That went downhill fast. This team doesn't seem to be able to play defense or make a basket. Otherwise, all is OK.
Up 4-0 early.
A movie is not about what it's about; it's about how it's about it.
---Roger Ebert
Some questions cannot be answered
Who’s gonna bury who
We need a love like Johnny, Johnny and June
---Over the Rhine
That went downhill fast. This team doesn't seem to be able to play defense or make a basket. Otherwise, all is OK.
the inability of anyone but chante black to make a layup in traffic is quite disturbing
Duke '96
Cary, NC
I was amazed to hear we hadn't had a 3-game losing streak in a decade. Not even K can claim that.
A movie is not about what it's about; it's about how it's about it.
---Roger Ebert
Some questions cannot be answered
Who’s gonna bury who
We need a love like Johnny, Johnny and June
---Over the Rhine
I don't know why this team isn't modeled more after the men's team of 2006, considering that the two best players, in my mind, are an imposing shot-blocking center and a pure shooting guard. More of an effort needs to be made to run things through Waner and Black.
Chante Black looking great!
Where's Abby!?!
There's Abby!
Yes!
NO!?!
Yeah, I guess, but I don't know if there's any excuse for your freshman point guard to dribble around, drive, and put up an out of control shot two possesions in a row in the final two minutes when you have the JJ Redick of women's hoops waiting at shooting guard.
However, considering the injuries and the tough early schedule, I do think we'll be one of those teams that steadily improves as the year goes on as we find our identity.
Man I suffered through that penn State game .. while the O looked better the D needs to step up. No real pressure. They were getting inside way too easy.
The team had the opportunity to win tonight, and while they lost, it was a last second shot that beat them. They had one kid hit 15 for 15 from the line. Without that, Duke wins.
I do think the team D needs improvement and they need to start drawing fouls on the offense. PSU was only called for 13 v. our 26. That sent them to the line far too often. Still Black and Waner had good games and Jasmine wasn't chopped liver, though her shot selection at the end could have been better. Christmas's tying shot at the end was near-heroic. Too bad she couldn't hit the FT. In fact, if they had hit the 3 FTs they missed, they would have won.
I think I saw improvement over the last part of this game. Still have a long way to go. It's hard for fans to handle the change when the team lost the speed and defense provided by Harding last year. That was special and we can't expect it every year.
I know a coach needs time to adequately judge his/her ability, but I'm still not entirely convinced by the argument that the players need time to adapt to her new system. What exactly is the system? There are a lot of subs going in and out of the game, but I'm not gauging any consistent substitution pattern. Why exactly are all these players going in and out so fast? And it was rather bizarre how Abby Waner wasn't in the game with only two minutes left. Mitch was in instead, who committed a foul to send Penn State to the line.
The point guard situation is also really jumbled right now. At least Mitch is not playing in the point guard spot any more; that never seemed to suit her abilities. But Emily Waner and Jasmine Thomas having 3 to 4 minute turns at leading the team, then getting yanked, interspersed with Abby Waner bringing the ball up the floor, isn't going to lead to any offensive rhythm. And what did Coach McGuire always say? “Put the ball in the hands of your seniors" in late-game situations. I'm additionally concerned with the emphasis on strength the announcers talked about, since this isn't a plodding, bruiser team. I know Coach P's Michigan State teams were more half-court oriented, but she did promise a new way of thinking when coming to Duke. Why shouldn't there be an emphasis on endurance and speed?
Kudos, though, to a gutty effort. The team did show character, and there were great individual performances. What I don't want, however, is Duke relying on one-on-one ball in order to win games. Duke did get lucky in the final minute, with a practically impossible shot by Abby Waner to save a badly-going possession and a horrible pass by O'Rourke. But I am very impressed by Chante Black, as I am floored by her improvement. Not only she is making all the right shots, and managed to not foul out, but her HANDS! Two years ago, she would be prone to bobble and lose good passes to the point. There is not one hint of that this year.
Why does this team foul so much 26 fouls. Last 3 losses if I recall they give an advantage to the other team with their hacking. From other boards players like Brittany Mitch are open but won't shoot. Its still early but they need a lot of work.
I give them a bit of a pass because of injuries; however, they got killed in that 1-2-2 zone. No one rotated, so Penn State continually got open looks. When they played man they played much better D. I understand a coach wanted to institute her system, but you have to adapt the system to the players (especially when you inherit them) and not the other way around. If they keep playing a 1-2-2 and don't grasp it ASAP, this will be a long season.
On the positive side--Black had a great game. She got no help tonight from Gay and Cheek. But Penn State could not handle Black. Jasmine made some big shots, even if she took ill advised ones down the stretch. Wanisha Smith's absence is a big deal, and Krystal Thomas should help down low when she gets back. It's a long season, but if they don't show more, it really will be a long season.
My dad and I couldnt figure what defense it was! Zone? Man? the only thing we could really tell was they were not putting nearly enough pressure on the ball or contesting shots. Defense doesnt look organized at all. And the O needs more penetration. If it wasnt for AW hitting some amazing shots it would have been even worse. Why they couldnt slow down PennSt on that last play is beyond me. I am not giving up on the Coach/team at all but I am afraid it is going to be an off year. I will still support them. Just got my package of tix this week! Have 4 each for Bucknell, NCSU, Tenn, UNC,Wake, and UM. Hope they right the ship so we can see some wins in Cameron! my daughters love to go see the women play.
Last edited by -jk; 12-02-2007 at 09:31 PM. Reason: fixed quote tag. Use the preview!