Baylor game

[JoeDallas]

I enjoyed a lot about this game. We fought hard and had a lot of good moments. It's exciting to see what Imani can do. Her rebounding allowed us to make it a comptetive game for a long time. As she develops and perfects her own shots, it's going to be fun. A flat out breakthrough for Empress. Surely this was a confidence builder for her. I saw her do things I did not know she knew how to do. Rodrigo did fine, though not shooting like against ISU.I think Odyssey is fouling a lot of the time that she is harrassing the other team's point guard. Antanelli and Fran never said so, but a few times it looked so callable. Sims' celebrity may give her a certain immunity. I'm ready for Chas to heat up again. For me anyway --- tonight there was no embarrassment, no anger at the coach or at the universe or whoeve. Bring on some more teams. We may win against 3 or 4 of them.

 

[overseasbbfan1]

Agree with JoeDallas, and BabHorn's comments in the 'bus' thread. The team played with purpose, and looked better against the Bears than most probably thought they would. We kept the lead to single digits at the half, and actually led in both rbs and blks at that point. And for the game we matched BU with 40 rbs. When we got to within 4 pts four mins into the second period it was clear the Horns had come to play. Baylor eventually pulled away because they are the best team in the country, but our effort never flagged. Most importantly we saw two freshmen hold their own against the best PG, and best player period in the country. Anyone who can't see what the future has in store for this team just isn't looking, or doesn't want to see it. I thought Aston's comments about the way the team prepared for, and played in this game, summed it up best. That's what we need to see every day in practice, and in every game going forward. Honestly, if that happens, we are capable of beating every team in this league. I really hope we build on this performance in our remaining games. Finish strong, Horns!

 

[WCBBNUT]

Like many of us often say, the final score did not reflect the actual play. The Horns faught well and Imani is going to be very, very good. It's never fun to lose by 20+, but many thought it would be much worse. Good job Horns!

 

[Seattle4UT]

^^^^^

It wasn't the massacre that the doomsday naysayers were predicting. Coach A has them going on the way UP!

Seattle

 

[Rexy]

I was really proud of the team, and especially proud of Imani, Celina and Empress, not because they played better than anyone else, but because as freshmen, they showed up big time against the #1 team in the country. They weren't intimidated. Let's face it, Baylor is really really good, and I didn't expect to win, but we played them close in the first half and that's really good from my perspective.

Imani, WOW! I see you. She played Griner straight up! And bested her in rebounding. Imani had 18 rebounds to Griner's 3. Griner had 1 rebound in the first half and 2 in the second half. Imani had 10 defensive and 8 offensive rebounds. She knows the fundamentals of rebounding and she used them to her advantage last night. Griner had 14 points and Imani had 13, Griner had 4 turnovers (in 28 minutes) and Imani had 5 turnovers in 38 minutes. Griner is not much taller than Imani (I was surprised about that), but her arms are longer and she blocked 8 shots, Imani blocked 2. I spent most of the night watching those two battle each other and it was a real treat! For those of you who weren't in the Lone Star room after the game, someone asked Imani what she said to the ref when they called a foul on her as she was defending Griner. What you may not have noticed was that Griner shoved Imani out of position right before the foul was called (and of course, that foul on Griner was NOT called). It looked like Imani was defending Griner well, when they called the foul on Imani. She went to the ref to get an explanation and in fast break she said the ref said they called a foul on her because she extended her arm rather than keeping it bent in a defensive position. Then Imani said, "What really happened is that Mulky told the refs that I didn't have any fouls". The crowd laughed loudly and Coach said, "I believe that". Oh, someone asked Imani about "the dunk" and she said, "She didn't dunk on me!" It was so cute. And she didn't dunk on Imani. It was an inbound play and Imani was screened and when Griner caught the ball, she was in position to dunk it. I knew she'd dunk on us if she got half a chance, because after all, we're Texas! LOL! I agree with Bill Fennely though, saying that there is no place for dunking in the women's game and that it is disrespectful. But I knew it would happen last night if the opportunity arose.

I spent so much time watching the Griner/Imani matchup that I didn't see a lot of other things going on. But Empress had a good game and she did well against the number 1 team. Celina did not hit her shots but she took care of the ball and only had 2 turnovers. Playing against the #1 point guard in the country, Sims, I'd say Celina did really well.

Chas and Nneka played well too so I see nothing to quibble about in this game. Texas fought hard to the end and that's about all you can ask of this young team.

 

[TEXASMADE]

I agree with everything you said about Imani. So fun to watch and really
Coming into her own. I disagree on Chaz at least on her shooting. It's been horried lately. It's not like the shots are even close half the time either. We really need her to get back into rythem.

 

[Rexy]

You are right, Chas' shot has been off. She said today she had "face time" in the gym with her dad, trying to straighten out her shot. Hope it worked!

 

[Seattle4UT]

This has certainly been a fun season in folllowing this year's Longhorns. The results were painful but the evidence in growth has certainly been shown. There are still a a few games left to play, but I can confidently say this ship is heading in the right direction.

This certainly beats the past 4 seasons teetering on a NCAA bid, praying that the Longhorns would get in, only to be shown the exit door the 1st round the past 4 years.

I look forward to seeing the continuing rebuilding of the Texas brand with Coach A leading the way!!!

HOOK EM!

 

[utfannforlife]

Clearly I disagree with this being an enjoyable season, or better than any of which that GG lead us in because there were more victories. However I do like the direction the team is headed, even though the only was was up. I actually spent some time talking w/ Pam McGee and she was more excited than anyone watching the game. GG really did Texas a favor by landing Imani because she will dominate in the years to come. I loved to see KA show some fire toward the officials. It's not always polite, but you clearly don't watch the game if you think it doesn't work. If you look at the best coaches in the game today, all of them give the officials hell from time to time and it shows your kids that you have their back 100% so I truly enjoyed that.

To quickly touch in what Bill fennelly said. Although he is someone I respect tremendously as a leader and a coach, that comment about dunking was idiotic. If he had BG or Candice Parker or Fowles or anyone with that ability, he would certainly allow them to dunk.

 

[Seattle4UT]

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[Rexy]

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[WCBBNUT]

Chas was really close to Gail so it's understandable she would struggle to find her game under a new coach. But Chas is such a competitor at heart that I suspect if not this season, then next year she'll even back out. When you look at her stats, however, she's still one of our best players. Glad she's at this UT and not the other ut.

 

[DINO22]

I love the energy the team played with! Imani will be very special at Texas.I was pride of Davenport and Celina against such good guards.If we as fan's be patient, we are going to get what want.And that is win's! I look forward to the future, because it is bright.
Hookem'

 

[UTExinPDX]

Personally I think that the women's game needs more players that can dunk. IMO, it's what will make the sport more exciting and will attract more fans.

I am also grateful to GG for getting Imani to come to Texas. She's a special player.

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[Seattle4UT]

I am more grateful to Coach A for encouraging Imani to stay and play for Texas. That alone is much more powerful considering Imani could play for any school that she wanted to. As for drama on a NCAA bid, this year is a welcome change as Texas should NOT have to be praying to get a bid. Our program deserves to get in based on merit and not name recognition.

 

[TEXASMADE]

Whatever you say Mr. Hinckley Jr.

 

[Seattle4UT]

You're free to ignore my posts. and sticks and stones. I don't resort to childish games.

 

[TEXASMADE]

Ha. Yeah ok. You're funny.

 

[Seattle4UT]

I WIN.