Who wins this weekend? #6 Notre Dame at #3 U$C, #1 SCAR at #5 fUCLA

[Bigboote]

This was a arse kicking.... My goodness

At some point in the last few weeks, I went on the record saying that I wasn't drinking the U$C Kool-Aid.

People were wringing their hands about the U$C front-court size, them bringing in Kiki and EVO. The only thing surprising about today's result is that Notre Dame did it without some of their bigs. They'll be really good when Westbeld, Karlen come back. Is there any news on Watson?

 

[oldude]

Not sure what to make of ND-USC. Lots of talent on the court. But the two teams combined for 41 turnovers. Both teams tried to play really fast, too fast, which led to a bunch of turnovers and forced shots. In the end, ND demonstrated more poise than USC. It’s still early. Plenty of time to clean things up.

 

[ERWUC65]

I was so confident in the Notre Dame part. I really wish I would've placed a small bet. Usc is so disjointed and isolation heavy. And Hannah Hidalgo really may be a top 2 player in the country. I thought tvo played well.

No one will beat ND this year, that was a whuppin. And, I believe ND has more good players on the bench who will be back soon.

 

[oldude]

At some point in the last few weeks, I went on the record saying that I wasn't drinking the U$C Kool-Aid.

People were wringing their hands about the U$C front-court size, them bringing in Kiki and EVO. The only thing surprising about today's result is that Notre Dame did it without some of their bigs. They'll be really good when Westbeld, Karlen come back. Is there any news on Watson?

I believe Watson is out for the year

 

[TheFarmFan]

IMHO, the difference between All-American IrieAHfen and don't-quite-know-what-that-was Irieh-FEN is the difference between being coached by Tara and being coached by Gottlieb...

 

[Stagnant]

Juju stunk today.

 

[ERWUC65]

Not sure what to make of ND-USC. Lots of talent on the court. But the two teams combined for 41 turnovers. Both teams tried to play really fast, too fast, which led to a bunch of turnovers and forced shots. In the end, ND demonstrated more poise than USC. It’s still early. Plenty of time to clean things up.

Lots of street ball, lots of iso ball, but also lots of talent. Not so much coaching, but very entertaining.

 

[Vowelguy]

After last year I had ND #2 then backed off with injuries and other things. Now I’ve got them back there after being in control pretty much all game.

 

[ERWUC65]

After last year I had ND #2, then backed off with injuries and other things. Now I’ve got them back there after being in control pretty much all game.

After this, can't wait for tomorrow - USC vs UCLA. But right now, I've got ND #1

 

[GoChips20]

I really didn’t understand why Juju won NFOY last year over Hidalgo who was more efficient, just as good a rebounder, a much better passer, and led the nation in steals. Juju’s team had greater success so maybe that’s why but regardless I’ve always thought Hannah Hidalgo was better than Juju and nothing I saw tonight changed that opinion.

If Miles’ three-point shot (currently >50%) stays anywhere near 40%, she’s locked in as the #2 pick in this draft IMO.

 

[cancontent]

That’s exactly what happened. Hidalgo and Miles dominated the game and markedly outplayed Watkins.

Hopefully the "how will Hidalgo and Miles play together" talking point can be put to bed now. Man, they were a lot of fun to watch today.

 

[The deacon]

That’s exactly what happened. Hidalgo and Miles dominated the game and markedly outplayed Watkins.

I was so confident in the Notre Dame part. I really wish I would've placed a small bet. Usc is so disjointed and isolation heavy. And Hannah Hidalgo really may be a top 2 player in the country. I thought tvo played well.

Well said by both of you... USC just doesn't have an apparent offense other than watching JuJu try to do it all.

My biggest take: Sonia Citron once again goes under the radar as an impactful player. Her defense had JuJu at 6 of 19 from the floor until JuJu scored eight garbage-time points in the last three minutes.

You might remember Paige shot 5 of 17 vs. ND at Gampel last January, with Citron being the chief culprit in limiting Paige.

 

[cancontent]

Not sure what to make of ND-USC. Lots of talent on the court. But the two teams combined for 41 turnovers. Both teams tried to play really fast, too fast, which led to a bunch of turnovers and forced shots. In the end, ND demonstrated more poise than USC. It’s still early. Plenty of time to clean things up.

There was that, but there was great defence at different points of the game too. The length of USC disrupted passing lanes, even when ND made the right pass. Hildago's corner back instincts to intercept passes are insane. That one sequence where she over pursued TVO only to get back to intercept her pass had me hollering!

 

[Bone Dog]

21 TOs, 17 on steals. That's embarrassing.

 

[packwrap]

The ND post tandem of King and Koval did a nice job down low.

With Westbeld and Karlen joining in the post, ND will be deep and balanced.

USC never really saw something like Hidalgo, Miles, Citron. Now they have, they will get better.

Miles really impressive in how she has adjusted her game for Hidalgo. WNBA scouts will notice.

 

[Dillon77]

At some point in the last few weeks, I went on the record saying that I wasn't drinking the U$C Kool-Aid.

People were wringing their hands about the U$C front-court size, them bringing in Kiki and EVO. The only thing surprising about today's result is that Notre Dame did it without some of their bigs. They'll be really good when Westbeld, Karlen come back. Is there any news on Watson?

Getting information on injuries out of ND is like waiting for white smoke out of the Vatican. Maybe harder.

However, Watson suffered an ACL injury and most of the rehab/getting in shape ends up around a year later. I don't see her returning until next season...to play alongside Koval and frosh Leah Macy.

However, I do see Westbeld and Karlen coming back soon.

 

[oldude]

21 TOs, 17 on steals. That's embarrassing.

I can’t believe how many times players on both teams dribbled into double and triple teams, inevitably getting their “pocket picked.” Both ND & USC have enough talent to beat UConn, but not if they commit 20 & 21 turnovers respectively, like they did today.

 

[Bone Dog]

USC never really saw something like Hidalgo, Miles, Citron. Now they have, they will get better.

If they can get better. Their weakness is their guard play and I don't see that changing this season.

 

[DallasDomer]

Lots of street ball, lots of iso ball, but also lots of talent. Not so much coaching, but very entertaining.

Not much coaching? ND had a complete strategy to contain Watkins which worked for long enough to get to garbage time. Do you think they just came up with the plan?

 

[Dillon77]

21 TOs, 17 on steals. That's embarrassing.

ND scored 22 points off those turnovers, compared to USC scoring 15 off ND's turnovers.
Irish put heavy pressure on Heckel, Von Oelhoffen and Watkins, all of whom had 5 turnovers.
You know who (Hidalgo) had 5 steals, Liatu King had 4 and Miles 3.

A tip of the hat to Kate Koval who helped clog the middle and broke up several entry passes.
and
A huge pat on the back to Sonia Citron. When it mattered, Citron kept Watkins widely in check and that allowed ND to keep it's 7 point lead until that early 4th quarter run.

 

[Stagnant]

TVO has a ceiling. And it is below the guards that Notre Dame puts on the floor.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I'm sorry, but I just do not see JuJu as being a guard. The two best guards on the floor today both played for Notre Dame.

JuJu could do serious damage as a playmaking 4. The players she's been compared to as a guard/wing (Chamique Holdsclaw, Maya Moore)--I'm not seeing it. The efficiency isn't there. It just doesn't look natural.

JuJu the Guard could play in the WNBA right now--but she simply wouldn't be very good.

 

[cancontent]

If they can get better. Their weakness is their guard play and I don't see that changing this season.

This doesn't help things either. The announcers were talking about her impact on the scoreboard for the team.

 

[DallasDomer]

21 TOs, 17 on steals. That's embarrassing.

Sorry but ND 74 USC 61 deals with that and just says ND should have and could have broken 100. Things like Citron being completely involved in defense, a sometimes crazy whistle or silent whistle, and focusing on speed and fast breaks. It should have been more controlled but it was a win.

 

[WBBTakeover]

A huge pat on the back to Sonia Citron. When it mattered, Citron kept Watkins widely in check and that allowed ND to keep it's 7 point lead until that early 4th quarter run.

And to think that the experts (podcasters and such) were expecting JuJu to "go off" if she had Citron checking her. I guess we can tell who watches ND and who doesn't!