Tonight’s exhibition opener for the Oregon women’s basketball team under new coach Paul Westhead will be about offense. Potentially, very prolific offense.
Considering Westhead’s success coaching the fastbreak in his career, that much is given. But just what should be expected of the Ducks against Southern Oregon in McArthur Court at 7 p.m.?
“I’m not really that conscious of it at this moment,” said Westhead, who has coached record-setting scoring teams in men’s collegiate and women’s professional basketball.
“I think what’s going to evolve is, we’re going to play an exhibition or two, we’re going to play a few (counting) games, and then they’re going to see the level they can achieve. What that level is, I hope it’s a high level.”
If nothing else it should be fun to watch, which was part of Oregon’s reason for hiring Westhead after not retaining all-time great UO player Bev Smith. And it should be more fun for the players than last year’s 9-21 mess, which led to Smith’s dismissal.
The Ducks don’t figure to be at full strength tonight, with star senior guard Taylor Lilley doubtful because of a sprained ankle, and freshman wing Aliyah Green still rehabbing a knee injury from high school. They’ll try to at least be at full speed, which is demanded in Westhead’s system.
“It’s going to be good to see how far we’ve come since Oct. 16” when practices began, sophomore forward Amanda Johnson said. “And then see how far we need to go.”
Johnson said the Ducks can see their conditioning pay off in workouts against male practice players. The guys are better athletes, but the women are in better shape.
Westhead said the team has done all it can in terms of preseason conditioning. Now it’s time to get into game shape.
“They’re not in awful shape; they’re at the point where they can get to the next phase,” Westhead said. “If you say, ‘Gee, if you had another month of practice, would that be better?’ No. Another month of practice isn’t going to get them any further. Games are going to get them further.”
“We’re going to see who’s pushing through it, who’s working hard on offense and defense,” guard Nia Jackson said. “We’re just going to try to work hard and execute.”
Jackson will be one to watch tonight, as she makes her return from a knee injury that sidelined her all of last season.
Despite the high tempo Westhead demands, leading to more possessions per game, he has no stomach for turnovers. After all, his offense minimizes the number of passes, and usually requires them of the most deft passer on the floor, the point guard.
“He does not like turnovers,” Jackson said. “We really have to take care of the ball.”
Do so, and the Ducks can begin lighting up the scoreboard tonight.