BC Post Exhibition Thread

[NYCHUSKIES]

Man... Strong is giving me such strong .aya Moore vibes. She almost looks mid season ready, and her offensive game is just too elite. Definetly a good candidate for pre season all American team.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Nice of UConn's team site to put the men's game up on replay but not the women's.

 

[ucmiami2]

Watch on TV and I thought it was a good very early season look. Normal preseason games come in the week/10 days before the season opener, thos one came in the week/10 days after practice started. The returners know the systems, where to be, where to move, how to switch - the newbies are all still learning that stuff so they're either thinking too much and reacting slowly or charging ahead of their brains and making mistakes. To be expected at this point.

Lots of turnovers because the motion was disjointed. Lots of assists because everyone passes well. Geno wanted 40 minutes of chaos with all the pressing, and he got it. Uconn had 103 offensive possessions (69 shots, 19 TO, 15 fouls by BC which works out to 2.5/minute. That is a TON.

That fast play was because he had a 14 person bench and could play/rest players frequently. And because they used pressure defense for all 40 minutes. Sped up BC, sped up Uconn, and led to some ugly. With more practice, the same pressure will speed up the opponent, but the Uconn team will play more under control. And with more practice, the defense will not break down the way it did for most of the game - people will understand the defensive rotations, there will be fewer triple teams, because two players will not both go to create the double team.

As for the newbies - I liked what I saw. On a simple level, they looked better than Carolina and Ayanna who have both been around for years. Kelis and Blanca both look 'bigger' than I expect and both move well. (One of the announcers said Blanca reminds Geno of a certain Russian who didn't travel 5000 miles to pass the ball! 😎 )

Based on watching this game, I have no worries about the season if we stay healthy. And I think for all but a few games this season, the minutes played could be fairly similar with the high player getting mid 20 minutes (Azzi 23 in this game.)

 

[housekeys]

Blanca's potential is clear. She is 6'2" and athletic. Her issue is the speed of the game. When playing professionally she often went up against older and more experienced players. She picked up the basketball IQ playing against older and more mature players. That is good. But, those older players are much slower. So a young Blanca could get away with some things that she can't get away with against the younger competition she is up against now. IMO. She will adapt.

 

[MilfordHusky]

It was good to see the women in action.

BC was a scrappy team and made more threes than I wanted.

UConn looked ragged, because it's early, we tried some odd combinations, and the press made things hectic.

Azzi shot like Steph Curry, and Sarah played like Kevin Durant. She's NPOY good.

Blanca was a little out of control, but fewer 3-pointers and more cautious passes will help. The potential is obvious.

Serah looked a little rough in spots, but overall impressive.

I was surprised to see Jana. I like her rebounding.

I'll give Kayleigh a pass for today. Both she and KK have some things to clean up.

Ash looked efficient, as usual.

 

[Cuango]

The replay will probably be on UConn+ tomorrow

I just wanted to say thank you for posting the link! I was able to watch a game I had already written off, so I’m very grateful!

 

[Alydar]

I didn't realize until today's game, but UCONN possesses one of their tallest teams in memory with
Serah, Jana, Ice, Blanca, Gandy, Ayanna & Sarah all ranging between 6'2'' & 6'5".

and Caroline

 

[noirwestern]

This is the music I want to hear for allllll of the clips.

 

[Boreifs]

Several people mentioned that they only got audio on UConn+. I experienced the same thing on my computer, but I got the Boston TV feed on my phone using UConn plus. Very strange, but I didn’t turn it off in disgust.

 

[VaConnFan11]

I thought the team looked slow. BC had a lot of wide open 3's and they made them.

The newbies have to learn how to score at the rim. A lot of bunnies missed.

Overall, I thought the team looked good for 3 weeks before the season.

 

[freshler40]

I felt like BC broke the press often by flashing their post player to the free throw line or so and our post did not follow. I didn't get that. Serah and Yanna expecially. That's a steal with our athleticism.

Yes, we didn't adjust to BC's early success in breaking the press as our centers stayed back. That was an easy adjustment but wasn't done. We let BC counter on offense too much and had trouble going on runs with the hybrid lineups being looked at.

 

[DRBackup]

Hard watching on a 15" computer screen. Thank goodness for our all-hair team. The only thing that helped identify our bigs and hybrids were the different hair do's. Sarah and Serah were the toughest to differentiate. I thought Ash was impressive along with Allie and Ice.
The offense was OK for a first practice game, room for big improvement. Defense was subpar a good deal of overplays and players out of position. This exhibition gives coach plenty of teaching moments and we all know he will take advantage of every one of them.
Missed seeing the stability Paige brought to both offense and defense but feel there are very capable players to carry the torch.

FYI to anyone that doesn't know - UConn+ is available on Roku devices, at least.

 

[oldude]

Rewatching some of the highlights this morning. There was one play that rose to the level of a “thing of beauty” which I must comment on.

In the 2nd half, Kayleigh fired a pass across the top of the zone to Blanca, who immediately fired a pass into Sarah in the high post, who then turned and fired a pass out to Azzi who was all alone on the wing…..nothing but net.

The entire sequence may have taken 2 seconds. UConn’s ball movement has always been something to marvel at, but that one play, in a preseason game, had everyone on the bench and in the stands off their feet in applause.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Several people mentioned that they only got audio on UConn+. I experienced the same thing on my computer, but I got the Boston TV feed on my phone using UConn plus. Very strange, but I didn’t turn it off in disgust.

People only got the audio only feed because they likely clicked the wrong link. That's what happened to me. Easy mistake to make. If UConn+ is going to be a viable platform to carry games, it needs some work.

 

[my2cents]

I think the discussions should end on who the starters will be, that's over.
The competition will be for the other 4 rotation players. Nobody really stood out there, but it's one game.

 

[Skeets]

LOL.... Maybe next time, get in before posting the link!
We appreciate you!!

There were 2 ways to get into UConn+. One did not work. I suspect the link was broken. The other way worked just fine. The only problem I had was I kept losing the audio and had to recast to the TV every 10 minutes or so. Not sure if it was a problem with the stream or my casting. Generally, I don't have a problem with audio when casting.

In any event I want to thank Nan for the heads up on UConn+. When I looked earlier it was audio only.

 

[Bald Husky]

FYI to anyone that doesn't know - UConn+ is available on Roku devices, at least.

I have Hulu+live TV, use a Roku system, and I was able to add the NBCsportsBoston app to my app page. The UConn+ app got the feed from the NBCBoston station. Download it now so you won't go crazy on game day trying to find the game.

 

[YKCornelius]

And for Boneyarders without video who want to hear play-by-play commentary, I recommend the superb Bob Joyce and Debbie Fiske team on the UConn sports network. Their pre-game and post-game program is also tremendous!

 

[CL82]

The freshmen had 10 of the team’s 19 turnovers. New game speed, new teammates, lots of nerves for their first unofficial game. They will improve

You guys crashed the website, lol. I couldn’t get in

Um, sorry?

I haven't looked today, but I've heard that both games are posted on the UConn + website.

 

[CL82]

I suspect that UConn will be short of 3 point shooters

 

[Zarathustra]

Anyone have any thoughts on Fisher? I saw her miss a couple of shots and get called for some fouls. But didn’t notice her too much tbh.

TBH.... too soon to tell (IMHO). She is truly needed as a backup
point guard if either KK or K9 have to sit for any reason. Since
K. Fisher IS a freshman; I wonder what Geno's plan "C" is? It's
been commented on in this thread already = Azzi doing a combo
guard (like Paige?), Morgan Cheli when she is fully rehabbed? Any
other thoughts out there?

 

[cabbie191]

I was busy with grandparental duties during the game so I only saw a 5+ minute highlight on YouTube. Nice to see the new players in action.

Two reactions I have from posts on this thread:

1) At least two of you wrote about their disappointment in Ayanna’s play. Can we have a little grace here given that she’s been injured for the past two years? It’s not only rust, if you will, but also trusting that she won’t get re-injured. I recall Azzi and others talking about the mental healing that accompanies the physical recovery when you have suffered multiple injuries.

2) As always, there is some discussion about the quality of the broadcast crew. We’ve been spoiled. And given that our games this year are going to be broadcast by multiple outlets, I think we’re generally going to be much more disappointed going forward without having a dedicated broadcast team. Plus I think many will find it more challenging to even watch the games in the first place.

Personally I am concerned that what’s happening to UConn’s WBB Is becoming similar in to the NFL’s approach. My grand-parenting is occurring in upstate New York - last night I couldn’t watch the Bills game even though I am in their viewing market. I know the NFL will remain hugely popular but for myself, I find my interest waning slightly whenever there are barriers to watching the product.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Um, sorry?

I haven't looked today, but I've heard that both games are posted on the UConn + website.

Somehow, despite both games being broadcast on the same network and played live on UConn+, only the men's game is archived. You can listen to the women's game but there is no video.

 

[Vancat]

Fun game! The Twin Seruhs were great. Azzi flipped the switch. Lots of kids to get in there- a good problem to have. The announcers were awful...sorry Ashley. Maybe talk about what's on the screen?

 

[CL82]

Somehow, despite both games being broadcast on the same network and played live on UConn+, only the men's game is archived. You can listen to the women's game but there is no video.

That's odd, but is useful to me since I had to miss the men's game.

 

[cancontent]

Fun game! The Twin Seruhs were great. Azzi flipped the switch. Lots of kids to get in there- a good problem to have. The announcers were awful...sorry Ashley. Maybe talk about what's on the screen?

Just saw this announcement. Wonder how it will impact her role as a broadcaster.

 

[darrell]

Noticed something just now. Blanca was on the floor for all of Azzi’s five threes. In five shots, she assisted two, hockey assisted one and set the screen that led to another. Her impact will far exceed the box score.

 

[oldude]

Noticed something just now. Blanca was on the floor for all of Azzi’s five threes. In five shots, she assisted two, hockey assisted one and set the screen that led to another. Her impact will far exceed the box score.

Geno commented that the coaches wanted to specifically use 3-4 different lineups yesterday, including the one that started the 2nd half (Azzi, Sarah, Serah, Blanca & Kayleigh). If you think about last season, there was the starting lineup and then Geno would sub in the small lineup, which was basically KK & Ash for Jana & Kaitlyn. This season, Geno may be looking at Blanca & Kayleigh as the early substitutes for KK & Ash.

 

[BobbyJ]

Noticed something just now. Blanca was on the floor for all of Azzi’s five threes. In five shots, she assisted two, hockey assisted one and set the screen that led to another. Her impact will far exceed the box score.

I agree, that’s why GA calls her unique. She has a natural feel and instinct for the game. Once she learns how to utilize the offense to find her spots and shots along with her passing skills, she’ll have a big impact on games.

 

[RoadMaster]