West Virginia

[Sooner Cal]

Like they result, but saw a lot I wasn't happy with. Too many stupid passes that led to turnovers. It's as if they think high school plays will work in college. Still no identity on this team. Too many play, and there's no patience.

 

[tycat947]

There is no doubt that I have been critical of this team and some of the coaching decisions in the first "third" of the season. I have to thank several of our posters who constantly remind us that for the most part we are playing a bunch of Freshmen and Sophomores, going against some good veteran teams. With the exception of the second half against Duke, our youngsters have played with grit and determination, and with a few lucky breaks, could have three more wins under their belts.

With that being said, I got to see probably the best performance as a team, since the Washington game. I liked what Sherri said in her post game. This team would ride a wave to its crest, on the verge of breaking the game open, only to struggle on multiple possessions. The first 16 mins. the kids only committed 4 turnovers, the next 10 they had 10. Silly bounce passes at team mates feet, or passes into traffic. Yet, against a veteran opponent, the kids did not wilt. At crucial times, we made plays. When WV had a break away lay up, we do any thing stupid to give them free throws. Kaylon played with foul trouble and defended well and played smart from getting that fifth foul. Gioya played how I have always hoped she would, and now looks comfortable on the floor. Gabbi ran the floor well in spite of her six turnovers.

I did not understand the limiting of Nicole's minutes. I thought she inspired when was in and played well. That may be part of Sherri's weakness of substituting, but it worked out well. We have all talked about it, but Sherri really does have several options to go to if players struggle. It worked out well with T'ona, LaNesia, McKenna, ViVi, and Maddie in the mix. This young team will have its struggles in conference play, but I really liked what I saw from the kids today. When West Virgina came out and roared back into the lead after half time, the kids did not back down. They locked down defensively, rebounded with authority and closed out a hard fought game. If they can build on these last two games, and continue to play a hard forty minutes Weds. and Saturday, they could be looking at 3-0 with the Horns coming to town. A tough assignment, but I wouldn't bet against them. Today was a fun game to be a part of with the best crowd of the season.

I was one who was skeptical of this game today, but if the kids can keep improving, they have the potential to be the third best team in the conference. Its going to be an interesting ride.

Great post! I thought this team at some point during the second half really gained some needed confidence. I'm not sure that maybe when KayKay got her 3rd foul and was left in the game if that wasn't a turning point. Due to foul trouble in the first half, she was a non-factor. After she received her 3rd foul in the second half, she begin to play like she didn't have any fouls! The way we've seen multiple times this year. Gioya also continued to play well after she got into foul trouble too.

This is a different team than we've had in the past few years and there are going to be growing pains. We have lots of solid options when someone is in foul trouble with little dropoff. I'm really impressed with McKenna and she may not show up in the stat sheet but she provided excellent play while on the court. So did T'Ona. Vivi blocked a shot and got key rebounds.

You're right this was a TEAM effort! Gioya and KayKay may have stood out but we couldn't have won this game without all the support and play of the other team members.

I think confidence and experience are the greatest needs of this team and those will just take time.

 

[sybarite]

Last year, we blew a 44-33 halftime lead when we couldn't hit a free throw as WV came back at the end. Our upperclassmen, who never missed free throws, couldn't hit them.

Tonight, they did fight back and took the lead. We took it back and stretched it to eleven. During the last four minutes as they tried to come back, we had Vivi rotating with Kay Kay on offense/defense, Sharane, T'Ona, Gioya, and Peyton. We fought them off with a freshman, three sophs, a junior, and a senior. This year, we didn't fold.

 

[kimard]

Not to get too off-topic, but I do believe this years team could beat last years.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Not to get too off-topic, but I do believe this years team could beat last years.

Great topic for discussion! I would take last year's team because of Aaryn and Morgan. Aaryn averaged over 19 points per game and Morgan averaged over 11 PPG (only player who is currently scoring more than Morgan did is Sharane). Morgan wasn't a spectacular PG but, she was a gamer and we miss her. Both of those girls could make free throws too which is huge in close games.

 

[rocjunkie]

I would take this years team over last. This team has more grit and want to than last years team. The sum of the whole is better than the individuals of last year. I believe our free throw shooting is getting better as we move on.

 

[womenssports]

I have always been a Kay-Kay fan and still am. With that said, I do not think she has stayed out of foul trouble against a good team, nor been a good rebounder against a good team. She was out most of the first half and then the post for W.V. was sitting down with fouls the second half. I am still a fan but am not sure that this game said anything about her play. She needs to stay out of foul trouble and be able to be strong against good posts. I believe she can but not sure she is there yet. She has a good shot and maybe last night was a beginning, even if she did not have to play much of the game against their starting post. Sharane let someone make two points last night instead of fouling and sending to the line. I think Kaykay needs to learn to do that.

Will add that I loved that Vivi got back to get that block last night. She is another of my favorites.

RE: Derica Wyatt, not sure why she did not come in for Peyton some. Maybe the coach just wants the players to get used to playing together. As for Nicole, not sure why she did not get more playing time. The first half, it seemed she subbed for Sharane and the second Sharane did not sit down. She did sub for Gioya a little in the first half and was the person who came in for her in the second, but Gioya played 35 minutes so that did not leave much for Nicole. I would have put her in for Peyton also. With Gioya in she would not have had to be on Bria. Not sure if this was intentional by the Coach or if this is an example of where she says she does not sub well. This is why I think she needs someone else concentrating on subbing. AND maybe she played the players she wanted when she wanted. Just my wonderings.

 

[sybarite]

I think last year's team would have lost last night, exactly as they had a year ago when WV came back.

I am reasonably certain that Sherri has not yet figured out her rotations for this year. I think the last two games have probably made a lot of changes. I'm not yet concerned with who played in a specific game or at a different time, at least until we see who does what together.

I like the idea that our scoring in the last two games has come from Peyton and Gioya, then Gioya, and it has mostly been in the middle of the floor. That opens up Kay Kay, Vivi, and McKenna underneath. It opens up the three.

Based on where Peyton and Sharane have been trying to shoot, on the baseline, I wonder if it wasn't the same thing that had Kruger trying to have Thomas shoot from the baseline. In some defenses, a shot from that area destroys a defense. Thomas made them. Peyton and Sharane haven't been hitting them. Peyton does hit the shot from the lane, and she can get to it. She just can't drive to the rim.

I think Sherri would love to build around Kay Kay, Gioya, Maddie, Peyton, and Gioya. She has always loved all of them. They excite her. She may have to add a couple to that.

 

[tycat947]

I have always been a Kay-Kay fan and still am. With that said, I do not think she has stayed out of foul trouble against a good team, nor been a good rebounder against a good team. She was out most of the first half and then the post for W.V. was sitting down with fouls the second half. I am still a fan but am not sure that this game said anything about her play. She needs to stay out of foul trouble and be able to be strong against good posts. I believe she can but not sure she is there yet. She has a good shot and maybe last night was a beginning, even if she did not have to play much of the game against their starting post. Sharane let someone make two points last night instead of fouling and sending to the line. I think Kaykay needs to learn to do that.

Will add that I loved that Vivi got back to get that block last night. She is another of my favorites.

RE: Derica Wyatt, not sure why she did not come in for Peyton some. Maybe the coach just wants the players to get used to playing together. As for Nicole, not sure why she did not get more playing time. The first half, it seemed she subbed for Sharane and the second Sharane did not sit down. She did sub for Gioya a little in the first half and was the person who came in for her in the second, but Gioya played 35 minutes so that did not leave much for Nicole. I would have put her in for Peyton also. With Gioya in she would not have had to be on Bria. Not sure if this was intentional by the Coach or if this is an example of where she says she does not sub well. This is why I think she needs someone else concentrating on subbing. AND maybe she played the players she wanted when she wanted. Just my wonderings.

The most exciting thing about KayKay's play yesterday was that after her 3rd foul, early in the second half, instead of getting down and giving up, she began to play scoring 6 of her 7 shots. I can't remember a time where she responded in this manner after getting in serious foul trouble. And this was a good team. If she can continue to grow in being assertive even when she's in foul trouble, it will help this team a lot. KayKay and Gioya took big steps yesterday and can help this team do good things!