Team USA captured their fifth consecutive Olympic gold yesterday by beating France, 86-50. Candace Parker came off the bench to lead the stats category with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Box score.
Game quotes.
Photo gallery.
The US made it look easy.
ESPN analysis.
There has been a debate during these last three US games as to whether or not Coach Geno Auriemma was justified in changing Candace Parker's role from starter to reserve. Logically, it didn't make sense to bring the WNBA's leading MVP candidate off the bench. Auriemma explained it this way:
“We started Candace for the early part of the tournament and there just wasn’t any kind of a rhythm or any kind of a flow, because what happened is that Tamika Catchings is out of position,” said Auriemma. “So I took a shot and said ‘well I don't think there's anyone else in the world that has someone like that coming off the bench, so let’s see where that goes.’
“And tonight she was spectacular; I think she was the Candace Parker that everyone hopes they can see every single night.”
No rhythm and flow in blowouts?
Auriemma also limited Angel McCoughtry's minutes, despite her being one of the team's top producers. This included yesterday's match up, when he pulled her after a few moments after she had gone in and scored immediately:
“We knew that our role was going to be different here coming in,” said WNBA scoring leader Angel McCoughtry.” I accepted my role; I wanted to be the one that brings energy off the bench. But the great thing about our team was even when we subbed, it was still like you had stars in, we didn't lose a thing.”
Throughout the tournament, McCoughtry was often the best player on the floor for the United States in her limited minutes. In less than 15 minutes per game, McCoughtry finished second on the team in scoring (10.9 ppg), while leading the team in FG percentage (.602) and steals (2.5 spg).
The Chicago Tribune, Parker's hometown daily, says she succeeded in spite of Auriemma:
That attitude came in handy for Parker when Auriemma decided after the Games began to replace her in the starting lineup with Maya Moore. Moore is one of six of players on Team USA who played for Auriemma in college. He could not have had more of a Connecticut influence on the roster without adding an insurance agent to the staff.
If the decision frustrated Parker, she took it out on her opponents.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to start," said Parker, who averaged 10.5 points over eight Olympic games. "It's definitely a different mindset. But I just tried to provide as much energy as possible when I came in."
Parker's response typified the maturity she and her teammates showed throughout an Olympics in which Team USA often was taken for granted.
They paid more attention to who was watching — their irrepressible coach — than anyone who wasn't here. They tuned out and locked in, Auriemma style.
"We just played," Parker said.
I have no doubt that Auriemma wasn't being consciously biased towards his former players. But there's no doubt he was being subconsciously biased.
In the meantime yesterday, Australia beat Russia for the bronze medal.
U17 bonus:
The U17 national team whooped Australia 103-58 yesterday in their second exhibition game en route to the world championships in a few weeks.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Are you ready for this gold medal game??
The US and France face off for the gold medal today, at 1 p.m. PDT/4 p.m. EDT.
The defending champs are not seeing a win today as a given.
The US isn't surprised by France's rise.
Let's go!
The defending champs are not seeing a win today as a given.
The US isn't surprised by France's rise.
Let's go!
Friday, August 10, 2012
U17s win their first exhibition game
Hey, hey, hey: our U17s are just as powerful as our Nationals team.......in their first exhibition on the road to the FIBA Championships later this month, the young women cruised past Brazil, 80-34.
Yesterday and tomorrow
More on yesterday's semifinal game vs. Australia:
Team USA videos....the latest from Tamika Catchings, Lindsay Whalen and Geno Auriemma. The one from Catchings is particularly revealing.
It was a deeper, more fit team that defeated the Aussies.
A halftime chewing out from point guard Sue Bird helped kick start the team for the second half.
Lisa Leslie had questioned the heart of the US team at halftime.
The Australians are left to contemplate the end of an era after their loss.
Edwige Lawson-Wade of France has had a long journey to the top.
Helen has a good roundup of seemingly every story written on the game.
Tomorrow's gold medal match up against France:
Scouting report.
High school:
Top recruit Allisha Gray tore her ACL, MCL and meniscus during U18 practice yesterday. That is beyond sad.
NCAA:
Arkansas coach Tom Collen's contract has been extended through 2016.
WNBA:
Dishin & Swishin talks to Corey Gaines and Monique Ambers about the Mercury and Liberty.
Team USA videos....the latest from Tamika Catchings, Lindsay Whalen and Geno Auriemma. The one from Catchings is particularly revealing.
It was a deeper, more fit team that defeated the Aussies.
A halftime chewing out from point guard Sue Bird helped kick start the team for the second half.
Lisa Leslie had questioned the heart of the US team at halftime.
The Australians are left to contemplate the end of an era after their loss.
Edwige Lawson-Wade of France has had a long journey to the top.
Helen has a good roundup of seemingly every story written on the game.
Tomorrow's gold medal match up against France:
Scouting report.
High school:
Top recruit Allisha Gray tore her ACL, MCL and meniscus during U18 practice yesterday. That is beyond sad.
NCAA:
Arkansas coach Tom Collen's contract has been extended through 2016.
WNBA:
Dishin & Swishin talks to Corey Gaines and Monique Ambers about the Mercury and Liberty.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
USA and France to play for the gold medal Saturday
After trailing at halftime of a close game, Team USA surged back in the third quarter of today's semifinal to put away Australia, 86-73. Three US players were in double figures, and Liz Cambage scored all of her team-high points for Australia in the first half.
Game quotes.
Photo gallery.
France beat Russia in the other semi, 81-64.
The US and France, both unbeaten in tournament play, face off for the gold medal Saturday at 1 p.m. PDT/4 p.m. EDT.
Game quotes.
Photo gallery.
France beat Russia in the other semi, 81-64.
The US and France, both unbeaten in tournament play, face off for the gold medal Saturday at 1 p.m. PDT/4 p.m. EDT.
American women so far winning most of the medals
At the end of last night's Olympic broadcast, it was announced that of the 34 gold medals won by the U.S. so far, 23 of them had been collected by women. USA Today looks at how women are dominating the Games.
It's something I've noticed as well. Women are winning the high-profile games, matches and races. They're also getting a lot of TV airplay. There are always two TVs broadcasting the Olympics at my gym. One is tuned to NBC, and the other, NBC Sports Network. Most days during these Games, both TVs are featuring women's matchups for a good portion of the day. And both women and men stand around to watch.
Other Olympic stuff:
Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli speak with Tina Charles and Tamika Catchings and Maya Moore.
Lindsay Whalen calls her Olympic experience "amazing."
Teresa Weatherspoon recalls her Olympic lesson.
Rebecca Lobo finds her gold medal, for her kids.
WNBA:
The Cherokee Nation will host a practice for the Tulsa Shock today.
Catching up with Alysha Clark.
NCAA:
Carla McGhee joins the Wolf Pack.
It's something I've noticed as well. Women are winning the high-profile games, matches and races. They're also getting a lot of TV airplay. There are always two TVs broadcasting the Olympics at my gym. One is tuned to NBC, and the other, NBC Sports Network. Most days during these Games, both TVs are featuring women's matchups for a good portion of the day. And both women and men stand around to watch.
Other Olympic stuff:
Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli speak with Tina Charles and Tamika Catchings and Maya Moore.
Lindsay Whalen calls her Olympic experience "amazing."
Teresa Weatherspoon recalls her Olympic lesson.
Rebecca Lobo finds her gold medal, for her kids.
WNBA:
The Cherokee Nation will host a practice for the Tulsa Shock today.
Catching up with Alysha Clark.
NCAA:
Carla McGhee joins the Wolf Pack.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
The day between games
USA vs. Australia preview.
The Aussies have a tall order to fill.
Liz Cambage is a key to Australia's upset hopes.
The US women deserve more hype.
And, the US women are the real dream team. (No doubt about it)
What the Hell Department:
I don't know if this is Geno Auriemma's idea of a joke, but I sure hope so:
Auriemma mentioned the lack of news media coverage and dismissed the notion just as quickly. His answer devolved from there. His team, Auriemma said, contained “no feminists.” They were not “running around” and “burning bras” and “trying to make the world believe in them.” Auriemma then said he would burn his own bra because it no longer fit.
Very weird.
Seimone Augustus:
In a preview of a longer interview, Minnesota Lynx star guard Seimone Augustus discusses coming out and her upcoming wedding.
WNBA:
The Lynx are spicing up their downtime.
U17 team:
Our U17 team left the country this morning for Italy, where they'll play the first of a few exhibition games before the World Championships later this month.
The Aussies have a tall order to fill.
Liz Cambage is a key to Australia's upset hopes.
The US women deserve more hype.
And, the US women are the real dream team. (No doubt about it)
What the Hell Department:
I don't know if this is Geno Auriemma's idea of a joke, but I sure hope so:
Auriemma mentioned the lack of news media coverage and dismissed the notion just as quickly. His answer devolved from there. His team, Auriemma said, contained “no feminists.” They were not “running around” and “burning bras” and “trying to make the world believe in them.” Auriemma then said he would burn his own bra because it no longer fit.
Very weird.
Seimone Augustus:
In a preview of a longer interview, Minnesota Lynx star guard Seimone Augustus discusses coming out and her upcoming wedding.
WNBA:
The Lynx are spicing up their downtime.
U17 team:
Our U17 team left the country this morning for Italy, where they'll play the first of a few exhibition games before the World Championships later this month.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Two close games in quarterfinals madness
1. The USA got things rolling today with a 91-48 whomping of Canada. It's their 39th consecutive win.
Diana Taurasi lead four other players in double figures.
Game quotes.
Photo gallery.
Dominant Team USA is playing hard and having fun.
Sue Bird directs the team's potent offense.
2. Australia bested China, 75-60. In the process, Lauren Jackson became the all-time Olympic scoring leader.
These two teams will face one another in Thursday's semifinals.
On the other side of the bracket, it was heart attack city today......
3. Russia outlasted Turkey, 66-63.
4. France came from 11 points down to squeak past the Czech Republic, 71-68.
Those two teams will play each other in the semifinals.
NCAA bonus:
Lauren Engeln is leaving UConn.
Diana Taurasi lead four other players in double figures.
Game quotes.
Photo gallery.
Dominant Team USA is playing hard and having fun.
Sue Bird directs the team's potent offense.
2. Australia bested China, 75-60. In the process, Lauren Jackson became the all-time Olympic scoring leader.
These two teams will face one another in Thursday's semifinals.
On the other side of the bracket, it was heart attack city today......
3. Russia outlasted Turkey, 66-63.
4. France came from 11 points down to squeak past the Czech Republic, 71-68.
Those two teams will play each other in the semifinals.
NCAA bonus:
Lauren Engeln is leaving UConn.
Monday, August 6, 2012
NCAA moves forward with raised GPA requirements
The NCAA is moving forward with their plan to increase grade point average requirements for students who plan to play at Division I schools. This year's ncoming high school freshmen must have a minimum 2.3 grade point average - up from a 2.0 - to be eligible. They also must complete 10 of their 16 required core courses prior to their senior year.
The issue was first addressed by any media earlier this year, in this space.
The changes are drastic to some:
INDIANAPOLIS -- One is speaking plain English; the other feels lost in a bureaucratic town of Babel.
To one, it is so obvious.
To the other, inscrutable.
On one side sits a group of well-intentioned people in Indianapolis, folks who make rules and standards not to be exclusionary but to encourage academic success.
On the other side sit kids in classrooms -- some in high school, fretting about being allowed to play in college, and some in college, fretting about being able to play the next semester.
And in between is a chasm wider than a 7-footer's wingspan.
How high school athletes become eligible to play Division I sports and how they stay eligible in college is not exactly in lockstep with how the NCAA would like to see either of those two tasks accomplished.
And so the NCAA makes new rules and increased standards and the students and coaches question their fairness........
"The real shift is to academic preparation instead of just getting eligible," said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president of academic and membership affairs. "This is a philosophical difference than what's out there. There's this attitude now that I'll just do all these things late in my career just to get over the eligibility mark. Well, you're still not prepared. This is a focus that says you have to be prepared."
Absolutely no one will argue that logic. Life would be a lot rosier if student-athletes arrived on campus actually ready for college.
Except for these simple questions: Will these rules effect that change? Can you legislate academic preparedness? Or will these rules merely pull out the college rug from a large percentage of athletes?
The numbers would say the latter. According to the NCAA's research, 43.1 percent of men's basketball players, 35.2 percent of football players and 15.3 percent of all student-athletes who enrolled as freshmen in 2009-10 to play Division I sports would not have met the 2016 standards.
"We do want a higher GPA, but I do think you ought to go back and take a look at what you've really done and compare it against some of the statistics," SEC commissioner Mike Slive told ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel. "Because we think [the NCAA] may have overreached in doing that.
"I think we're in the right arena, I don't know if we've got the right seat.".......
The NCAA is developing its own national outreach strategy and will send staff to high-profile camps to get the word out. It is also experimenting with loosening restrictions on phone calls and text messages with recruits and will look into allowing coaches to communicate with athletes as early as eighth grade.
"That's a big question," Lennon said. "Should we liberalize the rules to allow coaches and institutions to have earlier access to people in the spirit of getting information out? To say, 'I'm not interested in you coming to my campus but I am interested in you being prepared to go to any campus.' If that meant a letter to an eighth grader, saying, 'study,' are we ready as a community to allow that? Going to call that into question this year.
The next few years should be interesting.
The issue was first addressed by any media earlier this year, in this space.
The changes are drastic to some:
INDIANAPOLIS -- One is speaking plain English; the other feels lost in a bureaucratic town of Babel.
To one, it is so obvious.
To the other, inscrutable.
On one side sits a group of well-intentioned people in Indianapolis, folks who make rules and standards not to be exclusionary but to encourage academic success.
On the other side sit kids in classrooms -- some in high school, fretting about being allowed to play in college, and some in college, fretting about being able to play the next semester.
And in between is a chasm wider than a 7-footer's wingspan.
How high school athletes become eligible to play Division I sports and how they stay eligible in college is not exactly in lockstep with how the NCAA would like to see either of those two tasks accomplished.
And so the NCAA makes new rules and increased standards and the students and coaches question their fairness........
"The real shift is to academic preparation instead of just getting eligible," said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president of academic and membership affairs. "This is a philosophical difference than what's out there. There's this attitude now that I'll just do all these things late in my career just to get over the eligibility mark. Well, you're still not prepared. This is a focus that says you have to be prepared."
Absolutely no one will argue that logic. Life would be a lot rosier if student-athletes arrived on campus actually ready for college.
Except for these simple questions: Will these rules effect that change? Can you legislate academic preparedness? Or will these rules merely pull out the college rug from a large percentage of athletes?
The numbers would say the latter. According to the NCAA's research, 43.1 percent of men's basketball players, 35.2 percent of football players and 15.3 percent of all student-athletes who enrolled as freshmen in 2009-10 to play Division I sports would not have met the 2016 standards.
"We do want a higher GPA, but I do think you ought to go back and take a look at what you've really done and compare it against some of the statistics," SEC commissioner Mike Slive told ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel. "Because we think [the NCAA] may have overreached in doing that.
"I think we're in the right arena, I don't know if we've got the right seat.".......
The NCAA is developing its own national outreach strategy and will send staff to high-profile camps to get the word out. It is also experimenting with loosening restrictions on phone calls and text messages with recruits and will look into allowing coaches to communicate with athletes as early as eighth grade.
"That's a big question," Lennon said. "Should we liberalize the rules to allow coaches and institutions to have earlier access to people in the spirit of getting information out? To say, 'I'm not interested in you coming to my campus but I am interested in you being prepared to go to any campus.' If that meant a letter to an eighth grader, saying, 'study,' are we ready as a community to allow that? Going to call that into question this year.
The next few years should be interesting.
Embattled recruit to miss season with torn ACL
Remember Seattle prep star Katie Collier, who battled back from leukemia to post a stellar senior season? She will miss the 2012-2013 season at the University of Washington after tearing her ACL.
Olympics-this-is-beautiful department:
In a historic shift, women take the lead role at the Olympics.
Olympics:
Team USA is in the "win or go home" phase of competition now.
It's time for the Olympic vets to step up and lead the team.
They are looking to raise their level of play.
Maya Moore has an admirable goal: to be as tough and relentless as teammate Tamika Catchings.
Women's hoops is catching fire with British fans.
WNBA:
Interview with league President Laurel Richie.
Olympics-this-is-beautiful department:
In a historic shift, women take the lead role at the Olympics.
Olympics:
Team USA is in the "win or go home" phase of competition now.
It's time for the Olympic vets to step up and lead the team.
They are looking to raise their level of play.
Maya Moore has an admirable goal: to be as tough and relentless as teammate Tamika Catchings.
Women's hoops is catching fire with British fans.
WNBA:
Interview with league President Laurel Richie.
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