Not in our house

[Bball Girl]

The Lady Raiders were on fire tonight! Great game plan, great execution, great dfense. Ches has 8 or 9 straight games in double figures, Alesha with 26, Cisti with a monster game and Davis with 13 boards.

On to Colorado.

Oh yes...the Tech student section was full...a super turnout by the students!

[Press]

That was a great game. I watched the press conference and Jody was not happy with their ability to play without Jackson and their lack of defense.

I thought the Lady Raiders played a hell of a game and full out for 40 and that's what it takes these days.

Nice win, but we still have to go to Austin, so it ain't over yet. I'll take this one though!

[Bball Girl]

I'll take it...I was so proud of the way they played, how they moved the ball and played team ball....reallllly great game plan by Coach.

3 down...13 (isn't that right) more to go.

[RaiderPower1]

too much Latoya and her defense. Monster break out game for Aleeeeeeshaaaaa Robertson. She had it going on in the second half. Great 100th win! now go beat CU!

[elfdenmom]

YES! YES! YESSSSS!

Great team effort tonight. So happy Alesha broke out of her slump, but everyone who got on the floor...starters and bench played great.

I feel sure Jamie Carey had to be the most frustrated child in the state tonight. She worked really really hard to find open shooters, but Ches, Erin and Tawanna were all over her. Kala Bowers stepped up and played well and so did Kalee Carey. Actually they all worked hard but Tech simply out hustled them and La Toya won the battle of the boards.

[walkaway]

I'm so glad somebody pointed out LaToya Davis!
She had 13 rebounds in the ball game.

What was odd was her scoring -- I believe she finished with just seven points, and only hit one of four free throws.

I was very proud of all the Lady Raiders last night. It was fun to see Erin Grant, Brooke Baughman, and Alesha run that "bob and weave" offense in the second half -- it looked almost like '40s football reverse handoffs part of the time, and Texas was left completely unable to figure out how to answer it.

At the Run and Gun one of the (very spiritedly dressed) students asked a question I considered worthwhile. He said, "I'm confused. I was trying to figure out what defense you were playing; part of the time it looked like man, part of the time it looked like zone, and part of the time it kinda looked like both."

Coach Sharp grinned and said, "Let's don't tell."

But yes, the defensive effort was a MONSTER. Cisti and LaToya built this Fortress of Solitude around the basket, and when Erin Myrick came in to let Cisti breathe or protect her (she ended up with 4 fouls) the walls just got more formidable.

Alesha Robertson only let Heather Schreiber get off five shots all night long.
In the first half Texas was keeping the perimeter patrolled, so Alesha and Chesley were driving in -- a lot.

Texas had one run going -- TJ had scored something like 10 points in three minutes, and they'd cut the lead from 12 to four -- and Alesha just caught the ball between the circles and sank the jumper, and you could see Texas fall apart.

Can't say enough about all the Lady Raiders -- but I have to give credit where it's due. Texas is a gutsy bunch; now if they can figure out how to play ball as a team, they'll be dangerous.

[DblT81]

Elfdenmom, at the beginning of the season you said that Chesley Dabbs was your pick in the preseason for All Big 12. You obviously knew what you were talking about.

More impressive than her 9 straight double digit scoring games is the defensive assignments she has drawn every game and excelled at managing some great scorers. Also, the low amount of turnovers she has in spite of playing more minutes than any other Lady Raider. Oh yes, the minutes thing shows how valuable Dabbs is in the view of the Tech coaches.

Consider that on defense Dabbs has held in check-
Candace Wiggins, Stanford
Tamara James, Miami (one of the leading scorers in the nation)
Tanisha Wright, Penn St
Dionnah Jackson, Oklahoma
Jamie Carey, Texas

Several of these did score in double figures but if you look at the play by play list of the games, much of the points came in the last 10 minutes of the game or when Dabbs was on the bench. With Dabbs guarding them in the first half most all of these players had very few points at half time. This is allowing the LRs to get good leads or stay in games by not letting perimeter stars take over a game in the first half.

It will be interesting to see if Dabbs is assigned to defend Kiera Hardy next Wednesday.

[Bball Girl]

What I do like about this Lady Raider team is that they are playing as a TEAM. There are all "go to players"

[walkaway]

Bball Girl,
Thank you for saying that. I'm so glad it's becoming news that the whole team is the 'go-to' player for the Lady Raiders. They're cohesive this year, and to be honest I think that's a huge advantage.

[DblT81]

They're cohesive this year

Walk, I respect your opinion very much. And I think I understand some of the internal "issues" with players on the prior year team. I just think there are better reasons.

There is more talent in the starting 5 than last year that has spent a bunch of time making themselves better. Many times last year, during the "posse" days, when the second 5 came in the game, they played better than the starters.

Cisti and Chesley's shooting is remarkably better than prior years. Alesha and LaToya's defense is on that same scale. You can tell those 4 put in the effort to improve the weakest parts of their game in the off season.

Sorry but I don't think cohesion has much to do with it.

[walkaway]

Well, T, thank you; but I see by the rest of your response I phrased it badly. I was thinking in terms of "esprit d'corps," maybe, altho that's a bit cliche and is definitely more into the 'war' rhetoric than needful. It's like ... hmm ... it's like their internal dynamics are harmonious and mutually complementary. Kind of a synergy thing, maybe.

[elfdenmom]

Walkaway, love all that intellectual speak. Don't always understand all that synergy stuff, but am impressed by it anyway.

One thing I always loved about the posse was that they actually followed the game plan the coaches designed. I suspect that had something to do with their outscoring the starters.

You are absolutely right about the benefits of the dedication the former posse showed in improving their fitness and strengthening their skills over the summer. What is even more important is that they persuaded the newbies to
come along with them. Great leadership in the posse!

I love this team!

[Bball Girl]

They seem to be having fun...I've seen more smiles and chatter on the court this season than I've seen in a couple of years. Last year I always felt like Alesha was a bit on the outside looking in and this year, she seems to be part of the whole. I really like the way communication and interaction this year.

Also, I like the game plan, it is taking advantage of their talent and skill and they are building a lot of confidence in themselves and each other. IMO Cisti and Ches' weakness has been confidence...they are now walking with a nice bit of swagger.

Also, I think LaToya's very overt passion and Erin's quiter but no less (probably more intense) passion are an excellent combination.

I like this team as well.. I love the weave, the passing, the ball handling and their sense of where each other is on the court. Those two a days really paid off.

[JohnHenry]

Shots fall when players are confident: communicating on the floor, executing a system that they believe in and that gives them the best chance to succeed, and assured that their teammates will be in the right place at the right time.

From my POV, there is definitely more confidence and chemistry in Tech's camp this year. Their play Wednesday night reminded me of Texas in '02-'03. Players working hard on their game in the offseason certainly contributes to that confidence, but most coaches will tell you that there are times when you just have the right group of players with complimentary skills who just come together and gel.

During the FF run 2 years ago Jody commented at one point that the team was making plays in games that she hadn't seen them make in practice, but were certainly a by-product of the teamwork mantra they worked so hard on in practice. When a team gets in a "zone", sometimes you just get to stand back and watch great things happen. Tech seems to be in that "zone" right now; not once on Wednesday night did I see any of the panicking or frustration that was evident at many times over the last few seasons when shots weren't falling or games got tight. The Lady Raiders as a TEAM seem much more at ease emotionally and physically than I have seen them in the last few years, and this bodes well for their prospects.

Teams with such qualities tend to keep an even keel over the course of the season and you don't see much 'PUI' even after big wins, but perhaps more importantly: they handle losses better. Bouncing back is not something Texas, Tennessee, or UConn have done well this year (though all have beaten good teams), and you saw what happened to Baylor on Wednesday after the big win Saturday. Tech looks like the kind of team that can keep their head screwed on and not get too high or too low; if they're still like that in March I like their chances as much as anybody's right now.

[Bball Girl]

Thanks JH...your opinion is always well informed and therefore means a lot.

[DblT81]

Oooooohh this is great stuff!!!

Can't really disagree. Clearly, the game Wednesday night was one of the best of the season so all the best stuff was happening for nearly every player. But I don't really expect that to happen every game for the rest of the season. I will say that Tech did have a weak area in the game and that was missing a bunch of makeable layups.

I watched the archived game again last night and came up with some additional observations--

Even though everything was clicking for Tech, Texas was right there in the game until about the 6:00 mark.

For anyone that thinks the Longhorns are "done" are going to be in for a big surprise. I'm not sure if I'll explain this next part right but I'm going to try.

UT made a bunch of mistakes, yet they were within striking distance until 6 min left in the game. So even with the mistakes, they were making enough good plays to stay close. There were two huge shots that just killed UT. Both 3 pointers by Robertson. The first pushed the lead to 7 after UT had come roaring back at the beginning of the second half. The second pushed the lead to above 10 points with 6 min left. That was the first nail on the lid. When Erin Grant hit a jumper with 3 min left after UT had played 28 seconds of great defense, the lead was 17 and the lid was nailed on tight.

UT was definitely in the game until that 3 min stretch where Tech nailed the game away. That was with Schreiber and J Carey not doing much on offense.

Another observation and perhaps this is the cohesion and synergy thing. For years I have been frustrated with the offense "run" by Tech. This year the offense is what you want it to look like. There is motion, there is passing, still not patient enough with the screening in the paint, but golly, the Lady Raiders are running a real live offense! Hooray!

The only way Tech plays better than they did Wednesday night is if they make half of all those chippy layups that they missed in the UT game. Myrick missed 6 or 7 point blank layups (she was fouled on 3 but they were all makeable). And she was not alone.

So I hope that John Henry is right and that this level of play is steady and not a peak to be followed by a valley. Because I just witnessed what effort, planning and execution can do against a very talented and experienced team.

[#1OUWBBFAN]

walkaway: What is the "Run and Gun" that you mentioned in your post? When does it take place and who is there?

[elfdenmom]

The "Run and Gun' is a great concept that the Tech coaches have been using for years. It has varied in format some over the years, but the basic
objectives remain the same.

After the conference games (win or lose), fans are invited to stay for an informal chat session with the players. Two miked players (current format) and Coach Sharp come out and sit in chairs on the floor in front of the fans.
Coach talks a little about the players and asks the players to tell something about themselves ...background, school, funny experiences whatever. She has them interact with each other a little and then opens the floor to questions from the fans.

This has a lot benefits. The fans get to know the players as individuals and feel a personal connection to them. The players see the fans as people who care about them as indivduals and are interested in them. The players get valuable experience in speaking into a microphone in front of an audience so they will feel at ease in future situations when someone shoves a microphone in front of their face and asks them a question.

The fans love it and some of they players do, too.

[Bball Girl]

Also...you can then chat with the players/coaches a bit informally...it's a really nice, accessible deal.

[Gator]

...The fans love it and some of they players do, too.

Stanford has something similar - it is open to their "fast break" club members - It is discussed in the book by a Stanford club member about "fanship" - I have the book and can't find it right now! I always thought the concept was great.

[Press]

I love the weave

Folks, that's called the "McAdoo Roll"! If any of you grew up East of Lubbock, near the edge of the Caprock, you might be familiar. ;)

[DBLTFarmer]

Press,

I haven't heard that in a long, long time. I grew up in a small town east of Lubbock. I actually played a few games at McAdoo. You did not go in their thinking you could blow them away. For all of you who don't know about McAdoo, think about Hoosiers only smaller. :eek:

[walkaway]

Amen, farmer. McAdoo was tough for a long time ...

And about Run and Gun -- it's about the same this year as it was last year. I'm given to understand that it used to be just for season-ticket holders, but they have it down on the floor after the LR press conference now. It's usually two Lady Raiders and Coach Sharp.

Seldom do you see the same players as during the post game, but this time Alesha Robertson was doing both.

I think it usually lasts about 15 or 20 minutes. Tawanna Flowers is very well-spoken. I've been to two this year, and went to about four last year. The shuttle buses are still there if you hustle coming out, and you don't have to wait in a big crowd to get aboard.

[Bball Girl]

Walkaway....I think Run N Gun has always been open to everyone after the game, not just season ticket holders. Anyone and everyone is welcome. My 1st year at Tech was the last season in the colliseum and Run N Gun was going at that time and open to everyone.

[#1OUWBBFAN]

Thank you very much for that information on the Run and Gun. That is a very good benefit for the fans. We are working on ways to increase our Fast Break Club membership and fan support at OU. At OU, we have preseason and end of the season banquets. We have four luncheons during the season that Coach Coale speaks at. At three of these luncheons, the fans that attend are allowed to stay and watch practice. We have a fund raising golf tournament in April. We have an early November scrimmage with pizza and soft drinks where Fast Break Club members can attend and get pictures and autographs. Are there other events or activities that the coaches or players participate in at your school that are "fan friendly"?

[elfdenmom]

Actually I believe that in the very early days itwas by invitation. I recall in (I think it was 1991) in the bubble we used to meet for punch and cookies after the game and then move into the auditorium for the chat session with all the players on the stage. It has evolved and changed a lot over the years.

[walkaway]

Thank you, elfdenmom.

[TTU79]

For the first few years, Run and Gun was open only to season ticket holders. This is one of the perks we used to sell season tickets.