NCAA Tournament 2022

After 3: S. Carolina 60 - Howard 8. YES! That’s only 8 total points

Late 4th. S. Carolina now leading 75 - 15.

Final 79-21 S. Carolina wins it. (Howard got taken to the wood shed in this one)

 

Texas vs Utah at 4PM Sunday should have a larger crowd for this one (I hope)

Tonight was just under 4,000 but it was a good crowd and I thought the number would have been higher than what was reported actually

 

That was one ugly game last night. Frankly, we were awful. It was a shock to see Rori making turnovers and throwing up bricks at the free throw line. I guess she is human after all. No one looked sharp except Aliyah. I haven't paid much attention to her free throw shooting particularly before, but does she always shoot like that? If so, she should earn many minutes in the future based on that alone. I think we will be much better Sunday. I think we will have to be. Utah looks scary.

 

Again, funny to knock a team's performance after a blowout win. But the missed Ft's, FG's , turnovers, tentative offense, breakdowns on defense was reminiscent of our 3 game losing streak.
Still enough talent to be survivable against a #15 seed. Have to say Holle officially in a slump.
It was nice to see our freshman class on the floor at the same time.

 

To give you an idea of the overall skill level of the Howard team, they barely beat Incarnate Word in the play-in game. Incarnate Word went into that game with a 13-18 record, and one of their 18 losses was to Aston's UTSA team. South Carolina probably could have scored about 140 points. Props to Dawn Staley for being classy.

 

Rori had 2 turnovers last night. That's a great stat for her even though in her last two games she had 0 turnovers. Expecting 0 turnovers from a PG who plays as fast at PG is unrealistic.

 

Except for Aaliyah, we had no enthusiasm at all tonight. Just a general team flatness, caused by who knows what. Maybe it was Lauren's new hair style? We need to get back into the spirit of things. Definitely need the team that beat Baylor to show up.

 

I'm not sure what to think about Holle. She had 7 very important points against Baylor and played well overall, IMO. She had 3 points against ISU. I know she had zero points against OSU and KSU.

My expectation for Holle is never double-digit scoring (as that's been rare this season). If she's providing 6-9 points, that's a great scoring line for her. So, I'll be thankful for her great game against Baylor and give her a pass for last night.

 

I didn't expect us to play as well last night as we did against Baylor. It just makes sense that there would be a let down the following game.

 

It's Aaliyah, but we knew who you meant. Henceforth, perhaps we should call her Amo like her teammates do to keep the two A's straight.

Amo has taken so few FTs this season, only 57 due to limited play, that this game raised her percentage from 70 to 75 for the season. She ranks #3 on the team behind Audrey and Jo.

Since she gets fouled a lot when she does play....she's a Charles Barkley down low....Amo will be a rebounding fixture for the next 3 years.

 

Or better yet, you know when the playoffs are going to be and you know you want your team hosting that weekend. Baseball and softball should be on the road!

I'm really sick of this lack of planning and forethought by our athletic department. If you want womens' programs competing for national championships then they will be hosting first and second rounds. Stop having them compete with other UT sports for attendance. It's been going on for 10 years in volleyball where it never seems to fail that for the 1st and 2nd rounds they compete against men's basketball playing some bi-directional U. If they host regionals then men's basketball is hosting some big time matchup. Women's basketball is always going to be competing against SXSW. There is zero freakin reason for the baseball and softball teams to be playing home games that weekend. And if they are going to, they all 3 shouldn't be going on simultaneously. Would be nice if our AD put the effort in avoiding schedule conflicts that he puts into live tweeting a road trip.

 

It's Spring Break. Lots of families with young children stay in town and enjoy the outdoor sporting events like softball and baseball.

 

Folks still thinking Vic will pull Joanne is just crazy. He's said time and time again how valuable she is on defense. He might "rest" her a few minutes, but most games she plays 38-40 minutes.

 

I know that, but I still didn't think that for her game was quite up to her average. That's fine. No one can be fabulous every night out.

 

I've never quite gotten that. I think JAT is a super good player and I like her personality as well, but there are times I think other combinations might be more productive. Especially when her shooting is not going great.

 

I definitely agree with you. It was nice that we had a down game against a team we so outmatched. Hopefully, that's out of everyone's system and moving forward everyone will be playing in a lower gear!

 

So did Iowa State, before we saw what our defense could do to disrupt them.

 

Can't agree more. YIKES!

 

And yet the stands are always full. They wouldn't be more full if the men played another time or another place.

 

Finally, someone who understands. I'm very superstitious about those kinds of things...Rori's ponytail included.

 

As the self-appointed spelling police this morning, it's Vic.

Agreed. Coach has said he'll settle with playing the best 5 defensive players if that's what it takes to shut down the opponent. Offensive production is secondary. It's called a philosophy, like it or not. I like it, only because it works.

 

Not true. The first and second rounds have not been full. This year's second round was an exception.

 

We all thought it looked pretty full. No complaints here with the crowd.

 

I think Texas played to it’s competition. No way they were losing that game. Free throw percentage was awful. Early on we couldn’t get the ball inside, which was surprising. Vic seems agitated and upset the entire game. I’m certain we will see a different level of play Sunday.

 

I loved it. Good for her. She’s young and doesn’t need to conform to other peoples’ expectations. A lady behind us kept criticizing it - she had a running commentary with herself. Of course the woman was probably 70 - and also kept yelling at people, “Down in front.” You know - not wanting fans to stand and cheer at a basketball game. How dare they?

A microcosm the challenge of creating a home court advantage. I hope Lauren comes out with neon pink extensions Sunday.

 

Official attendance for the 3 events at UT 3/18:
WBB 3822
Softball 1212
Baseball 6516
I’m a little disappointed by the attendance at the Girls game considering it was the first round of the NCAA tournament. Baseball sure gets a nice following. We have to do better on Sunday! Of course CDC is in Milwaukee at “the men’s” game! Never a mention from him that I saw about the tournament games in Austin? don’t get me wrong I love CDC and what he’s done but…..come on man!!

 

She can do whatever the heck she wants to with her hair. I won't stop her. But when I think it looks hideous I won't hide from that opinion either.

 

Guess you just don't have any sports superstitions, like wearing the same socks, t-shirt, eating the same breakfast, etc. Apparently, Lauren doesn't either, but that doesn't change the fact that I do!

 

I really admired how Fairfield played! They were really tough, physical, mentally prepared, had a great game plan, and well coached. Vic’s philosophy is to wear a team down for the 4th quarter and Fairfield could hardly make a pass or get an inbound pass in the 4th. The starters were taking it hard at the end and their #22, the point guard, I felt for her when she fouled out. I don’t think they had ever been pressured like that. Well done Fairfield for the great effort.

 

In post game presser, Fairfield coach was good. Players too. He was asked what other teams need to do to beat Texas. Have two or more ball handlers against the press. Also have two or more inbounds schemes. Mentioned 40 minutes of full court pressure by Harmon. More size would help. I felt for their point guard. She played hard and I though pretty good…..but 9 turnovers. They needed that second ball handler. It looked like Harmon had a leg issue late. Hope just tired. No mention of it later.