You also saw Bob Beamon set the long jump record?
Defensive play - Nika
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SVCBeercats
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As a further mea culpa for you, I calculated Nika's 3FG% for her last 10 games and then some. The spreadsheet shows her running 3FG% and a 10 game moving 3FG%. Currently she is shooting 34.8% for 3FGs. For her last 10 games she is averaging 35.3% for 3FGs. Not much difference. I graphed them. It looks like for this season her 3FG% will fluctuate between 30% and 35%. Hopefully she has an epiphany and averages between 40% and 45% during the NCAA tourney. Big request since she has never approximated 40% this season. Nika better practice all summer long since there will be three new gunslingers in town next season. Hear tell Azzi the Kid is a distant relative of Annie Oakley. Might need more than grit next season. But hey, no worries. You are Geno's slime!
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Segrist gave her the two arm push in the back almost in the beginning of the Villanova game.
Bama fan
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In the St John's game on Friday night Nika was harassing them early. #22 Clegg came in and scored right away racing down the court and passed Nika to score. A few plays later Clegg got the ball along the sideline and moved toward halfcourt and Nika was all over her about a foot away from her face. Clegg got so mad she shoved Nika with two hands and drew an offensive foul. It was late in the first period after Nika already had her hands on and took two of them.
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Yup. My Dad was a track guy at North Carolina and his brother lived in Mexico City, so a lot of interest, and opportunity. Back then TV didn't control the schedule, so all the track & field finals were basically on the same day. Saw the Tommie Smith/John Carlos Black Power salute on the medal stand, saw Jim Ryan unexpectedly lose the 1500 meters, etc.
I learned to tune out MC long ago; her best attribute on her resume is F.O.G.
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Bigboote
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I've noticed that recently, too. I'm thinking, Nika's gotten beat. . . nope, she sent her mark right into the shot blocker.
There was a really good 30-for-30 on Rodman awhile back. He still comes off as weird (which I don't consider a bad thing at all), but it gives a lot of context, and he became much more relatable.
Wow that is a really impressive stat collection. Thanks for that! Also, check our JRRJ's stats, she is shooting 40% for the last 8 games, 50% in the last 6. I should have said check out the last 8 games instead of 10.
Either way, she is shooting better than most, including our shooting guards/wings CW and EW. She is only a freshman and a point guard, not known for her shooting, so that is one hell of an accomplishment in my view. 35% is ok/average for a shooting guard but good for a point and very good for a freshman point....it can only go up I recon. I'd be happy with high 30s.
Her job as a point is to distribute first, second and third and then shoot. Shooting guards who only shoot, should be averaging 40% in my view.
Thanks again for the the facts and stats!
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I guess what I mean is average from what I'd like from her shooting. To be honest, I was thinking more of just the shooting guards, so seeing as she is a point guard who is not known for her shooting and recruited to be a facilitator, 35% is pretty darn good. I'd like it a bit higher for a shooting guard. I don't like comparing stats to everybody because there will be some poorly coached teams that allow poor shooters to jack up shots driving the average down. But it is interesting to see nonetheless and I thank you for it.
Nice work on the stats and facts though! That is a really impressive climb. I'd still be happy if she is at 35% though.
Sorry Meyers. I get you point, but if she exceeds that and it is likely she will, that is even better wouldn't you think?
npignatjr
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A neighborhood friend Marty Liquori, still in college also ran in the 1500. In pick up football games, it was always Marty go long.
I was attending nearby St. Benedict's Prep when he broke the 4 minute mile while in high school at Essex Catholic in Newark. It was a cataclysmic event. He had a great collegiate career and was NCAA champ in the mile in 1969 and 1971. It was always him against Jim Ryun. I knew he was the youngest runner ever to compete in the Olympic 1500 meter finals in 1968 but I didn't know he had a stress fracture and still finished 12th. In 1975 he ran the mile in 3:52.2 but lost the race to a new world record of 3:51.
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Nice!
My nickname for Nika is "The Pest". She's all moving feet and poking hands for whoever she's guarding. They must already hate it. If not, they will. Her attitude and intensity remind me a lot of Kia Nurse or Kelly Faris.
I don't know if there's a stat kept for poking away the ball for an easy steal and layup but if there is Nika will probably hold the NCAA record by the time she graduates. Geno & Chris struck gold on this one.
I don't know if there's a stat kept for poking away the ball for an easy steal and layup but if there is Nika will probably hold the NCAA record by the time she graduates. Geno & Chris struck gold on this one.
Majic Hands
Just an old man watching UConn’s WBB
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Why I'm really liking Nika at point.
1) The other 4 player can move and will be getting the ball moving into a scoring position.
1b) when, Page, E, Ono, Anna get the ball moving into scoring position and there is a better option presenting it's self they can hit that player.
2) Opposing points have to devote part of their concentration on Nika and miss opportunities to score.
3) Perhaps, this should be 1st. As Page being Page causing all her teammates to raise their offensive mindsets. Nika being Nika cause all her teammates to become stronger on the defensive side.
4) Last, but just as important is the improvement in her willingness to shoot and the steady increase in efficiency. When opponents try playing 5 on 4, Nika punishes them by knocking down the open shot. Yes!
1) The other 4 player can move and will be getting the ball moving into a scoring position.
1b) when, Page, E, Ono, Anna get the ball moving into scoring position and there is a better option presenting it's self they can hit that player.
2) Opposing points have to devote part of their concentration on Nika and miss opportunities to score.
3) Perhaps, this should be 1st. As Page being Page causing all her teammates to raise their offensive mindsets. Nika being Nika cause all her teammates to become stronger on the defensive side.
4) Last, but just as important is the improvement in her willingness to shoot and the steady increase in efficiency. When opponents try playing 5 on 4, Nika punishes them by knocking down the open shot. Yes!
CocoHusky
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That the thing that mostly getting lost in this celebration. Nika improved defense is the result of a dramatic improvement in defensive techniques. She is taking the right angles, if she find herself in trail position she is locked in on strong hip of the defender and she not getting caught up on screens. She is over playing the passing lanes with the correct hand. When switching she is decisive. None of these techniques were present during the early part of the season. The one thing I'm anxious to see during tournament play is how the refs will call the the reach in swipes by Nika in the open court where it is just her and the ball handler. During BE play that was rarely called as a foul but I suspect come NCAA tournament time it will be called more closely.
100%
I think the entire team has improved in all aspects of team defense. On-ball pressure is where it starts and we have Nika in that spot sparking the whole team. I actually think the points you make about Nika apply to everyone.
I agree with you about the swipe. I think we'll adjust with whatever happens but I'm not sure she's touching the ball handler. She's just laying for that crossover. (switching hands)
Is Nika like the boxer that does not have the superior foot speed, but has the skill and technique to crowd that player in order to take away their advantage? You can't move if you're being crowded. How about Duran vs Leonard. Duran keeps coming forward and traps the faster fighter.
True but these are things that all freshman struggle with, and to be fair, many players struggle with through their entire career. What you could see though early on, is that she had a lot of 'want to' and despite the injury, she had some good movement skills and more importantly, she had very good anticipation and recognition of screens and where she was on the court and what was going on around her, etc. This is what really impressed me and the reason why I thought she would be at least a good defender.
Her aggressiveness at 35 ft from the basket might need to be reeled in against some whistle-happy refs. She has a tendency to bump a bit which could be called a foul. Her swipes are clean but I worry more that against better players. NM is a river-boat gambler and can get a little 'swipe-happy' and if doesn't work ,and as a result, she loses leverage on the player, she can get beat to the hoop. That has happened a couple times. This makes her look slow of foot as well, although I don't think that is the case.
Good to see your positive vibes concerning NM though!
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Hey, I've been calling her that all year....You can't steal that from me!
Just messing with ya Veteran... I am so happy the Boneyard is in love with NM. What a great player and a great story she is and will continue to be at UConn!!! We have over thee years to enjoy this kid!!
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Absolutely agree: Bill Russell was the greatest defensive player ever and also an excellent color analyst--I put him right up there with my all-time favorite, Hubie Brown...
Just think about it. The greatest women's coach in history is in your face so bad that your are a sobbing mess in front of a TV audience with no family members near to console you. Next thing you know you are the starting PG on the #1 team in America. I wonder if she pinches herself sometimes. We all know if she does, she will feel no pain or just ignore it if she does.
I would love to hear Hubie do a UCONN game. He would get it right away. To him it would be like the 1969 Knicks.
Terrific observation BBallF. I never quite thought of it that way.
I bet she never, not even for a split second thought of packing it in and going home or transferring anywhere else. Through those tears, she probably thought 'I'm gonna show you, you damn SOB!'
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If you look at videos from her play in Europe, stealing the ball from a fribbling point guard has been a part of her game for years.
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Dribbling. Stupid spell check
Sorry, Jazz. I acknowledge your original ownership. Maybe it's just a case of great minds thinking alike.
Is there such a thing as a Croatian All American? I think we will find out in the next 3 years.
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New adjective with frightened and dribbling combined lol!
MSGRET
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If that's so then UCF will have at least 3 players foul out because they do more than just reach they grab.
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I liked the "fribbling point guard". Sounds like they are about to fribble it away when Nika closes in!
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When Nika grabs a rebound and explodes upcourt with the ball, she's as fast as anyone i've seen do that...
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