UT misses and there's a held ball on the rebound.

Arrow gives the ball to Michigan

Inma leaves the floor for the last time in a UT uniform

Standing O for Inma! Nice!

UM misses and UT rebounds

Michigan wins 74-58

Rockets entirely outplayed the last 25 or 30 minutes of this one. Starting with that 16-0 Michigan run in the first half.

Sad for Inma that her career had to end that way.

But, take away the last 6 minutes of the first half, and the game was a toss up, even accounting for how badly UM beat the Rockets on the boards. That's still very encouraging for next season.

I know that the "expectations" thing doesn't always work out...and Inma falls into the category of an "unreplaceable" player--but I expect this young Lady Rockets team to be quite a bit better next season.

(03-23-2015 08:04 PM)cnyrocketfan Wrote:  Rockets entirely outplayed the last 25 or 30 minutes of this one. Starting with that 16-0 Michigan run in the first half.

Actually as inept as they looked at times in the second half, except for the last 4 or 5 minutes of the first half where they had a complete meltdown, this game was DEAD EVEN score wise.

Unfortunately until they learn to keep their focus for 40 minutes they will continue to have stretches where they are out hustled for rebounds and lose balls and give up steals. It is not enough to play with intensity after you are already down by 16 points. When playing against teams like Michigan or EMU who play a pressing sticky offense, without 40 minutes of focus they will continue to lose to these sorts of teams----having 6 or so possessions in a row getting only 2 shots at the basket (and no points) won't help you win too many games either.

Still they looked OK at times and the second half fast break, behind the back dribble, between several defenders by B. Harris was a real highlight film play. Hopefully the two extra games and the extra practice will help next year.

Not a bad season. Ill take above .500. I know losing Inma is huge, but next year is the year we need to be back at 20+ wins.

(03-23-2015 09:08 PM)T-Town Wrote:  

(03-23-2015 08:04 PM)cnyrocketfan Wrote:  Rockets entirely outplayed the last 25 or 30 minutes of this one. Starting with that 16-0 Michigan run in the first half.

Actually as inept as they looked at times in the second half, except for the last 4 or 5 minutes of the first half where they had a complete meltdown, this game was DEAD EVEN score wise.

Unfortunately until they learn to keep their focus for 40 minutes they will continue to have stretches where they are out hustled for rebounds and lose balls and give up steals. It is not enough to play with intensity after you are already down by 16 points. When playing against teams like Michigan or EMU who play a pressing sticky offense, without 40 minutes of focus they will continue to lose to these sorts of teams----having 6 or so possessions in a row getting only 2 shots at the basket (and no points) won't help you win too many games either.

Still they looked OK at times and the second half fast break, behind the back dribble, between several defenders by B. Harris was a real highlight film play. Hopefully the two extra games and the extra practice will help next year.

Let's not overlook the fact that UM is a better team. All the intensity in the world wasn't overcoming the athleticism of players like 3 and 14. Their All Big Ten player was contained well but their bench killed us and our offered nothing apart from Janice's rebounding. If B, Inma or Jay don't have big nights there is no one to step up. Depth killed us.

I thought Toledo did about the best they could against Michigan. Michigan has more depth, better athletes, and better overall talent. Toledo could play Michigan 100 times and would not win based on depth alone. Toledo only has about 2 players, who can dribble under pressure and no 6th woman. I actually thought Sophie, all things considered played a great game, staying out of foul trouble. Inma will be missed.

[/quote]

Let's not overlook the fact that UM is a better team. All the intensity in the world wasn't overcoming the athleticism of players like 3 and 14. Their All Big Ten player was contained well but their bench killed us and our offered nothing apart from Janice's rebounding. If B, Inma or Jay don't have big nights there is no one to step up. Depth killed us.
[/quote]

Exactly.

(03-23-2015 10:00 PM)falconplucker Wrote:  I thought Toledo did about the best they could against Michigan. Michigan has more depth, better athletes, and better overall talent. Toledo could play Michigan 100 times and would not win based on depth alone. Toledo only has about 2 players, who can dribble under pressure and no 6th woman. I actually thought Sophie, all things considered played a great game, staying out of foul trouble. Inma will be missed.

Sophie played their big to a draw after a couple early hoops. She'll never be quick but her strength and hands have improved dramatically.

Say what you want about the Rockets. Say what you want about Michigan. This game comes down to two words: Katelynn Flaherty.

(03-23-2015 10:51 PM)Toledo Football 1st Wrote:  Say what you want about the Rockets. Say what you want about Michigan. This game comes down to two words: Katelynn Flaherty.

She was on fire and came off the bench to score 21. Siera Thompson also came off the bench and scored 20. Toledo's bench scored 4.

I agree that Michigan had better athletes. They were quick and were able to leverage that quickness to force turnovers as well as get both offensive and defensive rebounds. And their freshman phenom was, at least on this night, better than our freshman phenom. And I am not sure what it means when we say ... take away our worst 6 minutes and we played them even. Take away Michigan's worst six minutes and they won more than 20.

Let's also keep in mind that Michigan is a mediocre Big 10 team. Finished 8th in the conference with an 8-10 record.

I also agree that the lady rockets were an entertaining team this year. They play with enthusiasm every game and have periods of time when they look very good. If the core players continue to improve, which is not a given, and a couple of the incoming freshman can contribute, next year this team could be near the top of the league.

(03-23-2015 08:09 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  I know that the "expectations" thing doesn't always work out...and Inma falls into the category of an "unreplaceable" player--but I expect this young Lady Rockets team to be quite a bit better next season.

I don't agree that Inma is "unreplaceable," but I do agree that next year's team will be better. Inma had a very good career and will be missed next year, but I think her tangibles can be replaced, especially with the talent on the roster and incoming freshmen.

(03-23-2015 09:55 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  Let's not overlook the fact that UM is a better team. All the intensity in the world wasn't overcoming the athleticism of players like 3 and 14. Their All Big Ten player was contained well but their bench killed us and our offered nothing apart from Janice's rebounding. If B, Inma or Jay don't have big nights there is no one to step up. Depth killed us.

You point out a valid, yet unpleasant fact; namely that any middle-of-the-pack BIG conference team is almost always going to have better talent and be a better team than any middle-of-the-pack mid-major team.

I suppose that this should be an obvious fact, yet it is painful to admit because it means that those arrogant BIG fans who enjoy heaping scorn on mid-majors are somewhat justified in their opinions if not their actions.

(03-24-2015 08:53 AM)T-Town Wrote:  

(03-23-2015 09:55 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  Let's not overlook the fact that UM is a better team. All the intensity in the world wasn't overcoming the athleticism of players like 3 and 14. Their All Big Ten player was contained well but their bench killed us and our offered nothing apart from Janice's rebounding. If B, Inma or Jay don't have big nights there is no one to step up. Depth killed us.

You point out a valid, yet unpleasant fact; namely that any middle-of-the-pack BIG conference team is almost always going to have better talent and be a better team than any middle-of-the-pack mid-major team.

I suppose that this should be an obvious fact, yet it is painful to admit because it means that those arrogant BIG fans who enjoy heaping scorn on mid-majors are somewhat justified in their opinions if not their actions.

We've beaten our share: auburn, USC and others but we were VERY good then. In a couple years we'll put some bigger pelts on the wall.

(03-24-2015 09:06 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(03-24-2015 08:53 AM)T-Town Wrote:  

(03-23-2015 09:55 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  Let's not overlook the fact that UM is a better team. All the intensity in the world wasn't overcoming the athleticism of players like 3 and 14. Their All Big Ten player was contained well but their bench killed us and our offered nothing apart from Janice's rebounding. If B, Inma or Jay don't have big nights there is no one to step up. Depth killed us.

You point out a valid, yet unpleasant fact; namely that any middle-of-the-pack BIG conference team is almost always going to have better talent and be a better team than any middle-of-the-pack mid-major team.

I suppose that this should be an obvious fact, yet it is painful to admit because it means that those arrogant BIG fans who enjoy heaping scorn on mid-majors are somewhat justified in their opinions if not their actions.

We've beaten our share: auburn, USC and others but we were VERY good then. In a couple years we'll put some bigger pelts on the wall.

Hopefully in the NCAA Tournament.

I think approaching a 20 win season was beyond everyones expectations this year. Better things are on the horizon for the lady Rockets !!