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Achonwa (merged)

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ndmb said:
Really?

They really don't have any strong post players, but have a fantastic guard tandem, a lot of chemistry, and are hoping for some luck. That doesn't sound familiar to another team that defied expectations?
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Well, that UConn team played with that configuration all season and didn't have to adjust to losing their center and one of their best players.

Great guard tandem. But they would only score at the most 50 points between them. And neither of them would be guarding Stewart and Dolson.
 
Wbbfan1 said:
Agree, all Achonwa's absence does is make their job of winning the National Championship more difficult, but definitely not impossible. What it will require is that Kayla and/or Loyd will not be able to sit up 16 minutes in the 1st half like Kayla did last night because of Foul Trouble. Also both will have to score a combined 50 points or more if they have to play UConn for the Championship. The other starters/role players will have to score 30+ points. I have more confidence that Kayla & Loyd can score 50+ points then I do with the other players scoring 30+points. Have to think a game between UConn and ND will be in the 80's or close to that.
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You think that without Achonwa they can score 80 against the best defense in the country? Really?

I need a word for the opposite of overly optimistic.
 
UConnCat said:
You're right. UConn fans know all too well.
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Even Geno admitted that they didn't know how to deal with it and help the players in 1997. When it happened again (too many times), they had a better grasp of how to manage the players' psyches.
 
This news is truly sad. I am a card-carrying charter member of the hate Notre dame club, but I sure am sorry to see this. Achonwa is a warrior, and an all-around great player. I wanted to see UConn beat them at their best, but, unlike others on this thread, I'm betting they still make it to the Final. An awful lot of talent remaining....but this is just a shame.
 
Yes Lloyd can put up 30 and maybe McBride, but you now have a totally different flow. And as we saw last year, the pressure got to McBride and lloyd in the semis. We could be looking at the same case now. Its a lot to ask of two players.

A lot of ND's offense runs through Achonwa. They have no one to replace her.
 
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This is ridiculous. I can't explain how pissed off I am right now. I just wanted Notre Dame at full strength again UCONN in the final and this has to happen in the ELITE 8!?! So over ACL tears in WCBB!
 
Hate to see any young athlete suffer such a painful and debilitating injury, especially at such an important point of her college career. And it'll likely affect her status in the WNBA draft. But like so many others, Natalie Achonwa is obviously very tough and will recover. Although I doubt she'll ever see this, I still would like to wish her the best in her recovery.
 
huskeynut said:
Not as easy as it sounds. Achonwa is/ was a major part of their offensive flow much like Stef is for us. Lloyd and McBride are very good but without a major post presence, their talent can be diminished. This is a major blow to ND.

Then there is the emotional "we have to step it up and do more." That in itself can be a negative. Look at last year in the semis when we got ahead and McBride tried to do too much. One week to try to set yourself up with this type of loss is anything but easy.

We will see how well Muffet and her staff can coach and prepare their team.
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Spot-on assessment Nut. They'd be better off playing tomorrow. This is a devastating blow and a week will allow too much time for the doubting to settle in and they'll likely find themselves on the downside of the emotional adrenaline rush.
 
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Ozzie Nelson said:
Pusillanimously Pessimistic
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God, I will torture the spelling of that. I better save your post as reference....lol.

UConn hasn't given up more than 68 points and that was against shot happy Oregon.

Now, a terrific ND team loses their leader and point center and they will score 80 against UConn.

yes, pusillanimously pessimistic....indeed.
 
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I thought Louisville had a chance before she got hurt but now I think it'll be a cakewalk. (Just have to take care of business tonight)
 
Best of luck to ND's Natalie Anchonwa for a speedy recovery. I wish her well.
 
Tony - nice write up - appreciate it because I really hadn't studied that team options. It is impossible to replace Natalie, but one thing to remember - she did miss some games earlier in the year and while they were much easier than the FF is likely to be, the coaches and players do have that experience to fall back on.
They are also a really good team with a very strong coaching staff so do not count them out. Is it a harder ask, yes, but they are still a very dangerous team.
Interior defense is going to be the biggest problem I think, because compensating for her loss will change everyones responsibilities and the defensive sets they can run.

And ... 'Uconn has a short bench and ND has a deep bench' - that doesn't actually mean anything if the wrong player goes down or gets into foul trouble.
 
I wish her the best and a speedy recovery. I hope the CT SUN take her with
their 11th pick.
 
This would also impact her ability to play for the Canadian National team in Turkey this summer at the World games. Very sad for a truly tough competitor. Wishing her a speedy recovery.
 
easttexastrash said:
Yes it does. Notre Dame will have NOTHING inside to combat Dolson and Stewart...NOTHING. All UCONN has to do is pound the ball inside and the game will be over.
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I'm not buying it. Their bench players are young and not as good but they aren't nothing. Freshman have stepped up before. They don't have to score a lot of points just play solid D. Any team with both Lloyd and McBride still has a chance. They are VERY good. You can bet UCONN will not take it for granted.
 
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Wouldn't it be something if Louisville takes out MD and ND then gets walloped by UConn? The news is just stunning. Ms. Achonwa has a UConn connection. She's teammates with Ms. Nurse on the Canadian national team. Would have preferred to beat NG at full strength, but injuries are a part of life. Just ask Ms. Tuck. Hopeful for a full recovery.
 
Blueballer said:
I'm not buying it. Their bench players are young and not as good but they aren't nothing. Freshman have stepped up before. They don't have to score a lot of points just play solid D. Any team with both Lloyd and McBride still has a chance. They are VERY good. You can bet UCONN will not take it for granted.
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They won't have to worry about it.
 
I think ND problem with the absence of Achonwa is not only depth , but fouls. Reimer can replace her in the lineup but can't replace the bb IQ and scoring. And she can be foul prone. If Reimer gets into foul trouble early in the semi or final, ND will be in trouble. Walz knows that , Frese knows it , and Geno knows it. Therefore , I think no matter who plays ND in semi or final , they will attack the post and eliminate any ND low post presence.

The loss of Achonwa is BIG.
 
UcMiami said:
Tony - nice write up - appreciate it because I really hadn't studied that team options. It is impossible to replace Natalie, but one thing to remember - she did miss some games earlier in the year and while they were much easier than the FF is likely to be, the coaches and players do have that experience to fall back on.
They are also a really good team with a very strong coaching staff so do not count them out. Is it a harder ask, yes, but they are still a very dangerous team.
Interior defense is going to be the biggest problem I think, because compensating for her loss will change everyones responsibilities and the defensive sets they can run.

And ... 'Uconn has a short bench and ND has a deep bench' - that doesn't actually mean anything if the wrong player goes down or gets into foul trouble.
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Tony? Did I Norm Crosby my post?
 
The ironic part is, ND has been touted for their "bench" all season long. I don't think having some nice players like Mabrey and Cable who can come in and shoot a few threes is the same as having a solid bench to replace a starter. This loss is huge for them, and they don't have an answer for it among their bench.
 
doggydaddy said:
God, I will torture the spelling of that. I better save your post as reference....lol.

UConn hasn't given up more than 68 points and that was against shot happy Oregon.

Now, a terrific ND team loses their leader and point center and they will score 80 against UConn.

yes, pusillanimously pessimistic....indeed.
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Achonwa's absence will hurt ND's offensive production. ND can be devastating in transition and Achonwa's rebounding has been a key to getting them out on their break and she can beat the opponent's post players down the court. In the half court, Achonwa runs the pick and roll effectively, is a terrific passer and an effective offensive rebounder.
 
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I'm not happy seeing a player get hurt but baloney on people worrying about the excuses for Notre Dame if UCONN is fortunate enough to win the NC. (Not so much here but in other threads) The only people who will remember Notre Dame's misfortune 10 years from now will be Notre dame people. Injuries are part of the game and we would already have 9 Titles if not for crippling injuries to BOTH Svet and Shea in their final year. You don't see any national media bringing that up when they review the history of Women's National Championships. We are the only ones who remember that.
It will certainly throw a damper on this years game itself as the announcers will probably be mentioning it every five minutes. Especially because of ESPN's "Battle of the "Undefeateds " hype.
 
ChicagoGG said:
This would also impact her ability to play for the Canadian National team in Turkey this summer at the World games. Very sad for a truly tough competitor. Wishing her a speedy recovery.
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Yep, this is not good news for the Canadian national team.
 
For sure, ND is hurt by the loss of Achonwa, but I wouldn't count them out. As others have said, their guards are terrific. In addition, Muffet has shown the ability to adapt her game plan to the circumstances. We are much bigger and more talented inside, but ND may be able to offset that to some degree by pressing the ball handlers and making it difficult for them to pass into the low post.

In any event, let's worry about the semifinal first and then about ND if that game happens.

Best wishes to Natalie. It's a terrible way for her to end her college career.
 
Striper69 said:
I thought Louisville had a chance before she got hurt but now I think it'll be a cakewalk. (Just have to take care of business tonight)
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ND is a better team than Louisville without Achonwa. A cakewalk? You're dreaming!!
 
Whether L'ville or Md, Kayla better not get 2 early fouls again.
 
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