Inma and Dola have to play better if the Rockets are going to be a factor in the MAC this year.

(11-30-2013 07:02 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  

(11-30-2013 07:01 PM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  Dola misses a fast break layup followed by a foul called on Inma = game summary

Smart minds think alike.

Yea, just had to shake my head.

de Alfredo plays a bit out of control. The competition is better than she has faced to this point.

Rockets on their way to 30 point whipping. Many lessons to be learned

Gael's hit 25 of 30 free throws. 81 - 57 final

St Mary's wins by 24 points with 20 turnovers. What could it have been if they had taken care of the basketball? My conclusion is that the Lady Rockets were overmatched.

Hard to believe that Dola and Inma both had such terrible games at the same time. If they play the way we have grown to expect, the game at the very least goes down to the wire. I'm gonna go out on a limb and predict we won't see another game this season where they both have such a poor performance.

(11-30-2013 07:24 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  Hard to believe that Dola and Inma both had such terrible games at the same time. If they play the way we have grown to expect, the game at the very least goes down to the wire. I'm gonna go out on a limb and predict we won't see another game this season where they both have such a poor performance.

I am not sure that the outcome could have been altered even if Inma and Dola had played a normal game.

Actually I am not sure what a normal game is for Dola right now. She scored zero points yesterday in addition to her difficulty scoring in today's game. If you think back to last year, she had difficulty scoring near the end of the season. I think she remains an excellent defensive player but struggles to be a consistent offensive force.

UT was 9 of 42 on 3-pointers at the tournament. The hope is that some of the new players will help our outside shooting. We'll see.

(11-30-2013 08:00 PM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  UT was 9 of 42 on 3-pointers at the tournament. The hope is that some of the new players will help our outside shooting. We'll see.

I am also hopeful. The English lady shoots well and Elena appears to have 3 point range but both of them, along with Capatosto have problems with shot selection. That needs to improve. Give it up unless its a high percentage shot or time is running out.

And there's one of those ugly losses I predicted. Bear down Rocket fans--there will be a few more of those this season...but we'll also pull off an upset or two. Just too much inexperience at this stage--we really only have 2.5 proven college players. Unlike football and the men's team, where there shouldn't need to be excuses, I think we need to cut the Lady Rockets some slack. Use the season to improve bit by bit. We're a season away from being a true MAC or Division contender.

You have expect nights like this early in the season when the majority of your players are getting meaningful playing time in a UT uniform for the very first time this year----this is on the job training and it is not always going to be pretty, but it is part of learning through experience.

IMO the problems on this trip were compounded because Dola, who more than anyone else represents the senior leadership of the team experienced a cold shooting streak herself hitting only 1 for 20 from the field in these two games---when she hit a slump last year there were a number of experienced players available and ready to pick up the slack and it wasn't all that noticeable but that is not this case yet this year. I suspect that for while until the new players get more experience their ability to play well is going to depend in large measure on the experienced players (Dola and Inma, and to a lesser extent Crunch and Nelly and Recker) showing them the way.

I realized last year that there was going have to be a lot of on the job training this year and that usually means some bumps in the road along the way. However, I also think that by the end of the season those bumps should be smoothed out and this team should be playing their best ball come tournament time, which after all is when it really matters.

(11-30-2013 08:55 PM)T-Town Wrote:  You have expect nights like this early in the season when the majority of your players are getting meaningful playing time in a UT uniform for the very first time this year----this is on the job training and it is not always going to be pretty, but it is part of learning through experience.

IMO the problems on this trip were compounded because Dola, who more than anyone else represents the senior leadership of the team experienced a cold shooting streak herself hitting only 1 for 20 from the field in these two games---when she hit a slump last year there were a number of experienced players available and ready to pick up the slack and it wasn't all that noticeable but that is not this case yet this year. I suspect that for while until the new players get more experience their ability to play well is going to depend in large measure on the experienced players (Dola and Inma, and to a lesser extent Crunch and Nelly and Recker) showing them the way.

I realized last year that there was going have to be a lot of on the job training this year and that usually means some bumps in the road along the way. However, I also think that by the end of the season those bumps should be smoothed out and this team should be playing their best ball come tournament time, which after all is when it really matters.

I agree completely with the idea that there is a major portion of this year's roster which needs more meaningful game time experience. What is not clear to me so far is whether the team will be MAC tourney competitive at year end. The first 6 games don't tell us much. Lady Rockets have defeated three teams with current records of 0-6, 0-6, and 1-5. They have lost to the other three teams which will probably end the season with winning records. That's OK, but gets a little worrying if the game is a blowout. For me its very difficult to see, at this stage, how far we need to go and whether its realistic to expect we might get there. I don't see how it will be possible if the seniors on the team are not among the best players on the floor.

(11-30-2013 10:19 PM)rocketfan70 Wrote:  

(11-30-2013 08:55 PM)T-Town Wrote:  You have expect nights like this early in the season when the majority of your players are getting meaningful playing time in a UT uniform for the very first time this year----this is on the job training and it is not always going to be pretty, but it is part of learning through experience.

IMO the problems on this trip were compounded because Dola, who more than anyone else represents the senior leadership of the team experienced a cold shooting streak herself hitting only 1 for 20 from the field in these two games---when she hit a slump last year there were a number of experienced players available and ready to pick up the slack and it wasn't all that noticeable but that is not this case yet this year. I suspect that for while until the new players get more experience their ability to play well is going to depend in large measure on the experienced players (Dola and Inma, and to a lesser extent Crunch and Nelly and Recker) showing them the way.

I realized last year that there was going have to be a lot of on the job training this year and that usually means some bumps in the road along the way. However, I also think that by the end of the season those bumps should be smoothed out and this team should be playing their best ball come tournament time, which after all is when it really matters.

I agree completely with the idea that there is a major portion of this year's roster which needs more meaningful game time experience. What is not clear to me so far is whether the team will be MAC tourney competitive at year end. The first 6 games don't tell us much. Lady Rockets have defeated three teams with current records of 0-6, 0-6, and 1-5. They have lost to the other three teams which will probably end the season with winning records. That's OK, but gets a little worrying if the game is a blowout. For me its very difficult to see, at this stage, how far we need to go and whether its realistic to expect we might get there. I don't see how it will be possible if the seniors on the team are not among the best players on the floor.

I also think that success for this team is going to require senior leadership and I also agree that it is too way too early to make any meaningful guess as to just how competitive they will be come tournament time, but I am counting on the team being markedly improved over where they are now (barring injuries). While I wouldn't expect them sneak in and actual win the tourney championship this year, I do think that they might make a bit of noise come March and hopefully set the table for the following year. Besides, they only have to win one tournament game to exceed the tournament record of last year's highly acclaimed senior laden squad.

(11-30-2013 10:47 PM)T-Town Wrote:  

(11-30-2013 10:19 PM)rocketfan70 Wrote:  

(11-30-2013 08:55 PM)T-Town Wrote:  You have expect nights like this early in the season when the majority of your players are getting meaningful playing time in a UT uniform for the very first time this year----this is on the job training and it is not always going to be pretty, but it is part of learning through experience.

IMO the problems on this trip were compounded because Dola, who more than anyone else represents the senior leadership of the team experienced a cold shooting streak herself hitting only 1 for 20 from the field in these two games---when she hit a slump last year there were a number of experienced players available and ready to pick up the slack and it wasn't all that noticeable but that is not this case yet this year. I suspect that for while until the new players get more experience their ability to play well is going to depend in large measure on the experienced players (Dola and Inma, and to a lesser extent Crunch and Nelly and Recker) showing them the way.

I realized last year that there was going have to be a lot of on the job training this year and that usually means some bumps in the road along the way. However, I also think that by the end of the season those bumps should be smoothed out and this team should be playing their best ball come tournament time, which after all is when it really matters.

I agree completely with the idea that there is a major portion of this year's roster which needs more meaningful game time experience. What is not clear to me so far is whether the team will be MAC tourney competitive at year end. The first 6 games don't tell us much. Lady Rockets have defeated three teams with current records of 0-6, 0-6, and 1-5. They have lost to the other three teams which will probably end the season with winning records. That's OK, but gets a little worrying if the game is a blowout. For me its very difficult to see, at this stage, how far we need to go and whether its realistic to expect we might get there. I don't see how it will be possible if the seniors on the team are not among the best players on the floor.

I also think that success for this team is going to require senior leadership and I also agree that it is too way too early to make any meaningful guess as to just how competitive they will be come tournament time, but I am counting on the team being markedly improved over where they are now (barring injuries). While I wouldn't expect them sneak in and actual win the tourney championship this year, I do think that they might make a bit of noise come March and hopefully set the table for the following year. Besides, they only have to win one tournament game to exceed the tournament record of last year's highly acclaimed senior laden squad.

I agree with you 100%... It is nice to read your positive comments after reading so many negative postings....it is normal to remember where a team was at the end last season...and forget where that team was at the beginning of last season...because of the number or first year players on this team (freshmen, Ana, and even Stephanie)..all of whom are getting a lot of on the job under pressure experience ..this team will mature faster than more experienced teams...how good they will be at the end of the season no one really knows..but there are a lot of good signs....I can't remember having four freshman and one junior on the court at the same time for a significant amount of playing time against a very good opponent ......those freshman are gaining experience and more important confidences in themselves and each other...

Thanks for being so positive and insightful!

I think this team will be pretty darn good by year's end. Losing to a decent team on the road that far from home is no tragedy. CMU is really struggling ( albeit against some tough teams ) and I thought they might be a Top 25 type team. BSU is beatable. We'll be alright come conference time.

I'm guessing here but watching Dola she did appear to be 100%. I'm guessing there is some type of injury that affected her play.

(12-02-2013 11:41 AM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  I'm guessing here but watching Dola she did appear to be 100%. I'm guessing there is some type of injury that affected her play.

Could be but she had several unproductive offensive games near the end of season last year. My take is that she doesn't necessarily look for the high percentage shot and sometimes seems to rush it. On off days that can be a recipe for zero points.