Was never really a fan of the Women's Game what with the slower pace and glaring differences in athleticism, but that slowly changed after Tyra and Teri started making some noise. And here IU is playing for a trip to the Final Four. Well alright then.
Coach Moren has put together/cultivated a group that from what I can see has really strong chemistry. These women really like each other and love playing, don't get rattled and have a coherence as a Team that is visibly lacking among others they have faced in the Tourney. The contrast in their last game against #1 seed NC State was pretty stark in terms of communication/energy among Players on the different squads - IU behaved and interacted during pauses in play as a Team, NC St. more like a collection of individuals (a couple of whom seemed at least as interested in how they looked as in how the Team performed given their proclivity for wearing ridiculously long false eyelashes on the Court which seems to bespeak a lack of singular focus on what's important).
When they work the ball and don't settle for shots IU is pretty damn efficient, and their defense is at times textbook. Hilary and Ali still have trouble at times staying in front of whomever they're guarding, and Holmes needs to work harder at not getting pinned underneath the basket, but help defense in the lane is pretty jiggy and Berger and Gulbe are very good at taking away lanes. Given that tonight's opponent (ARZ) got nearly half their offensive production in their last game from 5'6" guard Aari McDonald, be interesting to see how IU handles her.
Anyway, Go IU!
Coach Moren has put together/cultivated a group that from what I can see has really strong chemistry. These women really like each other and love playing, don't get rattled and have a coherence as a Team that is visibly lacking among others they have faced in the Tourney. The contrast in their last game against #1 seed NC State was pretty stark in terms of communication/energy among Players on the different squads - IU behaved and interacted during pauses in play as a Team, NC St. more like a collection of individuals (a couple of whom seemed at least as interested in how they looked as in how the Team performed given their proclivity for wearing ridiculously long false eyelashes on the Court which seems to bespeak a lack of singular focus on what's important).
When they work the ball and don't settle for shots IU is pretty damn efficient, and their defense is at times textbook. Hilary and Ali still have trouble at times staying in front of whomever they're guarding, and Holmes needs to work harder at not getting pinned underneath the basket, but help defense in the lane is pretty jiggy and Berger and Gulbe are very good at taking away lanes. Given that tonight's opponent (ARZ) got nearly half their offensive production in their last game from 5'6" guard Aari McDonald, be interesting to see how IU handles her.
Anyway, Go IU!