DePaul Postgame thread [merged]

[Bone Dog]

It's all about the turnovers. If we play a tight game we can beat anyone if we get our legs back. The two are intertwined though so perhaps the long break between the BE tourney and the NCAA will really help. It will bring Azzi back which will give us the other great shooter we need.

Everyone was responsible for turnovers last night. Forced passes, sloppy dribbling, not holding the ball. You can't give up 18 possessions when you are averaging 50% from the field and expect to have a waltz or even win. We gave up a minimum of 18 points with those turnovers. Even if we only had 10, there would have been another 8 points, an easier win for sure. We are just playing sloppy right now and it has become a habit that only the coaching staff can fix, if it can be fixed at all.

If by turnovers you mean missed layups, I’m totally with you. We’ve got layupitis again.

 

[BBallF]

If so , I have a question concerning sizing drain-waste-vent piping. And the use of sanitary tees. Am I in the right place?

Yes, you are in the right place. We are trying to flush these turnovers away right now and will get back to you when we finish. Don't hold your breath.

 

[npignatjr]

Nika played mostly well a couple bad passes 1 TO given to her was a good pass that went through Aaliyah s hands. Scored last 5 clutch points. Played real defense. Aubrey today was both brilliant and bad both sides of the ball. 5 turnovers while really handling the ball much. Airballed at least 3 layups.

Keep seeing comments like this one. Not all three-point field goals are created equal. Nika for her career and this year as well is not a good three-point shooter. That is why defenders let her stand alone and motionless and size a three up for as long as she wants and dare her to go ahead and pull the trigger.
The threes that Nika takes are shootaround or stand on the court by yourself threes. If she was a decent three-point shooter she would be averaging around 60% or more on the wide-open, take forever if you wish to, threes that the defense gifts her. In the same circumstances Azzi would probably average around 90%, Paige and Lou 80% plus to 90%, and Caroline probably 70% or so. But those three at their healthy best are respected/feared scorers, so most of the time they are guarded tightly, double-teamed and closed upon quickly by the defense - so the true degree of difficulty of their quick triggered threes is typically much, much, much higher.

Fortunately, once in a while Nika has a game where she hits her threes well and she did so today. She is always a giant on the floor, has great stamina, fire, heart, and leadership - but she is a bad outside shooter from everywhere.

Real facts none of them would average 90%, even 60%. During a game. For her career over 34%. Good. The last yesterday was during a pressure situation. When will if ever will their healthy best ever return? Paige and Azzi multiple major knee injuries and surgeries, Caroline multiple head neck injuries and concussions.

 

[uconnfan68]

I'm going GHF (glass half full) here, and surmise that the next few weeks will be advantageous for some of the challenges that the team is going through right now. After tomorrow's game, they have 4 days off before playing the winner of Butler/G'town. That will give them time to rest, rehab, and get a few practices in to tune up what's needed for the BET. After that, there's 10 days of 3 Rs (rest/rehab/retune) again, including 4 days of gaming out the 3 opponents in our bracket. A few IMHO predictions:

Caroline - each game gives her more confidence. The missed shots? Meh. Cannot imagine what she's been thru, what she has to do for game prep, for post game rehab. I did not stay in a HIE last night, however when she gets slightly knocked on the head, touches it, and then it seems to go away. No diagnosis here, but for a few weeks after c-19, I did something to my back/neck/head while coughing, and after, if I turned my head quickly, had a "stinger" go up the side of my head. It went away quickly, but it took a while for the whole thing to heal.

Ayanna - yesterday, she was aggressive on the boards, and in 1-2 plays, noticed that she went up over a player and got the ball. She's got some impressive athletic ability, however needs to know how to use it at this level, and I think she did that yesterday. Caught myself yelling nononononono Yanna oh yeah great job! She will figure out the speed and craft of the game.

Ines - More PT? Absolutely. It might be a matchup thing, and also a confidence thing of what to do with the ball when she gets it. Hoping that the 1st and maybe 2nd game of NCAAT will give coaches an opportunity to give her more.

Lou, Aaliyah, Dorka - they need rehab & rest. Right now in an infinite do loop of doing what it takes between games to get ready for the next, w/o any real time to R&R. For L&A, I think we'll see different players in the BET and NCAAT.

Lastly, if the team can get some quality minutes from Ayanna, Ines, and Amari, it will give the starters a few mins of rest, and the coaches time to do some mid game instruction, which they cannot do if a player is on the court for the whole quarter. That 1-2 minutes lets the coaches point out things happening on the court, and that's what they player needs to see.

On edit (oops) - if Azzi contributes a few minutes each game, it allows time & space for other players to execute.

I was excited to see Ayanna jump. It’s been missing all year. Some of the others would benefit by jumping too. They carve out space, fake, but don’t seem to get airborne for shots under the basket.

 

[BBallF]

It's great that UConn won, but that last turnover on the inbounds play says it all about the condition of the team right now. Dorka missed at least one (Griffin) and maybe two players who would have had a chance at the ball, and passed it to someone who was covered. To no one's surprise, DePaul got the ball. It was that way the whole game.

One other observation: Earlier in the season, UConn had great success getting the ball in to a big, Edwards of Juhasz, who would then go to work. What's clear now is that every team they come up against has devised defenses against that pass-in. And you know what? UConn still tries to force it in there, time after time. And loses the ball, time after time. I know there's some truth in the old saying about riding the horse that got you there, but a time comes when you have to recognize that the horse has gone lame.

Dorka was not the player to inbounds the ball and she didn't the next time, Lou did. Dorka also missed that wide open layup. She was clearly rattled at that point.

The secret to the entry pass is to get it to the right player where they like it at the right time. 3 components. We rush and force so that rarely happens now. You don't want the big to put the ball on the floor to create a move but rather to make a basic, repetitive move, there is a difference. Part of that is Nika forcing, perhaps because she has no choice, and part of that is because everyone in the BE knows where the pass is going.

As for Lou, I think you will see a lot from her in the Big Dance. If Azzi is back, she is not going to get the attention she does now and that means she can get the 3 and pull up off. She can get in the 20s with no problem.

 

[Bama fan]

Stanford's been squeaking (struggling/surviving) out wins against unranked opponents all season and some of those teams have the same record as a DePaul and St. John's. I only mention their vulnerability because one would think they would be dominating those matches with a full squad. And no offense, but I watched part of their matches vs UCLA and Colorado and they were missing shots/FTs (credit the other teams defenses...I guess). I also say this because I read that Uconn dropped in rankings because of their close games with Creighton and Villanova (and not necessarily because of the St. John's loss). It just seems UConn is right in the mix of having and not having a shot at the Final Four. With the exception of SC and Indiana, the 5-6 teams under seemed to be untested or have struggled in some regard. I listen to Chasing Perfection and it was mentioned that there's more of a chance that none of the "number 1 seeds" make it to the Final 4 vs. all four making it. As for reality...I think it's more about perspective than anything else.

Stanford is a good team, well coached, and very deep. But they have been struggling a bit lately. The season is long, kids get tired, and struggles ensue.

 

[SLY63]

Random thoughts...

Getting Azzi back is huge. More rest for the guards (especially Nika, as IMO, I think mental fatigue causes a lot of her forced TOs) and a sharp shooter to open up the middle for AE and Dorka. Even at 50%, Azzi will have a huge impact on defenses.

I see us solidly on the 2 line, but hope we can get in Utah's bracket. If Utah is the #3 overall, we need to move up one spot to #6. Right now we are #7.

 

[BBallF]

If by turnovers you mean missed layups, I’m totally with you. We’ve got layupitis again.

By turnovers I mean the 18 turnovers yesterday according to the official statistics. Changes in possessions caused by errant passes, losing the ball on dribbles, throwing it out of bounds, walks, with all of those leading to a loss of a shot. If you also add in missed layups and offensive fouls we are well above 25 which is just absurd. It is why we don't blow anyone out anymore.

 

[HopJim]

I’m impressed whenever I see Morrow play. She was definitely the best and most impactful player on the court today. Morrow is very good. Tough, aggressive and very good hands. Took a village to cover her. Definite all American imho.

The first time UConn played DePaul, Morrow spent much of her time with the ball out at the 3 point line, taking poor shots. She was much more disciplined yesterday getting into her sweet spot(s) and it showed. While had Edwards on defense to stop her at critical times, this was still one of the better games I have seen a non-guard play against the Huskies.

 

[HopJim]

Regarding our passing issues, can't say I see Geno taking any action to reduce them. Many come when Huskie offense is reduced to Edwards or Dorka just getting position down low waiting for a pass from a standing in place guard. Relatively easy for defense to double team since its obvious where the ball is going. There are a number of other options - Dorka and Edwards to set picks for each other, better spacing, etc. but we have had the same issue with the same offense for many games. Bad decisions by the entire team, Nika and Aubrey in particular, but at some point surprised changes haven't been made. Is Geno waiting for the playoffs?

 

[Gannicus]

By turnovers I mean the 18 turnovers yesterday according to the official statistics. Changes in possessions caused by errant passes, losing the ball on dribbles, throwing it out of bounds, walks, with all of those leading to a loss of a shot. If you also add in missed layups and offensive fouls we are well above 25 which is just absurd. It is why we don't blow anyone out anymore.

Do you think that the coaches sit down with the team and review film of the game. it seems that the players are so focused on getting the ball to their teammates , that they are unaware of the defensive player(s) position. Film review would go along way in helping with their decision process . A few other observations:

1. At times the players wait for the ball instead of of going to the ball.
2. Players need to do a better job of setting picks (too many offensive fouls for moving picks - usually because of a hip check)
3. If the post player is not going to take the ball to the hoop then kick it out and reset
4. Not hitting open cutters

All easily fixable, even at this time of the year.

 

[The deacon]

What a lot of people don't realize is for the year Nika is shooting 38% from the 3...35% is considered a good 3 point shooter anything over that is really good...people always say have to have Caroline for her long range shooting but for her career she's only a 31% 3 point shooter
Maybe Nika should take a few more each game

A valid point in that, for whatever reason, Caroline has not shot 3s to expectations.

As for Nika, while it's great she's making a lot of them, including that huge 3 vs. DePaul, I'm sure she'd agree much of that is aided by the reality she is shooting 3s like she's shooting alone in the gym... nobody guards her. It would seem opponents might catch on soon that she is a viable threat, don't you think?

 

[Bigboote]

I'm going GHF (glass half full) here, and surmise that the next few weeks will be advantageous for some of the challenges that the team is going through right now. After tomorrow's game, they have 4 days off before playing the winner of Butler/G'town. That will give them time to rest, rehab, and get a few practices in to tune up what's needed for the BET. After that, there's 10 days of 3 Rs (rest/rehab/retune) again, including 4 days of gaming out the 3 opponents in our bracket. A few IMHO predictions:

Caroline - each game gives her more confidence. The missed shots? Meh. Cannot imagine what she's been thru, what she has to do for game prep, for post game rehab. I did not stay in a HIE last night, however when she gets slightly knocked on the head, touches it, and then it seems to go away. No diagnosis here, but for a few weeks after c-19, I did something to my back/neck/head while coughing, and after, if I turned my head quickly, had a "stinger" go up the side of my head. It went away quickly, but it took a while for the whole thing to heal.

Ayanna - yesterday, she was aggressive on the boards, and in 1-2 plays, noticed that she went up over a player and got the ball. She's got some impressive athletic ability, however needs to know how to use it at this level, and I think she did that yesterday. Caught myself yelling nononononono Yanna oh yeah great job! She will figure out the speed and craft of the game.

Ines - More PT? Absolutely. It might be a matchup thing, and also a confidence thing of what to do with the ball when she gets it. Hoping that the 1st and maybe 2nd game of NCAAT will give coaches an opportunity to give her more.

Lou, Aaliyah, Dorka - they need rehab & rest. Right now in an infinite do loop of doing what it takes between games to get ready for the next, w/o any real time to R&R. For L&A, I think we'll see different players in the BET and NCAAT.

Lastly, if the team can get some quality minutes from Ayanna, Ines, and Amari, it will give the starters a few mins of rest, and the coaches time to do some mid game instruction, which they cannot do if a player is on the court for the whole quarter. That 1-2 minutes lets the coaches point out things happening on the court, and that's what they player needs to see.

On edit (oops) - if Azzi contributes a few minutes each game, it allows time & space for other players to execute.

It hadn’t occurred me till I saw your second sentence: They won’t be getting on a plane for something like three weeks. Home game, bus to Mohegan (I assume they’ll be staying in a hotel there), then first round at Gampel.

I think we’re going to see a totally refreshed team the second week of the show.

 

[Zorro]

Nika has a better three-point average than any of our current players except Lou. Better than Caroline, better than Dorka, better than Audrey. Just thought I would mention it.

 

[luminosity]

Is anyone else frustrated by the Fox Sports commentators, Sarah Kustok and Lisa Byington? They did the Villanova game, too, and they were terrible in that one as well. Lots of chatter about themselves -- even nostalgia photos of themselves -- and can't seem to find the time to tell us what's happening in the actual game, like who was that last foul on? Was that a turnover, a foul, a jump ball, etc.? How many fouls did Aaliyah have, or Aneesah, etc.? I found myself trying to pick up vital information from the PA speaker, which is barely audible on TV.

I typically don't get bothered by the national announcers, but it was very irritating to see the two never bother to announce when UCONN players entered the game. In both the Villanova and now the DePaul game, when Caroline first came in off the bench, there was no indication from the announcers that she even existed until she grabbed a rebound 3-4 minutes later. Ridiculous.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

A valid point in that, for whatever reason, Caroline has not shot 3s to expectations.

As for Nika, while it's great she's making a lot of them, including that huge 3 vs. DePaul, I'm sure she'd agree much of that is aided by the reality she is shooting 3s like she's shooting alone in the gym... nobody guards her. It would seem opponents might catch on soon that she is a viable threat, don't you think?

That would be ideal as it would open up our other offensive options.

 

[Tonyc]

The TO problem is a direct result of having scorers down low and not on the outside other then Lou. When Lou is suffocated on defense we stand with the ball over our head looking inside for someone to get open because thats where our scorers are. Then we force the ball inside and our bigs are double teamed or we look to make a hurried pass. If we kept the moving around the perimeter looking for a shot or looking to create a shot the TOs would be cut down. With a healthy Caroline and Azzi that will get the ball moving on the perimeter opening the middle because Caroline Lou and Azzi can create their own shot and demand respect from defenses.

 

[Centerstream]

Has UCONN won the Big East regular season or share it with another school?

Guaranteed at least a share

But we are guaranteed the #1 seed in the BE Tournament due to the tie breakers, correct?

 

[maple]

It would seem opponents might catch on soon that she is a viable threat, don't you think?

If Nika starts being guarded more at the perimeter, doesn’t it open up our “better” 3pt shooters more? Can’t say I hate the idea … make the defense have to commit to her …

 

[maple]

But we are guaranteed the #1 seed in the BE Tournament due to the tie breakers, correct?

Yes. The game yesterday clinched the #1 seed because we beat Nova twice.

 

[Geew1992]

If Nika starts being guarded more at the perimeter, doesn’t it open up our “better” 3pt shooters more? Can’t say I hate the idea … make the defense have to commit to her …

I don’t know about the other 3 point shooters but it will open the middle more.

 

[Heytherego]

Do you think that the coaches sit down with the team and review film of the game. it seems that the players are so focused on getting the ball to their teammates , that they are unaware of the defensive player(s) position. Film review would go along way in helping with their decision process . A few other observations:

1. At times the players wait for the ball instead of of going to the ball.
2. Players need to do a better job of setting picks (too many offensive fouls for moving picks - usually because of a hip check)
3. If the post player is not going to take the ball to the hoop then kick it out and reset
4. Not hitting open cutters

All easily fixable, even at this time of the year.

They 100% review film

 

[Bone Dog]

Nika says she's looking forward to no more easy practices, now that their schedule isn't quite so packed.

 

[YKCornelius]

I just wanna say that I thought the team played very well in the first half when Ines was in -- her ± was +5. I hope to see more of her in the next game.

This game was really exciting -- kudos to DePaul for a good game plan, and kudos to UConn for pulling it out. The last two times UConn wasn't really challenged in a season, they fell in the final four in overtime. There was a lot of talk at the time that they needed to be challenged. They lost some games last year during the regular season and won their first F4 game in a few years. I still have hope.

Bigboote, first and foremost, I agree with (what I think was) your premise that UConn is facing its challenges this year head-on, and will be the better for it.

What I disagree with - and have for years - is the notion that the two seasons UConn fell in overtime in the FF semis (2016-17 and 2017-18) was in any way attributed to the schedules they played that year, or to a lack of mental preparation, or to a lack of mental toughness. Or, to be blunt, any implication that they were not ready or capable of meeting the challenges of the NCAA tournament. Good grief - they were overtime losses on last-second miraculous shots!

The program faced significant challenges both years. The first year they faced 10 ranked opponents prior to the NCAA tourney while also carrying the burden of their massive winning streak, and the second year they also defeated ranked opponents 10 times leading up to the NCAAs. It is simply incorrect to say they weren't really challenged either year.

During and immediately following those consecutive single-loss years, I know there was a lot of disappointed and frustrated scuttlebutt posted to the Boneyard trying to rationalize the two overtime defeats. Completely understandable back then for the fan base to be rationalizing and theorizing while licking its wounds. I would submit that those wounds have now turned into battle scars that the program should carry proudly and be forever separated from any misdirected bad feelings that were cultivated back then.

My takeaway from your post is whether this team loses in overtime of the semi-finals this year on an improbable, last second shot, or at any other point in the tournament, it certainly will not be due to the lack of facing challenges across this season. To that conclusion, I wholeheartedly agree.

 

[browns]

A valid point in that, for whatever reason, Caroline has not shot 3s to expectations.

As for Nika, while it's great she's making a lot of them, including that huge 3 vs. DePaul, I'm sure she'd agree much of that is aided by the reality she is shooting 3s like she's shooting alone in the gym... nobody guards her. It would seem opponents might catch on soon that she is a viable threat, don't you think?

Good for her to wait till she's open to take a three..she's taken 87 of them this year and updated stat is she is now at 39%..that's not good but borderline great! I've never seen a stat that shows 3's taken while being guarded or not being guarded..she's right behind Azzi and Lou territory..she's smart enough not to take an ill advised 3 and takes one when she's open..a lot of players should take after her example

 

[Junkman]

A valid point in that, for whatever reason, Caroline has not shot 3s to expectations.

As for Nika, while it's great she's making a lot of them, including that huge 3 vs. DePaul, I'm sure she'd agree much of that is aided by the reality she is shooting 3s like she's shooting alone in the gym... nobody guards her. It would seem opponents might catch on soon that she is a viable threat, don't you think?

Yes, Caroline is about 31% 3 point shots and 71% free throws for her UConn career. She came to UConn with the worsening hip injury and played through that, then sustained a freshman year head injury (with multiple games of being hit in the head.) This year was recovering from hip surgery with no basketball over the summer , with the onset of the neck strain as the season started. Of course, the concussion earlier this year with her and the team still managing symptoms, I believe. Although Bill Parcells says, "You are what your record (stats) says you are," I believe the stats in this case are deceiving. If this kid can get healthy and work on basketball in the off season, I have to think those shooting numbers will improve significantly.

 

[Junkman]

Do you think that the coaches sit down with the team and review film of the game. it seems that the players are so focused on getting the ball to their teammates , that they are unaware of the defensive player(s) position. Film review would go along way in helping with their decision process . A few other observations:

1. At times the players wait for the ball instead of of going to the ball.
2. Players need to do a better job of setting picks (too many offensive fouls for moving picks - usually because of a hip check)
3. If the post player is not going to take the ball to the hoop then kick it out and reset
4. Not hitting open cutters

All easily fixable, even at this time of the year.

@Gannicus, as far as point #2, I think often the fault is on the cutter. I was always taught that it is the cutter's responsibly to go past the pick close enough so the screener does not have to move to set a successful pick. I think sometimes the cutter leaves too much of a gap between themselves and the player setting the pick.

 

[BRS24]

It hadn’t occurred me till I saw your second sentence: They won’t be getting on a plane for something like three weeks. Home game, bus to Mohegan (I assume they’ll be staying in a hotel there), then first round at Gampel.

I think we’re going to see a totally refreshed team the second week of the show.

If the current bracket holds, we go to Greenville the second week of the tourney, and then Dallas for the FF. I'd rather do that then Seattle then Dallas, from a travel perspective.

 

[Happydad745]

Agreed. And, Stewie also had the benefit of being surrounded by equally great teammates, all who were stars in their own right. There likely will never be another team, anywhere, like that again unless the stars happen to perfectly align. 4 straight NCs and the top 3 in the draft. It's unbelievable.

In Stevie's senior year, UConn had 6 All Americans (present and future), on the team...nobody will ever see that again.

 

[Pharos]

For those who want more offense from Patterson, I'm sure UCONN fans remember Kiah Stokes. She never tried to score, but she impacted every game with offensive rebounds and nasty blocks. She averaged 4 points, 3.5 blocks, & seven rebounds per game off the bench in UCONN's perfect 2014-15 season. Ayanna was that type of player today!

Kiah was fun to watch! : )