Quote from: mjfasteenwolf on March 06, 2008, 11:39:15 AM

Quote from: WWWRHH on March 06, 2008, 11:34:14 AM
mjfasteenwolf:  When you said it was injury to a non-starting key player I was pretty sure the wrist injury had worsened and now with your mention of this being a thin position I am pretty sure who you are referring to.  We can only hope that there is a chance it does not sideline her for the entire run.

But it sounds like we should expect to see Henderson and probably Green playing some extended minutes.

Considering how hard everyone has worked this is a real disappointment.  I feel so bad for the player.

Good detective skills, you narrowed it down to the right player, just a new more severe injury. You are also definetely right that Henderson, maybe Greene, and maybe Cowen/DeKuiper will be seeing more time. Hopefully they can step it up. I am not worried about Henderson needing to play more minutes, I think she will step it up. She can take charge of the team, and play all game without making many mistakes, i am sure some of you remember the 06 run, if she plays anything like that, Hope will be fine. The only thing that worries me, is although Henderson is a great defensive player, she cannot put the full court on the ball pressure on that Kopke does so well, the Flying  Dutch will miss that, but I think they will rise to the occassion.

It is a shame to hear about Kopke. it will be a loss for the team if she is unable to play.

I think you are correct. Henderson can probably defend any player in almost any situation, but is best in the half court. Let's not forget that Cowen is coming close to being able to play the defense that Henderson does, and has the lateral speed to pressure the ball. I also expect to see some great things form DeKuiper in the future. It may be sooner than she was planning on, but this may be when we start to see what she is capable of.

I am hoping that the adversity that they are facing right now will bring them together and provide a little added motivation.... as if that is needed.

Go Hope.

This discussion has prompted me to make my first post here.

I have watched the women play, and would like to add a few things.

I agree it is probably not in the team's best interest to be comparing the different groups, and I think there are reason's we are seeing a difference in scoring.

As stated, the starters are playing against another teams fresh starters.

The others players are coming in against either a slightly tired group, or the other teams second string. To Hope's credit, they have a far deeper bench, and it is no wonder that they are superior to many other teams second unit.

In several of the games this year, the third unit has been playing with about 10 minutes left in the game. The second unit is used to give them a break. At this point, the opponent has got to be getting frustrated with Hope's relentless play, and very tired.

In my opinion, the biggest reason is the difference in style of play. The starting unit for Hope, plays a methodical, half court offense, using a good deal of the shot clock. They are forcing the opponent to expend energy playing defense. The second unit plays an up tempo, fast break style of basketball. Because of the fast break, and pushing the ball, they are able to have more possesions, in the same minutes played. It leads to a greater opportunity to score. An up tempo, fast break style against an opponent that has been playing a great deal of defense can't be a fun thing for the other team.

I agree that the first unit plays great team defense, and they are fantastic at holding teams down. Often we watch the ball pressure defense, and see some frustrated opposing guards. Let's not forget, that they are being backed up by off the ball defense that is preventing any type of pass, and totally distrubting the other team's offense.

All in all, I believe that the combination of the different styles of Hope basketball has lead to great success for the program. Morehouse has used the talent he has to the team's advantage. It may not lead to the stats needed to create All-Americans, but I have a feeling that they are more interested in team success....

Go Hope.