Kerith Burke @KerithBurke 14m14 minutes ago
Looking at the UConn-Notre Dame box score. I want to high-five Kiah Stokes, but she'd probably block it
And that's only if she could reach.Kerith Burke @KerithBurke 14m14 minutes ago
Looking at the UConn-Notre Dame box score. I want to high-five Kiah Stokes, but she'd probably block it
I'm also starting to suspect that her reputation as a shot-blocker is helping her out with the refs. Although she was called for one foul on a play that could have just as easily been not called, there were a couple of close no-calls where Lloyd was none to pleased.
What people need to realize is that really good defense, in other words taking away points the other team would have scored if some one else were in the game, is good offense.I know that Tuck will get most of the kudos for this game (deserved) but for me the real story was Stokes. She turned the game around.
I will never criticize her lack of offense again.
The big lineup with KML at the SG position was a defensive force last year as well.Of course she got all those rebounds, but this game turned around when Kiah came into the game. With her in the paint, everybody can play much tighter defense, knowing that if somebody is beat on the dribble that Kiah will block the shot. It's really curious, but she is so much better a player when she comes off the bench; she seems much less inhibited and more aggressive, knowing that she has to do it for only 20 minutes instead of 30. That set with Stewie at the three and Kaleena at the two is the best team UConn put on the floor today.
I know that Tuck will get most of the kudos for this game (deserved) but for me the real story was Stokes. She turned the game around.
I will never criticize her lack of offense again.
Today was not the first time Kiah entered a game and swung the lead and momentum to the other side. At this point there is plenty of statistical evidence to prove that she is a huge game changer even if she won't ever score 20. ND was pulling away when Stokes came into the game. Basically UConn spotted ND a 10 point lead and still won by nearly 20, and that was because of Kiah. Yeah Morgan had the game of her life, but she's a starter, and it took until Kiah came in to the game to shift things.I'm also trying to track Kiah's +/- in this game. Not sure about the second half, but she was +18 in the first half alone. Yes, that swing happened because of the poise and composure a bunch of kids showed today, but Kiah's rebounding absolutely reduced the number of second-chance opportunities ND had been getting.
Bottom line, Kiah is great at what she does, and the kind of stuff she does was just what the doctor ordered today.
A highlight for me:
The ND crowd was loud and raucous. They yelled obnoxious things at whichever UConn player was about to take a foul shot. They booed every call they didn't like, even if the call was unquestionable.
And then they booed because Kiah Stokes is an absolutely phenomenal defensive player and there was nothing to call against her as she made spectacular plays.
And then everybody shut up.
Maybe Kiah just wanted to impress her family which was sitting behind the UConn bench. You know avoid getting yelled at and embarrassed by coach.
A highlight for me:
The ND crowd was loud and raucous. They yelled obnoxious things at whichever UConn player was about to take a foul shot. They booed every call they didn't like, even if the call was unquestionable.
And then they booed because Kiah Stokes is an absolutely phenomenal defensive player and there was nothing to call against her as she made spectacular plays.
And then everybody shut up.
I know that Tuck will get most of the kudos for this game (deserved) but for me the real story was Stokes. She turned the game around.
I will never criticize her lack of offense again.
You don't really get sarcasm, do you?Yeah. That's it.