Collier literally saved us

[HopJim]

So can we agree that UConn needed everyone's effort but that Collier contributed the most? Beyond that, though, what disturbed me the most was that nothing that UConn generally does well seemed to be working,
-- UConn's switching defense seemed to switch at the wrong times. I cannot tell you how many times a Tulane player got the ball near the left corner and rather than jack up a shot, dribbled toward the corner and turned right, and the UConn player, rather than getting in front of her, let her by (presumably to seal off the middle) and the player was able either to dribble even close to the basket or to hoist up a jumper, with at least some success.
-- The three pointers are not falling. KLS is in a serious slump (not to say she doesn't do other good things. She doies, but if the opponent knows she won't make her threes, all bets are off, especially buse
-- Kia is out, and the threes we are used to seeing from her are daggers in an opponent's heart.
-- Gabby is Gabby, but cannot begin to do it all by herself. I know people have said she will be the complete player if she develops a reliable long jumper. This, friends, is not the time for her to work on that skill.
-- Connecticut's better conditioning didn't help much, You can argue -- and I would agree -- that it's not that Tulane was well-conditioned but that they were running on adrenaline. But they were keeping up with UConn. Don't you think any team that is keeping up with UConn will run on adrenaline for at least a little while?

No, I'm not saying we're doomed, but these factors have to be taken inot consideration as the team moves toward the playoffs. Let's see what Temple brings.

Would add that was surprised to see so many drives past UConn defenders. Not sure why so many slow feet. Geno normally moved to zone when this happens but stuck it out.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

I watched the Tulane game again this morning. It's funny how you can watch a game a second and third time, and see things that you missed the first time. Some things they normally are successful with, weren't working for them. They could have folded as they lost a 17 point lead, when the score got to within in 2 points, but they didn't. The refereeing was suspect. Some very questionable calls and phantom fouls. "Every shot you take is not going to go in", said Geno in his post game sideline interview with Justine Ward. Thank goodness Collier brought her shooting touch, hard hat and lunch pail with her Saturday. Napheesa is playing remarkable this season. She's been as steady and regular as a morning sunrise. Geno also related to Justine, how nice it is to know that between Collier and Williams, you're going to start the game with 45 points.

I saw the girls making plays on defense, the way they do most of the time, by holding Tulane to just 18 first half points. Lou is in a shooting slump right now. I guess it's like baseball players being in a batting slump. At some point, they come out of it. Not having Kia's leadership and calming effect on the floor was obvious, but whoever is on the floor can't let that be as issue or an excuse. Play the hand you're dealt. Crystal is gaining valuable experience right now. This will serve her and the team well in the coming weeks. Mistakes and errors in judgement she's making now, will not be made going forward. She is the 6th man. The team is going to need her, and need her to play well in the next 4 weeks.

Tomorrow's game with Temple will be interesting for several reasons:
1. - Which UConn team will show up? The one that played Temple the first time and won 97-69, when they were firing on all cylinders, or the one that played Saturday against Tulane while enduring a mild scoring slump (28 points at the half). I think back to the DePaul game when the Huskies where in full stride and scored 37 points in the first quarter.

2. - Temple (21-5) is on the come. They have supplanted USF (20-6) as the #2 team in the AAC, and they've moved up into the top 25 (#23 in the AP). They are very capable of giving UConn a game similar to that of Tulane. No doubt they watched the game, and the coaches have formulated a game plan based on what worked for Tulane. I expect the Huskies to play well, but I don't expect to see a 20+ point blow out.

The girls maybe a little fatigued at this point in the season, I don't know. UConn is scheduled to begin conference tournament play in 11 days. Their first game is scheduled for Saturday March 4 at 2:00 pm EST. Whatever ailments or slumbering effects they may be experiencing now, they need to solve and put behind them. I took several positives away from the Tulane game. Tulane gave UConn a 40 minute challenge late in the season that they desperately needed. The only other game the Huskies have had like that this season was the Florida State game way back in November.
A game that also came down to the last shot.

You've should be severely challenged once in a while to stay sharp, and maintain your edge. UConn learned a lot from this game, and provided the staff with some things to work on. Having gone through a tight, one possession game builds confidence and character. It provides the team with actual game experience that will no doubt serve them well in the days and weeks to come. Lou will break out of her slump. Kia will return from her injury. Saniya, Gabby and Napheesa will continue to play their usual solid games, and the game will continue to slow down for Dangerfield. UConn will be fine.

Good times are just ahead for the Huskies. As the season winds down (6 days remaining in the regular season). I look for the Huskies to finish the season on a high note, and on a roll. If they can run the table the rest of the way, there are only 12 games left in their season (3 conference games, 3 AAC tournament games, 6 NCAA tournament games). With the post season games spaced out over time, fatigue should not be a factor. Geno will have them ready to play when the tournaments begin. Keeping their eyes on the prize, they'll be highly focused, and filled with a resolve matched only by that of the last 4 UConn championship teams. "Leaders are not born, they're made....here" ~ Geno Auriemma. (The same could be said about champions)

Let the games begin.

2017 AAC Women's Basketball Conference Tournament Schedule
All tournament games are nationally televised on an ESPN network:

Session Game Time* Matchup# Television Attendance
First Round – Friday, March 3

1 1 4:00 PM #8 vs. #9 ESPN3 (winner plays UConn)
2 6:00 PM #7 vs. #10
3 8:00 PM #6 vs. #11 East Carolina
Quarterfinals – Saturday, March 4
2 4 12:00 PM #4 vs. #5 ESPN3
5 2:00 PM #1 vs. Winner of game 1 (UConn's 1st game)
3 6 6:00 PM #2 vs. Winner of game 2
7 8:00 PM #3 vs. Winner of game 3
Semifinals – Sunday, March 5
4 8 5:00 PM Winner of game 4 vs. Winner of game 5 ESPN2
9 7:30 PM Winner of game 6 vs. Winner of game 7 ESPNU
Championship Game – Monday, March 6
5 10 7:00 PM Winner of game 8 vs. Winner of game 9 ESPN2
*Game Times in EST. #-Rankings denote tournament seeding.

Lots of great information here. I have to make one observation... Geno's quote was actually that it was comforting to know that he starts every game with 40 points between Naphessa and Lou.

 

[Replicant]

What a game. Geno just said she does it all the time so you come to expect it from her.

We lose this game without her. She saved our butts tonight.

Rinse and repeat!