Its been interesting to not only view and write about the Sisters, but read everyone else's comments. There are a few things that keep coming up and I thought worth putting some thoughts out there for people to react to. I was gone this weekend and didn't get to see the WVU game, but the comments persist...so here we go.
Over the past few years there is one particular trend that has proven disturbing to many fans and I'm sure to the coaches as well - scoring droughts. So far this year there have been short droughts and long ones. Perhaps the worst of them all was the recent 11 1/2 minute span and there have been others this year ranging from 4-5 minutes on up. Why do these happen? I don't think there is a simple answer, but I'll offer up a few observations. (1) in an attempt to slow games down our offense only leaves 8-9 seconds to get things moving and usually this isn't enough. (2) lack of movement. Typically during these droughts I see players standing. Brynn is best when she is moving and creating space. All too often I see her doing what Bolte used to do...stand in a spot and wait. Adding to this standing phenomena is a distinct lack of ball movement. If you watched OSU against us you saw the ball being moved quickly, sharply and it was nearly impossible to keep up with. When we play our best you see the same. Unfortunately its not often enough. (3) shooting. This includes poor shot selection. But for the most part it is taking a shot that is a low percentage shot. Having to settle because the (1) shot clock is running out. Its also all those times when bunnies are missed inside. This last one happens to everyone. Even Brittany Griner missed point blank layups against us. In any case, there are these and other reasons for scoring droughts. Its just been very unusual that this has become part of the Sister's image.
Turnovers. I'm not sure there is anything as frustrating as turnovers. Especially those that aren't forced by the opponent. This includes lazy passes. Stupid passes. Lack of effort. Simply not valuing the ball. I'll pick on Moody here, but everyone on this team has contributed to this bug. In Moody you have a point guard with a high upside that also makes some of the most insane turnovers of any point guard we've had. She can do some mind boggling things that are positive and some mind boggling things that make you wonder what she's doing. You hear Coach Fennelly talk about turnovers all the time. These are missed scoring opportunities. They impact the clock. They change control of the game. This is one that is hard to put a finger on the cause. Carelessness? Trying to hard? Being up against better players? This is a puzzler. What makes it even more of a puzzle is seeing the difference in two halves. You might see double digit turnovers in the first half and 4-5 in the second. What changes? Why was this mindset not present from the beginning?
Of course the interesting aspect of a sport like basketball is that all of these things interweave, one impacting the other, and impacting the next, etc. A domino affect of sorts. Its addressing these type of things where a head coach really earns their pay. Ahhh...to be a little mouse in the corner.
Over the past few years there is one particular trend that has proven disturbing to many fans and I'm sure to the coaches as well - scoring droughts. So far this year there have been short droughts and long ones. Perhaps the worst of them all was the recent 11 1/2 minute span and there have been others this year ranging from 4-5 minutes on up. Why do these happen? I don't think there is a simple answer, but I'll offer up a few observations. (1) in an attempt to slow games down our offense only leaves 8-9 seconds to get things moving and usually this isn't enough. (2) lack of movement. Typically during these droughts I see players standing. Brynn is best when she is moving and creating space. All too often I see her doing what Bolte used to do...stand in a spot and wait. Adding to this standing phenomena is a distinct lack of ball movement. If you watched OSU against us you saw the ball being moved quickly, sharply and it was nearly impossible to keep up with. When we play our best you see the same. Unfortunately its not often enough. (3) shooting. This includes poor shot selection. But for the most part it is taking a shot that is a low percentage shot. Having to settle because the (1) shot clock is running out. Its also all those times when bunnies are missed inside. This last one happens to everyone. Even Brittany Griner missed point blank layups against us. In any case, there are these and other reasons for scoring droughts. Its just been very unusual that this has become part of the Sister's image.
Turnovers. I'm not sure there is anything as frustrating as turnovers. Especially those that aren't forced by the opponent. This includes lazy passes. Stupid passes. Lack of effort. Simply not valuing the ball. I'll pick on Moody here, but everyone on this team has contributed to this bug. In Moody you have a point guard with a high upside that also makes some of the most insane turnovers of any point guard we've had. She can do some mind boggling things that are positive and some mind boggling things that make you wonder what she's doing. You hear Coach Fennelly talk about turnovers all the time. These are missed scoring opportunities. They impact the clock. They change control of the game. This is one that is hard to put a finger on the cause. Carelessness? Trying to hard? Being up against better players? This is a puzzler. What makes it even more of a puzzle is seeing the difference in two halves. You might see double digit turnovers in the first half and 4-5 in the second. What changes? Why was this mindset not present from the beginning?
Of course the interesting aspect of a sport like basketball is that all of these things interweave, one impacting the other, and impacting the next, etc. A domino affect of sorts. Its addressing these type of things where a head coach really earns their pay. Ahhh...to be a little mouse in the corner.
