In Reply to: WBB: South Carolina's demise greatly exaggerated. Beat Iowa St... posted by Born2BBruin on November 28, 2024 at 18:16:19
Don't get me wrong, I still think that they can't compete with our bigs.
I watched the first half. It was like a HS game, the disparity in ability. ISU's 6'3" center could touch the ball. Like, she couldn't touch the ball. She didn't take an inside shot the whole first half. We don't have that problem as Betts is 6'7". And, we have several players that are 6'4" and can move better than Crooks, their post player.
Even crazier was how they shut down ISU's lead guard. This is what makes me think we caught them on the right day. Ryan is her name, I think. She led the NCAA in assists last season. They completely shut her down. Until the last few minutes of the first half, ISU couldn't even get into their offense. Either Aarnisalo, Rice, and Jones are head and shoulders better than last year's best assist person, or SoCaro just came out with a low energy against us. It's probably a combination of both. And, probably a factor that a team can't just focus on one PG against us. Pressure Aarnisalo or Rice, they'll just get the ball to the other one. And, even Barker and Jones were outlets to bring the ball up the court. We are a baaaaad match-up for SoCarolina.
Maybe we're a baaaaad match-up for everyone. Looking back at the last good team we played, Louisville. Aarnisalo took the first half to find her footing, and we didn't have Rice. But, we still handled them. I'd forgotten they have Hailey Van Lith.
Still think we're beat SoCaro. We're a bad match-up for them. But, SoCaro is a dammmmmmm good team. Haven't seen any other of the top teams play.