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

[hoophuskee]

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.

I was being kind.
Anyhow, my posts have been saying UCONN is fine with just 3 players. And I use Iowa as a case in point. That's the context of my posts. What's confusingto me is why you brought up Wornack and Martin as if they were significant difference makers in 2022-2023 offensively while I was disagreeing wiht anyone that suggested UCONN needs more than 3 scorers vs a team like SOCar.

 

[Bone Dog]

I was being kind.
Anyhow, my posts have been saying UCONN is fine with just 3 players. And I use Iowa as a case in point. That's the context of my posts. What's confusingto me is why you brought up Wornack and Martin as if they were significant difference makers in 2022-2023 offensively while I was disagreeing wiht anyone that suggested UCONN needs more than 3 scorers vs a team like SOCar.

In the game against us on the OOC in 22-23, Martin shot the lights out from 3. Warnock also played really well. But that was only in the context of misreading your kindness. Interestingly, we had 4 or even 5 serious scorers that season with Azzi Caroline Lou and Aaliyah//Dorka. Of course, it all went to heck with injuries before January. This is also where we are this season with 4 or 5 scorers in Paige Sarah Azzi Ash and Aubrey, if only the injury gods will allow it.

And by “serious scorer” I mean someone who will average 8-10+ points all season but can bust out for 20+ points when needed.

 

[Urshurak]

I think yes. Its a big issue because UConn does not have the post play required to win in March. Not even close. Ice isn't ever going to happen. Maybe Jana someday, but not this season. Sarah as a 5 could work, but not sure that's a solution in the long run.

Honestly, not sure what they can even do at this point. Maybe Geno will figure it out. Hoping he does.

 

[JellyBean]

Did Boston's presence limit SC guards or Stewart limit UConn's guards? No! Also, while Jana has not been blocking many shots she has been altering a number of them and causing shots to be missed.

Which year? It doesn't matter. South Carolina guards were never consistent

 

[veryolddog]

For years, I have been saying that we need "big" players 6' 5" and over. Now that we got one: WHAT?

 

[HuskyNan]

For years, I have been saying that we need "big" players 6' 5" and over. Now that we got one: WHAT?

Geno had one last year (Amari) and Piath a couple years before. Next year, he’ll add 6-6 Gandy Malou-Mamel

A 6-6 center from Limerick, Ireland, Malou-Mamel represented Ireland at the 2024 FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket Division B tournament. She averaged 10.6 points and 10.0 rebounds in the tournament.

"Gandy is in some ways raw, but she has a couple characteristics that are really valuable," Auriemma said. "She runs the floor great, and she wants to play defense and rebound the ball. We certainly could use another big post presence, and she'll be a great compliment to the bigs we have on the roster now."

Malou-Mamel attends Gill St. Bermard's in Gladstone, N.J. She averaged 16.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in 2023-24.

UConn Signs Fisher, Malou-Mamel - University of Connecticut Athletics

Head coach Geno Auriemma announced the signing of Kelis Fisher and Gandy Malou-Mamel to the 2025 freshman class Thursday.

uconnhuskies.com

 

[veryolddog]

Geno had one last year (Amari) and Piath a couple years before. Next year, he’ll add 6-6 Gandy Malou-Mamel

A 6-6 center from Limerick, Ireland, Malou-Mamel represented Ireland at the 2024 FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket Division B tournament. She averaged 10.6 points and 10.0 rebounds in the tournament.

"Gandy is in some ways raw, but she has a couple characteristics that are really valuable," Auriemma said. "She runs the floor great, and she wants to play defense and rebound the ball. We certainly could use another big post presence, and she'll be a great compliment to the bigs we have on the roster now."

Malou-Mamel attends Gill St. Bermard's in Gladstone, N.J. She averaged 16.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in 2023-24.

UConn Signs Fisher, Malou-Mamel - University of Connecticut Athletics

Head coach Geno Auriemma announced the signing of Kelis Fisher and Gandy Malou-Mamel to the 2025 freshman class Thursday.

uconnhuskies.com

How come other colleges/university acquire big players and they are used and turn out well. All over especially South Carolina.

 

[Bigboote]

Geno had one last year (Amari) and Piath a couple years before. Next year, he’ll add 6-6 Gandy Malou-Mamel

A 6-6 center from Limerick, Ireland, Malou-Mamel represented Ireland at the 2024 FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket Division B tournament. She averaged 10.6 points and 10.0 rebounds in the tournament.

"Gandy is in some ways raw, but she has a couple characteristics that are really valuable," Auriemma said. "She runs the floor great, and she wants to play defense and rebound the ball. We certainly could use another big post presence, and she'll be a great compliment to the bigs we have on the roster now."

Malou-Mamel attends Gill St. Bermard's in Gladstone, N.J. She averaged 16.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in 2023-24.

UConn Signs Fisher, Malou-Mamel - University of Connecticut Athletics

Head coach Geno Auriemma announced the signing of Kelis Fisher and Gandy Malou-Mamel to the 2025 freshman class Thursday.

uconnhuskies.com

Geno had me at “(Gandy) wants to rebound.”

 

[Zarathustra]

Geno had one last year (Amari) and Piath a couple years before. Next year, he’ll add 6-6 Gandy Malou-Mamel

A 6-6 center from Limerick, Ireland, Malou-Mamel represented Ireland at the 2024 FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket Division B tournament. She averaged 10.6 points and 10.0 rebounds in the tournament.

"Gandy is in some ways raw, but she has a couple characteristics that are really valuable," Auriemma said. "She runs the floor great, and she wants to play defense and rebound the ball. We certainly could use another big post presence, and she'll be a great compliment to the bigs we have on the roster now."

Malou-Mamel attends Gill St. Bermard's in Gladstone, N.J. She averaged 16.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in 2023-24.

UConn Signs Fisher, Malou-Mamel - University of Connecticut Athletics

Head coach Geno Auriemma announced the signing of Kelis Fisher and Gandy Malou-Mamel to the 2025 freshman class Thursday.

uconnhuskies.com

I like Gandy Malou- Mamel... Then in 2026 there is a wonderful
"unknown" named "THE BIG O". For those of you who are
unfamiliar with Croatian History... Google: the Croatian Women's National
Team for U17 on the Fiba website... UCONN is in her FINAL 12 listing!
(please, this is intended to be humorous... not harsh comments, if possible!)

 

[HuskyNan]

Geno had me at “(Gandy) wants to rebound.”

 

[can4]

There was a side discussion during the game about whether or not we can win given our lack of traditional Offensive post play. @hoophuskee @donalddoowop among others.

My opinion is we DONT need it to win (we won by our biggest margin last night without it) but It's a huge help. Heres why:
Post play can:
-Open up the perimeter by drawing d's down
-Create typically high %shots
-Create dbl teams down low
- slow the game down in the half court creating more opportunities especially if you have a player who can pass out of the post.
Etc

This team is built different and it's not the Wnba/Nba where all teams are theoretically equal and most teams have former AA's at the 5.

We have 3-4 very high %scorers. When they shoot like that, this IS their game. It's not an anomaly.

Paige and Sarah do Create double teams and open things up. They do get to the lane and score inside. Plus they are the best player and freshman in the country, respectively. We also have the best 3rd and 4th options in fudd and shade.

That means a lot.

Final statement: Post play is super valuable. We don't have it- yet we win, and are co-favorites to win it all. If we NEED post play to win, and we beat one or both SCs coming up, then the NEED argument just dissolves into theory.

If we NEED post play to win=we don't have it now, does this mean it's impossible to win it all this year? I bet differently.

We need OFFENSE from the post to win it all. That much is glaringly obvious. Without it the following things happen:

Our three point shooting suffers because defense can double up knowing they are, effectively playing 5 on 3
Our three point defense or "perimeter defense" suffers because people get gassed
Our foul point shooting suffers because our elite defenders get gassed making up for the two or three people who do not score
do not preach to me about intangibles because he have had people like Swin, Ashja (SP), Tamika, And oh so many others who rebound the ball and score.
In the absence of athleticism and scoring from Chen you are going to have very serious issues when confronted with speedy, athletic guards. Like you are going to be playing 2 on 4 or 5. Good times.

Given all that, We did pretty well. It could have been a crap show.

I for one do not get the Chen love fest with athletic teams. Not going to happen for her there.
KK is athletic. Shooting not so much.

but winning without post presence not going to occur
Also exhausts Paige, Sarah and others. Insane. Absence of inside out game. Assists go down. Cannot play sets. Post game seriously lacking right now. Limits us. Bad times.

 

[hoophuskee]

How come other colleges/university acquire big players and they are used and turn out well. All over especially South Carolina.

How come other than 1 year in the 15 or 16 that "all those colleges" with the exception of SoCar haven't had near the success of UCONN? SoCar- sure. But who else. Please identify these other teams when you say "all over."

 

[BRS24]

Been seeing a bit of vitriol towards some players, and that material got removed. We get it. Some are not happy with their contributions, etc, however IMHO this team is a work in progress. Let's see what happens over the next few weeks before assuming anything about March. Peace.

 

[meyers7]

Well we don't need a Charles or Lobo or Wolters or even a Dolson. But if we could get El Alfy and/or ICE to a JMoore or ONO or even a Schumaker level, that would be very, very helpful.

 

[Mandoo]

One distinction that might help: back to the basket vs face to the basket play. This maps (almost) onto the difference between low-post vs high-post play. Geno has always preferred bigs who can play high as well as low post. On offense, a high post, face to the basket scorer opens up the paint while a low post, back to the basket scorer clogs it up.

In high school, both Ice and Jana showed good high post skills. Jana has yet to rebuild this portion of her game since the injury. Ice could take more elbow jumpers. Jana wants to drive to the lane but hasn’t recovered this ability yet, at least not at a D1 level.

If I think about recent post players, I see various examples of these skills. Aaliyah had the full package by her last two season, good low post moves, an excellent elbow jumper and could drive the lane and the baseline really well. Liv was a tremendous high post passer and had pretty good low post moves. Phee had tremendous low post moves, a great midrange shooting game and was a brilliant passer. By her last two seasons, Gabby had a similar arsenal. Stewie was a tremendous low post scorer, but her midrange and perimeter game may have been even better. When I think of Stewie, the phrase ‘back to the basket’ isn’t what mainly comes to mind.

Another thing UConn’s recent posts were good at is transition scoring. Liv and Aaliyah ran the floor really well and could finish at the rim on the break. We haven’t seen much of this from Ice and Jana, but they move well enough to add this to their game. Having a big who can run the floor can be intimidating to opposing teams.

The upshot of all this is that back to the basket game is only one part of a good big’s arsenal. For reference, it’s almost all Audi has, besides setting good screens at the top of the key. Geno wants more than this from his post players. Ice and Jana will develop this broader game in the coming months and years.

Signs that they’re developing well in Geno’s scheme would be

1. More reliable low post moves
2. Reliable midrange shooting
3. Driving the lane and the baseline
4. Running the court in transition
5. Finishing on the break

All of this will come. I’m willing to watch patiently.

PS: oops, I forgot Dorka. I’m sure everyone can fill in the blanks for her.

With Dorka, we'd be at or near the top of the ratings. Our centers take up space but neither is a great rebounder consistently. Neither strikes me as a "natural".

 

[JoePgh]

Well we don't need a Charles or Lobo or Wolters or even a Dolson. But if we could get El Alfy and/or ICE to a JMoore or ONO or even a Schumaker level, that would be very, very helpful.

Yea, verily.

Getting size is no big problem. UConn has had Amari deBerry and Piath Gabriel in recent times. Did that help? In olden times, UConn had 6-7 Christine Rigby ("the Big Rig"), and she occupied a very big spot on the bench.

Ideally, we would like high-quality bigs, but Aliyah Boston candidates don't come along all the time, and some of them prefer other schools. I don't think Reagan Beers was at the Boston level, and I don't think her presence on the team would have turned the team's two losses this year into wins (I saw in a box score that she fouled out in about 19 minutes in a recent game for Oklahoma), but she would have helped.

So UConn may sometimes have to settle for "pretty good bigs" (like those mentioned above: Jessica Moore, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, and Kelly Schumacher), or for very athletic forwards such as Sarah and Aaliyah Edwards who are only "pretty big" (a category that includes Swin, Asjha, and Tamika who were undefeated as seniors and won an NC). With the talent that this team has at other positions, that should be enough. I think Jana and Ice can get to that level this year (and will get help from Aubrey and Morgan), and I think Jana can and will reach the All-American level before she graduates.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

There was a side discussion during the game about whether or not we can win given our lack of traditional Offensive post play. @hoophuskee @donalddoowop among others.

My opinion is we DONT need it to win (we won by our biggest margin last night without it) but It's a huge help. Heres why:
Post play can:
-Open up the perimeter by drawing d's down
-Create typically high %shots
-Create dbl teams down low
- slow the game down in the half court creating more opportunities especially if you have a player who can pass out of the post.
Etc

This team is built different and it's not the Wnba/Nba where all teams are theoretically equal and most teams have former AA's at the 5.

We have 3-4 very high %scorers. When they shoot like that, this IS their game. It's not an anomaly.

Paige and Sarah do Create double teams and open things up. They do get to the lane and score inside. Plus they are the best player and freshman in the country, respectively. We also have the best 3rd and 4th options in fudd and shade.

That means a lot.

Final statement: Post play is super valuable. We don't have it- yet we win, and are co-favorites to win it all. If we NEED post play to win, and we beat one or both SCs coming up, then the NEED argument just dissolves into theory.

If we NEED post play to win=we don't have it now, does this mean it's impossible to win it all this year? I bet differently.

If we get Azzi back, game after game, that might be what we need. I also think the loss of Caroline has hurt UConn more than people realize or have forgotten about. For my money, over the past couple of years, the loss of Caroline has been by far UConn’s biggest loss. I mean the way she took over the reins and led UConn when Paige got hurt the first time, especially with some last minute heroics in some key wins. When Caroline was leading the team, I never knew a UConn player with better court sense, when to cut, when not to, terrific outside shooter, rebounder, ball handler, and she could see things developing before other players could. Only one better was Diana. Ducharme was ranked 5th nationally coming out of high school, and maybe should have been ranked a couple spots higher.

 

[reelfan]

Short answer, YES.

 

[uconnfan68]

Geno had one last year (Amari) and Piath a couple years before. Next year, he’ll add 6-6 Gandy Malou-Mamel

A 6-6 center from Limerick, Ireland, Malou-Mamel represented Ireland at the 2024 FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket Division B tournament. She averaged 10.6 points and 10.0 rebounds in the tournament.

"Gandy is in some ways raw, but she has a couple characteristics that are really valuable," Auriemma said. "She runs the floor great, and she wants to play defense and rebound the ball. We certainly could use another big post presence, and she'll be a great compliment to the bigs we have on the roster now."

Malou-Mamel attends Gill St. Bermard's in Gladstone, N.J. She averaged 16.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in 2023-24.

UConn Signs Fisher, Malou-Mamel - University of Connecticut Athletics

Head coach Geno Auriemma announced the signing of Kelis Fisher and Gandy Malou-Mamel to the 2025 freshman class Thursday.

uconnhuskies.com

Saw a clip of her from this year, and she looks quite a bit more like Jana now, size-wise. Previous clips showed her ability to run the floor really well. Hope she still has that. Showed good hands and a good touch.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

If UConn had more offense from our BIGS it would open up much more of Geno's offense to exploit the weakness of the defense!
It doesn't have to be much from Ice and Jana, just 8 to 10 points each with rebounds and sound sound defensive technique will really help make UConn more of a threat!

 

[packwrap]

If UConn had more offense from our BIGS it would open up much more of Geno's offense to exploit the weakness of the defense!
It doesn't have to be much from Ice and Jana, just 8 to 10 points each with rebounds and sound sound defensive technique will really help make UConn more of a threat!

We play 2 front court players every game.

Sarah is also a frontcourt player averaging 18 points and 9 rebounds per game.

If we say a BIG is only the center, then look at how our opponent's center played in our losses.

Notre Dame - Koval - 30 min - 4 pts 7 reb

U$C - Marshall - 31 min - 6pts 9 reb.

Somehow these 2 teams were able to beat a top 5 team like UConn without much scoring from the center.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

We play 2 front court players every game.

Sarah is also a frontcourt player averaging 18 points and 9 rebounds per game.

If we say a BIG is only the center, then look at how our opponent's center played in our losses.

Notre Dame - Koval - 30 min - 4 pts 7 reb

U$C - Marshall - 31 min - 6pts 9 reb.

Somehow these 2 teams were able to beat a top 5 team like UConn without much scoring from the center.

packwrap- - - I was only saying if there was a little more scoring up front it would take pressure off our back court!

 

[Jumpy Radar]

My answer is yes! It doesn't need to be high volume scoring in the post, but respectful enough so that it frees up the double teams we see constantly on Paige. In the past (Championship Years) we have always had a respectable post-game. Not all were the most dominant players, but they did command the respect of the opponent, and we WON!

 

[oldhusky]

How come other colleges/university acquire big players and they are used and turn out well. All over especially South Carolina.

We have missed out on several bigs that could have made a significant difference, but also the highly recruited bigs we did get, at least recently, have disappointed relative to their HS rank. Amari was #15 and never even cracked the rotation. Ayanna was #4, had an injury plagued disappointing first year, and hasn't played since. Ice at #5 has at least been somewhat of a contributor, but nowhere close to what would be expected based on that HS ranking.

Sometimes players exceed expectations relative to their rankings and sometimes they don't. We have had both types over the years but for a few years now we have missed on getting some bigs and others have fallen short of expectations based on their HS rankings.

i don't think the book has been written yet on Ayanna. because I don't think she was healthy her first year, but with her injury history her career could go many different directions. Jana has shown rebounding and scoring ability that gives hope she could be a top big, but ideally if we had added Beers, Iriafen or Betts the last year or two, Jana could have developed at her own pace, but given our situation, she is needed now, ready or not.

Next year Gandy will be interesting. Not a particularly high recruit, at least by Uconn standards, and admittedly raw, but with obvious defensive/rebounding abilities. Maybe she can be a recruit that overachieves relative to HS rankings. As far as the main question of do we need scoring from the post to win it all? I think it would certainly help, but more important is just having a high level player there. If we had a player like Kia Stokes at the 5, I think we could be very good. A great rebounder/defender who makes a high percentage of layups, but isn't a volume scorer is fine if you have enough scorers elsewhere. Paige, Sarah and a healthy Azzi would meet that need.

 

[HuskyNan]

Next year Gandy will be interesting. Not a particularly high recruit, at least by Uconn standards, and admittedly raw, but with obvious defensive/rebounding abilities. Maybe she can be a recruit that overachieves relative to HS rankings. As far as the main question of do we need scoring from the post to win it all? I think it would certainly help, but more important is just having a high level player there. If we had a player like Kia Stokes at the 5, I think we could be very good. A great rebounder/defender who makes a high percentage of layups, but isn't a volume scorer is fine if you have enough scorers elsewhere. Paige, Sarah and a healthy Azzi would meet that need.

Gandy is a raw talent because she started playing later than most Div I girls, at about age 12 and she didn’t play seriously until about age 15. She came to the U.S. 3-4 years ago where she’s received superior coaching compared to her tutelage in Ireland. Her development has been rapid her in the U.S., since I began watching her a few years ago

How Gandy Malou-Mamel went from no-name Irish prospect to UConn commit

The newest Husky only started playing when she was 12 and didn't begin to seriously develop until she arrived in the United States last summer.

www.uconnwbbweekly.com