The standard cliche is that the only thing that stop a team is injury or themselves. OK, injury will take down any contender, but I don’t think “themselves” always applies.
For that to work, I think a team must lack chemistry, or suffer internal distraction. For instance, LSU, whose players’ mothers bicker over social.
Utah beat host Alaska-Anchorage 101-57 in a semifinal at the Great Alaska Shootout.
Seniors Issy Palmer and Dasia Young DNP. In Palmer’s absence, Vieira triple-doubled with 14 assists, 10 points, at 10 times peeled off the floor.
Young players got extended looks.
Freshman forward Reese Ross had 20 and 11 in 19 minutes, and perhaps more surprising, 0 turnovers and 0 fouls.
Ross played brilliantly on offensive glass.
On the other hand, sophomore Lani White’s development has stalled during a three-game plateau. She looks shellshocked since shooting 1-for-11 vs. South Carolina St.
I’m amused that Kneepkens and hometown star Pili shot 15-of-21 plus 5-of-6 for 40 points, and it seems rather ordinary.
Later today, championship game vs. Eastern Kentucky, who beat Alabama-Birmingham. Forward Sierra McCullough had a better rebounding night than Utah’s Ross.