RebKell's Junkie Boards

[KatValeska]

Really, it was better than it sounds.

The Buffs led 36-6 with under two minutes to play in the first half - but head coach McConnell-Miller then started seriously toying with player combinations - which is what games like this are for I reckon - and the score ended up closer than it should have been.

Brightest spot was Susie Powers who logged a team-high 27 minutes and finished with 9 assists and just one turnover at the point.

Jackie McFarland was -well - Jackie McFarland netting 20 points and 14 boards in 26 minutes.

Centere Kara Richards also played well hitting for 14 on 6-of-9 shooting and eight rebounds in 23 minutes.

Of the freshmen 6-3 Aija Putnina stood out with 9 points, four boards and three steals in 17 minutes. Candace Rucker also looked good - especially having only been in practice four days - 6 points, four rebounds and three steals in 13 minutes. Dang that gal has some springs.

Freshmen point guard Whitney Houston had a rough debut - prolly trying a bit too hard, but showed a few brief flashes of brilliance. She was the victim of two wrong (as opposed to just bad) calls, but I don't think her confidence will suffer any from the night - I think she has no shortage of that.

Bottom line - hope to see a better performance Sunday in the final tune up.

[unkiemark]

I agree that the Buffs need to play better on Sunday - the beginning of the second half was not good.

Here are my thoughts, mostly on individual Buffs:

Colorado looked a lot different in its exhibition opener this season than a year ago at this time. This season that Buff had a full roster and at least in the front court a fair amount of talent and depth. Still, there were many questions to be answered, primarily centering on the guards. Last season’s key players in the backcourt are gone and the Buffs are needing to get solid play this season from three newcomers, two of whom redshirted last season, to compliment what appears to be an outstanding frontcourt.

Prior to the game it seemed that the most competitive battles would be between junior transfer Susie Powers and freshman Whitney Houston at point guard. Powers would start the game and see most of the time at the point. She looked confident and comfortable in leading the team – she was credited with nine assists and one turnover. Houston was not always affective in using her speed with the result being six turnovers and zero assists. At this point it seems that Powers is the team’s best bet at the point.

Redshirt freshman Bianca Smith started at the two and looked good at times. She seems to be one of the better 3-point shooters on the team and works hard to move the ball to her teammates.

Junior forward Jackie McFarland picked up where she left off last season with a dominating performance, scoring 20 points and pulling down 14 rebounds in 26 minutes of action.

Redshirt sophomore center Kara Richards who is returning from a broken foot started and played 23 minutes scoring 14 points to along with eight rebounds. She looked a little rusty at times, but was aggressive.

Senior forward Jasmina Ilic saw limited playing time, perhaps because she is still recovering from shoulder surgery. She made some poor decisions at times, but in practice has looked good.

The first freshman to come off the bench was not Houston, but post/wing Aija Putnina. She looked great in her time on the floor, which was primarily in the post, but also at the wing. She can handle the ball well, rebound and is an excellent passer. She does need to gain confidence in her jumper, but that will come with experience. On the night she scored 9 points and had three steals.

All four true freshmen played and all the eligible players got on the floor in the Buffs 80-45 victory. Up next for the Buffs is the Colorado School of Mines on Sunday afternoon.

http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3910&SPID=258&DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=675821

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MarkW
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