UNC/NC Central Game Thread
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Sorry...trying to catch up. Reniya only played 5 min? Get hurt? Sounds like Lanie tweaked her ankle. What is the deal with Blanca?
Banghart wanted to get her some game minutes but she was kept out against SC, too. She started. She said because there is a quick turnaround for Elon on Thursday, she didn't press it. She did confirm that about Lanie in her presser, too, but nothing about Blanca.
Aarnisalo looks like Courtney Vandersloot out there with the court vision in transition. Every player better have their head turned to receive a pass while running up court. She was only credited with 3 assists, but this looked like a 5+ assist game for Elina using the eye test.
I know nether Grant nor Kelly really played much but this solidifies my belief that Elina is the starting 1 and Kelly is the starting 2. The only way I see otherwise is if Elina is a liability on point defense. If this comes to pass, I like Kelly getting a tad more rest off ball. Grant will get 20+ minutes like last season.
Brooks reminds me of Saniya Rivers (am I allowed to say that?)
NCAA WBB calls the perimeter first step travelling tighter than any other level or geographic location of basketball either gender. Liza got called twice, so some learning curve there. She is also figuring out how much to bang with 3 avoidable fouls. But she is clearly athletic, good rim awareness, her stroke looks solid, and has good dynamic body control. I think she may contribute significantly as an upperclassman.
Toomey's footwork and arm bar look significantly better in post defense. You can see the work on fundamentals. Hopefully that creates better results when we play teams with real post presence.
40% from 3 on 8-20 shooting. There were a lot of open looks thanks to some good passing, but it is great we put them in the hole at a really solid rate. And that is with our two best returning shooters from last season not playing (or at least zero attempts in the case of Kelly). The highlight is Brooks at 3 of 6.
5 players with at least 4 rebounds. Toomey and Brooks were the headliners but this looks like a rebound-by-committee type team unless/until Thomas gets healthy.
On the downside, too many fouls and too many turnovers, especially considering the level of competition. 10 of 19 from the charity stripe sounds familiar, in a bad way. Harris was a solid 4 of 5.
I know nether Grant nor Kelly really played much but this solidifies my belief that Elina is the starting 1 and Kelly is the starting 2. The only way I see otherwise is if Elina is a liability on point defense. If this comes to pass, I like Kelly getting a tad more rest off ball. Grant will get 20+ minutes like last season.
Brooks reminds me of Saniya Rivers (am I allowed to say that?)
NCAA WBB calls the perimeter first step travelling tighter than any other level or geographic location of basketball either gender. Liza got called twice, so some learning curve there. She is also figuring out how much to bang with 3 avoidable fouls. But she is clearly athletic, good rim awareness, her stroke looks solid, and has good dynamic body control. I think she may contribute significantly as an upperclassman.
Toomey's footwork and arm bar look significantly better in post defense. You can see the work on fundamentals. Hopefully that creates better results when we play teams with real post presence.
40% from 3 on 8-20 shooting. There were a lot of open looks thanks to some good passing, but it is great we put them in the hole at a really solid rate. And that is with our two best returning shooters from last season not playing (or at least zero attempts in the case of Kelly). The highlight is Brooks at 3 of 6.
5 players with at least 4 rebounds. Toomey and Brooks were the headliners but this looks like a rebound-by-committee type team unless/until Thomas gets healthy.
On the downside, too many fouls and too many turnovers, especially considering the level of competition. 10 of 19 from the charity stripe sounds familiar, in a bad way. Harris was a solid 4 of 5.
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Newbies all looking good. Toomey looks a bit more fluid and a bit stronger than last year imo. I like that. Still has that unusual motion on her jump shot.
Zubich and Hull will likely see only spot minutes, but they have such good-looking shots.
Nivar is a WNBA level athlete.
Listened to the game and the kids were LOUD.
Zubich and Hull will likely see only spot minutes, but they have such good-looking shots.
Nivar is a WNBA level athlete.
Listened to the game and the kids were LOUD.
Totally agree about E, how about that running left handed hook off the glass with contact from a defender. I’m impressed. While watching the game I said to my wife Liza is going to have to adjust to the American game. I think she actually traveled a couple more times that did not get called.
Not sure you can call it a sellout without selling tickets, lol. But the crowd was awesome. Field trip day is always so fun.
I went back and re-watched because I thought you were wrong, lol. But you are correct. They took turns bringing the ball up some, but definitely much more RK. And RK marked the opposing PG on D.
Elina played like a PG so I guess I assumed she was the PG. I was wrong. Obviously Elina did play PG for all the minutes she was in after RK sat.
Given that, it will definitely be interesting to see how they handle guard duties once Grant is healthy. We should assume RK gets the 1 when Grant is in, same as last season. And I still think Aarnisalo will be the 1 when Grant is in as well, but I could be wrong.
With so little being said about Thomas from CB, I'd bet that she's out for a while.
A lot to like about Aarnisalo's (Are - KNEE - say - low's) game - she made layups from the right and left side, drove to the basket, hit some 3's, hit a couple of mid-range jumpers, dished out assists and made some great passes. She seems to have good court vision. She is going to be fun to watch this year for sure!
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I think today solidified rotation regulars will likely be Harris, Brooks, Elina, Nivar, Toomey, LG and RK. (tbd on Blanca)
Hull, JZ, Quieroz and Henderson all look solid as well and could contribute a role somehow. JZ and Hull looked more comfortable, Taissa and TH seemed to have a few freshman moments but definitely saw the potential. For sure feels like an upgraded team- even after game 1 and a lesser opponent.
Hull, JZ, Quieroz and Henderson all look solid as well and could contribute a role somehow. JZ and Hull looked more comfortable, Taissa and TH seemed to have a few freshman moments but definitely saw the potential. For sure feels like an upgraded team- even after game 1 and a lesser opponent.
Still get PTSD anytime I see 8-20
I’m not sure how my id got changed to that anon username. I think RK and EA will be the starting backcourt with RK playing the 1. If we playing a team pushing up on the 1 full court, then I see EA bring the ball up to alleviate the pressure. LG will be the 3rd string 1.
Dawn Staley mentioned we have some snipers.
That 8-20 performance (40%) is even more impressive when you factor in we didn't have our 2 proven returners in Reniya (41%) and Lanie (35%).
That 8-20 performance (40%) is even more impressive when you factor in we didn't have our 2 proven returners in Reniya (41%) and Lanie (35%).