Bridget / Canada Olympic Viewing

CyclonesFan4ever

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Team Canada (world rank #4) just lost their first group match to Serbia (world rank #8) 68-72. I've watched the whole game live, here's my game summary and observations.

1. Bridget started and played hard but had a rough game. Her final stats are: 7 PT (3-4 2PT FG, 0-6 3PT FG, 1-4 FT), 5 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 3 TO, and she took 2 elbows to her head (will elaborate later). Maybe it's the nerve of playing her first-ever Olympic game, maybe the game was too physical, she didn't show her best self. The three field goals she made were two layups and a free-throw line jumper. She missed all six 3PT attempts and most of them hit the front rim. Uncharacteristically, she missed 3 of her 4 free throws. Especially with less than 2 minutes left in the 4th Q, after she took her second elbow and earned two flagrant foul shots when Canada only trailed by 4, she missed both unfortunately. Maybe Coach Fen should text her and advise her to practice more FT like the old ISU days.

2. The entire game was extremely physical, which is the trait of FIBA basketball. Both teams played full-court press in the majority of the game and created a lot of turnovers (Canada 16, Serbia 28) and fouled a lot. If you think the way Baylor and Texas play ISU is physical, the degree of physicality in this game is on another level. The players on both teams definitely need an ice bath after the game. Take Bridget as an example, she took two elbows to her head and she was only awarded one flagrant foul and one common foul. We all know she's a tough girl but the pushing, grabbing and shoving in this game gotta take a toll on her.

3. It appears that Team Canada could use more time in the training camp because the team chemistry is not there yet (thanks partially to the WNBA season). They trailed in the game most of the time and had to rely on their individual talents and strong physicality to stay in the game. The ball and player movements were not smooth, they definitely need more time to adjust to FIBA style basketball. The major difference in the game between the two teams is the 3PT shooting (Canada 5-24, Serbia 8-17). Canada couldn't capitalize on the extra possessions created by Serbia's turnovers.

4. Team Serbia was a more ready team and their execution and efficiency were better than Canada. They deserve to win this match. Interestingly, the Texas grad Yvonne Anderson (2008-2012) is Serbia's backup PG and she came off the bench scoring 12PT (second team-high).

The best play of the game is absolutely amazing. You gotta see it and give the Serbia player full credit for the creativity.



5. This is a really tough loss because their other group opponent Spain (world rank #3) is just as formidable. Team Canada had better win the rest of the two group matches in order to control their own destiny, which starts with the next match against South Korea. I hope Bridget can settle down and have a better performance in the next game.

Link: full game replay

 
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kcdc4isu

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Watched the game and for those who follow Big 12 basketball,two of the officials were very familiar. Amy Bonner and Maj Forsberg. As CF4 noted it was a physical game. It seemed like Bridget was usually gaurding their best non post player and I think the effort she has to use to guard that person takes alot out of her and it effects her shooting. Serbia was the Euro champion so not a cupcake team.
 

CyclonesFan4ever

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Doing my first-time live update.

Update #1

After the 1Q, Bridget scored 4PT (a block-->steal-->layup and a below-the-free-throw-line jumper). Canada leads South Korea 16-15.

Tidbit: the name of the South Korea team captain is Kim Jung Eun.o_O

Update #2

Halftime: Canada leads South Korea 33-28. Bridget's stats: 4 PT, 5 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK. She also played solid defense.

Canada is the better team and played good defense but they missed a lot of bunnies at the rim and didn't shoot FTs well, otherwise it should've been a double-digit lead.

Update #3

After the 3Q, Bridget has scored 8PT (made all her 4 FT). Team Canada extended the lead to double digits (49-39) with balanced scoring (not one player in double digits yet). I just wish Bridget could make a 3 pointer.

Update #4

In the early 4Q, Bridget made a driving layup 3-point play, now she's the first Canadian player in double digits with 11 PT. Also, she really hustles and has forced 3 jump balls.

In the middle of 4Q, Bridget made a turnaround jumper near the block/charge arch in the paint. Now she has scored 13 PT.

Her Lynx team Natalie Achonwa also plays a great game with 12 PT.

Bridget made her first 3 pointer! Now she's leading the team with 16 PT.

Another driving layup by Bridget, she now has a team-high 18 PT. Canada is blowing out South Korea.

Final Update:

Team Canada won their first Tokyo Olympic game by defeating South Korea 74-53. Bridget played an outstanding game on both ends and scored a game-high 18 PT.

Her final stats are: 18 PT (6-11 FG, 5-5 FT), 7 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO.

Her Lynx team Natalie Achonwa is the team's second-leading scorer with a double-double 14 PT, 10 REB.

Team Canada out-rebounded their opponent 54-32 while playing great defense.

The point differential will definitely help Team Canada advance to the elimination stage.

I'm extremely proud of Bridget. She's my Player of the Game. Bravo!



 
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TrulyCyclone

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Not looking good Canada down by 8 before half. Bridget is Canada's best player imo, hit a nice rhythm three to keep this game entertaining. Also the best defender, again imo.
 

BoxsterCy

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Not looking good Canada down by 8 before half. Bridget is Canada's best player imo, hit a nice rhythm three to keep this game entertaining. Also the best defender, again imo.

So far Canada is not looking like a medal contender this summer which sorta bums me out a little as I really want Carleton to be on a medal winner. Don't generally give too much of a poop about the Olympics but Carleton is good peeps and a great alumna and want it for her.
 

CyclonesFan4ever

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Halftime update: Canada trails Spain 34-40.

Bridget played her role OK. Her stats are 5PT (1 OREB putback and 1 3PT), 3 REB, 3 AST. Spain's defense paid attention to her so she didn't get too many opportunities. She did miss a bunny under the basket though.

Team Canada still relied too much on their individual talents, took a lot of tough shots, while Spain played more team ball with the better player and ball movements. If Canada wants to win this game, they have to tighten up their interior defense, move the ball and make more efficient plays on the offensive end.
 
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CyclonesFan4ever

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SMH, not every Canadian player is as unselfish as Bridget and trying to execute the game plan.

Canada needs to cut the deficit to single-digit even if they lose. They can still be a third-place team to advance to the knockout stage if they have a better point differential than the teams in the other two groups.
 
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CyclonesFan4ever

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Canada didn't play a good game and lost to Spain 66-76. They finish 1-2 in the group stage. Assuming Serbia defeats South Korea in the next game, Canada will finish third in Group A.

Briget's final stats are: 9 PT (4-9 FG, 1-2 3PT, 0-1 FT), 6 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 1 TO.

Thanks to the European Championship (EuroBasket Women 2021) held in June, those European teams have had a much longer time playing and training together to prepare for their Olympic games. That's the products you saw displayed on the court. On the contrary, partially due to the WNBA schedule, Canada doesn't have enough training time to develop and build team chemistry. We have seen what's happening on the men's side, now the same to the women's side as well.



Two of the three third-placed teams will advance to the knockout stage. Here's the scenario for Canada to advance.

Tiebreaker rule: 1) match points; 2) points difference; 3) number of points scored; 4) FIBA ranking.

Right now in Group A Canada has 4 match points with a +7 point differential.

In Group B, France is 1-1 and with +21 PD. Their last opponent is Team USA so France is likely to lose. If USA's winning margin is over 14 pts, Canada will advance.

In Group C, Australia is 0-2 with -17 PD. Their last opponent is Puerto Rico who lost a total of 77 pts in their first two games vs China and Belgium. Australia is expected to blow out PR in tomorrow's game. If Australia's winning margin is less than 24 pts, Canada will advance.
 
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