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45ReVOLver writes:

in response to oldbasshead:

I'm sure that you, like me, have wondered what is it that causes this team to not be able to play its best in big games. I used to think it was confidence, but not so much now. l now am wondering if it is not quickness and strength. With the exception of Simmons on quickness, this team struggles on defense and I think they lack sufficient speed to keep their opponent in front of them and getting off screens. On rebounding, sometimes Graves and Harrison are just not strong enough in their upper body to go against upper classmen. I feel this team has great potential and is a year away from a final four and 2 years away from a NC.

Just my opinion and observations:

Simmons may be quick, and arguably one of the quickest to ever come through WCBB (not just UT), but she is too foot happy. At times, she allows her speed and quick feet to out do herself...If you watch her, she does a lot of hopping back and forth as opposed to keeping good posture and working off the balls of her feet (especially in tight man coverage). Our best defenders are Kamiko and Jones and neither had a great night last night (Kamiko is quick as well and definitely has better foot work than Simmons). Unfortunately for Kamiko, her performance wasnt up to par cause of the ankle injury on Sunday (however, she did pop 2 3-pointers and she has developed into a "shooter" more so than in the past 3 years). Graves and Izzy have all the tools to be exceptional post players and I personally dont think their strength or size is lacking. A weakness I have seen with them is that they dont secure the ball at all times when rebounding. Granted, you cant expect them to nab every single rebound, but several times I have seen them have the advantage and position and not secure a rebound or allow it to go out of bounds off them. I personally see all the attributes and characteristics in this team to excel, its just not put on the court for 40 mins (whether it be excessive TOs, poor rebounding, lackluster defense, no offensive fortitude and poor sets, etc).
As for having heart, it is more apparent in this team than the stockpiled, stud 5 woman class of MD All-Americans we had in the previous 4-5 years.

-UT Alumnus

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