moved her up today after her owning of Rupert.
6. Taylor. Really enjoys the defensive end.
7. Cooke. Ohio State would be the perfect fit for this Ohio kid.
8. Belibi. Probably improved more than anybody else. Hands were better than expected.
9. Van Lith. Didn't shoot all that well overall but has a huge upside.
10. Brink. Lack of strength limited her time. She got banged to the floor a lot in her short time in games.
11. Orsborne. This low only because of the talent a head of her.
12. Brunelle. Did not shoot well at all from outside. Will still be valuable to Muffet.