First loss at Boise State 80-92

A trip to Boise marked our first road trip of the season. As travel coordinator, I was quite nervous about all of my responsibilities. I wanted to be certain everything would go as planned.

Thankfully, I double checked bus service, flight, rental car and hotel arrangements beforehand. I planned and setup meals. This was easy as one of our assistant coaches formerly coached in Boise. Also, it was a one-game, one-flight, one-hotel road trip, and we were in and out of there in three days. This won't be the case later in the season when we play Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona (I've affectionately deemed that the "Road Trip From Hell").

I received a travel checklist--and I plan to post it on this blog--which contains about 15 items to check off before we leave on a trip. It's essential, and it's the first page in my travel notebook.

Although the travel process went as planned, the majority of the trip did not. Our best defender had too high of a temperature to fly and several other team members were sick. Our head coach came down with the flu and was quarantined to her room, unable to coach in the game. We, the assistants, did our best to execute the game plan as coaches, but the team did not.

The girls played from behind the entire game, with a serious lack of defensive pressure, and even when they were within three points, they were unable to overcome the deficit and lost the game.

For me, it was difficult to figure out what I could say that might motivate the girls. Were they tired? Were they confused with the game plan? What was it? I knew they were the better team, but they did not show it. Boise State shot an incredible amount of free throws and several of our players fouled out. In the end, I felt it was a lack of effort, and I wondered how you teach that.

In speaking with our assistants after the game, we came to the conclusion that the girls had not been showing serious defensive ferocity in practice, and this was translating into games. In conferring with our head coach, we changed up the practice plan for the next two days to emphasize competitiveness and accountability. The outcome was positive, and for future reference, I think it's vital to establish these commitments (competitiveness and accountability) from Day 1. That's not to say we did not, but I think we kind of steered away from this and moved into a more offensive state of mind.

After seeing the positives in refocusing practice, it's my hope we'll continue this, and it's my intent to make sure we do!

View the post-game recap.