POST GAME COMMENTARY
I had to watch the game while visiting my grandchildren in New York. South Carolina just proved to be too much for UConn. As a team, they had swagger, played with confidence, played great defense, and made shots. I take my hat off to Dawn great job coaching a great group of players.
During the Analysis above I was pretty much on target except for the SCORE...let's face it I'm a homer I like being as fair as I can when deciding the match-ups and who prevails in each match-up. However, when it comes to predicting who will win the game...I confess...my glasses are Husky Blue and even though my head says one thing...my heart just can't bring me to let the words "we will lose" escape from my mouth. So, a review of the match-ups and some quick comments as I prefer not to dwell on the loss but look forward to how this team can improve going into the postseason.
ANALYSIS
PREDICTED
Aaliyah Edwards, 6'3" vs Ashlyn Watkins, 6'3" - Ashlyn will be called upon to replace Kamilla Cardoso...she will more than likely do a decent job but will probably end up being "Cardoso Light". Ashlyn averages 9.0 points and 7..3 rebounds. Ashlyn has good size but she is 6'3" not 6'7" and will not be as imposing in the paint. Ashlyn is, however, a good defensive player averaging a team-high 2.7 blocks per game. As I said in the comments section of this analysis Aaliyah Edwards is playing her best basketball. I would expect Dawn to play much more man-to-man defense than what we have seen with teams like Seton Hall who packs the middle and challenges UConn to make 3-point shots. Aaliyah is averaging 17.7 points per game and 8.8 rebounds. I think Ashlyn will find defending Aaliyah one-on-one to be extremely challenging. If Aaliyah can stay out of foul trouble I believe Aaliyah will come out on top in this match-up. If Ashlyn should get in foul trouble look for Sonia Faegin 6'3" Jr. to come into the game. Sonia isn't as productive in the post as Ashlyn is. Sonia averages 6.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. ADVANTAGE - UCONN
ACTUAL
In this match-up, I had it right...however, Ashlyn was better than advertised and it was closer than I thought it would be.
Aaliyah had 20 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block
Ashlyn had 15, points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals
Consistent with the call in the Game Analysis...ADVANTAGE (albeit slight) - UCONN
PREDICTED
Paige Bueckers, 6'0" vs Cloe Kitts, 6'2" - Cloe has a height advantage over Paige however, I think that Paige without having to worry about double and triple teams will be a very difficult assignment for Cloe to have to do on her own. I would look for Dawn to bring help should Paige prove to be a difficult one-on-one assignment. Cloe is a solid player averaging 9.4 points and 6.1 rebounds. With her height advantage, Cloe could be a tough defensive assignment for Paige. And a big concern for UConn is that Paige does not get into foul trouble. To put it simply there is just no replacement should we lose Paige to fouls. Paige averages 20 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.3 steals, 1.1 blocks, and 2.0 three-pointers are just irreplaceable with this current team. If Paige stays on the court she will dominate at this position.
ADVANTAGE - UCONN
ACTUAL
In this match-up, I also had it right...but, I must say I was very impressed with Cloe KItts...
Paige had 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and 2 three-pointers
Cloe had 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block...she also fouled out of this contest.
Consistent with the call in the Game Analysis...ADVANTAGE - UCONN
PREDICTED
Nika Muhl, 5'11" vs Raven Johnson, 5'9" - Raven is South Carolina's main facilitator. Raven averages 9.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. This match-up is crucial to the game. Nika needs to be able to stay with Raven and try to keep the ball out of her hands while staying out of foul trouble. This is a tall order as Raven is an excellent points guard who rarely fouls and only turns the ball over 1.6 times per game. Nika averages 7.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. The problem with Nika is that on occasion she makes silly fouls averaging 2.5 fouls per game. UConn will need Nika to stay on the floor. Nika will also need to make shots if left open. This match-up should be exciting.
ADVANTAGE - EVEN
ACTUAL
In this match-up, I had it wrong...I thought that Nika would be able to contain Raven but Rave proved how tough a player she is and she dominated in this match-up, especially in the rebounding.
Nika had 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal,and 2 three-pointers and unfortunately she also had 5 turnovers.
Raven had 10 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals
The call for this match-up in the Analysis was ADVANTAGE - EVEN....However, based on game data that call has to be changed from EVEN to ADVANTAGE - SOUTH CAROLINA.
PREDICTED
Ashlynn Shade, 5'10" vs Bree Hall 6'0" - Ashlynn gives up two inches to Bree. Bree, being a junior is also a bit more experienced than Ashlynn. However, Ashlynn has been playing consistently and doesn't play like a freshman. Bree averages 10 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and makes 1.7 three-pointers per game. Ashlynn, on the other hand, averages 11.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and makes 1.7 three-pointers per game. It is amazing how close these players' statistics are. Statistically, they appear to be the same player with Ashlynn having a slight edge in points per game.
ADVANTAGE - EVEN
ACTUAL
In this match-up, I also had it wrong...I predicted that this match-up would be even but Ashlynn played well in a high-profile game once again causing me to think that this kid is not playing like a freshman...she is poised, plays solid defense, and is consistent on the offensive end.
Ashlynn had 14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 three-pointers and 1 block.
Bree had 4 points, 1 assists, 1 block
So the call on this match-up must be changed from EVEN to: ADVANTAGE - UCONN
PREDICTED
KK Arnold, 5'9" vs Te-Hina Paopao, 5'9" - Te-Hina being a senior gives her an advantage over KK in experience. Te-Hina is the second half of a back-court tandem that has paid big dividends for Dawn. She is a prolific 3-point shooter averaging 2.4 threes per game. Te-Hina averages 11.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1 steal per game. Te-Hina only turns the ball over 1.6 times per game. KK averages 9.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.2 steals, and .7 three-pointers per game. KK turns the ball over 1.8 times per game. Statistically, Te-Hina has the advantage in assists, points, and three-pointers per game while KK has the advantage in steals per game. Given that Te-Hina is a senior and her statistical advantages...
ADVANTAGE - SOUTH CAROLINA
ACTUAL
In this match-up, Te-Hina dominated she had an incredible game. KK showed that she is still a freshman and needs more time to adjust to the college game.
KK had 2 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block (she had a bad shooting night but, not a bad all-around game)
Te_Hina had 21 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 5 three-pointers.
Consistent with the call in the Game Analysis - ADVANTAGE - SOUTH CAROLINA
BENCH
PREDICTED - ADVANTAGE - SOUTH CAROLINA
ACTUAL
South Carolina's bench outplayed UConn...
South Carolina had 19 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, and 2 three-pointers.
UConn had 3 points, 1 rebound, and 1 three-pointer
Consistent with the analysis - ADVANTAGE - SOUTH CAROLINA