The 1-3-1: Baylor WBB vs SMU

We don't look good after 3 games!

We're going to need Bickle on Sunday if Aijha is out for some time. Our offense need lots of work! Stop taking so many 3's!

Wow our offense is terrible. We can't shoot!!!

You realize our best player went down and Caitlyn and Dree are still out, right??

I am shocked at how far our defense has digressed. We let SMU come down and just fire up open shot after open shot in the second half. Come on, coach. That has nothing to do with missing players. Defense is about closing lanes, moving the feet, and not backing off. We really need Dre 'una. She is tough.

Yes and I also realize that our players who did play were more highly rated than almost every SMU player. SMU's best post player is a Notre Dame transfer who is still recovering from knee surgery so they were missing players too.

Bear3 said:

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You realize our best player went down and Caitlyn and Dree are still out, right??

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I think it is more of the fact that the team looked to Blackwell for energy scoring and reliability. We lost that all in an instant and you must regroup with 2 freshmen, post players who have not received much play time in the past. But guess what they won!! it wasn't pretty, and looking at the score, it seems we are terrible. But this team and players just got a taste of the fight and what it takes. No matter what they had to figure out how to win without these big players that god willing get to see the floor again this season we will become a better team because of it. Just like the almighty UCONN, they lost games last season when option number 1 can no longer play it forced people to step up. Bella taking that shot and not being scared or hesitant was a sign of this. That girl is a baller. Buggs who missed a lot of shots she should make didn't stay down she helped grab boards that were much needed. This year is about Growth and who is going to step up and who is not.

Jana has a tough job and I hate how people are just simply hating on her. She is in a completely different offense and has to run a point guard spot when before she was rarely if ever asked to have a role like this. She also has the pressure to be a shooter while learning everything on offense and defense. But if you did not realize she is a human being and sometimes it takes time to learn how to fit yourself in situations when different tasks are being asked of you.

Bella was the difference at the end. She had had two very good games in a row and I was surprised that they didnt play her more this game especially seeing how close it got. Without her at the end i doubt we win. But my God SMU missed a ton of shots. That sure helped as well.

It's funny, I was pretty negative and very irritated with some of what I saw on the court last year, but I'm actually encouraged this year, maybe dependent on what's up with Aijah as far as this season, but I really see the promise.

Some are saying our offense is terrible. No, our SCORING isn't good right now, but the shots are definitely there when we play against man defense, we just need to finish at the rim. In zone, which is what we've mostly had played against us, we need to shoot better and actually MAKE those outside shots, but reps, and especially game reps, will help that. Also, we are still turning down some open perimeter shots that we should be taking, and I think that's a little function of having so many who can shoot and not just one player who is THE woman who is expected to put it up aka Juicy. Playing time and playing comfort with each other will help the whole team figure out and get comfortable with who our alphas are.

As for defense, I don't think it's the scheme but more execution. You can't have mental lapses as a defensive player in this scheme. One person misses their assignment and you can end up with those drives down the lane that feel like killers. The young players will get better individually and the team will become more cohesive and connected.

There's no familiarity or history to draw on with this team. It's not like, "Oh, hey, hi everyone. Missed you over the summer, let's knock some rust off in the first two games and we'll be in last year's form." This is more a what kind of player are you, and how do we fit together kind of thing. That takes more than two or three games. Yank out the go-to player in the first quarter on top of that, and we probably should expect what we got last night. As a matter of fact, I am really proud that the team found a way to overcome all the adversity that was thrown their way, and to essentially do it with unexpected contributors. That kind of win in your "toolbox" can really be valuable later in the season. Be patient. We're 3-0, folks, with a real battle looming Sunday. Let's go give this young team support!

SIC'EM!