Texas vs Drexel 03/22/2024

[brnkj]

I predict (and hope) that we win big in this one, allowing us to go deep in our rotation and rest some legs. We'll need to be fresh for the second round.
https://drexeldragons.com/sports/womens-basketball

 

[UTexRulz23]

One player who is 6'2" (the other I don't think plays) and another who is 6'0". The rest are all below that. They'll shoot a lot from the perimeter which is a good thing for us to work on. But we should be able to dominate inside.

 

[brnkj]

I don't typically like to predict that we win easily, but I think it's a solid bet in this case. I am very "Vic-like" in that I take every opponent extremely seriously. Teams wouldn't be in the NCAAs if they weren't winners.

 

[UTexRulz23]

This team is also coming off an EMOTIONAL tournament upset win. They're feeling a lot of emotions. Sure, that could be a big let down. But, momentum is a tricky thing. Fortunately, we also have some momentum. But we had a little more distance so should be able to "recover" from it better than Drexel.

 

[UrsusArctos]

Additionally, we are at home in front of our own crowd.

 

[Bucksgal]

I don't typically like to predict that we win easily, but I think it's a solid bet in this case. I am very "Vic-like" in that I take every opponent extremely seriously. Teams wouldn't be in the NCAAs if they weren't winners.

I don't predict nuttin' cause I'm crazily superstitious! I almost (allllmmmooost) hate filling out a bracket!

 

[Jacob Johnson]

After the first round we are seeing more and more upsets and close games each year. 100% believe in this team and believe they will come focused but we can’t take anyone lightly whatsoever. We have a legit shot to make the final 4 and I hope they get it done.

 

[Moooooo]

Sometimes the committee(s) across all sports do thing that make sense, and sometimes not. I don't get why they didn't just bus Texas A&M CC to Austin instead of flying them to USC. Could have just as easily flown Drexel to USC even though a few more hours of flight time.

 

[racerx5908]

At the start of the season, Vic always seems to go heavy full court pressure. Then as the season wears on, he relaxes on that. I asked him about that once, and he took exception to that statement (but the eyes say so). But whenever he meets a new team that's never experienced the pressure, he puts it on heavy. I hope to see that type of pressure against Drexel. It's fun to watch the mayhem and frustration it brings to the other team.

 

[Run Pincher]

To be honest, Texas also needs to be working on the things they will need to do against Bama/FSU. throwing it in to Taylor every time for an easy 2 isn't going to get them ready for real competition. Need to be shooting some 3's also.

 

[UrsusArctos]

Need to be shooting some 3's also.

I'd like to see some threes as well -- but 30 - 4 so...
I don’t know dink, but it never seems to me that this team is actively working to get people open for threes. We are usually trying to get it into the post or driving for layups or midrange shots (Madi). The games we shoot more threes it seems like Shay or Shaylee just take it upon themselves to take the shots.

Never to me seems like Vic said let’s get some threes up. Maybe our coaching cadre sees something different.

 

[JoeDallas]

I'd like to see some threes as well -- but 30 - 4 so...
I don’t know dink, but it never seems to me that this team is actively working to get people open for threes. We are usually trying to get it into the post or driving for layups or midrange shots (Madi). The games we shoot more threes it seems like Shay or Shaylee just take it upon themselves to take the shots.

Never to me seems like Vic said let’s get some threes up. Maybe our coaching cadre sees something different.

I completely agree and have posted about this a bunch, as some others have also. The last game was encouraging. The posts even threw it back out a couple of times, rather than just going up over and over. Maybe Vic has changed his ways, or maybe Shay and Shaylee were just thinking what the heck. It is great to see Madison taking some threes too.

 

[brnkj]

I'd like to see some threes as well -- but 30 - 4 so...
I don’t know dink, but it never seems to me that this team is actively working to get people open for threes. We are usually trying to get it into the post or driving for layups or midrange shots (Madi). The games we shoot more threes it seems like Shay or Shaylee just take it upon themselves to take the shots.

Never to me seems like Vic said let’s get some threes up. Maybe our coaching cadre sees something different.

Aside from some of the set plays that we run, it appears to me our philosophy is to look for opportunities to attack the defense, share the ball, and take the best shot that the defense gives you. Vic is not against shooting threes, he just wants the right shot taken within the flow of the offense. That said, he's not always happy about every mid-range jumper or shot in the paint we take either.

 

[DFW_Horn]

 

[txhorn_et]

Aside from some of the set plays that we run, it appears to me our philosophy is to look for opportunities to attack the defense, share the ball, and take the best shot that the defense gives you. Vic is not against shooting threes, he just wants the right shot taken within the flow of the offense. That said, he's not always happy about every mid-range jumper or shot in the paint we take either.

Drive and dish, shoot the short jumper, hit the layup, draw fouls, and make your free throws.

 

[JoeDallas]

Aside from some of the set plays that we run, it appears to me our philosophy is to look for opportunities to attack the defense, share the ball, and take the best shot that the defense gives you. Vic is not against shooting threes, he just wants the right shot taken within the flow of the offense. That said, he's not always happy about every mid-range jumper or shot in the paint we take either.

No, Vic is not "against" threes, but he doesn't run anything that I've seen to get us opportunities for threes. And there has never been much of an inside-out game either. Someone on this board did the research and found that we shoot less threes than any other top 25 team (I think it was 25.). That isn't just random chance.

 

[longhornlegend]

Aside from some of the set plays that we run, it appears to me our philosophy is to look for opportunities to attack the defense, share the ball, and take the best shot that the defense gives you. Vic is not against shooting threes, he just wants the right shot taken within the flow of the offense. That said, he's not always happy about every mid-range jumper or shot in the paint we take either.

He has built his team the way he likes it and thats not heavy on the 3 ball. Even though its a game changer for sure, we have not had a "lights out" deep ball threat that is consistent. Also losing Rori changes the style of play. Booker is a generational type player or so it appears. Because she can get buckets and run the offense she fits Vics style real well.

 

[WCBBNUT]

South Carolina, the unanimous number one team in the nation, is #267 in the nation in three point attempts per game.

The team that is #1 in three point attempts, Marshall, is ranked 32nd in the nation and is a 13 seed.

I like the three as well, but Texas is ranked 4th in field goal percentage, and is a 1 seed. I’m going to defer to Vic on when, where and who takes the shot.

 

[flash34]

No question Schaefer prefers to pound it inside. He does however have a few set plays/patterns designed for the 3. For example the most common is running Gonzalez from off wing through one or more screens across the low lane and then popping her for a 3 from the on-wing. Teams look for it now. I think most threes come in transition by Holle and Gonzalez. Every so often comes from a drive and kick…..remember the Moore to Holle in KState game. For sure Schaefer (and Staley) are old school with inside as first option. I’m fine with that now as Schaefer seems to have the solution to attacking the zone. That solution is Booker at the short corner and Moore at the elbows. Perhaps there is a sharpshooter coming soon that is still to be determined.

 

[brnkj]

He has built his team the way he likes it and thats not heavy on the 3 ball. Even though its a game changer for sure, we have not had a "lights out" deep ball threat that is consistent. Also losing Rori changes the style of play. Booker is a generational type player or so it appears. Because she can get buckets and run the offense she fits Vics style real well.

Thank you.

 

[Run Pincher]

South Carolina, the unanimous number one team in the nation, is #267 in the nation in three point attempts per game.

The team that is #1 in three point attempts, Marshall, is ranked 32nd in the nation and is a 13 seed.

I like the three as well, but Texas is ranked 4th in field goal percentage, and is a 1 seed. I’m going to defer to Vic on when, where and who takes the shot.

I suspect a team that takes a whole lot of 3's and doesn't make very many isn't a very good team. SC is #3 in the nation in 3 pt %, and the 2 teams above them are top 25 teams. They take enough 3's to keep the defense honest an that's what matters.

Also, no other team in the nation has a Cardoso at center. You don't need to take many 3's when you have a 6'7" player with the athleticism of Booker. Texas does not have a Cardoso. SC can beat any non-top 10 team just throwing it in the Cardoso. No other team in the nation can do that.

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

I'm just astounded that with a team record of 30-4 and a 1 seed, all while overcoming the loss of our unquestioned leader, that some of our fans seem to think they know how we could be even better, and seem to be disappointed that Vic cannot grasp their brilliance and alter his game plans to accommodate it.

 

[JoeDallas]

I just think confidence is an important aspect of shooting threes, and I've seen especially Shaylee turn down quite a few relatively open shots, trying to get it inside instead. She was shooting 40 something percent early in the year. I haven't checked lately. it seems to me like her confidence had waned some. Of course we have been fine concentrating on the inside, but IMO, we are even better when we incorporate threes. A balanced game is best. I noticed the New York Times writer said we will need to be hitting threes to go very far, which I agreed with of course. The Iowa State game was so encouraging in this whole regard.

 

[JoeDallas]

I'm just astounded that with a team record of 30-4 and a 1 seed, all while overcoming the loss of our unquestioned leader, that some of our fans seem to think they know how we could be even better, and seem to be disappointed that Vic cannot grasp their brilliance and alter his game plans to accommodate it.

Do you not think teams can get even better? You should always try to be getting better, no matter how good you are. We are really good, but of course we should try to be even better. Coach Vic would agree with that.

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

Do you not think teams can get even better? You should always try to be getting better, no matter how good you are. We are really good, but of course we should try to be even better. Coach Vic would agree with that.

Yes, but I am highly suspicious of the notion he would agree we can get better by shooting more 3s.

You said earlier that a balanced game is best. We shoot inside a LOT, we shoot midrange very well, and often, and we take the three mostly when we don't succeed in finding good shots closer to the basket. Sorry, but that IS a balanced offense. It may not be balanced to the exact proportions you personally would wish for, but it is balanced, and more importantly, it is very, very effective.

 

[Run Pincher]

Yes, but I am highly suspicious of the notion he would agree we can get better by shooting more 3s.

You said earlier that a balanced game is best. We shoot inside a LOT, we shoot midrange very well, and often, and we take the three mostly when we don't succeed in finding good shots closer to the basket. Sorry, but that IS a balanced offense. It may not be balanced to the exact proportions you personally would wish for, but it is balanced, and more importantly, it is very, very effective.

Who is advocating shooting more 3's? I haven't read that in this thread. Maybe you're referencing another thread?

 

[brnkj]

I just think confidence is an important aspect of shooting threes, and I've seen especially Shaylee turn down quite a few relatively open shots, trying to get it inside instead. She was shooting 40 something percent early in the year. I haven't checked lately. it seems to me like her confidence had waned some. Of course we have been fine concentrating on the inside, but IMO, we are even better when we incorporate threes. A balanced game is best. I noticed the New York Times writer said we will need to be hitting threes to go very far, which I agreed with of course. The Iowa State game was so encouraging in this whole regard.

Unless they're a "walking bucket" most players with a high hoops IQ will pass up shots when they don't feel they're in a good rhythm to take them. I think part of Vic's "coaching up" has been teaching his players to be smart and take shots that not only come in the flow of the offense at the right time, but also "feel right" to them. As previously mentioned in this thread... we don't have that consistent deadeye PURE shooter from long range, so we have to be smart about the shots we take.

 

[DFW_Horn]

Every so often comes from a drive and kick…..remember the Moore to Holle in KState game.

I don't know if it reaches the definition of obsession yet but I've watched the last 2:40 of the K-State game at least a half dozen times. The way the team finished that game gives me more satisfaction on re-watch every time.

 

[flash34]

Friday can’t come soon enough. I’m always for WBB discussion. This 3 point discussion is a nice time filler. My last comment on shooting the 3 is in regards to the Drexel team. I believe we’ll see enough 3’s from them to satisfy our thirst. If they can get open. If I’m Schaefer, staying hard on their outside shooters is a good strategy. They can’t succeed inside against our size. Pressing full court is always an option for Schaefer and Drexel will struggle against that. But to me, you play tough half court D and conserve energy for Sunday game.

 

[WCBBNUT]

I suspect a team that takes a whole lot of 3's and doesn't make very many isn't a very good team. SC is #3 in the nation in 3 pt %, and the 2 teams above them are top 25 teams. They take enough 3's to keep the defense honest an that's what matters.

Also, no other team in the nation has a Cardoso at center. You don't need to take many 3's when you have a 6'7" player with the athleticism of Booker. Texas does not have a Cardoso. SC can beat any non-top 10 team just throwing it in the Cardoso. No other team in the nation can do that.

We are #18 in three point percentage but #300++ in three point attempts. That tells me (IMO) that we are smart about how often we shoot a three. But I get that others differ in opinion and I do understand that a hot outside game opens up the inside game. It works the other way around too. I love a good three. Absolutely love it. But I don’t expect to suddenly see more of them from this team and I’m not sure this would be the time of the year to put that to the test.

But again, when we hit them, I love them so it would indeed be thrilling to see them during the tournament.

By the way, in their last game Marshall took 99 shots (40 more than their opponent) and 46 of them were threes!!! And they only made 8 of the threes. 8/46 WTH??? They won by 3 in overtime!

And their opponent turned the ball over 39 times and yet still managed to take them into overtime. It was the craziest game I have ever watched.

Is it Friday yet?