DePaul Postgame Thread

[oldude]

Some thoughts on the DePaul game;

• UConn’s annual trip to Chicago to play DePaul is always one of the highlights of the conference schedule. But this year’s trip didn’t feel quite right without the presence of Doug Bruno on the sideline, one of the best coaches in WBB and Geno’s longtime friend. It was good to see Doug sitting in the stands, although I noted that he was in the upper deck, far away from the court, probably for the safety of the officials….
• As the season progresses, any change to the rotation means something. In today’s game Ice, rather than Morgan, was the 1st forward off the bench in place of Jana.
• I marvel at how frequently Sarah gets her hands on the ball on defense with steals, blocks and tips. Opponents must be aware of her all the time when they are on offense.
• After a tough shooting game at Creighton, both Kaitlyn and Azzi seemed to have found their shooting stroke again, as they lit it up from inside and outside against the Blue Demons.
• I’ve never said this before and I don’t expect to ever say it again. Paige was really not much of a factor tonight for UConn….
• Aubrey got some meaningful PT in tonight's game and she was very active. She still has a ways to go to feel completely comfortable on the court, but it's coming.
• Sarah is really padding her rebounding stats by missing bunnies. By my count, she picked up an extra 3 rebounds off her own missed layups…
• The Huskies offense was a little disjointed tonight. But their defense was relentless, holding the Blue Demons to 58 points, forcing 20 turnovers while totaling 12 steals.
• FINALLY, I'VE BEEN TELLING YOU GUYS SINCE WE RECRUITED HER THAT JANA CAN KNOCK DOWN 3-PT SHOTS!!!!

 

[hoopsfan22]

Player of the Game: Azzi Fudd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bone Dog]

This was the Azzi and Kaitlyn show. Lots of scrappy play from everyone. But not a lot of great shooting other than those two. Oh, and Jana shot 100% from 3.

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[yhun89]

honestly I’d rather Azzi gradually get back to her rhythm than for Paige to dominate. We need the Triple Threat in full power by March.

 

[Stagnant]

I thought it was pretty underwhelming. Azzi, Chen, Shade, Ice, and even Q can take a bow. Everyone else struggled imo. Something seems off with Paige, but I felt this way about her last year at this time. And she kicked it up a notch. Boy, I hope she can do it again.

 

[Vowelguy]

Some things good. Some things not so good. Paige probably had her worst game of the season, but others did well.

Glad that Aubrey got a bunch of minutes.

Please dont overinterpret tonight's 3pt shooting as typical.

 

[maple]

Azzi really balled out today. Quiet night for Paige, so it was nice to see others step up.

The defense was stifling as usual. It’s nice to see it happen consistently. We had some scoring slumps during the game but then followed them up by runs. For better or worse the refs mostly held their whistles and let the players play; personally I am happy to see UConn deal with the physicality.

Kind of a meh game overall but sometimes we just need games like these. Gives everyone a chance to play.

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[Kaizen]

I thought the player of the game is shared by Chen and Fudd, both 17 pts.

 

[EricLA]

In the last 4 games, UCONN has shot over 50% from 3 in three of them, and shot 20% in 1 of them. I think the norm is somewhere in between. It's great to see the team firing on all cylinders from 3 like this, but against a .500 Depaul team, this wasn't a stellar performance.

Paige seems off and Sarah, while "strong" on defense, was missing too many shots. I thought Ice gave some good minutes, as did KK, Ash and even Q tonight. It was nice seeing Aubrey getting more time as well.

Shout out to the defense, altho Depaul did go 7-17 from 3 shooting over 40%. And Depaul had 2 players score 19 each both shooting over 50% so... kind of a mixed bag.

Jana continues to do surprisingly little out there, as did Morgan. Allie seems to be sliding to the back of the depth chart again.

Let's face it - Depaul is not a good team. These big east games should be slaughters, but in reality, they are practice games for Tennessee and SC (as well as the NCAA's) - for the team to work on chemistry, etc. I think this team will struggle if they rely too much on the 3 because against better teams, we tend to shoot it dreadfully, so while going 50% + in 3/4 last games is nice and fun, it could spell trouble against better teams.

 

[HuskyNan]

Please dont overinterpret tonight's 3pt shooting as typical.

I know you know better, lol

 

[HuskyNan]

The team was up 30 when Geno pulled the scorers out. When he put them back in, their games had cooled off.

 

[Surly1]

I echo oldude's comments regarding Sarah's hands. She seems to get her hands on the ball on every possession, kind of like Pernell Whitaker's lightning fast jab in his prime.

Tonight was the version of Azzi Fudd we expect. When she's in rhythm, it's a shock to the system when the ball doesn't go in.

I don't think Paige can play worse offensively. Hopefully, she got the last remaining stinker of her college career out of her system. She'll be forgiven (kidding) if she reverses course and lights up against UT and SC.

Kaitlyn looked like she was wearing her Princeton uniform. She's an effective offensive weapon when she's aggressively looking for her shot.

Patiently waiting for the 2 big road games to arrive.

 

[Stagnant]

I don’t really think we looked good at any point tonight. Maybe for like a 5 minute stretch in the second quarter?

 

[Dogstar]

I missed the first 3 minutes so I don't now if it was mentioned but Did Sarah have a wrap on her right wrist?

 

[RoadMaster]

Swipe..

 

[oldude]

I missed the first 3 minutes so I don't now if it was mentioned but Did Sarah have a wrap on her right wrist?

Yes, on her right wrist and thumb, which tells me she probably jammed her thumb in practice.

 

[Centerstream]

Not much to say about this game, we had a couple of nice runs but that's about all I remember.
I thought we defended Allen pretty well but she ended up as the game's high scorer (tied with Johnson-Matthews) with 19. She started off slow and I thought it was because Sarah was defending her and then she wasn't. I didn't understand why the switch. But eventually Allen started to make her shots but the game was already decided.
Oh well, maybe it will be easier to watch the replay...

 

[RoadMaster]

Swipe..

 

[Vowelguy]

In the last 4 games, UCONN has shot over 50% from 3 in three of them, and shot 20% in 1 of them. I think the norm is somewhere in between.

I don't want to repost obscene material, but in a different thread I noted this team's 3 pt percentage against its 5 toughest opponents.

 

[huskeynut]

A win is a win. Defense was outstanding. The pressure forced 20 DePaul turnovers and 12 steals.

On offense, not very good at all tonight. No flow. I'll attribute some of that to DePaul's defense. They bang away on defense. Paige had a forgettable game. Three point shooting was good tonight. But that has not been the norm this season.

Looks like the team in a funk on offense. Geno and staff have a lot of work to do to get the offense flowing.

 

[DEFCONN1]

One of the best part of this game was seeing Doug Bruno, watching the game in the stands and looking good.

 

[Centerstream]

Another close Massey "prediction" - 82-57.

 

[Next 12]

Except for Tenn. and So. Carolina, I consider these games in the BE learning sessions. It enhances Uconn's chance for a high seed in the NC. It is what Uconn needs to prepare for the NC. I will always believe GENO and CHRIS know what the team has to do to play in the NC. No-one has been in more games in the NC. than GENO and CHRIS and they will have the team ready. No nitpicking or negative posts that do little to help the team. I also believe that there are players on the bench that will have break-out performances in the NC. games that will amaze everybody. GO FRESHMEN!!!!! GO SOPHOMORES!!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!!