Game Thread - Code Red, Code Red - VCU @ RC Sun Jan 18 Noon - CBS Sports Network
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PhillySpider
Bench player
Very good day for the ladies. Sure they appreciated all the support and it showed.
I think they are starting to round into top form. Coach had said they wouldn't be their best til later and as we already know, he really does know his team! Rachel was struggling early with her shot this season for sure but also also struggling overall. But I think she may have been playing through some physical stuff because she not only has her shot back, she looks much more active and athletic the past few games. That's huge for us. And we have really been able to get some things done without being so reliant on Maggie to do all the creating etc.
Next piece of the puzzle is getting Simon going. But she showed some life today too. Need to build on that!
I think they are starting to round into top form. Coach had said they wouldn't be their best til later and as we already know, he really does know his team! Rachel was struggling early with her shot this season for sure but also also struggling overall. But I think she may have been playing through some physical stuff because she not only has her shot back, she looks much more active and athletic the past few games. That's huge for us. And we have really been able to get some things done without being so reliant on Maggie to do all the creating etc.
Next piece of the puzzle is getting Simon going. But she showed some life today too. Need to build on that!
Sections 204and5
Bench player
Just in case others were wondering I looked up the attendance records for a UR Women’s games.
The largest crowd for a women's basketball game at the Robins Center is 5,579, set on November 30, 2000, during a matchup against Wake Forest.
While the 5,579 figure is often cited as the modern "regular" record, the actual all-time high at the Robins Center was 8,349 against #12 Virginia in 1994. However, that was a double-header event (paired with a men's game). The 2000 game against Wake Forest is significant because it was a standalone women's game, proving that the program could draw a massive crowd on its own merits.
The largest crowd for a women's basketball game at the Robins Center is 5,579, set on November 30, 2000, during a matchup against Wake Forest.
While the 5,579 figure is often cited as the modern "regular" record, the actual all-time high at the Robins Center was 8,349 against #12 Virginia in 1994. However, that was a double-header event (paired with a men's game). The 2000 game against Wake Forest is significant because it was a standalone women's game, proving that the program could draw a massive crowd on its own merits.
I also thought that it was interesting that the Rams seemed to have quite a few International players. Had to look at the roster to confirm and 8 of 14 players are from outside the US.
That Wake Forest game was a Thursday at 11:30am. Must have been an Education Day thing…that’s a lot of screaming middle schoolers.
Shows that provide a good product and promote it people will show up.
Wood Hall
Walk-on
Yeah, we win by 28 instead.
PhillySpider
Bench player
Just listen to this interview with Coach and you realize how good a coach he is. Listen to how well he knows his team - - good and bad, can talk about both etc. and you realize nothing he says is gratuitous or coach speak (unlike another coach we all know). He just knows his team and can adjust etc. and he knows what they can do AND how to get them there.
A great example is to listen to him talk about turnovers. He doesn't rail against turnovers - - he explains how important it is for us to be aggressive on offense hunting good scoring opportunities and that sometimes the cost of doing business is turnovers and he has to live with that. He understands that you can't ask a player to go make plays and then beat 'em down when it doesn't always go right. Players will adapt to avoid the beat down at a cost of missed opportunities. They will also be lifted by the support. And where this leaves you is that by the end of a season (i.e. the most important time) you aren't missing the opportunities and you may not turn it over either ! And you won't ever get there unless you build the players up to it, not tear them down for every mistake. And not every coach (by a long shot) understands this or can gain the trust of their players sufficiently to let it all happen.
He is a great tactician, but an even better player developer. Just look at someone like Ally. Didn't play much at all as a frosh. Obviously played last year and was clearly a very solid piece of the whole puzzle, but not the key cog she is this year. This year, her whole on court presence is different. We need her to be more aggressive and to be a creator and she continues to get better at that every day. Obviously a ton of credit to her for all the development, but also to the Coach who has simply put her in positions to succeed since day 1, had told her what he needs from her AND then helped her get there. The last part is so key. Not all coaches can actually get all that development out of someone and certainly not all coaches can bend and change their ways to accommodate a players strengths etc. And in many ways, Maggie's development is a totally different story but another example how great he is at development. What he has done with her is stupendous. Again, she is a great, great player who works her tail off and deserves a ton of credit for all she has done and all the development, but also so much credit to the coach for all he has done. Realistically I don't think anyone (probs including Maggie) would have thought she would come from what she was as a freshman to a potential All-American, WNBA pick etc. AND do it all while being a great, great teammate. Coach gets a ton of credit for that (along with Maggie). It isn't easy to develop a superstar - - and there are many, many examples of superstar talent without superstar results. Coach gets a ton of credit for that!
I don't know that we will have him after this year - - but he has set a standard that we should aspire to in every program we offer!
Longtime Spider
Walk-on
Yes, he is one of the top coaches in the country. He has turned around 2 different programs and made them conference champions.
SpiderBob79
New recruit
I was at the game. The Women Spiders played GREAT basketball on both ends. Their defense was intense, especially the ball pressure as soon as VCU guards crossed half court. What a beautiful display of basketball the way it should be played! Also, I was very happy to see the student section filled to the top!
One more note: I had noticed in previous games that if there was any weakness it was blocking off the defensive boards. Well that certainly changed! I saw the Spiders consistently block off and grab rebounds. I think VCU got frustrated. On one VCU shot, I saw Maggie block off their big player and the VCU player put her arms around Maggie's waste and pulled her back-but there was no foul call- the ball bounced off the rim in another direction and the Spiders rebounded it anyway.
One more note: I had noticed in previous games that if there was any weakness it was blocking off the defensive boards. Well that certainly changed! I saw the Spiders consistently block off and grab rebounds. I think VCU got frustrated. On one VCU shot, I saw Maggie block off their big player and the VCU player put her arms around Maggie's waste and pulled her back-but there was no foul call- the ball bounced off the rim in another direction and the Spiders rebounded it anyway.
Everyone at the UR -VCU game was there because they wanted to be there. There was excitement in the air. A lot to cheer for and celebrate. On the other hand, I have had men’s season tix now for 50 years and no longer feel that that there is much to celebrate. It feels that we have generally been drifting downward over time. I find myself attending because it is a habit.
