A Different Perspective on the Tennessee Game

[PhillyCoach]

After reading almost 400 views of the Tennessee game I wanted to review what I saw and felt. I'll admit that I was disappointed at times and was not very happy with the outcome. HOWEVER, the optimist and "Geno follower" in me pushed me to take a "big picture" look at the game.
UConn (in MHO) played final four level basketball for 32 minutes. They were better than Tennessee.
Handled the Press - the press was nothing to UConn. I loved that Geno had a good ball handler start breaking the press and then passing to a wide open player. They also were aggressive to score off of their press. Those 32 minutes proved that Ohio State, SC, UCLA or ND press will be handled.
UConn Defense - For 32 minutes UConn was aggressive and turned them over. They switched and double teamed nicely. For 32 minutes they cut off the drives too.
Aubrey - I was very impressed with her movement and IQ. Aubrey did not play last year and look how UConn did. Aubrey can be the #3 stud behind Paige & Sara. She scored 10 points easily. That's a few click closer to the final four again.
UConn has a top BB IQ. for 32 minutes they had pretty back doors, pick and rolls, moving w/o the ball, etc. They handled the aggressive D from Tennessee with all the right PLAYS. They might not be as "athletic" but they are smarter.
Missed lay-ups and open shots - disappointed that they missed them, but encouraging that they HAD them. Their smart play got them the shots they wanted. They did the hard part. Lay-ups can be easily fixed.
Geno's seasonal plan is to prepare for the Big Dance. He has 5 weeks to improve those ugly 8 minutes. Since he has brought UConn to the final 4--15 out of the last 16 years; I trust him.
Finally, for years many, many posters wanted Geno to play EVERYONE. Well, he has played 10 many times this year. Even in the Tennessee game. We all know that will change. It will probably go down to his regular 8 players. They will have more rhythm, timing and fluidity.
Yes, they shoulda-coulda won the game. Nevertheless, I see the reasons to be hopeful.

 

[Rowdy831]

Tennessee is not a team that UConn won't beat later. They have some lineups that are perplexing and they have people who aren't great shooters taking tough shots but overall they were really a couple buckets at crucial times from winning that game.

I watched it twice looking for all those missed layups and saw a lot of contested bunnies missed but I would hardly call them wide open. On the open threes though a lot of them looked rushed and that was a result of the Tennesssee defense. UConn clearly has the right players but right now I think they are in love with a player that doesn't add to the team and could hurt them because of the position she plays and who gets the ball taken out of her hands when the other is in the game.

Geno is good at making the right moves even if they are late sometimes so I trust when the tournament comes the rotations will be better. The difference between wins in the games they lost is a small difference and certainly something they are capable of doing. They will be fine and Paige is still great and she will be there when it matters.

 

[PacoSwede]

After reading almost 400 views of the Tennessee game I wanted to review what I saw and felt. I'll admit that I was disappointed at times and was not very happy with the outcome. ..... They handled the aggressive D from Tennessee with all the right PLAYS. They might not be as "athletic" but they are smarter.
Missed lay-ups and open shots - disappointed that they missed them, but encouraging that they HAD them. Their smart play got them the shots they wanted. They did the hard part. Lay-ups can be easily fixed.
Geno's seasonal plan is to prepare for the Big Dance. He has 5 weeks to improve those ugly 8 minutes. Since he has brought UConn to the final 4--15 out of the last 16 years; I trust him.
.... I see the reasons to be hopeful.

much to like here/ it's thoughtful post

my comment is that they are smart and get good basketball. also, they are talented, some extremely so. what you didn't consider, maybe, is the emotional side, their own attitude toward the game. they know what to do and how to do it. but as a team they need more grit, an emotional longing to win regardless of all else. i think a few value that, but not all buy it or display it .

 

[Zarathustra]

After reading almost 400 views of the Tennessee game I wanted to review what I saw and felt. I'll admit that I was disappointed at times and was not very happy with the outcome. HOWEVER, the optimist and "Geno follower" in me pushed me to take a "big picture" look at the game.
UConn (in MHO) played final four level basketball for 32 minutes. They were better than Tennessee.
Handled the Press - the press was nothing to UConn. I loved that Geno had a good ball handler start breaking the press and then passing to a wide open player. They also were aggressive to score off of their press. Those 32 minutes proved that Ohio State, SC, UCLA or ND press will be handled.
UConn Defense - For 32 minutes UConn was aggressive and turned them over. They switched and double teamed nicely. For 32 minutes they cut off the drives too.
Aubrey - I was very impressed with her movement and IQ. Aubrey did not play last year and look how UConn did. Aubrey can be the #3 stud behind Paige & Sara. She scored 10 points easily. That's a few click closer to the final four again.
UConn has a top BB IQ. for 32 minutes they had pretty back doors, pick and rolls, moving w/o the ball, etc. They handled the aggressive D from Tennessee with all the right PLAYS. They might not be as "athletic" but they are smarter.
Missed lay-ups and open shots - disappointed that they missed them, but encouraging that they HAD them. Their smart play got them the shots they wanted. They did the hard part. Lay-ups can be easily fixed.
Geno's seasonal plan is to prepare for the Big Dance. He has 5 weeks to improve those ugly 8 minutes. Since he has brought UConn to the final 4--15 out of the last 16 years; I trust him.
Finally, for years many, many posters wanted Geno to play EVERYONE. Well, he has played 10 many times this year. Even in the Tennessee game. We all know that will change. It will probably go down to his regular 8 players. They will have more rhythm, timing and fluidity.
Yes, they shoulda-coulda won the game. Nevertheless, I see the reasons to be hopeful.

Agreed. But I sure wish UCONN could be sure of getting ICE BRADY back
in the game rotation. ICE was "there" last year in the BIG EAST Championship
and contributed another "big" for Geno, getting UCONN into the FINAL FOUR.

 

[Zarathustra]

Tennessee is not a team that UConn won't beat later. They have some lineups that are perplexing and they have people who aren't great shooters taking tough shots but overall they were really a couple buckets at crucial times from winning that game.

I watched it twice looking for all those missed layups and saw a lot of contested bunnies missed but I would hardly call them wide open. On the open threes though a lot of them looked rushed and that was a result of the Tennesssee defense. UConn clearly has the right players but right now I think they are in love with a player that doesn't add to the team and could hurt them because of the position she plays and who gets the ball taken out of her hands when the other is in the game.

Geno is good at making the right moves even if they are late sometimes so I trust when the tournament comes the rotations will be better. The difference between wins in the games they lost is a small difference and certainly something they are capable of doing. They will be fine and Paige is still great and she will be there when it matters.

I agree that Geno and the UCONN team would love to play TENNESSESS
again.... I don't see that " down" game repeating itself should the NCAA
committee put the Lady VOLS and the Huskies in the same bracket.

 

[ABCDFE]

I hear you PhillyCoach, and after thinking about it more you may be right. But as of now, the team has had multiple opportunities to show us they are better than what we've seen and it hasn't happened. At some point, we have to see it and not always lean on TonyC's optimism and hope that they will reach their potential. Yes their ceiling is high if the players are shooting lights out and we get some decent defense and post play. But in my mind is this realistic. They may be what they are, which is a top 15 team on most nights, and potentially if everything align a top 5 team.