In Reply to: Final posted by barrya on February 19, 2026 at 21:52:40
This was a strong test for the team. Washington’s quickness is exactly the kind of challenge that has given the ladies trouble at times. While Washington may not have the overall skill level of some of the teams we could face later—UCLA’s talent, and as you mentioned Lauren, ultimately proved too much for them—the matchup still exposed important areas for growth. Coach Close has expressed some concern that we haven’t consistently been pushed, raising the question of how the team will respond in a true postseason battle. Despite the 15-point win, this game provided several teaching points and highlighted areas that still need attention.
One area of concern is our recent three-point shooting. We’re not consistently generating quality looks, and even when we do, there’s a tendency to rush the shot. It hasn’t hurt us much this season because we’ve been dominant overall, but it was a factor last year—especially in the UConn game. At the end of last season, it felt like adding more athleticism on the perimeter was a priority. While we’ve added valuable pieces, that specific element is still something to monitor. Against UConn, entry passes into Lauren were difficult, and even when she kicked the ball out, the defense recovered quickly. We need to improve across the board in those situations—making the extra pass, reversing the ball with purpose, and attacking decisively off the dribble when defenders close out aggressively.
But you know I'm nitpicking. The ladies are fantastic.