12/5 Notre Dame game without Butler

[huskeynut]

I'm putting this out there as food for thought.

How will ND function without Loyd? Before the finals she said she was staying for her senior year despite the rumor mill. After the championship game, she declares for the WNBA draft.

What effect does her decision have on the mental make up of ND now? I know Muffet is a very good coach, but, can she and the team recover from the Loyd decision?

I don't have an answer.

I still see UCONN winning. We have too much fire power for ND to handle.

 

[Orangutan]

I don't agree with you on AO's quickness; unlike Loyd, I believe she'll struggle defensively because of it. We'll have to see how she does at the Div 1 level.

I didn't take Muffet's comments about moving Allen off the point as hypothetical. I interpreted her comments as recognizing that she needs to get scoring from the perimeter and right now Allen is her most skilled perimeter player.

Well...this is all moot now. Patberg tore her ACL. So I don't think Allen will be playing much wing.

Also relevant to this thread, sounds like Cable will be the 5th starter. Heard an interview with McGraw and she implied as much (at least the way I heard her).

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Well...this is all moot now. Patberg tore her ACL. So I don't think Allen will be playing much wing.

Also relevant to this thread, sounds like Cable will be the 5th starter. Heard an interview with McGraw and she implied as much (at least the way I heard her).

Condolences.

 

[j66kicker]

Well...this is all moot now. Patberg tore her ACL. So I don't think Allen will be playing much wing.

Also relevant to this thread, sounds like Cable will be the 5th starter. Heard an interview with McGraw and she implied as much (at least the way I heard her).

Bad deal - sorry.

https://mobile.twitter.com/MechelleV

 

[UConnCat]

Well...this is all moot now. Patberg tore her ACL. So I don't think Allen will be playing much wing.

Also relevant to this thread, sounds like Cable will be the 5th starter. Heard an interview with McGraw and she implied as much (at least the way I heard her).

Ugh. I'm really saddened to hear this. I read your post and it felt like a punch to my gut. Best wishes in her recovery and I look forward to seeing her play in November 2016.

 

[CocoHusky]

Not being snarky or putting anyone down. Everyone has their favorite players and wants them to play as much as possible, I get that. If someone wants Gabby as the 5th starter, they should articulate why. Experience can't be the reason, because there are players more qualified than her in that department. This upcoming season seems like the first one in a while where there really is no reason to tinker with the starting line up. There is no one better than Mo-Nurse--Stewie-Tuck. Put the returning starters in their spots, and figure out what to do with KML's position. Who on this team can play the wing? That's who you start in my opinion, or at least lean towards assuming said player isn't completely dogging it in practice. Also, I don't see why Chong gets such short shrift just because everyone has become enamored with the Gabulous One. I like Gabby too, but maybe Chong should get a look if you're not going to go with one of the freshmen? Chong at least has some experience starting, is also supposedly just as fast as Mo, and as I mentioned has proven that she can shoot from distance and the free throw line, plus has one more year of experience on Gabby. I also hope Pulido gets some decent time at the end of games this year as she graduates with Mo and Stewie.

I want Gabby to be the 5th starter because she earned it based on her performance in the last exhibition game. There is still plenty of room on the Gabulous bandwagon. Should I reserve a seat or you?

 

[Tonyc]

All these worries about ND. Who is going to pick up where Lloyd left off? ND is to slow to guard us, our guards are to quick for NDs guards, ND has one go to player in Turner, UConn has 4, ND is to slow and non athletic on defense to keep up with us. Let me tell you I don't see ND coming close in this game. Stewie MoJeff Nurse and Tuck will have their way. Now if we get in foul trouble especially Stewie or we have injuries the game may be close but that's it folks. UConn will win this game big and they will win it with their quickness and athleticism. ND will be exposed in this game.

As far as Gabby. She looks really good. Could she start imo yes. Will she its up to Geno. When you see Gabby this season you wont believe how much better she is...shes Great. Huge improvement and she will only get better. Remember this about Gabby. She puts up big numbers. Big Numbers. She is very quick and her shot is much improved. Your going to be pleasantly surprised.

 

[PhillyCoach]

Well...this is all moot now. Patberg tore her ACL. So I don't think Allen will be playing much wing.

Also relevant to this thread, sounds like Cable will be the 5th starter. Heard an interview with McGraw and she implied as much (at least the way I heard her).

A couple of thoughts. As we all do, I feel bad for Patberg. Point - My father was a strength and conditioning guy so it was always part of my experience. Looking around WBB and all the pro sports (football & basketball especially) IMHO we have come to the fine line of TOO MUCH training at a TOO HIGH LEVEL. In the 50's and 60's it was actually taboo to lift weights. Please name me key players from that era who constantly went down. Football I get because of the size and speed of the hitters. Basketball is another story. There is a point of diminishing returns. UConn has 5 players nicked up now. Lots of overuse and pushing too hard. I strongly believe in hard work, but shooting 500 3's is better than too much plyometrics or lifting.

To close - If ND is starting Reimer, Mabrey, & Cable then I will sleep better at night. ND plays the 2nd best team defense in the nation. However, individually that line up has at least two weaknesses and an average defender. If you get in Mabrey's & Reimer's face--then can't blow by you. I'll take Gabby as the 5th starter over Cable any day. (Some posters say if Gabby plays the wing then they can sag off her because she does not have an outside shot--well, sag off and she will blow by you or take you down low.

 

[Orangutan]

A couple of thoughts. As we all do, I feel bad for Patberg. Point - My father was a strength and conditioning guy so it was always part of my experience. Looking around WBB and all the pro sports (football & basketball especially) IMHO we have come to the fine line of TOO MUCH training at a TOO HIGH LEVEL. In the 50's and 60's it was actually taboo to lift weights. Please name me key players from that era who constantly went down. Football I get because of the size and speed of the hitters. Basketball is another story. There is a point of diminishing returns. UConn has 5 players nicked up now. Lots of overuse and pushing too hard. I strongly believe in hard work, but shooting 500 3's is better than too much plyometrics or lifting.

To close - If ND is starting Reimer, Mabrey, & Cable then I will sleep better at night. ND plays the 2nd best team defense in the nation. However, individually that line up has at least two weaknesses and an average defender. If you get in Mabrey's & Reimer's face--then can't blow by you. I'll take Gabby as the 5th starter over Cable any day. (Some posters say if Gabby plays the wing then they can sag off her because she does not have an outside shot--well, sag off and she will blow by you or take you down low.

They'll start that way, but they won't necessarily finish that way. I expect a lot of mix and matching. ND has a lot of good options but not a one-size-fits-all lineup. That's an underrated part of Loyd being gone. She was so versatile that you could have the same lineup play a different way just by changing her role.

Alas, Patberg's injury takes away some options, including the idea of having Allen play some wing.

 

[Carnac]

Me too Rocky, me too...ND always scares me no matter who we have or don't have playing.

Me three. ND has still got "unfinished business" with (I was going to say "us") UConn. ND is T-I-R-E-D of losing to the Huskies in their recent meetings.
I think if ND could only win one game all year, it would be against UConn. The passion and desire to beat UConn that was stoked years ago has not faded.
The flaming desire of defeating UConn remains as fervent as ever. They want the Huskies, and they want them bad.

Like other BY posters, I think they had their best chance last year. I would be surprised if this year's ND team is as "potent" as last year's squad.
They have no one on their roster that can come close to replacing Jewell Loyd, in terms of production, or leadership.

 

[EricSD]

Like other BY posters, I think they had their best chance last year. I would be surprised if this year's ND team is as "potent" as last year's squad. They have no one on their roster that can come close to replacing Jewell Loyd, in terms of production, or leadership.

I agree. I think one ND poster said that Cabel and Maybry would be the likely 4th and 5th starters? To go along with Allen, Reimer and Turner?

Notwithstanding the athleticism (because I think when really good teams play, teams that are less athletic can overcome it with great spacing and help defense, and ND is one of those really well coached teams - like Stanford - who overcome that fairly easily IMHO). But... how does

Jefferson - Allen
Nurse - Maybry
Williams - Cabel
Stewie - Turner
Tuck - Reimer

How does that lineup when you hold it up side by side make anyone feel like ND has a legit shot? I should rephrase - on paper, UCONN is superior at every position. I'd be disappointed if UCONN won by less than 15.

 

[HoopsFan21]

I agree. I think one ND poster said that Cabel and Maybry would be the likely 4th and 5th starters? To go along with Allen, Reimer and Turner?

Notwithstanding the athleticism (because I think when really good teams play, teams that are less athletic can overcome it with great spacing and help defense, and ND is one of those really well coached teams - like Stanford - who overcome that fairly easily IMHO). But... how does

Jefferson - Allen
Nurse - Maybry
Williams - Cabel
Stewie - Turner
Tuck - Reimer

How does that lineup when you hold it up side by side make anyone feel like ND has a legit shot? I should rephrase - on paper, UCONN is superior at every position. I'd be disappointed if UCONN won by less than 15.

If you would have told me that a team with Maya, Stef, Bria, Kelly, and Tiff could have lost to ND on a night where Maya scored 35+ I would have said you were crazy. But, it happened and on one of the biggest stages - the final four - so anything's possible.

 

[hoophuskee]

Well...this is all moot now. Patberg tore her ACL. So I don't think Allen will be playing much wing.

Also relevant to this thread, sounds like Cable will be the 5th starter. Heard an interview with McGraw and she implied as much (at least the way I heard her).

Sorry to hear this as well. Hopefully she has a speedy recovery. Awful news - feel for all the kids this happens too. Ughhhh!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Carnac]

I agree. I think one ND poster said that Cabel and Maybry would be the likely 4th and 5th starters? To go along with Allen, Reimer and Turner?

Notwithstanding the athleticism (because I think when really good teams play, teams that are less athletic can overcome it with great spacing and help defense, and ND is one of those really well coached teams - like Stanford - who overcome that fairly easily IMHO). But... how does

Jefferson - Allen
Nurse - Maybry
Williams - Cabel
Stewie - Turner
Tuck - Reimer

How does that lineup when you hold it up side by side make anyone feel like ND has a legit shot? I should rephrase - on paper, UCONN is superior at every position. I'd be disappointed if UCONN won by less than 15.

Great observation. I see UConn winning each one of those matchups. That coupled with the fact that ND will have the pleasure of enjoying OUR hospitality this year. You know the few ND fans that will show up, will be drowned out by the UConn fans.

The UConn faithful will be as loud and raucous as ND's fans were last year when they hosted us.
Gampel pavilion is a tough venue to play in if you're a visitor. There are no welcome mats at the visitor's entrance, and no one will leave a light on for them.

I try to avoid using the term "us" and "we" when referring to UConn. It's hard sometimes because we ALL (UConn fans and supporters) feel like we're a part of the team, when in reality, we're not. Technically, the only ones that can use that term are the players, coaches and alumni.......... as a supporter from another team recently commented. I have to admit, that comment stuck. However..... at times when I'm feeling a little cocky, gregarious and good about myself,
I will throw caution to the wind and use those terms........freely.

WE are going to have a lot of fun this season, cheering for OUR team, and watching them play some of the best women's college basketball in the country. IMHO, I think (I'm leaning on the cape and turban on this one) WE are going to have a record setting season this year.

Think about it.....This year's team has the chance to do something that has NEVER been done, and can only come around once every four years.

 

[Bestiarius]

Think about it.....This year's team has the chance to do something that has NEVER been done, and can only come around once every four years.

Someone from our team will be elected POTUS !!? That would be great, because instead of just one room in the White House, we'll have the whole place to ourselves.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

ericsandiego said- - - - I think people are underestimating Turner. Horrible 1st half, but let's be honest - she outplayed Stewie in the 2nd half. Played great defense on Stewie and outscored her. I'm not saying Turner is better, but as a freshman, she was just terrific and if she has as sophomore leap, watch out. I also think Allen was much better than I anticipated. Remember, it was fairly even in the 2nd half - UCONN only outscored them by 2.

ericsandiego, that all happened after Stewie severely sprained her ankle in the 1st half and could only play defense! She busted her butt because of the National Championship game!
I think UCONN will win by 20-25 points as ND has only 1 great player, Turner! UCONN has 7, so who covers who?
ND has no-one to cover all Stewie, Tuck, Nurse, MoJeff, Gabby, Chong, KLS, Collier, Boykin (if healthy), Tuck neutralizes Turner, ND hopeless! + UCONN at Gampel!
The Muffett is a pretty good coach but she is no miracle worker!

 

[blkkirk]

I would not underestimate ND. Allen really picked up her offensive game during the tournament last year. She will pick up a lot of the scoring lost by Loyd. Reimer showed toughness and her ability to score. This is a tough match up for Tuck (Granted she can not cover Tuck). You expect Turner to be significantly better and more looked to to be a weapon. I look forward to this match-up with Stewart (I don't see Tuck able to cover Turner effectively). ND will be very solid. I expect them to start slow but by the end of the season will be a formidable opponent. They have been there and done that. They know how to win games. They are our biggest threat. With that said, I still think we are a big favorite.

 

[connboy77]

The absence of Loyd means that Mo Jet will guard Allen making her a non factor. In the championship game last year, Turner was able to play great in the second half mainly because Stewart was hurt. I want to see how she does against a healthy Breanna Stewart. This game will not be close. UCONN will win by 20 to 25 points.

 

[Huskies Rule]

I think ND is absolutely terrific. Even when, on paper, they don't seem to have the horses UCONN does, Muffet coaches them incredibly well and they do a bangup job vs. UCONN (most of the time). If nothing else, they outplayed us for 2-3 years with Skyler, but the roles are reversed since Stewie and Mo have been at UCONN.

I think people are underestimating Turner. Horrible 1st half, but let's be honest - she outplayed Stewie in the 2nd half. Played great defense on Stewie and outscored her. I'm not saying Turner is better, but as a freshman, she was just terrific and if she has as sophomore leap, watch out. I also think Allen was much better than I anticipated. Remember, it was fairly even in the 2nd half - UCONN only outscored them by 2.

Sorry, but I'm sick and tired of hearing about Stewie being outplayed by Turner in the 2nd half of the NC game. At the 8:04 mark of the first half, Stewie rolled her ankle badly, quickly had it retaped, got right back in and then sat during halftime (which exacerbated the injury). Her ankle stiffened, swelled and hurt like hell- as a post-game Mechelle Voepel interview noted. And while a jubilant Stewie acknowledged the ankle was hurting bad, and it "looked ugly," she refused to use it as an excuse for her lack of scoring.

I don't underestimate Turner. She is really good, but to say that she was responsible for Stewie's 2nd half lack of offense is not true. Turner didn't shut down Stewie offensively- only Stewie's rolled ankle succeeded in limiting Stewie offensively.

Stewie fought through serious pain and a heavily taped, gimpy ankle that didn't allow her to play even close to her A-game for the final 28 minutes. But the champion that she is, she gritted her teeth, toughed it out and prevailed because that is one incredibly special young woman.

 

[CocoHusky]

I would not underestimate ND. Allen really picked up her offensive game during the tournament last year. She will pick up a lot of the scoring lost by Loyd. Reimer showed toughness and her ability to score. This is a tough match up for Tuck (Granted she can not cover Tuck). You expect Turner to be significantly better and more looked to to be a weapon. I look forward to this match-up with Stewart (I don't see Tuck able to cover Turner effectively). ND will be very solid. I expect them to start slow but by the end of the season will be a formidable opponent. They have been there and done that. They know how to win games. They are our biggest threat. With that said, I still think we are a big favorite.

All the defense matchups favor UCONN. Tuck can cover Turner or Reimer. Stewie can cover Turner or Reimer. Turner can cover either Stewie or Tuck. Reimer can cover neither Stewie nor Tuck effectively.
At the Guard wing position MoJeff & Kia can cover any combination of Mabrey, Cable, or Allen. Mabrey & Cable cannot cover MoJeff.
Since FF of 2013 ND has not had a defender that can cover a healthy Stewie.