For the first time in a while, the Terps lost an exhibition game. Granted this was against the Senior National Team. It was amazing to see them have an advantage at every position and the team looked a little shocked at the beginning. Midway through the first half, they seemed to settle down and actually led at one point. The second half was a different story as Maryland looked tired and the US Team started making their shots. Although we only scored 73 points, that is on par with what most of these group of players had been giving up in the FIBA World Championships. To get a true feel for the team, we have to see how UConn and UT do against the US Team in the next few days.
What I liked:
Our aggressive style on defense. We did the best we could to interupt passing lanes and cause turnovers and deflections. The team seemed more committed to defense last night than last year, but we have to see how long that continues.
Rebounding. The US Team had height at every position, yet we still outrebounded them by 6.
Mingo and Lyons. Mingo seemed to settle in after a few minutes and Lyons was not afraid to shoot the ball, making the first three of the game.
What I didn't like
Turnovers. I know Taurasi called Toliver the best PG in the country, but I didn't see it last night. Too many forced passes and attempts to do too much. She needs to let the game come to her. 9 TO's is a bit much, especially after a summer at PG camp.
Free Throw Shooting. Too many missed especially if we are going to attack the basket.
No new wrinkles in the play book. Obviously, we slowed it down because the US Team got back quicker than us, but we seem to still be running the basic, pick at the top of the key play and then try to get a shot off. I would love to see more clear outs or plays that get us into the paint. We can be more than a jump shooting team.
What worries me
Depth. With Langhorne, Barrett, Rodgers and Wiley-Gatewood in street clothes (Lang should be fine for Princeton) we were down to 10 players and Wallace looks like she has a prosthetic leg with all the braces and tape jobs. We the ladies needed a break, the back up guards Newman and Marrone looked lost in the offense.
Conditioning. First game of the year and we were out of gas by the time the second half rolled around. You could see it in the players eyes that they were spent.
Second half problems still exist. A trend from last year reared its head again - being outscored in the second half. We always tend to play great in the first half and then come out of the gate in half two and before we know it the game is tied or blown open.
What I want to see vs. Princeton
Better control of the ball.
More attacking of the basket.
two solid halves
Marah Strickland coming out of her shell.
Whether you agree or disagree, discuss it on the message board.
2 comments:
I wonder whether Kristi is pushing her teammates to the limit and beyond, by pushing the ball hard up the court and making near-impossible passes? Maybe she was even instructed to do this?
Yes, it resulted in nine turnovers against the best players in the world. But if the point guard does not push the team, how can it get better?
Also Kristi did not have much help with ball handling beyond Marissa.
Look on the men's side, where the Terps have three point guards, two of whom will play often at the same time (Hayes, Vasquez and Bowie). This is helpful for pressure defenses.
So when the Terps get Wiley-Gatewood back and when Kat Lyons gets more experience, playing two PGs when the pressure is great (like against NC) might help reduce the turnovers.
Strickland will be a truly great Terp, but she can't help with PG duties as much yet(especially against the world's best).
So I wonder if this is what Turasi saw--a PG who is pushing her team to be better and getting the most out of them? Maybe the Terps need to extend themselves first, and then pull back (if they need to) much later, after they reach new heights of play.
Comments?
Some good highlights and postgame comments on "Under the Shell" website- umterps.com/undertheshell
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