DePaul Postgame Thread | Page 2 | The Boneyard

DePaul Postgame Thread

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Another blowout, but I think Geno now has his top rotations figured out. I believe eventually Blanca will replace Aslynn in the starting lineup.

Congrats to Sue. Well deserved. I would have asked her when she was being interviewed in the 2nd qtr who does she think is the best shooter in the history of UCONN. We have had Kaleena Mosqueda, Katie Lou, Paige and Azzi. I think Azzi would take the title.

I would have really liked to have seen Gandy get put in. I mean if you play Ayanna you can put in Gandy. She plays just as hard and offers more rebounding and rim protection than Ayanna. We won by almost 70 so when will she get in when we are up by 80? Against Texas big, UCLA and SC we might need her to spell Jana since Serah wont be able to guard them.

Serah still doesn’t look like the person we saw in the videos of her at Wisconsin. I hope she gets comfortable soon.

Kellis needs to slow down and stop trying to score so much. If you run the offense correctly, scoring will come. She forces shots a lot.

While I know the bench needs PT the offense bogs down a lot. I would like players like Ayanna, Caroline and Jana get some PT with the first string a lot more.
 
ThisJustIn said:
Bob/Debbie CD post game:

KK's great game.

CD: She was terrific right from the start. Only played 15. Set the tone.

Defense:

CD:Trying to get better every day. Get smarter. Yes, there is physical improvement you can make, and we're doing that. But becoming a smarter team, seeing angles. And that's not being determined by opponents. Yes, Depaul was outmatched. But we approached both halves really well.

Goal to attack rim, get to FT?

CD: No. We've been focusing on it... at bottom of NCAA for number of FT attempts per game. We've been talking about it. Don't know if opp was there - but we need to make them. We're a better FT shooting team than that. In practice, players shoot 10 or need to make 90% or run. We went from 92% last practice and this game we were 50-something. I may need to check the accuracy. grin We need to focus on that, creates issues for other team.

Offense - looked like they ran through a variety of options successfully.

CD: Great balance with what shots we took. Found Azzi - off of 2 or 3 passes. Did real good job of making good decisions. TOs can make ugly basketball. We were knocking shots in.

Good bench production. Healthy!

CD: Helps. When we go to bench, kids should change game/impact on game in positive way. Not always scoring. Could be defense, energy. Having that puts pressure on other tream. Makes starters confident and feel better about taking a break.
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Thank you for the interview write up, as always!!
 
I think that I am probably late to the party...so, is Allie hiding a tat with the tape on her right shoulder/arm? I believe months ago it was posted that she got tats after the NC, one of which is not hidden - the date of the NC game but am not 100% positive that it wasn't just in my head about the tats.
 
Great game all around albeit against a clearly overmatched and weak opponent. Sarah and Azzi could’ve scored 35 points each easily if they played 30 minutes and I am becoming concerned that they won’t each be first team All Americans as they deserve for both their offense and all around impressive games because they don’t get to pile up the stats like other star players on other teams.

Speaking of this issue, the same applies to KK,what she did in just 15 minutes ( 7 points 7 assists 3 rebounds, multiple steals and forced turnovers) while handling the ball perfectly without any turnovers and playing unparalleled defense is truly phenomenal. She could have scored and assisted at will if left in there for another 10 minutes yet now all that will be known is that she only got 7 points. Even on this forum people are giving kudos to Kayleigh because she put up 16 points etc. when KK and SS and Azzi effectively won the game in the first 15 minutes.

I am not criticizing Kayleigh Heckel or any of the other non starters but the simple fact is that they are essentially playing in garbage time when they’re up by 40 or 50 points without any pressure or concerns and not having to worry about defense and can concentrate on padding their stats and just running offense. KK is one of the very best all around point guards in the country and the pulse of our team yet gets literally no credit, even on this forum. Kayleigh Heckel is a welcome addition to the Huskies and has great potential but any suggestion that she’s a better player or PG or should be starting over KK is ridiculous as is trying to compare the 4th quarter clean up crews stats and contributions to any of the starters or BQ since they all play when the game actually matters against the other teams starters.
 
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darkstar1 said:
Although complementary, I think Kayleigh deserves more credit than “Serling into her role”. To me, she combines the best things I like about KK and Ash’s game. There is certainly no drop off when she comes in. IMO, the team is better when she is in. She hasn’t needed to score, but today she showed she can.
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K9 has integrated into the team a lot quicker than I imagined she would. She's playing UConn ball, fast paced, fast passes, ball movement, and she sees the court really well, whether it be on one end of an assist or the other. It's a lot of responsibility for PGs to play in UConn's system, and I love how she comes in for KK and we don't miss a step.
 
BRS24 said:
K9 has integrated into the team a lot quicker than I imagined she would. She's playing UConn ball, fast paced, fast passes, ball movement, and she sees the court really well, whether it be on one end of an assist or the other. It's a lot of responsibility for PGs to play in UConn's system, and I love how she comes in for KK and we don't miss a step.
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I just hope Kayleigh is enjoying her new team. This could be/should be a really happy, satisfying time for her.
 
Great game against an overmatched opponent (i assume most of the BE game this season will look like this). Aside than the puzzling Free Throws %, practically everything else went well for UConn.
Sarah and Azzi are AA's and Sarah is ridiculously amazing with her skill set. She is better than last season.
A great game for K9 and Jana. K9 was everywhere on the court and Jana was actually making her shots under the basket with some nice moves.
While i understand why Geno gives Serah all the time to get acclaimed to the UConn system, i wonder if at any time he'll decide to insert Jana into the starting 5 and have Searah come off the bench. At least till this point i do not see where Serah is better than Jana.
On Saturday it will be a much harder game and i can't wait....
 
Majorthreat said:
Another blowout, but I think Geno now has his top rotations figured out. I believe eventually Blanca will replace Aslynn in the starting lineup.

Congrats to Sue. Well deserved. I would have asked her when she was being interviewed in the 2nd qtr who does she think is the best shooter in the history of UCONN. We have had Kaleena Mosqueda, Katie Lou, Paige and Azzi. I think Azzi would take the title.

I would have really liked to have seen Gandy get put in. I mean if you play Ayanna you can put in Gandy. She plays just as hard and offers more rebounding and rim protection than Ayanna. We won by almost 70 so when will she get in when we are up by 80? Against Texas big, UCLA and SC we might need her to spell Jana since Serah wont be able to guard them.

Serah still doesn’t look like the person we saw in the videos of her at Wisconsin. I hope she gets comfortable soon.

Kellis needs to slow down and stop trying to score so much. If you run the offense correctly, scoring will come. She forces shots a lot.

While I know the bench needs PT the offense bogs down a lot. I would like players like Ayanna, Caroline and Jana get some PT with the first string a lot more.
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UConn won didn’t they
 
Majorthreat said:
Another blowout, but I think Geno now has his top rotations figured out. I believe eventually Blanca will replace Aslynn in the starting lineup.

Congrats to Sue. Well deserved. I would have asked her when she was being interviewed in the 2nd qtr who does she think is the best shooter in the history of UCONN. We have had Kaleena Mosqueda, Katie Lou, Paige and Azzi. I think Azzi would take the title.

I would have really liked to have seen Gandy get put in. I mean if you play Ayanna you can put in Gandy. She plays just as hard and offers more rebounding and rim protection than Ayanna. We won by almost 70 so when will she get in when we are up by 80? Against Texas big, UCLA and SC we might need her to spell Jana since Serah wont be able to guard them.

Serah still doesn’t look like the person we saw in the videos of her at Wisconsin. I hope she gets comfortable soon.

Kellis needs to slow down and stop trying to score so much. If you run the offense correctly, scoring will come. She forces shots a lot.

While I know the bench needs PT the offense bogs down a lot. I would like players like Ayanna, Caroline and Jana get some PT with the first string a lot more.
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Gandy is still a very young, raw post player. IMHO, the coaches' expectations for bench players are that what you put it and execute in practice will dictate how much playing time you get in games. I get that this was a blowout, however if she's not ready, or practice time/effort/understanding is inconsistent, then the result won't be playing time. And, Geno may have wanted to get Ayanna and Jana more PT as upperclassmen, as they may fill important minutes if Ice's knee doesn't respond after the next two weeks.
 
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Seen a replay. Q's just chuck it up and hope was on full display today but apparently Geno is willing to ride it out. Hope she does outgrow it because its full on ridiculous.
 
oldude said:
She is a complete player..........
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And she's becoming a more complete person. That's one of the things I enjoy about watching Connecticut kids. By the end of their stay here, they are typically quite polished and well spoken.

I think I may see Chris Daley's fingerprints in that
 
I was at the game, unfortunately not in time for the Sue Bird ceremony due to family commitments. Full house, an enthusiastic and relaxed crowd.

There was a young dance group that performed at halftime, and they were outstanding.

I have seen almost all of the UConn home games since 2017, except of course the Covid season. There are at least two things that this team does as well or better than previous versions.

First, the on ball defensive effort by all of the rotation players, overplaying from baseline to baseline, and their ability to double team and jump to cover the player left open, is remarkably good. Great communication, and no weak links. It feels like they know their teammates will defend and each one of them doesn't want to be the one who breaks down. I don't think that DePaul even got a shot off in the first three minutes. Frenetic is the word that most accurately describes it. Partly personnel, and also some of the prior teams could not play that way due to lack of depth.

Geno went to a zone for all of the second half, except for out of bounds plays, as an act of sportsmanship.

Second, this team feeds the post quite well. That has been a source of consternation for me over the years. The point guards for sure, and Sarah of course, but also Blanca and Allie - they are both very good passers. Jana was strong inside and Serah is getting there. She is best when she keeps it simple - get the work done early and go right up or make one move and up.

There were also some tremendous long passes to rim runners, a couple of them missed but a few of them hit and this was certainly a game to try things like that. Beautiful basketball.

I am sure they wanted to show out on Sue's big day, and they certainly did.

Nice to see Azzi go 4 for 4 from three in the first half after an off game from three last time out. Also good to see Kelis get 16 minutes, she is going to be good.
 
Several takeaways from today. …1). We are in great shape with our guard play for the foreseeable future . 2) Blanca has absurd athleticism for a frosh. As she matures, not sure she will be guardable. 3) can’t remember the last time a full bench lineup didn’t have a helter skelter feel to it. The second team is becoming a really good one.
 
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BRS24 said:
Gandy is still a very young, raw post player. IMHO, the coaches' expectations for bench players are that what you put it and execute in practice will dictate how much playing time you get in games. I get that this was a blowout, however if she's not ready, or practice time/effort/understanding is inconsistent, then the result won't be playing time. And, Geno may have wanted to get Ayanna and Jana more PT as upperclassmen, as they may fill important minutes if Ice's knee doesn't respond after the next two weeks.
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perhaps she is redshirting this uear
 
Centerstream said:
I think that I am probably late to the party...so, is Allie hiding a tat with the tape on her right shoulder/arm? I believe months ago it was posted that she got tats after the NC, one of which is not hidden - the date of the NC game but am not 100% positive that it wasn't just in my head about the tats.
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I think the tape is for a shoulder injury. She has the date of the National Championship discreetly tattooed on the back of her right arm in Roman numerals, just above the elbow - the same as Ashlynn. Not covered during games.
 
oldude said:
Some postgame thoughts on the DePaul game.
  • Congratulations to Sue, who’s #10 jersey was retired today by UConn. Check out Wikipedia which chronicles Sue’s incredible achievements from her days at Christ the King, UConn, Seattle, Europe and USA Basketball. She will undoubtedly go down as one of the very best pg’s in the history of WBB.
  • The Huskies storm out of the gate in most games. Today against an overmatched DePaul team was no different. But in building a 28-9 1st qtr lead, UConn actually forced more turnovers (10) then shots allowed (9). 😮
  • When Azzi’s “in the zone” her 3-pt shot is both inevitable and a thing of beauty!
  • Ash is UConn’s Energizer Bunny. She hustles all over the court on defense and moves constantly without the ball on offense. But my favorite Ash thing is when she flies in from nowhere to snag a rebound among the trees, often on the offensive end, thereby extending a UConn possession.
  • KK is among the nation’s leaders in A/TO ration. Today she had 7 assists and 0 turnovers. 🤩
  • Kayleigh really appears to be settling into her role at UConn. She is yet another relentless Husky defender and her ability to run the offense whenever she subs in for KK is exceptional.
  • Sarah continues to play her brilliantly complete brand of basketball. Today she had 20 pts on 7/9 shooting, along with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. Her no look pass from underneath the basket to Ash in the corner for a 3 was ridiculous!!!
  • While UConn’s rotation looks to be solidifying, imo, the one spot that remains a question is center. Serah hasn’t taken ownership of it yet. Jana is solid and more physical. Blanca would be an undersized option, but she continues to impress. Time will tell.
  • As a team the Huskies shot better from the arc than they shot overall, 67% to 63%, and they shot even worse from the FT line, 61%??? Go figure.
  • I’ll be out of pocket next Saturday, so thanks again in advance to one of my fellow BY’ers for starting the USC postgame thread.
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Serah ownes it for the foreseeable and is looking somewhat better each game, although not quite as good or aggressive as perhaps we thought we'd be getting based on her press clippings. Jana is showing some improvement also and is more aggressive than Serah, at least when playing against smaller bigs. If she keeps up the aggression she may achieve a spot on the March 9 person rotation equal to Serah, for banging with big centers / forwards versus, Texas, South Carolina. UCLA, Okla, etc. Can't trust in a close game with her foul shots however, would have to work on that more
 
Urshurak said:
Only negative I have is 10 missed FT’s. Yikes! Bet somewhere down the line those 10 points would come in handy….
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Best overall game performance to date, hard to find fault except for a half dozen missed bunnies owned primarily between Q and Sara but that and foul shooting will only get better. Also continued great substitution pattern management by Geno, Those that get shorted a bit are the backbone known quantities like Sarah, Azzi, KK, while minutes going to those that still have more to prove - result is that we are seeing stars born (e.g. Kellis) in the back end of the extended rotation,
 
darkstar1 said:
Although complementary, I think Kayleigh deserves more credit than “Serling into her role”. To me, she combines the best things I like about KK and Ash’s game. There is certainly no drop off when she comes in. IMO, the team is better when she is in. She hasn’t needed to score, but today she showed she can.
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KK is playing at a high and dependable level and taking what the defense gives her but Kayleigh sets a faster pace when she comes in because of quick release passes to every open spot on the court followed by waterbug type cuts herself to every open spot on the court. On defense, KK stops people with her tight contact and fast feet, but and Kayleigh has pretty fast feet as well and adds the element of keeping her hands in constant upper body contact resulting in more ball snatch turn overs. KK is more physically sturdy and powerful, Kayleigh is more slippery and versatile in playing the full court space
 
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I'm wondering if this level of quality we're facing now actually tells us anything new. I know we have the best player in the country, and maybe even the second best. I also know we have the best starting 5, and a deep bench. But we kinda knew that already. I'm hoping the competition steps up a bit so we really do see what some of the subs can do under pressure.
 
Dogdude said:
I'm wondering if this level of quality we're facing now actually tells us anything new. I know we have the best player in the country, and maybe even the second best. I also know we have the best starting 5, and a deep bench. But we kinda knew that already. I'm hoping the competition steps up a bit so we really do see what some of the subs can do under pressure.
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It tells us that UConn can beat the living daylights out of a truly lousy Big East team.........hardly a revelation but what's their alternative? Let's see what happens when they play USC, Tennessee, Iowa and Notre Dame......I don't think they will be beating any of those teams by 60 plus points......I'd gladly settle for 15 plus points in those games and that will tell us a lot....
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
Seen a replay. Q's just chuck it up and hope was on full display today but apparently Geno is willing to ride it out. Hope she does outgrow it because its full on ridiculous.
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That one wide sweeping baseline take from the left side that ended up with about a six foot layup was otherworldly though
 
hookshot said:
Serah ownes it for the foreseeable and is looking somewhat better each game, although not quite as good or aggressive as perhaps we thought we'd be getting based on her press clippings. Jana is showing some improvement also and is more aggressive than Serah, at least when playing against smaller bigs. If she keeps up the aggression she may achieve a spot on the March 9 person rotation equal to Serah, for banging with big centers / forwards versus, Texas, South Carolina. UCLA, Okla, etc. Can't trust in a close game with her foul shots however, would have to work on that more
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After being an early critic, I'm lately sold on Serah. Mostly for her defense; at least 4 plays today where DePaul got in the lane and then got redirected by Serah. She's not missing bunnies at her earlier rate either. If she's scoring 8-12 pts, we're fine. I do like the improvement in Jana's game but I think she's going to have a harder time staying on the court against teams that match our size.
 
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