Boston University Postgame Thread

[Bone Dog]

There will be very few players/teams that will be able to outmuscle Jana down low. Low-post presence is Audi Crooks, Lauren Betts…

I watched ND’s first game. It was a tuneup game just like the BU game. The interesting matchup for Jana this season could well be Kate Koval. She is also a big strong 6’5”. She may have better low post moves and is quite efficient, though Jana seems more mobile and actually has a mid range and perimeter shooting game. And that baseline drive in the second half was reminiscent of Aaliyah. I hope we get to see the two of them matchup several times over the next few seasons, watch how they develop together. Crooks, Betts, Lee, Marshall, Del Rosario, Walker and Tac, all of them could pose interesting challenges if they happen. But Koval looks most similar to Jana.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I know you love Azzi, Milford, but by the time she comes back, Sarah will likely already have established herself as one of the nation's top players... Azzi's got a lot of work ahead of her to reach that realm, if she can even get to that level of play, and the assets she could contribute are now present on the team with several other players, which wasn't the case last time Azzi was able to play.

I sure hope the expectations you and others here on the BY have for Azzi can be realized. She's a great young woman.

Azzi may be a close 3rd. I’ve been watching her for 7 years, so I’m partial. I think the trio of #1 recruits may make UConn bad for basketball again. She is a great person.

 

[The deacon]

Just because a player is close to the basket...doesn't mean the shot is a bunny. Some passes from the wing and on breaks placed the shooter almost even with the backboard or headed out of bounds. If you played...you know that sucks and changes the angle of your layup a lot. So some of the missed layups didn't bother me.

Morgan is interesting. Bigger than I thought. Maybe in a small lineup...post her up against small guards?

Other than Paige...I would love to see a player own the short corner baseline jumper. I call it one of the loneliest spaces on offense.

Fudd may not start initially, but eventually she will. I have 0 doubts about that. While this team has plenty of long range firepower...midrange offense, especially off the dribble, could use some shoring up.

Well said about missed 'bunnies, LwrcasefaN. Too many people believe every shot taken within five feet of the basket is a gimme.

Regarding those midrange shots, while I believe Azzi would definitely help in that area, I believe Ashlynn Shade, Kaitlyn Chen and Morgan Cheli have a strong track record there, too, in addition to Paige, of course.

 

[jdote33]

I liked what I saw. Sarah is amazing tbh. I thought Kaitlyn didn't force much, and did great in the press. Paige was Paige. Morgan was pretty great, happy for her to play so well in her first game. Z played well too. Honestly everyone played well. I think the half court offense was a little underwhelming at times but it's game 1. I am really looking forward to seeing Azzi with this group. There was an article about Azzis 12 month time frame but they keep mentioning her being so close, it's hard to not get hopes up. So conservatively maybe after the Bahamas trip in late November.

I'm high on Jana, I thought she played well. Of course BU is a bit undersized.

 

[yhun89]

I liked what I saw. Sarah is amazing tbh. I thought Kaitlyn didn't force much, and did great in the press. Paige was Paige. Morgan was pretty great, happy for her to play so well in her first game. Z played well too. Honestly everyone played well. I think the half court offense was a little underwhelming at times but it's game 1. I am really looking forward to seeing Azzi with this group. There was an article about Azzis 12 month time frame but they keep mentioning her being so close, it's hard to not get hopes up. So conservatively maybe after the Bahamas trip in late November.

I'm high on Jana, I thought she played well. Of course BU is a bit undersized.

The biggest thing I see from her is her ability to pick up and learn quickly. Geno said Morgan was an on and off practice player, meaning she likely didn't have as much practice experience as the rest of the team. But in her time out there, she was great on communications on switching, hardly lost her defensive assignment, and made some good moves (Had there been no travel, she would've had an excellent slash to the basket). She even tried posting up on BU. Very impressive and a good sign of things to come from her.

 

[hoopsfan22]

I liked what I saw. Sarah is amazing tbh. I thought Kaitlyn didn't force much, and did great in the press. Paige was Paige. Morgan was pretty great, happy for her to play so well in her first game. Z played well too. Honestly everyone played well. I think the half court offense was a little underwhelming at times but it's game 1. I am really looking forward to seeing Azzi with this group. There was an article about Azzis 12 month time frame but they keep mentioning her being so close, it's hard to not get hopes up. So conservatively maybe after the Bahamas trip in late November.

I'm high on Jana, I thought she played well. Of course BU is a bit undersized.

Azzi was hurt last December, so if she's able to start easing into games by say the end of the month or early December (3-4 week time frame), wouldn't that basically be 12 months?

 

[Geew1992]

Well when 8 of the 10 players are first or second year players and the other two players were seniors who went 7-12 and only played 44 of a possible 200 minutes, what did you expect.

And technically, 1 of those seniors is a first year player

 

[Charliebball]

I watched ND’s first game. It was a tuneup game just like the BU game. The interesting matchup for Jana this season could well be Kate Koval. She is also a big strong 6’5”. She may have better low post moves and is quite efficient, though Jana seems more mobile and actually has a mid range and perimeter shooting game. And that baseline drive in the second half was reminiscent of Aaliyah. I hope we get to see the two of them matchup several times over the next few seasons, watch how they develop together. Crooks, Betts, Lee, Marshall, Del Rosario, Walker and Tac, all of them could pose interesting challenges if they happen. But Koval looks most similar to Jana.

Jana should be a double double machine against most teams. The question is whether she can dominate against other big posts. I think she's got to stay away from committing silly fouls and work on her second and third level inside moves. It might take some time, but I have a feeling she will ultimately be the inside offensive presence that UConn has been missing for quite some time.

 

[Ozimoto]

Didn't get to see the game, but based on the box score it looks like a different team than the scrimmage. The only issue I had was the free throw percentage. That will need to improve against better teams that match the Huskies in talent.

 

[GoUconn7961]

That was a fun start.

 

[Majic Hands]

It seems as if Ft Hayes was tougher than Boston U. Can’t decide if that’s the case or if the kids needed that exhibition game to knock of the rust.

Or both.

 

[AzzisBraids]

Sarah Strong may be not be as flashy but I think she showcased why she's the #1 recruit. The passing, the calmness, the ballhandling, steals and most importantly, she is a finisher at the rim. She went 8/9 inside the arc and on her lay-ups it appears that she doesn't even have to try. Missing lay-ups has been a sore point these past few years but she made it look like Child's play.

Chen is feisty, pesty and very fast.

Jana has the edge and is the low post presence UConn has been missing. Seeing her post up hard and finish was delightful.

Paige was Paige.

Shade has decided that she's a starter and she's going to force Geno to play her.

Samuels' shot looks really good, so does Ziebell's.

Brady was solid but I'd like to see her either more aggressive at the rim or in the mid-range.

And for the murmurs that Azzi won't start when she's back to full health, I've got a beach house in Storrs to sell you. A line-up with Paige, Azzi and Strong is going to cause problems.

 

[MSGRET]

Sometimes I thought that Jana was getting a little frustrated when the refs were calling fouls on her, but looking the other way when she was getting fouled. She was pushed, hacked and held almost every time she had the ball, yet only shot 3 freebies.

 

[DefenseBB]

I know you love Azzi, Milford, but by the time she comes back, Sarah will likely already have established herself as one of the nation's top players... Azzi's got a lot of work ahead of her to reach that realm, if she can even get to that level of play, and the assets she could contribute are now present on the team with several other players, which wasn't the case last time Azzi was able to play.

I sure hope the expectations you and others here on the BY have for Azzi can be realized. She's a great young woman.

Deacon-I hear ya but if I may offer some other perspective. Azzi has a much more acclaimed career than Sarah, her best friend is on this team and they want to prove they are the dynamic due and I have to say in the warmups, Azzi still looks and shoots fantastically. Will it take some time for her game to round back into an elite form, yes but physically it looks like she's in the best shape ever and her shot still looks as sweet as ever so I am also thinking Azzi will be the #2 option. Sarah is still very special on both sides of the ball but she is still only a freshman with all of one game on her resume. Geno has and will always be loyal to his top upperclassman players and Azzi is one of them.

 

[The deacon]

Deacon-I hear ya but if I may offer some other perspective. Azzi has a much more acclaimed career than Sarah, her best friend is on this team and they want to prove they are the dynamic due and I have to say in the warmups, Azzi still looks and shoots fantastically. Will it take some time for her game to round back into an elite form, yes but physically it looks like she's in the best shape ever and her shot still looks as sweet as ever so I am also thinking Azzi will be the #2 option. Sarah is still very special on both sides of the ball but she is still only a freshman with all of one game on her resume. Geno has and will always be loyal to his top upperclassman players and Azzi is one of them.

Good points, DefenseBB, but, as I recall, Paige was "only a freshman,' as Sarah is now, and was NPOY that season.

No argument about Geno's loyalty, yet looking smooth in warmups and playing in games at a high level are very, very different. One point that tends to be forgotten about Azzi is that she often didn't get after it in big games. Yes, she had that flurry of threes vs. Texas, and was on a roll that autumn, but we BYers often were frustrated because she ceded her place as a scorer too frequent to Paige or others.

That said, I'm rooting hard for Azzi to be brilliant. If she is, the Huskies will be headed for greatness.

 

[The deacon]

Good points, DefenseBB, but, as I recall, Paige was "only a freshman,' as Sarah is now, and was NPOY that season.

No argument about Geno's loyalty, yet looking smooth in warmups and playing in games at a high level are very, very different. One point that tends to be forgotten about Azzi is that she often didn't get after it in big games. Yes, she had that flurry of threes vs. Texas, and was on a roll that autumn, but we BYers often were frustrated because she ceded her place as a scorer too frequent to Paige or others.

That said, I'm rooting hard for Azzi to be brilliant. If she is, the Huskies will be headed for greatness.

If we look back, in Azzi's one opportunity against the best teams, on the biggest stage, she shot 15 of 39 vs. Baylor and Ohio State in the '23 NCAAs, including just 5 of 21 from three.

That's not to say she wouldn't do better now, but her track record and the expectations many of us hold for Azzi are quite disparate.

 

[victor64]

It's going to be KK's team next season........for this season she should be working on improving all aspects of her play in anticipation of the leadership role she will have to play in the future.........I'm sure she will fully embrace that.....

I agree but this year, she will have to accept that her minutes may be significantly less than last year. Tough for kids sometimes to be patient. I hope she is.

 

[Bone Dog]

Geno has and will always be loyal to his top upperclassman players and Azzi is one of them.

I think you're right. Geno has said in interviews over the years that he tells returning seniors he won't favor them over the underclassmen because he has to think of the team and the future. But I can't recall any time when a senior who'd started in previous years lost a spot this way. Maybe it's loyalty -- and this matters to a team -- or maybe it's his way of telling them they'll have to compete for minutes as usual, or maybe it's just that he values experience more than other things and this looks like loyalty. Or maybe it's some mystical brew made up of all three. Whatever it is, he clearly likes having proven veterans in the lineup.

 

[donalddoowop]

I agree but this year, she will have to accept that her minutes may be significantly less than last year. Tough for kids sometimes to be patient. I hope she is.

She is also going to have to stop playing out of control on her drives.

 

[cp176]

Just watched the reply. What an opportunity for anyone to watch this accumulation of talent. If they get totally healthy and avoid big injuries, this should be just incredible. El Alfie gives them a true big presence which I think they have needed and Sarah Strong is for sure the real deal. Fundamentally, she is just at the top of the food chain.

 

[Dugway]

Azzi was hurt last December, so if she's able to start easing into games by say the end of the month or early December (3-4 week time frame), wouldn't that basically be 12 months?

It was earlier than that. There were press releases out about it on November 22nd, 'Azzi has ACL surgery and Out for Season' headlines, so potentially even having had surgery by that date.

 

[DefenseBB]

Now you know where I'm coming from.

Yes, and now I think you need to articulate that the first time and to still rationally think about statements that not only on the surface are questionable but upon further digging are wrong. AE played the POST position all of last year and was an AA. Whether you think she was a forward is moot. ONO was still a very strong post presence, mostly on defense, all 4 years, again you "qualifying" what you meant vs. what you said is a lame excuse to say "not my fault" when in fact you were wrong.

Is Jana going to be a force, gosh, I hope so and it looks promising but just because she dominated over a team whose tallest player was a 6'3 freshman has me unconvinced she's as good as ONO or any center before. the real test will be vs. UNC and Toomey/Utsby/Gakdeng who have either size, experience or both.

 

[ABCDFE]

Was only able to watch the highlights. But a few things caught my attention:

• Sarah Strong is much more explosiveness and quickness that I thought. Her three pointer to start the second half showed us that she is three level scorer and will be a nightmare matchup for opponents. Lastly, her quick hands and reaction time makes her a demon on the defensive end
• Jana's post game and her touch around the basket is quite the sight to behold. Although she missed a few initial layups, I think her ability to quick release around the basket is something we haven't had in a while
• Shade looks very comfortable out there
• Chen is rock solid
• Q looks less lost and more sure on the shots she should take.

 

[DEpup]

I get Cardosa vibes watching Jana rebound under the basket, especially on the offensive end. Goes straight up even when she's boxed out by a shorter player. Catches the ball with her hands at their highest possible point over her head (which of course is higher than everyone else's). Has sure and steady footwork under the basket. Makes her put backs without a lot of drama. ONO, Dorka, Collier, AE were all tremendous players. Jana's not better than any of them at this very early point in her career, but I agree she brings a different dimension to the low post, which the team had been missing in recent years.

Nah. I get Big Mama Stef vibes!

 

[Bone Dog]

... the real test [for Jana] will be vs. UNC and Toomey/Utsby/Gakdeng who have either size, experience or both.

I couldn't agree more. Toomey is coming off a knee injury of her own, so they will be starting from the same position, roughly. I'm assuming Thomas is healthy. This will be a very good challenge for Jana, and for Toomey and Thomas for that matter. Neither of them seems to be a gifted scorer, but they are both good rebounders and defenders, and Thomas has the same foul woes Jana has.

UNC is a much better challenge than they were last season. They have more front court size now. My guess is they will be a better team without Deja Kelly, who seemed to distort their offense. Their starting lineup is likely to be

• Gakdeng Ustby Donarski Kelly and Townsend.

If our starting lineup is

• Jana/Ice Sarah Paige Ash Chen/Arnold,

and Donarski has a breakout game -- unlikely against Paige -- a lot will depend on Sarah and Jana/Ice to win their matchups. Ustby is a really good small forward, rather like Aubrey in her versatility and ingenuity. She is a capable scorer, especially on putbacks and fast breaks. She may not be a great midrange or perimeter shooter. Still she came close to averaging a double-double last season. Can she defend Sarah effectively and vice versa?

The other key figures may turn out to be Ash and Chen. They are bot effective scorers and Townsend and Reniya Kelly may have a hard time keeping up with them, in addition to the height advantage they'll have to deal with. Ash is already more or less in mid-season form. If there was ever a game for Chen to break out, this may be it.

PS: Sarah played against Blanca two seasons ago. Both played well, though I think Sarah got the better of the matchup even giving up a few inches. Here's a link to a bad highlight video of the game: