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Diary Entry #2: 2/1/00
If not playing defense or rebounding the way we need to to besuccessful is an ingredient in overlooking an opponent; then yes- butthose two specific things are effort related. We need to shoot more andtake better shots than our opponents and the way we do that is to eliminateturnovers, execute on as many possessions as possible, make stops ondefense and rebound. It was absolutely neccessary to get ready to playversus WSU- as it is always neccessary to be ready to play; but at thispoint it would mean much more to see us physically express what we can dorather than talk about it- that is our focus for this week.Everygame should elicit such enthusiasm as we need to comeout ready always- but very true there is a huge rivarly going on betweenus. Over the last few years UCLA has been competitive in our conference-they are definitely a team that we look forward to facing. It is a battleand knowing that we get to fight them this week is really exciting. Theimportance of Thursday's game is that it is an opportunity for Stanfordto show what we can do when we really focus in on our defense andrebounding and well as our overall aggressiveness. It is an opportunity toestablish our presence in the Pac-10. The game we are focusing on is UCLAboth mentally and physically we have to be prepared. Our focus will turnto USC at approximately 10p.m. on Thursday following our UCLA game- untilthen we have business to take care of- but a brief comment on USC- theywill be ready to play and we have to come out ready to battle and compete-every game.
It is great to have the support of our home crowd- everyone thatcomes out to watch us- from the kids to the adults. It is really specialwhen people take interest and get really excited about a team. There isdefinitely added positive energy with fans on your side. Not to say thatit isn't also motivating when people are booing and heckling- but thepositive support of our fans is great for momentum for us and can bedevastating for a team visiting Maples. Personally the fan support is sospecial when I know that we provide role models for young athletesaspiring to be in our position someday or even the kids currently involvedin sports. That reminds us of how fortunate we are to represent somethingso great.
The team's accuracy from 3-point range has not really been asurprise due to the fact that I know how much time my teamates put in overthe summer doing extra shooting and work and how they continue to workhard. We have been emphasizing setting good screens and getting peopleopen which is great for our accurate shooters. It is possible to dependtoo much on the 3-pointer if that is the only weapon a team has- but weknow how to use that weapon well along with other aspects such aspenetrating and dishing, transition baskets (we need to work more onthis- which requires much improved rebounding), and most of all we need toestablish our inside game. With both an inside and outside game going; itmakes it difficult for defense as they can't collapse in the post as wecan kick it out to our sharp shooters and if there's an inside game itforces teams to have to help or play us one on one. Our 3-point shootingis a great weapon that adds to the dimensions of our attack.
On a travel week that begins on Wednesday and we comeback on Sunday we typically practice early Wed. morning prior to morningclasses; hence before our 10 a.m. classes (luckily we have no 9 a.m.conflicts). Then we go to morning classes, pack, board the bus, study onthe plane/rest, get into our destination. We have video and scoutingreports- a shoot-around the day of a Thursday game for an hour or so-then pre-game meal- a few hours to ourselves then go to the game. We maytravel the next day- for example we had a plane ride in Wash. on Friday-then we get in have study time for a few hrs. then practice then dinner-and then sleep. The next day we have pregame anywhere from 9am to 10:30 amthen to the game (we warm up an hour and 15 minutes before and get thereabout 45 minutes before that to allow time to change, treatments etc..)We have dinner after the game and come back to study/ rest/ movie etc..then generally leave as early as possible on Sunday- 6 a.m. or so and comeback to Stanford by around noon, sometimes a little later. Then it islaundry, study, rest and enjoy our day off (Sunday). This is a briefoverlook of a typical travel schedule. Generally you study when you can,rest, while being entertained by the humorous moments with teamates.
Enjoy.
Carolyn Moos