Some thoughts on the ECU game:
- Any win is a good win. Clearly, ECU is not a good team, so I will temper my enthusiasm somewhat while pointing out some things that were nice to see in this game.
- I’m not sure who was wearing #13 for UConn, but she reminded me a lot of that kid Williams who played last year as a freshman. Christyn was shooting the ball a little flat in prior games. Today her mechanics looked much better.
- Good to see Evelyn provide some quality minutes.
- ASSIST OF THE SEASON!!! Anna’s backwards, up in the air, behind the back feed to a streaking Christyn. Please may I have some Polish mustard on my hotdog?
- Once again Geno starts the two freshmen in the second half. Both play well, and once again UConn goes on a run to start the 3rd qtr. Trend?
- Anna was so hot shooting the ball, someone should have called the fire department on her. When she gets in that zone, there is most definitely a KLS quality about her.
- Kyla starting over Anna or Aubrey will continue to generate discussion. Here’s my take. Geno believes he gets better minutes from the freshmen off the bench right now, and he’s not confident how they will react as starters. In addition, if Geno starts either freshman, he basically has a 6-player rotation in big games. That may ultimately be where UConn ends up, but for now, starting Kyla extends UConn’s bench to at least 7.
Not much to say, you covered it all. Agree with all of your observations, especially the last one. Kyla can start. He can bring Anna and Aubrey in at anytime. Some players are more comfortable coming off the bench. I also like those two starting the 3rd quarter. They can pick up where they left off at the half without having to start cold, and try to gain momentum again. And that hot dog, you're right. There was plenty of "Polish" mustard on it on that play.
You can't practice that. That was all instinct, timing and being in the right place at the right time. Anna didn't hesitate. It was all one smooth motion,
a perfect pass that Christyn caught in stride, and rode to the basket. In baseball, they call that a "bang-bang" play.
We might see that play on ESPN's SportCenter tonight.
I'm enjoying THIS season, but I'm really going to enjoy next year when all of the new talent arrives, and Anna and Aubrey will know they system and will have made that sophomore leap. And of course there will be plenty of debate over whether or not Paige Bueckers, a true freshman will start at the point for Geno next year. If she's as good as advertised, he may not have a choice.
Megan and Christyn will also step their game up a notch. UConn will be a top 3 team
all year. I expect Baylor (they lose 6-4 Cox, but gain 6-5 Hanna Guesters) and Oregon (loses Ionescu, no replacement) to lose some shine and potency next year. South Carolina will be right there all year.
Post edit - I CALLED IT!!! Talking about the no-look pass Anna made to Christyn - I said: "We might see that play on ESPN's SportsCenter tonight." Well, it was # 3 on the top plays of the day on ESPN's SportsCenter tonight. That was a spectacular play. One of which I doubt we'll see the likes of again this year. You know who started that play with a "perfect" long outlet pass? That's right..............Aubrey.
