In eight days, the players must shake off a three-game trip to Vegas, get home for Christmas, come back, and get ready to go to Lawrence to face an improving Kansas team. It is somewhat ironic that two of the players might have wanted to go home to Puerto Rico (or are they permanently in Florida right now?), but the same virus that moved the tournament might impede a visit to the island. I think the players were tired after three games in three days.
Oklahoma is now #22 in the rpi. California, who just beat them and is undefeated is #23. I think the fans may be just as confused with that as they are with the team right now. I wonder if the "new" offense is just an attempt to speed up the old one, less of a guilt for missing a shot? Otherwise, I've seen nothing new.
I do think that some things have emerged, and TT mentioned it in the most recent interview. Sherri has hinted at it, sometimes not so subtle in her approach. This team is essentially Maddie's, like it or not. I don't know that Maddie likes that. I think it was kind of meant to be Peyton's or, perhaps, Gabbi's. Sherri likes point guards to be the leaders. Don't most coaches? But, this team gets its direction from Maddie, at least a part of it does.
Some of the players seem to buy into the idea that Maddie is the defensive leader of the team, if not the offensive (perhaps, both). They draw their energy from her defensive hustle. If you get seventeen steals in two games, you are creating scoring opportunities, often on breakaway plays. Maddie almost never is the one that goes for the break. She gets control and passes it to someone who is already on the run. A couple of steals, and this team tends to get on a roll. Peyton is better at it than people may realize. Most of her steals do occur out front in the passing lanes where she can break it herself.
Yet, other than getting the steal or rebound, Maddie's forte doesn't seem to be leading the break. She lets others get the glory at the rim. It is now becoming more apparent that Maddie needs to concentrate on her game in the set. We have concentrated on the three and the post. It works if Nancy is in the game. Right now, it isn't working with Vivi or EJ in the post. In that case, it becomes more of an imperative that Maddie get the ball where she can get it to the right place. It also seems to be more important that she be a scorer who can relieve the pressure from the posts. Maddie was only 39.4% from the field in Vegas, but she was 50% from three and 89.47% (17 of 19) at the line. A bit low from the field, but with a very healthy three-point percentage, FT percentage, and a steals game to envy (19 steals, 19 rebounds)(50 points).
It seems that those who work well with this high pressure defensive game are beginning to emerge. Peyton, Chelsea, Gabbi, and TT have done well in it. LaNesia has been surprising in it. Vivi and EJ are doing well on defense, if not on offense. I think the best lineup may have been Maddie, Nancy, LaNesia, Peyton, and Gabbi. Chelsea is a pleasant surprise, and TT makes some contributions.
Our offensive sets can no longer be post-oriented or three oriented. We need to look for the post and three, but see about getting the ball to the FT line. In that area, Maddie can usually find someone open, or she can shoot. If Maddie opens scoring, the post game becomes a lot more available.
I think Sherri has been trying to sort some things out. I think it became clear who needed to be the center of activity.
