MSU WBB vs Troy

[SACCAT]

Spark plugs. Energy off the bench. The eye picks them out, but the numbers bear them out. The Player Plus/Minus Summary, buried on pg. 25 of the Official Stats, includes not just the typical Points Diff(erential), but also Mins, Score, Points per Min, Assists, Rebounds, Steals and Turnovers.

The team scored over 2.00 points per minute with three different players on the court: Chirrick (2.06), Picton (2.34), Berry (3.56). Taylee Chirrick’s performance was admirable for a player in the rotation (17:00 minutes). So the Spark of the Game award is shared by Natalie Picton (7:15 min, 17-11 point differential) and Brooke Berry (1:58 min, 7-1 point differential). In a 10-point game, those bursts were very essential in increasing the lead. Good substitutions by Coach, good execution by the players.

This was mentioned at halftime in the broadcast. Berry had a huge defensive stop, a very nice drive and pull-up shot, followed by a great pass downlow to Dykstra to end the half. Picton REALLY bothered the guards, and frustrated them to the point that they lost focus, and started complaining to the refs instead playing. She and Berry were the main reasons the Cats went from a tight game, to a comfortable lead at half.

[tetoncat]

I agree with most of the points made above. Disagree that there isn't drop off. I don't think it I from talent but experience. So in tight games we will need to find the closers. And that might vary between 7 or 8 girls depending on opponent.

I felt like there were some rushed shots at times, maybe inexperience, maybe some get mine attitude with li.ited minutes? Few end of quarters we push ball and take a 3 with 10 sec left miss, Troy gets opportunity at other end. Can't do those things in conference.

[Long Time Cat]

I've got to say it. Every time I see this threads title I think, could Troy Anderson take on the WBB team by himself? Interesting to ponder.

[SACCAT]

I've got to say it. Every time I see this threads title I think, could Troy Anderson take on the WBB team by himself? Interesting to ponder.

HAHA... I don't think he would score a point.

[AFCAT]

I've got to say it. Every time I see this threads title I think, could Troy Anderson take on the WBB team by himself? Interesting to ponder.

HAHA... I don't think he would score a point.

Yeah, he would foul out pretty quick.

[CatRowdy]

I was at the game and I have to say that this team is a joy to watch. They play really fast paced, up and down the floor full stop. Great tenacity on defense. Excellent passing. In the past I have groaned when Coach Bin started subbing but last night it was just one outstanding young player after another filling in. No dropoffs. A very deep and talented roster. Troy is a tough team. They had some post players that we just couldn't handle. Troy out rebounded us. Our free throw shooting was below par but I don't expect that to continue. Really, the difference in the game was 3 point shooting. We had 11 and I think they only had one because they were so effective with getting shots close in. Also, our tough defense caused a bunch of turnovers. What a treat to have such a deep and talented team. It's going to be a fun season. Morales is an outstanding ball handler, passer and she can hit from three. Love all the newcomers. Way to recruit Coach Bin!

Very optimistic towards the season! Nice job!

[MSU01]

I was at the game and I have to say that this team is a joy to watch. They play really fast paced, up and down the floor full stop. Great tenacity on defense. Excellent passing. In the past I have groaned when Coach Bin started subbing but last night it was just one outstanding young player after another filling in. No dropoffs. A very deep and talented roster. Troy is a tough team. They had some post players that we just couldn't handle. Troy out rebounded us. Our free throw shooting was below par but I don't expect that to continue. Really, the difference in the game was 3 point shooting. We had 11 and I think they only had one because they were so effective with getting shots close in. Also, our tough defense caused a bunch of turnovers. What a treat to have such a deep and talented team. It's going to be a fun season. Morales is an outstanding ball handler, passer and she can hit from three. Love all the newcomers. Way to recruit Coach Bin!

Very optimistic towards the season! Nice job!

It's hard not to be optimistic when you watch the team play! They've got about 10 players who look like they could easily start for most teams in the Big Sky. And arguably the best player on the team isn't even out there yet. If they can get the offense going and start scoring 80+ per game on a regular basis, look out.

[CatRowdy]

It's hard not to be optimistic when you watch the team play! They've got about 10 players who look like they could easily start for most teams in the Big Sky. And arguably the best player on the team isn't even out there yet. If they can get the offense going and start scoring 80+ per game on a regular basis, look out.

I couldn't agree more! Usually I would think freshman would be a little slow to pick up this level of NCAA play, but not this group. Couple that with the returning talent and this team has all it needs to make a good run into the post season.

[RickRund]

Did I miss the BSC preview?

[TheBigCat]

Picton makes things happen she needs to play more minutes.
Her defensive ball pressure is impeccable. Which didn’t always show up in the stat sheet.

[MSU01]

Picton makes things happen she needs to play more minutes.
Her defensive ball pressure is impeccable. Which didn’t always show up in the stat sheet.

Natalie didn't play at all in the exhibition game against Carroll, so I wonder if she's on limited minutes right now recovering from a minor injury. I agree that she needs to play more just based on her performance when she has been out there!

[TheBigCat]

Probably injured then
Boy is she quick.

[arvcat2]

Picton makes things happen she needs to play more minutes.
Her defensive ball pressure is impeccable. Which didn’t always show up in the stat sheet.

I, too, have a very high opinion of what Picton brings to the floor. However, as I posted on the first page of this thread, there is an embarrassment of riches on this team. More minutes for Picton means less point guard minutes for someone else. Morales? Philip? Chirrick?

[CatRowdy]

Picton had a heck of year last year and really stepped up. I believe this year she's competing with Morales and Chirrick. Morales brings so much more to the court I doubt she will get in front of Morales. This early in the year I'm not surprised to see Chirrick play so much, she is a force on the court and now is the perfect time to see how she handles college ball.

[TheBigCat]

I would say Depends on who you are playing and what you need. Picton for purposes of defense her and Chirrick cause havoc which can frustrate potent scorers.

[4KornerKat]

I wonder how much of Pictons current lack of playing time is just trying to build chemistry between Esme and the other starters, as others have mentioned this time of year Bin loves to rotate players through seemingly randomly. Might be an result of having confidence in what Natalie can do.

[TheBigCat]

They are looking pretty good any way you look at it I think.