Butler Postgame Thread

[boontonbomber]

Blanca shooting 57.7% from 3. She looks rather effortless doing it.

 

[ABCDFE]

A few thoughts:

• Azzi's on ball defense is excellent and doesn't get enough attention from the media
• Sarah played typical ho hum Strong basektball. She could easily average 25+ points per game if she wanted, but her scoring is effortless very much like Pheesa.
• Blanca to me is the third most talented player on the team right now. As she figures out the system and plays more with her teammates she is going to make this team a 3 headed monster with Azzi and Sarah. I come to realize that in her early games she was playing at a speed that was different from what her teammates were at and I think that what she thought she could do in the professional basketball leagues abroad; the players on the team were just not on the same wavelength. Now I'm not saying she didn't make a bunch of headscratching errors, but I also think the out of control narrative has a bit to do with her mental speed and vision and expectations of what her teammates could do versus what she was used to.
• Serah Williams looks much much better over the last several weeks. She can improve her defense outside of the paint, but she's more decisive and her rebounding effort is much more obvious.
• KK and Shade played their typical games. KK is very active, but against the better teams she can't fly around too much on the floor as that will leave the team with 4 on 5 situations.
• The more I watch Allie, the more I realize how crafty she is around the basket. I like that she's not hesitating to shoot the open 3. After Blanca, you could say it's Allie and K9 off the bench.
• AP looks much better each game and I think if she gets a little stronger, she could be a rebounding and defensive star. You can see the athletic potential in her movement.
• Jana seems to be the biggest enigma to me. She's got the frame and several years now at UCONN but she really hasn't developed her game much. When she's at the top of the key if she could knock down that shot a la Mama Stef that would really open her game up.
• Kelis has a lot of tools you like and I'm excited to see her develop. Right now when she comes in you can tell she's not overwhelmed.

 

[BBallF]

Unbelievable play on our Sarah's part. A play to watch and re-watch, but as I watched it a few times, I wonder if Ash's pass was really intended for Azzi and intercepted by Sarah? No matter, it was a fantastic play on the part of Sarah.

If you look at the follow through on Ash's arms from the chest pass you see it was pointed to Azzi. So you are correct but I also think that pass would have been intercepted by Butler so it is a doubly great play. I don't always think that we BYers really understand how much Sarah improved from last year in every aspect of the game.

 

[FanSince17]

A few thoughts:

• Azzi's on ball defense is excellent and doesn't get enough attention from the media
• Sarah played typical ho hum Strong basektball. She could easily average 25+ points per game if she wanted, but her scoring is effortless very much like Pheesa.
• Blanca to me is the third most talented player on the team right now. As she figures out the system and plays more with her teammates she is going to make this team a 3 headed monster with Azzi and Sarah. I come to realize that in her early games she was playing at a speed that was different from what her teammates were at and I think that what she thought she could do in the professional basketball leagues abroad; the players on the team were just not on the same wavelength. Now I'm not saying she didn't make a bunch of headscratching errors, but I also think the out of control narrative has a bit to do with her mental speed and vision and expectations of what her teammates could do versus what she was used to.
• Serah Williams looks much much better over the last several weeks. She can improve her defense outside of the paint, but she's more decisive and her rebounding effort is much more obvious.
• KK and Shade played their typical games. KK is very active, but against the better teams she can't fly around too much on the floor as that will leave the team with 4 on 5 situations.
• The more I watch Allie, the more I realize how crafty she is around the basket. I like that she's not hesitating to shoot the open 3. After Blanca, you could say it's Allie and K9 off the bench.
• AP looks much better each game and I think if she gets a little stronger, she could be a rebounding and defensive star. You can see the athletic potential in her movement.
• Jana seems to be the biggest enigma to me. She's got the frame and several years now at UCONN but she really hasn't developed her game much. When she's at the top of the key if she could knock down that shot a la Mama Stef that would really open her game up.
• Kelis has a lot of tools you like and I'm excited to see her develop. Right now when she comes in you can tell she's not overwhelmed.

Nice job!
I don’t know about your assessment of Blanca. She’s phenomenal and getting better but a couple of her passes were sloppy. Just carelessness. Like making a bad decision on the golf course. Everyone’s forgiven.
I thought Jana played well. She’s a great screener. I know bunnies. She looked quicker. More solid.

 

[FanSince17]

If you look at the follow through on Ash's arms from the chest pass you see it was pointed to Azzi. So you are correct but I also think that pass would have been intercepted by Butler so it is a doubly great play. I don't always think that we BYers really understand how much Sarah improved from last year in every aspect of the game.

That’s why I want to see her play 35 minutes or so. Other players learn from her as well when she’s on the court. Like the ‘86 Celtics, everyone in sync.

 

[Boreifs]

I'm sure I'm thick, but I still don't fully understand. Why isn't women's basketball supported more at these schools? Most of the Big East is private schools, many have no football. Isn't basketball relatively inexpensive as a major sport? I can tell you from experience, going to games and as an avid fan, that women's basketball is red hot. I grew up 10 miles from the U of MD, 2 miles from DC and I taught in Baltimore City. I know what basketball popularity feels like. Barclay's doubleheader was inspiring. That much buzz in a major league arena! And then, to me, in arguably the basketball mecca in the US, yesterday, thud.

The Creighton-Georgetown game yesterday looked like it had about 200-300 fans in the stands. I wouldn’t label that as hot. The overriding issue is that smaller private Universities are fighting for survival right now. Pouring money into women’s basketball is not a high priority.

 

[BBallF]

A few thoughts:

• Azzi's on ball defense is excellent and doesn't get enough attention from the media
• Sarah played typical ho hum Strong basektball. She could easily average 25+ points per game if she wanted, but her scoring is effortless very much like Pheesa.
• Blanca to me is the third most talented player on the team right now. As she figures out the system and plays more with her teammates she is going to make this team a 3 headed monster with Azzi and Sarah. I come to realize that in her early games she was playing at a speed that was different from what her teammates were at and I think that what she thought she could do in the professional basketball leagues abroad; the players on the team were just not on the same wavelength. Now I'm not saying she didn't make a bunch of headscratching errors, but I also think the out of control narrative has a bit to do with her mental speed and vision and expectations of what her teammates could do versus what she was used to.
• Serah Williams looks much much better over the last several weeks. She can improve her defense outside of the paint, but she's more decisive and her rebounding effort is much more obvious.
• KK and Shade played their typical games. KK is very active, but against the better teams she can't fly around too much on the floor as that will leave the team with 4 on 5 situations.
• The more I watch Allie, the more I realize how crafty she is around the basket. I like that she's not hesitating to shoot the open 3. After Blanca, you could say it's Allie and K9 off the bench.
• AP looks much better each game and I think if she gets a little stronger, she could be a rebounding and defensive star. You can see the athletic potential in her movement.
• Jana seems to be the biggest enigma to me. She's got the frame and several years now at UCONN but she really hasn't developed her game much. When she's at the top of the key if she could knock down that shot a la Mama Stef that would really open her game up.
• Kelis has a lot of tools you like and I'm excited to see her develop. Right now when she comes in you can tell she's not overwhelmed.

Totally agree about Azzi. I don't think the Pheesa comparison is accurate though about Sarah.. They are two very different players. Sarah's offensive game is much more extensive and effortless. She is bigger, wider and has an array of shots that seem inexhaustible. We are watching the next great player in women's basketball. I also totally agree about Blanca. She slowed her game down. Best example is her spin move. It's 50% of the speed it was in the early part of the season when she was getting called for a charge constantly. The noteworthy thing about KK against Butler to me is that she made 2 three point shots. Her doing that will have the same effect that KC had last year when she did that. As for Jana, use the glass girl and more specifically the window. A little slower and more fluid will be fine. Kelis is a talent. I would like to see less forcing and more playmaking though.

 

[darkstar1]

You do realize that I drop this post immediately at the end of the game. Please feel free to take over that responsibility if you would like.

I do, I look forward to it and much appreciate reading your insights. Didn’t mean to sound critical, only to add to the discussion.

 

[FanSince17]

The Creighton-Georgetown game yesterday looked like it had about 200-300 fans in the stands. I wouldn’t label that as hot. The overriding issue is that smaller private Universities are fighting for survival right now. Pouring money into women’s basketball is not a high priority.

I was just at the Barclay’s. Marketing, marketing, marketing.
People are not risk takers. People are making buckets of money on women’s basketball.
The doubleheader WBB at Barclays’s- Geno intimated that the arrangement will continue indefinitely. NBA arena totally buzzing about women’s basketball. Lisa Leslie there looking regal.
I know you understand the idea of investment, spending money to make money.

 

[Rb335]

A random thought I had while watching Ayanna Patterson get some extra minutes in her home state: Patterson and Ice Brady are the only members of the 2022 recruiting class, they are in their 4th year on the team, and I’m pretty sure they’ve only both played in the same game once. Earlier this year against Florida state. Really really bizarre / unfortunate.

 

[sun]

On one steal by Azzi in the early going, the slow motion replay showed that Azzi hacked at & contacted the player's arms before the steal but there wasn't a foul called.
My concern is that when the high level of UConn's defensive aggressiveness isn't properly whistled, that it will come back and haunt UConn in some way at some juncture either later in the game or during the season.
Playing against Butler the lack of a foul being called didn't matter much, but it could if playing against a better team with better athletes than Butler and in a closer game.
For example, UConn could end up getting called for a lot of ticky tack fouls which could put a player on the sidelines..

 

[Boreifs]

On one steal by Azzi in the early going, the slow motion replay showed that Azzi hacked at & contacted the player's arms before the steal but there wasn't a foul called.
My concern is that when the high level of UConn's defensive aggressiveness isn't properly whistled, that it will come back and haunt UConn in some way at some juncture either later in the game or during the season.
Playing against Butler the lack of a foul being called didn't matter much, but it could if playing against a better team with better athletes than Butler and in a closer game.
For example, UConn could end up getting called for a lot of ticky tack fouls which could put a player on the sidelines..

To alleviate your concern, I would recommend Yoga.

 

[Dogdude]

Like going to a beautiful French restaurant and finishing your main course in 3 bites.

Well, Italian restaurants also... That said, it's the price we pay for having a team that that's good. I do wish other teams in the BE took it as seriously as we do, but it seems that's for another thread starting up. But rather than dump on the BE, of all the colleges and universities in the country, how many really rise to the level of the top 10-15? There's a rapid fall-off. It's a shame football dictates divisional alignment.

 

[dcheng021]

My only pain point was seeing Allie and Azzi pass up good three point looks. Those truly hurt my soul—why would you ever do that when you have such a pretty stroke. Everything else was great.

 

[Crossover]

A few thoughts:

• Azzi's on ball defense is excellent and doesn't get enough attention from the media
• Sarah played typical ho hum Strong basektball. She could easily average 25+ points per game if she wanted, but her scoring is effortless very much like Pheesa.
• Blanca to me is the third most talented player on the team right now. As she figures out the system and plays more with her teammates she is going to make this team a 3 headed monster with Azzi and Sarah. I come to realize that in her early games she was playing at a speed that was different from what her teammates were at and I think that what she thought she could do in the professional basketball leagues abroad; the players on the team were just not on the same wavelength. Now I'm not saying she didn't make a bunch of headscratching errors, but I also think the out of control narrative has a bit to do with her mental speed and vision and expectations of what her teammates could do versus what she was used to.
• Serah Williams looks much much better over the last several weeks. She can improve her defense outside of the paint, but she's more decisive and her rebounding effort is much more obvious.
• KK and Shade played their typical games. KK is very active, but against the better teams she can't fly around too much on the floor as that will leave the team with 4 on 5 situations.
• The more I watch Allie, the more I realize how crafty she is around the basket. I like that she's not hesitating to shoot the open 3. After Blanca, you could say it's Allie and K9 off the bench.
• AP looks much better each game and I think if she gets a little stronger, she could be a rebounding and defensive star. You can see the athletic potential in her movement.
• Jana seems to be the biggest enigma to me. She's got the frame and several years now at UCONN but she really hasn't developed her game much. When she's at the top of the key if she could knock down that shot a la Mama Stef that would really open her game up.
• Kelis has a lot of tools you like and I'm excited to see her develop. Right now when she comes in you can tell she's not overwhelmed.

I appreciate your observations and analysis. However, I disagree with one aspect of your commentary on Blanca. I don't think that her initial tendency toward playing at warp speed was a result of having played at that speed in the pros. In general, European basketball is more deliberate than in the USA, and Blanca's Italian team was no exception. My guess is that Blanca felt unchained upon her arrival at UConn (which prefers to play at a fast pace), and that Geno initially let her loose, figuring that it was best to explore her limits before reining her in a little. Indeed, I believe he has said as much.

 

[DennieEddy]

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.

Nothing wrong on your post, but does 6th on depth chart mean 11th?

 

[Bigboote]

I'm late to the party as usual. I watched the game a couple of hours ago, just a couple of impressions:

It was so cool to see Shade's folks along with Fudd's folks, and to hear about the Shades' midwestern hospitality.

I rewound the footage of Kayleigh's hard fall and still can't figure out just what the injury is. Looking at it the first time at full speed, it could've been ribs or even a shoulder. But watching in slo-mo, and also with the reverse angle, she fell properly when she hit the floor. Best I can figure, maybe one hand was below her and maybe she bruised her ribs? Really really hoping there's no serious injury.

 

[Nolefan]

I'm late to the party as usual. I watched the game a couple of hours ago, just a couple of impressions:

It was so cool to see Shade's folks along with Fudd's folks, and to hear about the Shades' midwestern hospitality.

I rewound the footage of Kayleigh's hard fall and still can't figure out just what the injury is. Looking at it the first time at full speed, it could've been ribs or even a shoulder. But watching in slo-mo, and also with the reverse angle, she fell properly when she hit the floor. Best I can figure, maybe one hand was below her and maybe she bruised her ribs? Really really hoping there's no serious injury.

How about just the getting the wind knocked out of her ?

 

[huskeynut]

Sorry about the ad nauseum that I'm subjecting you to.
I'm a teacher. How about this teacher joke, "how many teachers does it take to change a light bulb?..." Teacher's meeting: idea followed by all the multitude of reasons it won't work. Ugh.
Why can't the Big East be the best basketball conference in the country that's not a power conference?
I just watched Hoosiers for the tenth time to rejuvenate my admiration for Indiana basketball. (and I'm from the DMV)

A few points. I'll start with the teacher meetings. I taught for 31 years - middle school and high school. I was also a department head in middle school for 13 years. The whole school teacher meetings are for general information delivery. That's it. All secondary schools have department head meetings - except elementary schools. Information, proposals and the like from the department head meetings go to the department meetings for discussion.

Second - every conference has weak sisters - including the P4's! You pushing how bad/ weak Butler is beating a dead horse. The schools get what they support. 13 - 14 years ago, South Carolins women's basketball was a nobody. SC made a conscious decision to support and fund the women's team. They hired Dawn Staley. We know the outcome.

And finally, we still attend D1 women's basketball games. We have season tickets, again, for University of South Florida women. What you see on the screen is nothing compared to a live game. When UConn came to play South Florida, South Florida fans were sitting next to us. Three rows up from the court. Fans next to me were in awe of UConn. Azzi's eyes showed the intensity with which she and the entire team play. USF fans noticed it. The speed at which UConn plays is insane live. People couldn't beleive how quick and fast UConn plays.

My nice rank is done.

 

[hoophuskee]

Maybe it speaks to the quality of my life, but I really look forward to UConn WCBB games. I bet I’m not alone with that here. Sorry, yesterday wasn’t satisfying. I know, it is what it is. Nobody played enough minutes. What’s wrong with Butler? Watch the intro scene of Hoosiers (YouTube it) with farmhouse after farmhouse with hoops. Indiana is basketball. Butler’s coach has serious lineage. What’s up. Brad Stevens got the men to the NCAA finals twice. UConn had to throw out a non-trapping 2-3 zone in the second half. What the heck. Wednesday should be a little better. I’m going to the Nova game and then ND comes in. Maybe it’ll get better. I think Geno wasn’t happy about it either, unless I’m reading too much into that press conference (or lack there of).
Like going to a beautiful French restaurant and finishing your main course in 3 bites.

From your post I'm not sure completely why you weren't satisfied. Didn't you say you were a former coach? Even if not, what we watch in a game like this is beautiful basketball.

You watched the team shoot near 70% from 2 and near 40% from 3. You watched the team have 28 assists vs just 9 turnovers. So, the team shoots very well, passes very well, and defends very well, and that is still not satisfying?

You have the opportunity to see arguably the #1 pick in the draft be the greatest at something vs any other player in UCONN history in regard to shooting 3's for a single season. Along with every minute she's on the floor you get to appreciate her presence in terms of her health.

And you get to watch arguably the greatest player in UCONN history in Sarah.

And you get to watch players grow. For example Blanca. IMO she is the best freshman in the country. You get to watch the probable growth from foul-prone to a bit turnover-prone which she was early, to a probable someday growth of "superstar."

Then a player like Allie who shot 34.7% from 3 last year and even her 2pt% last year, all are markedly better. than last year. She came in with the reputation as a shooter and now she is delivering. That's grpowth to enjoy.

And you've even remarked of Jana she played well.

We have one enormous advantage over Geno. We don't have to demand perfection if we choose not to. If the #1 team in the country plays a game in which the offense is super, the defense is super, and they win by a lot, as a fan then how can that be not satisfying?

 

[sun]

To alleviate your concern, I would recommend Yoga.

Which type of yoga do you recommend? Do I need a yogi to advise which one & to teach me how to do it properly? Maybe the players should try some yoga?

"There are many types of yoga, but common styles include Hatha (gentle, foundational poses), Vinyasa (flow-based, linking breath to movement), Ashtanga (structured, challenging series), Iyengar (precision, use of props), Bikram/Hot Yoga (heated room), Yin (deep stretches, long holds), and Kundalini (energy focus, chanting). These styles vary in intensity, focus (strength, flexibility, meditation), and structure, catering to different goals from relaxation to vigorous exercise"

 

[BobbyJ]

Am I the only one who notices, or is willing to comment, on the 3 pt shooting of Sarah? Maybe I just got spoiled by her shooting in the NCAAT last year but 1 of 4 yesterday and 36.0% through 13 games is not what I thought she would produce this year.
Hey, I think she is the best all-around player in WCBB and there is no one else that I would rather have on my team, but is it possible that 36% from beyond the arc could stand in the way of her chances to be the NPOY? At some point the media is going to pick up on this stat.

No, it shouldn't impact her chances at all. For reference, 36-37% is considered good and 40% or higher is elite. Madison Booker is career 33% and JuJu Watkins is 32%. Strong's is at 38% career at this point. No worries mate, the media loves her just the way she is.

 

[bkart1978]

Nothing wrong on your post, but does 6th on depth chart mean 11th?

Presumably 6th guard; she’s not behind, say, Jana on the depth chart