I have not yet watched the game so my comments might well be worthless. But from reading alk the comments here, I'd like to focus not so much on the players but the coaching, choices of team members, style of play, substituation patterns, etc.
While this was their first game and clearly they have not been together so long and hopefully things will get a lot better by next week, I think it shows that while Jeff Wakz is always considered a top notch coach, if that's really true then the women's college game has big problems.
There are constant and repeated comments here about his recruiting style. Offering many scholarships hoping to get the few needed each year. Offering many players who essentially are very athletic and excellent one on one HS players. And then, essentially Louisville has been and seemingly will remain a run and gun type of team.
The on-going success of such a style in the women's or men's game at the college or pro level is very spotty at best. Yes, you make the tournament every year, and maybe occasionally you reach or come close to a FF or close to the championship series.
On a consistent basis he will rarely beat a Tara or MM, who actually recruit much more selectively, will only take the potentially great HS player unless they will work within their systems. Then have in place hard work, discipline and focus. This was how a ND team beat a more talented U Conn team last year.
And then if you move on to Geno, CD and U Conn, the requirements, expectations, demands reach another level.
In summary, Walz has developed a good program based upon recruiting a certain type and style of player, and essentially throwing many against the wall and seeing what will stick.
There are plenty of players and one example now is Zia Cooke. Unbelievable skills and talent but it comes with the downside of not making her teammates better and way too many turnovers.
Why a Jordan Horston would consider entrusting her future which is so very bright, to this type of program and style amazes me. Yes Walz is a better coach the HW, but isn't there strong similarities to U Tenn?? Top recruiting and much less real, on-going training and development.
Carla Berube coaching at Tufts is way ahead of Jeff Walz in more ways then one can count!
As to CW and Ono, this experience will be a useful one in their development. But only because they have hopefully four years of Geno, CD, the other coaches, their teammates, the culture that is U Conn to layer on top of it!
I think these two teams, U17 and U18, speak volumes of course about their players, but their coaches as well. I expect this team to improve over the next week but without solid training and coaching, in close, tight games you revert to one on one play, which is very hit or miss!
Bronx23
