Badass Award for UConn vs. Texas Game. . .
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Carnac
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YES!!!!!!
MilfordHusky
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I love your first sentence!
JoePgh
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Napheesa played a game that Maya Moore would be proud of. Natalie made an indispensable contribution, and Kia was steady, but this was Napheesa's game.
She played at the same level against Florida State, and she hasn't had a bad game against anybody. Before long, if she continues to play at this level, more people will be making the Maya comparison.
She played at the same level against Florida State, and she hasn't had a bad game against anybody. Before long, if she continues to play at this level, more people will be making the Maya comparison.
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Great job Natalie!!!
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Pheesa just doesn't at all remind me of Maya. Maya was poetry in motion, all grace and elegance. Pheesa is a stutter-stepper--really quick twitch reaction, suddenly slicing, deceptively and explosively quick. And she hasn't yet established her outside shot like Maya's--though she well may.
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MilfordHusky
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There must be something in the water in Jefferson City.
PacoSwede
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I think she's more like Catch. He'll reach that level.
Shorty Dee
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I have 4 people for the award.
1. Napheesa - She scored, boy did she score, rebounded, made steals and blocked shots.
2. Gabby - She was all over the floor. Gabby passes to Napheesa were amazing, she made steals and added 11 points.
3. Kia - Her defense is always amazing, she had 15 points and led the team when Saniya and Crystal wasn't on the court. That's the Kia I love to watch.
4. Natalie - When Texas banged, she banged back, rebounded, blocked shots and added 4 points.
*When Crystal and Natalie come in the game, the energy of the players really shifts. I would call that great chemistry
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1. Napheesa - She scored, boy did she score, rebounded, made steals and blocked shots.
2. Gabby - She was all over the floor. Gabby passes to Napheesa were amazing, she made steals and added 11 points.
3. Kia - Her defense is always amazing, she had 15 points and led the team when Saniya and Crystal wasn't on the court. That's the Kia I love to watch.
4. Natalie - When Texas banged, she banged back, rebounded, blocked shots and added 4 points.
*When Crystal and Natalie come in the game, the energy of the players really shifts. I would call that great chemistry
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Kibitzer
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Upon further review, one additional Badass award for the victory over Texas goes to Natalie Butler!
I was reluctant to add Nat (26 minutes, 1 basket, 4 rebounds), thinking we might be compromising our standards and sliding toward "performance awards." Then several BYers got my attention by making persuasive, though not yet compelling (to me), arguments on Nat's behalf.
The clinchers came from Paul Doyle and Geno himself. In today's account of the Texas game in the Courant, Doyle nailed it when he described the timely and vital subbing of Butler at a critical moment early in the game. She gave the team "the requisite toughness" that changed the complexion of the game. During Geno's presser he reinforced that point by heaping praise on Nat, even using multiple "really" adjectives for emphasis.
That did it. Badass Butler to stand with Collier and Nurse.
An added thought. Read game accounts (Doyle and Fuller) and listen to interviews (Kia, Pheesa, Lou) to read and hear how often the word "tough" is used to describe this intrepid team. Topped by UT Coach Aston, who lamented that "They just out-toughed us."
I was reluctant to add Nat (26 minutes, 1 basket, 4 rebounds), thinking we might be compromising our standards and sliding toward "performance awards." Then several BYers got my attention by making persuasive, though not yet compelling (to me), arguments on Nat's behalf.
The clinchers came from Paul Doyle and Geno himself. In today's account of the Texas game in the Courant, Doyle nailed it when he described the timely and vital subbing of Butler at a critical moment early in the game. She gave the team "the requisite toughness" that changed the complexion of the game. During Geno's presser he reinforced that point by heaping praise on Nat, even using multiple "really" adjectives for emphasis.
That did it. Badass Butler to stand with Collier and Nurse.
An added thought. Read game accounts (Doyle and Fuller) and listen to interviews (Kia, Pheesa, Lou) to read and hear how often the word "tough" is used to describe this intrepid team. Topped by UT Coach Aston, who lamented that "They just out-toughed us."
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UcMiami
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You know Kib - we all get caught up in the stats that get recorded and forget how much of the game isn't measured by standard stats - while I am not a big fan of advanced stats because I think they record numbers that often don't make sense, I think in this game having a 'plus minus' number for Natalie would be very instructive. She didn't score much, she didn't grab every rebound, she didn't hand out a dozen assists (3 isn't bad), or block every shot (2) and she didn't get credit for a steal, but Uconn wasn't playing well when she entered, and they started playing a lot better, and TX was having their way in the paint before she entered, and they found it harder once she was on the floor. I think a plus minus in this game would tell that story. And isn't that really what a badass award is about!
(I don't actually like a lot of 'advanced metrics' in basketball - I think they can be much more misleading than standard stats, and 'tell' stories that just don't make sense. Any individual statistic in a team sport can be misleading but at least for me, standard stats are numbers I am used to adjusting for, while the advanced metrics get into areas that are much harder to 'regularize' to what actually is happening - they hide their own biases so it is harder to understand why they are lying.)
(I don't actually like a lot of 'advanced metrics' in basketball - I think they can be much more misleading than standard stats, and 'tell' stories that just don't make sense. Any individual statistic in a team sport can be misleading but at least for me, standard stats are numbers I am used to adjusting for, while the advanced metrics get into areas that are much harder to 'regularize' to what actually is happening - they hide their own biases so it is harder to understand why they are lying.)
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Kibitzer
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You know Kib - we all get caught up in the stats that get recorded and forget how much of the game isn't measured by standard stats - while I am not a big fan of advanced stats because I think they record numbers that often don't make sense, I think in this game having a 'plus minus' number for Natalie would be very instructive. She didn't score much, she didn't grab every rebound, she didn't hand out a dozen assists (3 isn't bad), or block every shot (2) and she didn't get credit for a steal, but Uconn wasn't playing well when she entered, and they started playing a lot better, and TX was having their way in the paint before she entered, and they found it harder once she was on the floor. I think a plus minus in this game would tell that story. And isn't that really what a badass award is about!
(I don't actually like a lot of 'advanced metrics' in basketball - I think they can be much more misleading than standard stats, and 'tell' stories that just don't make sense. Any individual statistic in a team sport can be misleading but at least for me, standard stats are numbers I am used to adjusting for, while the advanced metrics get into areas that are much harder to 'regularize' to what actually is happening - they hide their own biases so it is harder to understand why they are lying.)
I just watched the game replay. Nat was on the court when UConn went from down 17-11 to up 26-13. Pheesa and Kia were scoring a lot during this 15-2 "team badass run," but Nat was on the court "providing the requisite toughness," and, yes, compiling a lot of "+" points.
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Nat went in and changed the complexity of the game. She well deserved this recognition. Bravo!!!
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Hey Kib: "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do." (Emerson, "Self-Reliance")
You, sir, have a great soul!
You, sir, have a great soul!
Kibitzer
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Carnac
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You know Kib - we all get caught up in the stats that get recorded and forget how much of the game isn't measured by standard stats - while I am not a big fan of advanced stats because I think they record numbers that often don't make sense, I think in this game having a 'plus minus' number for Natalie would be very instructive. She didn't score much, she didn't grab every rebound, she didn't hand out a dozen assists (3 isn't bad), or block every shot (2) and she didn't get credit for a steal, but Uconn wasn't playing well when she entered, and they started playing a lot better, and TX was having their way in the paint before she entered, and they found it harder once she was on the floor. I think a plus minus in this game would tell that story. And isn't that really what a badass award is about!
(I don't actually like a lot of 'advanced metrics' in basketball - I think they can be much more misleading than standard stats, and 'tell' stories that just don't make sense. Any individual statistic in a team sport can be misleading but at least for me, standard stats are numbers I am used to adjusting for, while the advanced metrics get into areas that are much harder to 'regularize' to what actually is happening - they hide their own biases so it is harder to understand why they are lying.)
Excellent obs UcMiami, your comment captured the essence of Natalie's play yesterday. Stats aside, her play was vital/pivotal in UConn's win. Bottom line: No Natalie, no win. As in football, there are three components in every game. Offense, Defense & Special Teams. All 3 MUST work together to forge a cohesive unit that can produce a victory. If one of those components fails, the team is weakened and the game can be lost.
No, Butler did not score a lot of points. Others players as you mentioned were talking care of point production. She was inserted into the game to sure up deficiencies in other areas those players could not. The momentum for UConn turned around once Butler entered the game. She helped stabilize UConn's defense which was having difficulty defending the paint against Texas' BIGS. Once Geno "declawed the tiger" (neutralized their BIGS), the game turned for UConn.
All parts working together produced a win for the Huskies. Geno, the master chef, blended the right ingredients at the right moments to get the desired results. Congratulations to chef Geno and his staff on a well coached and thought out game plan, and to the team for executing it. Everyone did their job Sunday.
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Yo,Kib ,did you mean "sliding toward participation awards" instead of performance awards?
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If Natalie continues to play this way, she will become a fondly remembered alumna of UConn women's basketball after her career as a Husky is over.
As others have said, we don't need her to score a lot of points, just be enough of an offensive threat to keep the other team honest. Her value is what she brings to the table in toughness, rebounding, and protecting the rim. I agree that without her the Baylor game is probable a loss and this game would not have been a double digit victory.
As others have said, we don't need her to score a lot of points, just be enough of an offensive threat to keep the other team honest. Her value is what she brings to the table in toughness, rebounding, and protecting the rim. I agree that without her the Baylor game is probable a loss and this game would not have been a double digit victory.
Kibitzer
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Good catch! Thanks for reminding me to never again post a message on the Boneyard at 2:42 a.m.
Carnac
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I know there are no "Honorable mentions" for this award, BUT......if there were, I thought Natalie Butler was very instrumental in today's win, and deserves a nod.
She came in and throttled Texas' BIGS in the paint. She only had 4 points, but she made huge contributions on defense. She provided the size "balance" UConn needed today. It would have been a long day for the Huskies without Butler's contributions. A tip o' the turban to Natalie Butler.
I commented about 2 hours before game today that Napheesa Collier is quietly becoming the star of this team. Lou gets all of the headlines and notoriety, but Collier's consistency is the glue that holds this team together. She's steady as a rock. UConn players are taking turns riding the "roller coaster" on the offensive end with the hot hand. One game it's Napheesa, the next game it's Lou, the last game it was Kia.
Collier has been steady all season. No roller coaster rides for her. She brought her hard hat and lunch pail to work today as usual. Her time card today read: a game high of 24 points - 8 rebounds - 5 huge steals & 2 ast. She played her tail off on the defensive end as well blocking shots and rebounding. That's steady. Today's award was a no brainer. Congratulations to Napheesa & Kia.
Somebody else agrees with me......................I wrote my comments BEFORE reading this. This writer sees the same thing I do.
The Go-To Scorer
Collier has led UConn in scoring in three of seven games. The forward who averaged 6.8 points in 17.2 minutes as a freshman reserve has emerged a budding star this season. Her average is 19.0, just behind Samuelson (19.1). She has made 56 of 84 shots (66.7 percent) and leads the team in rebounding (7.1) and blocks (13. She is second in steals (13) and is 5 of 10 on three-pointers after converting just two in 13 attempts last season. At 6-1, Collier has proven to be a gifted scorer in the paint — she rarely misses layups — and her ability to expand her shot selection is taking her game to another level.
Kibitzer
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Thanks. Yet another good catch! Yes, UConn was down 11-17. Then a 15-2 run to make it 26-19, not the 26-13 that I so enthusiastically -- and erroneously -- posted. I regret the error.
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UcMiami
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Thanks to Javaman and MJL243 from the Geno on Texas Game Strategy and Natalie Thread:
carl adamec@CarlAdamec
Note from @UConnWBB win Sunday: In Natalie Butler's 26 minutes on the floor. the Huskies outscored Texas by 29 points. Final score 72-54.
With 2:36 left in the 3rd quarter with the score 51 to 49 Gen0 sent Natalie in to replace Crystal. The lineup of Kia, Natalie, Gabby, Napheesa and Lou played the rest of the game without substitution until the last minute, when Geno cleared the bench. They outscored Texas 21 to 5.
Confirmation about my guess as to Natalie's plus/minus in this game.
carl adamec@CarlAdamecNote from @UConnWBB win Sunday: In Natalie Butler's 26 minutes on the floor. the Huskies outscored Texas by 29 points. Final score 72-54.
With 2:36 left in the 3rd quarter with the score 51 to 49 Gen0 sent Natalie in to replace Crystal. The lineup of Kia, Natalie, Gabby, Napheesa and Lou played the rest of the game without substitution until the last minute, when Geno cleared the bench. They outscored Texas 21 to 5.
Confirmation about my guess as to Natalie's plus/minus in this game.
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. . . goes to Napheesa Collier and Kia Nurse!
Both demonstrated a combination of grit and glue, holding steady when the going got tough and making clutch plays and shots like, well, Badasses!
I agree with your choices Kibs. I won't be surprised if Pheesa makes one of the AA teams this year with a possible First Team AA next year. I love her demeanor and her skill set. Can post, block shots, shoot the three as well as down low game.
Kibitzer
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Thanks to Javaman and MJL243 from the Geno on Texas Game Strategy and Natalie Thread:
Note from @UConnWBB win Sunday: In Natalie Butler's 26 minutes on the floor. the Huskies outscored Texas by 29 points. Final score 72-54.
With 2:36 left in the 3rd quarter with the score 51 to 49 Gen0 sent Natalie in to replace Crystal. The lineup of Kia, Natalie, Gabby, Napheesa and Lou played the rest of the game without substitution until the last minute, when Geno cleared the bench. They outscored Texas 21 to 5.
Confirmation about my guess as to Natalie's plus/minus in this game.
Some of Nat's 26 minutes were in the big 15-2 run that started late 1st quarter (@17-11, Baylor), so during her total 26 minutes she compiled +29 points. Not bad, considering that she is immobile, can't jump, yada yada yada
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