In Reply to: UCLA WBB On TV Tonight posted by UCLA78 on November 12, 2026 at 17:05:40
I have no idea how good the Cats are.
Aarnisalo is away with the Finnish team. Will be back after next game.
The team moves the ball around really well. Lots of interesting passing, and lot's and lots of cutting to the hoop. With Bransford, Brown, Sienna and to a lesser Donovyn, we've got 4 players that can either cut to the basket and finish, or make that pass.
Timea looked good. She took some turnaround 6-8 footers and looked good doing it. She was 2-5 on 3's. Looks like a good passer too. She might become a big force and find her groove after not playing for a long time. Like, I feel like there is a star in there, waiting to take shape.
Overall, though, we don't have a very good shooting team. For the season, having played bad teams, we're shooting 28% on 3's. That's hard to believe, but it's 19/68.
Deas, for instance, shot 24% on 3's last season and she took two last night - why? Bransford is not a good 3pt shooter, but thankfully, she doesn't shoot them. Hunter is just ok. Brown is a good shooter, prolly a career average of around 36%. Aarnisalo is shot 40% on 3's last season. Between Aarnisalo, Gardiner, and Brown, we have players that can make them. But, we've got to limit the shots of those that can't.
Betts has great footwork and nice moves to get to the hoop. We'll see when the competition gets real.
Brown is 6th man right now. She didn't even start last night, with Aarnisalo out - Somko stepped in. Brown needs to start. This is probably a Dugalic scenario, where there are 5 equals + a Betts in the middle. But, Brown is good.
Jerkovic definitely has some things to offer. She's confident on the ball, and the play doesn't die when the ball gets to her (see Dudley, Kendall). She looks like a good, creative, passer. She seems to be able to hold the ball under pressure, though she might not be able to handle a double (she dribbles away from the pressure and shields the ball, which can be great, because it creates space. But, if she's doubled, I don't know if that's an option) A willing defender, that has just ok lateral quickness. Can drive and draw a foul. But, speaking of can't shoot. Her FT's were ugly. An awkward push shot. But, she's a player that at the least, could eat minutes if we need her.
Somko certainly looks like a decent player. She's powerful for her size, and it seems like a big part of her game is overpowering her defender. We'll see how that works out when we face better teams.
For Somko and Jerkovich, they could be very different by the end of the season. I feel like it can be a big adjustment for Europeans.
Muse, I'm giving up hope. I think she looks like she could be a very solid contributor. But, she's a little uncoordinated. If she catches under pressure, there's a good chance she fumbles it. She's trying super hard. I'm cheering for her. But, the most discouraging thing is that her teammates don't pass to her when she's open.
Generally, we're a longish team with a high intensity level on D, but we're not real quick. We can cause problems with our length, but we haven't looked scary in the press yet. CCC said we're going to run a lot. I haven't really seen that.
Well, that's all folks.