Colorado @ K-State

[unkiemark]

Prior to the beginning of conference play I thought this game was a very winnable one for the Buffs. Now it appears that the Buffs will have a very difficult time getting their second win as they are going against one of the hottest teams in the Big 12. Not that I don't think CU can win, I just believe that it will take a special effort, especially mentally, to get the job done.

One of the key factors I see will be whether or not the Buffs can use their size advantage inside. And at the same time they will have to be very aware defensively of K-State's 3-point prowess.

http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=1370883

http://www.kstatesports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=1370726

[wildcatwomen]

I think this should be a good game. The 'Cats seem to be very, very focused right now and that should help keep them grounded. It will take a lot to fluster them.

If we are to win this game, our inside players will have to be moving constantly and ready for Lehning's passes. Our defense will have to be impeccable. There are a lot of "musts" for both teams in order to this game. I have not seen our girls so motivated since the WNIT tournament last year when they played all-out, leaving everything on the court and knowing that they had nothing to lose. I'm very impressed with the way the girls have pulled together and are playing very well. The best part is that they are having fun doing it!

While I hope the Buffs play a good game, I just want our game to be a bit better!

[unkiemark]

From this morning's BDC on tonight's game. In the article Kathy states the following:

"(Dietz) is the type of kid we need to really be concerned with because they are the ones that are dangerous to us," McConnell-Miller said. "You don't see people schooling us on the block or driving on us, you see people drain 3s on us. That's our Achilles' heel."

The full article is at:

http://www.buffzone.com/news/2008/jan/19/cu-vs-ksu-6-pm-fsn-cu-women-buffs-aim-to-halt-at/

[wildcatfan]

I am very nervous about this game. More than any other game so far. I think we can win if we keep playing as a team. However, CU has proven to be really tough. Hopefully, we can defend the paint and keep our fouls down. I also hope that we are nailing our outside shots tonight. That may make the difference.

[LadyBuff]

In that article, Kathy also stated that against Iowa State, Spears was on the bench too long, against A & M, Houston was in the game too long and Smith was on the court when she was too tired to play defense. She said there were five big errors, but these were the three that were printed. I noticed these three. I hope Kathy and the players have learned from this. I also thought Spears looked exhausted against A & M.

I hope Colorado gets it's act together tonight and wins one on the road. Maybe they need a little togetherness right now.

Go :CU:

[Dale8R]

It's going to be a good one, I think. Right now I'm leaning a bit toward KSU, but wouldn't be a bit surprised if it went the other way. The Wildcats have the momentum and confidence going their way, that's for sure.

[tx4OU]

This game isn't at 10 p.m. CST is it :confused:
I think I'm going to have to stay away from the board (ok, I'm sure I just set myself up for a joke there...) for the rest of the night, or just not click on this thread, b/c the game's being broadcast down here in Dallas on a time delay unless I'm reading it wrong. It shows 10 p.m. as a start time on my cable guide.

[wildcatfan]

It's on FSN Midwest at 7:00.

[Dale8R]

That must be a Kansas area thing. My Fox MW on Dish is calling for a Missouri Valley men's game.

I only see it listed for Fox Rocky Mountain.

[Row6Seat10]

It's on FSN midwest (648 on Directv) 13 - 12 KSU up with 12 minute in the half.

[Bball Girl]

23-20 Ksu 7:08

[Row6Seat10]

35-31 K State up at the half

[LadyBuff]

We got it at game time on Fox Rocky Mountain, although with KState up 54-49 with 6:03 to go, I'm not sure I am glad I am watching it. ;)

And to think Dietz went to high school around the corner from me.

[wildcatfan]

KSU up 62 - 49 with 3:58 to go.

[LadyBuff]

It will take a miracle for CU to win at this point.

[wildcatfan]

KSU wins!

67 - 60

[LadyBuff]

Congratulations :KSU:! You were definitely the better team tonight. You beat us fair and square.

[wildcatfan]

Hard fought game by the Buffs. Very fun to watch.

[Dale8R]

WOWWOWWOW! Those three long ones right in a row to take the lead were the killing shots.

Do need to mention Kari Kincaid here. She doesn't get enough credit for what she does, so I'll say it. Kari Kincaid

Shalee Lehning does get her credit, but deserves every bit of it. 11/11/8

Gipson
Dietz
Sweat
Excellent jobs all.

[BearLady]

Great game and win, 'Cats! Somehow, every time I watch K State, Lehning seems to do something else. What a line score tonight! Wheeler and Gipson also had strong games, along with Dietz. And, as Dale already mentioned, Kindcaid gets extra kudos for her effort tonight.

As a fan, I sure enjoyed watching this game. But if I had been the opponent's fan, it would have been a very difficult game to watch.

Go K State! :KSU:

[Jimi]

Congrats Colorado on a hard fought game. Good luck to the Buffs until we meet again. I am happy that McFarland is a senior. Spears is a senior too, Right? I am already sick of her. ;) Seriously she is a high quality player and fun to watch.

[Jimi]

Do need to mention Kari Kincaid here. She doesn't get enough credit for what she does, so I'll say it. Kari Kincaid
Kari is really coming on this year and I'm glad you noticed. This was not one of her best games. She was a little passive tonight (except about shooting when she thinks she is open any place past midcourt). :D She has been a little more assertive in bringing the ball up and in taking it to the hole of the dribble if the defense leaves a hole than she was tonight. Credit to the Buffs defense.

Having said that, it may not be a coincidence that she has started the last seven games and we are 7-0 with her as a starter. Kari wants the ball and she wants to be on the floor. We are now seeing the game she has. Last year she was just too banged up to play up to her standard. In a lot of ways this is almost her freshman year even though she is now a Soph.

[KStateProfessor]

Kari is really coming on this year and I'm glad you noticed. This was not one of her best games. She was a little passive tonight (except about shooting when she thinks she is open any place past midcourt). :D She has been a little more assertive in bringing the ball up and in taking it to the hole of the dribble if the defense leaves a hole than she was tonight. Credit to the Buffs defense.

Having said that, it may not be a coincidence that she has started the last seven games and we are 7-0 with her as a starter. Kari wants the ball and she wants to be on the floor. We are now seeing the game she has. Last year she was just too banged up to play up to her standard. In a lot of ways this is almost her freshman year even though she is now a Soph.

Jimi is exactly right with her analysis. Kari opens the floor up for the other K-State players because she is a threat to knock down a 3 from half court on in. She is also much quicker and stronger than you would believe based on first impression. Her quickness on the dribble fools opposing players.

:KSU:

[tx4OU]

Well, I waited until 10 pm to watch this one, and purposefully didn't look at any of the threads regarding the game. Even with the tape delayed broadcast, I didn't want to know the outcome until I watched it myself.

Shalee Lehning is just a joy to watch. And all of those Rocket Launchers out there......really great game for the Cats.

I was surprised McFarland was held in check with no FGs in the 2nd half until she stepped out and canned the 3. At that point it was too late.

Buff fans, what was behind Kathy's strategy with under two minutes to play to not foul and put someone at the line. Personally I love games that don't end with a foul fest while trying to get the ball back. However, I thought the score was close enough around the 2 min. mark to use this tactic.

[mercat]

I, too, was puzzled by the lack of fouling, especially when we were hitting only half of our free throws.

[Dale8R]

In reading Mechelle's short take on the game, something struck me. Do you realize that both teams were led in scoring by players that the other team hadn't particularly wanted? KSU's disinterest in McFarland has been well documented and lamented here (unless of course you are a Buff fan :) ) but this is the first time I had seen a mention that Dietz came to Kansas State at least partially because Colorado was not all that interested in her.

Just another thought, can you imagine what you'd have if either team had wound up with both of them?

[Buffer]

It is true. Ceal told both Dietz and Emily Fox that she wasn't interested, then later changed her mind and tried to recruit them. Can you imagine how good CU would be with those two in the backcourt? I think they would be in the top 15.

[LadyBuff]

I don't remember how that recruiting went, but I sure wish Ceal had shown some interest in Dietz and Emily Fox. We sure could use Dietz.

I think you were joking, Jimi, but our wonderful Brittany Spears is a wonderful freshman. I don't think we've ever had a player with better hands.

[wildcatfan]

This was also brought up on another board. How good KSU would be with Jackie McFarland. But, what would we be without Dietz? I will stick with Dietz although having both would have been awesome.

[Row6Seat10]

Don't forget that Danielle Page could have been a Buffalo also.:eek:

Thank goodness Coach Barry never tried to recruit her until it was too late. Danielle is from Monument CO located between Colorado Springs and Denver. Danielle and Kimberly starred in a Colorado High School All Star game before a Nuggets/Trailblazer game in Denver and Danielle was asked why she chose NU over CU.

By Zak Brown, Camera Sports Writer
April 11, 2004

DENVER — Kimberly Dietz and Danielle Page were talking at the Pepsi Center before The Show all-star game Saturday about playing in the Big 12 next year.

They are two of the better players in Colorado, and both will play in the state next year. But they won't be playing together, or for the same team, or for the only Big 12 team in Colorado.


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Page, the MVP of the game after scoring 17 points to lead her White team to a 64-44 win over the Blue, is going to Nebraska after starring at Lewis-Palmer. Dietz, who scored seven points, starred for four years at Monarch and will play at Kansas State. The two played their final game as high schoolers in front of a big Colorado crowd, and won't get that chance again until they come to Boulder next season.

"I've never really thought about that," Dietz said of her last game as a Monarch player. "It's kind of scary, but I'm excited."

Page doesn't receive as much attention as some of the other premier players in the state because she plays in Monument, but she showed she should. She displayed an ability to shoot from behind the arc, with two 3-pointers in the first half. She also used her 6-2 height and talent to get a ball down from between the hoop and the backboard when it got caught there. She was the only player on the floor who could do it.

Before Nebraska called, Page knew she wanted to play in the Big 12. But she didn't get a call from her state's Big 12 program until Nebraska had already been in contact. By then it was too late for Colorado to convince her stay in the state.

"I'm looking forward to playing at CU. My family and friends who are going to college locally can see me play," Page said. "CU never called until late. So I am a little bit bitter."

This was Dietz's second and last all-star game. She is only allowed to play two and is not playing with her club team this spring. She has played extensively with the team, the Colorado Hoopsters, for most of her high school career and is taking a much-deserved break. She has spent the time shooting and playing a little bit, but she hasn't played much basketball other than the all-star games. That's fine with her.

"I like both (high school games and all-star games)," Dietz said. "In the all-star games, you do what you can do and everybody just plays."

Grandview's Kristen Van Orden, one of the best players in the Centennial League, who scored 12 points, joined Dietz and Page on the White team. The only player in double figures for the Blue team was Jennifer Whetten of Evergreen. Brittny Picconi, who played with Dietz at Monarch for two years, scored nine points. Picconi will go to Xavier after leading Horizon to the Final Four.

The game was mostly played with seniors on the floor, but there were a handful of juniors in the game. Kristi Smith and Caley Dow could be at the top of the state next year. Both played on the Blue team, and Smith, of Horizon, scored four points, while Dow, of Arapahoe, scored four points.


http://hoopscoop.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3714&highlight=Danielle+Page

[unkiemark]

First of all, where are all the Buff fans? Sure CU lost, but that doesn't mean there is nothing to say about the team. As some one pointed out on another thread, seven Big 12 teams are 1-3 right now! CU can still finish high in the conference and make the NCAA tourney.

Obviously the Buffs have some issues to deal with, but they aren't due to having less talent than the teams they've lost to in conference play. They do need to overcome some mental breakdowns. There is the painful lack of defense against the trey at critical moments of a game. And there is the lack of consistent scoring from the guards. These two issues are a big part of the implosions suffered in the final 10 minutes of a game. But I don't believe either of these issues is insurmountable.

From this morning's BDC on last night's game:

http://www.buffzone.com/news/2008/jan/20/cu-women-lose-third-straight-rough-road-for-cu/

From the Manhattan Mercury:

http://www.themercury.com/k-statesports/article.aspx?articleId=6b0904916d474dc29ae45845990 f982e

[buff190]

I'm still here Mark but I have to admit that I was just too p***ed off to post anything. CU, if they were playing like they did during the streak, would have won this game handily.

The Defense. Well they look like they've got cement shoes on. Spears has to improve her foot speed on defense. KSU players blew right by her all game long. Powers is getting beat regularly. She is a good defender most of the time but she seems to over commit a lot. The guard defense is really key. If the other team can penatrate regularly then everyone else has to adjust and that's when bad things tend to happen.

The Offense. Our outside shooting has deteriorated. Where was Bianca??? I'm not sure why she sat so much at KSU but I think that was a mistake. Powers seems to have lost her confidence to shoot. She had many open looks and didn't take them. She doesn't have to take them all of course but she needs to find that confidence again. She has even missed a few easy layups?!?!

The officiating @ KSU seemed inconsistant and not in our favor but I'm not going to complain any further about that.

I give KSU complete credit for their victory over CU. They kept pounding on our defensive weaknesses and they played very solid defense themselves. I love Dietz. (sp?) She is a player.

I'll never stop loving CU Womens hoops. I have followed them forever it seems and won't ever stop. I think my expectations got a little high. Nothing wrong with that but I as well as ALL CU fans have to remember this is a young team. they are going to struggle at times but they will do nothing but get better under KMM. I am sure of that. I just really wanted this season to be special for Jackie. Man I will miss her when she is gone.

We need to beat :KU:!!! This is a must win if ever there was one. For the teams confidence as well as the standings.

I'll be there on Tuesday. GO BUFFS!
:CU::CU::CU:

[LadyBuff]

I haven't gone away either, Mark. Just under the weather.

I will be there Tuesday, cheering on my Buffs to a victory over Kansas.

Somehow this team does need to get back to playing the way it was in December. If they do that, good things will happen. If not, well .....

Guards are not coming through for us--none of them. That was our weakness last year and it still is.

Jackie is Jackie and Brittany will get better every game.

Didn't I read that Brittany is anemic? That may account for some of her play.

I love Aija and she doesn't seem to give up. I'd like to see a little more of Kara.

I would love to see CU start hitting free throws again. What happened there? Nobody is consistent from the line.

[rock]

Since I live in the south east of the U.S. I will only comment on games I have scene or heard. I did get to see the iowa st game and it took a week to not want to get drunk every time i thought about that game. I think the schedule is helping and hurting the buffs. It was easy enough to get a run together and gain some confidence, but I don't think it was challenging enough to prepare them for the gaurds they were going to see in the big 12. The things that were just minor problems in the non conferenece part of the schedule are being exposed. I do not think the buffs like physical play and get pushed around alot. While the gaurds have been better this year than last, what other big 12 team would powers, skilldum, and smith start for.
I still think somewhere between 17-20 wins would be good for this team and that KMM is doing a good job of building the program, now they just have to learn how to win.