4th Qtr Issues For UCONN?

[WFFL]

I posted here to show it’s not a hatred but more of a question? This seems to be the issue in all
3 losses? Any ideas?

 

[Plebe]

Lack of mental toughness, lack of confidence, lack of physical stamina (certain players playing long minutes look extremely gassed), lack of cohesion under pressure.

I'm not one for moral victories. Louisville is no South Carolina. But at least I wouldn't describe today's 4Q as a total collapse, as what happened vs. Ga Tech. Still, the inability to execute well in crunch time is concerning.

 

[CocoHusky]

Lack of senior leadership prevents this team from being able to adequately handle adversity. Paige’s brilliance combined with playing in the BE conference have mask this glaring deficiency for two year now. The kimono is now fully open.

 

[BostonCanuck]

Lack of go-to playmaking. Repetition of offensive scheme(s) late in the games that already have been demonstrated to not be working against their pressure defense. Failure to make adjustments accordingly.

Very much like how we lost to Notre Dame in the 2019 national semi-final, by the way.

 

[Mdoggie]

So let me rehash where and when things went wrong and I ain’t talking about todays game.
Things changed for us when we didn’t land Boston. Also the horribly unsuccessful class where only Megan remained. Hopefully by next year we can get back on track to world domination.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

No Paige. Other injuries.

No need to be complicated. Louisville is unquestionably one of the best teams in the country. UConn without their best player (and I'm not saying the other injured players aren't high quality) and it is a close game.

As is almost always the case, I wouldn't want to be playing UConn when they are relatively healthy. I'm not sure any but the very best teams would want to play them now. Just saying.

 

[jumpstart]

Paige missing is not the total answer to the 4th quarter issues. She can only do so much and she played against South Carolina. Stamina and leadership with Paige is much better but the girl needs help. It seems as though UCONN stops and watches Paige for half the game instead of playing with her. Without her it is a "who is going to be that player" while the game is in progress.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Not sure the reason for the 4th Q slumps, but I think UConn is improving.

I think it is worrying for everyone else with aspirations that the supporting cast may figure out how to be aggressive and comfortable in Bueckers absence and carry that on into the tournament assuming she returns.

Ducharme looks like a multi-faceted aggressive, skilled offensive player. I know Fudd can be. I think UConn's problem recently has been discovering what it's like when you're not that hard to defend (at least at highest levels)

 

[LoTrader]

Too many injured players. Fudd, Aubrey, Nika, Paige. Getting any of these players back will be a big plus

 

[Bigboote]

Things will change when UConn gets Nika and Azzi back. Presumably the first few games each will get 5 minutes or so in each half. That gives two positives: it allows starters 20 more minutes of rest. But more importantly, these kids will bring two things that have been missing late in games, the first being raw energy/fresh legs. But the biggest problem in fourth quarters has been lack of movement on offense. Geno remarked last year that the team moved better with Nika in the game, and I don't see Azzi doing anything but improving movement and spacing on offense.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Things will change when UConn gets Nika and Azzi back. Presumably the first few games each will get 5 minutes or so in each half. That gives two positives: it allows starters 20 more minutes of rest. But more importantly, these kids will bring two things that have been missing late in games, the first being raw energy/fresh legs. But the biggest problem in fourth quarters has been lack of movement on offense. Geno remarked last year that the team moved better with Nika in the game, and I don't see Azzi doing anything but improving movement and spacing on offense.

If Azzi wants 30 minutes a game, I'd let her have them even if it means taking some minutes from ONO/CW/Evina. I'm hoping Azzi can be this season's Paige in the second half.