2018-19 Season Discussion

kurupt said:
I thought the team played okay offensively. But defensively they weren’t very good at all whether individually or as a team. Their discipline defensively wasn’t good and they picked up too many cheap fouls or overplayed the passing lanes and gave up back door plays to often. They had more success in the second half defensively when Coach Aston used pressure and was able to speed WTAM up.

But they really need to improve defensively in terms of discipline and being smart. I also have to ask the question again about whether or not Texas has the personnel to consistently play man to man. I would’ve liked to have seen some zone.

I know it’s an exhibition but I was disappointed in Sug’s defense and her decision making at times. Aborowa has to have better awareness and stop picking up 3 second calls. Again, offensively pretty good but they must improve defensively in order to realistically be a contender this year.
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The defensive rotation/help side D in the 1st quarter was wretched but they were much better in the 2nd/3rd quarters. It seems the referees are going to do the same thing we saw to start last season as far as the ‘freedom of movement’ emphasis and our guards need to adjust accordingly - WAY too many fouls away from the basket.

Charli was impressive but I also really liked what I saw from Joanne. She was up on the players she was guarding but I think she only had 1 foul.
 
C. Collier did a great job.
We look ok.
But was really impressed at the way
WTAM ran their Offense, with only starting to practice Oct.15
 
DFW_Horn said:
The defensive rotation/help side D in the 1st quarter was wretched but they were much better in the 2nd/3rd quarters. It seems the referees are going to do the same thing we saw to start last season as far as the ‘freedom of movement’ emphasis and our guards need to adjust accordingly - WAY too many fouls away from the basket.

Charli was impressive but I also really liked what I saw from Joanne. She was up on the players she was guarding but I think she only had 1 foul.
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Yes. There were a lot of ticky tack fouls on our part. And I agree that Joanne impressed. I loved when she air balled the 3 then came right back and shot another one and made it. It shows the confidence she has in herself but it also shows the confidence Coach Aston has in her because she didn’t worry about being pulled for taking another 3.
 
I wasn’t expecting a smooth running team in this exhibition. Too many moving and missing parts. We lost the two leaders of past couple of seasons. While Sug has experience, it is her first year to be the starting PG. LaShann has not had to be the one leading before. Add in four new players and I was pretty happy with the result, a 91-63 win over a very good and experienced West Texas A&M team.


The first quarter was not very good defensively. Too many fouls from experienced players that should have known better. But the offense was solid. And the defense improved immensely the second quarter and was solid the third quarter. Not as good in the fourth but by then the Horns had put the game out of reach.


West Texas A&M is a very good and experienced team with some very good players and height to match any Big 12 team inside. Yes, they have only been practicing for two weeks this season but the core of starters have been together for mainly three years. Makes a big difference.


Charli is simply very good. We will have to see how she plays the first three games but this glimpse was quite illuminating. She was better than I expected. She got a double double pretty much looking effortlessly. She just made it look so easy. It was nice to see both Danni and Destiny each hit a couple of treys. Danni hit 2 of 5 and Destiny 2 of 4. Three others hit one trey and none hit less than 50%. I don’t expect Sug and LaShann to each go 0-3 from BTA often. Audrey and Joanne were impressive in their debut. Charli (5-5) and Audrey (4-4) didn’t miss a FT. Texas hit 18-21 from the FT line. A really sweet number to see.


Coach will have a lot to have the team work on before the season opener. Two quarters of allowing the opponent to shoot 50% or better is not good. Holding them to 17% and 30% in the second and third quarters will work. 28 fouls with one player fouling out and four others with three fouls also needs reducing. Only forcing 15 TOs while giving up 17 is not how the defense is supposed to work, especially if one expects to get pts of TOs as part of the offense. WTAM had 16 pts off TOs compared to the Horns’ 12 pts.


The good part is that this team will continue to get better, especially if Joyner can come back this season.


I don’t think that there is any question that Charli made a strong argument for PT and a starting position.


My only mild concern is that among our thin post corps, Charli is wearing a brace on her right leg and Mida is wearing one on her left knee.


Next game will be versus Duquesne on Nov. 8 at 7 PM.
 
BabHorn said:
I wasn’t expecting a smooth running team in this exhibition. Too many moving and missing parts. We lost the two leaders of past couple of seasons. While Sug has experience, it is her first year to be the starting PG. LaShann has not had to be the one leading before. Add in four new players and I was pretty happy with the result, a 91-63 win over a very good and experienced West Texas A&M team.


The first quarter was not very good defensively. Too many fouls from experienced players that should have known better. But the offense was solid. And the defense improved immensely the second quarter and was solid the third quarter. Not as good in the fourth but by then the Horns had put the game out of reach.


West Texas A&M is a very good and experienced team with some very good players and height to match any Big 12 team inside. Yes, they have only been practicing for two weeks this season but the core of starters have been together for mainly three years. Makes a big difference.


Charli is simply very good. We will have to see how she plays the first three games but this glimpse was quite illuminating. She was better than I expected. She got a double double pretty much looking effortlessly. She just made it look so easy. It was nice to see both Danni and Destiny each hit a couple of treys. Danni hit 2 of 5 and Destiny 2 of 4. Three others hit one trey and none hit less than 50%. I don’t expect Sug and LaShann to each go 0-3 from BTA often. Audrey and Joanne were impressive in their debut. Charli (5-5) and Audrey (4-4) didn’t miss a FT. Texas hit 18-21 from the FT line. A really sweet number to see.


Coach will have a lot to have the team work on before the season opener. Two quarters of allowing the opponent to shoot 50% or better is not good. Holding them to 17% and 30% in the second and third quarters will work. 28 fouls with one player fouling out and four others with three fouls also needs reducing. Only forcing 15 TOs while giving up 17 is not how the defense is supposed to work, especially if one expects to get pts of TOs as part of the offense. WTAM had 16 pts off TOs compared to the Horns’ 12 pts.


The good part is that this team will continue to get better, especially if Joyner can come back this season.


I don’t think that there is any question that Charli made a strong argument for PT and a starting position.


My only mild concern is that among our thin post corps, Charli is wearing a brace on her right leg and Mida is wearing one on her left knee.


Next game will be versus Duquesne on Nov. 8 at 7 PM.
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You make great points. Especially the players like Sug that are just now going to get the bulk of playing time. And the fact that Coach Aston did play a lot of different lineups/people. Hopefully they can make the necessary improvements.
 
I would like to see Danni unleashed and have more than five shot attempts (she was 2/5). She's too good to have so few attempts. Same for Chaz, she only played seven minutes and had three shot attempts (she was 2/3).
 
I only saw part of the game, but like others, was super happy with Charli. A lot of threes were falling in the part of the game I saw. Was happy about that. It will be fun to see how each player develops and how everyone comes together as a unit. I wonder why Chaz only got 7 minutes. She was shooting lights out in Gregory at the Tip Off. As others have said, too many back doors, players driving right around us, at least in the first half. Of course, we're vulnerable to that with the in your face, overplaying defensive style Karen likes.
 
kurupt said:
I thought the team played okay offensively. But defensively they weren’t very good at all whether individually or as a team. Their discipline defensively wasn’t good and they picked up too many cheap fouls or overplayed the passing lanes and gave up back door plays to often. They had more success in the second half defensively when Coach Aston used pressure and was able to speed WTAM up.

But they really need to improve defensively in terms of discipline and being smart. I also have to ask the question again about whether or not Texas has the personnel to consistently play man to man. I would’ve liked to have seen some zone.

I know it’s an exhibition but I was disappointed in Sug’s defense and her decision making at times. Aborowa has to have better awareness and stop picking up 3 second calls. Again, offensively pretty good but they must improve defensively in order to realistically be a contender this year.
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You can forget about Aston playing a zone defense. It's just not in her DNA. The few times she tried it in the past the girls just did not react quick enough to filling the gaps or covering the open 3 point shooting teams. And that drives Aston CRAZY!
 
Ellis21d said:
You can forget about Aston playing a zone defense. It's just not in her DNA. The few times she tried it in the past the girls just did not react quick enough to filling the gaps or covering the open 3 point shooting teams. And that drives Aston CRAZY!
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You’re right, it’s not in her DNA but it needs to be. Especially if you don’t have the personnel to play man to man like I believe this team doesn’t. I’m sure if they worked on it enough they would obviously get better at it.

If Coach Aston isn’t going to evolve as a coach and continues to be strictly man to man then she better start recruiting and GETTING the kind of athletes that can do so consistently because right now she doesn’t have enough of them on the perimeter with this roster. If their giving up straight line drives and picking up tons of hand fouls on the perimeter against WTAM I shudder to think what teams with the kind of athletes like Baylor might do.
 
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The way the game started today I couldn't believe this was an Aston coached Texas team. Terrible defense during the first quarter, allowing WTAM 56% shooting. But they settled down after that and slowed WTAM down to 17% shooting in Q2. I was really surprised that Chastity Patterson didn't get more playing time than she did. I wonder if she may be in Aston's dog house over something. Also as much as I like Audrey Warren's hustle, at 5'9" she is not suited to play the 4. I know she's helping cover for Joyner's absence but that is not her best suited position. Jada at 6' did a much more respectable job at the 4. WTAM would not let Danni get the ball alone on the perimeter. But I totally agree with someone's comments that we have to get her open and the ball in her hands. They can't just have her stand around the 3 point line and get off her shot. Texas fans have been so spoilt to have Brooke running the team. This team with Sug running the point will have a totally different personality. Lashann will be caring a big load this year. Charlie looked amazing! Would expect her to see a lot of minutes at the 4 and the 5 until Joyner returns. Olamide will be logging in a lot of minutes as well. She is strong, athletic and can sky but has a hard time taming that ability.
They are definitely a "work in progress" and it will be fun to watch how Aston brings them along.
 
Aston’s pre-game comment that she is searching for a back-up point guard was evident today. Littleton as that makes me uneasy. She is to be commended as she looks much quicker than last year and has some skills. But to me she is a 2-guard. Patterson only getting 7 minutes says a lot about the pecking order at the 1. Taylor looked good and might be an option there in an emergency.
 
CHARLI, #THEREALDEAL

Loved watching this young lady last night. Thanks LHN for replaying the game. She is the real deal folks. She will beat out Jatarie White for the 4 or 5. She's a natural. Finally a post who can make layups!!! She came ready to play!! Yes there will be growing pains but I like what I see.

#CHARLISGOTNEXT
 
kurupt said:
If Coach Aston isn’t going to evolve as a coach and continues to be strictly man to man then she better start recruiting and GETTING the kind of athletes that can do so consistently because right now she doesn’t have enough of them on the perimeter with this roster. If their giving up straight line drives and picking up tons of hand fouls on the perimeter against WTAM I shudder to think what teams with the kind of athletes like Baylor might do.
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I agree. Even when you DO have the athletes, the rule changes over the past few years do not favor the defender, especially playing an in-your-shirt defensive style. I happen to like that style, but the rules simply don't favor it anymore. I think it's a good tactic to use off and on during games along with some other varieties of defensive schemes.

I was really impressed with Collier, but disappointed in the lack of sets for Danni and certainly disappointed in Patterson's mere seven minutes of court time.

It will be interesting to see this team develop as the season progresses. Karen has a good group, they have to find their identity as a team though.
 
The one word that jumps out at me for Collier is smooth. That goes for post moves, mid-range and free throws and general floor game. Just sweet. I don’t think White and Collier are competing for the same spot......even though White didn’t start and Collier did. I think that was just a first exhibition line-up and considering post injuries. White is too good. Against better stronger teams Aston will need both to start. Against smaller lineups, perhaps they are split. Fun to speculate as it was surprising to see Aston start a freshman over a senior. Guess that says a LOT about her potential. Agree that the back door cuts again are a problem, as well as getting through screens. I think our defense will be worse than last year. Atkins was exceptional and McCarty was quick and I don’t see any defensive improvements on first impression.
 
flash34 said:
Aston’s pre-game comment that she is searching for a back-up point guard was evident today. Littleton as that makes me uneasy. She is to be commended as she looks much quicker than last year and has some skills. But to me she is a 2-guard. Patterson only getting 7 minutes says a lot about the pecking order at the 1. Taylor looked good and might be an option there in an emergency.
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I'm wondering if this is Aston's way of recruiting or sending a message to Endyia Rogers that this position is open to you for the taking? Just come to Texas. I thought that Endyia was a strong Texas lean but not so sure now. Pretty sly way of sending her a subliminal message!
 
21d...………."subliminal" is a word I love...…..right behind "sly". A little too smart and complex for me though. I like your theory but based on Aston's frustration with Patterson last year and off-season comments, it is stretch for me to think it is a message to Rogers. However, what is going on can't go unnoticed by her or Andrews. It is clear we need a point guard in waiting next year with Sutton a senior. Based on what I see now, that point guard sharing next year or playing in 2020 as a starter is not on the roster now.
 
flash34 said:
21d...………."subliminal" is a word I love...…..right behind "sly". A little too smart and complex for me though. I like your theory but based on Aston's frustration with Patterson last year and off-season comments, it is stretch for me to think it is a message to Rogers. However, what is going on can't go unnoticed by her or Andrews. It is clear we need a point guard in waiting next year with Sutton a senior. Based on what I see now, that point guard sharing next year or playing in 2020 as a starter is not on the roster now.
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Thanks for the compliment on my word smithing. "It is clear we need a point guard in waiting for next year" as you say and Rogers is our last option for the 2019 class and is a Top Priority for this coaching staff. Sure hope she sees the opportunity Aston has laid out and jumps on board with us!
 
I probably focus and/or seem obsessive on point guard play in a lot of my comments. But in my less-than-humble opinion, basketball is all about point guard play. Note Shaka's second season. And I'll bet Baylor will struggle at the high levels all year without a true 1. I was asked this fall to come out of retirement to coach my granddaughter's 9 year old team. I got more out of the experience than the girls did...…….although my wife thought I was going to have a heart attack from coaching the referees. Once again, the point guard position or lack of a good one.................whether it be 9 year old girls or the NBA...…... you cant really be successful without one (or two). The team won their last game.....and got ice cream so all is good in the 9 year old world. Now back to soccer for the five year old tonight and retirement once again for me. Rogers (2019) and Andrews (2020) the Horns need you both.
 
I can only speculate, but I have a feeling Chasity didn't get more PT due to her defense and as we know Karen is BIG on the willingness and effort put forth on defense.
 
cynt said:
CHARLI, #THEREALDEAL

Loved watching this young lady last night. Thanks LHN for replaying the game. She is the real deal folks. She will beat out Jatarie White for the 4 or 5. She's a natural. Finally a post who can make layups!!! She came ready to play!! Yes there will be growing pains but I like what I see.

#CHARLISGOTNEXT
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Charli was amazing but you could have made this post without calling out Jatarie. Totally not cool.
 
cynt said:
CHARLI, #THEREALDEAL

Loved watching this young lady last night. Thanks LHN for replaying the game. She is the real deal folks. She will beat out Jatarie White for the 4 or 5. She's a natural. Finally a post who can make layups!!! She came ready to play!! Yes there will be growing pains but I like what I see.

#CHARLISGOTNEXT
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Calm down. Although I think Charlie will be a really good player at Texas she’s not going to start over Jatarie. Jatarie is the best post player on the team.
 
flash34 said:
Fun to speculate as it was surprising to see Aston start a freshman over a senior.
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IMO, the one starting at the five was Mide with Charli at the four. Therefore, Coach replaced one Senior with another one. At any rate, it was an exhibition and that was certainly not the lineup that we will see take the court throughout the season.

The thing I did like was that Jatarie did not play like she was pouting about not starting. My impression is that Joyner will have a tough time taking that four spot away from Charli, although both could play side by side quite a bit. We need productive posts, including at least a couple off the bench. Right now, four's the minimum available.
 
Just glanced at Duquesne site to check on the first game. It may be more competitive than I thought. They were 25-8 last year with 4 starters returning. Picked first this year in the Atlantic 10 conference.
 
The Dukes are going to be tough, but, then, that's what the team needs. Going to find out quick how well we defend. I am curious to find out how N. Texas defends and attacks us.
 
My guess on ranking for too 15
1. Norte dame
2. Oregon
3.uconn
4.Baylor
5.mississippi state
6.louisvile
7.stanford
8.marlyland
9.texas
10. South Carolina
11. Tennessee
12. Missouri
13. Georgia
14. West Virginia
15. Marquette
I had Baylor at 3 but without Alexis Morris I moved them down team to be on the look out for Marquette there on the rise they play Norte dame early good game to watch Mississippi state we are going to have to clean up are pass and play great defense in that game I don’t think that there as good scoring the ball as last year, but there defending the ball I know is going to be good I can’t wait for that and other games I can’t wait for is Baylor vs South Carolina I would have like to have seen this maybe 2 years ago but can’t wait and Baylor vs UConn would have like to seen it with them having Alexis Morris going up against crystal dangerfeild but can’t wait for this season to start
 
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So, I have a pet peeve here, and I'm sorry. But it is NoTre Dame, not NoRte Dame. Again, I'm sorry. I just have OCD and it drives me crazy. :(
 
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