Arkansas St Postgame Thread

[oldude]

Some thoughts on the Arkansas St game:

• Inevitably, during the 10+ days between the conference tournament and the Big Dance, the Huskies rejuvenate, polish things up and come out ready to roll. Today Arkansas St found out just what it feels like to face UConn WBB during the Big Dance.
• You got to love it when UConn comes out with a 13-2 run three minutes into the game, leading to a very early time out by Ark St.
• The red wolf is a critically endangered species. During the game today it felt like Azzi and her teammates were hunting the wolves into extinction.
• Really good to see Ash find her shooting stroke, which will be really important as the tournament goes on.
• If I was being guarded by Sarah, I would be extremely reluctant to attempt a shot within 5 feet of her.
• Wonderful to see Caroline sub in for some meaningful PT during the 1st half of today’s game. Also, really good to see Aubrey on the court and moving well. This team goes 10 deep, and that will be a challenge to every team the Huskies face as the tournament progresses.
• There is nothing like a neighborhood block party to celebrate springtime. The Huskies set a UConn tournament record today by rejecting 13 Ark St shots.
• Paige played maybe 20 minutes today, shooting 5/9 (11 points) with 4 assists, a rebound, 2 blocks & 2 steals…….ho hum…….
• Jana looked a bit fatigued. I can't imagine not eating all day and having to play a competitive basketball game.
• For a HC of a future UConn opponent during the Big Dance, you have to seriously consider whether or not to show your team the film of this game….

 

[EricLA]

Just wow.

First off, congrats to Ark State for making the tourney. I guess they came back from 17 down to upset the top team in their league. Having said that, you want to play full court press the entire game, this is the result you will see. I loved seeing us slaughter them.

• What a game from Azzi. She's my POG. She was en fuego from 3, but scored from everywhere and her defense was great too. OH - and she led the team in assists with 7 AND 6 steals. This is the Azzi we've been waiting to see come tourney time!
• Sarah - the announcers raved about her and rightfully so. Great game.
• Ash - when she plays like she did today, it's a 4th scoring option and makes UConn that much tougher.
• Paige did Paige things. Was hoping she'd get to hit a FT and get to 50-40-90, but she will have a chance next game.
• KK might be one of the best on ball defenders we've ever had. She's really good.
• I thought Jana and Ice played well for the most part - missed a few shots, but rebounding, defending, passing, all on point.
• So awesome seeing Aubrey AND Carol getting in and actually doing stuff!! So psyched for them.
• Q and Allie got some good minutes too...

4th Q not great, but overall, almost nothing to pick at for the team. The defense was so elite. Just amazing. 13 blocks. From everywhere. 29 assists. Incredible stat considering how Ark State played full court press, and UCONN had a bunch of steals and run outs. Awesome 1st round game. On to the next round!!

 

[Kaizen]

Great game and winning 69 pts just wow ...

 

[Dugway]

And it really was not even as close as the final score indicated.

 

[BugsyCT]

Those two last second 3-point heaves before each half made up 18% of Ark St.'s total points today.

What a clinic by UConn.

 

[my2cents]

Nothing can be said negatively about that game.
Sarah Strong has the best hands I have ever seen on a woman's basketball player.

 

[Hayven]

I think the women should wear these jerseys through the championship game. Can’t wash them either

 

[veryolddog]

WOW! again.

 

[oldude]

Great game and winning 69 pts just wow ...

Whoever had UConn +72 must have been really upset by the Arkansas St half-court shot at the buzzer.

 

[maple]

What is there to say except, “wow!!!”

Of course everyone expected UConn to win, but this was a pretty amazing performance!!!

 

[Sluconn Husky]

 

[MooseJaw]

Beatdown. Pls don't listen to Hayven, wash those jerseys. Someone has to sit next to you. We don't want them playing in an empty gym.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

For a HC of a future UConn opponent during the Big Dance, you have to seriously consider whether or not to show your team the film of this game….

They already know. They were probably checking the quarters.

 

[huskeynut]

To quote that famous NY shortstop & broadcaster "HOLY COW"

This was a clinic on how to play offense and defense. Arkansas State didn't stand a chance.

Sarah Strong continues to amaze me. Another double/ double. Her defense is insane. And she does this all as if she is a seasoned senior.

Next!!

 

[uconnfan68]

I think the women should wear these jerseys through the championship game. Can’t wash them either

Can’t if they face a #1 seed.

 

[HuskieDawg]

In games like this it isn’t s much as how we are playing against the opponent as much as how are we playing to the standard Geno has set for the players to achieve. UConn played just about the entire game like they were down 5 points instead of up by 50+.

Great game to get under our belt and allow all the players to work up a good sweat on the court.

On to the next.

 

[Bone Dog]

No injuries, thank goodness.

A titanic blowout that reveals little about how good the Huskies are. But they are adept at breaking presses, apparently.

Outstanding shooting, smothering defense. Everything we all hoped to see some indications of.

Caroline looked good, made a few shots, got some rebounds, and ran the floor really well. It may be two seasons since her concussion, but it's also 2+ seasons since her hip surgery, and she is running really freely, like she did when she first got to Storrs. I hope this bodes really well for next season, if not for later in this tournament.

 

[RoadMaster]

Swipe..

 

[RockyMTblue2]

It will remain unspoken but in games with athletic but severely overmatched teams I worry. Arkansas impressed me with their ball movement when it wasn't being snatched and they were
good sports who didn't quit.

 

[Vowelguy]

Nothing can be said negatively about that game.

Well ... Jana ...

 

[oldude]

Well ... Jana ...

Try playing basketball without eating or drinking all day. Jana gets a pass.

 

[bantamlaker]

Southern Cal up 12-8 end of 1st quarter. They’re going to need more than 12 points in a quarter to beat UConn.

 

[Rowdy831]

UConn has an amazing list of incredible accomplishments but what stands out to me is they never get beat by a team that is a lesser team. This game was a blowout and was expected to be but many teams in the tournament will play a team like ASU and look mediocre. A great example is the game last night where UCLA played Southern. I live in Baton Rouge and Southern is not a good basketball team, about like ASU maybe and that game wasn't pretty for UCLA.

The Big Three did what they needed, Ash came off the bench and contributed too. If UConn gets four contributers on offense in a game they will be very difficult to beat. I agree with USC that they got the short straw having to play UConn before the FF. Good luck.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

UConn has an amazing list of incredible accomplishments but what stands out to me is they never get beat by a team that is a lesser team. This game was a blowout and was expected to be but many teams in the tournament will play a team like ASU and look mediocre. A great example is the game last night where UCLA played Southern. I live in Baton Rouge and Southern is not a good basketball team, about like ASU maybe and that game wasn't pretty for UCLA.

The Big Three did what they needed, Ash came off the bench and contributed too. If UConn gets four contributers on offense in a game they will be very difficult to beat. I agree with USC that they got the short straw having to play UConn before the FF. Good luck.

Ash is first team most anywhere including UConn next year?

 

[DennieEddy]

In games like this it isn’t s much as how we are playing against the opponent as much as how are we playing to the standard Geno has set for the players to achieve. UConn played just about the entire game like they were down 5 points instead of up by 50+.

Great game to get under our belt and allow all the players to work up a good sweat on the court.

On to the next.

Absolutely, it doesn't matter 100 points, 90 points, 80 points...it's Geno's way to play. Running must have been Geno's plan all along. Also, like I said about month ago, Paige does what she needs to do. She scores, rebounds, steals, assists, and blocks...as needed...during the course of the game. She very seldom over plays her strengths, she's the glue who ties the other 4 together. I said she was a role player, and she plays 5 roles most games.