What was learned from Penn State ....

Butkus051

Butkus051

Well-Known Member
What was learned during IOVVA's victory over Penn State was more important than the win itself. McKenna Warnock continued her opportunistic play proving herself a more than adequate replacement for Monica Czinano during her ankle recovery: 16 points (2 of 3 from the arc), 7 rebounds. 3 assists and 2 blocks. And you know what? Warnock isn't even a post player! Next year (after the loss of Ollinger to graduation) you'll more than likely see Czinano and 6'2" FR Sharon Goodman at the posts. Me thinks Warnock is destined for the 3 position. (Given her 3 pt skills) Knowing you have a quality player that can play the 3, 4 or 5 (as well as give you 5 more fouls at the post) is a luxury which can only benefit the Hawks in upcoming years.
 
McKenna is a 3 level scorer and a huge get for the Hawks. 4* recruit with a huge upside. Wisconsin Gatorade POY 2019. USA Today first team Wisconsin. AP 1st. team All State. You just never know if a recruit will live up to expectations or not and I think McKenna is backing up her creds just fine. McKenna has the utmost confidence in her ability and it shows. Going to be fun watching her through her career. Motion offense suits her well and her defensive efforts have been stellar. Amanda and McKenna have been fantastic on the defensive side and compliment each other well.
 
I don't think you will see the Hawks spend much time with 2 posts on the floor at the same time (e.g. Czinano/Goodman). Bluder has always shown the ability to play to her team's strengths, so they have gone 2 posts with great success when the team calls for that (Johnson/Doolittle; Gustafson/Stewart). But I think her preference is to play 4-out, and I think that is the team she has built going forward.

And I think she is going to take that to even greater extremes. I get the sense she is being heavily influenced by the pro game, which is increasingly becoming positionless with at least 4 players on the court at all times that can not only score but create offense. I see Warnock as the perfect 4 in such an offense. She is not just a "stretch" 4, but she also has off-the-bounce juice and has shown a bit of passing savy as well. Put her on the court with all of the 6' guards/wings Iowa seems to be bringing in, and you have a crazy-fun and versatile team.
 
CP87 said:
I don't think you will see the Hawks spend much time with 2 posts on the floor at the same time (e.g. Czinano/Goodman). Bluder has always shown the ability to play to her team's strengths, so they have gone 2 posts with great success when the team calls for that (Johnson/Doolittle; Gustafson/Stewart). But I think her preference is to play 4-out, and I think that is the team she has built going forward.

And I think she is going to take that to even greater extremes. I get the sense she is being heavily influenced by the pro game, which is increasingly becoming positionless with at least 4 players on the court at all times that can not only score but create offense. I see Warnock as the perfect 4 in such an offense. She is not just a "stretch" 4, but she also has off-the-bounce juice and has shown a bit of passing savy as well. Put her on the court with all of the 6' guards/wings Iowa seems to be bringing in, and you have a crazy-fun and versatile team.
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Interesting observation. Your knowledge of the pro game far exceeds mine. I would say that Coach Bluder's use of two posts is not necessarily a lifelong commitment to the strategy but rather 1) Recognizing and evaluating the talent she has and 2) Using it in the most effective manner. These two aspects are predicated on the fact Jan Jensen is her assistant and a nationally known "post guru". I think Coach Bluder will continue to stay with that philosophy which she has maintained for the past decade and will only change it as needed to fit her personnel. In passing, it's a privilege chatting it up with you. Look forward to the next time!
 
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