Defensive Specialists

[Deadrody]

Since UConn has been bounced from the Final Four 4 straight times by a crazy offensive performance by an opposing star player, it might be time for Geno to prioritize some individual defenders on the recruiting trail. They were obviously a very good defensive team, overall, but despite Christyn's job in the Iowa game, I'm not sure I'd call any of them really good defensively. Normally that might not be a problem, but once you distill the entire nation's basketball prowess down to 4 teams, it's a pretty good bet you're going to come up against the kind of offensive players that call for good, to great individual defenders.

 

[Sonny44]

Maybe so, but we didn't lose because of defense.
To be blunt we just stunk offensively.

 

[HopJim]

Since UConn has been bounced from the Final Four 4 straight times by a crazy offensive performance by an opposing star player, it might be time for Geno to prioritize some individual defenders on the recruiting trail. They were obviously a very good defensive team, overall, but despite Christyn's job in the Iowa game, I'm not sure I'd call any of them really good defensively. Normally that might not be a problem, but once you distill the entire nation's basketball prowess down to 4 teams, it's a pretty good bet you're going to come up against the kind of offensive players that call for good, to great individual defenders.

Can you spell Z-O-N-E?

 

[sweetspot]

UConn shut down Clark and Smith two games in a row and finished with one of the country’s top efficiencies on defense.

Sometimes a player just gets hot. And when your offense struggles, that challenge only intensifies.

 

[WBB_FAN_WA]

Would be great to have premier top lockdown defenders like K. Nurse, Kelly Farris, K. Greene to name a few.

 

[bluedevil]

Would be great to have premier top lockdown defenders like K. Nurse, Kelly Farris, K. Greene to name a few.

Not next season but maybe by 2023?

 

[npignatjr]

Would be great to have premier top lockdown defenders like K. Nurse, Kelly Farris, K. Greene to name a few.

Mo.

 

[hoophuskee]

Would be great to have premier top lockdown defenders like K. Nurse, Kelly Farris, K. Greene to name a few.

Didn't ND beat UCONN two straight years and their wings/guards went off in 17-18 and 18-19?

 

[Centerstream]

I just wish that Geno would learn to recruit up to the BY standards.

 

[hoophuskee]

I just wish that Geno would learn to recruit up to the BY standards.

I wish some fans would appreciate getting to the Final Four is a terrific accomplishment year over year too.

 

[Centerstream]

I wish some fans would appreciate getting to the Final Four is a terrific accomplishment year over year too.

So true. UConn has more FF losses than most teams have even been there.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Players seem to get hot when they play us whether it's Dungee or McDonald. Guess we're getting everyone's best shot.

 

[hoophuskee]

Players seem to get hot when they play us whether it's Dungee or McDonald. Guess we're getting everyone's best shot.

Catlin Clark?

The SC guards? Ohh I forgot with SC it was the basketball as Dawn suggested. That's right.

 

[willtalk]

McDonald first part of the season was an off year for her. Things tend to even out so she was due to get hot. When she is on she is very difficult to stop. I am not sure any one could have. She is just too quick. Basketball is all about matchups and sometimes you just end up with one that is difficult. But UConn had problems in other areas besides McDonald. When you have an off game a team that is close to you in talent playing well will beat you. That is what happened.

 

[theu954]

Can you spell Z-O-N-E?

WHY wasn’t it used earlier in the game SMH

 

[Ralph]

I thought Decharme has been called a very good defender in addition to her 3 point shooting. If so, she could be a big help next year. I think SC has gotten a number of good defensive guards for next year. That is my question about Fudd. How good is her defense?

 

[MD#12Fan]

The BY can't have it both ways. We can't argue incessantly about AG needing to be a better shooter and now saying that the team needs defensive specialists. UConn has a history of such specialists. You guys know the names- Ferris, Nurse....
Most of the teams we "run into" in the tournament have at least one player in their starting lineup that is not an offensive threat- Baylor, SC, Zona, Miss St. They realize the need to be strong and physical in order to win the NC. (Stanford is more like UConn talent wise, but they don't have a "pretty" passing game. They attack by slashing to the hoop and they spot up for 3's)
For the 3rd thread I've responded to- maybe somebody will want to discuss- it's our offense that needs to change.

 

[chrissaran]

Too much standing around. Not enough screens set. Stagnant.

 

[oldhusky]

Maybe so, but we didn't lose because of defense.
To be blunt we just stunk offensively.

Agreed, and to take it further, against the best teams we have had more trouble creating offense when they take away the easy baskets. We shoot a high percentage against weaker defensive teams by getting easy shots because we frequently play three point guards, not because we shoot well or create shots well.

Good defenses take that away, we don't get those assists, and we don't have enough players that are effective one on one or in isolation to overcome it. If we had to pick one skill, or trait we needed to recruit more of great outside shooting (which is on the way) and more go to scorers that create on their own would be my first priority, not defense.

 

[Oldschoolbb]

Can't agree with the OP. Defense wasn't that bad, but the offense was. The game highlighted weaknesses that have been apparent all year - lack of quality, consistent offensive players other than PB; a big that is prone to Houdini games; a true PG (obviously NM's injury compromised this) to allow PB to play offball.

That said, given the roster turnover and overall youth of the team, I don't think there is a need to panic. It was a great season for a team short of upperclassmen and with 7 freshmen. And the weaknesses should be addressed adequately by a group of players who will be sophs, the return to health of NM and the incoming recruiting class.

 

[Go/huskies]

I thought Decharme has been called a very good defender in addition to her 3 point shooting. If so, she could be a big help next year. I think SC has gotten a number of good defensive guards for next year. That is my question about Fudd. How good is her defense?

“I’m a really hard worker. I think that I’m a pretty good leader too. I like my jump shot, my favorite things about my game are my jump shot and my defense,” Fudd said. “I can’t stand people who don’t play defense, so at the next level, I will play defense. I just like that feeling of the person you’re guarding, they’re struggling and they can’t score. I feel accomplished in those games.”


Her St. John’s coach, Jonathan Scribner, has been quoted comparing Azzi not to a WNBA player but to Kawhi Leonard, a three-time NBA All-Star.

“I mean, nobody talks about it,” Scribner says. “She’s the best defensive player in the country. She’s got a midrange game, she’s got a three game, she can get to the basket. She’s got an even keel demeanor.”

If Fudd does play elite level defense, and can be a true 2way player, I think UConn will have a defensive stopper.

 

[fomalhaut]

Connecticut didn't play a great defensive game Friday, but they lost because their offense was putrid.