ADVERTISEMENT

Women Lose to Utah State

C

CougDave

Head Coach
Jan 7, 2003
1,235
73
48
Not the start that the new staff wanted, losing at home to a Utah State team that was 7-23 last year. Just looking at the box score - lots of points from Hristova and unfortunately a big differential in turnovers (20 to 10).

They're going to need more from Chanelle Molina (just 3 points in 40 minutes). Motuga would appear to be the real deal.
 
The team has still not developed a toughness and determination not to let another team shove them around the court. Basketball at the collegiate level whether it be men or women is a physical game.
 
Did you see the game? Just wondering because it was not my impression that they were "out-toughed" or "shoved around." My impression was that they lost the lead in the 4th and panicked. They started taking terrible shots and turning the ball over. It didn't help that they rarely ran anything but a high pick and roll. Utah State pretty well put the kibosh on that in the 2nd half. Had it not been for Hristova and Matuga taking the ball to the rack once in a while the loss would have been worse. CougDave is correct about Ula Matuga. She is big and strong. Molina couldn't buy a bucket. She was way off all night.
 
Motuga was just getting back from the Asian U18 Tournament so her performance was pretty nice to see. She shot the 3 well last night and made a nice pass at one point as well.

We never seemed to find a rhythm for much of the game. Seemed like we might having thinking too much and Utah State defense caused a lot of mistakes.

Channelle Molina shooting was way off and played the entire 40 minutes. Cherilyn picked up a couple of quick fouls and never really got going. Swedlund was only able to get off 3 shots the entire game.

First real game with a new coach. How they respond to St. Mary's will be interesting.
 
As any player or coach knows one can" out tough: a team. Boxing out on rebounds or not boxing out,not letting a team make their cuts and physically keeping them from establishing a flow. Players need to learn to play physically against teams which are being very physical with them. A team can basically intimidate another team into making mistakes and not playing up to their ability.
 
Analysis by folks who have never been to a WSU WBB game is pathetic. And I know you have been Rich!
 
Interestingly enough. I just saw a video from Etheridge and she basically said the same thing . She stated that she will have to have her"guys" (practice players) play that way so the team can get used to playing that way. Of course this will help if other teams have scouted the cougs they make a note on how to play them The entire video is on the other boar if you care to see what coach says,. As for the loyal nut i have watched women's basketball since Etheridge was a player. And yes i have seen many women coug games. I can guarantee from what i remember seeing Etheridge play that she will not put up with her players shrinking away from physical play. If you don t believe it go to the video and watch Coach Etheridge talk she was not a happy camper.You have to know what to look for and the physical side and ability of the players are part of the game.
 
Last edited:
Funny that now you remember her as a player but when she was hired you said and I quote

“Who is she? Northern Colorado not exactly a power house name and plays lower division teams”
 
  • Like
Reactions: 7ICoug
If you want you may be able to see the semi finals and final games of her NCCA title run at Texas. One will notice that the opposing teams PG,more physically talented out played her in the first minutes. Then it was Tami who kept going and consequently out played them badly She basically took over the game and the following finals and her team won I hated Texas so much i did not watch the second half of the title game as it was apparent that she was going to win out.. if i did write that good research but it was probably me not remembering her name as that was long ago Once i saw her accolades i remembered the games. Go and watch it it may be available.Excuse me but i do not remember names from decades ago I do not remember names of people i meet 10 minutes later. Sorry:) I guess all the old HS coaches try and stick together . I do not respect many HS basketball coaches but there are some who are really talented coaches.Oh by the way did you watch the interview?
 
I watched coach Ethridge and the players post-game interviews. Ethridge did say from the start USU was the "more aggressive, physical, and disciplined team". She also talked about lack of timing and spacing for us, to much 1-on-1, and the need for buy-in to the system. Almost felt like I was hearing a bit of Gene Hackman from the movie Hoosiers.

She did talk about the players not having been pressured in practice like the USU defense. That seemed a product of still being in the middle of the learning curve system wise. I didn't take her comments to say we weren't tough let alone soft. Seemed like it was more the need for the players to learn and totally embrace the new system with the understanding that she knows it is going to take time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Flatlandcoug

Utah State predictions

Replies
22
Views
9K
The Cougar Lair
95coug
9
9

Playoff berths

Replies
22
Views
1K
The Cougar Lair
95coug
9
M-I-Coug

Schmedding out...

Replies
0
Views
615
The Cougar Lair
M-I-Coug
M-I-Coug
M-I-Coug

Alleged upcoming media deal for 2026...

Replies
39
Views
2K
The Cougar Lair
Loyal Coug1
Loyal Coug1
P

Thorpe fron Spokesman

Replies
8
Views
2K
The Cougar Lair
CougEd
CougEd
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT
Top Bottom
Back