Butler Postgame Thread

[oldude]

Some thoughts on the Butler game:

• It doesn’t get much better than watching UConn WBB in Hartford on a Sunday afternoon in January.
• Some BY-ers, as well as Geno, have lamented the fact that our 6’5” center has repeatedly lost the opening tipoff to smaller opponents, so today Geno did something about it having 6’1” Sarah Strong contest the opening tip against Butler’s 6’3” Sydney Jaynes…..PROBLEM SOLVED-
• UConn started the game by hitting their first 6 shots from the floor on their way to shooting 65% for the game, for a comfortable 42-point victory.
• KK continues to be an absolute pain in the ass on defense for UConn’s opponents, as she has developed into one of the most ferocious and disruptive guards in WBB.
• Sarah has mastered the art of sealing her defender on her back at the high post, and Paige, Kaitlyn and several other Huskies have mastered dropping soft dimes that lead Sarah into easy layups. It’s not really a conventional low-post offense, but it sure is effective.
• Paige had her typical, brilliant, all-around stat-stuffing game with 18 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. But to be honest she had an average shooting game. There is a game...It’s coming...Paige is going to fill up the stat sheet and shoot lights out!!!
• I think it’s safe to say that Azzi is back in her zone when it comes to shooting the basketball, and Kaitlyn has found her zone as well.
• While UConn’s stars all did “star-quality” things, I was in awe of Ashlynn’s hustle today. She was everywhere on the court, playing D, chasing down lose balls and rebounds and knocking down shots. Ashlynn has really embraced her role as UConn’s SUPER-SUB!
• The Huskies head to Knoxville on Thursday for what will clearly be a big OOC test to see just how far this team has come and how far it needs to go to get to the promised land.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Player of the Game: Paige Bueckers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[victor64]

It is probably just a coincidence but I love how Paige took out her traditional braids to change her “funk”. After today, we may not see the braids for a while. LOL

Statistically and from a pure basketball standpoint, the Huskies pitched a near perfect game in the first half. I realize, it is against a depleted Butler squad but completely dominating on both ends is not easy.

McGuff is a nice player.

My favorite play was Aubrey’s first half layup. Two fabulous passes from Sarah and Ash.

For the first time since December 15th, Ash shot foul shots. She now has been to the line in two out of the 23 games played.

A rare sight seeing Allie play point in the second half.

It is a little out of control, but nobody will ever accuse Q of not playing hard in her limited minutes.

Love what Geno is doing with minutes. This team is ready for Tennessee.

 

[Bone Dog]

A very scrappy game, as 42 point blowouts go. Butler looked surprisingly well-coached for a cellar-dweller.

Paige, Azzi, Ash, KK, Sarah all had great games.

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[jcoton56]

Looked surgical

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[Stagnant]

We played better today. Butler was overmatched. KK’s athleticism and quickness continue to really stand out against big east competition.

I continue to be a critic of our defensive schemes. We just overhelp all over the floor and it leads to three pointers. That’s happened all year and the coaches must be asking for it. Defenders have too many responsibilities imo.

 

[maple]

Good game today.

I was watching some of the 1st half while still at the Syracuse game and man, you really can take for granted how smooth UConn is when they’re running plays and defending.

I think this has been a nice run of games where we’ve been challenged at times, but not too much. Plus, we’ve been able to get all of the players back into the mix and shake off some of the rust. It hasn’t always been the most beautiful basketball but I think this will end up having really helped us in the long run.

I’m sorry if some fans haven’t enjoyed themselves. Couldn’t be me.

 

[HuskyNan]

We played better today. Butler was overmatched. KK’s athleticism and quickness continue to really stand out against big east competition.

I continue to be a critic of our defensive schemes. We just overhelp all over the floor and it leads to three pointers. That’s happened all year and the coaches must be asking for it. Defenders have too many responsibilities imo.

When you say “overhelp”, do you mean the trapping on the press? Geno said he was ok giving up a few threes because the press was creating more turnovers than points for Butler

 

[Stagnant]

Ice is playing better. Ziebell at point guard was a surprise. I am surprised by how careful we have been with Aubrey (didn’t see the floor until like a minute left in the second quarter). Cheli, effective on offense. Kind of lost on defense.

 

[Stagnant]

When you say “over help”, do you mean the trapping on the press? Geno said he was ok giving up a few threes because the press was creating more turnovers than points for Butler

No, I mean overhelping in the half court.

 

[EricLA]

This was a great game to watch. Not sure how anyone could hate it (on edit I made that comment because BigPetunia posted and said he "hated" the game). Butler had 2 of their better players out with injuries. For me the only negative of the game was actually brought up by Geno at the half time interview - he said something like "yeah when you don't guard the 3 (or leave them open), they are going to knock it down.". Our 3 point defense has not been good all season - there are times when the other team just misses, but far too often we leave them wide open.

Which is surprising because we are really active on defense and most of the time it looks really good. It's just those breakdowns towards the end of a shot clock that ends up leaving players wide open.

On the flip side, it was great to see all the offense. At the start, Kara Wolters said everyone wants to see more from the post players. I think we saw signs of life today. Geno mentioned that Ice wants to play offense on the perimeter. Honestly, she's useless to us out there so I hope she gets it in her head that she needs to play around the basket. Her defense was really solid today too.

Paige came out aggressive, then backed off. Sarah took too few shots (only 6). She needs to be more involved offensively. I know in big games she will be.

I also thought Ash and KK were particularly strong off the bench today. I loved seeing Aubrey out there for extended minutes, but would like to see her get more scratch with the starters.

Butler is really well coached. they are a young team and missing 2 of their best players so I think their future looks really bright.

 

[gold2323]

Nothing that has not already been mentioned here We need to feed El-Alfy more and let her get some confidence
Defensive rebounds still a problem
Against taller top teams can make the difference on winning or losing
But as it is the norm with Geno’s teams..,, as the season progresses we get better

 

[huskeynut]

The offense was surgical in the way the moved and scored. Butler has no chance. And defensively UConn made Butler's day on the court miserable.

Jana showed she can be a force in the post. Starting guards have to look for her when she presents herself. Ice gave good minutes.

The team continues to improve.

 

[huskeynut]

No, I mean overhelping in the half court.

Weak side help on defense has been a staple of UConn's defense.

 

[Centerstream]

A very interesting game and when the 4th quarter started, I was really curious to see how the five guys who finished the game would perform. They did fine outscoring Butler 19-17. Weird that the quarter ended up as our lowest scoring and Butler's highest scoring.
Even though Morgan had 5 assists in the game, I would really like to know what her role on offense is. Earlier in the season, she reminded me of freshman Caroline and freshman Ashlynn...lately she seems to have forgotten how to score. Today she took zero shots when I thought that early in the 4th quarter, she had the opportunity to step up and possibly take over some of the scoring.
Again, I was really impressed with her earlier this season and hope she returns to being an all around good substitute, she is getting plenty of playing time to do it.
Overall, another very good victory.

 

[Tonyc]

Weve come a long way. Most of the hesitation is gone. We playing aggressive and attacking the basket. Stops and pops dribble drives look good. We have more then 2 scorers now. We may not always be hitting our treys all the time but we're shooting at a high percentage. Fans have mentioned we havent shot well against good teams. Well we didnt have Azzi and Ash and Kaitlyn shooting like they are now. We are a much better team when we were in December. We lost to top teams. I dont think we lose to now. So lets see what happens at Tenn. Im hoping we get a fairly called game and stay out of foul trouble. Im pickin UConn by double digets.

 

[Stagnant]

A very interesting game and when the 4th quarter started, I was really curious to see how the five guys who finished the game would perform. They did fine outscoring Butler 19-17. Weird that the quarter ended up as our lowest scoring and Butler's highest scoring.
Even though Morgan had 5 assists in the game, I would really like to know what her role on offense is. Earlier in the season, she reminded me of freshman Caroline and freshman Ashlynn...lately she seems to have forgotten how to score. Today she took zero shots when I thought that early in the 4th quarter, she had the opportunity to step up and possibly take over some of the scoring.
Again, I was really impressed with her earlier this season and hope she returns to being an all around good substitute, she is getting plenty of playing time to do it.
Overall, another very good victory.

She is big Nika. She is not Caroline. Olivia Olson would have been Caroline.

 

[psttc]

Sarah has the opening jump ball. UConn wins it! Who does the ball go to? Jana!!

 

[Centerstream]

She is big Nika. She is not Caroline. Olivia Olson would have been Caroline.

I have no idea what you are saying.
But it doesn't matter because it's my opinion on who she reminded me of...not an actual fact.

 

[Stagnant]

I have no idea what you are saying.
But it doesn't matter because it's my opinion on who she reminded me of...not an actual fact.

Fair, I just think you miscalculated with not a large enough body of work to go off of.

Morgan turned the ball over on the second to last possession of the game. And Meg was right, she absolutely should have shot that one. She had a floater or maybe could have gone all the way for a layup.

 

[dtbtbtb]

Few Thoughts:
This was a real good game to watch. At times UConn played flawlessly on offense with amazing ball movement (the connection between Paige and Sarah is magical) and on defense it was relentless.
While Butler is clearly outclassed in talent, they actually not a bad team. Clearly well coached and players who fight and shoot well. As it's a young team, they should be a much better team in the next few seasons.
Practically all UConn players played well in this game.
Loved the aggression from Jana in the 4th quarter. She needs to be fed the ball more often.
Was really impressed by Ash on both defense and offense. Love the curls where she gets the ball and shoots.
Wish Morgan would be more offensively minded and shoot the ball when she is open.
KK was a menace and shot 6 out of 6 (all layups).
The defensive intensity reminded me of some past teams.
I wonder how those will BE games translate to the game against TN who plays like no other team in the BE and got way better players than all BE teams (aside than UConn). They will press the whole game with long athletic players and UConn will need to keep it's cool and execute. Will be interesting!

 

[topogigio]

A nice win over a totally out matched team. Lot's of good stuff, but need more from the post - both offensively and defensively, Gotta love the all-out hustle by Shade and KK!