In a lengthy and distinguished career, Oregon women’s basketball coach Paul Westhead has traditionally relied upon a simple mantra when facing adversity:
“Play faster.”
It’s no surprise then that in light of last year’s 13-17 finish, the aptly nicknamed “Guru of Go” is urging the Ducks to play at a quicker pace this season.@@http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205034590&DB_OEM_ID=500@@
“We want to play faster,” Westhead said. “Every day, whatever I do, I work towards that goal. Play faster.” Although Westhead might change his tune with a team full of Shaquille O’ Neals, this year’s Oregon squad is best suited for an up-tempo style of play.
Part of the reason for last year’s struggles was an over-reliance on the half-court offense, according to senior Amanda Johnson. “I felt like often times we relied on our half-court offense, which is not our strength,” Johnson said. “We are a run-and-gun team; we need to be able to do that to be successful.”
So far, so good. Although the Ducks’ first game isn’t for another month, the team is carrying a positive mindset and commitment to winning into critical preseason practices. “I really feel like for the first time since I’ve been here that everyone on the roster is willing to compete every practice,” Johnson said. “They’re willing to push each other, they’re willing to make basketball a priority. You can feel it, you can really feel the energy.”
“There’s definitely a different focus this year. I feel like we’ve had a lot of distractions in the past years and the team we have now is very driven. They’re more able to make sacrifices for the goals we need to achieve as a team and they’re just more dedicated to basketball as a whole. I think it’s going to be a better outcome,” fifth-year senior guard Nia Jackson said.
The players admit that they’re fueled, at least in part, by the failures of seasons past. For seniors like Johnson, Nia Jackson and Jasmin Holliday, this year presents a final opportunity to make a lasting mark on Duck basketball.
“This is our last chance, my last chance to move this program a step forward,” Johnson said. Johnson, Jackson and Holliday will each play a key roll in what could be a limited playing rotation for Oregon.
Westhead seems relatively set on his top-six players: Holliday, Jackson, Johnson and three sophomores, Danielle Love, Ariel Thomas and Deanna Weaver. That group’s effectiveness will determine playing time for other members of the team, including Oregon’s five freshmen. “Some of the realities of the freshman will be ‘how are the others doing?’” Westhead said. “How are the three seniors performing, how are the three sophomores?”
Injuries could also be a determinant in playing time. Four Ducks are currently operating at less than 100 percent — Jackson and freshmen Jordan Loera and Lexi Petersen are all recovering from knee problems, while Weaver recently suffered a foot injury. Though each injured player is walking without crutches and could theoretically be ready for the start of the season, Westhead isn’t making any assumptions.
“Some come back in two or three days and some take two or three weeks and you didn’t expect it, so it’s really up to the medical people and how they respond,” Westhead said. If Jackson is at full health come the season opener, she’s a lock to be the starting point guard. Holliday and Johnson will also be starters, Westhead said, but the other two positions are up for grabs.
“Certainly Danielle Love is a possibility, Deanna Weaver is a possibility,” Westhead said. “Every day we practice some of the freshman step up, so as I alluded to, Jordan Loera is going to get into that mix real fast.”
Oregon will open its 2011-2012 season on Nov. 13 when it hosts Cal Poly.