This team is offensively challenged. We have known that from day 1. That’s why Kellie has tried to focus so much on defense and rebounding. I rewatch most games once and sometimes twice and they actually run some nice sets to get people open. The problem is when they are open they miss wide open shots or are tentative and pass up the shot leading to a turnover. This is why Kellie shortened practices to get them extra shooting practice during the week. If you look at the type of players Kellie is currently recruiting versus what we currently have you will notice some of them appear to be a little less athletic, but they are physical, can shoot, and seem to have a high basketball IQ. The problems we’ve had in the past is we didn’t have that balance. Lou is the closet we have to that type of player but she is very limited due to her injury. However, in games you can tell the difference in our composure when Lou is not in the game.
I know many think we average so many turnovers because Kellie is not “tough enough” and doesn’t punish them enough for turnovers. I’m sure if that is all it took every team in America would never have a turnover. The problem is Kellie is not only teaching the freshman how to play smart basketball now that they are in college but she’s having to basically start from scratch with everyone. Re is our best player, as a JR, but even she has had turnover and consistency issues in the past. This is the most consistent she has been but she still has a few questionable turnovers every game. She’s also working on being a vocal leader. One poster mentioned Geno wouldn’t deal with Horston’s turnover, but let’s be realistic in stating that he wouldn’t have too because he has a veteran PG that she can learn from. Same with most of the top teams in the country. Good veteran leadership at PG can make an average team above average. Unfortunately, Kellie doesn’t have that luxury with Horston, so you take the good with the bad and hope that the game slows down for her before tournament time. Horston is very very talented but without veteran leadership even talented players struggle with that much pressure and responsibility as freshman. As far as Key, I think she’s coming along nicely. Part of the problem with her posting is the guards are always a second to slow in feeding her the ball. As a guard, you have to learn the tendencies of your post and know when to feed them. In the games that she has made herself a big body, our guards have flat out missed her. Battling in the post is tiring so they have got to do a better job of rewarding Key at the right time for her hard work.
I’ve seen a lot of positives this year to make me hopeful. For as frustrating as the losses against the ranked teams have been I still think Kellie can get it done. My only problem is the substitutions. I understand why and agree with the strategy early on but now that we are in the gauntlet portion of our schedules she has got to keep Key and Jaz on the floor. Give them a 1-2 minute breather each quarter and get them back in the game.
Great post, agree with all. My big frustration with Harper is also the substitution pattern. She seems determined to "play through" her sub plan and seems far more confident KK can improve and contribute than I am.
I thought our best chance to be competitive today was torpedoed by KJH when she subbed in the 3rd quarter, taking out Key and Massengill. Also thought Horston got WAY too many mins, especially at point. How in the world does Horston get more mins handling the ball than Massengill?
Horston had two turnovers in the first 30 seconds, our first two possessions, and IMO the tone was pretty much set. We are so much better mentally than previous seasons, but still very, very fragile. Especially against ranked opponents, we need to start sharp and focused. IMO Horston should have been pulled after the second t.o. and given the opportunity to watch the flow of the game develop.
No way in the world Horston, who does have 111 assists but also a whooping 97 t.o.s on the season, plays more or handles the ball a fraction as much as Jaz, who in slightly more mins overall has 93 assists and only 34 t.o.s. What is hard about making this call? I do wish Jaz would take a little more initiative offensively, especially when all around her are misfiring.
Not sure what the answer is for Horston, but she is not improving in ball handling at all, and that is very concerning this deep into the season. I know Rae continues to be a fog of inconsistency, but maybe time to look at starting her instead of Jordan. Something has to give with JH.
While I'm generally very well pleased with Davis this year, she makes way too many unforced t.o.s as well. Weakest part of her game.
Our posts attempted only 2 shots today! What good is all the height if they are MIA on offense?
