Yeah, a very disappointing loss. I hated to see KSU drive by the Texas defender time and again, especially when it's Brittainey whom I consider one of our quickest players. Lots of good things, though. Ashley is learning not to jump at every head fake. Edub was okay after she went down and had to leave. The team kept scratching to pull out the win. They didn't but there sure was no quit in them. Ebay looked more comfortable running the team, much more assertive and aggressive. Carla looked much better although not 100% yet. Crystal makes the game look effortless. She still needs more time on the court to get her timing back.
Some negatives. Our posts had trouble handing some of the passes, although they were probably not the best passes. The team needs to improve the 3shot defense. They lose the 3pt shooter too much today. ISU is coming to town and they will make KSU look like they are scared to take a 3. Carla not starting really hurts our rotation. You could tell that she wasn't on the same page with her teammates several times.
Overall, a tough loss but being 0-2 is not the end of the season unless the team allows it to overwhelm them and they crash. A win Wednesay is very important. I still think they can finish at least 8-8. They should get better as Carla, Crystal, and Niqky spend more time in the rotation.
It's hard to speak to mental toughness. All the players were willing to take the important show at a critical time. Maybe the mental toughness was their inability to make it. Yet these players came from programs where they were counted on to make the winning play and did so often.
We are "weak" in the post in that the Horns are more dependent on quickness than on strenght and bulk. Still, Ashley's quickness allows her to compensate for her lack of bulk. Both Aubrey and Rachel will help as both are solid bodies. Aubrey did have some trouble handling some passes today. Both will have to demostrate that they can be effective in conference play.
All in all, while I am disappointed in the loss, I liked the effort and hustle I saw. Betcha though the coaches will have a long laundry list of things they will want to go over with the players.
The crowd was excellent and the B squad dancers showed up. Good entertainment.