Week 6 - Dec 9 to 15

[GamecockFam]

I have to say that there seems to be a noticeable gap between elite eight and sweet sixteen level teams this season. I've enjoyed watching this Iowa/Iowa State game but both teams have pretty noticable deficiencies that will prevent them from winning championships. With that said, my criticism of Iowa State at the beginning of the season was a little too harsh. They must have had a really rusty start to their season and I think the knock in the teeth from the South Carolina game has woken them up. They look much better.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Cal Baptist blew a 17 point lead in the 2nd half, CSUN came all the way back to tie it w/ 10 seconds left, but CBU got the game winner as the clock expired. And to top it off the shot was by a player who transferred to CBU from CSUN.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Iowa St. led most of the way, but Iowa with a late surge to get the win.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Crooks is a lot to handle. She was going off most of the game, but Stuelke slowed her down at the end.

Cyclones didn't help themselves any with their FT shooting, only 6-16. Crooks was 3-10. Iowa started out about the same, but they started hitting them eventually.

 

[visitingcock]

I have to say that there seems to be a noticeable gap between elite eight and sweet sixteen level teams this season. I've enjoyed watching this Iowa/Iowa State game but both teams have pretty noticable deficiencies that will prevent them from winning championships. With that said, my criticism of Iowa State at the beginning of the season was a little too harsh. They must have had a really rusty start to their season and I think the knock in the teeth from the South Carolina game has woken them up. They look much better.

 

[Plebe]

Crooks is a lot to handle. She was going off most of the game, but Stuelke slowed her down at the end.

Cyclones didn't help themselves any with their FT shooting, only 6-16. Crooks was 3-10. Iowa started out about the same, but they started hitting them eventually.

Iowa State was outscored 25-7 over a roughly 11-minute stretch spanning the end of 3Q and most of 4Q. Turnovers hurt them a lot in their descent to ineptitude. Iowa is not a team you should be committing 21 turnovers against.

I'm not convinced either of these teams is legit top 25 based on current level of play.

 

[darrell]

Crooks is a lot to handle. She was going off most of the game, but Stuelke slowed her down at the end.

Cyclones didn't help themselves any with their FT shooting, only 6-16. Crooks was 3-10. Iowa started out about the same, but they started hitting them eventually.

I’m eager to see how Geno preps for her. She’s a lot to handle in the post, but quickness might be her kryptonite. Can’t wait to see how Sarah responds should they match up.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I’m eager to see how Geno preps for her. She’s a lot to handle in the post, but quickness might be her kryptonite. Can’t wait to see how Sarah responds should they match up.

Length can give her trouble too. In the Tourney last year against Stanford Brink and Iriafen harassed her into a really poor shooting game.

 

[GoChips20]

I was really surprised by the lack of offensive scheme Iowa State showed. Very little shot creation shown by their guards. ISU has the potential to be one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country with Hare/Hansford/Ryan/Harris/Brown/Joens all able to hit from deep at high clips, but their percentage is poor and watching them tonight it just seemed like they don’t know how to get each other open. Crooks is a handful inside but she had a great game tonight and it wasn’t enough.

 

[GamecockFam]

I’m eager to see how Geno preps for her. She’s a lot to handle in the post, but quickness might be her kryptonite. Can’t wait to see how Sarah responds should they match up.

Crooks tonight took advantage of Iowa's biggest deficiency -- no competent posts. O'Grady should be a backup. She wouldn't be a starter on most teams but it's either her or a freshman so I understand the coaching decision. Iowa looks pretty good at the 1-4 but that 5 spot is a real weakness.

Crooks size is both a detriment and an advantage. It lets her push around other posts but it costs her on defense and in transition. I also think it contributed to the late collapse against Iowa. I would think that carrying around that much "bad" weight has to take a toll on her endurance by the 4th quarter.

 

[darrell]

Length can give her trouble too. In the Tourney last year against Stanford Brink and Iriafen harassed her into a really poor shooting game.

Sadly, UConn lacks length with experience. Jana has length, but is foul prone.

That game was incredible, btw! Kiki’s “coming out” party if you will.

 

[TheFarmFan]

Iowa State was outscored 25-7 over a roughly 11-minute stretch spanning the end of 3Q and most of 4Q. Turnovers hurt them a lot in their descent to ineptitude. Iowa is not a team you should be committing 21 turnovers against.

I'm not convinced either of these teams is legit top 25 based on current level of play.

Yes, but: someone has to be in the top 25. My main reaction so far this season is I feel like as a whole, there's been some regression relative to last season. Really only a few teams that seem genuinely better than last year...

 

[GamecockFam]

Yes, but: someone has to be in the top 25. My main reaction so far this season is I feel like as a whole, there's been some regression relative to last season. Really only a few teams that seem genuinely better than last year...

I think there are around 8ish teams that stick out as having all the pieces to win the tournament, which I feel like is higher than usual. But after that there is a noticeable gap where there is a mass of good but very flawed teams.

 

[packwrap]

You know what. I think Iowa will beat Iowa State. That’s my prediction.

They have the home court advantage. They have a decent option for stifling Crooks. And I just think Tennessee was a good wake up call. And Olsen definitely looked good in that game. So no worries about her.

Good call.

Even with the 30 turnovers, I didn't think Iowa was exposed in loss to the Vols. They had a good scheme to beat the press. 9 times in a row they would easily get thru, then inexplicably they would make mental errors and get burned 3 times in a row.

The other surprise was half of the turnovers came in the half court, after beating the press!

The Vols not only press full court, but even in the half court, constantly overplaying the guards.

In theory UConn should be able to get transition baskets and backdoor cuts against this style. We shall see.

Against both TN and State, the game was still even with 3 minutes left. TN blew them out suddenly hitting shots, but they turned around and did the same to Iowa State for the win.

Next stop Michigan State.

With CC, Iowa got 28 and 8. With Olson they are only getting 25 and 5. Am happy for Olson that she fits in well and is having these kind of games against P4 opponents.

 

[cancontent]

You know what. I think Iowa will beat Iowa State. That’s my prediction.

They have the home court advantage. They have a decent option for stifling Crooks. And I just think Tennessee was a good wake up call. And Olsen definitely looked good in that game. So no worries about her.

The only option they had was Stuelke. O'Grady struggled against Crooks. Unfortunate as having Stuelke playing inside and outside helps Iowa to mix things up.

Iowa's freshmen stepped up at some points last night too. Looking forward to their game against Michigan State on Sunday.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I knew that Lucy Olsen was having a great year, but man--I just looked at her numbers. 19 ppg on 48% shooting. A/TO ratio of well over 2.0. 4 rpg from the guard spot. Close to 80% from the FT line. Sure, the three-point shooting isn't there. But those are first round pick guard numbers.

 

[12au]

After last night, ND flipped UConn in title odds. They are now second behind South Carolina. The top 3 are all close.

FD
+290 South Carolina
+350 Notre Dame
+370 UConn

 

[BRS24]

GM fans - the sun rose today, all is not lost, and still a whole lotta hoop to play between now and March. Here's a look at top 25 games this weekend (none today):

 

[nwhoopfan]

Look out for Tennessee scoring in the 130+ range against hapless NCCU.

 

[Stagnant]

Saturday is a pretty bad slate.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Neither are ranked but former Pac 12 foes could be a decent game on Saturday, Utah @ Washington. It's on BTN.