Cuse plays 4 guards/outside shooters. With Butler in that means Tuck will be defending out on the perimeter. Does not seem likely. Nan mentioned that Butler could be an answer to breaking the press. Definitely a plus, but then what? IMHO, Butler will get little to no time.
Gabby starts and plays great defense and also grabs many of those long rebounds that Washington could not corral. Maybe she does not hit the 3, but Gabby has been deadly from 12 to 15 ft. If Gabby or Tuck posts up, Cuse only plays one player over 5"11. I see Geno attacking inside and then out. UConn still has four good 3 pt. shooters in MO, Tuck, Stewie & Nurse.
Cuse is very small--their guards are 5"8. 5"9, 5'10, and 5'11. UConn would have the quickness in MO., Gabby & Nurse to handle that. Geno mentioned Stewie would probably be playing on the perimeter and Cuse top guard-Peterson- shoots a set shot that comes off very low. Washington gave too many open looks. UConn will have a hand in the face a little more than Washington did.
Washington did not handle the press and tried to dribble out of it. UConn passing game is too crisp. Gabby's passing has improved along with the rest of the team.
Cuse offense - By the way--Cuse still shot in the low 30% range yesterday. Even with all the open looks and turnovers.
Coach as usual you outlined the failures of Washington and a good method to open up Syracuse's defense.
Since this is just a matter of opinions--I would have Collier start (her team mates call her the ball magnet because she rebounds so well) and bring in Gabby--but it's 50/50 either or--Very good ball handlers will be a must against Syracuse--and the Orange will be looking towards the normal receivers of outlet passes and covering them (Moriah/Stewie/Nurse/Tuck in that order)---
If Uconn can shoot as it did against OSU---the Orange will be pealed --that's a big ifff and cuse will try to make the if a negative.
Washington shot itself in the temple by trying over and over to single handled run through traps without an acceptable outlet. Chantel was a liability--bad passes--not much scoring. In the 3rd quarter they almost found a method to get successfully away from the traps.
Final note- When the Orange was playing half court defense, Washington had open people along the baseline all day, but did not hit the open player. UConn could slow the game ala Texas game, and execute the half court offense all day against the very short Syracuse defense.
So, break the press, half court offense against the small Cuse team and play tighter perimeter D with a lot more rebounds than Washington could grab.
I like the odds for a UConn win. Let's do it!
