For the first exhibition game of the season against Willamette University, it’s all about the basics for the Oregon women’s basketball team.
“We’ve got to press and run,” head coach Paul Westhead said. “That’s what we’re going to do.”
“If there are glitches that spin off that, like the half-court offense or the defense out of a half-court inbounds play, then we’ll (work on them). The press and run is something we need to get (right away).”
Year two of the implementation of Westhead’s fast-breaking offense begins with general uncertainty and little immediate expectation. The Ducks do return 10 players from last year’s Women’s National Invitational Tournament squad but will integrate five newcomers, each of whom is eligible to play against Willamette without losing their redshirts.
“I’ll be surprised if our returning players forget things and I’ll be surprised if our new players remember things,” Westhead said.
Only center Ellyce Ironmonger (ankle injury) has been ruled out of playing against the Bearcats. Westhead himself spoke with reporters Monday while on crutches; the 71-year-old head coach slipped on a step in the Casanova Center and injured his left leg last week.
The starting lineup for the game has yet to be set, and personnel may be heavily mixed throughout as Westhead takes stock of his players.
“That has not been resolved yet. I’m just stumbling with a purpose,” he said. “We’ve tried a couple combinations in the last three or four days, and I keep on switching them.”
Point guard Nia Jackson, power forward Amanda Johnson and center Victoria Kenyon are the team’s returning starters from last season, and they are expected to fulfill those same roles. Jasmin Holliday is expected to take over for the graduated Micaela Cocks at small forward.
Shooting guard is an entirely different matter. As many as four candidates — seniors Kristi Fallin, Candyce Flynn and Tatianna Thomas and junior-college transfer Ashley Buis — will be evaluated over the course of the early season.
“I know the system better. I’ve been under it for a year,” Flynn said. “I have a better understanding of how we play fast, but then there are places that need to be filled, spots that need to be filled. Taylor was in my spot last year, so I’ve watched a lot of film on her.”
A native of Cleveland, Flynn came to the Ducks from Rend Lake (Ill.) Junior College last season and saw action in 12 games off the bench. She moves over to shooting guard after working at point guard for much of last season.
“It’s my last year. I didn’t play a lot last year,” she said. “I’m just excited to play this year.”
Thomas is the wild-card of the group. At 5-foot-11, she can play both shooting guard and small forward with the athleticism to defend both positions. The Newhall, Calif., native played in 18 games last season in a pure reserve role.
“Even last year, there were times when I was forced to put her in because I wanted her defensive presence,” Westhead said. “She’s what we call our off-player. She’s like the zone player in a man coverage. She’s got good recognition, good quickness, good athletic skill. It’s a combo.”
Oregon will adhere its usual game-day schedule as it goes through exhibition season, in part to lend credence to a game that won’t count in official statistics. More attention will be paid to the team’s game plan; Westhead said his staff does “very little” advance scouting for exhibition games.
“I’m ready to get out there,” senior forward Nicole Canepa said. “We’ve been practicing for a while. Change will be good. Getting back out there and feeling out how the system is will be good.”
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