Baylor post game thread

[HopJim]

While I have taken grief for past posts that indicated UConn was not worthy of #1 ranking, I have less negative thoughts than many about this game. With the great teams that will make playoffs, would welcome another shot at Baylor. A few thoughts why:
-Don't see ONO ever having a game like this again. Predict that if the two teams play again, ONO will have at least 12-15 points and reduce Cox's 3's. UConn had advantage early in game until Geno took ONO out.
-Have watched several Baylor games this year and would be surprised to see them shoot this well again on 3's. Partly on Geno since he appeared to coach players to play off the ball.
-Doubt we will see Kyla in a position to get so abused by taller players shooting short turn arounds. Again, not totally Kyla's fault with the shot blocker, ONO, on bench.
-Layups, layups, layups - 3-5 wide open layups would have changed tone of game.
-Geno made several unusual substitutions at key moments I doubt he would make in playoffs.
Other than the last 5 minutes, this was an even game. A few more layups, ONO points, and fewer Cox 3 pointers and we would be celebrating a victory. Saying these teams are far apart is an overreaction.

 

[Centerstream]

For the past 2 seasons many posters here were screaming because Molly and Kyla were languishing on the bench except for garbage time. The posters were demanding that they be given the chance to play. But Geno knew what he was preparing them for and they knew their roles and accepted them. Oh, and by the way, I doubt that many other big time coaches would have even offered these ladies a scholarship. FF to this season, Kyla is doing exactly what Geno wants her to do and so is Molly. The thing about Molly's role is that she is backing up a senior PG who has the potential to possibly be an AA and her time is going to be limited. But Kyla started a bunch of games, did what was needed of her and added some scoring. But hold on now!!! Because we now have 2 Freshmen and a Graduate Senior (who has yet to show that she has a grasp of the offense or defense) on the bench, these same Keyboard Coaches are telling everyone here that these 3 should be getting more minutes or even starting and screw what Kyla, and to a lesser degree Molly, are doing for this team.
And wait until next season, who will you Keyboard Coaches want to put on the bench so that Evina and the Freshmen can get the playing time that you deem that they deserve.

 

[Centerstream]

With all due respect to one of my favorite Huskies, Kyla was not a factor on defense. Virtually ever Baylor player that backed her down in the paint scored easily.

Uh, basically no one was a factor on defense, especially in the 4th quarter...

 

[maccca3232]

I asked this on another thread, Coco: When was the last time two UConn starters went scoreless in the same game?

It has happened twice between 2000-01 and 2018-19.

vs Penn State in 2003-04 (boxscore). Maria Conlon 0-2 (31 MP) and Ann Strother 0-5 (31 MP)
vs Notre Dame in 2004-05 (boxscore). Ashley Valley 0-2 (9 MP) and Nicole Wolff 0-3 (26 MP)

During same time span there have been 24 instances (15 vs AP Ranked) of only 5 scorers but never of only 4 scorers.

 

[maccca3232]

We got out shot in the Paint, Mid-Range, Three Point and Free Throw.

Surprised we took the same number of shot attempts in the paint as Baylor. They were successful in all 4 quarters in the Paint, not just the last quarter with Nelson-Ododa on the bench.

 

[Longtime fan]

We got out shot in the Paint, Mid-Range, Three Point and Free Throw.

Surprised we took the same number of shot attempts in the paint as Baylor. They were successful in all 4 quarters in the Paint, not just the last quarter with Nelson-Ododa on the bench.

View attachment 49833

Thanks for providing this data. UCONN shot 63% from the free throw line. That is hard to excuse. We are not even good at non contested shots.

 

[jdb50]

If Geno can coach this team to the Final Four it will be an accomplishment. How far the young players can advance their game is the key. I do not see how nailing Ono and AG to the bench helps that. The front court has to get better for this team to do well in the post season. Coach them up on the sidelines and put them back in. It was too easy for Baylor to get shots off in the 4th Q. Watching the game I wondered if CD would have done the same thing. Experience in a tight game vs Baylor is worth a lot more than time against Houston and the rest of the AAC.

 

[Bayloralum]

While I have taken grief for past posts that indicated UConn was not worthy of #1 ranking, I have less negative thoughts than many about this game. With the great teams that will make playoffs, would welcome another shot at Baylor. A few thoughts why:
-Don't see ONO ever having a game like this again. Predict that if the two teams play again, ONO will have at least 12-15 points and reduce Cox's 3's. UConn had advantage early in game until Geno took ONO out.
-Have watched several Baylor games this year and would be surprised to see them shoot this well again on 3's. Partly on Geno since he appeared to coach players to play off the ball.
-Doubt we will see Kyla in a position to get so abused by taller players shooting short turn arounds. Again, not totally Kyla's fault with the shot blocker, ONO, on bench.
-Layups, layups, layups - 3-5 wide open layups would have changed tone of game.
-Geno made several unusual substitutions at key moments I doubt he would make in playoffs.
Other than the last 5 minutes, this was an even game. A few more layups, ONO points, and fewer Cox 3 pointers and we would be celebrating a victory. Saying these teams are far apart is an overreaction.

Baylor don’t shoot much 3’s but don’t be fooled, we can shoot 3’s! We make 38 percent from 3’s which is 14th in the nation!

 

[nwhoopfan]

Baylor was cold from distance (1-8 I think) and shooting them more frequently than normal in Q1. UConn kept daring them to shoot 3's, and in Q2 they started dropping. Completely changed the complexion of the game.

 

[Carnac]

Some thoughts on the Baylor game:

• The game started out like two heavyweight fighters measuring each other while circling in the ring. In the end Baylor got the knockout in the 4th qtr.
• There will be a lot of over analysis about this game. To me, it simply came down to Baylor’s interior size and strength. They were too much for UConn in the paint.
• Christyn, Megan and Crystal all put up double figures, but UConn needed more from their supporting cast.
• Keep the faith. Liv will have much better days. Today, Cox was a mismatch for her.
• So much for home winning streaks. Time for the Huskies to start a new one.

Wow OD, it looks likes you have really started something. You have more than 12 thousand views in less than 24 hours for this thread, and 218 responses. It appears your "Thoughts on the ___________ game" has become very popular, and has become a must read post. It's the first thread I go to after every game. Your comments are always fair and impartial, and in my opinion, worth reading. Keep up the good work sir.

 

[Dokey]

Overall, UConn hadn't seen great defense like they faced tonight and was too impatient much of the game. Rushed shots (layups yikes, shot 12 for 43 on 2's (27.9%), and got out of their offense later in the game. Quote from Williams: "I thought our offense got a little bit stagnant. … I felt like we didn’t get the shots that we usually get.”

Dangerfield, Williams, and Walker scored 55 of the 58 points on 53 of UConn's 69 shots. The other 16 shots were taken by: Ono (0 for 8), Irwin (0 for 4), Griffin (0 for 2) and Makurat (1 for 2).

Makurat had 3 points on 1 for 2 from the field and could have had more. She was open a number of times but it looked as if Dangerfield and Williams have no confidence in her or maybe got caught up in playing "hero" ball. The announcer mentioned how well she's been shooting after starting the season poorly and if you look at the stats they should be getting her the ball more:
Firsts 3 games: 1 for 13 overall (7.7%) and 0 for 10 on 3's (0%)
Games 4 and 5: 4 for 13 overall (30.8%) and 2 for 9 on 3's (22.2%)
Last 8 games: 16 for 34 overall (47.1%) and 12 for 22 on 3's (54.5%)

I think those early games told team not to pass to Anna for a shot and Anna told herself to concentrate on passing. Setting her up for shots might be the thing that could improve offense.

 

[Golden Husky]

It has happened twice between 2000-01 and 2018-19.

vs Penn State in 2003-04 (boxscore). Maria Conlon 0-2 (31 MP) and Ann Strother 0-5 (31 MP)
vs Notre Dame in 2004-05 (boxscore). Ashley Valley 0-2 (9 MP) and Nicole Wolff 0-3 (26 MP)

During same time span there have been 24 instances (15 vs AP Ranked) of only 5 scorers but never of only 4 scorers.

View attachment 49832

Amazing work, Mac. Thank you for the research and data.

 

[CocoHusky]

I think it's a beautiful ideal to want to recruit nothing but the best players who fit the mold of whatever concept of basketball your program has adopted. That being said, we are losing the recruiting the battles, im my opinion, for bigs because he isn't showcasing the development of those kinds of players in his program. Stewie was not the prototypical post. Yes, Stef was, but she is the only one in the last 10 years that truly fit that mold and was exhibited as a cornerstone of the team that hit the floor every night. Kiah stokes stayed in his doghouse and never truly had a starting role or place in the offense that they highlighted. Morgan was an inside out PF, like Nalyssa Smith is to Baylor, so I'm not including her. You've gotta adjust for your weaknesses, he's not doing a good job of that. I'm sure we'll recover starting next year, but that will mostly be due to certain losing ppl to graduation and another year of development for ours. Aaliyah Edwards, Isuneh Brady, stretch 4s are indispensable in today's game, in every era of the game. Go HUSKIES!

I guess the development of Napheesa Collier and Gabby Williams as AA post players for UCONN does count either?

 

[ahmenray]

I personally think that our lady huskies need to learn to use the backboard more to help make shots better. They miss many easy shots because of improper use of backboard. Baylor uses backboard effectively. Also I think that Liv needs to start developing a different variety of shots. I could see her doing a "hook" shot, rebounding & shooting without always coming down first. It seems that she also brings ball down toward stomach before shooting that makes it easy to block. After reviewing a 2nd time, we could have won game if we had not missed so many easy & open shots.

 

[Baylor1994]

I have been tough on ONO this year but predict after this game she will learn she is truly 6'5". Being a bit facetious, but all she needed to do was turn around and in one motion shoot over Cox. Cox is good defender but has no "ups" and would not have been able to guard turnaround. Would have been good if Geno had taken ONO out early in game and done some coaching. Glad this happened to ONO early in season.

I know this was months ago but Lauren cox has hops

 

[CocoHusky]

I personally think that our lady huskies need to learn to use the backboard more to help make shots better. They miss many easy shots because of improper use of backboard. Baylor uses backboard effectively. Also I think that Liv needs to start developing a different variety of shots. I could see her doing a "hook" shot, rebounding & shooting without always coming down first. It seems that she also brings ball down toward stomach before shooting that makes it easy to block. After reviewing a 2nd time, we could have won game if we had not missed so many easy & open shots.

Personally I don't think we have lady huskies and UCONN WBB uses the backboard just fine. Forget the variety, Liv needs to develop a go to move and finish better than she has been.

 

[donalddoowop]

I agree that using the backboard more would be helpful and that Ono should and will develop more inside moves. It will make her harder to guard. Good teams will learn how to stop a go to move after awhile. She does need to finish better.