San Diego State women’s basketball needs to shorten their rotation or take minutes away from certain players.
SDSU’s ‘big three’ of Najé Murray, Sophia Ramos and Mallory Adams need to improve their synergy on the court together. This is who the program needs to build around.
Head coach Stacie Terry likes when that trio plays together and the problems they force on the defense.
“Offensively, they’re a really good unit. I think they pass fairly well they can score in so many different ways,” Terry said. “Sophia, Najé and Mallory have been really, really consistent, and I think when Téa can find that consistently, that’s when we’re going to take it to another level.”
Currently, the Aztecs are 11-17 and 6-11 in conference play. The team needs a lineup change for its final game of the season on March 7.
Sophomore guard Téa Adams needs to be moved to the bench. She can fill it up in a hurry, proving that by scoring 15 points last game against Fresno State.
Téa Adams has a keen ability to drive the ball, but her unwillingness to shoot from outside the paint limits the Aztecs and shrinks the floor for her teammates. In fact, she has only taken eight three pointers this season.
The Washington native is shooting less than 39 percent from the field and only 61 percent from the free throw line. The sophomore is also a very ball dominant player who doesn’t play off the ball well.
She has 50 assists compared to Murray’s 75 and Ramos’ 127 assists. The Aztecs still count on Adams’ driving and ball-dominant game to be successful.
“When were at our best is when Téa is cooking on all cylinders.” Terry said. “She, in my opinion, is the secret weapon.”
The starting lineup for the Aztecs final game against Nevada on Thursday should be: Murray, Ramos, Mallory Adams, Zayn Dornstauder, and Baylee Vanderdoes.
This line up allows Ramos to be the team’s dominant ball handler. She has the freedom to feed two very good scorers who can find a shot from anywhere in Mallory Adams and Murray.
Ramos will also be able to run the pick and roll with the two ‘bigs’ in 6-foot-3 Dornstauder and 6-foot-1 Vanderdoes.
Téa Adams still should get a healthy amount of minutes, and she will according to Terry.
“I like the option of having both [Ramos and Téa Adams handling the ball],” Terry said, “When (Téa Adams) can get to the rim and make shots, it just gives us another scoring threat on the floor. I think Téa is the key.”
However, the team needs to roll out a new starting five next game. This tough decision by the coaching staff needs to be made and will help the team succeed moving forward.
