The Daily Stampede - USF Women's Basketball In The NCAA TournamentMeanwhile, in Tampa...https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50067/v5-fav.png2013-03-24T19:48:41-04:00http://www.thedailystampede.com/rss/stream/38853492013-03-24T19:48:41-04:002013-03-24T19:48:41-04:00Live From Lubbock: USF vs. Cal for the Sweet 16
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<figcaption>Coach Jose Fernandez pleading with his players... or a ref... or a popcorn vendor... who knows, honestly | Rich Schultz</figcaption>
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<p>The Bulls intend to keep this thing rollin'. Here's how they got this far, and how they can become USF's first-ever Sweet 16 team tomorrow.</p> <p>We know a lot more about basketball then we did even five years ago. Many of the things we've learned through tools like <a href="http://mysynergysports.com/">Synergy Sports</a>, writers like <a href="http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/tag/_/name/zach-lowe">Zach Lowe</a> and (formerly) <a href="https://twitter.com/johnhollinger">John Hollinger</a>, and research done by sports analytics professionals at the Sloan Conference every year (if you haven't read <a href="http://www.sloansportsconference.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/The%20Dwight%20Effect%20A%20New%20Ensemble%20of%20Interior%20Defense%20Analytics%20for%20the%20NBA.pdf">the Dwight Effect paper</a> yet, it might change the way you think about defense) is that there are some basic tenets of basketball which we all need to embrace. The stats revolution in baseball, based in the work of guys like Bill James and Voros McCracken, showed the importance of strikeout pitching and on base percentage that lead to the Billy Beane/Moneyball Era. In basketball, we've also begun to learn some absolute truths:</p>
<p>* Mid range jumpers are terrible. Don't take long 2's.</p>
<p>* The corner three and the layup are the most efficient shots in basketball</p>
<p>* Getting to the paint off penetration leads to possessions that are more efficient in terms points per possession. Much of this comes from foul shots drawn, and putting opposing teams in foul trouble early</p>
<p>* Deflections are one of the best indicators of defensive success</p>
<p>* Don't worry about the final score to indicate how fast or slow you want to play. Worry about PPP (points per possession) and total possessions per game.</p>
<p>These truths have proven to be self-evident in the men's game, but haven't translated much yet on the women's side. However Jose Fernandez is one coach that embraces these things, and is bringing them to women's basketball ahead of much of his competition.</p>
<p>USF is a team that looks to get to the rim off penetration as much as possible. They want perimeter players to beat their defender off the dribble, and use that to set up the rest of the offense. Drivers either take a layup, feed a post player when the defense rotates over to help, or kick it out for the open three, often in the corner.</p>
<p>Yesterday Inga Orekhova was 5-9 from three point range. Four of those makes were in the corner, and most were set up off penetration (her first was actually an "screw this, I'm making one" from the top of the key early in the game to change Texas Tech's early momentum). The Bulls scored 28 points in the paint yesterday, and were 15-21 from the foul line. Add in Andrell Smith's corner three ball, and 61 of the Bulls 71 points yesterday came from beyond the arc, the paint, or the charity stripe. That's the goal, and the Bulls execution yesterday was outstanding.</p>
<p>The Bulls defensively run a system much like you'll see on most NBA teams: the corner three defensive helper comes from the paint instead of the wing, with the rotation on ball reversal the responsibility of perimeter players. They want to get active hands and deflect as many balls as possible, knowing that deflections often lead to turnovers. I don't have yesterday's deflection numbers, but they were plentiful despite only 13 turnovers. Their active hands disrupted the Red Raiders before they could get into old school 1-4, motion, or post up sets in the half court, which is how they wanted to play the game.</p>
<p>USF has speed, handles, and quickness all over the floor. The Smith Twins are capable of beating most of their competition off the dribble at will. Orekhova can be lethal from the perimeter as a huge offensive weapon. Tiffany Conner is a rebounding and defensive menace. And the freshman tandem of Alisia Jenkins (who showed ice water in her veins yesterday making two free throws to seal the win) and Courtney Williams can also score and defend with great activity.</p>
<p>Cal is a bigger, more plodding team that USF can absolutely beat. Though their leading scorers are two 5'9 guards in Layshira Clarendon & Brittany Boyd, they'll want to slow the pace vs. the Bulls. Cal averages 70.7 possessions per game, USF 75.3. If the Bulls can push that number over 80, find a way to make some 3's, continue to force deflections and keep Cal out of their half-court offense, they can absolutely win this game. Ignore the seed numbers next to the school names: USF is way underseeded considering their talent in this tournament. This very well could be the first USF team to ever get to a Sweet 16 in basketball. And they are very fun to watch.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">* * * *</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Where basketball has been involved, it has been awesome to be here. I can't tell you how incredible it was to have a great seat to a wonderful moment in Bulls history yesterday, and I know Jamie would say the same. It's also been a pleasure to spend some time with a few of the great USF staffers that made the trip. We bag on Athletics a bunch, but it's certainly not because of the people working their butts off day in and day out to make the Bulls the best they can be.</p>
<p>Check out what it looked like after the game yesterday:</p>
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<p>USF Women's Basketball Leaving Floor After Defeating Texas Tech In First Round of NCAA Tournament (via <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=DwpX6FuSAvk">usfcollin</a>)</p>
<p>But the rest of the time? Well, this was my cab today:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2372383/Cab_Lubbock.jpg"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2372383/Cab_Lubbock_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Cab_lubbock_medium"></a></p>
<p>And this pic is from the dust storm that kept you from watching the end of the game on ESPN yesterday:</p>
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<p>Yup, Lubbock really sucks. Though I thought this was cool:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2372471/Buddy_Holly_Center.jpg"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2372471/Buddy_Holly_Center_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Buddy_holly_center_medium"></a></p>
<p>Jamie picked me up yesterday cranking the best of Buddy Holly on his car stereo, which certainly made some of our time here much more tolerable. But when a pair of oversized glasses is the best thing you've seen... that's a problem. Hopefully Spokane will be better to us next weekend.</p>
<p>And yes, I've already checked flights. #BeatCal</p>
https://www.thedailystampede.com/2013/3/24/4142826/usf-womens-basketball-ncaa-tournament-2013-texas-tech-california-bearsCollin Sherwin2013-03-23T22:47:23-04:002013-03-23T22:47:23-04:00EXCLUSIVE: We Bring You The USF-Texas Tech Ending
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We saw the end of the game, but apparently no one else did, so here's what you missed. We are bad at drawing.</p> <p>Unless you were in United Spirit Arena, you didn't get to see the dramatic final minutes of the USF women's basketball team getting their first-ever NCAA Tournament win, 71-70 over Texas Tech. Fortunately, we were there, and our fuses did not blow out. So as a public service, we are bringing you the three biggest plays of the game for the Bulls.</p>
<h4>PLAY #1</h4>
<p>With a little over a minute to go, the Bulls were down 3. But as the shot clock was winding down, Andrea Smith spotted Inga Orekhova open in the corner. She didn't need much room to take the shot, and she knocked it down to tie the game at 66.</p>
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<h4>PLAY #2</h4>
<p>Texas Tech missed on their end, and USF grabbed the rebound, brought it across halfcourt, and called timeout to set up for a potential winning basket. They didn't need it, though, because Monique Smalls climbed up the back of Andrell Smith and knocked her down as the two went up for a lobbed inbounds pass near midcourt.</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2369859/IMG_0803.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Img_0803_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2369859/IMG_0803_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>The crowd really did not like this call. But Smith went to the free-throw line and made them both, giving USF a 68-66 lead.</p>
<h4>PLAY #3</h4>
<p>After Smith made her free throws, the Lady Raiders came down and decided to go for the win. The ball swung around to Casey Smalls, who had a good look at a three. But the ball bounced off the rim, and Tiffany Conner got to the loose ball first and was fouled.</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2369867/IMG_0805.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Img_0805_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2369867/IMG_0805_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Conner made one of two. Then USF fouled before Tech could get off a potential game-tying three. Smalls missed the second free throw, Alisia Jenkins pulled down a monster rebound, then made both her free throws to put the game away.</p>
<p>USF advances to the second round to face #2 seed California on Monday night. Hopefully we'll get to see all of that game on TV so I won't have to do any more crappy drawings.</p>
https://www.thedailystampede.com/2013/3/23/4140670/ncaa-womens-tournament-2013-usf-texas-tech-inga-orekhova-andrea-andrell-smithchuckycrater2013-03-23T11:48:10-04:002013-03-23T11:48:10-04:00Live From Lubbock: Women's NCAA's. We're Here!
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>I'm here in Lubbock, rooting for the Bulls today so we can spend an additional 48 hours here in West Texas... wait a minute, why would we do that again??</p> <p>YOU ARE LOOKING LIVEEEEEEEEEE... at the end of the earth. And holy crap is it flat out here.</p>
<p>Saw several USF staffers out last night, and the consensus is clearly that this team really does not give a damn they're playing on someone else's home floor today; they are ready as hell to win this thing. Also everyone is really fired up for Jose Fernandez: He's beloved by the staff (as the outpouring of love on Twitter from so many people after the NCAA bid was announced showed), and now it's assured he's going to get <a href="http://www2.tbo.com/news/usf-bulls/2013/mar/20/3/usf-bulls-beat-fernandez-brings-success-to-womens-ar-664635/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tbo%2Fbulls+(TBO+%3E+Bulls)">offered a contract extension as soon as this tournament run is over</a>. Let's hope he takes it and some bigger institutions don't come calling.</p>
<p>Jamie is driving over from Dallas later today, and I think we've got some pretty good seats so you might see our ugly bespectacled mugs on TV today. I'm the tanner of the two of us... which ain't saying much, believe me.</p>
<p>A few notes:</p>
<p>A 4 in Tampa is an 8.5 in Lubbock. No joke.</p>
<p>It was a bit windy last night, but apparently that's nothing. They say it's like living in a dusty tornado when it kicks up around here.</p>
<p>I've been to crazy passionate college towns before, but I have never seen anything like the insane amount of swag Texas Tech has in every establishment in town. The carpet in my (completely awful) hotel lobby is Texas Tech. The airport was like an ad for the school. The whole city is totally covered in red and black. And they are quite fired up for this event this weekend.</p>
<p>Everyone I've met here is incredibly nice. The front desk clerk in my (completely awful) hotel was as sweet as can be as I was saying how disappointed I was in my (completely awful) hotel. The two Tech grads I sat on the plane with were so helpful and sweet. The lady in the burger joint last night was amazingly kind. I'll take West Texas hospitality over Southern as far as I can tell.</p>
<p>Have I mentioned my completely awful hotel? It's the Best Western Plus Lubbock Windsor Inn, and I'm in a smoking room because "it's all they had left." This is my "kitchenette."</p>
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<p>Hotwire called this a 3 star hotel. If Hotwire was Rivals, David Mullins was a 5 star dual threat quarterback.</p>
<p>A friend of mine used to be an assistant coach here. I asked "how did you recruit?" They said "if you can recruit at Tech, you can recruit anywhere." They weren't lying. When Amarillo is nearly two hours away, and that's the closest town... you're in the middle of absolutely nowhere.</p>
<p>Don't ask me why, that pic made me crack up in a burger joint last night...</p>
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<p>We'll take some pics and have some more fun today, but <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJFernandez/status/315453702800568320">come along for the ride</a>. USF fans deserve something to cheer about this year.</p>
<p>Game is on ESPN2 at 6:50pm.</p>
https://www.thedailystampede.com/2013/3/23/4138804/live-from-lubbock-usf-womens-ncaa-tournament-first-round-lets-do-thisCollin Sherwin2013-03-22T10:00:03-04:002013-03-22T10:00:03-04:00NCAA Women's Tournament: USF-Texas Tech Preview
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In this Spokane Region matchup, the 10th-seeded Bulls will face the 7th-seeded Lady Raiders on Texas Tech's home court.</p> <p>The South Florida Bulls are in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament for only the second time ever after recording a 21-10 record, and a 9-7 mark in Big East play. They were selected as an at-large team and given a #10 seed to the Spokane Region, where they will face the #7 seed Texas Tech Lady Raiders on their home floor in Lubbock on Saturday night. ESPN2 will cover the game as part of their whiparound coverage, meaning they will drop in for awhile and then move on to the other games going on at the same time. ESPN3 will carry the entire game online.</p>
<p>Texas Tech finished with an identical 21-10 record, with an 11-7 mark in Big XII play. The Lady Raiders were 14-3 at home, but USF has some matchup advantages that should make for an interesting contest. Let's look at both teams' lineups:</p>
<p><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2360915/USFTexasTech.gif"></p>
<p>One key factor for Texas Tech will be avoiding turnovers. The Lady Raiders averaged only 14.1 turnovers per game (a low number in women's basketball, where turnovers are more common), and they'll be facing a USF defense that forced just over 20 turnovers per game this season and held their opponents to a scoring average of 59.3 points. Their four-guard offense does a pretty good job protecting the ball, which can keep USF from breaking out for easy baskets in transition.</p>
<p>The Tech roster is full of guards and their entire eight-player rotation is made up of juniors and seniors, giving the Lady Raiders a lot of speed and experience. They also have a balanced scoring attack, led by Chynna Brown's 13.3 points per game. On the other hand, USF has a deeper rotation and a definite size advantage, especially on the front line with Orekhova, Jenkins, and McDonald all listed at over 6 feet. While the Raiders do have 6'3" Shauntal Nobles and a pair of 6'5" sisters in Kellyn and Haly Schendier, none of them see a lot of playing time, and they may only come into the game for brief stretches.</p>
<p>The winner of this game moves on to the Round of 32 to play the winner of Saturday's early game between #2 seed California and 15th-seed Fresno State. A win would be the Bulls' first in NCAA Tournament play.</p>
https://www.thedailystampede.com/basketball/2013/3/22/4121378/ncaa-womens-basketball-tournament-2013-usf-texas-tech-previewUSF Matt2013-03-18T20:20:15-04:002013-03-18T20:20:15-04:00USF Women's Hoops Heads To Lubbock For NCAAs
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<figcaption>Rich Schultz</figcaption>
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<p>The Bulls make the NCAA field of 64 for only the second time ever, and will face host school Texas Tech on Saturday.</p> <p>The South Florida Bulls are in the NCAA Women's Tournament! USF received a 10-seed in the Spokane Regional, and they are headed to Lubbock for a matchup against host school and seventh-seeded Texas Tech on Saturday. This will be the second trip ever to the dance for the women's team, and their first since 2006.</p>
<p>The Bulls and Red Raiders will tip off 30 minutes after the conclusion of the California-Fresno State game, which begins at 4:30pm Eastern time. If the Bulls win, they would move on to the second round and a likely matchup with second-seeded California on Monday night.</p>
<p>Of course we'll be in Lubbock on Saturday because <strike>we're utterly insane</strike> we're such die-hard fans. Stay tuned for more coverage.</p>
<p>------------</p>
<p>P.S. Now will you give Jose Fernandez a new contract, Doug? I mean for Christ's sake, the man is <b>literally the only successful women's basketball coach USF has ever had.</b> He's been to the postseason nine times. He wants to be here. He just earned you a bonus, even though you didn't hire him in the first place. And yet you're out there giving three-year contract extensions to people like Skip Holtz and Lelo Prado, who clearly haven't earned their keep, while stringing along someone who's consistently won in an impossible situation? What the hell kind of "best athletic department in the Big East" does something like that?</p>
<p>#LetsPayJose.</p>
https://www.thedailystampede.com/2013/3/18/4121220/usf-womens-basketball-2013-ncaa-womens-tournamentchuckycrater2013-03-18T14:51:51-04:002013-03-18T14:51:51-04:00NCAA Women's Selection Show: USF Goes Dancing!
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<p>For the second time, the ladies will be dancing. And they should scare anyone they play.</p> <p>Well let's just get this out of the way now... GAGA TIME!!</p>
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<p>Tonight you can expect the Bulls to get into the NCAA Tournament as Jose Fernandez and USF Women's Basketball will look to hear their name called at 7pm on ESPN.</p>
<p>The Bulls are listed as the best of the last four teams in the field by ESPN's Charlie Creme, <a href="http://espn.go.com/womens-college-basketball/bracketology">currently projected as a 10 seed playing LSU in Baton Rouge on Sunday</a>. Previous iterations of his bracket had USF in Durham or College Station, so this isn't set in stone... but if it's Baton Rouge, let's hope some students can make it up to cheer on the ladies. Road trip, y'all??</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">"This team has shown it not only deserves to be in, but is capabale of making a run in the NCAA Tournament," Coach Fernandez told me last night, also mentioning he might not sleep much until the bracket is actually announced. "We’re not just a team deserving of a bid, and the style we have, we can play with any team in the country."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If Jose is worried, you can blame it on previous selection-inflicted trauma. Twice before his squads have been what seemed to be on the right side of the bubble, but were left to the NIT in Greenbergian fashion. They were so mad about it in 2009 they won the WNIT, but his 2005 team seemed like it should have been in as well.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But this year the Bulls seem to have an even stronger case than the 2006 squad that faced USC in the NCAA opening round. Their resume includes 21 wins in the brutal Big East, zero bad losses amongst the 10 they had, and a couple of quality wins over ranked Louisville and Syracuse squads late in the season. They also took #2 Notre Dame to OT at home and to the brink at the conference tournament. And they're also playing their best basketball late in the year, thus the type of team no one wants to play in March.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We'll be heading wherever the team goes this weekend, so hopefully we'll be able to get some cool coverage around here.</p>
https://www.thedailystampede.com/2013/3/18/4119462/usf-womens-basketball-looks-to-hear-name-called-tonightCollin Sherwin