ChipperF1
01-29-2003, 08:22 AM
Execution. The act of putting a plan into motion. Something that Nebraska Womens Basketball often does poorly.
Weak execution down the stretch at Iowa State turned what should have been a win into yet another loss. Despite some excellent plays from Alexa Johnson and Margaret Richards who both had 15 points.
Last saturday was rough game for both teams. Iowa State wasn't the ICBM State of old, but did hit enough long range shots, and their veterans made plays that were needed while Nebraska failed to execute a play to tie with 6 second left and ended up with a jump ball when Shah Roberts was caught in a Lindsey Wilson-Erica Junod trap in the wing (Wilson tackled her to force the jump ball, but such is life in the Big 12 http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif)
I guess I shouldn't be too frustrated, the Huskers did come back from an early 8-zero hole to forge two leads in the first half, but they wasted numerous chances to the put the game out of the reach. Some of those cause by failures in execution. Other misplays can be traced to unaggressive play and some unaggressive coaching on the part of Connie Yori. The at time strategic tepidness of Yori came out in this close game.
In any case, Nebraska is at the back of the standings all by itself. Wednesday night, they head down the road to Lawrence to face a Kansas team with many of the same problems as Nebraska.
29 January 2003 Phog Allen Fieldhouse 7:05 pm
Nebraska Radio: http://www.huskers.com
Kansas Radio: Jayhawk Radio Network
KANSAS PROBABLE STARTERS
3 Blair Waltz F So. 6-0 8.1 2.6
40 Crystal Kemp F Fr. 6-2 10.8 5.9
22 Tamara Ransburg C Fr. 6-4 10.6 7.9
21 Leila Mengüç G Jr. 5-6 3.0 2.4
44 Aquanita Burras G So. 5-9 10.9 5.1
NEBRASKA PROBABLE STARTERS
12 Amanda Cleveland F Sr. 6-2 9.3 7.8
42 Alexa Johnson F Jr. 6-1 15.7 7.0
20 Jina Johansen G So. 5-7 5.6 2.9
22 Margaret Richards G Sr. 5-9 12.3 6.2
24 Shahidrah Roberts G Sr. 5-9 7.6 4.1
[b]KANSAS: Does Gatorade Have A Similac Flavor?
The trend in Jayhawk Womens Basketball is youth. This team is no seniors. Only starting guard Leila Mengüç had seen more than a year's worth of on-court combat. Six players on the squad are true freshmen. Nine players on the team could be classified as newcomers. Head Coach's Marian Washington's 30th season has a team that in many ways mirrors the newness of her '73 team many moons ago.
The first things you notice about the Jayhawks is a balance of aggression and patience. The Jayhawks pick their spots but they score when they get them. The team shoots 42% from the field on the season. They have a respectable offensive attack and combined with an aggressive defensive stance, that is prone to mistakes but also yield rewards.
The Jayhawks overcame poor shooting and turned up the defensive pressure to get their first Big 12 win in more than a year against Texas A&M last weekend. In the 64-57 win, KU attacked the basket, got fouls and coverted 18-of-20 from the free throw line.
This team is led by a trio of budding talent. Two freshmen and a sophomore who do a lot for the ballclub.
Sophomore Aquanita Burras is virtual clone of Texas A&M's Toccara Williams. Penetrates on offense and gets to the basket. Take smart risks on defense that pay off. She's averaging 10.9 points per game in 32 minutes a game. She also has 43 steals on the season and has been the perimeter spark plug for the team a stepped up to a leadership role. Her only downside is turnovers. She averages more than 2 turnovers for every assists (49 giveaways vs. 24 takeaways)
Inside, the Jayhawks have upgraded immediately with a pair of freshman who could lead Kansas up the ladder in years to come.
Freshman center Tamara Ransburg immediately turned a KU weakness into a strength when she stepped into the starting role inside. Standing at 6-4 the youngster plays like an experienced hand. She averages 10.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. She's the Jayhawks' leader in blocks with 45, and all that comes in an average of 24 minutes of playing team. Coach Washington is starting to look at Ransburg for longer assignments. Having seen Ransburg play, I can safely say that KU fans have quickly forgotten the maddening ineffectiveness of Kristin Geoffroy.
At the forward spot Crystal Kemp's been another pleasant freshman surprise. Last weekend she had 19 points and 11 rebounds against TAMU for her third double-double of the year. The 6-2 battler from just-down-I-70 Topeka is starting to realize how good she can be. She averages 10.8 points and nearly 6 rebounds a contest. Coach Washington focus with her in recent game has centered around her defense. Kemp has a tendency to slack off on the defensive end, instead of mirror the intensity of fellow forward Blair Waltz.
Waltz is a 6 foot Sophomore, and she's a scrapper who does a lot of different things. Averaging 8.1 points per game, along with nearly 3 rebounds, she also shows a quite a passing touch (33 assists) and she gets steals (26 on the year #2 on the team). A player like her, with game experience also sheperds this young flock, and she taken on that role with aplomb.
The quarterback spot is a blend of experience and potential. The experience comes from the team's most battle-tested player. 5-6 junior guard Leila Mengüç has the most Big 12 experience of anyone on the team and has started 16 of 17 games this season. Her averages are pedestrian (3 points per game 31% from the field 72% from the line, 39 assists). At times in the game, a switch is made to freshman Erica Hallman. If Hallman continues to play the way she's played, the platooning's going to end soon.
Hallman is the team leader in assists with 65, averages 8.5 points per game. In the engagements I've seen her in, she's been quick, and actually plays solid defensively. Why this kid isn't starting only hardened Kansas fans can say. KU's future at the qb spot looks to be in good hands.
From the bench, KU has some players who do well, in addition to Hallman. 6-1 Freshman forward Nichelle Roberts has been the first off in many contests. She averages five points and five rodmans per game. Against Texas A&M, she had 5 offensive rebounds that were all converted into scores by KU.
Also look out for freshman guard Stacey Becker, who is team's three-point sniper (14-for-39...35% on the season), and junior forward Kaila Beachem who will see time because of her athleticism.
Nebraska: Why has this team lost 7 straight?
It boils down to one word: EXECUTION
The Huskers have a lot more heart than ever. This team will fight, as they showed in a game effort against Iowa State. After three games where the team has gone through the motions, it was good to see the fire and the effort.
But all the heart and hustle in the word cannot make up for the many times when Nebraska fails to run even simple plays. When the Huskers throw passes errantly. When players don't attack the basket when the opportunities present themselves. All those thing led to Nebraska losing a game they should have won last Saturday.
The Keys
1. Make Kansas be a perimeter team. The Jayhawks shoot 31% from three point range. Keep Ransburg and Kemp under wraps inside and keep a body on Burras. Becker's the only three point threat they have and she shoots 35%. Force misses and REBOUND, REBOUND REBOUND!
2. Attack the basket (especially ALEXA JOHNSON!). Alexa Johnson is Nebraska's leading scorer (15.7), but she has the irritating habit of putting up some sissy-soft jump shot in the paint instead of resolutely going to the goal and forcing the defender to actions they may not wish to take. Alexa has to start going strong to the hole and forcing hoop-and-harms.
Outside, Margaret Richards and Shah Roberts have to win engagements and get that first step. Keep getting the option to pass off to open players, even if KU goes into zone and tries to force the Huskers to shoot.
3. Laura "Tigger" Pilakowski. PLAY HER!
In the Big 12 slate she has been consistently improving. She should be the first player off the bench. She gives the team a sizable player at 6'2", but also she's doesn't limit your offensive option the way Griechaly Cepero does. You can actually give Pilakowski the basketball, and she'll do something with it.
4. This is one is for Connie Yori, PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS AND KEEP PLAYING TO THEM UNTIL THE OTHER TEAM STOPS THEM!
Too often against Yori would go away from whats working because it isn't the "game plan". If Alexa Johnson's getting good looks and having the hot hand, KEEP GOING TO HER! If Margaret is on the run and getting things moving, STICK WITH IT!
5. Amanda Cleveland. MORE AGGRESSIVENESS, PLEASE!
Amanda has all that body, yet just like Alexa, she's doesn't attack enough. Force the action more, on both ends of the floor. Cleveland needs to ratchet up her intensity defensively, but the again the whole team does.
OVERALL OUTLOOK: This is a chance for Nebraska to win the game, and beat a team up.
I do not believe Kansas is a better team than Nebraska. I do not believe that their athletes are better. I do not believe their coaching staff is better.
There is nothing about this Kansas Jayhawk team that is superior to the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
There is no reason why Nebraska should not win this game.
But, Nebraska will lose if they fail in one key area.
Execution.
The Huskers should win, but they show the non-focus and sloppy play I've seen throughout most of this losing streak, then they'll lose again.
Kansas is not a better team, but in the conference slate, they have played better than Nebraska. They've executed better. They've made fewer of the ditzy mistakes. They haven't gone into the tank the way Nebraska has at points.
The key for the Huskers is executing fundmental things well.
My prediction: The Huskers will execute and win on the road.
Nebraska 61, Kansas 56.
--Chipper http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif
[This message has been edited by ChipperF1 (edited 01-29-2003).]
Weak execution down the stretch at Iowa State turned what should have been a win into yet another loss. Despite some excellent plays from Alexa Johnson and Margaret Richards who both had 15 points.
Last saturday was rough game for both teams. Iowa State wasn't the ICBM State of old, but did hit enough long range shots, and their veterans made plays that were needed while Nebraska failed to execute a play to tie with 6 second left and ended up with a jump ball when Shah Roberts was caught in a Lindsey Wilson-Erica Junod trap in the wing (Wilson tackled her to force the jump ball, but such is life in the Big 12 http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif)
I guess I shouldn't be too frustrated, the Huskers did come back from an early 8-zero hole to forge two leads in the first half, but they wasted numerous chances to the put the game out of the reach. Some of those cause by failures in execution. Other misplays can be traced to unaggressive play and some unaggressive coaching on the part of Connie Yori. The at time strategic tepidness of Yori came out in this close game.
In any case, Nebraska is at the back of the standings all by itself. Wednesday night, they head down the road to Lawrence to face a Kansas team with many of the same problems as Nebraska.
29 January 2003 Phog Allen Fieldhouse 7:05 pm
Nebraska Radio: http://www.huskers.com
Kansas Radio: Jayhawk Radio Network
KANSAS PROBABLE STARTERS
3 Blair Waltz F So. 6-0 8.1 2.6
40 Crystal Kemp F Fr. 6-2 10.8 5.9
22 Tamara Ransburg C Fr. 6-4 10.6 7.9
21 Leila Mengüç G Jr. 5-6 3.0 2.4
44 Aquanita Burras G So. 5-9 10.9 5.1
NEBRASKA PROBABLE STARTERS
12 Amanda Cleveland F Sr. 6-2 9.3 7.8
42 Alexa Johnson F Jr. 6-1 15.7 7.0
20 Jina Johansen G So. 5-7 5.6 2.9
22 Margaret Richards G Sr. 5-9 12.3 6.2
24 Shahidrah Roberts G Sr. 5-9 7.6 4.1
[b]KANSAS: Does Gatorade Have A Similac Flavor?
The trend in Jayhawk Womens Basketball is youth. This team is no seniors. Only starting guard Leila Mengüç had seen more than a year's worth of on-court combat. Six players on the squad are true freshmen. Nine players on the team could be classified as newcomers. Head Coach's Marian Washington's 30th season has a team that in many ways mirrors the newness of her '73 team many moons ago.
The first things you notice about the Jayhawks is a balance of aggression and patience. The Jayhawks pick their spots but they score when they get them. The team shoots 42% from the field on the season. They have a respectable offensive attack and combined with an aggressive defensive stance, that is prone to mistakes but also yield rewards.
The Jayhawks overcame poor shooting and turned up the defensive pressure to get their first Big 12 win in more than a year against Texas A&M last weekend. In the 64-57 win, KU attacked the basket, got fouls and coverted 18-of-20 from the free throw line.
This team is led by a trio of budding talent. Two freshmen and a sophomore who do a lot for the ballclub.
Sophomore Aquanita Burras is virtual clone of Texas A&M's Toccara Williams. Penetrates on offense and gets to the basket. Take smart risks on defense that pay off. She's averaging 10.9 points per game in 32 minutes a game. She also has 43 steals on the season and has been the perimeter spark plug for the team a stepped up to a leadership role. Her only downside is turnovers. She averages more than 2 turnovers for every assists (49 giveaways vs. 24 takeaways)
Inside, the Jayhawks have upgraded immediately with a pair of freshman who could lead Kansas up the ladder in years to come.
Freshman center Tamara Ransburg immediately turned a KU weakness into a strength when she stepped into the starting role inside. Standing at 6-4 the youngster plays like an experienced hand. She averages 10.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. She's the Jayhawks' leader in blocks with 45, and all that comes in an average of 24 minutes of playing team. Coach Washington is starting to look at Ransburg for longer assignments. Having seen Ransburg play, I can safely say that KU fans have quickly forgotten the maddening ineffectiveness of Kristin Geoffroy.
At the forward spot Crystal Kemp's been another pleasant freshman surprise. Last weekend she had 19 points and 11 rebounds against TAMU for her third double-double of the year. The 6-2 battler from just-down-I-70 Topeka is starting to realize how good she can be. She averages 10.8 points and nearly 6 rebounds a contest. Coach Washington focus with her in recent game has centered around her defense. Kemp has a tendency to slack off on the defensive end, instead of mirror the intensity of fellow forward Blair Waltz.
Waltz is a 6 foot Sophomore, and she's a scrapper who does a lot of different things. Averaging 8.1 points per game, along with nearly 3 rebounds, she also shows a quite a passing touch (33 assists) and she gets steals (26 on the year #2 on the team). A player like her, with game experience also sheperds this young flock, and she taken on that role with aplomb.
The quarterback spot is a blend of experience and potential. The experience comes from the team's most battle-tested player. 5-6 junior guard Leila Mengüç has the most Big 12 experience of anyone on the team and has started 16 of 17 games this season. Her averages are pedestrian (3 points per game 31% from the field 72% from the line, 39 assists). At times in the game, a switch is made to freshman Erica Hallman. If Hallman continues to play the way she's played, the platooning's going to end soon.
Hallman is the team leader in assists with 65, averages 8.5 points per game. In the engagements I've seen her in, she's been quick, and actually plays solid defensively. Why this kid isn't starting only hardened Kansas fans can say. KU's future at the qb spot looks to be in good hands.
From the bench, KU has some players who do well, in addition to Hallman. 6-1 Freshman forward Nichelle Roberts has been the first off in many contests. She averages five points and five rodmans per game. Against Texas A&M, she had 5 offensive rebounds that were all converted into scores by KU.
Also look out for freshman guard Stacey Becker, who is team's three-point sniper (14-for-39...35% on the season), and junior forward Kaila Beachem who will see time because of her athleticism.
Nebraska: Why has this team lost 7 straight?
It boils down to one word: EXECUTION
The Huskers have a lot more heart than ever. This team will fight, as they showed in a game effort against Iowa State. After three games where the team has gone through the motions, it was good to see the fire and the effort.
But all the heart and hustle in the word cannot make up for the many times when Nebraska fails to run even simple plays. When the Huskers throw passes errantly. When players don't attack the basket when the opportunities present themselves. All those thing led to Nebraska losing a game they should have won last Saturday.
The Keys
1. Make Kansas be a perimeter team. The Jayhawks shoot 31% from three point range. Keep Ransburg and Kemp under wraps inside and keep a body on Burras. Becker's the only three point threat they have and she shoots 35%. Force misses and REBOUND, REBOUND REBOUND!
2. Attack the basket (especially ALEXA JOHNSON!). Alexa Johnson is Nebraska's leading scorer (15.7), but she has the irritating habit of putting up some sissy-soft jump shot in the paint instead of resolutely going to the goal and forcing the defender to actions they may not wish to take. Alexa has to start going strong to the hole and forcing hoop-and-harms.
Outside, Margaret Richards and Shah Roberts have to win engagements and get that first step. Keep getting the option to pass off to open players, even if KU goes into zone and tries to force the Huskers to shoot.
3. Laura "Tigger" Pilakowski. PLAY HER!
In the Big 12 slate she has been consistently improving. She should be the first player off the bench. She gives the team a sizable player at 6'2", but also she's doesn't limit your offensive option the way Griechaly Cepero does. You can actually give Pilakowski the basketball, and she'll do something with it.
4. This is one is for Connie Yori, PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS AND KEEP PLAYING TO THEM UNTIL THE OTHER TEAM STOPS THEM!
Too often against Yori would go away from whats working because it isn't the "game plan". If Alexa Johnson's getting good looks and having the hot hand, KEEP GOING TO HER! If Margaret is on the run and getting things moving, STICK WITH IT!
5. Amanda Cleveland. MORE AGGRESSIVENESS, PLEASE!
Amanda has all that body, yet just like Alexa, she's doesn't attack enough. Force the action more, on both ends of the floor. Cleveland needs to ratchet up her intensity defensively, but the again the whole team does.
OVERALL OUTLOOK: This is a chance for Nebraska to win the game, and beat a team up.
I do not believe Kansas is a better team than Nebraska. I do not believe that their athletes are better. I do not believe their coaching staff is better.
There is nothing about this Kansas Jayhawk team that is superior to the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
There is no reason why Nebraska should not win this game.
But, Nebraska will lose if they fail in one key area.
Execution.
The Huskers should win, but they show the non-focus and sloppy play I've seen throughout most of this losing streak, then they'll lose again.
Kansas is not a better team, but in the conference slate, they have played better than Nebraska. They've executed better. They've made fewer of the ditzy mistakes. They haven't gone into the tank the way Nebraska has at points.
The key for the Huskers is executing fundmental things well.
My prediction: The Huskers will execute and win on the road.
Nebraska 61, Kansas 56.
--Chipper http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif
[This message has been edited by ChipperF1 (edited 01-29-2003).]