My "instant reaction" thoughts on tonight's game, may come up with more after I watch the replay of the game
0. UMKC is BAD. Why were they wasting 15 seconds on the shot clock only to launch a 3 from the top of the key. Even when they were hitting them, they slowed it down. The only explanation i could come up with is that their game plan was just to not get blown out.
1. Bridget should NOT be running point or distributing the ball. I think we've had enough evidence of that with all the games this season. She seems to be best when we can get her the ball on the wing and she has a side to work with (either one pass option or shoot).
2. Emily looked good all things considered. Jump shot was off tonight, but probably a given with her leg injury. We can all agree that we need her running point, so i hope she can get better before league play
3. Mere and Kristin both played really well in the post again tonight.
4. Madison again looked like she belongs in the starting lineup.
5. I think the best 5 right now are: Emily, Madison, Bridget, Adriana, Mere. Those should be your starters. Mere is in because she does the "little things" right now that Kristin Scott doesn't quite have down yet. But Kristin would be the first player off the bench and evenly split minutes with Mere.
6. Other than making some hustle plays, still not seeing where/how Bride is going to be successful come big 12 play. Struggled to really get position/shots on an out matched opponent. I think the coaches have their work cut out to get her ready for the upgrade in competition.
7. Rae is going to have some growing pains (i.e. 5 turnovers). You can see the talent, just going to take some bumps along the road with the little mistakes.
8. Couldn't believe how many times our guards dribbled right into the trap in the full court press. You could tell coach Fennelly was going nuts about it too. We very rarely got the ball to the middle of the court to attack the press.
9. It was fun seeing Emily and Madison actually advance the ball up the court after rebounds. The last few years that has been non existent as we watched Jada totally ignore the runners for passes.
10. Felt bad for the refs in this one. It was definitely a hard game to call as UMKC was very active (think a less physical West Virginia -> but same fouling philosophy).
P5 teams that run pressure would make us look pretty bad right now.
