Five games remain for the Oregon women’s basketball team in Pacific-10 Conference play, games that will help determine the direction of this young team going into next season.
Based on Oregon’s play last weekend, what was a promising season is going to end without a postseason appearance for the second time in three years. Oregon is four games below .500 and with a trip to the Washington schools and visits to McArthur Court by USC, UCLA and Oregon State, the Ducks have a difficult challenge to finish with a winning record. Oregon closes its season in the Pacific-10 Conference Tournament in San Jose, Calif. – the last time it will be held there before moving to USC’s Galen Center in 2009.
Offense: C
Oregon chose one of the worst weekends to have a bad offensive performance. They made just 11 shots Saturday against California and with 34 points had its lowest scoring total since 1977-78. The loss left the Ducks at 10-14 overall and 4-9 in the Pac-10.
The Ducks are near the bottom of the Pac-10 in scoring and sit in ninth with 57.2 points a game. Oregon may lead the Pac-10 in free-throw shooting at 72.3 percent, but they are ninth in field-goal percentage at 38.5 percent.
Oregon is most effective when it goes inside to forwards Ellie Manou, Nicole Canepa and center Ellyce Ironmonger for scoring and create openings for shooters along the perimeter, namely Taylor Lilley and Micaela Cocks.
Manou, who is dealing with foot pain, has struggled to finish inside, and Saturday combined, the trio of posts made 4 of 20 shots. When the posts aren’t finishing, defenses can focus on shutting down the sharp shooting Lilley.
“We set a million staggers for Taylor,” coach Bev Smith said. “We set some flare screens for Taylor. We set ball screens for Taylor. Until other people start scoring, it’s going to be really tough for Taylor to get some open looks.”
In an ideal situation, Lilley is a complementary player on a good team. Oregon either needs to find a go-to player within the players they have or find one through recruiting. Oregon might still have one if center Gabrielle Richards hadn’t left two years ago and returned to Australia. It’s asking too much of Lilley to lead this team in scoring on a consistent basis.
Coaching: C-
The Ducks’ six-game losing streak has further exposed fans mixed feelings about coach Bev Smith. Read any blogs about Oregon women’s basketball and there is almost a clear divide between fans who are excited about the potential of Oregon’s young players and those who are frustrated with Smith and want a new coach.
Oregon coaches knew they were in for a challenge this season with six freshmen and three sophomores, but so far the progress of the young players has been slowed by injuries.
Canepa showed promise on offense and defense, but suffered a sprained ankle in December and only now is regaining her early season form. Manou has been battling a foot injury much of the season. Ironmonger suffered a scare when she sprained her knee against Washington, but she was able to return the following week against the Los Angeles schools.
“She’s rushing everything,” said Smith of an Ironmonger move against Cal. “She got a really deep post move. She got it low, she chinned it … but it looked like she tried to chin, pivot and shoot all at the same time totally off balance.
“Obviously they’re sensing the pressure and rather than just slow down and make a deliberate move they’re trying to do it too quickly.”
In recent games, Oregon has appeared lackluster and lacking energy against top Pac-10 teams in Stanford and Cal. Players must be held accountable, and if the current lineup isn’t providing the necessary spark, Smith needs to shakeup the rotation and give new players a shot.
Tatianna Thomas, for example, is an athletic wing who has seen limited minutes so far, and it’d be worth giving her extra time to see what she can do.
Defense: B
Oregon has the height necessary to go against the Jayne Appels and Devanei Hamptons of the Pac-10. On Saturday, Canepa made a perfectly timed block of Cal forward Ashley Walker that left Oregon fans standing and applauding.
The Ducks roster lists players with heights of 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 and 6-5. Oregon also quickness at the guard position with point guard Tamika Nurse and a quality on-ball defender in Kaela Chapdelaine.
Oregon is fourth in the Pac-10 in scoring defense allowing 60.2 points a game.
Bench: D
Oregon’s bench has contributed at times this season, but has lacked consistency. The Ducks’ bench has changed much of the season as coach Smith has made multiple changes to the starting lineup in search of the right combination.
Cocks opened the season as a dependable guard off the bench. She switched to the starting lineup when Nurse struggled and Oregon’s reserves lost an offensive threat. Nurse’s struggles have changed in Pac-10 play, and against the Washington schools, she gave the Ducks consistent scoring. Nurse has since supplanted Cocks as the starter.
Canepa was ineffective as a reserve. Ironmonger has shown glimpses off the bench with her ability to spread defenses with her mid-range game.
