NoDakSt
03-26-2002, 10:58 AM
This should be a fun match-up. I was at the west regional last year in Spokane and expected these two teams to match-up in the regional finals last year but both were upsetin the semis...a year later and they are in the final four.
There are a lot of similarities between the two teams. Number one is that both teams are backcourt oriented. OK has probably the best backcourt in the game with Ross, Caufield, and Dales able to stretch the zone out. All the guards are capable of spotting up or driving the lane and connecting. Very good at dishing out to the open player. Similarily, DUke has a nice perimeter game that is played by committee: Krapohl has emerged as a solid point gaurd but as of late, Gingrich has been the one to step up and settle down the team. Beard and Mosch can also provide valuable components to the perimeter, particualrily in that they can drive the lane.
Another similarity is that both teams have big folks that can play the perimeter or down low. Hill is capable of hitting the three or driving the lane and getting the hoop and the harm. SHe is a pretty complete player. SImilarily, Tillis is 6'4" who likes to rove the perimeter and is very adept at making the big pass. She can drive and handle the ball also. In the S. Carolina game she really wasn't looking to score though. She may need to do that against the Sooners. Whitley and Matavosky provide solid support inside and both can also step out for the three.
Then there is Beard and Dales. These two can play any position on the court. Lots of fun to watch. Seeing Stacy post up against the Colorado players was fun. She is solid. Similarily, Beard has carried Duke with a variety of offensive moves. What I like best about Beard however, is when she plays defense or makes the extra pass. Everyone else seems to be in slow mo relative to her.
I think the game will come down to experience, and with four seniors in the starting lineup, that goes to OU. They are better had recognizing when the other team is onthe ropes. DUke has let every team it has played towad the end of the season back in the game, and while this provides excitement, those periods of lapse are not something that will allow Duke to win at this level. Plus, if OU doesn't do it this year, it is unlikely they will be back next year (although the year after they could be back in contention) so their sense of urgency is much more. Duke has almost everyone back plus is bringing in a class that features two McDonald's All-AMerican 6'3 players. DUke may have less pressure on them this year than next so the killer knockout may not be there.
There are a lot of similarities between the two teams. Number one is that both teams are backcourt oriented. OK has probably the best backcourt in the game with Ross, Caufield, and Dales able to stretch the zone out. All the guards are capable of spotting up or driving the lane and connecting. Very good at dishing out to the open player. Similarily, DUke has a nice perimeter game that is played by committee: Krapohl has emerged as a solid point gaurd but as of late, Gingrich has been the one to step up and settle down the team. Beard and Mosch can also provide valuable components to the perimeter, particualrily in that they can drive the lane.
Another similarity is that both teams have big folks that can play the perimeter or down low. Hill is capable of hitting the three or driving the lane and getting the hoop and the harm. SHe is a pretty complete player. SImilarily, Tillis is 6'4" who likes to rove the perimeter and is very adept at making the big pass. She can drive and handle the ball also. In the S. Carolina game she really wasn't looking to score though. She may need to do that against the Sooners. Whitley and Matavosky provide solid support inside and both can also step out for the three.
Then there is Beard and Dales. These two can play any position on the court. Lots of fun to watch. Seeing Stacy post up against the Colorado players was fun. She is solid. Similarily, Beard has carried Duke with a variety of offensive moves. What I like best about Beard however, is when she plays defense or makes the extra pass. Everyone else seems to be in slow mo relative to her.
I think the game will come down to experience, and with four seniors in the starting lineup, that goes to OU. They are better had recognizing when the other team is onthe ropes. DUke has let every team it has played towad the end of the season back in the game, and while this provides excitement, those periods of lapse are not something that will allow Duke to win at this level. Plus, if OU doesn't do it this year, it is unlikely they will be back next year (although the year after they could be back in contention) so their sense of urgency is much more. Duke has almost everyone back plus is bringing in a class that features two McDonald's All-AMerican 6'3 players. DUke may have less pressure on them this year than next so the killer knockout may not be there.