Coming off of the 5 week layoff, no one really knew what to expect from the team coming back, particularly because the last two games they had played featured both their worst defensive (Iowa) and offensive (Nebraska) games of the year.
To say the team has been impressive in their 2 games back would be an understatement. They've been shooting well (above 47% from the field in both games, above 40% from 3pt range, above 73% FT), defending well, and had 11 or fewer turnovers in both games (which is particularly impressive since Northwestern leads the league in turnover margin and is second in steals--to RU). Their excellent offensive performances have come despite a shooting slump from Arella (who, it should be noted, is leading the team in assists the past two games). Yes, we will need a deeper bench, given there are a lot of games coming up and foul trouble is inevitable. Yes, it would be really great to have Zippy healthy. But if the team stays locked in, this very bizarre season could still be a bright one.
Back to this game, which was one of the more impressive road wins RU has had in a while. The team was locked in the whole game, and I was very impressed with how they moved the ball and found good looks in the pesky NW defense. Some thoughts on the players:
Tyia: She follows a game where she had a career high in rebounding with a career high in points. Undoubtedly her most complete game in an RU uniform, she still has tons of untapped potential. The team did a good job of finding her through the defense, but I was most impressed with her back to the basket post move and score, as well as her confident FT-line jumper. Given that she is shooting 11/12 from the FT line for the year, I'd actually love to see her take those shots a bit more.
Tekia: 40 minutes, 16pts, 13 rebounds, 2 steals, and enough energy for a whole building. We are going to miss her so much next year--her energy is contagious. She will do anything to win, and it was nice to see her find her 3-point stroke.
Diamond: For a freshman PG (whose best position I still think may be SG) to play 39min, have 14pts, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, and just 1 turnover is pretty amazing. She is everything she was hyped up to be--and more.
Mael: Again, 40 minutes, and you think she's had a quiet game, but she's the glue. 6pts, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and always excellent defense. She does it all without flash, but every person wants a Mael on their team.
Sakima: Played solid, and very important, minutes in the 4th quarter, despite leaving her jersey at home. Very pretty and confident looking midrange shot. She is going to be very good, and I hope this game gave her a little confidence. Chyna only played a few minutes, but she did not look quite ready for prime time.
Arella: IS her shooting still off? Yes. But there are few, if any, of the 15 shots she took I wouldn't want her taking. Every basket she had was clutch, and if not for a few missed shots/mishandles/passes/fouls, she could have doubled her 5 assists, she was that good and finding people through NW's defense. She seems to not be forcing as much, and she doesn't let the shooting woes affect the other parts of her game.
Meanwhile, Kathleen Doyle--yes the same Kathleen Doyle who won the B10 POY over Arella last year--was the color commentator, and while she was a bit stiff, I actually found her enjoyable to listen to and she was very complimentary of the RU team, especially Arella and Tekia.
To say the team has been impressive in their 2 games back would be an understatement. They've been shooting well (above 47% from the field in both games, above 40% from 3pt range, above 73% FT), defending well, and had 11 or fewer turnovers in both games (which is particularly impressive since Northwestern leads the league in turnover margin and is second in steals--to RU). Their excellent offensive performances have come despite a shooting slump from Arella (who, it should be noted, is leading the team in assists the past two games). Yes, we will need a deeper bench, given there are a lot of games coming up and foul trouble is inevitable. Yes, it would be really great to have Zippy healthy. But if the team stays locked in, this very bizarre season could still be a bright one.
Back to this game, which was one of the more impressive road wins RU has had in a while. The team was locked in the whole game, and I was very impressed with how they moved the ball and found good looks in the pesky NW defense. Some thoughts on the players:
Tyia: She follows a game where she had a career high in rebounding with a career high in points. Undoubtedly her most complete game in an RU uniform, she still has tons of untapped potential. The team did a good job of finding her through the defense, but I was most impressed with her back to the basket post move and score, as well as her confident FT-line jumper. Given that she is shooting 11/12 from the FT line for the year, I'd actually love to see her take those shots a bit more.
Tekia: 40 minutes, 16pts, 13 rebounds, 2 steals, and enough energy for a whole building. We are going to miss her so much next year--her energy is contagious. She will do anything to win, and it was nice to see her find her 3-point stroke.
Diamond: For a freshman PG (whose best position I still think may be SG) to play 39min, have 14pts, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, and just 1 turnover is pretty amazing. She is everything she was hyped up to be--and more.
Mael: Again, 40 minutes, and you think she's had a quiet game, but she's the glue. 6pts, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and always excellent defense. She does it all without flash, but every person wants a Mael on their team.
Sakima: Played solid, and very important, minutes in the 4th quarter, despite leaving her jersey at home. Very pretty and confident looking midrange shot. She is going to be very good, and I hope this game gave her a little confidence. Chyna only played a few minutes, but she did not look quite ready for prime time.
Arella: IS her shooting still off? Yes. But there are few, if any, of the 15 shots she took I wouldn't want her taking. Every basket she had was clutch, and if not for a few missed shots/mishandles/passes/fouls, she could have doubled her 5 assists, she was that good and finding people through NW's defense. She seems to not be forcing as much, and she doesn't let the shooting woes affect the other parts of her game.
Meanwhile, Kathleen Doyle--yes the same Kathleen Doyle who won the B10 POY over Arella last year--was the color commentator, and while she was a bit stiff, I actually found her enjoyable to listen to and she was very complimentary of the RU team, especially Arella and Tekia.
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