Nevada

[pdxfan]

We beat Nevada this afternoon thanks to Lanz, Jones and VanBrocklin. Five minutes in we were ahead. It stayed that way to the end of the game. Nevada was no push-over. A tall team, they out-rebounded us significantly. up to two minutes to go they could have moved ahead, closing to three. A three from Jones put the game out of reach. But it was tense throughout the second half. Nevada just wouldn't go away. Kudos to PSU, stubbornly sticking it out.

 

[bbjunkie]

Steals and forced turnovers in the first half gave PSU just enough of a lead so they could weather a second half comeback from Nevada. The defensive play of our guards was key to defeating a tall and good shooting opponent. We will need a lot more of that defensive intensity, as we move closer to league play, in order to overcome the inconsistency and low point production of our young, undersized post players. We desperately need a consistent defensive presence in the paint in order to be competitive with the taller teams in league. Coach Murrell has been experimenting with post player minutes in order to find a combination who will rebound and prevent opposing players from feasting on offensive rebounds and easy put backs. Post scoring would be nice, but is secondary to our defensive needs inside. IMO, this will be critical for the Viks success this season. So far, non of our post players have stepped up to make a case why they should be a starter, even though all have been given chances. The only exception is Egwuatu, who has inexplicably not been given many minutes, despite her senior experience and familiarity with PSU's schemes and plays. Once Murrell decides on a set post rotation, maybe we can see improvement in this critical area. Even though we have a deep guard rotation, they won't be able to carry us to consistent wins without this missing component.

 

[pdxfan]

For what it's worth, Nevada beat Montana last night. And no, we don't have a center, we just have 4-5 forwards. Often, we're playing 4 guards and a forward. I have to guess that Murrell likes the fast and speedy more than the reach. The tallest she's recruited is a 6'3" for next year, identified by her as a center. Are over six footers so rare that the Pac-12 etc. soaks them up? Only a coach could answer that one.

 

[mvem]

For what it's worth, Nevada beat Montana last night. And no, we don't have a center, we just have 4-5 forwards. Often, we're playing 4 guards and a forward. I have to guess that Murrell likes the fast and speedy more than the reach. The tallest she's recruited is a 6'3" for next year, identified by her as a center. Are over six footers so rare that the Pac-12 etc. soaks them up? Only a coach could answer that one.

Huh? Nevada doesn't play Montana (UM lost to Denver).

 

[pdxfan]

Red face. Sorry. Mixed it up.

 

[mikechristoffer]

bbjunkie: With respect to defensive posts and rebounders, PSU had one of the best if not the best in the conference in Katy Wade and wouldn't play her. Murrell has become so guard oriented that she cannot seem to understand the value of a low post defender. From the rumors circulating at PSU, the team's posts are disillusioned to say the least about the minutes they play and don't have a clue as to who will play and who will not.

 

[pdxfan]

Mike, sounds like you don't much like Murrell. That's ok. It would be helpful if you didn't get into the so-called PSU gossip. That kind of talk doesn't help the team; it tears it down. Last year there was a poster that sounded a little like you - griping about the misuse of Wade constantly. I suspect that was Wade's high school coach (or boy friend or family member).It went on interminably, pretty much buried the "women's basketball" line here. I'm a little touchy about such talk.

 

[mikechristoffer]

PDX: The issue I addressed in my post was in response to PSU's under-utilization of its post players and the example given is one of many. Check out Erin Yankus' minutes her junior season for another. PSU simply does not play its posts many minutes and this year is the worst yet. This is not opinion but fact and you can check out the statistics that prove it. PSU can play against your run of the mill Big Sky teams on the strength of its guard play because of Erin and Courtney but will have real problems against good teams unless it uses players who can defend and rebound in the paint. The pre-season is the time when Sams, Brock and the other posts should be given playing time to prepare for the conference season instead of sitting on the bench. Finally, this is a forum of discussing basketball not a rally squad and it isn't a secret that the current post players are not happy with the minutes they are allowed to play. If PSU starts playing its posts more, it will lead to a significant improvement in the team. Check out Sam's play from last year for example. She is a deadly low post scorer if she is given the ball down low. She has yet, however, to find a way to score without the ball or while sitting on the bench. Stephanie came into her own last year and now gets almost no minutes.

 

[freja]

Murrell's substitution patterns have always been incomprehendable regardless of position played...that said the posts need to perform when they are in, check the misses for all of them with O-boards and putbacks being the most obvious weakness. They will figure it out if they ever can get some consistent minutes.

 

[goviks2]

And Sherri Murell's teams just keep on winning. Not so sure about you "experts".