2023 Americup ... USA Gamethread(s)

#426
#426
LV renaissance said:
It was fun again to wake up and read everyone's posts about the game and not have to bite my nails while doing it. For those who have been watching, I am intrigued about the role Jewel has on the team. She plays a lot, meaning that the coaches have confidence in how she could help this team. I know she has a couple of games in which she seemed like an important cog on the team as one of the more reliable 3-point shooters. MY question is why isn't taking more shots. Only one shot is almost 20 minutes last night. My curious mind comes up with a variety of possible explanations, such as not being able to get open enough, being open but the point guard and other players not getting her the ball, her getting the ball but either being passive or being coached that the main shooters need to be the bigs, and so forth. I know assists is a major weakness of this team, so I assume that might be part of it. I don't buy the explanation that a couple of the negatively biased posters have said in that it is because she is going to be like Tess and have difficulty scoring any points against good defenses. If that was the case, why was she such a major and consistent scorer against so many good teams in the ACC in which the game plan was to stop her from scoring. I am especially curious of any thoughts and comments from those who actually have watched some of the games.
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I think she just playing her role for what the coaches may want, but I do notice she’s not being very aggressive out there, I haven’t seen her break down a defender and pull up like she did at Wake, usually now she just stands at the 3 point line and waits for a pass instead of seeking the ball. But with all that said, she will be different at Tennessee because she will be the 2nd option and have more freedom to show her skills and not have to worry about stepping on any toes.
 
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#427
#427
Ok, I saw a flaw in Betts’ game, she was open twice last night just a few feet in front of the basket, hesitated to shoot, but did, and missed both shots, but did anyone notice the time when she and Reese were under the basket, Reese missed 3 layups in a row and rebounded the first 2 when Betts grabbed the third rebound away from Reese and made the layup herself. It was pretty funny.
 
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#428
#428
Right now Betts has a range of about 4 ft. Needs to work on it. Hope she can handle Kamilla tonight.

To be fair, Betts is 4 in taller than Angel so I'm surprised Angel got the first two w Betts right there. Reese is a relentless rebounding machine, but at this pt also a missed layup and t.o. machine. Hopefully she'll be better tonight too.

Again about Jewel, she just doesn't seem comfortable or sure of her role. I give Raven a ton of credit. She's sort of grabbed a role for herself and is getting better each game. She is a very tough kid.
 
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#429
#429
WinnerCircle said:
Hopefully a big win tonight and another great performance sends off RJ & JS back home to a warm welcoming in Knoxville for the start of another championship run
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I'll bet they just want to come home to a warm welcome sleeping in their own beds for about 3 straight days. Then some serious recovery on weary bodies from the LV training staff. I know they're babies, but their schedule the last month has been insane.
 
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#430
#430
Anybody know why Uconn players are not in this national team? They have 2 top players that supposed to be there. I'm just wondering because the last 3 national tournaments non of Uconns went.
 
#431
#431
sisaq said:
Anybody know why Uconn players are not in this national team? They have 2 top players that supposed to be there. I'm just wondering because the last 3 national tournaments non of Uconns went.
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The connies are repping their own country,,,Canada
 
#432
#432
sisaq said:
Anybody know why Uconn players are not in this national team? They have 2 top players that supposed to be there. I'm just wondering because the last 3 national tournaments non of Uconns went.
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No one is "supposed" to be there. Invites go out, some choose to come to camp, some don't. Edwards is playing for Canada, her home country, as is a Notre Dame player. I don't think Paige is even cleared for full practice yet so she was never coming. Azzi maybe could have but if I was a UConn fan, I wouldn't have wanted her to risk her knee either. I don't think its a UConn thing.

USA could use Azzi's 3 pt shooting, but truthfully I'm glad both she and Clark didn't play. It gave players like Jewel more of a chance to play and also gave Rickea a chance to be the focus of the offense. This tourney has been very good for the Lady Vols, for Betts, and for Raven Johnson imo.
 
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#433
#433
DarkPhoenix said:
I think she just playing her role for what the coaches may want, but I do notice she’s not being very aggressive out there, I haven’t seen her break down a defender and pull up like she did at Wake, usually now she just stands at the 3 point line and waits for a pass instead of seeking the ball. But with all that said, she will be different at Tennessee because she will be the 2nd option and have more freedom to show her skills and not have to worry about stepping on any toes.
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Agreed. This tournament in particular has always been a tough gauge. Most of these kids will not look like this with their college teams so wouldn’t read much into it for future performance. Completely different, game, setting, roles, coaching, etc. Jewel Spears will definitely be a scorer and hunting her shot, breaking down defenders for UT. Rickea is Rickea, and we all know what she is capable of. I hope and think we will see an even better version next year. If Spear and Wells do what they can do, it will free Rickea up mentally to play free and dominate without pressure.

As far as Reese, this is her game and what she has always done. She will throw up shots hoping for a foul, but she rebounds the hell out of those misses and anyone else’s misses. I really think that is why she misses so much. She’ll continue to do that. I know a lot of people really hate her outside of LSU, but she isn’t going anywhere. I think she’ll have a lot of freedom to be more efficient this next season with LSU. She won’t need to score 20+ a game next year for them to win, but she’ll need to rebound and defend and pretty sure she will.

I know I am really excited to see what this season brings. Tennessee could very well be a Final Four team. South Carolina has the talent to not skip a beat, but can Dawn’s youngins rise to the challenge? UConn has the roster on paper to do it again. Can they stay healthy? Can Cori Close actually coach up UCLA to elite status for once? Almost no one thought LSU could do it last year, and they may have more talent and pieces than any team in history this year but those pieces for each and every single team have to perform and put it together on the floor in games and when it matters most. Can they do that? Can anyone? Who will do that in the end? How are injuries going to impact rosters? We can’t anoint anyone, and the games have to be played out on court regardless. I think it might be a long season where things don’t take shape until late in the year. I for one am so excited to see how it plays out, and I hope our Lady Vols are right there in the thick of it. I have a sneaking suspicion they will be ;)
 
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#434
#434
Jewel Spear started on the team USA 19U team in 2021 with Caitlin Clark and over Azzi Fudd. There’s a footage of this full game on YouTube. She scored 14 points. Jewel also started the first game in this tourney. I think it’s a bit of a stretch to ignore her entire career accolades to focus on these last 5 games after carrying Wake Forrest with some incredible individual performances. She earned the right to play and would be on this team regardless of who was invited or decline the offer. Matter of fact, she was one of the first 8 finalists selected.
I actually think it’s quite telling how Betts has been complimented endlessly after having a disappointing freshman season but a player like Spear who has done so much and earn every single accolade in her career is being questioned excessively after 5 international games.
 
#435
#435
CoryDallasLV said:
Agreed. This tournament in particular has always been a tough gauge. Most of these kids will not look like this with their college teams so wouldn’t read much into it for future performance. Completely different, game, setting, roles, coaching, etc. Jewel Spears will definitely be a scorer and hunting her shot, breaking down defenders for UT. Rickea is Rickea, and we all know what she is capable of. I hope and think we will see an even better version next year. If Spear and Wells do what they can do, it will free Rickea up mentally to play free and dominate without pressure.

As far as Reese, this is her game and what she has always done. She will throw up shots hoping for a foul, but she rebounds the hell out of those misses and anyone else’s misses. I really think that is why she misses so much. She’ll continue to do that. I know a lot of people really hate her outside of LSU, but she isn’t going anywhere. I think she’ll have a lot of freedom to be more efficient this next season with LSU. She won’t need to score 20+ a game next year for them to win, but she’ll need to rebound and defend and pretty sure she will.

I know I am really excited to see what this season brings. Tennessee could very well be a Final Four team. South Carolina has the talent to not skip a beat, but can Dawn’s youngins rise to the challenge? UConn has the roster on paper to do it again. Can they stay healthy? Can Cori Close actually coach up UCLA to elite status for once? Almost no one thought LSU could do it last year, and they may have more talent and pieces than any team in history this year but those pieces for each and every single team have to perform and put it together on the floor in games and when it matters most. Can they do that? Can anyone? Who will do that in the end? How are injuries going to impact rosters? We can’t anoint anyone, and the games have to be played out on court regardless. I think it might be a long season where things don’t take shape until late in the year. I for one am so excited to see how it plays out, and I hope our Lady Vols are right there in the thick of it. I have a sneaking suspicion they will be ;)
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Great post, thanks. It does feel like the LVs have the pieces to be much more in the mix this year. I'd be shocked if they continue to whiff on every big game. Lots of good teams, but with the right breaks the LVs should have as good a chance as any to go a long way.

Job 1 (and 2, 3, and 4) for the coaching staff is to design an offense that lets Rickea be Rickea. Just get her the ball reliably in her spots and the rest will take care of itself.

Agree about Reese also, but I still don't remember this many bad misses nor this many turnovers. But she'll benefit as well from pre season work in the gym and from the great pieces LSU picked up. I believe Angel will develop more and more as a Rodman whose putback scoring is a plus, not a necessity. That may be her role in the W.

I realize my relationship w Angel is at a perfect spot right now - her behavior is better and less annoying and her game is worse. LOL couldn't ask for more.
 
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#436
#436
WinnerCircle said:
I actually think it’s quite telling how Betts has been complimented endlessly after having a disappointing freshman season but a player like Spear who has done so much and earn every single accolade in her career is being questioned excessively after 5 international games.
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Not sure what "telling" you're seeing, but Betts has surprised after her disappointing first season by averaging a double double. That's gonna get complimented. I don't hear "excessive" questioning of Jewel. Fans are understandably curious. All responses to questioning of how she's doing I've seen has assured that she'll be fine here and seems a great kid. You may be over reacting.

If you're a big fan of Deja Kelly around here, you may have a point lol.
 
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#437
#437
DarkPhoenix said:
I think she just playing her role for what the coaches may want, but I do notice she’s not being very aggressive out there, I haven’t seen her break down a defender and pull up like she did at Wake, usually now she just stands at the 3 point line and waits for a pass instead of seeking the ball. But with all that said, she will be different at Tennessee because she will be the 2nd option and have more freedom to show her skills and not have to worry about stepping on any toes.
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This. Like I said, she's the Tess Darby of this team. Obviously, her role will be very different at Tennessee...
 
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#439
#439
glv98 said:
Not sure what "telling" you're seeing, but Betts has surprised after her disappointing first season by averaging a double double. That's gonna get complimented. I don't hear "excessive" questioning of Jewel. Fans are understandably curious. All responses to questioning of how she's doing I've seen has assured that she'll be fine here and seems a great kid. You may be over reacting.

If you're a big fan of Deja Kelly around here, you may have a point lol.
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I didn’t see Betts freshman season as disappointing at all. How many 6’7” posts have ever really excelled out of the gate in college? She actually had a good year in limited playing time and was a big loss for Tara, who has an amazing reputation for developing tall post prospects. I’m hearing Betts wanted to be in LA and join where her sister will likely go and form a possible championship caliber nucleus with Kiki Rice and others. They will have other big commitments coming. Having said that I’ve never been sold on their coach so 🤷🏼‍♂️.

Getting back to us…for the first time in literally AGES, we may have so many options who can create and score off the dribble which is exciting. I will reserve judgement until the season starts, but I am really hopeful and optimistic.
 
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#440
#440
CoryDallasLV said:
I didn’t see Betts freshman season as disappointing at all. How many 6’7” posts have ever really excelled out of the gate in college? She actually had a good year in limited playing time and was a big loss for Tara, who has an amazing reputation for developing tall post prospects. I’m hearing Betts wanted to be in LA and join where her sister will likely go and form a possible championship caliber nucleus with Kiki Rice and others. They will have other big commitments coming. Having said that I’ve never been sold on their coach so 🤷🏼‍♂️.

Getting back to us…for the first time in literally AGES, we may have so many options who can create and score off the dribble which is exciting. I will reserve judgement until the season starts, but I am really hopeful and optimistic.
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Behave yer self. There are negas lurking… 🤣
 
#441
#441
sisaq said:
Anybody know why Uconn players are not in this national team? They have 2 top players that supposed to be there. I'm just wondering because the last 3 national tournaments non of Uconns went.
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Uconnie, Edwards 1 for 6 at the half...maybe that's why
 
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#442
#442
CoryDallasLV said:
I didn’t see Betts freshman season as disappointing at all. How many 6’7” posts have ever really excelled out of the gate in college? She actually had a good year in limited playing time and was a big loss for Tara, who has an amazing reputation for developing tall post prospects. I’m hearing Betts wanted to be in LA and join where her sister will likely go and form a possible championship caliber nucleus with Kiki Rice and others. They will have other big commitments coming. Having said that I’ve never been sold on their coach so 🤷🏼‍♂️.

Getting back to us…for the first time in literally AGES, we may have so many options who can create and score off the dribble which is exciting. I will reserve judgement until the season starts, but I am really hopeful and optimistic.
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Disappointing in that she didn't get much PT and was unhappy enough to go into the portal. She was sort of an unknown quantity coming into this tourney and I don't think anyone expected her to be the dominant USA post player.

PR trying to make a comeback late, down 6 w a min and a half left. Edwards only has 4 pts but has 9 reb. Alexander has 13 and 16 though.
 
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#444
#444
Pregame video has been up for a minute…
Sad crowd for the finals. Get that in San Antonio and you’d have something working…
Edit: or Miami, even better.
 
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#445
#445
glv98 said:
Disappointing in that she didn't get much PT and was unhappy enough to go into the portal. She was sort of an unknown quantity coming into this tourney and I don't think anyone expected her to be the dominant USA post player.

PR trying to make a comeback late, down 6 w a min and a half left. Edwards only has 4 pts but has 9 reb. Alexander has 13 and 16 though.
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She was never going to have a big freshman year, and I don’t think she was “disappointed”. She was the number 1 player in her class for a reason and has a ton of USA basketball experience. The coaches know her and want her. She was not an unknown at all. She’s been huge for USA teams in the past. She has always dominated. Just saying.
 
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