Butler Postgame Thread

[oldude]

Some postgame thoughts on the Butler game:

• UConn begins BE play in earnest today vs Butler. While we can complain about the BE competition level, Geno will use this part of the schedule, as he has always done, to sharpen team execution and solidify his rotation for the postseason gauntlet the Huskies will face.
• KK adds new meaning to the expression “BALL HAWK.” 😎 . For that matter she adds new meaning to the expression “FLOOR BURN.” 😁
• In the Huskies 1st game back from the break, it was a little uneven on offense at times. But UConn’s defense was its usual suffocating, swarming school of piranhas, as they had 18 steals while forcing 29 turnovers.
• With her “cat quick” reflexes, athleticism and basketball IQ, Sarah probably leads the nation in getting a hand on the ball defensively (steals, blocks & tipped balls).
• Jana has gotten so much better at establishing low-post position and receiving entry passes. Now she just has to consistently “stick the finish.”
• Blanca is one of the very best freshmen in the nation and she is getting more comfortable in UConn’s system each and every game. That should be a scary thought to future opponents. 😮
• UConn played some zone in the 2nd half, not so much because the Huskies need work on it, but more likely because Geno wanted to "call off the dogs" against a conference opponent.
• Fort Wayne’s own, Ayanna Paterson, with some early 2nd half PT delivers a “stand up and cheer” 3-pt play and some solid minutes off the bench.
• It looked like a packed house today at Hinkle Fieldhouse. I think everyone from Noblesville, IN was there.
• I continue to maintain that Kelis is the absolute best guard in the nation who is only 6th on the team's depth chart.
• OK, here’s a poll for someone on the BY to run after the game. Who is UConn’s best on-ball defender: Sarah, KK, Blanca, Azzi……?
• New Year’s Eve in Providence is up next for the Huskies.

 

[Zarathustra]

I agree with Ashlyn Shade and Kasey Shade (MOM): It was "SURREAL"!!!

 

[jcoton56]

Under 10 TOs just back from the break. Not bad

 

[maple]

First time UConn has been 13-0 since the 2017-2018 season. I thought that was an interesting stat.

This is one of those games where you’re very happy that the bench can get a lot of minutes.

 

[Geew1992]

Yanna got into the game a lot earlier than usual. Idk if it was because she’s from Indiana. But she seems to become more comfortable in the system.

Hopefully Kayleigh is okay and just pay her breathe

 

[Boreifs]

Blanca subbing in the first quarter completely changed the game.

 

[CONNCAN]

Expected win vs. Butler. Concerns regarding Kayleigh Heckle. I hope and pray it's simple taking a hit in the chest and not a concussion

 

[REB1094]

Slow start but Blanca and Kayleigh changed the energy completely. It was a massacre from there

Balanced scoring from everyone. KK is my favorite player on this team. Had some buckets but is a complete menace defensively

Hope Kayleigh is okay!

 

[Majorthreat]

Slow start, but we came to life with 5 minutes in the first quarter. The decision was never in doubt. There was plenty of PT for everyone. I guess He put in Ayanna early since she is from Indianapolis. I also noticed as soon as we put in Ayanna that the perimeter defense started to suffer and they started to hit 3's. Geno should remind them it's not all about offense. I wish Gandy had gotten some PT. I mean we won by almost 50 point so whats holding her from getting some PT. Geno said she provides plenty of effort in practice so doesn't that warrant at least a minute of PT. Even a reporter asked about her, asking how she was developing since he doesn't see her on the court. On a sidenote, I hope K9 is okay. She took a couple of nasty falls in this one.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

My observation is short. The defense just keeps getting better when I think they can't get any better. In that vein, Azzi's defense is really hard to fathom and I never saw it coming. She has such an ability to practically get in her player's shorts and then the ball just migrates from that player's hand to hers. I do wish as a fan that we got more first unit minutes, but I know we will benefit from subs getting good minutes. Watching Azzi's father today and projecting I think he wanted to see more of her out there.

 

[huskyd]

Really wish that KK would take better care of her body. Every time she dives for a ball going out of bounds, I worry that she's going to get injured. I know it's tough to fool with aggressiveness, but sometimes there's no point in going too far. On one play, KK dove for the ball while Azzi watched it go out of bounds. No diving for Azzi; she's learned how impactful injury can be. Take note, KK.
As for K-9's jolt near the end, I hope it's just a bruise. She was walking around with the team at the game's end, so maybe it's nothing.
Staying healthy for a team that has in recent years seemed snake-bit is essential for the work to come. Everything is breaking UConn's way (notably the schedule). Let's stay on a steady, healthy roll. We got this.

 

[DEpup]

Yanna got into the game a lot earlier than usual. Idk if it was because she’s from Indiana. But she seems to become more comfortable in the system.

Hopefully Kayleigh is okay and just pay her breathe

It looked to me like she landed on her chest and got the air knocked out of her.

 

[Geew1992]

Just realizing Yanna is playing without her goggles

 

[BRS24]

Slow start, but we came to life with 5 minutes in the first quarter. The decision was never in doubt. There was plenty of PT for everyone. I guess He put in Ayanna early since she is from Indianapolis. I also noticed as soon as we put in Ayanna that the perimeter defense started to suffer and they started to hit 3's. Geno should remind them it's not all about offense. I wish Gandy had gotten some PT. I mean we won by almost 50 point so whats holding her from getting some PT. Geno said she provides plenty of effort in practice so doesn't that warrant at least a minute of PT. Even a reporter asked about her, asking how she was developing since he doesn't see her on the court. On a sidenote, I hope K9 is okay. She took a couple of nasty falls in this one.

If Geno and staff think that Gandy isn't ready, then she doesn't play. If she hasn't mastered some of the read/react parts of the offense, and/or the defensive rotations, then she's not ready, as if she were to get PT, any mistakes she makes could impact her effectiveness. We should all be patient with the when and how much.

 

[Centerstream]

If Geno and staff think that Gandy isn't ready, then she doesn't play. If she hasn't mastered some of the read/react parts of the offense, and/or the defensive rotations, then she's not ready, as if she were to get PT, any mistakes she makes could impact her effectiveness. We should all be patient with the when and how much.

Also I think Gandy would take minutes away from Jana. From this point of the season, Jana should be playing the entire 4th quarter...to build her confidence, to cut down on fouls and maybe getting more comfortable out there.

 

[Boreifs]

Also I think Gandy would take minutes away from Jana. From this point of the season, Jana should be playing the entire 4th quarter...to build her confidence, to cut down on fouls and maybe getting more comfortable out there.

Right now, Gandy is the sixth option at the five, after Serah, Sarah, Jana, Blanca and Yanna. Yes, Blanca briefly played the five today when both Serah and Sarah had two fouls in the first half.

 

[mainerhuski]

I think that Geno has talked about Gandy's excellent upside, but that only having played bball for 6 years means that she has to consciously consider and then act in situations that are automatic to other players. Contrast this with Azzi, for example, who has been playing basketball for about 20 years. (She was only 3 in that famous picture of her with her dominant arm wrapped in cling wrap to develop the other!)

 

[Geew1992]

Right now, Gandy is the sixth option at the five, after Serah, Sarah, Jana, Blanca and Yanna. Yes, Blanca briefly played the five today when both Serah and Sarah had two fouls in the first half.

If Gandy was ready, Sarah, Blanca and Yanna would not be playing the 5. So no… she would not be taking minutes from them

 

[BRS24]

Right now, Gandy is the sixth option at the five, after Serah, Sarah, Jana, Blanca and Yanna. Yes, Blanca briefly played the five today when both Serah and Sarah had two fouls in the first half.

If Gandy was ready, Sarah, Blanca and Yanna would not be playing the 5. So no… she would not be taking minutes from them

IMO, Gandy is the option after Serah and Jana. With Serah improving each game, it's imperative for Jana to do the same. As the season progresses, the bench minutes will start to decrease, so it will be a quality vs quantity thing.

 

[huskeynut]

This game was what I expected.

Credit Butler. They opened the game playing UConn pretty even. Enter Blanca and K9 and it was over.

UConn's defense is a thing of beauty. Continual pressure. Shutting of the passing and driving lanes.

Everbody got minutes and played well. Every body who say the court scored.

From a team development point of view, Blanca keeps coming off of the bench. She is a weapon that no team has been able to handle. K9 looking more comfortable as she plays more games. I hope she is all right. She took a shot in the chest area.

Jana is improving. Allie is improving. All go signs. Geno is building for March as he develops this team.

 

[dtbtbtb]

Geno is probably looking to redshirt Gandy...this is the only reason i would think for not playing her in the end of a 50 points win....

 

[HuskyNan]

Geno is probably looking to redshirt Gandy...this is the only reason i would think for not playing her in the end of a 50 points win....

Unless she’s injured, she can’t redshirt. She’s played in a game

 

[Basingstoke]

I loved that 11 players played. 10 played at least 10 minutes, everyone scored & 6 players scored at least 9 (& the others ranged from 7 points to Kelis' 2).
It's funny, it never seemed like UCONN was hitting on all cylinders offensively, but wound up with 95 points on 59% shooting - i think we're spoiled...

 

[hoophuskee]

Sarah's half-catch while spinning in the lane and feeding that bounce pass was frighteningly unreal. Few pros can do that.

Outside of the starters, still amazed by Blanca. That spin move in the baseline was incredible. Her ability to steal the ball incredible. Still knocking down 3's. Some poster on here was saying he saw her play a lot overseas and said he was expecting her to go back toward the mean of a struggling 3pt shooter. I wonder now if the view is the same with what his/her point is when he/she might agree that she is "a shooter from 3" now.

Allie belongs.

Gandy right now is definitely the 6th center on the depth chart. And if Ice and Morgan come back she is 8th. those last few minutes in blowouts are not garbage minutes. IMO the 12 time champion coach knows what he's doing with minutes and this team is unusually very deep vs the past. All the players getting minutes today deserve those minutes. Those few minutes late aee very valuable.

 

[FanSince17]

I saw something in Serah today. She was involved in some traps halfcourt. I did a double-take that it was Serah. Showed quickness.
Kelis glides. Who does she remind you of? I got one: Earl Monroe. I remember how he would glide in the lane, soft off the glass.