An early UConn vs Stanford analysis

[Icebear]

Yeah, Tara sets her defenses to leave UConn's least effective scorer open. Like Kalana Greene a few years back, and that one backfired.

And Kelly scored well against them last year.

 

[AAADog]

I have a feeling that Heather and Kiah will get major minutes Monday. Both are more then capable of getting rebounds against the Stanford Posts. UCONN needs to get transition baskets. If you don't get rebounds you can't get fast break baskets. This is why are posts have to have a good game.

It might make sense to start Kiah or Heather instead of Bria, to get a tall forward on Chiney.

 

[Georgestarr7]

You wouldn't say that if you saw them in person.

Thanks, CF for the informative reply to Eric. I'll agree that I would probably be more impressed seeing them in person...the tube tells lies. I say that I haven't been impressed this year relative to the hype surrounding them. Within the landscape of WCBB they are certainly very impressive. From my perspective, I have seen our front court and I do believe they are (so far) very underrated. IMHO you put it best:
"We are very young, but talented, so who knows which team team will show up and how Tara will use them. Same is somewhat true for Geno. "
My only addendum to that would be to remove the "somewhat". This will be a very exciting game.

 

[Georgestarr7]

It might make sense to start Kiah or Heather instead of Bria, to get a tall forward on Chiney.

I think it would be fun to see one of them start for Kelly, and then, as soon as it seemed the defense was getting adjusted, start creative subbing to keep them off balance.

 

[NCorBust]

So go the Frosh (or is it Forsh?), so goes UCONN

Keys to UCONN beating Stanford
1. As has been said pressure their young guards and stop them on the boards, the offensive boards in particular.
2. My #1 key is a very strong defensive, scoring, and rebounding game from the Frosh. They are the difference between last year’s losing effort and this year’s winning effort, literally. These three must more than make up for Maya's absence.
3. Score points – many more than last year’s anemic 59 points. From last year we need to account for Maya’s 14 and Kelly’s 19. I don’t expect 19 from Kelly this year. We need many more than 3 from Tiff and more than Stef’s 6 and few more than 14 from Bria. The Kiddy Corps. must score a total of at least 25 points. Tiff 14 + Bria 16 + Kelly 5 + Stef 12 Caroline 9 = 56 + Frosh 25 = 81
4. High percentage shooting game - Somewhere above 45%. Last year UCONN shot 33% and the Cardinal shot 46%. Free Throws must be above 70%. High percentage shooting can translate to fewer rebounding opportunities for Stanford.
5. Kiah and Kaleena need to be very active on the boards. Rebounds have been stressed. However, while reviewing last year’s game total I was surprised to see UCONN did fairly well while being only slightly taller (2”). UCONN had 12 offensive rebounds (OR) and 24 defensive rebounds (DR) for a total of 36. Stanford totaled 43 with 10 OR and 33 DR. Maya and Samarie accounted for 14 boards. Kiah and Kaleena, they are yours!
6. Must stay out of foul trouble – In particular Stef must be careful. However, UCONN really cannot afford anyone in foul trouble. Keep the Cardinal off the charity stripe.
7. Protect and attack the ball – Minimize UCONN turnovers and maximize Stanford turnovers.
8. Can Heather be a key? If she is assigned 12 or so minutes of shutdown defense on Nneka and she delivers.​

 

[doggydaddy]

So go the Frosh (or is it Forsh?), so goes UCONN​

Keys to UCONN beating Stanford​

1. As has been said pressure their young guards and stop them on the boards, the offensive boards in particular.​

One of their guards is a senior, who led them in scoring last night. She is a solid ball handler. ​

2. My #1 key is a very strong defensive, scoring, and rebounding game from the Frosh. They are the difference between last year’s losing effort and this year’s winning effort, literally. These three must more than make up for Maya's absence.​

Not a bad key. But I'm thinking that Doty is a big key, as is a better performance from Hayes. With Uconn having so many weapons this year, there are lots of keys.​

3. Score points – many more than last year’s anemic 59 points. From last year we need to account for Maya’s 14 and Kelly’s 19. I don’t expect 19 from Kelly this year. We need many more than 3 from Tiff and more than Stef’s 6 and few more than 14 from Bria. The Kiddy Corps. must score a total of at least 25 points. Tiff 14 + Bria 16 + Kelly 5 + Stef 12 Caroline 9 = 56 + Frosh 25 = 81​

They just need to score more than Stanford. I don't think there is a specific formula.​

4. High percentage shooting game - Somewhere above 45%. Last year UCONN shot 33% and the Cardinal shot 46%. Free Throws must be above 70%. High percentage shooting can translate to fewer rebounding opportunities for Stanford.​

They just need a solid game. Last year was an anomoly, in my opinion. And it's the offensive rebounds that UConn has to be wary of. So Uconn's shooting percentage doesn't impact that.​

5. Kiah and Kaleena need to be very active on the boards. Rebounds have been stressed. However, while reviewing last year’s game total I was surprised to see UCONN did fairly well while being only slightly taller (2”). UCONN had 12 offensive rebounds (OR) and 24 defensive rebounds (DR) for a total of 36. Stanford totaled 43 with 10 OR and 33 DR. Maya and Samarie accounted for 14 boards. Kiah and Kaleena, they are yours! ​

Everyone needs to box out and hit the boards. If they can stay with Stanford in regards to rebounding, UConn will win.​

6. Must stay out of foul trouble – In particular Stef must be careful. However, UCONN really cannot afford anyone in foul trouble. Keep the Cardinal off the charity stripe.​

UConn was the least fouling team in the country last year and for several years. At least close to the least. They are much better prepared, roster wise, to deal with any foul trouble. ​

7. Protect and attack the ball – Minimize UCONN turnovers and maximize Stanford turnovers.​

Always.​

8. Can Heather be a key? If she is assigned 12 or so minutes of shutdown defense on Nneka and she delivers. ​

No one will shut down the Elder. But to minimize her impact will take a team effort.​

 

[wallman]

Oh this will be one of the years first big games and I have to give it to Uconn IMO, Kokenis is the fastest on Stanfords team, she burned UCLA last year with her speed but was also a little out of control because of it - weakness upright dribbler, Banks could have a field day guarding her even though she may give up a little on the offensive end right now.

Orrange has not seemed to play as well as I thought she would apart from Texas which probably was home inspired, could be pressured on ball and weakness is no range on shot. Laroque who will she guard on Uconn? Another who can be pressured on ball and that along with Greenfield as both slow and will not go by Hayes, Faris, Doty.

The key IMO is to pressure the ball so they cannot feed the O sisters, don't help and overplay and you limit shots and passes, so the O sisters can't clean up around the boards. Chiney O has a tendency to foul so if she does rebounding becomes less of an issue. She did a great job on Maya last year but you have more scoring options instead of relying on Maya, attack and push the ball and draw fouls. As stated above Dolson has to stay out of foul trouble, she has to be the most improved post from high school and I understand from Cat that CD had a lot to do with that.

My picks for the most trouble for you guys is Notre Dame and Baylor because of their PG play, Griner and Peters.

 

[speedoo]

Oh this will be one of the years first big games and I have to give it to Uconn IMO, Kokenis is the fastest on Stanfords team, she burned UCLA last year with her speed but was also a little out of control because of it - weakness upright dribbler, Banks could have a field day guarding her even though she may give up a little on the offensive end right now. Orrange has not seemed to play as well as I thought she would apart from Texas which probably was home inspired, could be pressured on ball and weakness is no range on shot. Laroque who will she guard on Uconn? Another who can be pressured on ball and that along with Greenfield as both slow and will not go by Hayes, Faris, Doty - the key IMO is to pressure the ball so they cannot feed the O sisters, don't help and overplay and you limit shots and passes, so the O sisters can't clean up around the boards, Chiney O has a tendency to foul so if she does rebounding becomes less of an issue, she did a great job on Maya last year but you have more scoring options instead of relying on Maya, attack and push the ball and draw fouls. As stated above Dolson has to stay out of foul trouble, she has to be the most improved post from high school and I understand from Cat that CD had a lot to do with that.

My picks for the most trouble for you guys is Notre Dame and Baylor because of their PG play, Griner and Peters.

I don't get the Kokenis connection with speed... I've seen her play quite a bit and never felt like she had more than average speed. And i don't see ND giving UConn more trouble than the Aggies.

Other than those quibbles, I agree with your post.

 

[HuskyNan]

We've talked about the "emotion" of the players from last year wanting "revenge" but I don't really buy it. What I DO wonder is what kind of nerves/emotions the UConn youngsters might have to deal with in front of a full house, with a great opponent and on (semi) national team. Will Caroline and Tiff have the ability to keep them focused and in control of their emotions. Can the do what they and the coaches say they have to learn to do -- not compound one mistake with a second?

Yes, but Stanford has freshmen, too, and one of them is going to have to try to guard Tiff. Can the Stanford freshmen keep their cool on the road in a hostile environment?

 

[cardfan]

I don't get the Kokenis connection with speed... I've seen her play quite a bit and never felt like she had more than average speed. And i don't see ND giving UConn more trouble than the Aggies.

Other than those quibbles, I agree with your post.

Kokenis is very fast in the open court.

 

[CTyankee]

The best thing about this game is that it is being played early in the season and will give the girls a taste of heavy competition without all the pressure of end of season... And will also give Geno and the team a starting benchmark to measure future improvement against...

 

[Vowelguy]

Yes, but Stanford has freshmen, too, and one of them is going to have to try to guard Tiff. Can the Stanford freshmen keep their cool on the road in a hostile environment?

Not sure about that. I could see one of the Os guarding Tiff and putting Greenfield on Faris.

 

[doggydaddy]

Not sure about that. I could see one of the Os guarding Tiff and putting Greenfield on Faris.

Possible.

Stanford will probably start Big sis, Lil Sis, Greenfield, Kokenis and LaRoque.

UConn will start Dolson, Faris, Hayes, Hartley, Doty.

I put them in the same order that the might cover each other. If you switch Greenfield and Chiney and they cover Faris and Hayes, it's still a nightmare for Stanford. But there will be lots of subs for any Stanford players not named Ogumike.

As talented as The Elder is, Dolson will be a handful for her down low. And visa versa of course.

 

[Vowelguy]

If you switch Greenfield and Chiney and they cover Faris and Hayes, it's still a nightmare for Stanford. But there will be lots of subs for any Stanford players not named Ogumike.

Why is that a nightmare for Stanford? Chiney was part of the crew that frustrated Maya last year.

 

[ladybears4eva]

.
The Stanford guards have a unique way of passing the ball to the Ogwumike sisters; they shoot the ball. They have 29 offensive rebounds in the first two games, 20 against Texas. Result? Layups for the Ogwumikes ... lots of layups. Kelly and Stef are going to have play the rebounding game of their lives. Why only nine rebounds against Gonzaga? Their guards were able to actually pass the ball to the sisters. So it is a game of pressuring their guards and blocking out like never before.
.

i agree with this post, it is the offensive rebound that really sets stanford apart at this point. The O sisters are maniacs for the O rebounds, and just put them back for easy lay ups. Against Texas and their bigs (Cokie Reed 6'5" and Gayle 6'2") they out muscled them with quick o rebounding and easy layups because they are so quick and athletic, which i do not think Stef or your newbie posts can handle. Reed is a very skilled and higher rated post than Stef and she had such a hard time keeping up with the O sisters.

I think the guard position in Uconn's team is the difference maker, if Hartley, Hayes, and KML can score 3s off the chart, then 3s vs 2s will outlast the game and a margin will build, but if they have an off night it will be a long night in Hartford.

La Roque did shoot the 3 ball well last game so she could be the difference maker there, since i believe the O rebound and put back game is the O sisters dominant win.

Its and early year, so we shall see what happens. I think UCONNs guards are going to be so hard for Stanford to stop if they shoot well from 15 ft and out.

 

[UConnCat]

Why is that a nightmare for Stanford? Chiney was part of the crew that frustrated Maya last year.

As great as Maya was, she was no threat to put the ball on the floor. Tiff and Faris present that challenge, Tiff more so.

In the 2010 Dec game against Stanford, Tiffany played great and successfully took Pedersen off the dribble. In last year's game, Stanford's defense was ready for Tiffany and drew a charge on one of UConn's first possessions of the game. That charge call and another subsequent foul call seemed to take Tiff our of her game (and out of THE game). Tiffany will be able to take whoever is guarding her off the dribble but will, as always, need to avoid the charge.

 

[pap49cba]

Plus, Stanford did not see Doty last year and what she brings to the table.

 

[ladybears4eva]

The O sisters are excellent rebounders but Stef is, also, excellent at boxing out and clearing space for our quick slashing rebounders to sweep in clean up the boards and no one is better at keeping rebounds alive than UConn with its tap and gather technique.

After watching the O sisters in action, they clog up the paint and jump very quickly before any guard can sweep in and clean up any boards... have you not seen them? It was completely annoying that not even bigs could fix this problem without fouling Chiney.

 

[ladybears4eva]

Then who would she guard?

If UConn has Dolson (covered by big sis), Faris, Doty, Hayes, or Hartley with Lewis, lil sis will be pulled away from the basket on defense.

Of course, lil sis can post up on offense. But she is going to get real tired chasing around whomever she is guarding.

KML isn't the most athletic, and Chiney has showed she can play with the most athletic Maya. How can anyone forget? selective memory?

 

[ladybears4eva]

Chiney was no.1 coming out of high school, above Sims, Hartley and Dolson... for a reason. SHES so athletic, tall and a scorer with the ball.

 

[ladybears4eva]

As great as Maya was, she was no threat to put the ball on the floor. Tiff and Faris present that challenge, Tiff more so.

In the 2010 Dec game against Stanford, Tiffany played great and successfully took Pedersen off the dribble. In last year's game, Stanford's defense was ready for Tiffany and drew a charge on one of UConn's first possessions of the game. That charge call and another subsequent foul call seemed to take Tiff our of her game (and out of THE game). Tiffany will be able to take whoever is guarding her off the dribble but will, as always, need to avoid the charge.

I'm just hoping she can consistently score, and not rely on driving to the basket, but rather a stop and pop jump shot, which is very very hard to guard. ALA Moore. I was so impressied with Maya's jump shot... oh how i miss it in the college game.

 

[ladybears4eva]

Has Tiff used the stop pop and shot jumper this year? If she gets good at that or worked on it this summer, she would be awesome.

 

[UConnCat]

Has Tiff used the stop pop and shot jumper this year? If she gets good at that or worked on it this summer, she would be awesome.

She reportedly worked on it over the summer and has tried it 2-3 times in the first 2 games with no success. I hope she doesn't get discouraged because it could be such a weapon for her. She's so quick but defenders drew many charges against her last year.

Sue Bird and Renee Montgomery are 2 of the best I've seen at the pull-up jumper.

 

[doggydaddy]

Why is that a nightmare for Stanford? Chiney was part of the crew that frustrated Maya last year.

Because it is a tough matchup for a 6'3" player who is not overley quick to guard one of the quickest players on the UConn roster.

Tiff is not Maya. Totally different matchup. Faris is not that much easier.

Maya, for all her greatness, is an easier cover for someone like Chiney.

 

[doggydaddy]

She reportedly worked on it over the summer and has tried it 2-3 times in the first 2 games with no success. I hope she doesn't get discouraged because it could be such a weapon for her. She's so quick but defenders drew many charges against her last year.

Sue Bird and Renee Montgomery are 2 of the best I've seen at the pull-up jumper.

By the time she is done, you will add Hartley to that list.

 

[UConnCat]

By the time she is done, you will add Hartley to that list.

I agree. I thought Bria's pull-up was terrific last year. In 2 games this year it seems a little short (front of the rim) but I expect she'll start hitting them real soon -- starting Monday night would be nice

 

[doggydaddy]

I agree. I thought Bria's pull-up was terrific last year. In 2 games this year it seems a little short (front of the rim) but I expect she'll start hitting them real soon -- starting Monday night would be nice

You have a good eye, Cat.

In looking at the play by play, she was 5-9 on 3's, 6-12 on 2's.

But she was 1-5 on jumpers and 5-7 on layups.

 

[easttexastrash]

I rarely look forward to the weekend coming to an end, but I can hardly wait to see Baylor vs ND and then UCONN s. Stanford. This could be a preview of the Final Four.

Speaking of the Final Four. I live a mile from the Pepsi Center and got my tickets to the Final Four (nose bleed city but I'll be there). I also will be in Texas for Christmas and got my tickets to the Baylor vs. UCONN game. Hopefully I will get to see UCONN play several games this year.

 

[pap49cba]

You have a good eye, Cat.

Well it IS a Cats-eye.

 

[ladybears4eva]

Ok. Maya was athletic and fast, if she touched the ball it would almost always go in the net. So lets not get carried away and mek her seem slow and incapable. Who stopped Maya at all in her four years at UCONN, i can't remember anyone other than Chiney/Pederson. I hate selective memory.