Launching 2010 – The Phoenix, travels and those unbeatens

The podcast is up! This is some of what you’ll hear.

Starting Five: Beth throws five questions at Debbie.

1) Reviewing our 2009 Holiday wishes: What would you like — basketball related — for Christmas?

Debbie: I want security to meet me at the game, escort me to my seat.
Update from Debbie: Is anyone listening? Not one offer!

Beth: A buzzer-beater
Update from Beth: Not a buzzer-beater, but the five set Penn St v Texas volleyball championship was pretty good. Yowza Longhorn Destinee Hooker and PSU Megan Hodge

Ponder thoughts: Ix-nay on the baggy shorts-kay?

2) What’s up with the spin-move traveling violations?

Patty Broderick – because 90% are travels. And it’s the Rules Committee.

Deb/Beth: But is it taking points off the board? Is it called in the men’s game? Maybe we should change the membership of the Rules Committee? We need offense on television.

3) UConn just won its 52 in a row: Big question at the beginning of the year was how much will they miss Renee Montgomery? Well, how much are they missing R.M.?

Debbie: Mowins, you could be on their starting five and they’d still beat everybody.

4) Unbeatens: What do we need to know about Georgia and Nebraska?

Debbie: On Nebraska – How much time do we have? Kelsey Griffin! Coach Connie Yori! (Who knows scoring – 42 v Iowa State, but winless as a Nebraska coach) Dominique Kelley & Cory Montgomery deserve attention

On Georgia: Ashley Houts,  Angel Robinson of course, but wowza freshman Jasmine James. Might they win the SEC?

5) Poll Question: Who’s got the best chance  to go unbeaten in conference play? (Or how many will go unbeaten? )

Stanford
UConn
Ohio State
Middle Tennessee
Wisconsin Green-Bay
Xavier

Shootaround Guests: Matt Bollant, head coach of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

B/D: Is your great start a surprise, what with no seniors?

MB: It is. We’ve got great kids – We call it the “Green Bay way” – older kids teach the younger kids what we do, and those younger kids have gotten better because of it.

B/D: Describe your style of play.

MB: Motion offense – post side/open side. We need – and have – kids who can handle the ball and are smart. Our posts can really pass.

B/D: Where do you get your defensive philosophies from?

MB: Working a la Kathi Bennett, but athletes struggled, having learned Borseth’s. So, released it. Two changes made last year: half court trap defense, much better job of pressuring the ball. Really good at forcing turnovers.

B/D: How does your success against in-state foes help your recruiting (Wisconsin, Marquette, Depaul)?

MB: Our top 7 kids all from Wisconsin. Miss Basketball and a sophomore high school kid no one knew about.

S/A: Talk about mood on campus, being ranked and winning streak

MB: We try not to talk about those things. We talk about pursuing excellence. There’s a lot of people in GB who love women’s basketball – there’s been a tradition built.

B/D: R&R?

MB: Play golf — in 40degrees w/ boosters, brothers and coaches. (Future ringer for the Kay Yow golf tournament?)

B/D: Next step for your team?

MB: Teams that are great in the post-season are great in the half-court execution and get stops. We’re relying too much on our half court trap. Have to invest in the defensive end.

B/D: When talking about top 25, more non-BCS teams, non-power conference teams. Why are they worthy of higher seeding giving you a chance to win first/second rounds?

MB: There’s just more good basketball players out there. just more quality players we can recruit. There’s lot of great mid-majors that can win v. BCS teams. Especially if they can play them at home.

Matt the Stat Guy: Statistically Superb Trio w/ 20pt, 10 rebounds: Alysha Clark, Middle Tennessee. Jantel Lavender, Ohio State. Under the radar? Jenna Smith, Illinois.

Wade Watch: Where’s Kelsey Griffin? Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Stanford? Jasmine Thomas, Duke?

Notes from the Cocktail Napkin

• Coaching Milestones: Jim Foster, Ohio State gets #700. Van Chancellor, LSU, #500. (Debbie wants a ride on the Van Wagon!)
• Tennessee Triple-Double: Shekinna Stricklen. Tennessee is getting deeper and thinking Final Four.
• Kansas’ Danielle McCray contending for shooting crown: Back to back 3opt games
• Update on Debbie’s “Jodi Howell free throw bet.” Oh, oh – has hit 43  needs 63. Debbie may have to wear Jodi’s jersey at the Final Four
• CBS game: Jantel v. DeHaan (block record looms), Prahalis assist queen
• Any issues with the Duke all-decade team released? (Beard, Currie, Harding, Schweitzer, Tillis). Shootaround next week – Southern Cal? UCLA?
• Former Wade trophy winners need to get a vote. More power conference coaches need a poll vote. (Beth blows her neutrality)
• Yea for Conference play!

Happy New Year all!

Comments? Questions: Shootaround@wbca.org

Also, if you’d like to be part of the Shootaround “So You Want to be a Sports Journalist” intern program, drop them a line: Shootaround@ wbca.org

Don’t forget: The podcast is up.