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Boston University Postgame Thread

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Some thoughts on the BU game:
  • After watching several top WBB teams stumble out of the gate to begin the season, UConn’s slow start tonight didn’t really surprise me. I was pleasantly surprised that Geno rolled out a trapping man defense following the first TV time out and UConn turned the 1st qtr into a 31-6 rout, ending with a beautiful, nothing but net 3-pt shot from Morgan on her first official shot as a college basketball player. :)
  • This game allowed Geno to try just about every conceivable lineup he could think of in the first half. Everyone earned PT by halftime and every player scored. EVERYONE EATS!!!
  • Noticeable improvement by Jana tonight. She really does have nice footwork and the ability to use either hand to score in the low blocks. She just needs to get a little quicker with her moves and she will be a handful for opponents.
  • This UConn team really does have a lot of 3-pt shooters. Tonight 6 different players dropped at least 1 shot from the arc, and Azzi didn’t even play. :cool:
  • I’ve always enjoyed checking out the final game stats to see Paige’s remarkable ability to stuff a stat sheet. Well, it appears that UConn has yet another stat-stuffer in Sarah: 17 pts, 4 rbs, 3 ast, 6 stl in tonight’s game.
  • Final thought - UConn began last season with 12 healthy players and ended it with only 8. Tonight, we had 10 healthy players suited up. Let’s end the season with 14!
 
It is hard to tell just how good the Huskies really are played because of the huge talent gap compared to BU but:

—I have nothing new to add to how great Paige is. I bet the first half block was her favorite play of the game.

—Sarah Strong can be effective anywhere on the floor. Two things stick out for me. She appears to be able to easily handle defending the perimeter. She MIGHT be one of the best high post passers that Geno has ever had at the position. I know. One game. She sees the floor so well.

—I think Geno is starting to tip his hand who is starters are even when everyone is healthy. Shade and Chen are just so steady. It will be interesting to see how Azzi fits in when she is healthy. They certainly don’t have to rush Azzi back.

-Could this be the year that Geno has enough healthy players that he trusts to show more full court pressure without fear of tiring? He seems to go away from it as the season progresses. At least in recent years but with the ball hawks he has out front, using full court pressure seems to be a no brainer.

—Geno has a lot of kids that are talented enough to play extensive minutes. It will be fun to watch how he spreads those minutes among ten to 12 players.

—The passing and unselfish play were on full display. More than once, all five players touched the ball without a dribble. I never tire of watching total buy in like the Huskies demand.

—A couple of concerns to close. KK Arnold’s patience will be tested. There are just so many guards. Chen appears to be getting the point guard minutes that KK got last year. This not a criticism of her play. It is a completely different year roster wise.

-Q looks better but still has still too many rough edges. I personally love how willing she is to shoot. I do not think she took one bad shot.
 
I only was able to listen to the game tonight ... but boy did I like what I heard. Especially in the 1st half.

It's the first game and too early for me to be terribly worried about the mistakes. The game was over at half time, which is exactly what I love the most.

Very, very impressed with Strong. And to think she is only a freshman!
 
They scored 60 points in the first half with double figure steals. In the second half, Geno stopped the press and generally slowed things down and the half court offense showed some rough edges. There’s still work to be done there.

Bright spots:
Sarah had 17points and 4 rebounds and 6 steals in 24 minutes. And she showed she can get in transition and finish. She shot 8-12, 66%

Jana had a double-double after 13 minutes. There were a few glimpses of her ferocity in the low post. She finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds in 18 minutes.

Ash was her usual awesome, a clear veteran presence

Q had 8 points in 10 minutes including 2-3 from 3.
 
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What a debut from Sarah and Jana (but really all the new players)! Those two are going to be a force for us inside for years to come, so more time means only better things. I am excited for this team to be able to rotate players for once, since the trapping press was SO effective.
 
Image 11-7-24 at 6.52 PM.jpeg
 
impressed with everyone. Happy to hear from Geno that the second half went the way it did because they were working on half court stuff.

I like what I saw from all of the freshman. And especially Sarah strong and Jana looked good.
 
Every one ate. Sarah has proved she belongs at Uconn. Jana had her first of many doubles. Ashlynn scored and had 3 steals. Our defense was tops almost 30 steals. This is the beginning of one heckof a season, GO FRESHMEN!!! GO SOPHOMORES!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!!
 
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It's too early to reach conclusions, but this team has the most potential and talent of any during Paige's tenure. Sarah Strong is like another Paige, high basketball IQ and talent to spare. Jana is the best low post presence UConn has had in some time. By the end of the season after she begins to figure things out, she will be making a valuable contribution.

I like the starting five. Shade is just so steady and Chen will show her value when the competition gets better. Jana will press Brady for PT and it will be interesting to see how Azzi is brought into the mix when she gets clearance to play.

Lastly, Paige looks like a racehorse, itching to post a fast lap on the track, but chose a playful gallop instead.

I'll have to get used to the plethora of riches (able bodies) UConn can assemble (still only at 70% full) after the past 3 years.
 
Here's a line we may not see often, or maybe we will: the scoring leaders tonight were Sarah and Jana each with 17. Sarah shot 8-12 in 24 minutes, Jana shot 8-14 in 17 minutes. I could get used to this.

And one hi-lo pass from Sarah to Jana in the low post was like a vision of things to come.

She made a few fumbles, but when Jana is on, she is fierce, grabbing rebounds, putbacks, driving the baseline. And there doesn't seem to be anything Sarah can't do.
 
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In the first half when they were pushing the ball, making great passes and playing active D it was just like old times. Sure the competition was lacking but still. In the second half Geno slooooowed things down and ran some half court offensive with various line- ups. That still needs work.

It looks like 4 of 5 starters are set, at least until Azzi returns. Paige, Ash, Jana and Sarah are locks. KK and Chen will have to battle it out for starting PG. The rest will get decent minutes.

All in all I'm feeling really good about this team.
 
victor64 said:
It is hard to tell just how good the Huskies really are played because of the huge talent gap compared to BU but:

—I have nothing new to add to how great Paige is. I bet the first half block was her favorite play of the game.

—Sarah Strong can be effective anywhere on the floor. Two things stick out for me. She appears to be able to easily handle defending the perimeter. She MIGHT be one of the best high post passers that Geno has ever had at the position. I know. One game. She sees the floor so well.

—I think Geno is starting to tip his hand who is starters are even when everyone is healthy. Shade and Chen are just so steady. It will be interesting to see how Azzi fits in when she is healthy. They certainly don’t have to rush Azzi back.

-Could this be the year that Geno has enough healthy players that he trusts to show more full court pressure without fear of tiring? He seems to go away from it as the season progresses. At least in recent years but with the ball hawks he has out front, using full court pressure seems to be a no brainer.

—Geno has a lot of kids that are talented enough to play extensive minutes. It will be fun to watch how he spreads those minutes among ten to 12 players.

—The passing and unselfish play were on full display. More than once, all five players touched the ball without a dribble. I never tire of watching total buy in like the Huskies demand.

—A couple of concerns to close. KK Arnold’s patience will be tested. There are just so many guards. Chen appears to be getting the point guard minutes that KK got last year. This not a criticism of her play. It is a completely different year roster wise.

-Q looks better but still has still too many rough edges. I personally love how willing she is to shoot. I do not think she took one bad shot.
Expand ...
Azzi probably comes off the bench at least for a while. It's less pressure on her, and provides a nice "instant offense" option.
 
Great to see a game where every player scored and every player had a rebound. The team was one short of every player having an assist. Teamwork, aggressive defense and an attacking style of play will keep the wins coming. Looking forward to more players getting back to the team!
 
Stagnant said:
I don’t how much Cheli has practiced. Maybe got lost a couple of times on defense. But I like that she is physical and willing to mix it up.
Expand ...
I also noticed that she failed to keep an eye on whoever on her team was bringing the ball up the court. You should never lose sight of the ball.
 
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