The CU women just crushed Wisconsin. They are on the verge of a top 25 ranking. Only preseason bias has kept them out at this point. At one point, 6 Pac 12 schools were ranked. Down to 4 now with CU receiving more votes than UCLA who had a tough week.
I recorded the Wiscy game and watched some of it. My observations:
- This is the best 9 player rotation I've seen at CU in a long time.
- CU's top 4 bench players are Tameiya Sadler (UW xfer), Quay Miller (UW xfer), Kendyll Wetta (top 100 recruit and top local player), Tayanna Jones (Georgetown xfer who started last year). Sadler had 8 on 3 of 4 shooting with 2 steals/2 assists, Miller had 11 and 4 rebounds, Wetta had 5 steals and 2 assists, and Jones 3 points and 2 rebounds/assists.
- The bench is as good or better than the starters from several of the previous years. Could field a winning team with the bench.
- Wetta is quickly becoming a major threat at PG. She can play with Sherrod as well and we have 2 primary ball handlers. This has greatly cut down on turnovers. Last year we had several games where we were 20+ in turnovers. Just 9 against Wisconsin.
- Great to have Sherrod back. She's still finding her scoring touch, but she's so quick and has learned to break down the defense and dish it out to shooters and underneath to Hollingshed under the basket. She's also still our best defensive player although Wetta is giving her a run for her money.
- Hollingshed is of course playing at an All Pac 12 level again and is just plain dominant now. She can step out and hit the 3 with regularity. She rebounds (had a double double against Wiscy). She can play pick and roll/pop. She defends the post very well now that she's stronger. Had 2 blocks in the game.
The team still lacks the knock down shooter that would just put it all together, but they are getting good play from the supporting players. Lisella had 2 big 3 pointers. Tayanna Jones hit a 3. Sadler we know can light it up when hot. Hasn't gotten off this season yet, but did hit a 3 in this game. I expect she can hit double figures off the bench once she finds her shot. Team is even playing some scrappy defense together which I worried about when we lost Aubrey Knight who was our best defender.
The women have a much deeper team than the men. Their top 9 is more solid 1-9 than the Men's team. The Men are a solid 1-7, but 8 and 9 get sketchy with Lovering and O'Brien. You wouldn't want to start either of the Men's 8/9 players, but the women could start any of their 1-9 and not miss a beat. The women have also already won a huge game on the road against Oklahoma State so they have shown they can win anywhere.
Want to catch a game when the Pac 12 starts. Things get real when the Pac 12 play comes along as the Pac 12 is still far and away the best conference in women's basketball IMO. We start off with road games at Oregon and Oregon State. Two teams likely to be ranked in the top 20 when we play them. Never won at either place (in like forever if ever). In fact, it's usually a blowout of epic proportions. I don't expect a win but expect to see a competitive tilt this time around. After that, it's the season for these ladies. 4 games at home in a row vs. the LA schools and the Bay schools. That's followed by 3 on the road at the Arizona schools then Utah. That's always a really bad road trip for the ladies. Then 3 at home against the Washington schools and Utah in a must win set of games. 4 on the road against the Bay schools and LA schools back to back. Those games might determine whether the team is in the NCAAs or not. They then get the top 20 Oregon schools at home to close out the year. Horrible schedule to say the least. Would be pissed if this was the Men's schedule. Crossing my fingers for a break for once though. Just need some momentum!
I recorded the Wiscy game and watched some of it. My observations:
- This is the best 9 player rotation I've seen at CU in a long time.
- CU's top 4 bench players are Tameiya Sadler (UW xfer), Quay Miller (UW xfer), Kendyll Wetta (top 100 recruit and top local player), Tayanna Jones (Georgetown xfer who started last year). Sadler had 8 on 3 of 4 shooting with 2 steals/2 assists, Miller had 11 and 4 rebounds, Wetta had 5 steals and 2 assists, and Jones 3 points and 2 rebounds/assists.
- The bench is as good or better than the starters from several of the previous years. Could field a winning team with the bench.
- Wetta is quickly becoming a major threat at PG. She can play with Sherrod as well and we have 2 primary ball handlers. This has greatly cut down on turnovers. Last year we had several games where we were 20+ in turnovers. Just 9 against Wisconsin.
- Great to have Sherrod back. She's still finding her scoring touch, but she's so quick and has learned to break down the defense and dish it out to shooters and underneath to Hollingshed under the basket. She's also still our best defensive player although Wetta is giving her a run for her money.
- Hollingshed is of course playing at an All Pac 12 level again and is just plain dominant now. She can step out and hit the 3 with regularity. She rebounds (had a double double against Wiscy). She can play pick and roll/pop. She defends the post very well now that she's stronger. Had 2 blocks in the game.
The team still lacks the knock down shooter that would just put it all together, but they are getting good play from the supporting players. Lisella had 2 big 3 pointers. Tayanna Jones hit a 3. Sadler we know can light it up when hot. Hasn't gotten off this season yet, but did hit a 3 in this game. I expect she can hit double figures off the bench once she finds her shot. Team is even playing some scrappy defense together which I worried about when we lost Aubrey Knight who was our best defender.
The women have a much deeper team than the men. Their top 9 is more solid 1-9 than the Men's team. The Men are a solid 1-7, but 8 and 9 get sketchy with Lovering and O'Brien. You wouldn't want to start either of the Men's 8/9 players, but the women could start any of their 1-9 and not miss a beat. The women have also already won a huge game on the road against Oklahoma State so they have shown they can win anywhere.
Want to catch a game when the Pac 12 starts. Things get real when the Pac 12 play comes along as the Pac 12 is still far and away the best conference in women's basketball IMO. We start off with road games at Oregon and Oregon State. Two teams likely to be ranked in the top 20 when we play them. Never won at either place (in like forever if ever). In fact, it's usually a blowout of epic proportions. I don't expect a win but expect to see a competitive tilt this time around. After that, it's the season for these ladies. 4 games at home in a row vs. the LA schools and the Bay schools. That's followed by 3 on the road at the Arizona schools then Utah. That's always a really bad road trip for the ladies. Then 3 at home against the Washington schools and Utah in a must win set of games. 4 on the road against the Bay schools and LA schools back to back. Those games might determine whether the team is in the NCAAs or not. They then get the top 20 Oregon schools at home to close out the year. Horrible schedule to say the least. Would be pissed if this was the Men's schedule. Crossing my fingers for a break for once though. Just need some momentum!
