Flashes of Brilliance

As I watched yesterday's contest from my courtside leather recliner (thank you NU Sports marketing department), I could have sworn a different team was donning the Wildcat jerseys. Crisp, accurate passing into the low block, where either Jaeschke effortlessly hooked, shot, or laid it in. And this wasn't against a Loyola. This was Ohio State, the 19th ranked squad in the nation, boasting arguably the best freshman center in the nation.

By the end of the first half, Ohio State had retaken the lead (once down by 10, led by 5 at the break) and proved they could adjust to prevent the entry passes. So that shut the NU offense down. You knew before the second half began that this game was over. Northwestern showed about 16 minutes of brilliance, but they just don't have the fire power to compete with the Buckeyes.

Still, this was a very good game for the Cats...as good as a 22-point loss could be. I'm not usually one for moral victories, but this would qualify. Especially for Amy Jaeschke. She went toe-to-toe with one of the few girls ranked higher than her out of high school, Jantel Lavender. Lavender brought down more boards (12-8), but Jaeschke shot much better, 11-17 compared to 7-15.

This was Amy's coming out party. After struggling throughout conference season, averaging less than 30% from the field, she finally found her stroke, and more importantly her post presence. If her teammates can continue to feed her the ball in the same style, where she's taking the bulk of her shots from within 8 feet, she can average 16-20ppg in this league fairly easily.

Everyone before the season talked about Jaeschke's versatility and ability to take the outside shot. And for several games, that's what she kept attempting. Against the Buckeyes, she still didn't attack the rim like a typical center (though she did have one beautiful reverse layup). Her bread-and-butter is the 3-4 foot jumper, a high percentage shot where she can use her height without worrying about playing the glass.

A few more thoughts:
- Ellen Jaeschke has played very consistently throughout this season. She nabs a lot of rebounds, especially on the offensive end, and is able to create in the post fairly well. As she settles into her role of complementing her cousin, she will only improve.
- As my colleague Aaron Morse pointed out 3 months ago, Meshia Reed is the real deal. Two 20-point performances in the Big Ten. Averaging nearly 7 rebounds per contest. The ability to both drive and shoot. Cartwright has that ability but never took the shots. Reed wants the ball in her hands...and even though she's a freshman, she's the only one I trust to make a jumper.
- Reed's increased playing has for some reason diminished Nadia Bibbs' scoring output. They are very similar players, so with Reed in the game, Bibbs seems to let her drive the hole, thus leaving outside shots to the senior. But Bibbs can't hit those. Her best moves come on the baseline.
- Jenny Eckhart continues to frustrate. At first, I thought the non-shooting point guard is just what Combs wants out of that position. Marshall rarely took shots. Eckhart hasn't. Bibbs didn't when she was at the point. But Combs says she told Eckhart to be more agressive, take more jumpers, even move into the paint. But she won't do it. She has brilliant speed and a determination that should scare off most defenders. But for some reason, she'd rather give it up than take the shot herself.
- The last of the Original Five is down. First Cartwright, then Marshall, then Jaeschke, then McInerney, and now, Sara Stutz. A partial ligament tear, sidelining her for three weeks. This has been a brutal year for the senior captain, with on-the-court struggles, a benching, and now this. Still, I respect her tremendously for sticking with this program, despite her reported differences with Combs.