Yesterday, the Gonzaga Ladies wrapped up their remaining recreation within the Paradise Jam match that happened within the Virgin Islands. I hope they received to benefit from the solar, heat water, and distinctive expertise of touring together with your teammates 1000’s of miles to play basketball as a result of the staff’s success on this match has to depart an emotional bruise.
Let’s simply begin with the plain, going 0-3 with subsequent video games that includes bigger margins of defeats will not be an excellent look. That being stated, the current phrases of recognized crybaby, UConn Males’s Basketball coach Bobby Hurley, are ringing in my ears:
“While you come to a match like this, and it’s three video games in three days, it begins to go unhealthy, there’s no manner of fixing it as a result of there’s no time to [do so]. You simply should take care of the state of affairs. It was a humbling journey clearly for this system that’s achieved what we’ve achieved.”
As such, I believe it’s necessary to step again and notice the daunting activity this match introduced for this younger and inexperienced staff. My intestine takeaway from the Paradise Jam is that the 1 level defeat towards Missouri State within the opener served as a metaphorical punch within the mouth that this group couldn’t rebound from of their subsequent two robust matchups towards Texas Tech and Florida State.
Let’s check out how this staff carried out of their Caribbean trip.
Gonzaga vs Missouri State: 64-65
Total Response: The scoreline highlights a detailed ending, nevertheless it obscures that the Zags had two abysmal durations, which mainly handcuffed this staff. Within the first and third quarter, Gonzaga scored simply 26 factors and allowed 41 factors, however within the second and fourth quarters, the Bulldogs scored 38 and held the Girl Bears to 26 factors. If they’ll set the ground of play high quality slightly bit larger to keep away from these large drop-offs in efficiency, that might go a protracted approach to serving to this group edge out the tight ones.
Notable Statistic: Gonzaga managed to match the Girl Bears in complete rebounds, they gave up 12 offensive rebounds, which allowed Missouri State too many simple factors or probabilities to recycle possession that restricted the Bulldogs’ offensive probabilities
Gonzaga vs Texas Tech: 49-67
Total Response: We noticed this difficulty with final 12 months’s squad and it’s sadly persevering with to rear it’s head throughout this season: Gonzaga can not punish, and even actually threaten opponents, who elect to make use of a full-court press. The one reply the Bulldogs appeared to have towards the Purple Raiders’ press was to cross it again to Yvonne after the entry cross and watch her dribble via the center. Whereas that’s nice and all, having only one constant choice to interrupt a press bodes very poorly in my thoughts for this staff’s ceiling of success as a result of with out this functionality, the Zags are basically beginning their offensive units with 10-15 seconds off the shot clock. This wants to vary, ASAP.
Notable Statistic: Whereas the Zags couldn’t break a press to save lots of their life, the capturing was almost as equally tough. On the night, the gang shot 9-27 from two level vary, 7-22 from deep, and 10-20 from the free throw line.
Gonzaga vs Florida State: 54-95
Total Response: effectively, after a back-forth first 5 minutes, the Seminoles awoke and basically stomped the Bulldogs because the Zags routinely trailed by 15-20 factors and would by no means climb again inside 10 factors. It’s onerous to search out a lot optimistic a couple of 41 level loss, nevertheless it was good to see Ejim get again to her scoring methods as she completed with 20 factors on an environment friendly 10-18 capturing, a quantity that appears higher if you happen to exclude her 3 missed deep balls. Allie Turner concluded the match together with her third double-digit scoring efficiency and continues to show that, at present time no less than, she is Gonzaga’s solely constantly succesful deep risk on offense.
Notable Statistic: Turnovers. I’m going to deal with this extra down beneath, however dude, this was tough. The Bulldogs dedicated 24 turnovers, which FSU transformed into 43 factors. Oof.
Normal Notes
The guards are choosing up their dribble too early. This occurred an excessive amount of final 12 months for my style as effectively, however that squad’s off-ball motion was far more linked so teammates had been usually arriving into place on the proper time for the following cross. As such, their offense would circulate higher, however when that timing didn’t happen, you’d see the offense grind all the way down to a close to halt, which isn’t dissimilar to what we’re watching with this season’s squad so far. It additionally helps to clarify why this present group can string collectively sturdy stretches the place they’ll drop 20 factors, however then submit a stinker that sees them solely rating 6 factors.
This offensive inconsistency goes additional although as this group nonetheless seems unable to reliably enter the ball into the submit. This isn’t too shocking given the quantity of consideration Yvonne Ejim, she’s mainly drawing a double-team each time, nevertheless it’s regarding as a result of the Zags aren’t constantly exhibiting both the power or understanding of the following steps on this offense. Sadly, the inconsistency in operating alternate units has seemingly made it fairly simple for groups to setup their protection, which has basically been: (a) gradual the Bulldogs bringing the ball up the court docket (b) pack the ache to disclaim entry (c) pressure the perimeter gamers to generate offense. This strategy has confirmed fairly efficient for a number of causes starting from the accidents, inexperienced guards, and sometimes fielding a number of perimeter gamers that the opposition has basically ignored when taking part in protection if that participant takes up a fringe place.
These elements are taking part in a significant function resulting in turnovers, each given up and brought away, which is killing this staff. Previous to this three recreation stretch, the Zags had been averaging simply over 16 turnovers per recreation, a quantity that’s a bit inflated as a result of their 24 turnovers towards Cal, whereas solely forcing 9 turnovers within the earlier six video games. These usually are not nice numbers total, however when evaluating towards the Zags’ efficiency within the Paradise Jam, these statistics look, effectively, no less than slightly bit nearer to paradise.
Within the three video games over the vacation, the Bulldogs dedicated 18, 24, and 24 turnovers whereas solely in a position to pressure their opponents into 9, 15, and 9 turnovers. The most important difficulty with these errors is that they’re coming in dwell play, which permits groups to generate simple factors. Missouri State had been credited with 22 factors from turnovers, Texas Tech with 14, and Florida State with a mind-boggling 43 factors off the Bulldogs’ errors. On the flip facet, Gonzaga solely generated 15, 12, and 5 factors from their turnovers within the Paradise Jam. With Lisa Fortier’s offense averaging simply 65 factors per recreation, I don’t suppose the Zags can afford to be so careless with the ball if they need an opportunity to interrupt into March Insanity.
On the defensive finish, I like the hassle proven, however I don’t suppose they’re doing the little issues proper but wanted to assist this group amid the offensive droughts. Defenders not making clear switches or preventing via site visitors to maintain up with their task. Shut outs are coming on the flawed angles or extending too far out, which opens up the center for penetration. Not exhibiting sufficient dynamism to strain their opponents into errors, one thing that may be clearly seen within the lack of turnovers generated. It’s intriguing watching this group deploy the 3-2 defensive zone and I prefer it as an choice when Ejim is off the ground.
This subsequent half could also be a moot level, however I’m fairly upset with the media presentation this match. The printed confirmed Tayla Dalton’s face and identify within the lineup card for all three matches. In the course of the Texas Tech match, the announcers highlighted the Purple Raiders journey calls for to reach within the Virgin Islands, a staff that had not performed a street recreation to this point and highest profile wins got here towards WSU and New Mexico, whereas utterly ignoring the Bulldogs’ intensive journey wanted to succeed in St. Thomas nor highlighting their stronger non-conference schedule to this point. They lastly began to acknowledge this within the Florida State matchup, however the west coast disrespect is wild.
All in all, it’s not comforting to see the Zags go 0-3 at any stage, not to mention in the next profile setting than what they’ll face for a while, however not all is misplaced. This staff wants these kinds of experiences to progress and develop collectively each on and off the ground. As Fortier stated earlier within the season, if you happen to’re peaking now, you’re in hassle. As such, I nonetheless stay optimistic for this staff’s season, notably since we’re nonetheless anticipating to see gamers like Tayla Dalton, Lauren Whitaker, and probably, Bree Salenbien return this marketing campaign.
The Bulldogs will face their subsequent take a look at on 12/08 in an away match towards Colorado State. Sadly this doesn’t appear like it is going to be broadcasted on ESPN+ like most matches, however will as an alternative be streamable on the Mountain West Community. Tune in quickly for a preview of that recreation later this week. Catch you round.
