NCAA Women's Final Four: Stanford vs. Baylor GameThread

by Scott Allen on Apr 1, 2025 4:25 PM PDT

Might as well open this now for anyone scouting Stanford's (potential) opponent in Tuesday's final...

Believe it or not, there's more to Baylor than Brittney Griner. The AP Player of the Year garners most of the pub for good reason, but if Stanford is to hand the Bears their first loss of the season, they'll have to do more than contain the 6-foot-8 junior. Sophomore guard Odyssey Sims averages 14.8 points and 4.4 assists per game. She also shoots 40% from beyond the arc and was 5-for-8 in the Bears' blowout of Tennessee in the Regional Final. Junior forward Destiny Williams is a force inside who will provide a stiff test for the Ogwumike sisters.

I think the pressure's on Baylor, no matter what they say, and Stanford has a good chance to advance. A dunk is still only worth two points.

Go Stanford!

Additional Reading:

Once again, Stanford is the underdog. | Denver Post
The Cardinal is "all in" for the challenge of knocking off undefeated Baylor. | Mercury News
Stanford needs to make its 3s to beat the Bears. | SF Chronicle
It's been a good year for Stanford sports. | Pacific Takes

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Not a great start to the day, Stanford-wise

Lost Chris Hawkins to USC. Obviously beating Baylor would make up for that and then some.

by dth1 on Apr 1, 2025 5:04 PM PDT reply actions

by the by

Would like to see Nneka on the elbow to draw Griner away from the basket. Do some Princeton offense type stuff, high-low.

by dth1 on Apr 1, 2025 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Stanford now hitting shots

But Baylor equally the shots (and making them).

** Rule of Tree ** Pounding the Rock ** Battle of Cali ** Fear the Fin ** Athletics Nation ** Niners Nation **

by RedOscar on Apr 1, 2025 6:30 PM PDT reply actions

What is this, LSU Alabama of WBB?

All long shots.

by dth1 on Apr 1, 2025 6:32 PM PDT reply actions

Still--gameplan is holding versus Griner

Would like to run up a bit of a lead before Griner begins to assert herself

by dth1 on Apr 1, 2025 6:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Both teams seem to have forgotten how to pass. They just keep running down the floor and taking a quick, long jumper.

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by CalBear81 on Apr 1, 2025 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Think it's the off-ball movement

More than the passing. Very static.

by dth1 on Apr 1, 2025 6:37 PM PDT up reply actions

I guess the game plan was that Stanford would be hitting at least 30% of those shots to counter having to go inside and face Griner. They’re not hitting them, though.

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by RedOscar on Apr 1, 2025 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Unexpectedly dominant on the boards

Very good sign, I think.

by dth1 on Apr 1, 2025 6:39 PM PDT reply actions

Three point play!

That’s what we need.

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by RedOscar on Apr 1, 2025 6:39 PM PDT reply actions

Ugh

What a telegraphed pass.

by dth1 on Apr 1, 2025 6:40 PM PDT reply actions

The dare against Baylor to shoot from the outside is working

Hopefully it can work long enough to keep up a manageable lead.

And yeah, the boards are definitely a good sign so far.

** Rule of Tree ** Pounding the Rock ** Battle of Cali ** Fear the Fin ** Athletics Nation ** Niners Nation **

by RedOscar on Apr 1, 2025 6:41 PM PDT reply actions

Tinkle

With two airballs on 3 PTA. That’s…unfortunate.

by dth1 on Apr 1, 2025 6:42 PM PDT reply actions

Both teams shooting pretty badly

It just seems Stanford’s misses are more egregious, given the competition.

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by RedOscar on Apr 1, 2025 6:46 PM PDT reply actions

From one set of nerds to another

Thanks for the Princeton offense, Peter Carril!

by dth1 on Apr 1, 2025 6:46 PM PDT reply actions

Dumb mistakes leads to two turnovers

That’s bad, and I’m sure Tara will have something to say about that at the half. Setting up a three on the following play, though, is a slight step in the right direction, though.

** Rule of Tree ** Pounding the Rock ** Battle of Cali ** Fear the Fin ** Athletics Nation ** Niners Nation **

by RedOscar on Apr 1, 2025 6:49 PM PDT reply actions

Oh, RedOscar...

You’re so pessimistic! I think we look fantastic, and like I’ve thought all season, Nneka is winning the Player of the Year contest right now.

by CardiGrl on Apr 1, 2025 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Ha

True, but I think I got spoiled because I’ve seen Stanford play much better than this against quality competition (e.g. see Tennessee, @Cal, P-12 Cal games).

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by RedOscar on Apr 1, 2025 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Baylor is not Tennessee this year.

Definitely the best team we’ve faced all season and we came out to ball tonight, which sometimes we don’t do.

by CardiGrl on Apr 1, 2025 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Nneka definitely looks like the greater player so far in this game.

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by CalBear81 on Apr 1, 2025 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions

One thing to watch:

Stanford’s used eight players, Baylor five. Griner has not come out, to my knowledge. Think the altitude might have an effect later on.

by dth1 on Apr 1, 2025 6:53 PM PDT reply actions

Officiating

The refs, on the other hand, look terrible.

by CardiGrl on Apr 1, 2025 6:54 PM PDT reply actions

Eesh

Yeah, the officiating is getting questionable here.

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by RedOscar on Apr 1, 2025 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Yep

See below. :-)

T up Mulkey!

by CardiGrl on Apr 1, 2025 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions

So far I’m very impressed with Stanford’s game plan. I don’t think either team has played as well as they can, though.

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by CalBear81 on Apr 1, 2025 6:59 PM PDT reply actions

Mad Men during half time?

Don’t mind if I do!

by dth1 on Apr 1, 2025 7:00 PM PDT reply actions

I'll take an air ball from Griner all night long

And more fouls…

by CardiGrl on Apr 1, 2025 7:17 PM PDT reply actions

Second half definitely has more energy so far

Can’t be taking fouls, though.

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by RedOscar on Apr 1, 2025 7:21 PM PDT reply actions

And the terrible officiating continues.

by CardiGrl on Apr 1, 2025 7:27 PM PDT reply actions

Gotta be shitting me on these illegal screen calls

What, are the refs going to start calling lane violations next?

by dth1 on Apr 1, 2025 7:32 PM PDT reply actions

Stanford can't make any shots

They’ve gotten some clean looks, but nothing’s falling.

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by RedOscar on Apr 1, 2025 7:35 PM PDT reply actions

Apparently Nneka can only hit threes against Cal. Sigh.

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by CalBear81 on Apr 1, 2025 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions

I'll take a couple more steals like that...

by CardiGrl on Apr 1, 2025 7:36 PM PDT reply actions

Orrange

Is it just me, or does Orrange look a little scared to play her normal game? We need her to be a better ball handler.

by CardiGrl on Apr 1, 2025 7:41 PM PDT reply actions

Agreed

Also noticeable when he won’t drive when given open lanes.

I think Tara’s comment about how Griner would use her as a toothpick might have reflected an attitude that got to her head. As some of the conflicts between Gold-Onwude and Vanderveer show, Tara likes her point guards cautious.

by dth1 on Apr 1, 2025 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, I don’t really understand why our OFFENSIVE game plan has changed all that much. Everyone but Nneka looks scared to drive against Griner.

by CardiGrl on Apr 1, 2025 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Apparently we're not allowed to block out anymore

Terrible reffing continues.

by CardiGrl on Apr 1, 2025 7:43 PM PDT reply actions

Four on Chiney is a killer.

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by CalBear81 on Apr 1, 2025 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions

5 is even worse.

I remain unimpressed with this reefing.

by CardiGrl on Apr 1, 2025 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Yikes.

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by CalBear81 on Apr 1, 2025 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions

*reffing

by CardiGrl on Apr 1, 2025 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions

it was horrible at both ends.

The blond ref was calling rinky dink stuff on Chiney, and letting Griner get away with wrestling.

Unbelievable.

"If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the morning."

by bbjones on Apr 1, 2025 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Now that looks more like us.

We need to run a little faster and move the ball around. I just don’t think they have the same speed as we do.

by CardiGrl on Apr 1, 2025 7:50 PM PDT reply actions

Kokenis has been unable to finish

On fast breaks throughout the tournament. I can remember four or five open-court layups she’s blown this year.

by dth1 on Apr 1, 2025 7:55 PM PDT reply actions

She hasn't been able to finish during the tournament.

Used to be pretty reliable during the season, though.

by CardiGrl on Apr 1, 2025 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Despite this loss, congratulations on another great season.

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by CalBear81 on Apr 1, 2025 8:11 PM PDT reply actions

Definitely disappointed by this loss.

But I don’t think we didn’t show up to play today (unlike some other Final Four games). Shots didn’t fall for us from a variety of players, reffing was a difference-maker, but I think we all know who the best player in women’s college basketball is, and her name is not Brittney Griner. Congrats to the team on a terrific season. Excited about the Chiney-Orrange-Kokenis-Tinkle combo next year.

by CardiGrl on Apr 1, 2025 8:28 PM PDT reply actions