WBB: Duke Vs. Stanford (NCAA Tourney Regional Final)

[uh_no]

Game is monday at 9pm, a trip to the final four to play baylor/tennessee is on the line.

How does duke deal with the twin towers down low who scored 50 today?

I think foul trouble ends up playing a huge role, if E-will gets in foul trouble, duke is in trouble (we saw what happened when she had to play soft against uconn to avoid fouls), but if she can stay out of trouble, thats a huge plus.

I believe the only common opponent is Uconn, to whom stanford lose by 10 and duke by 16.

Stanfords record is gaudy, yes, but the teams they have beaten isn't. Tennessee and texas are their only ranked wins, and the game against tennesse was in mid december (texas even earlier)....so its really quite unknown how good they really are. They got the one seed, but the sample size of big time games (which is really all that matters in womens ball) is so so small. They could be in for a surprise.

Duke on the other hand, since the bad loss in the ACCs has looked phenomenal...something must have clicked since then.

I think we're in for a good game, If I had to bet my life on it, I'd pick Stanford....but I also picked St Johns tonight....so...duke can certainly prove me wrong, and it would be great for duke to finally get the elusive final four under P.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I think it very difficult to use this past season as a guide to look to how we may fair against Stanford simply because we are playing so insanely well right now on both sides of the ball. Talk about timing....the women could not have picked a better time to pull things together so well on the offensive front. Throw in their stifling defense and it's no surprise they've been putting up the scores we've seen. Just as it's probably not wise to use the regular season as a predictor, here's a stat that we shouldn't use to look ahead either...but it's fun to think about nonetheless. The women's average margin of victory in the tournament so far is 26, and that includes a 16 point win against Vandy (that was not in reality a "16 point win" but much more) on their home court against a loud partisan crowd.
So that leaves me in thinking I have no idea what will happen tomorrow night, but it will probably be lots of fun to watch. Go Duke!!

[burnspbesq]

I don't know if it was as obvious on TV as it was from a seat 15 rows back from foul line extended, but South Carolina is really, really small. Ogwumike was playing right over the top of them all night. We have enough size to make a difference. I also wasn't terribly impressed with Orrange, Stanford's point guard. I think Chelsea's physicality can give her problems.

We can win this game. It will not be easy, but it is a real possibility.

[Kedsy]

If the team continues our amazing play lately, we should have a legitimate shot to win. I hope our players keep a hungry, underdog attitude, and don't get overconfident because of the way they smacked Vanderbilt and St. John's around. A poor start could be disastrous. But as long as we keep our intensity and don't get into foul trouble, I like our chances.

[CameronBornAndBred]

MHTorringjan has a great preview up on CrazieTalk.Net. It covers our game and the sweet sixteen in general.

http://crazietalk.net/?p=617

[-bdbd]

Game is monday at 9pm, a trip to the final four to play baylor/tennessee is on the line.

How does duke deal with the twin towers down low who scored 50 today?

I think foul trouble ends up playing a huge role, if E-will gets in foul trouble, duke is in trouble (we saw what happened when she had to play soft against uconn to avoid fouls), but if she can stay out of trouble, thats a huge plus.

I believe the only common opponent is Uconn, to whom stanford lose by 10 and duke by 16.

Stanfords record is gaudy, yes, but the teams they have beaten isn't. Tennessee and texas are their only ranked wins, and the game against tennesse was in mid december (texas even earlier)....so its really quite unknown how good they really are. They got the one seed, but the sample size of big time games (which is really all that matters in womens ball) is so so small. They could be in for a surprise.

Duke on the other hand, since the bad loss in the ACCs has looked phenomenal...something must have clicked since then.

I think we're in for a good game, If I had to bet my life on it, I'd pick Stanford....but I also picked St Johns tonight....so...duke can certainly prove me wrong, and it would be great for duke to finally get the elusive final four under P.

For all of their size advantage Stanford only played SC to a draw on the boards. They also had 3 more turnovers playing against a less than overwhelming SC defense. They did shoot well, and played smart, as pointed out the size advantage helped a lot on that. They alsoi got a LOT of calls (and FT's). I don't know, but I actually think this one seems to set up not-too-poorly for Duke. Also, as already pointed out, Stanford hasn't had a lot of tough opponents or games in the last two months. How would they respond to an early punch in the mouth (figurative) from Duke?

I think our PG is better than theirs, and we CAN go toe-to-toe with their front line, though they may have more experience and quality depth there. Duke is playing so well. If I were picking based solely on watching the Sat. night games, I think I'd favor Duke, who just dismantled the #3-seed Red Storm.

I'm really psyched for this one ladies and gentlemen. Should be a good one! Great opportunity.

Go Duke WBB!!

[uh_no]

For all of their size advantage Stanford only played SC to a draw on the boards. They also had 3 more turnovers over a less than overwhelming defense. They did shoot well, and played smart, opiut the size advantage helped a lot on that. They alsoi got a LOT of calls (and FT's). I don't know, but I actually think this one seems to set up not-too-poorly for Duke. Also, as already pointed out, Stanford hasn't had a lot of tough opponents or games in the last two months. How would they resapond to an early punch in the mouth (figurative) from Duke?

I think our PG is better than theirs, and we CAN go toe-to-toe with their front line, though they may have more experience and quality depth there. Duke is playing so well. If I were picked based solely on watching the Sat. night games, I think I'd favor Duke, who just dismantled the #3 seed Red Storm.

I'm really psyched for this one ladies and gentlemen. Should be a good one!

Go Duke WBB!!

I think what I'd be most worried about is can Williams stay out of foul trouble? She's facing two bigs that are better than any she has faced yet...if she gets in truoble, i can't see any way we can contain the sisters.

[-bdbd]

I think what I'd be most worried about is can Williams stay out of foul trouble? She's facing two bigs that are better than any she has faced yet...if she gets in truoble, i can't see any way we can contain the sisters.


I agree, and that that cost us significantly vs. U-con. Though we play that match-up zone, who will be guarding (or helping to guard) the second Stanford big the most?? BTW, Sat. it was N.O., Nnemkadi Ogwumike , who was the much more scary of the two sisters, and so it is on her that I'd focus Elizabeth, at least to some extent. But who gets the other assignment the most for us, especially when we "man up?"

[killerleft]

I think what I'd be most worried about is can Williams stay out of foul trouble? She's facing two bigs that are better than any she has faced yet...if she gets in truoble, i can't see any way we can contain the sisters.

Yeah, but you picked St. Johns over Duke;). Just kidding. Stanford has some probs of their own. Duke also has Alison Verneray. She's not known for her strength, but she's feisty and certainly has the game to shoulder some of the load down low. What will the Trees do to try and contain Duke's high-octane offense? Who will they key on? We've hit from outside, inside, and mid-range. Will those Stanford bigs be relegated to taking the ball out of bounds after made baskets?

We've got some women who have responded favorably to losing three (!) players expected to play important roles this year. Our center has a leg issue that limits her minutes. STILL, we're competing for a chance at the Final Four.

The game starts off 0-0, but I think WE are the ones more likely to get a big lead and keep it. WE are the ones who have faced more high-quality teams. OUR players have adapted to tougher circumstances.

If I were Stanford, I'd just pack up for the unhappy ride home now:p. Seriously, the pressure is on them, not us. Coach P has done a great job nurturing this team. Mental toughness has been a real plus. I like our chances very much.

Let the good times roll, Duke, let the good times roll!

[roywhite]

Let's get this thread back to the top.

By the way, I see that chalk has totally prevailed in the brackets, and all four regional finals match #1 seed vs #2 seed.
That being said, don't see any reason why Duke can't knock off this particular #1 seed.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Grrr....crazietalk has been down all day (server tanked) so Section 21 won't be up tonight. I'm assuming (and hoping) that snrub will be. Go Duke!!!

[uh_no]

Scrum at the end of the Baylor game...wonder if this will have any implications (suspensions) for the final 4....Odyssey Sims involved...

[A-Tex Devil]

Scrum at the end of the Baylor game...wonder if this will have any implications (suspensions) for the final 4....Odyssey Sims involved...

Is there an automatic suspension for coming off the bench like in the NBA? If there is Griner will be suspended.

[roywhite]

Scrum at the end of the Baylor game...wonder if this will have any implications (suspensions) for the final 4....Odyssey Sims involved...

I'm tempted to blame it on Ivory Latta, but I just saw her on another channel at the McDonald's Slam Jamfest.

Actually, not a huge fight, but there could be some penalties for the participants.

[muzikfrk75]

Is there an automatic suspension for coming off the bench like in the NBA? If there is Griner will be suspended.

I'm wondering about this too.

If so, 40-0 is over.


EDIT - apparently they are ejected but not suspended for the next game.

[Duvall]

If a player is ejected, can she return to the court to cut down the nets?

[uh_no]

Is there an automatic suspension for coming off the bench like in the NBA? If there is Griner will be suspended.

not sure...they said no suspensions as of now....but the NCAA could have their say

I'm going to guess.. its no, since it wasn't a punch....I think the NCAA will say its not enough to warrant a suspension cough cough ratings


When anyone other than the head coach leaves the bench
and enters the playing court but does not participate in the
fight, only one technical foul shall be assessed regardless of
the number of offenders. This one foul is charged indirectly
to the head coach.

[SCMatt33]

Is there an automatic suspension for coming off the bench like in the NBA? If there is Griner will be suspended.

I just looked at the rule. There is an automatic ejection for leaving the bench. A suspension only comes into play if the player actively participates in a fight. If you just leave the bench, but don't fight, the rule states that you will not be suspended. Looks the officials got it exactly right.

[uh_no]

on a side note:

Ewill not been effective scoring early in iso against one of the O sisters, and stanford is currently picking apart duke's zone

need to close down on shooters much faster

[Dukehky]

This lead needs to get down to six by half-time at least for us to have a shot at winning this game. We have not shown the ability to come back, especially against good teams (St. John's doesn't count). Our offense is really sputtering right now. Can't let it affect our defense.

We also can't get a call in the paint. Oh well.

I really hope this remains a close game. To be perfectly honest, just as a fan, I'd rather lose a tight one to stanford than get blown out by Baylor in the Final Four..

[uh_no]

This lead needs to get down to six by half-time at least for us to have a shot at winning this game. We have not shown the ability to come back, especially against good teams (St. John's doesn't count). Our offense is really sputtering right now. Can't let it affect our defense.

We also can't get a call in the paint. Oh well.

I really hope this remains a close game. To be perfectly honest, just as a fan, I'd rather lose a tight one to stanford than get blown out by Baylor in the Final Four..

I think the 11-4 rebounding margin and 6-16 shooting are more to blame. Given, you can blame the rebounding deficit on williams being on the bench, but even when she was in, duke wasn't getting any rebounds

I said her being in foul trouble would be the key...

[uh_no]

rough end to the first half....same thing, rebounding, williams largely ineffective, and can't contain the O sisters

I hope P can come up with some changes at the half, but am unfortunately largely pessimistic :/

[DU82]

rough end to the first half....same thing, rebounding, williams largely ineffective, and can't contain the O sisters

I hope P can come up with some changes at the half, but am unfortunately largely pessimistic :/

Unfortunately, I must concur. I had been saying to friends that next year (and the year after) would be the years for this team to really contend for the NC, but the first three games this tourney had my hopes up.

Stanford, which hadn't played a decent team (until SC Saturday) since December, is showing that they really are as good as their record.

Separately, watching the Vols assistant at the post-game press conference was sad, recognizing what this loss probably means for them. And reflects what all of them have had to deal with this year. At the end, we need to remember that they're all human. Some of the things being said over on ESPN, especially about Summitt and more so Griner, are just mean. Reflects what's bad about the internet. (IF you need a reminder, head over to IC sometime.)

[burnspbesq]

OK, we won the first four minutes.

[burnspbesq]

It's a three-possession game with seven minutes left. We're in it.

[killerleft]

Dang, what was it, 5 or 6 chances to get the lead down to 6? This game is winnable, but we must hit those easy shots! Other than that, the women have been tough and resilient.

[uh_no]

Dang, what was it, 5 or 6 chances to get the lead down to 6? This game is winnable, but we must hit those easy shots! Other than that, the women have been tough and resilient.

ran outta gas, unfortunately.

[davekay1971]

How did we get to this point?

[Duvall]

Unfortunately, I must concur. I had been saying to friends that next year (and the year after) would be the years for this team to really contend for the NC...

Well, maybe. It's going to be tough to compete for a title without running into an opposing coach with a history of postseason success at some point.

[Dukehky]

Well dang. Just not quite there, injuries hurt, but its part of the game.

Thanks Shay and Leener.

[uh_no]

Well dang. Just not quite there, injuries hurt, but its part of the game.

Thanks Shay and Leener.

Dealing with those sisters would have been tough, injuries or no. I think what hurt us the most was just getting worn down playing with a short bench against such good teams....its exactly what did uconn in against ND last year....watch out for this team next year....in all seriousness....preseason #3 is my guess, behind baylor and uconn

anyway

stanford has a legitmate chance against baylor...griner hasn't faced bigs like the o sisters all year, they are the best in the country outside her....we'll see

[Duvall]

stanford has a legitmate chance against baylor...griner hasn't faced bigs like the o sisters all year, they are the best in the country outside her....we'll see

Not sure about that. If Griner can slow down Nneka at all, it's hard to see how Stanford's filler players can make up the difference.

[uh_no]

Not sure about that. If Griner can slow down Nneka at all, it's hard to see how Stanford's filler players can make up the difference.

Yes. Baylors rest of team is much better...still its hard to say how the Obwumige/griner matchup will go down, since they face worthy big men so rarely

[davekay1971]

Yes. Baylors rest of team is much better...still its hard to say how the Obwumige/griner matchup will go down, since they face worthy big men so rarely

I know that's not what you meant, but I'm still chuckling...

[-bdbd]

OK, we won the first four minutes.

And we won the final 20 minutes. However, re those other 16 in the middle..... maybe not so much.

I give the ladies credit for fighting back and actually making a game of it, when they could easily have folded. I think that came from having played a tough schedule and being able to fight back. They just seemed a bit initimidated in the first half, so that once the initial adrenalin rush wore off, after about 4-5 minutes, well, we seemed to play tentative. Or, as they said on ESPN, stopped playing our way. The pressure on Shelby in the first half really disrupted our offensive flow, and we didn't recover well. They did show us something in the second half though. Boy, if we coulda just hit one of those shots to take it down to a six point margin, then Stanford maybe tightens up a bit. Who knows.

This group doesn't lose a whole lot going into next season, and actually gets a couple of important pieces back who were were missing toinight, plus a healthy E-Williams... The future looks very bright indeed for Duke WBB.

Great season ladies. NEXT YEAR, we get over this hump and will be playing in the Final Four. I really expect it.


P.S. I liked the interview afterwards of N.O. from Stanford. She's a very well-spoken young lady and it'll be hard not to root for her going against Griner and Baylor next week.


:)

[heyman25]

Duke had a great season.Two key players were lost to injury. Early in season Amber Henson had knee surgery and Richa Jackson tore her ACL and had surgery just recently and did not travel with the team.They only lose Shay Selby and Kathleen Scheer. Henson,Jackson and Chloe Wells return. Chloe Wells was also lost by school infractions. Then they add 3 good prospects. Williams also has to heal a stress fracture in her leg. She is a pre-med so she should rehab very well.

I hope the next 2 or 3 years Duke will be like Stanford and get successive trips to the Final 4. Stanford had Condoleeza Rice and the Stanford Football coach at the game. Attendance was low for being relatively close to Palo Alto. About 3400. There was a small pack of Duke supporters from the ESPNTV camera.

[Kedsy]

...and Chloe Wells return.

Do we know that Chloe is indeed returning? I hadn't heard anything definitive on that.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Do we know that Chloe is indeed returning? I hadn't heard anything definitive on that.
From a statement released by Coach P when Chloe was suspended.

“We love Chloe and she is a valuable member of the Duke women’s basketball family,” McCallie said. “I look forward to her returning to full eligibility for the 2012-13 campaign.”

http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/17057601/article-Duke%E2%80%99s-Wells-suspended-for-rest-of-season

[Kedsy]

From a statement released by Coach P when Chloe was suspended.

http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/17057601/article-Duke%E2%80%99s-Wells-suspended-for-rest-of-season

Anything more recent than that? My recollection, which could be faulty, is that someone trustworthy (Jim Sumner?) posted that whether Chloe comes back wasn't Coach P's decision and that no decision had yet been made.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Anything more recent than that? My recollection, which could be faulty, is that someone trustworthy (Jim Sumner?) posted that whether Chloe comes back wasn't Coach P's decision and that no decision had yet been made.
Well she does have to re-enroll I think. She not only got booted off the team, but out of school entirely, much like Zack Asack with the football team. She has the support of the her team and coaches though, and as talented as she is, if she were planning on going elsewhere we'd have heard about it by now, from either a Duke news outlet or reported by another school.