What's Up, Ladies?

Here we are, at the midpoint of the PAC12 schedule, and the once promising season for the CU women's basketball team has spiraled down the toilet, counterclockwise if you're in Australia.  I'll be the first to say, I don't know how we've gotten to where we are, 2-7 in conference.  Which I suppose begs the question, why am I bothering to write this?  Because the internet lets me, that's why.  So without further ado, here's what I've seen going wrong and what the future holds.

1) The Refs
I've watched a lot of games this year, men's and women's, and I can say that as a rule, the refereeing in the women's day has tighter and less consistent than the men's.  I've heard multiple reasons for this, that the women's refs are less-experienced, there's fewer eyes on the game to keep them in check, whatever.  The point is some of the women's games have been just painful.  It's like with the emphasis on the hand checks, they've decided to call ALL the handchecks (and at times have decided that makes up for calling harder fouls).

Now, where does this come in to this team specifically?  CU is not adapting well.  There are times that I, as the properly biased fan I am, have thought the calls were going against us, but that's not the point.  We don't adjust well, and as a result are shooting an average of over 4.5 fewer FT than the opponent in conference.  You just look at that bad swing in Washington a couple weeks ago, it was an average of 16 fewer in those 2 games.

2) The Injuries
Classic excuse, right?  Well it's not just Jasmine Sborov and Lexy Kresl, starters who have missed big playing time.  Both the Wilsons are way too familiar with the medical staff at this point due to one thing or another (B-Wil perhaps due to her penchant for hitting the floor, A-Wil shoulder hasn't been right all year).  Huggins has missed games, Jen Reese had ANOTHER mask on for a while, Jamee Swan had a black eye.  It's been rough.  What do we do about that?  A buncha nothing.  Hope they're all healed by the PAC-12 tournament!

That's gonna leave a mark

3) 3-Point Shooting
We started the year with a bevy of shooters, Lexy, Huggy, Jaz, B-Wil (I love nicknames).  But with changing roles and injuries, it's gotten harder.  Lexy was needed ONLY for treys a couple years ago, now she has to take the point.  Huggins has fallen in to somewhat of a freshman slump (it's her first full year, some inconsistency is to be expected).  Those things turned in to the last two games without a made 3.  That hurts.

4) FINISH HER!
The women need to get their Mortal Kombat on.  They have consistently either a) gotten a nice lead and given in up or b) made the run they need when they're behind, but not get over the hump.  They need the killer instinct, that last push to demoralize the opponent and make them go away.  A 20-point lead to Iowa ended up being a 3 point win, 10 point lead with a couple minutes left against ranked Cal blown, up 2 with the shot clock off against ranked ASU.

Just imagine a Cal jersey on Sonya

5) Depth
Another one that, at the start of the season, I thought was a huge strength.  I thought we had scorers at every position 2-deep.  That has definitely faded as the year has gone on.  Hargis, who I really thought came on and was a contributor last year, has been somewhat of a Tunks-like liability at times.  The freshmen haven't made a lot of noise, though Haley Smith in the last 3 or 4 games has become a clutch jump-shooter, and has been rewarded with a starting spot.  This one comes down a lot to injuries again, but also we need role-players to step up.

6) Scoring Droughts
I don't have a lot to say about this, but every game seems to come with a 4 to 5-minute scoreless period.  It ain't good.  All the other things lead in to this, but they have GOT to execute and not allow the other team to get in it.

Who's gonna score?

7) The Road
Last, but not least, this team is playing Ricardo Patton ball, and failing to execute on the road at all.  The close losses to Stanford, Cal and ASU were all at home, followed by BIGGER losses to the also-rans up in Washington.  Seems like a mentality.  It's not like the women's crowds out there are providing a huge home-court advantage (though CU is once again 3rd in attendance in the PAC)

The Future
So, what can we expect from this team going forward?  For starters, I should note that while I'm writing this, I'm watching them take it to Utah, having doubled them up at the half.  A Utah team that beat them by 3 earlier this week.  And in doing so, have touched on several points from above.  Zoe Beard-Fails looks dominant down-low early on coming off the bench, Lexy is back in the lineup.  And when Utah tried to make a push, CU extended the lead.  Also, we made a couple treys already.  But I swear, I wrote that stuff down before this half!
This sounds like a ridiculous thing to say about a 2-7 team, but they are totally capable of winning the conference tournament.  We still rock the 2nd best team defense in the conference, we've seen what each of these young women are capable of, and until Cal's recent attempt were the closest game Stanford's gotten this season.  We played #5 Louisville to a 7-point game on the road.  This team CAN win, and I think they're capable of beating anyone in the conference. GO BUFFS!
Side note: I haven't seen Jamee Swan yet this game.  That better not be another unjury.  Update: Oh, there she is.  *shrug*
Additional note on the future: We lose the Wilsons and Hargis after this year, but pick up some true PGs.  Next year should be another chance to do some good things

Parting Thoughts: I should say something about the Broncos.  But I don't care.  So listen to this song I like:

Cycling 2014

Cycling Season is Starting

The Tour Down Under is not, in fact, one of my recommended options for your Anniversary Coupon Book, but the first cycling race of the year.  It is the first race of the year, starting on the 19th with a TT in Adelaide.  This is a very well-attended race, as it's the the first chance to get in to true racing form this year.  That said, a lot of guys show up to use to get in form, not to really win.  But whatever, racing is fun!  Sadly, and not really surprisingly, the first withdrawal of the season has also already taken place, as my favorite Frenchman Tommy Voeckler got in a training accident and broke his collarbone.  Also, it's apparently effing hot down there.

I'm not entirely sure what I should be watching out for the next 3km

There are some pretty strong teams present, mostly represented by sprinters.  Cadel Evans will be riding (he has to, he's Australian) as well as Frank Schleck, Richie Porte, and THE JENSIE.  Also, first time to see TdF breakout star Marcel Kittel this year, and he'll be tested against Andre Greipel.  Should be some fun racing.  The crux of this race is, of course, the 2 TTs, but also this finish:

There are HILLS

It's not super epic, but it ain't a breeze.  Also, it's called Old Willunga Hill, so that's pretty awesome.

Ok, it's also a highly recommended coupon option.

Off Season Notes

Radio-Shack Leopard nee RadioShack-Nissan-Trek nee Leopard Trek nee Radio Shack is now finally just Trek Factory Racing.  And their kits are black.  So, good luck with that down in Australia, TFR.

New team on the scene is NFTO.  NFTO is apparently a British outdoor apparel company.  They got Adam Blythe from BMC, and a bunch of other people I didn't immediately recognize.

Euskaltel and Vacansoleil folded.

There were a couple notable transfers.

• Young American Lawson Craddock moved from the Bontrager development team to Argos Shimano.  Also from Bontrager, Nathan Brown inked with Garmin-Sharp.  Good on ya, kids!
• Michele Scarponi from Lampre to Astana.
• Rui Costa to Lampre from Movistar.  I think that could be a great pickup for them, Lampre (even with Scarponi) had fallen off the radar a bit.

In other news, Boulderite and shoe-fetishist Taylor Phinney is in South America for the Tour de San Luis.  That's all I got to say about that.

Parting Thoughts: Totes magoats

USAPC 2014 Reaction

With the warm, cuddly glow of the impending college basketball season beating down upon my face like the spring sun that now seems so far away, I haven't spared a thought for much else.  But the Monday morning announcement of host cities and route generics for the 2014 edition of the USA Pro Challenge gave me pause.  Upon first glance, they did not go the way I expected, but nonetheless appear to have hit the things I desired at the conclusion of the 2013 race.

Overview:
Stage 1) Aspen circuit
Stage 2) Aspen to Crested Butte
Stage 3) Gunnison to Monarch Mountain
Stage 4) CO Springs circuit
Stage 5) Woodland Park to Breckenridge
Stage 6) Vail TT

First and foremost, they have definitely provided the action 2013 lacked.  With the Vail TT on Saturday, this thing will NOT be decided before the weekend.  And sure, it makes sense to bring Saturday's stage to the Front Range to optimize fan attendance, but the Vail TT has been PACKED the first 2 times they ran it.  Midweek.  The last km of that climb there's not room to take a breath.  And with the race on the line, 5 stages under the belt, this could be epic.

Other things I like: Mountaintop finish on Monarch Mountain.  They call it the first ever, I guess because the other uphill finishes have really been to the base of a mountain.  Though Flagstaff was kind of mountain-toppish.  Either way, it'll provide nice action.  Of course we don't have details of the route until Spring, but given Gunnison is at roughly 7700 feet, and Monarch at about 11000, and the direct route would be way too short, I imagine this one will be tough.  I need to learn that area of CO better to weigh in properly.  They did go over Monarch Pass in year one to end at CB.

Speaking of which, one of the classic finishes in the short history of the race was year one, stage one, up to the base of Crested Butte.  And that's back on stage 2 this year.  Seems like that would have to be the stage they send them over Independence, but that would involve going over Monarch Pass, so... wait and see.

And then...?  Oh yes, there's an and-then.  Shawn Hunter, CEO of the whole shabang, said the finish in Breck would be revisiting Moonstone Road.  Which was gnarly and epic and awesome sauce.  Add on to all that, to please the Colorado-loving crowd, 2 stages of circuits where we can camp out for hours and see our favorite riders for more than 2 seconds.  I gotta say, this course, right now, in my head... they nailed it.

AND THEN?  The list above is missing stage 7 you say?  Or maybe you don't since you read all the news releases too?  It's up for a vote!  Talk about incorporating your fan base.  They have 4 possible final stages, and it's up to a vote to pick it.  They are Golden to Denver, Boulder to Denver, Boulder to Golden, or Denver circuit.  My personal feeling is a) it needs to end in Denver, we need to make sure that's a thing and b) enough circuits for the year.  Lookout was fun, re-do the first finish route from Golden, a few laps around downtown.  Winning.  Go vote here.

And theeeeeen?  No and then.  Go vote.  Go watch the race.  Oh, and go to the CEC and watch the men's and women's CU basketball teams tear it up.  That should get you through the winter.

Parting Thought: My happy song playlist has recently added Best Day of My Life .  You can't not be happy listening to it:

CU Basketball Season Preview

Men's Basketball Preview:

BUFFS WIN

Women's Basketball Preview:

BUFFS WIN


Parting Thoughts: Go Buffs.  #IsItNovemberYet

Worlds

The UCI World Championships are upon us.  Over the next week, champions will be crowned in TTT, ITT and road race, for men, women, and juniors.  For those so inclined, NBC Sports will be covering the women's TT (Tuesday, 9/24), men's TT (Wed, 9/25), women's road (Sat, 9/28) and men's road (Sunday, 9/29).

The Field
USA is sending a total of 29 riders.  The men's elite team is 7 strong, with automatic bids going to Fast Freddie Rodriguez (current national champ), Andrew Talansky and Tejay VanGarderen.  Talansky and Tejay earned their bid by being in the top 50 of world rankings.  The others are Chris Horner (barely off of his Vuelta victory), Taylor Phinney (Boulder-based TT power), Alex Howes (also from Boulder, what-what), and Peter Stetina.
The U-23 team has the familiar face of Lawson Craddock, as well as 4 others, all of whom ride for the Bontrager (formerly Livestrong) team.
Among the women are Mara Abbott (BOULDER!), and Evelyn Stevens (Olympian, 2nd in Worlds TT last year).
Complete list here.

The TT
I'm skipping over the TTT, because it's really just for funsies to fill up the week.  For TTT, the riders go with their pro team, not by country, and to my knowledge you don't get to sport an awesome jersey for the rest of the year announcing your awesomeness.  Which isn't to say there's not pride and cash on the line, but, you know, we've seen it.

The men's elite TT course

The elite men's time trial course is 57km, ending in= Florence.  I want to go ride it just because I'm sure it's beautiful.  But 35 miles is a LONG TT.  Taylor Phinney skipped out on the USAPC pretty much to train for this race.  It's flat, which suits his track background, but I'm concerned about the length (that's what she said).  Not that he doesn't have the motor, but he seems more likely to excel in a race more about the pure speed.  It's hard to not pick a standby, like TdF winner Froome or billion-time Swiss TT champion and crowd favorite Cancellara, but Taylor has been so many times the bridesmaid (2nd place twice last Worlds, 4th place twice in the Olympics) I'll be rooting for him to be the bride.  Not like he'll be worrying about saving energy for the road race.  And he'll probably have sweet shoes.

The Road Race
Because the Worlds are only one day, it's always a long day.  Like maybe they can wear the guys down enough to make a breakaway a possibility.  One thing about the national races, as opposed to the pro team races, the peloton does seem to be less organized.  There's less cooperation, fewer people per team, and a different feel to the race.  This year's race is 272 km, almost 170 miles, mostly in a circuit around Florence.

The only chance for an American to win this thing is a weird breakaway situation.  I'd be looking for something like a 10 man break, which on the last circuit splinters even more on the last lap and some opportunist Talansky who hasn't been doing his share of the work takes advantage.
The women's race is only (only!) 140 km, and does that same circuit 5 times to finish.  Stevens will be focusing on the TT, but she's won some overalls and can certainly handle this course.  Abbott is coming off a GC in the women's Giro, first American ever to wear that crown.  Again, though, I think both of them would operate better in a small break than trying to pull away in a mass finish.
U!S!A!U!S!A!

Parting Thoughts: The only thing I put ahead of me is do and re.

Angliru

Found a decent feed, got to see the Angliru.  Count it!

Though oppressive crowds, who stand in the way of the riders to wave a flag at the camera, because, you know, TV.  Through 21% grades, that stalled one of the camera motorcycles and caused a brief break in coverage.  Through a fog that settled in at the top of the mountain, and obscured the view of the road and riders around them.  Horner comes out on top.

An amazing battle between Nibali and Horner unfolded on the slopes of the Angliru.  An early attack by Nibali wasn't immediately answered, and had us wondering if Horner had spent it all to catch up over the last week.  Nibali seeemed in good position, with 2 teammated up the road, and all the other favorites riding solo.  But Fuglsang and Tiralongo didn't drop back to him fast enough and Horner, along with Valverde and Rodriguez, eventually made the catch, though neither of the latter helped Horner in the chase.  And even though Chris Horner may be the most awkward-looking man up a climb, I don't think I saw him in the saddle at any point in the last 10km, and apparently that works for him.  With a little more than 1km to go, he put in an attack and Nibali hit the wall.  Horner came in with a 34" advantage (and collapsed to the ground, surrounded by a very excited group of RadioShack support staff).

It would appear to me that Horner's injury this spring was well-timed.  If he was healthy at TdF time, he probably would have gone, been second-fiddle to Andy Schleck, and been eaten alive by Froome.  As it was, he got back in form right before the Vuelta, hit up the ToU to test the waters.  And comes home with a Grand Tour GC title.  The dude's 41.

Epic.

Parting Thought:  Big ups to the CU football team and staff, using the day off from the postponed game to help out people affected by the floods and serve the food that was already delivered to Folsom to those in need.

Battle at La Vuelta

I was a little disparaging about the Vuelta last time I mentioned it, but it has slowly turned in to the best Grand tour of the season.  Nibali was in control of the Giro, and Froome left no doubt about the outcome of Le Tour, but American Chris Horner is not interested in a similar storyline for La Vuelta.

After losing the lead and falling behind favorite Vincenzo Nibali way back on Stage 11 (September 4th) by 46 seconds, and then losing 4 more seconds a couple days later, Chris Horner has slowly but surely gotten himself back in this thing.  Showing impressive climbing form and well-times attacks, he has toirtoise-and-hared himself in to the Red leader's jersey before the final stage.  22 seconds on 16, 25 more on stage 18, and 6 more seconds on stage 19.  Horner is now up 3 seconds on Nibali, with the next closest competitor being Valverde at 1'06".  The presence of Valverde and Joaquin Rodriguez in the top 5, both top 10 finishers at TdF, is very impressive in itself.

But the story now is today's real final stage (the stage tomorrow won't make a difference).  And it's the perfect setting for the showdown.  Check out the profile for the final climb.

Not only ouch, but ouch

The La Vuelta website, though I'm sure a little biased, calls Alto de l'Angrilu perhaps the toughest climb on the entire racing calender.  With gradients up to 23.5%, and an average of 10.2%, there's no joking around.  There's also no wasting time, because the course is under way, and I need time to go find a feed from some sketchy Italian website  to watch it play out myself.  Darn you, Universal Sports!  Chris Horner is now in the driver's seat, and just has to sit on Nibali's wheel (and make sure one of the others doesn't run off unchecked).  Go Chris!

Parting Thoughts: Ylvis, the Norwegian Lonely Island... go check em out on the youtubes.