Do we need OFFENSE from the post to win it all?

[MooseJaw]

Simply, YES

Well said. Offense does not only mean scoring, what about passing, setting O screens, picks and O rebounds all needed for an efficient smooth-running O. Perhaps the better question would have been, Does UCONN need scoring from the 5 to win it all.

 

[MSGRET]

I do not want to see UConn become another Villanova. It is one dimensional and dull/monotonous. I thought Jana was going to tear it up this Fall and I am anything but writing her off, but she is it for us and must improve. Ice may catch fire, which will be great, but I'm not counting on it. We need them both banging and scoring. 9 and 7 between them is not a front court.

Heck she hasn't played basketball in over a year, plus never any college ball and you expect her to be someone like AE or Rebecca off the bat. It took them more than a season to get up to snuff, why are you insisting it on Jana. Everyone has a learning curve when they come to UConn from high school or even from another college. For the people that thought she would be tearing it up they are nothing but dreamers, very few players come to UConn and are tearing it up their first season, especially post players.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Heck she hasn't played basketball in over a year, plus never any college ball and you expect her to be someone like AE or Rebecca off the bat. It took them more than a season to get up to snuff, why are you insisting it on Jana. Everyone has a learning curve when they come to UConn from high school or even from another college. For the people that thought she would be tearing it up they are nothing but dreamers, very few players come to UConn and are tearing it up their first season, especially post players.

I was just sucking people into Geno's expectations for her from the jump. I know she has to grow, but yes I thought we'd have some more by now. She hasn't been up against Willis Reed.

 

[Longtime fan]

True. Very true. It was a good lesson game.

There's also this: I'm a male and I will never have any idea the pain my wife went through during childbirth.
I'm not sure if any UConn bball alum, or big time D1 former players are on the yard who can provide some insight, but:

We as fans have no idea how hard it is to go into an environment like that. We can't comment on its impact. We can neither deny nor confirm it's real effect on the game. So we have to trust what the pros say about it:

It sucks

on a neutral floor that game is probably different

You are assigning too much to the home court advantage. On that day, ND beats us by 10 anywhere on the planet.

 

[hoophuskee]

I do not want to see UConn become another Villanova. It is one dimensional and dull/monotonous. I thought Jana was going to tear it up this Fall and I am anything but writing her off, but she is it for us and must improve. Ice may catch fire, which will be great, but I'm not counting on it. We need them both banging and scoring. 9 and 7 between them is not a front court.

I don't believe Golden State's style was another Villanova just as I don't believe UCONN is another Nova. Both had/have limited posts too. Well as I have said I love Geno's style. As a former guard in measly high school I want to see running. I want to see shots jacked up. And I want to see great players shoot the basketball and make tremendous passes. I don't find this last game monotonous, I call it heaven.

And Geno's style always seems to be attracting the next Sarah. The next Paige etc. This is much more exciting to me than worrying about which of our centers might get "9 points and 6 rebounds." The shot making was a thing of beauty.

 

[packwrap]

Some comments on new posts (fun thread).

We don't want our centers to shoot as they are our worst option.

Well, they are missing half their shots!...but they are making half too.

Jana fg% is 50%, and Ice 49%. Not such a bad option, especially if I compare with some stars like JuJu at 45% and our friend Hidalgo at 48%. They both seem to be pretty good options for their teams.

We don't get production from our center, or our point guard.

Center: 11.5 ppg 9.5 rpg

Point: 10.9 ppg 7.0 apg

That's if we look at the platoons we are using, Ice/Jana & Chen/KK.

If these stats were coming from one person, rather than utilizing our depth, there would be less concern.

This should all keep improving, as we move through the Big East schedule. I think we CAN use BE games to work on developing our centers. Paige, Azzi, Chen and Sarah(amazingly) are already quite developed as players, but Jana, Ice and KK(+others) are still developing every game. The investment in improving our center (and point) play in relatively easier games will have a big return vs SC and in March.

 

[Majic Hands]

No.
It’ll just make it a lot more likely.

 

[Cuango]

Yes! Absolutely yes! If Jana can get to where she is playing 25-30 minutes and averaging 15 & 8 by mid March, we will likely win the championship! If Ice can add 10 & 6 to that, and we remain healthy, I believe we will finally get #12. I believe these numbers are achievable with the increased playing time they should get in conference games. Even though she has had this slow start, I believe she (Jana) shows potential as a very good post for us. She clearly shows promise as an aggressive, strong rebounder and I think as the game begins to slow down for her, she will be a solid interior scorer as well. It’s difficult to assess her potential as any kind of jump shooter but that may come a little further down the road. I am concerned with Jana’s free throw percentage as she will have go to the bench in a close, late, fouling kind of game which is obviously, not ideal.

 

[hoophuskee]

Well, they are missing half their shots!...but they are making half too.

Jana fg% is 50%, and Ice 49%. Not such a bad option, especially if I compare with some stars like JuJu at 45% and our friend Hidalgo at 48%. They both seem to be pretty good options for their teams.

We don't get production from our center, or our point guard.

Center: 11.5 ppg 9.5 rpg

Point: 10.9 ppg 7.0 apg

That's if we look at the platoons we are using, Ice/Jana & Chen/KK.

If these stats were coming from one person, rather than utilizing our depth, there would be less concern.

This should all keep improving, as we move through the Big East schedule. I think we CAN use BE games to work on developing our centers. Paige, Azzi, Chen and Sarah(amazingly) are already quite developed as players, but Jana, Ice and KK(+others) are still developing every game. The investment in improving our center (and point) play in relatively easier games will have a big return vs SC and in March.

But there is a huge difference between Hidalgo and Juju vs Jana. You can't use FG% when comparing a guard vs a center. And with Juju part of her effectiveness is getting to the line. If Hildalgo goes 3-6 from 3 vs Jana going 3-6 from 2, that isn't the same.

And with Juju she is getting to the line 7.7 times per game shooting at over 82%.

True Shoting % is much more accurate to use. In this stat HH is 59.1%. Juju is 57.5%. And Jana is 48.5%. .
That's the career difference betwen Larry Bird vs Hank Finkel.

 

[Majic Hands]

Since they don’t seem to have Jana posting up, fronting her defender so she could be more available for an entry pass. I’ll not be worried about her scoring.

My opinion is they have her working on defense and rebounding. Scoring whenever the opportunity presents itself. Like the other night when she really ran down the court and they got her the ball, and she missed the layup. Come February, March, she’ll not be missing layups.

Actually, I’ve thought Jana had been running the floor pretty well. However, since that burst of speed the other night. . . I’m feeling like she getting into basketball shape and feeling confident in her legs.

Everything we can worry about, the 5 isn’t one for me. I’m liking the direction Ice & Jana are moving towards.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I don't believe Golden State's style was another Villanova just as I don't believe UCONN is another Nova. Both had/have limited posts too. Well as I have said I love Geno's style. As a former guard in measly high school I want to see running. I want to see shots jacked up. And I want to see great players shoot the basketball and make tremendous passes. I don't find this last game monotonous, I call it heaven.

And Geno's style always seems to be attracting the next Sarah. The next Paige etc. This is much more exciting to me than worrying about which of our centers might get "9 points and 6 rebounds." The shot making was a thing of beauty.

My point is simply this: the best basketball has both. If girls keep growing then we'll end up with truly positionless basketball. 6'5" point guard? Maybe not. Although I have found I make myself the biggest fool when I say NEVER.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I don't believe Golden State's style was another Villanova just as I don't believe UCONN is another Nova. Both had/have limited posts too. Well as I have said I love Geno's style. As a former guard in measly high school I want to see running. I want to see shots jacked up. And I want to see great players shoot the basketball and make tremendous passes. I don't find this last game monotonous, I call it heaven.

And Geno's style always seems to be attracting the next Sarah. The next Paige etc. This is much more exciting to me than worrying about which of our centers might get "9 points and 6 rebounds." The shot making was a thing of beauty.

Of course it was a thing of beauty, but also rare enough to be a record and against an unrated team. Have a night when all the 3 ballers have pnuemonia and you might want a few more plays in the arsenal. This does happen you know. I think the men had a 3-18 night in the Elite 8; something like that.

 

[Conndog]

When UConn plays against teams with a big who is an important part of their success, the chance of that big getting into foul trouble increases if UConn has a scoring center- it forces that big to play defense. For that reason, having centers who score is a good thing and may be needed against a team like, for example, UCLA.

 

[BobbyJ]

Some comments on new posts (fun thread).

We don't want our centers to shoot as they are our worst option.

Well, they are missing half their shots!...but they are making half too.

Jana fg% is 50%, and Ice 49%. Not such a bad option, especially if I compare with some stars like JuJu at 45% and our friend Hidalgo at 48%. They both seem to be pretty good options for their teams.

We don't get production from our center, or our point guard.

Center: 11.5 ppg 9.5 rpg

Point: 10.9 ppg 7.0 apg

That's if we look at the platoons we are using, Ice/Jana & Chen/KK.

If these stats were coming from one person, rather than utilizing our depth, there would be less concern.

This should all keep improving, as we move through the Big East schedule. I think we CAN use BE games to work on developing our centers. Paige, Azzi, Chen and Sarah(amazingly) are already quite developed as players, but Jana, Ice and KK(+others) are still developing every game. The investment in improving our center (and point) play in relatively easier games will have a big return vs SC and in March.

Nice to see that someone understands this. If 8-9 kids are getting decent PT, there are not going to be enough possessions/shots for everyone to get 8-10 shots. With Auriemma using a lot of 4 guard/wing and 1 post lineups and as in the ISU game 3 players (Bueckers, Strong, and Shade) take 70% of the shots, neither Brady or El Alfy is going to get 30 MPG or enough shots to average 15-18 PPG. The 70% shot distribution makes sense because he runs the offense to maximize the number of shots for his 2-3 best scorers. If Bueckers and/or Strong is having an off night they're still not coming out of the game and they don't have 1-2 other kids that are going to replace that production because they're just not as talented. And because of her inconsistent availability he can't bank on Fudd every game to bail them out. People worry too much about individual stats. If the team is generating around 80+ PPG and playing good defense, the stats don't matter. They'll win almost all their games with that.

 

[hoophuskee]

lso,

Of course it was a thing of beauty, but also rare enough to be a record and against an unrated team. Have a night when all the 3 ballers have pnuemonia and you might want a few more plays in the arsenal. This does happen you know. I think the men had a 3-18 night in the Elite 8; something like that.

I agree with you. It was a thing of beauty. And please not a rank on you. But when you mentioned Nova and UCONN in similarity I just believe UCONN is galaxy far far away from Nova. And you say "what if they catch pneumonia." And if that's how you like to enjoy a game is looking at these type of things in this manner - then great. For me I'm not that way.

I prefer to watch my team put their foot on a team's throat and don't let up (be classy but destructive.). As a result if I see that a team can't stop us then I want to do and run to keep it up until the flag is raised. But once the flag is raised there are other jerseys’ on the court besides Jana. They came to UCONN to play too. And if they fit into UCONN's style of play - then why is it that they can't improve to be better contributor than Jana? It's not only Jana is the only one that can improve is it? One of the comments has been what if 3big starts go 3-18 again? Well first off there have been games that Michale Jordan and Diana Taurasi had bad games too. But secondly, there is always talk about a bench so this last game Celi drilled another 3. She's shotting excellent from 3. SO now that UOCNN has given her the green light as well as Allie - if they show consistency then in that game that UCONN is struggling wouldn't it be fantastic that they could step in drill 3's? Or are they going to have caught pneumonia too?

And in regard to having only 3 players-- well what about Iowa? If Iowa got as far as they did with just Clark, and their limited bench, and this UCONN team is more talented than that Iowa team, then why should UCONN go away from their strength if Iowa didn’t have to and still beat them once and gave them a pretty tough time the 2nd time?

And in regard to their shooting, I believe if this team did it once then they have the ability to do it again even if it isn't "20."

 

[Bone Dog]

And in regard to having only 3 players-- well what about Iowa? If Iowa got as far as they did with just Clark, and their limited bench,

I’m not sure I follow this part of your post. But you may have a good point t here. The way I see it, it took Lisa Bluder a couple of years to build the roster she had into something really special. It wasn’t only Clark. And when it was just Clark, they didn’t get very far. Czinano, Martin and Warnock were important contributors and very good players. Once they’d become a well-oiled machine, they made two serious runs. I give all the credit to Bluder for taking a team with one superstar and several supremely well-coached supporting players as far as she did.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

lso,

I agree with you. It was a thing of beauty. And please not a rank on you. But when you mentioned Nova and UCONN in similarity I just believe UCONN is galaxy far far away from Nova. And you say "what if they catch pneumonia." And if that's how you like to enjoy a game is looking at these type of things in this manner - then great. For me I'm not that way.

I prefer to watch my team put their foot on a team's throat and don't let up (be classy but destructive.). As a result if I see that a team can't stop us then I want to do and run to keep it up until the flag is raised. But once the flag is raised there are other jerseys’ on the court besides Jana. They came to UCONN to play too. And if they fit into UCONN's style of play - then why is it that they can't improve to be better contributor than Jana? It's not only Jana is the only one that can improve is it? One of the comments has been what if 3big starts go 3-18 again? Well first off there have been games that Michale Jordan and Diana Taurasi had bad games too. But secondly, there is always talk about a bench so this last game Celi drilled another 3. She's shotting excellent from 3. SO now that UOCNN has given her the green light as well as Allie - if they show consistency then in that game that UCONN is struggling wouldn't it be fantastic that they could step in drill 3's? Or are they going to have caught pneumonia too?

And in regard to having only 3 players-- well what about Iowa? If Iowa got as far as they did with just Clark, and their limited bench, and this UCONN team is more talented than that Iowa team, then why should UCONN go away from their strength if Iowa didn’t have to and still beat them once and gave them a pretty tough time the 2nd time?

And in regard to their shooting, I believe if this team did it once then they have the ability to do it again even if it isn't "20."

We're much the same. But I am a belt and suspenders guy, meaning in basketball I want versatility, including having both a high and low game. I accepted Geno's optimism on Jana because it was exceptional. She certainly will improve. And yes, you are right to expect the outside game to be strong and if Azzi gets going that is a lot of long guns firing. But I want a big who is more than a rim protector. And Nova, do you remember the team I call the Blonde Bombers? 3s, 3s, 3s 'til daddy takes the T-bird away.

 

[packwrap]

Of course it was a thing of beauty, but also rare enough to be a record and against an unrated team. Have a night when all the 3 ballers have pnuemonia and you might want a few more plays in the arsenal. This does happen you know. I think the men had a 3-18 night in the Elite 8; something like that.

Don't be surprised to see Iowa St rise like a phoenix back into the rankings. In theory they will still be a contender in the Big12.

They have 4 quality players in Ryan, Harris, Jones and Crooks. Basically this same team lost in overtime to Stanford w Brink and Kiki last year at ncaa. (That's also how Crooks became a name, and they were invited to Mohegan Sun, and they were #8 in pre season.)

I think they will find their mojo again in league play.

Good for our SOS if they do.

 

[Bone Dog]

They have 4 quality players in Ryan, Harris, Jones and Crooks.

Don’t forget Addy Brown.

 

[hoophuskee]

I’m not sure I follow this part of your post. But you may have a good point t here. The way I see it, it took Lisa Bluder a couple of years to build the roster she had into something really special. It wasn’t only Clark. And when it was just Clark, they didn’t get very far. Czinano, Martin and Warnock were important contributors and very good players. Once they’d become a well-oiled machine, they made two serious runs. I give all the credit to Bluder for taking a team with one superstar and several supremely well-coached supporting players as far as she did.

But we are talking about competing vs teams like SoCar, right? The big bruisng frontlines? And that you can't have so few scorers? Granted Scizano scored 18 but in that game it was just her and Clark (scoring 59 of the team's 77 points), and they beat not just a tall frontline but a mammoth one. And she had 3 rebounds. Three. So, would you agree that Sarah could equal the overall performance to some degree? And I believe Paige and Azzi in combo could certainly equal Clark too.

And my argument with Rocky also continued with his or her comment that you can't survive with just 3 players. The way I see it that in part Rocky was talking about this past game when he or she made reference to only having 3 players?. So, do you think no one else contributed this past game but the 3? So, I was taking Rocky's post in context.If someone is going to say UCONN's other players didn't contrubute other than the 3 and that you need more, then the same can be said of Iowa's vs big-bad SoCar. But we know that wasn't the case in that game.

So, in that game Warnock, Martin, and O'Grady were 7,5, and 4 points respectively shooting 4-10 (2-6 from 3). UCONN's other starters and bench could defintely do better than that. While they scored the same amount of points, UCONN doesn't have Azzi or Griffin either. SO, it should be a game we are thriled about, right? Rocky and some other posters don't seem to be thrilled. If Rocky is and others that have agreed with Rocky are, it sure doesn't sound like that to me.

 

[hoophuskee]

We're much the same. But I am a belt and suspenders guy, meaning in basketball I want versatility, including having both a high and low game. I accepted Geno's optimism on Jana because it was exceptional. She certainly will improve. And yes, you are right to expect the outside game to be strong and if Azzi gets going that is a lot of long guns firing. But I want a big who is more than a rim protector. And Nova, do you remember the team I call the Blonde Bombers? 3s, 3s, 3s 'til daddy takes the T-bird away.

Excellent post. Thank you for civil back and forth.

For me things that stick in my head for example one instance was years ago when the Giants were great and had Lawrence Taylor. They had a playoff game vs the Rams led by Anthony Dickerson. Late in the game the Giants were winning but the Rams were doing what they tried all game and it was run Dickerson. They started marching down the field. He was getting 3/4/6 yards per carry. Then they are near the goal line very late in the game and on a big play the Rams coach, Robinson, decides to call a running play up the gut hoping to trick the Giants with their fullback. Needless to say the Giants stuffed the run and ended up winning the game.

That was a HOF running back in a groove, and the coaching staff decides to take the ball out of his hands? That was nuts. Thus (other instances too) I have grown up believing stars win. And you play them and run them and play them until the other team screams UNCLE. I do understand exceptions however.

 

[Bone Dog]

And I believe Paige and Azzi in combo could certainly equal Clark too.

I’m often confused by your posts, though it’s probably my fault. It seems like you shift the topic in midstream, or maybe I just can’t keep up.

As for this remark, I’m particularly puzzled. In head to head competition, Paige alone has been the equal of Caitlin, splitting the series, and Azzi by herself proved that she’s at least Caitlin’s equal in their only game together. I’d express a caveat with regard to the last final four game, in which Caitlin, surrounded by a veteran squad put up better numbers.

The notion that a lineup with both Paige and Azzi would merely equal Caitlin seems odd to me.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Excellent post. Thank you for civil back and forth.

For me things that stick in my head for example one instance was years ago when the Giants were great and had Lawrence Taylor. They had a playoff game vs the Rams led by Anthony Dickerson. Late in the game the Giants were winning but the Rams were doing what they tried all game and it was run Dickerson. They started marching down the field. He was getting 3/4/6 yards per carry. Then they are near the goal line very late in the game and on a big play the Rams coach, Robinson, decides to call a running play up the gut hoping to trick the Giants with their fullback. Needless to say the Giants stuffed the run and ended up winning the game.

That was a HOF running back in a groove, and the coaching staff decides to take the ball out of his hands? That was nuts. Thus (other instances too) I have grown up believing stars win. And you play them and run them and play them until the other team screams UNCLE. I do understand exceptions however.

You,re welcome. It's so much better this way. Barking dogs should be left outside.

Lawrence Taylor was so much fun to watch. Using French for football, he was the definition of a nonpareil.

 

[freshler40]

Very accurate. Great post!
we didn't have a sarah strong or this ashlynn with liv or edwards. But I guess we'll see when we play SCs

While playing at the high post, Ice would be more effective by adding a short spin move toward the basket or at least see if any teammates are breaking and then pass to them or Sarah who might be a better choice to break for the hoop. She has size and great hands and can finish well. Ice normally doesn't look inside, just to pass to the wings.

 

[freshler40]

Not concerned with the total points from Ice and Jana. Would like to see more shot blocking with less fouls. In close games, 1-2 denied layups can change the momentum and foul shots made or missed often determines the final outcome.

Totally agree about the shot blocking. It is mostly missing by our two Bigs. A serious blocked shot can get in the head of an opponent. Unfortunately, in women's basketball, such attempts by players often result in ghost fouls being called. IMO, quick whistles plague inside play. The NBA seems to have settled this problem by not blowing the whistle if the shot is made. College basketball are endless calls and reviews to the determent of the game. The two-hour game is history.