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Diary Entry #3: 2/7/00
The team's effort in the win over UCLA was well done especially on thedefensive end and rebounding. Those are the two keyaspects that our team needs to focus on in order to win. We knew our gameplan and executed fairly well. I have to say that was one of the strongerdefensive games- in particular on the low block and the consistency ofhelp side. We need to just keep building on that type of play and beconsistent and stick to our defensive philosophy. It was not hard to getup for the game on Sat. as we knew that USC would come in hungry.Although we did not come out as tenacious as we should have- theirdefense was totally overplaying, pressuring and denying the wings- we didnot operate the high low look as we should have against their type ofdefense- and the posts needed to be more assertive in breaking up orgetting some movement in order to work the high low and get some looksinside.I am sure that Oregon willcome out ready to play- but we want this game and we are going to come outready. Of course they will be highly motivated after their performanceagainst us- but we have something to prove too and that is that we can'tallow such a deficit from the beginning- we have to put together two greathalves of basketball. Oregon State has been playing fairly strong- andagain we need to focus on our game and come out to play Stanfordbasketball with intensity and enthusiasm.
The first time around you scout a team and play them according to what youhave seen them do against other teams- the second time around you knowwhat they did to other teams and how they played you the first time. Toprepare for the second time around, the goal is to recognize how a teamhurt us and stop that from happening again (stop their strengths) whiletaking advantage of their weaknesses. >
(On thinking about the NCAA Tournament) Not directly or consciously as thefocus is ALL about thePac-10. The importance is in the ability to execute one game at a time inthe Pac-10 and earn ourselves a conference title and a good position forNCAA's. Once we get closer to that goal, then we will focus on thepossible matchups- until then we have our conference to focus on.
The transition (from Minnesota to California) was actually not all thatnoticiable for me. It felt natural coming here to California and Stanford. Of course freshman year always calls for some learning- the dorms, classes, bikes,mail---well, you probably know the routine; but once that is all takencare of it felt great to be here. As far as the transition regarding thedifferences overall between Minnesota and California, the difference inweather is obviously quite aparent. Instead of zero degrees and whiteeverywhere- we have 50 degrees and blurred vision from the rain as iquickly bike to class- no really- the weather is beautiful here and Istill am taken with the sun and palm trees- they make me smile. Overall,the people here are great- California has a little flare in general that ican relate to- and appreciate. I like the California lifestyle- it isreally part of who I am. What I miss about Minnesota is the distinctchange of seasons- the leaves are really beautiful in the fall- andthere is something about the very first spring day when it hits aboutfifty and everyone in Minnesota goes crazy- you'll see people bust outin their summer gear and everyone is extra friendly like they have justwon the lottery- I kind of miss that- but I see a little bit of springmadness here, too, and that is fun. I get to enjoy the snow when I gethome for Christmas- that is really something beautiful. In MN. Icould go skating right outside or ride on my dad's ice boat (it's onblades)- I guess I have substituted going to the beach in the spring forthat type of thing- but i have yet to pick up surfing. However, Idon't miss the negative 20 days, the ice rink road, ice scrapping, orfreezing wet hair. There are positives to both places- and I am reallyhappy in California right now.