DePaul Postgame Thread

[oldude]

I hate to be a downer but if UConn continues to play at this same level against Tennessee and South Carolina it's not going to be pretty...........my hope is that the team will play up to its competition against those two teams.......

If you watched the SC-TN game, that wasn’t particularly pretty. I have no doubt that when UConn faces those teams, there will be some ugly basketball, and I’ll take an ugly win any day over a pretty game where the Huskies come up short.

Hopefully, UConn can find a way to come out on top, particularly against TN, which I believe will insure a #2 seed or better. Beating SC in Columbia will be a monumental task, regardless of how the game is played. Maybe we can hang around and steal the game late, with Paige hitting a 3 that clanks high off the back rim and falls through the net……

 

[meyers7]

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!!!!

Well so far, it's 3-pt SHOT. (no "s")

 

[meyers7]

I am surprised by some of the negative posts in this thread.

UConn put up an easy 84 with their top two scorers having 19 while getting rest with 50 minutes between them.

They got 17 minutes from Aubrey. She isn't close to where she needs to be yet but the rust is coming off.

Chen probably had her best game as a Husky.

They had 21 assists and just 10 turnovers. They were 12-14 from the line.

The awkward moments from Ice and Jana around the basket are decreasing. Jana is becoming a very good screener.

I haven't heard Geno's postgame comments but I would think he and his staff are not unhappy overall with tonights performance.

Well I don't think it looked good, or didn't "feel" good, but statistically, it was a decent game.

The game overall was probably a little more sluggish than what we're used to.

 

[Surly1]

Paige is young and in phenomenal physical condition. So I doubt that she is suffering from any physical fatigue. On the other hand, she has a lot on her plate to deal with, both on and off the court. I suspect she feels an enormous amount of pressure to lead this team to a championship. I am reminded of the pressure that DT felt during her jr year, after 4 seniors from the national championship team the previous season had gone on to the pros.

I am hoping to see Paige play with the same freedom and joy that we all observed during her freshman season at UConn. Basketball should be fun. I’m hoping that Geno and her teammates can help Paige get back to that mindset.

I also see it as Paige is ready to make the move to the next level. While she's all in to deliver a NC, as a 5th-year player, I think it's hard for her to have the proper mindset/motivation for a Big East game when the outcome is never in question.

I won't be concerned unless it carries over to the UT & SC games. I am disappointed to see her rely mostly on pull-up jump shots, when she has so much more in her offensive arsenal. Maybe there's some hesitation to avoid unnecessary contact/potential injury. She wasn't the Paige we're accustomed seeing, particularly on that awkward looking Euro step move in the second quarter.

 

[hookshot]

I also see it as Paige is ready to make the move to the next level. While she's all in to deliver a NC, as a 5th-year player, I think it's hard for her to have the proper mindset/motivation for a Big East game when the outcome is never in question.

I won't be concerned unless it carries over to the UT & SC games. I am disappointed to see her rely mostly on pull-up jump shots, when she has so much more in her offensive arsenal. Maybe there's some hesitation to avoid unnecessary contact/potential injury. She wasn't the Paige we're accustomed seeing, particularly on that awkward looking Euro step move in the second quarter.

Contact averse would be understandable but wont get better in WNBA, ask Catlin

 

[MooseJaw]

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!!!!

Are you referring to an altercation with Coach Bruno and a ref during a WBB game played in Chicago many years ago? If so, why not tell the BY the story you are about. I saw the incident in person and there was nothing about it to make one smile. Given, time has eroded the memory of the incident, I firmly believe coach Doug would do almost anything to take back his actions of that night.
AS usual your post is most accurate and a joy to read. It seems that we and many teams have times where making bunnies is one of the hardest shots to make. Think back to a game we played against SC where Boston and co. put up shot after bunny to lose to us. I'm sure Paige remembers the game.

 

[BBallF]

True, but there's nothing wrong with having 5 threats out on the court.

Actually, when we go "small ball" we do have 5 threats from the outside if Ash is in or even Allie and if Morgan ever decides to shoot again, her too.

 

[sun]

It looked like a game that helped to establish some new averages.
The players with low averages increased them, and the players with high averages ended up lowering theirs.
Averages are what a basketball season is all about, how high of an average of perfection can a player attain.
Sometimes a player needs to lower their average in order to come back & raise it again in subsequent games.

Chen & Azzi (& also Jana) showed that they're working to become better multi-level scorers.
DePaul played a sloppy & scrappy game but they still managed to score 58 points.
Meanwhile UConn increased its per game point average.
The game showed how WCBB is a game of ups & downs that reminds me of a graph of the stock market.
The individual performances may zig zag up & down but the team's overall performance is holding pretty steady.
It's the same game result as with other BE teams only with different actors performing the leading roles each game.

 

[and one]

The game wasn't a barn burner and Paige and Sarah scored less than normal. Obviously we have trouble, right here in River City. Winning by 26 on the road doesn't get much respect these days!

On this lack of shooting by Morgan thing. She isn't the first freshmen to pass first when possible. However...she would be well advised to get out of that habit. When ever she tries to drive toward the basket it's like there is a force.field that makes.her stop, turn.aroimd and pass.back out.

 

[Charliebball]

The game wasn't a barn burner and Paige and Sarah scored less than normal. Obviously we have trouble, right here in River City. Winning by 26 on the road doesn't get much respect these days!

On this lack of shooting by Morgan thing. She isn't the first freshmen to pass first when possible. However...she would be well advised to get out of that habit. When ever she tries to drive toward the basket it's like there is a force.field that makes.her stop, turn.aroimd and pass.back out.

If she's not going to shoot it at least Cheli has really nice passing skills as evidenced by that neat assist to Ice.....

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I don't know how much she scored, but I have to say I felt that Azzi was hitting on all cylinders on offense; that beautiful stroke is all the way back.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

99 44/100ths WCBB teams would be over the moon with that scoresheet

 

[PacoSwede]

If she's not going to shoot it at least Cheli has really nice passing skills as evidenced by that neat assist to Ice.....

yep,,, not sure how BYers feel she's a scorer, or a good shooter ... she canned a few treys early this season but that was an anomaly; hope she works over the summer to make it a norm.

but her passing is superb and she's got a nose for the ball -- and her most important asset, now, is her energy and attacking mentality. plus, she's a 'basket player' a la geno.

 

[PacoSwede]

If you watched the SC-TN game ...

Hopefully, UConn can find a way to come out on top, particularly against TN, which I believe will insure a #2 seed or better. Beating SC in Columbia will be a monumental task, regardless of how the game is played. Maybe we can hang around and steal the game late, with Paige hitting a 3 that clanks high off the back rim and falls through the net……

or, perhaps, uconn plays up to its potential, gets a 20 to 30 point lead, and sinks both the vols and roosters easily ... u never know.

 

[Stagnant]

yep,,, not sure how BYers feel she's a scorer, or a good shooter ... she canned a few treys early this season but that was an anomaly; hope she works over the summer to make it a norm.

but her passing is superb and she's got a nose for the ball -- and her most important asset, now, is her energy and attacking mentality. plus, she's a 'basket player' a la geno.

It’s possible that the shots Morgan is passing up would just turn into bricks and airballs.

Geno never really tries to hide his body language anymore. I haven’t seen him throw his hands up and act like she should have taken a shot at any point this season. So fans may think she should shoot it more… but maybe UConn coaches aren’t on the same page with us?

There was one time Morgan sealed her defender and posted up. She didn’t get the ball. But I would have been curious to see if she could have done anything in that spot.

 

[donalddoowop]

yep,,, not sure how BYers feel she's a scorer, or a good shooter ... she canned a few treys early this season but that was an anomaly; hope she works over the summer to make it a norm.

but her passing is superb and she's got a nose for the ball -- and her most important asset, now, is her energy and attacking mentality. plus, she's a 'basket player' a la geno.

Morgan's shooting was not an anomaly.

 

[Tonyc]

I thought last nite Geno was trying to get everybody else going and for the most part he did. Now we have Ash and Kaitlyn showing us there is no hesitation when they shoot and they can score. That gives us more scorers and will take alot of pressure off the Big 3.

Jana Ice and Morgan are still not getting the ball and not scoring because they dont get the ball. Some of that has to do with we have scorers who can get their own shot. I expect to see more of a smaller lineup for that reason and with a smaller lineup we put more scorers on the floor.

We all know how good we should be and were not there yet. Can we win big games playing Sarah in the middle.? Well if we have 4 shooters who are hitting I think we can.

With Tenn and SC both away games coming up we will see where we are. Both games will be a measuring stick. These two games are where our stars should step up and take over. I think we are in better shape now then we were a month ago. We also have the Big 3 who are just super. The question will be will they be super against Tenn and SC? They will if we run plays to get them their shot. We have to get them their shots and lets face it if we get them their shots they should combine to shoot over 45% which is pretty much their average. We do that and it will be hard to loose. With that said we must stay out of foul trouble. We get a big lead down there and oops here come the fouls which will make us defenseless and allow them to get easy shots. Both these games will be about the way the refs call the game.

 

[BobbyJ]

or, perhaps, uconn plays up to its potential, gets a 20 to 30 point lead, and sinks both the vols and roosters easily ... u never know.

If UConn gets a 30 pt lead on SC, they’ll probably get drug tested after the game.

 

[hookshot]

I thought last nite Geno was trying to get everybody else going and for the most part he did. Now we have Ash and Kaitlyn showing us there is no hesitation when they shoot and they can score. That gives us more scorers and will take alot of pressure off the Big 3.

Jana Ice and Morgan are still not getting the ball and not scoring because they dont get the ball. Some of that has to do with we have scorers who can get their own shot. I expect to see more of a smaller lineup for that reason and with a smaller lineup we put more scorers on the floor.

We all know how good we should be and were not there yet. Can we win big games playing Sarah in the middle.? Well if we have 4 shooters who are hitting I think we can.

With Tenn and SC both away games coming up we will see where we are. Both games will be a measuring stick. These two games are where our stars should step up and take over. I think we are in better shape now then we were a month ago. We also have the Big 3 who are just super. The question will be will they be super against Tenn and SC? They will if we run plays to get them their shot. We have to get them their shots and lets face it if we get them their shots they should combine to shoot over 45% which is pretty much their average. We do that and it will be hard to loose. With that said we must stay out of foul trouble. We get a big lead down there and oops here come the fouls which will make us defenseless and allow them to get easy shots. Both these games will be about the way the refs call the game.

You get the ball where and when you have demonstrated to your peers that you may likely shoot and score. Our bigs (other than Sarah) have not demonstrated that as yet.

 

[Rowdy831]

Paige is wasting her talents playing against the Big East this season. When the time comes and the opponents are better she will turn it on and be the player she needs to be to win. I think Sarah has that same ability too but for them to make a meaningful run in the big tournament they will need Azzi to be that way too.

My issue with evaluating talent when playing teams like DePaul is you can look good because of how poor they play on offense and defense. UConn has several extremely good players but they have a couple that will disappear once the competition gets to a top tier. It will be a little apparent next week against Tennessee but will really be on full display against SC.

I still think UConn can and will compete and most likely beat SC but it will be with players that aren't necessarily counted on right now.

 

[Jaml]

Worth the price of admission was Geno's face at the end of the 3rd quarter when they took to long to get into their offense and Ash hit that prayer, that was disallowed upon review. If ever there was a Geno "you have to be kidding me face, that was it. That was one GIF worthy face.

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[Cornell Lt]

I thought Jorie Allen was a pretty effective post player. Other than that DePaul doesn't have much.

 

[sun]

You get the ball where and when you have demonstrated to your peers that you may likely shoot and score. Our bigs (other than Sarah) have not demonstrated that as yet.

Despite the criticism, Jana still has the 3rd highest FG% on the team.

1. Sarah - .580
2. Paige - .546
3. Jana - .535

 

[WiseWillie]

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.

The team could be in a funk on offense but what we are seeing can also be described as "It's hard to play your A game against C level competition". You're playing those games with a completely different mindset and it's really hard to not let yourself fall into a kind of lazy, lackadaisical offense. Your cuts are not as sharp, screens maybe not where they should be, your eye sort of wanders when shooting, etc. In other words, your head is not in the game. So who's blame? Players? Coaches? Neither in my opinion. It's the level of competition that now exists in this league. C level competition is what unfortunately the BE WBB has become as high ranked players seek better opportunities at schools that devote and have more resources supporting womens basketball. Also they command more viewers and more exposure which is attractive to anyone looking to move up to the professional level. It's been said before but UConn needs to move out and up.