A New Star in the Stanford Constellation

 Ball Dog Classic Win

        The most amusing moment of the Ball Dog Classic Thanksgiving Tournament came after Stanford’s victory in the Championship game.  Having briefly celebrated their victory with enthusiastic hugs, the Stanford team ran off the court towards the locker room as the PA announcer was reporting that a tournament “Big Wig” (I missed the name and have forgotten the title) would be presenting the tournament trophy and Most Outstanding Player award at center court. “Don’t you want your trophy,” the announcer asked, followed by the direction to bring the Stanford team back onto the court.  So, the team ran back to center court where team Co-Captain Hannah Jump accepted the championship trophy and Kiki Iriafen was announced as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.  

The Winner’s Trophy

       After being presented with her trophy, Kiki was asked if she had anything she wanted to say.  Her response says volumes about Iriafen and this year’s team.  “I love my team,” she loudly annnounced and was swallowed by a gleeful hug from her teammates.  That sequence underscores the joyful and unselfish character of the Cardinal team.  Kiki’s performance was outstanding; 44 points and 26 rebounds in two games including a career high of 30 points in the Championship game.  She not only scored around the rim, but hit seven midrange jumpers that frustrated Florida State’s aggressive “pack it in the paint” defense. Those outside the paint shots demonstrated Iriafen’s increased confidence in another aspect of her offensive arsenal.  Already named a National Player of the Week earlier this year, Kiki is clearly a Stanford STAR! 

        A case could have been made for Cameron Brink’s 46 points, 25 rebounds, and 8 blocks performance as the tournament’s most outstanding.  Yet, Brink’s boisterous embrace and obviously sincere pleasure when Iriafen’s recognition was announced provided more evidence of Cam’s leadership and the teams’ solidarity.  Cam has also been named a National Player of the Week once this year.  What is clear at this point is that Brink and Iriafen give Stanford one of the best (and arguably THE best) interior duos in college women’s basketball.  They have each other’s back whether it is because of foul trouble or having an off day, and sometimes they are just both awesome together. Last week it was Cam’s turn in the spotlight being named the PAC-12 player of the week. 

This time it was Kiki’s time for an award.  

Ball Dog Summary

        The games of the Ball Dog Tournament were Stanford’s second and third of four in seven days — a rugged schedule.  These two games, the first against Belmont and the second against 13th ranked Florida State, were preceded by a home game against Duke and will be followed by a home game against Albany. At this point it is three victories and one to go.  This tournament was also Stanford’s first foray outside the comfortable confines of Maples Pavilion.  An important step, but one that may explain some of the cold shooting Stanford experienced in the Belmont game when the CARD was held to a season low of 74 points on 38% shooting by Belmont’s aggressive defense. 

        Both Belmont and Florida State were relatively (or seriously) undersized, but had characteristics that often give Stanford trouble.  Belmont was aggressive on defense and feisty. Florida State was quick, feisty, and fast.  Both teams gave Stanford a battle particularly in the first two quarters, but Stanford’s talent, tenacity, conditioning, and coaching allowed the Cardinal to prevail with solid victories. 

Recapping the Florida State Game

        Because the only way to watch the Ball Dogs Classic was to be a Flo Hoops subscriber or attend in person, I have little to add to the commentary already written about the Belmont game. However, I did attend the Championship game, sitting in the third row, center court in a mostly empty arena. Most of the crowd were the family and friends of players. 

        The game was a good one. For unclear reasons, Florida State was the “Home” team for this game.  That meant the CARD broke out their black road uniforms for the first time this season.  They look imposing in black! 

        The first quarter was a total track meet as both teams raced up and down the floor at a furious pace, the ball flying around.  The teams combined to score 62 points! Stanford scored  28 points and still lost the quarter by six. The lead went back and forth a bit, but Florida State led by as much as seven points, winning the first quarter by six. Florida State managed a number of good looks and scrappy rebounds. They also had several possessions where the ball handler speeding down the court was never stopped, resulting in a layup. 

        Stanford’s defense tightened up in the second quarter and Florida State appeared to have worn themselves out a bit.  The CARD outscored Florida State 24 to 14 in that quarter taking a three point lead into the locker room at halftime.  The second half remained competitive although Stanford never trailed.  Florida State’s overall shooting percentage dropped from a blistering 53.6 percent in the first quarter to a still impressive but beatable 39 percent for the second.  Florida State’s second half shooting percentage was even worse, reaching a low of 31 percent in the fourth quarter as Stanford put the game away. Although the CARD didn’t shoot their normal high percentage from three or the free throw line, Stanford’s nine to three advantage in made three pointers along their 17 to 13 edge at the charity stripe account for most the 12 point difference in the game’s final score.

        Stanford’s unselfish play was on full display as the team recorded 31 assists on 37 made baskets.  Talana Lepolo and Brooke Demetre led with six each while Hannah and  Elena Bosgana added five apiece. Despite the impressive point and rebound totals for Cam and Kiki, 51 of Stanford’s 100 points were scored by players NOT named Iriafen or Brink, including Hannah Jump’s 17 and Elena Bosgana’s 16.  Stanford also won the battle of bench scoring with 14 points coming from players who didn’t start.  Bench players also contributed 13 of Stanford’s 55 rebounds.  Overall, all of the ten players who entered the game contributed at least one rebound, assist, or basket.  

        The Tree-oos continue to impress and improve.  In Tara’s symphony analogy for the basketball team, it seems as if each of them has a solo in difference games.  Chloe Clardy continues to develop and display her offensive and defensive quickness, an important asset against teams with quick “handsy” guards like Florida State.  Agara shows her value as an interior defender, especially when either Cam or Kiki are on the bench. Courtney Ogden’s “Swiss Army Knife” collection of abilities were more evident in the Belmont game, but remain an important asset to the team.  

Women’s Basketball Deserves Better Officials

        The chorus of media calls for improved officiating began with last year’s Final Four, but the need hasn’t diminished this year.  Beyond the longstanding tendency to allow small players to maul taller players with impunity, there have been a number of head scratcher calls in Stanford’s games this season — including the “over the back” call against Cameron Brink when she had front position. Some of the fouls called in this game were similarly strange.  In the game with Florida State there were also several out-of-bounds calls where officials awarded the ball to the player who had control of the ball when she was bumped by a player behind her who never actually touched the ball. Perhaps the rules have changed, but the last time I looked, that play is either a foul against the player doing the bumping or a turnover for the player who dropped the ball. At least this call appeared to be made consistently.  

        Of course, players need to manage their own reactions and not let strange calls disrupt their concentration.  But, the game and the fans deserve better.  One problem I see is that many of the referees are people I have been watching call games for decades.  As the women’s game has gotten faster and more physical in the last twenty years, it is hard to believe that twenty or even fifteen years has made the officials faster or more able to sustain the pace of the women’s game.

Questions:

1.  Will Stanford remain unbeaten until at least the beginning of PAC-12 play?

One of the national media commentators recently wrote that the good news for the rest of the country is that pretty soon PAC-12 teams will start conference play.  That means half the PAC-12 teams will lose every night. Given how many PAC-12 teams are ranked in the Top 10 and the Top 25, it is hard to believe that any team can go unbeaten during PAC-12 play.  But, until then….?  Stanford has already passed what looked to be the toughest tests of the preseason….

2.  How many other PAC-12 teams will be unbeaten at the beginning of PAC-12 play?

Ditto the above comments.