DePaul Post-game Thread

[MSGRET]

Pretty impressive what a couple days of practice with a known lineup can do. That and Dorka getting her foot right. They just had that look from the start that if we do the things we're supposed to do, we'll be okay. Loved the commitment to 'no fouls' defense and the give Morrow hers and deny everybody else -- Held had a rough night. I don't know if Geno and Chris figured they'd play us as jump shooters but the high post passing (and cutting) was on point. Nika mostly played under control, but she did get bailed out by teammates on a couple of passes to nowhere. Once by Evina and once by Aliyah. Remember when we were counting assists blown for Paige? I'm looking at turnover saves for Nika. No complaints last night though, she had a solid game. People tend to think Geno just recruits who he wants and rolls the ball out, but they looked 'coached up' to me last night.

So if Nika makes some no look passes and they work she gets "bailed out", but if it's Paige there is no bail out? I don't know what Nika has done for you to rag her even when she completes plays with beautiful tosses to players for lay-ups you act like it was someone else that made the play work.

 

[RedStickHusky]

So if Nika makes some no look passes and they work she gets "bailed out", but if it's Paige there is no bail out? I don't know what Nika has done for you to rag her even when she completes plays with beautiful tosses to players for lay-ups you act like it was someone else that made the play work.

When she makes a beautiful no look pass, I'm as happy as anybody. When she gets herself caught in the lane and throws the ball at a cheerleader on the sideline and Evina runs it down before it goes out of bounds, that's a save. I can see where that might be a bit of a subjective call, but I see what I see. I'm not hating, just trying to counterbalance the people already carving her statue to go next to Sue Birds'.

 

[hoophuskee]

I now know why Piath and DeBerry never play. In about 1 minute and 14 seconds, Piath had missed two lay-ups, losing possession in the process, and committed a foul about forty feet away from the ball. And then there was the shot DeBerry took with 29 seconds remaining, which came closer to hitting New Jersey than the basket. On to Marquette...where anything can happen.

Piath certainly looks imposing. But as you say her skill is highly questionable. I know there might be thought "Just give her 10+ minutes" and she'll be okay for March" or "Play her for next year"- but the fact is this team still has title aspirations. They play for seeding. The play for consistency. This is owed to all the players Geno committed to in which he said he is coaching for championships.

Dorka needs minutes. Edwards needs minutes. Liv has been overall their best post player- she needs minutes working with the other 2.
And you can't forget about having Evina play the PF. We got to the FF with her as a PF. UCONN just isn't going to forget about her.

And once Paige, Carolyn and Liv come back we have the core of 9 players. A nine player core should be fine. But leading up to that point, because this team is so far behind in terms of continuity/consistency/familiarity, I can't see Piath getting any run time other than blowouts especially considering as you point out- she struggles mightily offensively. Need more than just a tall player.

 

[genzhusk]

Yes I believe the other one has a last name of Harper. She coaches some team from Knoxville.

I would like to add to this….Also, Walz said that without Azzi (and Paige) the defensive plan is much more simple, i.e. pack it in. So that’s three coaches! Azzi’s impact that won’t show up on the stats but sure changes the game.

 

[Biff]

I'm not hating, just trying to counterbalance the people already carving her statue to go next to Sue Birds'.

 

[sun]

Piath certainly looks imposing. But as you say her skill is highly questionable. I know there might be thought "Just give her 10+ minutes" and she'll be okay for March" or "Play her for next year"- but the fact is this team still has title aspirations. They play for seeding. The play for consistency. This is owed to all the players Geno committed to in which he said he is coaching for championships.

Dorka needs minutes. Edwards needs minutes. Liv has been overall their best post player- she needs minutes working with the other 2.
And you can't forget about having Evina play the PF. We got to the FF with her as a PF. UCONN just isn't going to forget about her.

And once Paige, Carolyn and Liv come back we have the core of 9 players. A nine player core should be fine. But leading up to that point, because this team is so far behind in terms of continuity/consistency/familiarity, I can't see Piath getting any run time other than blowouts especially considering as you point out- she struggles mightily offensively. Need more than just a tall player.

I know what you mean, but there's 2 sides to every coin.
It might be smart to be able to bring in a bench big for a few minutes during a game to make some fouls instead of the starter making them.
That can help keep the starter out of foul trouble.
Sometimes making some fouls provides an advantage, and not only at the end of the game, but maybe during the 1st half.
It's not like anyone can predict that overtime will occur in advance either, then when someone fouls out there's no choice but to put in a sub which can put UConn at a disadvantage in a "must win" situation.

 

[Notyetready]

Nika was possessed. Proof. Made a mid-range baseline jumper

Nika is only a sophomore. When the team achieves full strength, incorporating the mid-range jumper into her game on a consistent basis, retaining the zest for hard-nosed defense, and continuing to control her possessions (not making errant passes) on the offensive drives gives the team a solid point guard backing up Paige in the future, with the result that little or no momentum would be lost with her entry into the game.

 

[hoophuskee]

I know what you mean, but there's 2 sides to every coin.
It might be smart to be able to bring in a bench big for a few minutes during a game to make some fouls instead of the starter making them.
That can help keep the starter out of foul trouble.
Sometimes making some fouls provides an advantage, and not only at the end of the game, but maybe during the 1st half.
It's not like anyone can predict that overtime will occur in advance either, then when someone fouls out there's no choice but to put in a sub which can put UConn at a disadvantage in a "must win" situation.

Why does UCONN want to foul? They want a free flowing game. They don't want to get into grind basketball. That hasn't been their style over the last 20+ years.

 

[sun]

Why does UCONN want to foul? They want a free flowing game. They don't want to get into grind basketball. That hasn't been their style over the last 20+ years.

Because some teams can score in the paint but can't make foul shots with certainty.
Then fouls are the only way to stop/ slow down the opponents from scoring.
Tournament BB can be a chess match.

If you look at the Arizona UConn box score in the FF, Liv scored 1 point in 21 minutes w/3 fouls, Muhl scored 2 points in 21 minutes w/3 fouls, and AE scored 8 points in 33 minutes w/4 fouls.
UConn lost by 10 points.
You know what happens when players get 4 fouls, they tend to worry about fouling out and don't play as hard.
Even with 3 fouls they can worry about getting their 4th and getting benched.

Arizona 69-59 UConn (Apr 2, 2021) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Arizona Wildcats vs. UConn Huskies NCAAW game from April 2, 2021 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

 

[HuskyNan]

View attachment 73271

Another gem

 

[HuskyNan]

So if Nika makes some no look passes and they work she gets "bailed out", but if it's Paige there is no bail out? I don't know what Nika has done for you to rag her even when she completes plays with beautiful tosses to players for lay-ups you act like it was someone else that made the play work.

You should listen to the post game presser with Aaliyah and Dorka. They give lots of credit to Nika for the energy she brings and her ability to run the team. They have confidence in her and that’s all that matters

Some people need to remember Nika is still only a sophomore and one that’s had to sit out several games, too. It’s hard to settle into a rhythm that way

 

[Conndog]

Before I read anything, I must say a few things. 1. I must concede to not knowing anything about this team or its capabilities, on any given night. The quality of their play, absent DuCharme and Olivia ( again ) was shockingly excellent. 2. I heard several folks saying that this " was really a good lesson for AZZI," because she learned that the team does not have to rely upon her offense to win big games. She can just play solid basketball ( defense, rebounding, bringing the ball up court, assists, etc ) and the team can win. 3. I was surprised, however, to see her so inept on shots when she was open. This is the person who drained 25 straight threes in practice after being injured and idle for two months? Her shot looked as lost as DeBerry's wayward bomb with 29 seconds remaining. 4. I understand why DeBerry and Piath never see the court. In about 1 minute and 14 seconds, Piath had missed two layups, losing possession in the process, and created a foul no where near the ball. And then there was DeBerry's shot from the top of the key...... which somehow managed to make contact with the backboard, but otherwise, was on its was to New Jersey. A very satisfying victory. And now, on to Marquette where anything can happen.

Many new players at UConn, when they first get a minute or two of playing time, look lost & uncoordinated, are completely out of synch on offense & defense, you wonder how they will ever contribute- and then over their years on the team they do develop into competent players and sometimes stars. I'm willing to see what happens with Amari and Piath!

 

[npignatjr]

When she makes a beautiful no look pass, I'm as happy as anybody. When she gets herself caught in the lane and throws the ball at a cheerleader on the sideline and Evina runs it down before it goes out of bounds, that's a save. I can see where that might be a bit of a subjective call, but I see what I see. I'm not hating, just trying to counterbalance the people already carving her statue to go next to Sue Birds'.

Very subjective, the pass mentioned in person in front of me look like itgot where it was intended. The defense had collapsed on her leaving Evina and closer to the top of the key Azzi open

 

[Notyetready]

Before I read anything, I must say a few things. 1. I must concede to not knowing anything about this team or its capabilities, on any given night. The quality of their play, absent DuCharme and Olivia ( again ) was shockingly excellent. 2. I heard several folks saying that this " was really a good lesson for AZZI," because she learned that the team does not have to rely upon her offense to win big games. She can just play solid basketball ( defense, rebounding, bringing the ball up court, assists, etc ) and the team can win. 3. I was surprised, however, to see her so inept on shots when she was open. This is the person who drained 25 straight threes in practice after being injured and idle for two months? Her shot looked as lost as DeBerry's wayward bomb with 29 seconds remaining. 4. I understand why DeBerry and Piath never see the court. In about 1 minute and 14 seconds, Piath had missed two layups, losing possession in the process, and created a foul no where near the ball. And then there was DeBerry's shot from the top of the key...... which somehow managed to make contact with the backboard, but otherwise, was on its was to New Jersey. A very satisfying victory. And now, on to Marquette where anything can happen.

Nika stood aside and fed DeBerry the ball with the intention of her shooting the outside shot-- the reason being that DeBerry, a freshman big, shoots really well in practice and the entire team is hoping and waiting for her to duplicate her practice shooting on the game floor.

 

[hoophuskee]

Because some teams can score in the paint but can't make foul shots with certainty.
Then fouls are the only way to stop/ slow down the opponents from scoring.
Tournament BB can be a chess match.

If you look at the Arizona UConn box score in the FF, Liv scored 1 point in 21 minutes w/3 fouls, Muhl scored 2 points in 21 minutes w/3 fouls, and AE scored 8 points in 33 minutes w/4 fouls.
UConn lost by 10 points.
You know what happens when players get 4 fouls, they tend to worry about fouling out and don't play as hard.
Even with 3 fouls they can worry about getting their 4th and getting benched.

Arizona 69-59 UConn (Apr 2, 2021) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Arizona Wildcats vs. UConn Huskies NCAAW game from April 2, 2021 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

You are talking about the Arizona game and bringing up how many points each player scored. What does that have to do with your original point of bringing in Piath and or DeBerry to foul?

How about just having your better players just play better? What's wrong with playing your best players?

 

[nomdoux]

Great team win. Huge credit to Dorka/Aliyah for tremendous front-court games. Two guard points that stood out to me, echoed by several here on margin:

1. Aside from more disciplined yet still suffocating perimeter defense & playing under control, Nika improved the following issues: not picking up dribble prematurely, driving to hoop, & taking shots in flow of offense aside from wide open 3’s;

2. Azzi’s floor game & defense are incredibly solid, period, let alone for a freshman. She clearly impacted the game even amidst a poor shooting night, which is exactly what Geno harps upon to his players.

Watching last summer’s U19 World Finals, Azzi’s extensive time on floor (seemed to lead team) despite not being among their most prolific scorers spoke volumes about her steadiness, poise, & two-way strength.

Looking ahead to mid/late March, Huskies are absolutely going to need these 4 players at last night’s level (albeit with more typical FG%) to push the best teams for national supremacy.

 

[jazz]

So if Nika makes some no look passes and they work she gets "bailed out", but if it's Paige there is no bail out? I don't know what Nika has done for you to rag her even when she completes plays with beautiful tosses to players for lay-ups you act like it was someone else that made the play work.

NM would have had 13 assists if the open players hit the 8 shots they missed from spot on passes from NM. two side of the story. NM had a hell of a good game. she never gets tired.

 

[nomdoux]

Yes, Doug announced he would be retiring either just before or just after the beginning of the season. I wish he'd been a little more entertaining in the halftime interview with Maria.

Didn’t realize that. Good coach & class guy. Will be missed.

Re: SNY HT interview, respectfully disagree. Loved his “gym class offense” quip! Seems to share buddy Geno’s penchant for colorful expression to get his point across.

 

[Littlemin]

Because some teams can score in the paint but can't make foul shots with certainty.
Then fouls are the only way to stop/ slow down the opponents from scoring.
Tournament BB can be a chess match.

If you look at the Arizona UConn box score in the FF, Liv scored 1 point in 21 minutes w/3 fouls, Muhl scored 2 points in 21 minutes w/3 fouls, and AE scored 8 points in 33 minutes w/4 fouls.
UConn lost by 10 points.
You know what happens when players get 4 fouls, they tend to worry about fouling out and don't play as hard.
Even with 3 fouls they can worry about getting their 4th and getting benched.

Arizona 69-59 UConn (Apr 2, 2021) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Arizona Wildcats vs. UConn Huskies NCAAW game from April 2, 2021 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

You know the most telling stat in the Arizona box score? Bueckers taking only 13 shots; that turned out to be the NCAA game Auriemma knew would come at some point where he needed the best player in WCBB to hunt shots and take over. But since she decided to play “her way” all season she had not prepared for that challenge as he had tried all season to get her to do. She also didn’t facilitate all that well with 4 assists and 3 TOs. Having said that though the loss was not on her alone by any means, anymore than the three players you decided to cherry pick; it was a team loss because they seriously underestimated the challenge Arizona presented, evidently coaches and players.
As to your premise of the accumulation of fouls directly affecting the 10 point loss, how is it that Uconn played Arizona dead even in the 2nd half when foul trouble and the effect you think it would have on the players would occur? They were down 10 at the half and that was the final MOV.

 

[jaydee602]

Another gem

Last night, AE chest bumped Juhasz after a 3 point play. LOL... Slender Dorka temporarily lost her breath after the collision. Aaliyah doesn't realize her own size & strength.

 

[Alydar]

Why does UCONN want to foul? They want a free flowing game. They don't want to get into grind basketball. That hasn't been their style over the last 20+ years.

While I think that the core, whether it's 6 or 9, needs as much game time as possible. I do think SUN made a good point about fouling. I've seen both McGraw and Tara send in over-aggressive subs, especially post subs, to try and exchange fouls with the opponent's starting post. Refs like to balance fouls and putting in a sub to use their 5 to get 2 called on the other post often works. Geno has never seemed to care about trying that and frankly I prefer to win on performance over artifice but a win is a win.

 

[Papa33]

I'm not convinced that Aaliyah struggles have anything to do with her time at the Canadian national team. Two main reasons. 1) She had a full preseason. ( Late August- Mid November= 2.5 full months with the UCONN team and emerged from that preseason a stater in what was a very tough position battle against Dorka. 2) Her struggles did not begin in the first game of the season as is widely alleged. She actually played well in the first 2 games against Arkansas and Minnesota shooting 8 of 11.

CocoHusky cont'd
I'd offer that Aaliyah was the UCONN player most impacted by the loss of Paige and she is just now figure things out. The Olympics were 6 months ago and it is also noteworthy that Nika (who stayed at UCONN) also began the season struggling but has also turned things around recently.

Aaliyah's between seasons development may (or may not) have been occasioned by her "lost" summer with the Canadian team; I just don't have any clear or convincing evidence for either take. However, when you say that "she is just now figuring things out," that rings a bell for me. As I've watched Aaliyah's uneven performances over the last two seasons, it seems to me that while he has a considerable array of physical abiilities, she does not have a natural feel for the game's complexities and options when she is trying to figure out where to be (or when to be there), how to anticipate the next moment or opportunity. As a consequence, she can't make up her mind until it's too late (to take an open shot, drive for a lay-up, fake a shot and drive, fake a drive then shoot or pass, etc. etc.) That leads to missed lay-ups, traveling, charging fouls, etc.
That said, her performance vs. DePaul last night, seemed to be different; well, except for a few blasted lay-up misses. If she still wasn't anticipating what was open before she got the ball, she was reacting more quickly. I sincerely hope she can make that her new standard of play; on last night's evidence, that could make a crucial difference for her team's prospects. Go for it, Aaliaya.

 

[hoophuskee]

While I think that the core, whether it's 6 or 9, needs as much game time as possible. I do think SUN made a good point about fouling. I've seen both McGraw and Tara send in over-aggressive subs, especially post subs, to try and exchange fouls with the opponent's starting post. Refs like to balance fouls and putting in a sub to use their 5 to get 2 called on the other post often works. Geno has never seemed to care about trying that and frankly I prefer to win on performance over artifice but a win is a win.

UCONN usually beats them. Why would we look to play their style when our style has been superior? The refs can balance all they want but UCONN usually wins.

In regards to ND in the game we lost buzzer beater to ND; They played 6 players to our 6. UOCNN was undefeated going into that game. Where's this need for a deep bench? They wound up winning title with 6. And maybe their 6 players just outplayed our 6 on that given day. And as some posters have indicated, maybe we could've played Stevens more?

Or maybe our guards could have shot better than 7-24 from the floor and 4-15 from 3.

Secondly, how do you know putting in a player for example such as Piath won't put UCONN in the hole with being over the limit quicker? How is fouling considered good when yo usually have a superior team and want to push pace?

 

[Alydar]

UCONN usually beats them. Why would we look to play their style when our style has been superior? The refs can balance all they want but UCONN usually wins.

In regards to ND in the game we lost buzzer beater to ND; They played 6 players to our 6. UOCNN was undefeated going into that game. Where's this need for a deep bench? They wound up winning title with 6. And maybe their 6 players just outplayed our 6 on that given day. And as some posters have indicated, maybe we could've played Stevens more?

Or maybe our guards could have shot better than 7-24 from the floor and 4-15 from 3.

Secondly, how do you know putting in a player for example such as Piath won't put UCONN in the hole with being over the limit quicker? How is fouling considered good when yo usually have a superior team and want to push pace?

I don't know what game you are talking about but I was referring back to the years Bruzinski played. She wasn't sent in to foul intentionally, she was sent in to get physical with the opposing post, and to not worry about fouling, the object being to disrupt her play with as much physicality as it took, up to and including fouling, especially non-shooting fouls.

 

[hoophuskee]

I don't know what game you are talking about but I was referring back to the years Bruzinski played. She wasn't sent in to foul intentionally, she was sent in to get physical with the opposing post, and to not worry about fouling, the object being to disrupt her play with as much physicality as it took, up to and including fouling, especially non-shooting fouls.

I'm talking 2017-2018 ND title season.

Who is Bruzinski and when did she play for ND? And what big games did she help ND win vs UCONN?

And again she can get as physical as she wants but if UCONN wins - which they usually do, who cares how physical she is? So she disrupts play a bit but in the end if UCONN wins more often- then - advantage UCONN. Not advantage for spot minute "Bruzinski." Generally UCONN's better players with a short bench win over "the Bruzinski's/ that style."

 

[PacoSwede]

When she makes a beautiful no look pass, I'm as happy as anybody. When she gets herself caught in the lane and throws the ball at a cheerleader on the sideline and Evina runs it down before it goes out of bounds, that's a save. I can see where that might be a bit of a subjective call, but I see what I see. I'm not hating, just trying to counterbalance the people already carving her statue to go next to Sue Birds'.

who the hell are they? WOW.

are you on drugs?

 

[RedStickHusky]

who the hell are they? WOW.

are you on drugs?

You must have missed that thread.

 

[PacoSwede]

You must have missed that thread.

another thread? gosh, that's why i didn't know sue was getting a statue. uconn is now trying to beat s. carolina in the statuary derby, huh.

where do we send contributions for this worthy endeavor?

 

[BobbyJ]

CocoHusky cont'd
I'd offer that Aaliyah was the UCONN player most impacted by the loss of Paige and she is just now figure things out. The Olympics were 6 months ago and it is also noteworthy that Nika (who stayed at UCONN) also began the season struggling but has also turned things around recently.

Aaliyah's between seasons development may (or may not) have been occasioned by her "lost" summer with the Canadian team; I just don't have any clear or convincing evidence for either take. However, when you say that "she is just now figuring things out," that rings a bell for me. As I've watched Aaliyah's uneven performances over the last two seasons, it seems to me that while he has a considerable array of physical abiilities, she does not have a natural feel for the game's complexities and options when she is trying to figure out where to be (or when to be there), how to anticipate the next moment or opportunity. As a consequence, she can't make up her mind until it's too late (to take an open shot, drive for a lay-up, fake a shot and drive, fake a drive then shoot or pass, etc. etc.) That leads to missed lay-ups, traveling, charging fouls, etc.
That said, her performance vs. DePaul last night, seemed to be different; well, except for a few blasted lay-up misses. If she still wasn't anticipating what was open before she got the ball, she was reacting more quickly. I sincerely hope she can make that her new standard of play; on last night's evidence, that could make a crucial difference for her team's prospects. Go for it, Aaliaya.

I've been trying to figure out a way to describe her situation or game so to speak and you've taken care of it for me here. Nice description. It seems like the more instinctive the player, the quicker their feet react to what the eyes see. For her there seems to be a kind of disconnect between the two causing that delay, just not natural for her. I've never really thought about whether that can be developed or not. I guess we'll wait and see. One other thing I'd like to see her work on is learning to really jump and explode up for all her inside shots to get separation and not get tangled up. Hope she can get some traction on improving game by game.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I googled "doug bruno retiring" and got nothing. His contract is through 2023-2024 season.

Good to hear. Thanks.