Can UConn win a Natty without scoring a point at the #5 position

[Twolf]

UConn just won a Sweet 16 and an Elite 8 game without scoring a single point from the 5 position. No I am not counting Sarah in the small lineup, just true post players. Just wondering if this has ever been done before and how long it can continue against the very best teams in the game My guess is that it hasn’t happened, but if it has you could count those on one hand and have several fingers left. That fact is really irrelevant since at the end of any contest they never ask you how, just how many and to this point UConn has passed the how many test with flying colors. I don’t recall ever seeing this in the round of 16 and the round of 8 in either gender, but if isn’t broken please don’t try to fix it for just 2 more games. JMO

 

[packwrap]

This gets back to the question of what is a post player?

For some it has to be a center, they have to be 6' 3" or bigger and play with back to the basket.

For others it is all front court players regardless of height, so Aneesah Morrow, Wes Unseld, Charles Barkley, Draymond Green, Breanna Stewart, Aubrey Griffin, and Sarah Strong are all post players. Many in the media would describe this eclectic group as "undersized post players".

Sarah plays about 60% of her minutes at #4, and 40% at #5. She has played 0 minutes at #3 all year. I would call her a post player, in fact now with 38 games experience, even a terror in the post for opponents.

So we may win 2 more games without a 6'3" or taller player scoring a point. We will have to do it with Strong, Bueckers, Griffin and Fudd scoring for us from their front court assignments.

 

[Geosfun]

I fully expected, despite Geno's glowing eval of Jana's potential, that this would be tough year of learning and adjusting for her.
I gotta say, however, I had expected far more from Ice. I realize she's had to battle thru injuries and I give her credit for the hard recovery work she has reportedly put in. I also give her credit for her improved defense as well as the nice work she does in facilitating offense for others. But, now that she's supposedly recovered, she's gotta at least appear to be a scoring threat, even if it's only to keep defenses honest. Better rebounding would be nice too.

 

[Dogdude]

This gets back to the question of what is a post player?

For some it has to be a center, they have to be 6' 3" or bigger and play with back to the basket.

For others it is all front court players regardless of height, so Aneesah Morrow, Wes Unseld, Charles Barkley, Draymond Green, Breanna Stewart, Aubrey Griffin, and Sarah Strong are all post players. Many in the media would describe this eclectic group as "undersized post players".

Sarah plays about 60% of her minutes at #4, and 40% at #5. She has played 0 minutes at #3 all year. I would call her a post player, in fact now with 38 games experience, even a terror in the post for opponents.

So we may win 2 more games without a 6'3" or taller player scoring a point. We will have to do it with Strong, Bueckers, Griffin and Fudd scoring for us from their front court assignments.

There's this, and that in games, the points fall into the hands of the players that the other team allows. Basically only four players scored this game, as USC's defense was really outstanding. There weren't any "make your own shots" kind of points, save for the drives. Next game might well be a different story, especially if we're shooting well from outside, forcing everyone away from the basket. You never know what you're going to be given at this level until the game is over.

 

[my2cents]

Our "Post" players do not have to be covered. That lets an extra defender clog the lane on any penetration.
All we need from them is rebounding, which seems to be a challenge for them too.

 

[pvdoggy]

I am far more concerned about Azzi’s inability to find her shots the last few games than Ice/Jana scoring. She has been missing a lot of wide open shots that is really puzzling to see.

 

[oldude]

How about scoring only 2 pts off the bench?

 

[Conndog]

Jana is becoming a better rebounder. She is not good on offense yet, she doesn’t pivot well and just isn’t smooth with the ball around the basket. But she can be a block in the way of Betts, and I’m hoping she can draw a couple of fouls on her. Didn’t Betts have some foul trouble last game? Ice can hit the 15 foot shot but seems scared to shoot- rebounding, she’s a tipper not a gripper. So far, she has underperformed. Betts is by far UCLA’s best player. Let’s say both Betts and Paige score same amount of points, which is very possible. Are the other four players on UConn going to score more than the others for UCLA? who is going to stop Sarah? What if Azzi had her stinker game (well, 3/4 stinker game) against USC and has a hot shooting night? I think this is going to be a big test, but keep the train going. The running game may be the difference against UCLA- and Let’s hope UConn can get off to a good start.

 

[meyers7]

I am far more concerned about Azzi’s inability to find her shots the last few games than Ice/Jana scoring. She has been missing a lot of wide open shots that is really puzzling to see.

Yeah, she really needs to step up and be part of the "big 3".

It was great last night she hit those 2 3's when she did, but 3/14, 1 rebound, not good enough for her. And that's after a 4/13 game before. Gotta make those shots when you're a shooter/scorer. Bueckers and Strong are bound to have a "normal" game soon.

 

[cellocgg]

How about scoring only 2 pts off the bench?

This is the real question

 

[meyers7]

How about scoring only 2 pts off the bench?

Yep that wasn't helpful either.

BUT, at this point it's win and advance. Just gotta keep doing that.

 

[cohenzone]

How about the last two teams we beat might as well have been the title game. Meaning both are high claiber, Juju or not . Beers is a pretty high level post player (I liked her after seeing her in the post game presser)!. Yes scoring by Jana and Ice would be great, but we win on D. Betts will get her points, she will not beat us by herself.

 

[Rowdy831]

In the next game they will absolutely need Jana to step up her game to at least slow down Betts inside. At the same time they don't need her to score points for them to win. They have a bunch of players capable of putting the ball in the basket and if the ones counted on to do that are on point UConn will win.

Can they play like they did last night and win out? The short answer is no. I thought that KC came up big in a game that without her contribution could have gone the other way. Her value to the team to me is her patience against pressure and her offense and she needs to be good at those things. Sarah played outstanding in the post for most of the game so saying they got nothing from the 5 might also be a stretch.

 

[cohenzone]

I was visiting my son in LA when UCLA played South Carolina. We went (hecus walkablecto campus and saw UCLA destroy them in the first half . Betts was so lso. We are playing our best D right now. Texas looked darn good defensiceky too. 4 cery good teams.

 

[yhun89]

Against Betts, we’ll probably just be trading buckets.

She’ll get her offensive putbacks. Maybe we can limit the entry pass.

There’s no one on UCLA who can really guard Paige IMO. Smith was elite last night, yet Paige still dropped 30. UCLA doesn’t have a Smith like defender IMO.

We can’t stop Betts, they can't stop Bueckers.

However, we can try and run Betts ragged and capitalize off the non Betts minutes.

 

[Topdawg]

I am hoping than now that Ramadan is over, Jana will be better nourished and able to move faster. Fasting makes the body slow down and shift to surviving by burning stored fat. You need carbs for speed and endurance. So Jana, feast and beast!

 

[hoy-ah!]

I am far more concerned about Azzi’s inability to find her shots the last few games than Ice/Jana scoring. She has been missing a lot of wide open shots that is really puzzling to see.

I believe Azzi is thinking too much/aiming, instead of just shooting. Let it fly, just like practice or shoot around. AND, put more air under the shot. She tends to shoot flat, especially on her pull ups. (For all players, use the glass on your shots, Please.)

 

[cgshuskie]

Hoy-ah! got it right about Azzi. Stop thinking and aiming. Just shoot. And stop shooting flat on pull ups. Use the glass.
Azzi needs more confidence!!!

 

[JoePgh]

UConn just won a Sweet 16 and an Elite 8 game without scoring a single point from the 5 position. No I am not counting Sarah in the small lineup, just true post players.

That is quite an arbitrary exclusion, isn't it? For much of the game, Sarah was playing the "5" position -- occupying the lane and being the primary rebounder. In other words, she was a "true post player" in those minutes. So her scoring while she was doing that should count as "points from the 5 position".

Was Asjha Jones a "true post player" on the 2002 team? And when Stewie was working the 3-point line in 2015 and 2016, was Morgan Tuck a "true post player"?

So, yes, NC's can be won without what you define as a "true post player", meaning someone 6-4 or taller who plays on offense with her back to the basket, and scores from there in volume. I think it will happen again this year.

 

[Jaml]

Who needs the 5 when you have number 5?

 

[fireford]

On the sub-topic of needing more from Azzi the next game(s) 1) The shots she hit late in the game could (hopefully) be the confidence boost she'll need to not overthink and find her groove and 2) It'll be a new venue and maybe the rims in Tampa will be more compatible with her shot than the ones in Spokane.

 

[Plebe]

I'm not worried about whether we get “a point” from the 5 spot per se. Far more important than getting 0, 1 or 5 points from Jana/Ice is whether we can defend and rebound against other good teams with size.

 

[ABCDFE]

Need them to play solid defense and rebound. That will be crucial. Any points from them will be icing on the cake

 

[freshler40]

I fully expected, despite Geno's glowing eval of Jana's potential, that this would be tough year of learning and adjusting for her.
I gotta say, however, I had expected far more from Ice. I realize she's had to battle thru injuries and I give her credit for the hard recovery work she has reportedly put in. I also give her credit for her improved defense as well as the nice work she does in facilitating offense for others. But, now that she's supposedly recovered, she's gotta at least appear to be a scoring threat, even if it's only to keep defenses honest. Better rebounding would be nice too.

She and Jana need to be a scoring threat and be one a few times a game. This opens up the court and pulls out the opposing center for easier penetration by guards. This will be a key against the larger Betts. Ice has a nice 3 point shot. With several days of coaching ahead this might be a secret weapon.

Too many players on our team don't look for their shots and should.

 

[Aluminny69]

IMHO ( H for humble), Jana needs to work in the weight room over the summer. She loses the ball too easily on rebounds or close in shots.

 

[HuskieDawg]

Well we might find out, lol. I think it’s more important that Jana and Ice control the boards and limit second chance points against all else. We have enough people who can score, but we need them to be big on the boards.

 

[Twolf]

Hoy-ah! got it right about Azzi. Stop thinking and aiming. Just shoot. And stop shooting flat on pull ups. Use the glass.
Azzi needs more confidence!!!

I believe that Azzi has been playing “sped up” in the last couple of games. Do some of her shots not look rushed, which will flatten your natural arc and means the shot has to swish because you won’t get many kind bounces off the rim. This is not a criticism since anyone who has played the game competitively has had it happen to them-trying too hard to play a great game. Trying to get players to play with a free mind and loose, confident, and aggressive is many times a difficult task in really big games. JMO

 

[EricSD]

All these questions about scoring... I'm gonna ramble but here goes.

All season long, Paige spent time deferring shots and letting the rest of the team get involved. It was great for their development and confidence, but ultimately IMHO cost her NPOY. Fast forward to the NCAA tourney...

The Oklahoma game perfectly illustrates Paige's mindset. The first half - she gave the rest of the team plenty of chances to score and contribute. Result? 4 point half time deficit. She scored 7 points in the first half letting Sarah and Ash and Azzi take shots and keep it close. She scored 33 in the 2nd half. Both Sarah and Azzi shot 4-13, and aside from Ash's 5-8 (12 points), the other 2 of the trio were missing a LOT.

USC? When the lead was cut to 5, I know Geno ran a play for Azzi and she drained a 3, but again she shot only 3-14. But this game Sarah and Cait were on point and while Paige didn't have to shoulder it all, she still went out and got 31 points.

I think if Paige doesn't defer to Azzi, Sarah, Cait, and Ash all season, I'm not sure they have as much confidence as they do now. And by the way, Paige's scoring does not come in a vacuum. The amount of screens and picks that are set to get her open - it's constant movement on offense for Paige. Shout out to Jana who has been particularly effective with screens, even tho she's gotten limited minutes.

Getting back to the OP question - this team is not built around the strength of our 5's (Jana and Ice) as traditional 5's. UConn's best offense has come from small ball with Sarah at the 5. Is it easier when Jana scores 6 and Ice adds in 4? Absolutely. But those guys have shown very little in big games in the NCAA's offensively, so it's up to Paige, Sarah, Cait, Azzi, and Ash. There has not been a game this season where all 5 have gone off, but they don't need to in order to win.

Early on, Geno said Paige is the most unguardable player in WCBB. I kind of scoffed at that as she'd go thru several games scoring 12-13 points or so, and I just didn't see it. Now in the NCAA's, it's on full display and I see what Geno was going on about.

Do our big 5 scorers (yeah i'm including Ash and Cait) need to all have 10+ in order to win? ONLY if Paige's shot is off. I love Paige taking 20-25 shots cuz not a single one is a bad shot. She took only 18 to get 31 vs. USC. That's insane. She took 27 to get 40 vs. Oklahoma. Not as efficient.

Bottom line, IMHO if we play our A or A- game, no one can beat us. But we can't afford to have our scorers shooting 20% either...

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Think the OP was just trying to be considerate by not naming names.

 

[Bills Fan]

I fully expected, despite Geno's glowing eval of Jana's potential, that this would be tough year of learning and adjusting for her.
I gotta say, however, I had expected far more from Ice. I realize she's had to battle thru injuries and I give her credit for the hard recovery work she has reportedly put in. I also give her credit for her improved defense as well as the nice work she does in facilitating offense for others. But, now that she's supposedly recovered, she's gotta at least appear to be a scoring threat, even if it's only to keep defenses honest. Better rebounding would be nice too.

Maybe you and most BYers have not noticed the impact that ICE and Jana's injuries have had on their ability to jump. As I watch them be outrebounded by smaller players, it hit me that it has to be because of their serious injuries.. I hope by next year their ability to elevate will be much improved. Leg strength is so important and ASH is exhibit one to prove that. I would bet that her jumping ability excels anyone else on the team as we remember that her Dad was a trainer.