ORU @ USD WBB

[gopheryote]

ORU has seem to be a tough matchup for USD the past few years, regardless of records. The Yotes haven't had a home game in so long the fans may need to use Google Maps to find the SCSC.

Yotes really need to use this home stand to get rested and back in a groove heading into SLT. That needs to start with an up-and-down ORU team.

[kiyoat]

predictions:

W 79-56 Massey (-23)
W 85-55 WarNolan R1 (-30)
W 82-58 WarNolan ELO (-24)

[kiyoat]

Looking at ORU stat leaders, looks like minutes have been distributed well, but really only four players have been very productive:


#33 - 5' 9" Senior Guard Keni Jo Lippe

15.2 PPG/ 4.8 Reb/ 2.8 Ast/ 1.2 Stl/ 1.33 Ast/TO


#2 - 5' 9" Freshman Guard Tierney Coleman

12.3 PPG/ 3.1 Reb/ 1.9 Asts/ 1.2 Stl/ 0.63 Ast/TO



#20 - 6' 2" Senior Center Regan Schumacher

9.2 PPG/ 8.3 Reb/ 0.9 Stl/ 0.6 Blk



#14 - 5' 5" Junior Guard Ariel Walker

8.2 PPG/ 2.7 Reb/ 1.8 Ast/ 1.3 Stl/ 0.86 Ast/TO

*Note: aside from Keni Jo Lippe, most players have poor Assist/Turnover numbers.  So they are turnover prone.

[kiyoat]

Not having watched any of their games, I assumed they might have been getting some contributions from transfer players, as they have in the past. They had a lot of roster turnover this past year. I was wrong. Two seniors, a junior and a true freshman have led the team to a surprising number of conference wins, considering how bad they were at the start of the season.

Looks like Misti Cussen seems to have once again pulled a rabbit out of her hat and fielded a competitive team, despite all the turnover. They gave the Jacks all they wanted in the second game last week. I'd like to watch that game, but I'm not seeing it on their website.

[kiyoat]

Found it:

Jacks/ORU GAME LINK

Here's my uneducated takes on the surprisingly close SDSU/ORU game:

- early in the 1st quarter the Jacks were dominating ORU.  Looked like it was going to be a blowout.

- ORU was playing a defense that looked like they were playing a tight man on the perimeter, but still clogging the paint.  No idea what you would call it.  as the quarter went on, the Jacks started to make a ton of mistakes and unforced turnovers.  ORU got a good number of blocks, too.

- On offense the Jacks were giving them the 3, and they were able to take advantage.  That kept them in the game.

- Lippe is famous for her slashing to the basket and drawing fouls.  Looks like she has an understudy in Coleman.  Coleman is an outstanding ball handler, but isn't a great passer.  Reminds me a lot of former ORU player Faith Ihim.  Hard to stop her when driving to the basket.  Sneaky post moves, too.

- ORU defense continued to frustrate the Jacks.  They were really quick to trap/double team, leading to lots of steals... which also let to unforced turnovers for the Jacks as well.  Overall, I can't say for sure if the Jacks were just sloppy with passing, or what.

- in the end of the 3rd Q, the Jacks started alternating a 2-3 zone defense, and a more aggressive pressing man defense to throw ORU off, and it seemed to work for the Jacks on both ends of the floor. (defense leading to offense).  Selland really made a difference in this game offensively.  ORU still wouldn't go away, though, sneaking into the paint with dribble-drives, and hitting from mid-range.

[kiyoat]

Bottom line is that ORU shouldn't be able to challenge the Yotes, but they probably will anyway. Gotta be sharp tomorrow.

[kiyoat]

[coyotecrazie5]

Great first half. Its almost like there is an advantage of playing home games.

[sdyotefan]

Lady Yotes fell asleep on D in the 3rd. Had 18 turnovers in the game and gave up too many 3s in 3rd. Coach P will have some discussion on these topics I expect. Otherwise a dominate performance! Go Yotes!!

[gopheryote]

Because conspiracy theories are all the rage these days, I offer this tweet:

Does the mean Monica Arens will be playing today?

[yote18]

Great win today. But we didn’t score for 6 minutes in the final quarter and we were out scored 23-7 in the 4th quarter. Some of our bench players are honestly more of a liability than an asset. None the less we won 76-54.

[sdyotefan]

yote18 I think you're being a little harsh on the bench players in the 4th. ORU (for whatever reason) was basically playing their starters in the 4th. It's great that our players all got more playing time which will always be a benefit for the future!!