Azzi Fudd the means to the End

[Tonyc]

Well here we are again in the Finals of the BET. A few days ago many doubted we would get there. Rightfully so because of the way we were playing. We were physically and mentally drained running on fumes. We lacked shooters and had problems scoring but we found a way. The grit determination and fight in us never quit. Now we got our rest, and we got our shooters/scorers back and we are no longer running on fumes we are running on high octane as witnessed by our two blowouts in the first 2 rounds. We are once again a well oiled machine and whats really scary is Azzi and Caroline are not up to speed yet. Be patient as that will take time and we will have time over the next two weeks.

We play tonite and next Sunday March 12 is Selection Sunday at 8 pm on ESPN. Then on March 15 & 16 UConn will host the first 2 rounds. That is important because this time gives Azzi and Carolne time to get back up to speed. It will for every other team too but for UConn it gives them two of the most prolific scorers in WCBB. Just their presence has taken UConn from a team who struggled to score 60 pts to a team that would score 75-80 pts against 2 very good teams. With them back, and healthy it gives UConn 3 scorers who can create their own shots and shooters from deep in Lou Azzi and Caroline. Defenses will Not be able to handle all three of them. Then you add Griff Dorka and Aaliyah and theyve got their hands full.

UConn is now a legit FF team. They have Defense, scorers/shooters, height and they can all create their own shot. No more doubling down low or on the shooters because you cant leave anybody open even for a second. This is gonna be a fun ride the next couple of weeks. UConn will be piquing at the right time. I know other teams have the same opportunity but no team has what UConn has. No other team is playing like UConn is playing. Many teams feel they are on a mission. UConns mission is overwhelming BB and that is something no other team can claim. Other teams have go to players who can score in critical situations but UConn has Azzi Fudd and Azzi Fudd is the means to the end.

 

[veryolddog]

Tonight, Azzi and Caroline are going to have hot hands and score 3's with ease.

 

[Jokerman619]

Well here we are again in the Finals of the BET. A few days ago many doubted we would get there. Rightfully so because of the way we were playing. We were physically and mentally drained running on fumes. We lacked shooters and had problems scoring but we found a way. The grit determination and fight in us never quit. Now we got our rest, and we got our shooters/scorers back and we are no longer running on fumes we are running on high octane as witnessed by our two blowouts in the first 2 rounds. We are once again a well oiled machine and whats really scary is Azzi and Caroline are not up to speed yet. Be patient as that will take time and we will have time over the next two weeks.

We play tonite and next Sunday March 12 is Selection Sunday at 8 pm on ESPN. Then on March 15 & 16 UConn will host the first 2 rounds. That is important because this time gives Azzi and Carolne time to get back up to speed. It will for every other team too but for UConn it gives them two of the most prolific scorers in WCBB. Just their presence has taken UConn from a team who struggled to score 60 pts to a team that would score 75-80 pts against 2 very good teams. With them back, and healthy it gives UConn 3 scorers who can create their own shots and shooters from deep in Lou Azzi and Caroline. Defenses will Not be able to handle all three of them. Then you add Griff Dorka and Aaliyah and theyve got their hands full.

UConn is now a legit FF team. They have Defense, scorers/shooters, height and they can all create their own shot. No more doubling down low or on the shooters because you cant leave anybody open even for a second. This is gonna be a fun ride the next couple of weeks. UConn will be piquing at the right time. I know other teams have the same opportunity but no team has what UConn has. No other team is playing like UConn is playing. Many teams feel they are on a mission. UConns mission is overwhelming BB and that is something no other team can claim. Other teams have go to players who can score in critical situations but UConn has Azzi Fudd and Azzi Fudd is the means to the end.

Very good post. And it is just facts, about this team. They was spit on. (just literally), pushed around, belittled. But now they have come together to complete thier goals. Take the BE. Take the NCAA title. And they are having fun doing it. Relaxed and ready. So all, get your game on. Because UConn has thier.
Go Huskies

 

[Bone Dog]

A lot depends on tonight's game. Win decisively and I think we'll be a #1. Squeak by and we're a #2 or #3. Lose and we're a #4 or lower. it doesn't even matter if Azzi scores a ton -- if we win big because she's on the floor, every other coach is going to be dreading what we'll be like when she starts hitting shots.

 

[Rowdy831]

The big difference right now is they have a solid rotation and everyone is getting rest during the game. With 5 players they had to manage their games to ensure they had something left at the end. Right now every thing good that is happening is because they have the two other players, their production has yet to be a factor and that is coming, and coming soon.

 

[YKCornelius]

A lot depends on tonight's game. Win decisively and I think we'll be a #1. Squeak by and we're a #2 or #3. Lose and we're a #4 or lower. it doesn't even matter if Azzi scores a ton -- if we win big because she's on the floor, every other coach is going to be dreading what we'll be like when she starts hitting shots.

Bone Dog, while I agree that this game will provide the selection committee a lot of info, I'm not convinced it will be about margin of victory. Rather, I think it will be about the optic of how the Huskies are playing. Also, with many conferences decided, I think quite few WBB coaches will be watching tonight’s game to see for themselves if the Huskies are for real.

That said, the optic works both ways: not just for UConn but Villanova as well. By tip-off, I expect Nova to be ranked in the Top Ten for the first time in program history.

It is most important for Denise Dillon to give her team the best chance to win the BET. The second most important goal is to keep the score respectable in order to secure the NCAA-host spot next Sunday. On tired legs, that translates to ball control, spreading the floor, making multiple cuts off of screens and picks – exactly what Nova did in their first two games against the Huskies. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the UConn team that they played previously is not the UConn Nova will face tonight.

If the refs continue to let the teams play – like they have done every game of the tournament – I think the Huskies’ defense stymies the Wildcats.

What I would like to see is UConn winning every quarter, so that the final MOV complements the Huskies control of the game. If the Huskie’s half-court offense is clicking the MOV could be substantial, which, as you pointed out, will be good for UConn's seeding (perhaps not-so-good for Nova’s come Selection Sunday).

Go Huskies!

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

Sorry @browns ... this is the UCONN Womens Basketball Boneyard... there shall be NO pumping of the brakes!!! Its tournament time. We are in full speed ahead mode... (wo)man the torpedoes and CC be damned.
We have history and expectations and can't be calmed down.

GO HUSKIES

 

[Bone Dog]

We won't play SC until the end -- that's a lot more than 9 days.

Also, we lost by 4 but only because of a preposterous missed call on an illegal out of bounds play by SC. Take that out and it's a 2 pt game and we don't have to foul, which means Nika doesn't foul out. That game was a lot closer than the score shows.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

A lot depends on tonight's game. Win decisively and I think we'll be a #1. Squeak by and we're a #2 or #3. Lose and we're a #4 or lower. it doesn't even matter if Azzi scores a ton -- if we win big because she's on the floor, every other coach is going to be dreading what we'll be like when she starts hitting shots.

There is no world where we are a 3 seed or a 4 seed. That is an absurdist comment.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

9 days?? 9 days puts us at March 15th- do you think the Committee is going to have a UConns/South Carolina play-in game???

 

[fomalhaut]

Then you have to add Muhl, who is shooting .357 with the second-most attempts and makes on the team.

 

[JBK]

Well here we are again in the Finals of the BET. A few days ago many doubted we would get there. Rightfully so because of the way we were playing. We were physically and mentally drained running on fumes. We lacked shooters and had problems scoring but we found a way. The grit determination and fight in us never quit. Now we got our rest, and we got our shooters/scorers back and we are no longer running on fumes we are running on high octane as witnessed by our two blowouts in the first 2 rounds. We are once again a well oiled machine and whats really scary is Azzi and Caroline are not up to speed yet. Be patient as that will take time and we will have time over the next two weeks.

We play tonite and next Sunday March 12 is Selection Sunday at 8 pm on ESPN. Then on March 15 & 16 UConn will host the first 2 rounds. That is important because this time gives Azzi and Carolne time to get back up to speed. It will for every other team too but for UConn it gives them two of the most prolific scorers in WCBB. Just their presence has taken UConn from a team who struggled to score 60 pts to a team that would score 75-80 pts against 2 very good teams. With them back, and healthy it gives UConn 3 scorers who can create their own shots and shooters from deep in Lou Azzi and Caroline. Defenses will Not be able to handle all three of them. Then you add Griff Dorka and Aaliyah and theyve got their hands full.

UConn is now a legit FF team. They have Defense, scorers/shooters, height and they can all create their own shot. No more doubling down low or on the shooters because you cant leave anybody open even for a second. This is gonna be a fun ride the next couple of weeks. UConn will be piquing at the right time. I know other teams have the same opportunity but no team has what UConn has. No other team is playing like UConn is playing. Many teams feel they are on a mission. UConns mission is overwhelming BB and that is something no other team can claim. Other teams have go to players who can score in critical situations but UConn has Azzi Fudd and Azzi Fudd is the means to the end.

Love your passion and comments about Azzi and I do agree, but I also do not think CD is one of the most prolific scorers in WCBB. I am so rooting for her and know she went through so much, and perhaps one day she will be.

 

[Jewels]

Well here we are again in the Finals of the BET. A few days ago many doubted we would get there. Rightfully so because of the way we were playing. We were physically and mentally drained running on fumes. We lacked shooters and had problems scoring but we found a way. The grit determination and fight in us never quit. Now we got our rest, and we got our shooters/scorers back and we are no longer running on fumes we are running on high octane as witnessed by our two blowouts in the first 2 rounds. We are once again a well oiled machine and whats really scary is Azzi and Caroline are not up to speed yet. Be patient as that will take time and we will have time over the next two weeks.

We play tonite and next Sunday March 12 is Selection Sunday at 8 pm on ESPN. Then on March 15 & 16 UConn will host the first 2 rounds. That is important because this time gives Azzi and Carolne time to get back up to speed. It will for every other team too but for UConn it gives them two of the most prolific scorers in WCBB. Just their presence has taken UConn from a team who struggled to score 60 pts to a team that would score 75-80 pts against 2 very good teams. With them back, and healthy it gives UConn 3 scorers who can create their own shots and shooters from deep in Lou Azzi and Caroline. Defenses will Not be able to handle all three of them. Then you add Griff Dorka and Aaliyah and theyve got their hands full.

UConn is now a legit FF team. They have Defense, scorers/shooters, height and they can all create their own shot. No more doubling down low or on the shooters because you cant leave anybody open even for a second. This is gonna be a fun ride the next couple of weeks. UConn will be piquing at the right time. I know other teams have the same opportunity but no team has what UConn has. No other team is playing like UConn is playing. Many teams feel they are on a mission. UConns mission is overwhelming BB and that is something no other team can claim. Other teams have go to players who can score in critical situations but UConn has Azzi Fudd and Azzi Fudd is the means to the end.

Just a point of clarification - games at Gampel are either March 17/19 or March 18/20. Actual dates will be determined by Selection committee to be revealed this Sunday.

 

[sun]

I don't agree that Carol is a below average 3 point shooter at all.
She has never established a bona fide baseline since she's been playing NCAA because she often been injured and making comebacks over & over in her short career.
An example of this is when she went 1-11 recently coming back from concussion syndrome that skews her shooting average.
It's nearly the same for Azzi who was injured last year.
This year Azzi hit a plateau which no one knows when or if she can regain her hot hand.
But either one of them certainly can't be considered to have less than average potential or accused of being a bad 3 point shooter.
There's simply no conclusive proof of that, that's only your opinion without any mention of injury histories.

Everyone realizes that all of the UConn players will need to exceed expectations to win a NC.
Just as easily as the UConn players can exceed their performance histories, opposing players can fail to meet their performance expectations too.
They can get injured and have bad games too.
Azzi does seem to be a step slower wearing a knee brace.
Who knows if she'll be able to overcome that or if she'll even continue wearing it for the rest of the year.
And we all know that Carol can get hot and has a clutch gene.
As long as Geno has scoring options, then any UConn player can enter a game and hit the big shots if they're needed & become a hero.
There's no reason for UConn fans to apply the brakes to being optimistic since every game starts out with the score at 0-0 and every player puts their socks on one at a time the same as everyone else.
Winning BB games is not magic, and win or lose it's just basketball.
UConn fans have as many reasons to be as optimistic this year as the fans of any other team.

 

[Tonyc]

Caroline won the 3 pt contest and got hurt. She will be back. We have 10 days til the first round