CC really coming on

Got to see two games against the Aces. So also saw Kate Martin and Meghan Gustuffson. If any of you are inclined to go to Indy to see the Fever I know you will enjoy yourselves.
 
The Aces are quite good. I thought the fan support for CC was amazing. CC jerseys everywhere in town, venue sold out. They put on a very good show. A lot of Hawkeye jerseys in the mix. I wore mine.
 
It's now official: Not just the WNBA Rookie of the Year, but it was UNAMINOUS!

Congratulations to the player most responsible for the meteoric rise in popularity of the WNBA, who plays with class and poise, and speaks with maturity far beyond her years.

What an amazing 4+ years it has been for Iowa women's hoops and its fans!
 
The playoffs proved way too much in the 1st game for both the Fever and the refs. The Fever weren't ready for the intensity on both sides of the ball from the Sun. And the refs just about got 40% of the calls wrong in the 1st half including some petty intense hits to the face both to and from CC. Not really favoring either team, just made for a brutal viewing for the fans.
 
The playoffs proved way too much in the 1st game for both the Fever and the refs. The Fever weren't ready for the intensity on both sides of the ball from the Sun. And the refs just about got 40% of the calls wrong in the 1st half including some petty intense hits to the face both to and from CC. Not really favoring either team, just made for a brutal viewing for the fans.

I don't like to rag on the refs too bad, I know it is a very difficult job. But WNBA refs have not been up to the task all year. The league needs to address this. And I agree, they didn't favor one team in this game, but they were rough.

Connecticut took it to the Fever, looked like a vet team beating up on a young team. It will be interesting to see how fast Indiana can learn. It seems like Boston might have the most favorable matchup, can they find a way to take advantage without straying too far from what makes them great (CC and KM bombing and attacking)? Can they ratchet up the defensive intensity to playoff level? Will be fun to watch.
 
Much better showing, but Indiana made mistakes down the stretch, and Connecticut made big plays. What an 11-month run it has been for Clark...go rest up and come back better than ever.
 
Indiana is the youngest team in the league and yet hung close with a very good veteran Connecticut squad.

There's no glaring roster deficiency, but better backcourt depth and a stout defensive front court player with length would help. More than anything, experience and playing together will continue to pay dividends.

Caitlin is just getting started, and that's what's scary for her opponents...
 
Indiana is the youngest team in the league and yet hung close with a very good veteran Connecticut squad.

There's no glaring roster deficiency, but better backcourt depth and a stout defensive front court player with length would help. More than anything, experience and playing together will continue to pay dividends.

Caitlin is just getting started, and that's what's scary for her opponents...

I am okay with Dantas and Fegbenle coming off the bench, but an upgrade at 4 would help. Smith has value as a one-on-one option, but she is the 4th option in the Fever starting lineup as it is, which decreases that value. She is not a floor spacer, and she is not a facilitator, the 2 skills that would help open things for CC/KM/AB. She is not a plus defender. I think they could upgrade that position.

Hull has developed into a great 3-and-D player...would love if she was 2 inches taller and rangier. Whether they upgrade 3 and make her a super-sub, or they keep her in the starting lineup and upgrade the bench, there needs to be an overall increase in the quality of the PG+wings that play behind/alongside CC and KM.

I wonder about the defensive future of this team. Can you build a championship-level defense with CC and KM in the backcourt? Iowa was able to make their defense good enough by surrounding CC with smart, scrappy 3-and-D players (Gabbie, Kate, Syd), and playing to the advanced metrics (run people off the 3-pt line, protect the rim, give up the mid-range). KM vs. WNBA offensive talent is a downgrade compared to Gabbie vs. WCB talent. WNBA players are more skilled and knowledgeable, and they can better attack weaknesses in a defensive system. Can the Fever just work harder across the roster on team defense, or does the roster need an overhaul? Clark is an underrated individual defender, but she has never really bought into being a consistent, focused team defender...is she willing to change that, even if it comes at the cost of sacrificing some of her offense?
 
The Fever lost their last chance to tie the game when Kelsey Mitchell left Marina Mabrey Wide Open
on the left wing to nail an uncontested three that sealed the deal for the Sun

Mitchell guarded Mabrey from the opening tipoff, picking her up before the half court line
sticking to her like glue, not permitting her to receive a pass and did an outstanding job

Until the backbreaking three in the last minute and a half

None the less, the Fever played a very good game and kept coming back, the entire team played
Hard, and I do believe the format of the opening round too any chance of advancing away

First two games at the higher seed Arena, second game should have been at the lower seeds home

Was a really fun season to watch, watching the team develop confidence and teamwork and making
the playoffs was Huge

The made the WNBA watchable and enjoyable

As Always, onward to next year, as we Hawk Fans are quite familiar with
 
The Fever lost their last chance to tie the game when Kelsey Mitchell left Marina Mabrey Wide Open
on the left wing to nail an uncontested three that sealed the deal for the Sun

Mitchell guarded Mabrey from the opening tipoff, picking her up before the half court line
sticking to her like glue, not permitting her to receive a pass and did an outstanding job

Until the backbreaking three in the last minute and a half

None the less, the Fever played a very good game and kept coming back, the entire team played
Hard, and I do believe the format of the opening round too any chance of advancing away

First two games at the higher seed Arena, second game should have been at the lower seeds home

Was a really fun season to watch, watching the team develop confidence and teamwork and making
the playoffs was Huge

The made the WNBA watchable and enjoyable

As Always, onward to next year, as we Hawk Fans are quite familiar with

Clark was guarding Mabrey on that possession. She overhelped on a drive, which seems to be a team-wide issue.
 

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