DePaul Postgame Thread

[oldude]

As you know, I like to quibble with your "interesting takes". Defensively, KK is GREAT but still behind HH. 48% shooting from the floor is really good for a guard. The 20% from 3 pt land? Brutal but then again, you have to consider the cast around her-she HAS NO ONE.

I know they don't keep the stats on how many forced turnovers you create vs. just the ones you get but HH creates havoc with the other teams guards.

Keep in mind I AM NOT AN HH FAN AT ALL but I think your assessment is biased as a huge UConn fan. KK A/TO ratio is off the charts this year and her shot is much improved (Higher arc on the shot). Given how strong that guard class of 2023 was (Booker, Watkins, Hildago, Mikayla Williams. Zoey Brooks, Taliah Scott) KK is proving she belongs near the top of that group (maybe 4th after this year) but still behind Juju, Madison and the aforementioned HH (and yes it loathes me to say it but it is true).

I haven’t seen every ND game. But I have seen their losses against MI & Ole Miss this year. I also watched ND’s “flameout” with a loaded team against TCU in the Sweet 16 last season. What each of those games have in common is that HH started to press, began playing Hero ball, forced bad shots and committed turnovers, while all of her teammates stood around and watched.

HH is absolutely fabulous, until she isn’t, and when that happens it’s not pretty. I cannot imagine KK ever trying to take over a game without her teammates. In any event, Geno would never allow it. That may point to HH’s real problem, a coach that won’t yank her out of the game and sit her down. Maybe Coach Ivie is afraid that HH will decide to leave for greener pastures like Fulwiley did.

And yes, I am an unapologetic Homer when it comes to UConn WBB, and I absolutely believe that KK is more valuable at pg than HH.

 

[BBallF]

Lots of options. That’s why Geno earns the big bucks.

Yes, best left alone right now or we will not have anything to talk about over the summer.

 

[Dogdude]

Well, there's always the addition-by-subtraction thing. Fulwiley was almost a distraction, her play never quite rising to her reputation. It seemed the fans on social media wanted her to play more, but never acknowledged the downsides. At least Dawn has a bunch of other players who will quickly fill whatever the perceived absence is. ND is a different story..right now it's a one-person team.

 

[BobbyJ]

I haven’t seen every ND game. But I have seen their losses against MI & Ole Miss this year. I also watched ND’s “flameout” with a loaded team against TCU in the Sweet 16 last season. What each of those games have in common is that HH started to press, began playing Hero ball, forced bad shots and committed turnovers, while all of her teammates stood around and watched.

HH is absolutely fabulous, until she isn’t, and when that happens it’s not pretty. I cannot imagine KK ever trying to take over a game without her teammates. In any event, Geno would never allow it. That may point to HH’s real problem, a coach that won’t yank her out of the game and sit her down. Maybe Coach Ivie is afraid that HH will decide to leave for greener pastures like Fulwiley did.

And yes, I am an unapologetic Homer when it comes to UConn WBB, and I absolutely believe that KK is more valuable at pg than HH.

Agree completely. It’s fairly obvious why Auriemma recruited KK Arnold and not Hidalgo.

 

[mmt]

As you know, I like to quibble with your "interesting takes". Defensively, KK is GREAT but still behind HH. 48% shooting from the floor is really good for a guard. The 20% from 3 pt land? Brutal but then again, you have to consider the cast around her-she HAS NO ONE.

I know they don't keep the stats on how many forced turnovers you create vs. just the ones you get but HH creates havoc with the other teams guards.

Keep in mind I AM NOT AN HH FAN AT ALL but I think your assessment is biased as a huge UConn fan. KK A/TO ratio is off the charts this year and her shot is much improved (Higher arc on the shot). Given how strong that guard class of 2023 was (Booker, Watkins, Hildago, Mikayla Williams. Zoey Brooks, Taliah Scott) KK is proving she belongs near the top of that group (maybe 4th after this year) but still behind Juju, Madison and the aforementioned HH (and yes it loathes me to say it but it is true).

Look at how much time HH plays compared to KK.

 

[DEpup]

How about Jana or Olivia starts at the 5, Sarah at the 4, Blanca at the 3, Ash at the 2 and KK at the point? Then Kayleigh, Kelis or Jovava replaces KK, Kayleigh, Jovana or Kelis replaces Ash, Allie replaces Blanca, Olivia and Jana interchange, and Sarah .... here we go again with the combinations.

I still think there is another portal 1 year big in our future if Okeke makes a different choice.

 

[Centerstream]

Well, there's always the addition-by-subtraction thing. Fulwiley was almost a distraction, her play never quite rising to her reputation. It seemed the fans on social media wanted her to play more, but never acknowledged the downsides. At least Dawn has a bunch of other players who will quickly fill whatever the perceived absence is. ND is a different story..right now it's a one-person team.

Wasn't she the SEC's Sixth Woman of the Year last season?

 

[Dogdude]

Wasn't she the SEC's Sixth Woman of the Year last season?

Yup, and you're right to point out she has a ton of talent. But it was clear during the finals that her game didn't mesh with what Dawn was trying to do.

 

[Bald Husky]

Maybe Svet, Geno thinks so too. I think Svet was a little bit more ready to be a major part of the program in her freshman year, but Blanca is close. Plus, Svet had one of my favorite quotes (said in a cute Russian accent) "basketball is an easy game, coach makes it hard".

She also "didn't come 3000 miles to pass the ball". Yes, Svet (my all-time favorite Husky) did seem to be ready in her freshman year. That fact is really incredible as she was only 17 when she came over here, finished high school early, so as she is playing big time college basketball, all the others in our country at her age is still in high school. I attended the pre-season showcase (now First Night) that year, and when I got home I texted my friend that there is a "new shining star at UConn, and her name is Svetlana Abrosimova". I guess I was right.

 

[FanSince17]

Yup, and you're right to point out she has a ton of talent. But it was clear during the finals that her game didn't mesh with what Dawn was trying to do.

What exactly was Dawn trying to do. Sorry, my mind is stuck on her absolute cluelessness about what was happening to her team. Twice.
Dawn's a HOFer. But she has to be scrutinized for her "failures" regarding Fulwiley. Crap, she's a huge talent. Now she plays for LSU. Rival from the SEC. IMO you can't just gloss that over.

 

[Cuango]

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.

This sounds like a bit of Nika syndrome. I believe virtually everyone on this board are appreciative of KK. Sure, she may not get idolized like Sarah and Azzi but I’m pretty sure everyone here is fully aware of the gem we have in KK! One reason you may feel that she is underappreciated may be because her elite strengths are mostly on the defensive side of the ball which for most people is far less glamorous.

Believe me, we know how good KK is! She is hugely important in that she not only sets the defensive tone on the court but she is also the person who sets (and maintains) the social dynamic off the court! I believe she is a very large reason for the very obvious closeness this team has displayed since her arrival. I must say, I cannot recall a more happy and close knit team in all my years as a Husky fan and much of that, I believe can/should be attributed to KK and her infectious, happy personality.

 

[RedStickHusky]

Playing well with others is an often under appreciated talent.

 

[Centerstream]

What exactly was Dawn trying to do. Sorry, my mind is stuck on her absolute cluelessness about what was happening to her team. Twice.
Dawn's a HOFer. But she has to be scrutinized for her "failures" regarding Fulwiley. Crap, she's a huge talent. Now she plays for LSU. Rival from the SEC. IMO you can't just gloss that over.

I don't want this to become about Fulwiley so I am posting my last message as it applies to her and not the DePaul game.
It was covered by the announcers in both SoCar games what Dawn was expecting from Fulwiley and she provided it - instant excitement and changing the tempo of the game. Milaysia did that, unfortunately both in a good way and very bad way. That's not Dawn's fault. It seemed obviously to me that Fulwiley wasn't listening to Dawn so Dawn took her out. In both games, Fulwiley scored most of her points after the game was already decided. When the game was over, it appeared to me that only a couple SoCar players were emotional over the loss...Fulwiley was one of them. I thought at that moment that she was headed to the portal.

 

[Cuango]

Agree completely. It’s fairly obvious why Auriemma recruited KK Arnold and not Hidalgo.

This post made me realize that over the years there have been a number of occasions where I would wonder; “why did Geno/CD recruit this player over that one?” I cannot remember specific players but it has happened a number of times. I would think, “This player is clearly a better scorer, plays better defense, is bigger etc.” I have to say though, I cannot remember a single instance where once the player arrived here and the other player arrived at her respective school, where I did not say, “Now I see why they wanted this one.” This is not very well articulated but my point is that Geno and CD are absolute geniuses at choosing kids that fit here! KK is yet one more example of this! I cannot imagine this team without our KK! She is the beating heart of this team.

 

[JoePgh]

This post made me realize that over the years there have been a number of occasions where I would wonder; “why did Geno/CD recruit this player over that one?” I cannot remember specific players but it has happened a number of times. I would think, “This player is clearly a better scorer, plays better defense, is bigger etc.” I have to say though, I cannot remember a single instance where once the player arrived here and the other player arrived at her respective school, where I did not say, “Now I see why they wanted this one.” This is not very well articulated but my point is that Geno and CD are absolute geniuses at choosing kids that fit here! KK is yet one more example of this! I cannot imagine this team without our KK! She is the beating heart of this team.

There is also the factor of self-selection. I doubt very much that Fulwiley ever considered UConn, and would not have done so even if Geno had shown interest. The program's image and publicly advertised culture don't fit her, any more than they fit other talented basketball players like Diamond DeShields or Arike Ogunbuwale. Some players really want to freelance, and really don't want to be coached very much.

When such players self-select away from UConn, it's usually a good decision for both parties.

But I don't mean to suggest that any talented player who chooses another school and declines a UConn offer falls in this category -- sometimes the player just feels a tighter vibe with another coach and another set of teammates. Those players would have done fine at UConn, just as they did at their other school, if they had chosen to come to Storrs. In this category, I would put A'ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, and Reagan Beers.

 

[RedStickHusky]

When such players self-select away from UConn, it's usually a good decision for both parties.

Impressively tactful. We don't get that much around here.

 

[hoophuskee]

What exactly was Dawn trying to do. Sorry, my mind is stuck on her absolute cluelessness about what was happening to her team. Twice.
Dawn's a HOFer. But she has to be scrutinized for her "failures" regarding Fulwiley. Crap, she's a huge talent. Now she plays for LSU. Rival from the SEC. IMO you can't just gloss that over.

I'ii take the HOF player/coach over the talent that left for LSU. Any day all day. IMO the cluelessness is from the backup pg that ended up leaving. When it comes to Geno and Dawn, I'm laying a ton of money down it's the player that's clueless if there's a problem.

 

[RoadMaster]

 

[Centerstream]

It's really nice to see Jana play like this when she is fed the ball in a place where she just has to turn and lay the ball up.

 

[oldude]

It's really nice to see Jana play like this when she is fed the ball in a place where she just has to turn and lay the ball up.

Jana has worked really hard on establishing position, receiving the ball and making a quick turn to score in the post. The one thing she still needs to do is to develop her left hand. Right now she’s very good to her right. But she struggles finishing with her left hand.

 

[victor64]

Jana has worked really hard on establishing position, receiving the ball and making a quick turn to score in the post. The one thing she still needs to do is to develop her left hand. Right now she’s very good to her right. But she struggles finishing with her left hand.

Plus, unfortunately, when she becomes proficient on both sides (and she will); teams meay employ “hack a Jana”. I hope her FT% improves and I am wrong.

 

[64Zcode]

The camera perspective on that pass from Allie shows how sweet that was.
I'm really enjoying watching Allie and Kayleigh play.