A couple of post-OK game thoughts

[BroadwayVa]

Please humor me. I had to watch -- not listen to, but watch -- the game at a local sports bar. Luckily I found one where the clientele were harmless, unlike the last sports bar I found for a game. But that's another story, as they say.

So tonight, focusing on watching, not listening, a couple of observations:

Gabby is a wonderful player, but seems to be more part of the ensemble than she was last year, when she absolutely stood out. She's still probably the most athletic player in WCBB, but she does not seem as spectacular now.

I've always admired Katie Lou's play, but generally thought that in past games I've watched, she was not the star. Not tonight. She was wonderful, whether shooting 3s, driving to the basket or grabbing rebounds. Nobody did it better.

Oklahoma is better than their record, by a lot, in my opinion. While the did not have the horses to stay with UConn for the whole game, they did a number of things on offense that UConn, at least initially, did not have answers for. They have decent size and certainly can get physical. Anyway, they should be OK in league play.

Is anyone else really happy with the short amount of time it has taken for Azura to become absolutely reliable? She does lots of nice things around the basket, knows how to work the high-low and even makes a three once in a while.

Some or all of these probably were discussed in the game thread. But I have found that I cannot do the game thread and the game at the same time, at least not when the instrument for communicating is a phone. So, as I said, please forgive what may be repetition, and take these thoughts for whatever they're worth.

Thank you TomCat!! Thanks for the good word for a great Coach in her own right, who listened to Geno as she started, a good school from a great state.
Along with that --you are correct on Gabby--oooh how she shall be missed, she is nothing short of amazing. Katie Lou to me is always great--. Azura, I wondered how she'd fit in--she is a perfect fit, she could be Uconn born and bred--she is a Uconn type kid and player...

 

[BroadwayVa]

I was at the game. Third row sideline seat near the basket (Behind the OK bench, which was interesting. They came with about 20 fans) Havent watched the replay, so a few observations.
OK was very physical. I was astounded by how many non-calls I saw in the paint. L-P (#0) especially repeatedly plowed over players. It seemed as if the refs were only calling arm fouls. This was a huge disadvantage to Gabby as she picked up fouls with her arms akimbo style (some legit and some questionable) L-P, meanwhile simply pushed over people and often got away with it. I thought she could have gotten twice the fouls.
I thought it was a learning experience for the defense as they had difficulties at times. Funny how your perception can be at odds with reality - I thought the offense had issues, but the numbers dont look bad.
Overall, I thought the team in this game looked like what we expected last year. They just dont have the flow and crispness that surprised many last year. Yet.

OldAlum: I saw much of what you saw --and the lack of call from many on OU's team. Pierre-Louis--Vioneis (love that name), is physical, plays the same in every game--bulls her way into shooting range--she's good, better when the refs fail to make calls. I've seen a few OU games, physical or not, this was the best total game they put together.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I'll agree being physical w/ Samuelson when defending her is a recurring theme. Stewie got a lot of the same treatment didn't she?

 

[CocoHusky]

I agree that they are beating her up and a lot is missed. Like when one of her 3 point attempts was "blocked" by Maddie, according to Debbie, when in effect it appears that she was hit on the forearm and face.
And something I noticed about the refs: it seemed to me that the men called almost every one of the fouls whereas the woman ref called only violations no matter where on the court she was positioned. Seemed weird.

KLS is and has been getting beat up and she was definitely fouled on that three point attempt. I'm not willing to go as far as you did however, I don't notice any difference depending on the gender of the refs. I see good and bad refs of both gender calling these games.

 

[Longtime fan]

Reliable? Stevens is the BEST player on the team right now! The scary thing is, she is only going to get better as she continues to get comfortable in the UConn offense. She has the potential to completely dominate games at times.

Not sure there really is a " best player on the team, right now." I know why you said that, and Azura deserves all the praise you give her. She is emerging into an unstoppable force, on the boards, in the paint and, hopefully, from the arc. But Katie Lou is a warrior with
all-around talent, too. And, when trouble surfaces, Kia Nurse is the person you want in your foxhole. Crystal just seems like the best point guard in the nation already, and her shooting is so improved that it is destroying the morale of our opponents ( my opinion). And then there is Pheesa....perhaps the best pure basketball player on the team ( I shouldn't be using the term " best" should I ?). And Gabby, the most superb athlete, capable of domination. By March, we may also be saying how amazing Megan Walker is ( we have already seen some signs). My point is; the team has players capable of taking over the game and giving UCONN the winning edge, at any time. And it is hard ( though fun ) to single out one player and identify that person as " the best." I agree, however, that watching Azura play is jaw dropping. She gets exponentially better every game. We are really lucky.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Reliable? Stevens is the BEST player on the team right now! The scary thing is, she is only going to get better as she continues to get comfortable in the UConn offense. She has the potential to completely dominate games at times.

I

I could agree Azura Stevens is on of 6 top players on this Uconn WBB team--that is an easy assessment. The BEST????? That's like saying my brick house is safe because of the top most brick---which of these Uconn Bricks do you pull out without destroying the whole framework?? What is the team without Gabby, Kia, Danger, Precious or KLS
I'm more than pleased Azura is a Husky, I strongly believe without her the road to another NC may not happen. Sorry, @TitleTown, you are usually right, but this time--my emotions kick in--cuz they are ALL the BEST..

 

[nwhoopfan]

Yeah I saw Katie Lou's head snap back on that 3 point attempt "block," figured she got hit. Don't know how the refs missed that one.

Oklahoma was in Seattle for 1st/2nd round Tourney games last year. I went to both games. VPL for the Sooners dominated Gonzaga in the 1st round game, but against the Huskies she got stonewalled by Chantel Osahor, VPL was a complete non-factor. Osahor did the same thing the year before against Maryland and Brionna Jones. She was an underrated defender.

 

[msf22b]

Can I like this two or three or ten more times?

So far this season:

9 games, 4 ranked teams and 3 "others receiving votes"
5 games outside Connecticut
26.4 - avg margin of victory
10 (10!) players averaging double digit scoring
5 players averaging 3+ assists per game (CD with 5.6)
5 different players that have led the team in scoring

BTW, poor Napheesa only put up 21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks last night. Kid is still not playing well, according to some here.

I think it's important that folks who don't always see the bottle half (or more) full
are encouraged to voice their concerns.

All of the above quantitative positives, still allowed for a very shaky start of the 3rd quarter; the negatives of which were much more than poor marksmanship.

I remember, not so long ago on another board, a contributor put up a similar set, to which I replied, that despite the positive statistics, the team seemed ripe for an upset.

Like last night, a loss to ND didn't happen, but I haven't had such unsettling sensations since the St John's season and the Notre Dame losses. the former of which I also telegraphed to much amusement and derision at the time

The board can be just an uncritical cheer-leader but that would be sad and boring. I agree that jumping all over individuals is not productive and I try not to do it, being a generalist, attempting to view the team through a wide-angle lens.

And right now, I see a team that for all the wonderful pieces, has not yet discovered
a clear identity; that is somewhat limited by the unanticipated lack of growth of our #2 and 3 sophs, and a slower than usual development of the freshman class, for which we had such high hopes. And can be taken off their game by controlled aggression.

That only six (one absentee) were deemed ready to play against a team outside of the top-25 is not overwhelming positive.

That the team has the ability and talent to overcome these hiccups is without question. And even if things do not significantly change, they still may get by on sheer talent alone.

But vintage UConn BB is not yet consistently present. During the Stewie/Tuck/Mo years, they could cut the heart out of their opponents often just by showing up.
And even earlier, strong teams, virtually with a similar degree of talent going at them, would find themselves (metaphorically) smacked in the face...
What I miss is controlled aggression along with finesse.
Enjoy Christmas in Connecticut for an example.


Ding Dong.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Just back from the game.
I sat upstairs in the corner, perfect view of the court; great arena to see a game.

I thought it was a strange game, in a slightly strange season.
UConn let Sherri's team hang around. Like other teams this season, they weren't intimidated and possessed decent skills, fought and hung around. In the 3rd quarter they did more than that and fought back to -7 and the thought started seeping around the arena that UConn could actually lose and spoil the party.
At that point, Geno took put a slightly rattled Dangerfield and order was restored.

Although it probably hardly shows in the box (wrong 10 rebounds, 8 assists)...Gabby's fight and intensity was the difference. She willed the team to perform and they started to.

At the end of the 3rd and through much of the 4th, the teams passing and patience brought makable shots in the paint and some beautiful BB ensued.

So why the lapses? Why the lack of a killer instinct?
Hard to say, but I'll take a crack...Pheesa still loses concentration on D (esp 1st quarter) and lets her man escape for an easy shot. For a lot of the game Nurse disappeared on O. One problem for Z: as the ball sails around the perimeter; it takes her a bit longer to figure out what to do with the ball than the others...and the O grinds to a halt. But not when she's the recipient of a pass in her scoring zone.

Looking at what I just wrote above...that's not it...Those things happened but the essence is simpler.

What it is is this team is just a bit soft, has trouble playing with the kind of purpose and intensity we're used to.
Expects to win and surprised when other teams don't role over.
Well, they're not going to. You can finesse all you like but the opponents will punch you in the mouth (like what happened to Gabby today)...
The Huskies have to find their inner toughness
Everyone's going to come after them.

Some of what you say I agree with: But SOFT?? What you are seeing is a team that knows each game is in the bag. This is a tough team. When they play a top 5 team you shall see them dig deep and put them away--which of the players is soft? Kia? Danger? Gabby? (plays when she is miserable with headaches) KLS (she plays while gimping, or vomiting), Napheesa?, Azura--(these 2 are human punching bags in every game) SOFT?? Hardly. Killing instinct--maybe, Geno has had that problem with other great teams.

 

[Charliebball]

Have to disagree strongly. At this point in the season Azura and Kia would easily be first AA based on the quality of play.
KLS has missed a bunch of games, Gabby has not been her dominat self and Napheesa is shooting at a lower percentage than last year, but name a player (Not on last year's 1st Team AA) that is playing better basketball?

I haven't had much time on your question as I'm tending to my daughter who had knee surgery yesterday.......thankfully just meniscus tear no ACL/MCL issues...........don't even remember exactly who the non UConn players were in starting five but off the top of my head Kalani Brown, Aja Wilson, Kelsey Mitchell, Arike Ogunbawle, Sabrina Ionescu, Victoria Vivians and Asia Durr have been outstanding so far.....I know I'm missing forwards......gotta work on that.......

 

[nwhoopfan]

I haven't had much time on your question as I'm tending to my daughter who had knee surgery yesterday..thankfully just meniscus tear no ACL/MCL issues......don't even remember exactly who the non UConn players were in starting five but off the top of my head Kalani Brown, Aja Wilson, Kelsey Mitchell, Arike Ogunbawle, Sabrina Ionescu, Victoria Vivians and Asia Durr have been outstanding so far.....I know I'm missing forwards.gotta work on that..

Yes. UConn has some outstanding players, but there are other outstanding players across the country playing for some other teams.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

Watching Marquette take ND to overtime makes me feel like our Team played pretty well last night!

 

[jsloanjr]

Any OK Post game stuff?

 

[vtcwbuff]

My thoughts - Packed to the rafters arena
Exciting player intro with the phonelight thing
Samuelson was hot early and late but she got used several times on
D. She looked gassed late in the game
Dangerfield an off night
Williams couldn't buy a basket but she was very productive
elsewhere
The team stunk up much of the 3rd quarter
OU was up for the game
As others have said UConn players were bouncing off VPL
like she was a trampoline.
Mohegan Sun is the best venue in the area.

Bumped into Ann Strother and family (husband and two little ones) in Denali. She looks great. Not a day older than when she was dropping 3s for UConn. She's kept in shape unlike some of the UConn alums.

 

[HuskyNan]

I think it's important that folks who don't always see the bottle half (or more) full
are encouraged to voice their concerns.

All of the above quantitative positives, still allowed for a very shaky start of the 3rd quarter; the negatives of which were much more than poor marksmanship.

I remember, not so long ago on another board, a contributor put up a similar set, to which I replied, that despite the positive statistics, the team seemed ripe for an upset.

Like last night, a loss to ND didn't happen, but I haven't had such unsettling sensations since the St John's season and the Notre Dame losses. the former of which I also telegraphed to much amusement and derision at the time

The board can be just an uncritical cheer-leader but that would be sad and boring. I agree that jumping all over individuals is not productive and I try not to do it, being a generalist, attempting to view the team through a wide-angle lens.

And right now, I see a team that for all the wonderful pieces, has not yet discovered
a clear identity; that is somewhat limited by the unanticipated lack of growth of our #2 and 3 sophs, and a slower than usual development of the freshman class, for which we had such high hopes. And can be taken off their game by controlled aggression.

That only six (one absentee) were deemed ready to play against a team outside of the top-25 is not overwhelming positive.

That the team has the ability and talent to overcome these hiccups is without question. And even if things do not significantly change, they still may get by on sheer talent alone.

But vintage UConn BB is not yet consistently present. During the Stewie/Tuck/Mo years, they could cut the heart out of their opponents often just by showing up.
And even earlier, strong teams, virtually with a similar degree of talent going at them, would find themselves (metaphorically) smacked in the face...
What I miss is controlled aggression along with finesse.
Enjoy Christmas in Connecticut for an example.


Ding Dong.

If it were late February, I would be more concerned.

 

[Centerstream]

KLS is and has been getting beat up and she was definitely fouled on that three point attempt. I'm not willing to go as far as you did however, I don't notice any difference depending on the gender of the refs. I see good and bad refs of both gender calling these games.

I was not offering my opinion on the quality of the officiating, I was only offering my opinion on who was making which type of call. To elaborate, all three refs made violation type calls but only the two men refs made the vast majority of the foul calls. When I watched the game a second time today, I tried to verify this and I am pretty sure that she did not make any but I could have missed a couple and there were calls that two refs would call simultaneously but it seemed to me that the men refs were the one that reported it to the scorer's table. But it is not a big deal, just my casual observation.

 

[donalddoowop]

All players struggle, no one is exempt from that just look at the final four game.

You missed my point. Kia told the staff she thought the responsibility of being a leader was too much for her at that time. As a result she struggled early because of that. Once they told her it was not her responsibility she relaxed and played better. That info was on the BY last season and shown in an interview. I know most players struggle.

 

[donalddoowop]

You mean no one else did and no one else who did, had a bad ankle.

You need to stop making excuses for KLS. She has not been favoring her ankle. She is not the only one who had trouble on defense but she was the subject of the post.

 

[CocoHusky]

You missed my point. Kia told the staff she thought the responsibility of being a leader was too much for her at that time. As a result she struggled early because of that. Once they told her it was not her responsibility she relaxed and played better. That info was on the BY last season and shown in an interview. I know most players struggle.

@donalddoowop this is the second time you have stated that: "Kia told the staff she did not want the responsibility of being a leader ". I recall reading differently (quite the opposite) and do not recall an interview where this was discussed. My understanding of the leadership role at UCONN is that it is not something that any upper classman would not accept responsibility for because leadership is not optional in this program.
Most of what I recall is contained in this article in which CD says of Kia:
Kia Nurse, Gabby Williams have emerged as leaders as UConn women chase history
"Kia has been pretty much steady. Although her role has grown, I think she has a calmness about her because of all of her experience, she is a leader for us. I think they have embraced what we have asked them to do. "

 

[hoophuskee]

We all agree with you about Geno/CD and their amazing accomplishments.
If someone on this board wants to comment about a game/ play or other item, let them. Too many people on this board want to censure what they perceive to be "negative" comments. Most of these basketball comments are pretty well thought out and deserve more than the usual dismissal by the same people on here.

I don't know if thee has been as much this year as other years in terms of complaining. But I don't know what you mean by "the usual dismissal" -- and is it even relevant? ]

Secondly in terms of "well thought out" -- 1-- who says/judges that most are well thought out? 2-- Who cares if they are well thought out if/yet they are wrong?

Third- - I've found several that complain (as the team has won 4 titles in 5 years and lost about 2 games during a 4 year stretch) are very thin-skinned once you disagree with them. They want everyone "to feel" their concern. Well, what if you don't "feel it" and just think the concern is hogwash? Is that considered then "the usual dismissal?" It's okay to call an opposing view "hogwash" in some manner, isn't it?

 

[MilfordHusky]

Just back from the game.
I sat upstairs in the corner, perfect view of the court; great arena to see a game.

I thought it was a strange game, in a slightly strange season.
UConn let Sherri's team hang around. Like other teams this season, they weren't intimidated and possessed decent skills, fought and hung around. In the 3rd quarter they did more than that and fought back to -7 and the thought started seeping around the arena that UConn could actually lose and spoil the party.
At that point, Geno took put a slightly rattled Dangerfield and order was restored.

Although it probably hardly shows in the box (wrong 10 rebounds, 8 assists)...Gabby's fight and intensity was the difference. She willed the team to perform and they started to.

At the end of the 3rd and through much of the 4th, the teams passing and patience brought makable shots in the paint and some beautiful BB ensued.

So why the lapses? Why the lack of a killer instinct?
Hard to say, but I'll take a crack...Pheesa still loses concentration on D (esp 1st quarter) and lets her man escape for an easy shot. For a lot of the game Nurse disappeared on O. One problem for Z: as the ball sails around the perimeter; it takes her a bit longer to figure out what to do with the ball than the others...and the O grinds to a halt. But not when she's the recipient of a pass in her scoring zone.

Looking at what I just wrote above...that's not it...Those things happened but the essence is simpler.

What it is is this team is just a bit soft, has trouble playing with the kind of purpose and intensity we're used to.
Expects to win and surprised when other teams don't role over.
Well, they're not going to. You can finesse all you like but the opponents will punch you in the mouth (like what happened to Gabby today)...
The Huskies have to find their inner toughness
Everyone's going to come after them.

I want to expand on just one point, which could be a very good sign for WCBB. By and large, teams have not rolled over this year. They fight for 40 minutes, which suggests better coaching, better fitness, and more mental toughness. Maybe UConn is raising the game for everyone.

 

[hoophuskee]

That's a good qustion, I'll get back to you with that list......in the meantime, this year's team has yet to click on all cylinders which is pretty amazing considering that they are still reeling off significant victories over ranked teams..as I remember saying this past summer when the AA discussion came up, it was going to be difficult from a statistical standpoint for the individual players to repeat last years's statistics based on less floor time, not even anticipating the injury bug which has weakened the team...just to highlight that this season really is a team effort, there are no UConn players in the top 50 in scoring, no UConn players in the top 50 in rebounds, no UConn players in the top 50 in steals, no UConn players in the top 50 in blocks, CD is #40 in assists and AZ is #26 in shooting percentage/Kia is #38......just goes to show that stats aren't everything when it comes to winning ...I do expect that by the end of the season we'll see an even higher level of play which should evidence itself with better stats which are one component of the AA selections.....

I'm with coco here. I assume you mean as of this moment. For starters, UCONN has either the number 1 number 2 ranked schedule. As of right now Kia Nurse is off-the-charts. She is the 2nd leading scorer on the number 1 team in the country. Usually number 1 teams get at least one a/a. And when you are doing what she's doing while having the number 1 team in the country by averaging 15.6 ppg (Morgan Tuck got 1st team a/a by averaging just 13.7 ppg) -- her efficiency for a guard -- a winning unbeaten guard-- is stunning. Her efg% is 72%. Not to mention she guards tough scorers-- just not an offensive player.

You may find players with better stats. But as we see with Tuck-- you don't need super stats.

 

[hoophuskee]

Surprising comments. I looked at game as positive. UConn took a good team's best punch, changed both defensive and offensive strategies, and blew them away at end of game only using 6 players (several of which were in foul trouble). One of Geno's better coaching games. Shows UConn can play several different ways.

Yes I saw the game completely different than msfbb. I thought that poster (though I'm not 100% sure) and maybe another - or few - made an observation in soem manner that "order was restored when Danger came back in?" That's not what happened. Nurse restored order when Danger got pulled.

 

[Charliebball]

I'm with coco here. I assume you mean as of this moment. For starters, UCONN has either the number 1 number 2 ranked schedule. As of right now Kia Nurse is off-the-charts. She is the 2nd leading scorer on the number 1 team in the country. Usually number 1 teams get at least one a/a. And when you are doing what she's doing while having the number 1 team in the country by averaging 15.6 ppg (Morgan Tuck got 1st team a/a by averaging just 13.7 ppg) -- her efficiency for a guard -- a winning unbeaten guard-- is stunning. Her efg% is 72%. Not to mention she guards tough scorers-- just not an offensive player.

You may find players with better stats. But as we see with Tuck-- you don't need super stats.

yes I'm speaking as of right now......I believe all of the team can play to a higher standard as the season moves along............Nurse has been the team's most consistent player so far but would you say she's having a better season then Ionescu, Durr or Ogunbowale? That's a tough call................

 

[BobbyJ]

Last night I re-watched the game knowing the outcome so the uncertainty was not there. I had complained about the officials. Close viewing showed they actually did a very good job, didn't miss much, and called a fairly even game. My bad there. The game in review was very well played. Sure there were stretches where shots were not falling which happens for most teams during a game. I totally agree the TO that Geno called was well timed and worked out well. OK played well but when a player got hot a different defender (usually Kia) moved to guard that player and the bleeding stopped. Z can be an offensive force BUT currently is a liability on defense. Her man often cancels out her scoring. She tends to float around still uncertain were to be. That will come in time. Seems to play much more aggressively when she is the designated scoring option. Only 9 games this year - it takes time to gel and have everyone on the same page.

One thing I had not noticed the first time watching - UConn wore white. Don't they usually wear gray for 'Home' games away from the college?

The team played far better when watching a second time!

I’m hoping that they burned the gray unis.

 

[HoopsFan21]

I’m hoping that they burned the gray unis.

Sorry, but whenever they play in Hartford they will be wearing the home gray uniforms.

 

[msf22b]

Yes I saw the game completely different than msfbb. I thought that poster (though I'm not 100% sure) and maybe another - or few - made an observation in soem manner that "order was restored when Danger came back in?" That's not what happened. Nurse restored order when Danger got pulled.

I mis-typed when I wrote: At that point, Geno took put a slightly rattled Dangerfield and order was restored.
Of course I meant "took out," sorry.

 

[Kevinmac]

The game was fun to be part of. I though Oklahoma played hard. They had lost three players with injurys before season started.
Gabby's game has changed this year due to headaches. She has no offense other than drivening to basket. Her 15 foot shot she does not take now. She creates fouls outside of ten feet that senior should not be making. Hopefully the poor competition of American Conference will get her comfortable.

 

[hoophuskee]

I mis-typed when I wrote: At that point, Geno took put a slightly rattled Dangerfield and order was restored.
Of course I meant "took out," sorry.

sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I read others that I thoughth said she stabilized. Anyways -- sorry!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hoophuskee]

yes I'm speaking as of right now.I believe all of the team can play to a higher standard as the season moves along..Nurse has been the team's most consistent player so far but would you say she's having a better season then Ionescu, Durr or Ogunbowale? That's a tough call......

Ogunbowle? The same player that shot 8-25 from the floor vs UCONN? It seems like you are picking the high scorers. Morgan Tuck got in just averaging 13.7 ppg and 5.7 rebounds. Why do you need gaudy stats -- and not just solid ones for an unbeaten team that has played the best (or 2nd) schedule in wcbb in which the efficiency stats are't just good or aren't just "great" they are unbelievably great for a guard playing against THE BEST.

IMO Nurse vs Ogunbowale right now - and it isn't close. It's Nurse. Og is averaging 17 shots a game. OFC she is going to average 20 points with a good pg and good post play as she jacks up 17 shots per. Her EFG% is 50%. Nurse is 72%. That's an enormous difference. It's not like Nurse isn't scoring.

As for Ionescu. They've been beaten two times already. One game she was absolutely dreadful. And the other game -- bad. That's a 1st team a/a - she is leading her team to what? I'm not saying she isn't terrific. But again -- you've seen teams that go undefeated -- especially considering UCONN has had the best schedule or 2nd best in all of wcbb- you've seen them get a/a's in vs the gaudy stat makers. So why is "today" different?

ANd your point of "they can play to a higher standard"-- how is that relevant at the moment when comparing player vs another as to who gets in if season ends right now?