Valpo Game Thread

[JACKGUYII]

Re: Valpo Game Thread

I don't know about that. IMO, it's as much about the team playing with a certain 'anxiety and nervous energy', as AJ described it on the Thanksgiving live chat.

With the vantage point I had on the Utah Utes game it was beyond obvious that the lady Jacks were playing 'tight' early on. Their body language, the shot selection, shot mechanics, all of it looked like a team that was awful nervous--even on its own home court.

I think that they have a tendency to get too keyed up before games, and that they may need to change their pregame routine, or something, so that they can play more relaxed early on.

I think that is true for some of the games we have been down. This game we had very few turnovers throughout the game. That anxiety and nervous energy also leads to poor shot selection at times. Well it's great to be nick picking when we are 12-1. I just think some game the early deficit will be hard to overcome. I think clearly our depth bails us out most of the time.

[zooropa]

Re: Valpo Game Thread

I think that is true for some of the games we have been down. This game we had very few turnovers throughout the game. That anxiety and nervous energy also leads to poor shot selection at times. Well it's great to be nick picking when we are 12-1. I just think some game the early deficit will be hard to overcome. I think clearly our depth bails us out most of the time.

Also, apart from Sunnarborg and Westergard, these players were all there for the 'meltdown' against Creighton in the WNIT (it would've made an impression on Jill Young as well).

I don't want the Jacks to get too comfortable falling behind early, but at the same time, I don't think a team that went through that embarrassing loss on their home court is going to take things for granted when the playoffs come around.

[JimmyJack]

Re: Valpo Game Thread

Also, apart from Sunnarborg and Westergard, these players were all there for the 'meltdown' against Creighton in the WNIT (it would've made an impression on Jill Young as well).

Honestly, I think the weak Summit League schedule hurt us in that game. We hadn't had a close game in months by the time Creighton came to town. Right now, this team is in the midst of a great run against great competition. The trick will be to keep that level of intensity up as we mow through the Summit League competition.

[JACKGUYII]

Re: Valpo Game Thread

I wish we had a tough non-conference game in the middle of conference play to stay sharp! I do think we will be tested in a few conference games especially on the road as everyone will be shooting to knock off a rated team.

[JamesJacks]

Re: Valpo Game Thread

Let's not underestimate Oakland. Those will be two challenging games.

[BTownJack]

Re: Valpo Game Thread

Let's not underestimate Oakland. Those will be two challenging games.

I really don't think they will be. At the beginning of the season I would have agreed with you. After going 12-1 against a tough non-conference schedule we've separated ourselves from every team in the conference, including Oakland. Their current RPI is 125 and we are sitting at 15.

So unless we play really bad and Oakland plays well, I don't think it will even be a contest.

[JACKGUYII]

Re: Valpo Game Thread

I really don't think they will be. At the beginning of the season I would have agreed with you. After going 12-1 against a tough non-conference schedule we've separated ourselves from every team in the conference, including Oakland. Their current RPI is 125 and we are sitting at 15.

So unless we play really bad and Oakland plays well, I don't think it will even be a contest.

I just don't think we have played well enough for a complete game to overlook anyone in the Summitt. If we ever do execute for 40 minutes look out it's going to be a blow out for someone!

[JamesJacks]

Re: Valpo Game Thread

I am worried as well about the rough starts we seem to have more often than not. But throughout the course of a 40 minute games there are lapses. Ours just always happen at the beginning.

[jackmd]

Re: Valpo Game Thread

I just don't think we have played well enough for a complete game to overlook anyone in the Summitt. If we ever do execute for 40 minutes look out it's going to be a blow out for someone!

I still feel like we rely on the 3-point shot a little too much. If future opponents watch the film from the UC Davis game they will pressure our guards, extend passing lanes and make us try to "skip" pass over the defense. Ball handling and control has been an issue when pressure is applied.

The problem, we are so deep that we can just keep pushing the ball and wear other teams out. Now, when we ran into Wyoming 2 years ago and Creighton last year we found teams with similar depth and equal talent. We all know the result. Looking forward to a fun conference season and a great tourney in Sioux Falls.

[propar80]

Re: Valpo Game Thread

I just don't think we have played well enough for a complete game to overlook anyone in the Summitt. If we ever do execute for 40 minutes look out it's going to be a blow out for someone!

I think the point is that this team hasn't put together a complete 40 minutes all year and are 12-1 against one of the best OOC schedules in the nation and are ranked 22nd in the nation.

Although, I think eventually they will put together 40 minutes more consistantly, I don't believe it will be nessecary to go undefeated through the Summit.

You are right that if SDSU does put together 40 minutes against any team in the Summit...it will be carnage.

My only worry is come tournament time, with the level of competition in the Summit, will this team improve enough to be ready to get wins in the NCAA's.

I too wish there was a top 25 caliber team in the middle of our conference schedule, but it is what it is and I'm sure AJ will have them ready for every game.

I have to wonder at what point does their 1 loss record bring more than 2000 fans out on a consistant basis?? I know, I know... weather, no students...I'm just saying because I care...


Go Jacks!!

[Jacks#1Fan]

Re: Valpo Game Thread

So unless we play really bad and Oakland plays well, I don't think it will even be a contest.

Well, I feel good about our chances as well, and we could go undefeated until the end of regular season, but in the course of a season, almost every team hits a dwell...especially on a road game they shouldn't lose...I'm not saying, I'm just saying (as some wise sage noted on another post). With that said, our team has a VERY good chance of finishing the regular season with only one loss.

[JACKGUYII]

Re: Valpo Game Thread

I think the point is that this team hasn't put together a complete 40 minutes all year and are 12-1 against one of the best OOC schedules in the nation and are ranked 22nd in the nation.

Although, I think eventually they will put together 40 minutes more consistantly, I don't believe it will be nessecary to go undefeated through the Summit.

You are right that if SDSU does put together 40 minutes against any team in the Summit...it will be carnage.

My only worry is come tournament time, with the level of competition in the Summit, will this team improve enough to be ready to get wins in the NCAA's.

I too wish there was a top 25 caliber team in the middle of our conference schedule, but it is what it is and I'm sure AJ will have them ready for every game.

I have to wonder at what point does their 1 loss record bring more than 2000 fans out on a consistant basis?? I know, I know... weather, no students...I'm just saying because I care...


Go Jacks!!

It wasn't that long ago where nobody would have thought it possible the women could bring over 2,000 people into Frost without a Men's game attached to it.

[propar80]

Re: Valpo Game Thread

It wasn't that long ago where nobody would have thought it possible the women could bring over 2,000 people into Frost without a Men's game attached to it.

You're right on...but I would doubt anyone thought they'd be able to drive to Frost Arena to see a top 25 team playing at the NCAA's highest level either, unless it was the visitor not that long ago.
Bottom line, there should NEVER be less than 2000 fans at one of this teams' games.

Again...I just bring it up because I care...

Go Jacks!!

[zooropa]

Re: Valpo Game Thread

Honestly, I think the weak Summit League schedule hurt us in that game. We hadn't had a close game in months by the time Creighton came to town

We were in the same boat the year before with the basketball scheduling alliance. The difference was probably Megan Vogel.

[JimmyJack]

Re: Valpo Game Thread

We were in the same boat the year before with the basketball scheduling alliance.

That year we played tough competition right into mid-January (Minnesota). Plus, it was a different team, with Megan Vogel there to provide intensity at any moment. If anyone would care to argue that Megan's intensity wasn't the key to her game, I'd love to have that discussion. This year's, and last year's squads are more mellow (AJ's words). They have more talent and can rise to the occasion when they need to, but can't turn it on and off at will.

Anybody think Creighton was clearly a better team last year? I don't. They had played a much tougher conference schedule than we had. And it showed in a tough, close game.