Differences between South Carolina and Uconn

[Dognusty]

Still think SC is the better overall team. I think UCONN is improved but some of these latest wins are against subpar opponents.

 

[JellyBean]

Just here to read the comments....

 

[npignatjr]

I think they’re showing you that Ducharme didn’t play and Azzi was limited because the game following that is when her foot injury absences began.

Nika, Dorka also.

 

[npignatjr]

Still think SC is the better overall team. I think UCONN is improved but some of these latest wins are against subpar opponents.

Nice opinion. Which of the all powerful SEC really scare you?

 

[npignatjr]

Double-teaming Boston and boxing her and SC out is the key. SC kills you on offensive rebounds. I’m hoping it’s a tightly called game and the refs aren’t afraid to call Boston for over the back fouls.
Boston is a good defender too especially if she can get set on defense. UConn bigs (Liv, I’m talking to you) need to put up a shot quickly before she can prepare to defend, you’ll get fouled most likely.
Christyn had one of her best offensive games yesterday. Love it, she wants a championship this year.
Keep healing Caroline! Would love to see her roaming around inside more, with her height and around the basket mobility, I think she can cause havoc. She’ll get her outside shot back, if not, Paige and Azzi (and Christyn and Evina, heck, maybe Nika will score a couple of baskets) will snipe away.
So, smother Boston, grab those rebounds, and fire away!

A key the officials need to stop protecting Boston.

 

[oldhusky]

SC is a very good team, but in some ways I am surprised that by many measures offensively they are not as good as you might expect for a top ranked team. When they have inside weapons like Boston that simply overpower most opponents, you would think that efficiency inside, not just from Boston but from Cardosa and other s, would elevate SC to an elite offensive team.

But other than point blank scoring and offensive rebounding their offensive is far from impressive. They are a below average FT shooting team for example, and closer to average from the 3pt line. When we suffered multiple injuries and had just ok 3pt shooters, but did not have our most dangerous ones available, our offense suffered on many levels. Not much room to penetrate, and hard to get the ball inside.

Boston and Cardosa in particular have been amazing inside when you consider that defenses are packing things in because of SC's mediocre outside shooting. Their bigs are better than our bigs. With Paige and Azzi now (also Caroline) we can pretty much make teams pay for not extending their defense, and I suspect against SC we would be perimeter oriented, the trick is trying to make SC beat us from there.

So far even very good teams have had trouble taking away most of SC's inside game. They double team, and sometimes put a similar size C against Boston, and they can make it tougher for her, but she still manages to have a significant impact even when defenses are geared to stopping her, and even against other top flight C's. Some of that is getting offensive rebounds even if you can't get the ball directly.

I think the game-plan defensively against SC is pretty well known, but forcing them to beat you from the outside is easier said than done. It's a difficult choice but I think I would double Boston and Cardosa off anyone except for Henderson, and maybe her too.

 

[AgStatesman]

Both are excellent teams with their own strengths, but let's not over complicate it. If the two teams play again, the result will come down to exactly one thing. How many offensive rebounds do the Gamecocks get. If UConn is constantly giving up second and third chances then there is little hope they can win. If South Carolina goes one and done on most possessions there is little chance they can win. I swear to you all, it really is that simple.

 

[CL82]

UConn has a kid name Paige who won every awards in her freshman year. If she is healthy this year, she will be a stud on the boards.

And she is improving her injury everyday now.

There is a path for Connecticut to beat South Carolina, it’s incredible talent and good coaching notwithstanding, but it isn’t relying on Paige to out rebound South Carolina’s front court.

 

[browns]

I hope we get to see a rematch with SC but as others have pointed out there's a whole lot of basketball to be played before that can happen.............if UConn is shooting well from three in the hopeful rematch the odds are they win........if they shoot poorly from the outside the odds are SC wins......it's as simple as that........

SC with the # 1 D in the nation won't let Uconn see too many open 3's

 

[Kaizen]

There is a path for Connecticut to beat South Carolina, it’s incredible talent and good coaching notwithstanding, but it isn’t relying on Paige to out rebound South Carolina’s front court.

If UConn is as good as Missouri we can beat South Carolina.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

all those players played in the 1st meeting Sc, you know the one where SC held Uconn to 7 pt in the 4th?

the story, thus far.
fg%:
UConn 49%
angry birds 44%

3 ball %:
UConn 34%
angry birds 31%

and these include our long stretch of shooting on crutches, and from the hospital bed or couch. nobody can hit a shot from a lawnchair, not even us.

 

[CL82]

If UConn is as good as Missouri they can beat South Carolina.

Yeah, I don’t know if it’s quite that simple.

Connecticut and South Carolina are, and someways, polar opposites of each other. So you have two great teams and two great coaches each attempting to impose their will as to style of play on the other. It will be a fascinating chess match.

As always though…

 

[ABCDFE]

I actually think the key is to stop Destiny H. If she can have subpar game, I think we have a shot. Boston will get hers no doubt just can't have her go off and Cooke is on on and off, but Destiny's defense and quickness is a problem.

 

[Charliebball]

SC with the # 1 D in the nation won't let Uconn see too many open 3's

I have great respect for SC's defense, but I don't think they've have seen another team with this kind of outside firepower running on all cylinders this season........It's going to be a battle........... if SC overplays Bueckers, CW, Fudd, Westbrook or Ducharme you know they can dribble drive, take the midrange jumper or draw out Boston and the other bigs leaving ONO, Edwards and Dorka free inside.......of course I want UConn driving on Boston and friends all night long to get them into foul trouble no matter how many shots they block..........it's certainly not going to be easy but of all the teams that could challenge South Carolina, I'd say UConn has the best likelihood of beating them if they are on their game......

 

[FormerCTrez]

UConn has a kid name Paige who won every awards in her freshman year. If she is healthy this year, she will be a stud on the boards.

And she is improving her injury everyday now.

Yep, I’m well aware of that.

 

[FormerCTrez]

all those players played in the 1st meeting Sc, you know the one where SC held Uconn to 7 pt in the 4th?

You’ve earned the bragging rights at this time.

 

[Bigboote]

In looking at South Carolina's season, two things jump out at me:

1) Boston is INCREDIBLY consistent. Since the beginning of December, between 11 and 21 points every game; between 10 and 17 rebounds every game, between 0 and 3 turnovers every game. Blocks do vary quite a bit, none in a couple of games and up to 7.

2) The difference between their squeakers and cake walks really seems to be guard play.

I really think that the key to defeating them is neutralizing the guards.

 

[TC22]

We have changed since the first meeting. Azzi, Caroline and Dorka have been acclaimated to UConn's offensive and defensive schemes. We have the size to compete with them and Yes we are definitly better 3 point shooters. SC like to pack it in have you beat them with outside shooting. We will do that and run the break on them. Our defense is better as well. UConn by 10 points.

SC doesn’t pack it in. They play a very tight man-to-man defense. If you have 3 pt. shooters they will come out. A good example is Arkansas. UConn does have better shooters and it would be a challenge. The fun thing about that matchup if it does occur is your strength is your guards, SC strength is it’s bigs.

 

[Artifact]

Personally I think one key to a match up between UConn and S.C. (Should it occur) Is Edwards vs Boston, 2 Strong, physical players. If Aaliyah, who has shown a consistent improvement the las 5-6 game, can hold her own against Boston, at least make things difficult for her, the rest of the team should be able to handle the rest.

Edwards has improved offensively, especially when being fed the ball in & around the key. However, her weak point is committing fouls & put on the bench shelve. I'm sure the foul acting classes are in full session for the tournaments !

 

[HuskyNan]

the story, thus far.
fg%:
UConn 49%
angry birds 44%

3 ball %:
UConn 34%
angry birds 31%

and these include our long stretch of shooting on crutches, and from the hospital bed or couch. nobody can hit a shot from a lawnchair, not even us.

Yes, but UConn was shooting them over Providence, Georgetown, et. South Carolina’s schedule. 2021-22 Women's Basketball Schedule - University of South Carolina Athletics

 

[bballnut90]

A key the officials need to stop protecting Boston.

Boston averages 1.5 fouls per game, hasn't fouled out this year and just twice has had 4 fouls. That, along with UCONN not being a particularly bruising/physical team means Boston getting/not getting calls is probably a non issue.

 

[Ozimoto]

Personally, while this a fun discussion, it's a bit premature.

 

[npignatjr]

Boston averages 1.5 fouls per game, hasn't fouled out this year and just twice has had 4 fouls. That, along with UCONN not being a particularly bruising/physical team means Boston getting/not getting calls is probably a non issue.

Fouls called and fouls ignored different. Quick recent example SC Arkansas game 1 st quarter started with Boston going over Ramerize's back, who was attempting to block her out. No call. Few minutes after a Arkansas player driving Boston swiped down, did not keep her arms vertical, across her arms no call. The before the season even started promoted as NPOY is protected.

 

[GoChips20]

UConns help defense is why they are smothering opponents. Another point with their height up top and down low they have become a better rebounding and defensive team. UConn has held opponents to under 40 pts in their last 4 games and under 40pts in their last 5 of 6 games. Now I dont care who your playing thats great. How many other top ranked teams have come close to that. Another point. UConn is winning with a balanced offense which is now 9 deep and UConns execution on offense is a passing clinic and on defense is smothering. UConn has been up 50 pts in many of those wins. Do you think that SC is 40 pts better? Hey SC is very good but against this UConn team which is not the same team they faced early in the season I dont think SC wins. In fact it would take a complete collapse for UConn to loose any game the rest of the season. UConn has to many weapons and foul trouble with 9 deep is not the biggest concern.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

Just here to read the comments....

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[housekeys]

To beat UConn, a team must score points. Taking a look at the games UConn has lost, this year (and in the past, as I recall), UConn has allowed 72 vs SC, 57 vs GT, 69 vs LV, 72 vs Oregon and 72 v Nova. Pick a number. I will pick 70 as the magic number. If SC fails to score 70 or more points, chances are they will lose. Therefore, UConn's defense (conversely SC offense) is the key. Not that simple, but close. There is enough evidence that UConn's offense (in its current state) can be slowed down but not stopped.

 

[Stymie]

Personally I think one key to a match up between UConn and S.C. (Should it occur) Is Edwards vs Boston, 2 Strong, physical players. If Aaliyah, who has shown a consistent improvement the las 5-6 game, can hold her own against Boston, at least make things difficult for her, the rest of the team should be able to handle the rest.

Last 5-6 games against very weak teams with virtually no height.
Not a compelling indicator.
3rd game in the Tourney is where the rubber starts to hit the road.
Then we’ll see.
I think we will, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

A couple of things to point out... neither team is the same team they had in November. UCONN has been through hell and is now coming back stronger than ever. The players who played in November are not who we have now. Azzi is healthy and playing like a stud. Nika only played a few moments and was not healthy. Edwards was not playing well at that time, Dorka was unsure of where she needed to be. Since then they have all grown, and add in Caroline.... and improvements on all those players I mentioned and CW hitting more threes... We are going to be a tough team to play in the tourney.

That said, Everyone talks about how SC is the team to beat... and they are. However, watching their game against... Ole Miss, or Mississippi state... whichever the other day where they won by 10... it showed they are a team that can be beaten. They have a loss on the season.... so it is possible. I would hate for everyone to think SC is unbeatable, especially the women on our team. They can run the tables this year if they play well. I for one am rooting for that.

 

[Stymie]

the thing I don't understand is ppl keep mentioning the depth of the bench, there can only be 5 players on the court. So either 2 scenarios are going to happen.
They are going to put 4 guards and 1 big (not the best option imo) or they are going to put 3 guards and 2 bigs. So when people say Uconn has: Westbrook, Williams, Ducharme, Fudd, Bueckers. That means 2 of those players are going to be on the bench, it's not who has the most talented players, it's who can you put on the floor your best 5 against Sc's best 5 for numerous stretches.

It’s also about keeping constant pressure on the ball.
Having enough rotating talent to absorb a couple of tic-tac fouls and maintaining the pressure.

 

[CB360]

Last 5-6 games against very weak teams with virtually no height.
Not a compelling indicator.
3rd game in the Tourney is where the rubber starts to hit the road.
Then we’ll see.
I think we will, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Confidence makes a big difference. Playing weaker teams does help build confidence. DePaul, Marquette and Creighton in my opinion would be more mid-strength teams compared to Providence, St John's and Georgetown which are weaker. So, the competition wasn't all weak. DePaul and Morrow as an example........