DefenseBB
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As the regular season finishes up today or this week and we enter the Conference Tourney’s, I think of what schools are on good run (playing well), what schools are stumbling to the finish line, what schools can right themselves and make a run for the NCAA tourney.
To me, there are 3 known teams who can disrupt UConn’s “flow” and 1 potential team so to see how these 4 perform here is interesting.
#1. ND knows UConn well, has history and is not intimidated. They have suffered a serious spate of injuries this year and Muffet has been masterful in her coaching to have this team #5 in the country. That said, without Brianna Turner, no true point guard, suspect championship defense and no depth, I don’t think we have to worry too much about them this year. In fact, depending who gets put in their region, ND could have trouble getting to the FF. Kudos to MM and next year, they will be formidable.
#2. Miss State beat UConn last year so obviously they have to be a worry. They should be placed in KC region and should have a fairly easy run to the Final Four. Once there, I have only mild concerns on this team. After McCowan, they don’t have size, their defensive presser is not nearly the same as last year and their depth is suspect. I like our matchups with them as Kia will be on Vivians and a much improved Crystal Dangerfield will be on Morgan William. Morgan, btw needs to use the SEC tournament to reassert her leadership. She is not the same player she was this time a year ago. So I think with Gabby fronting Teira and Z and Pheesa guarding/helping, KLS can handle Blair Schaefer who only shoots 3’s, albeit very well but Lou’s size will stifle her.
#3. Texas played UConn extremely close at home and that game was Texas’ best effort by far. I am not sure they can replicate that and their Conference Tourney play is crucial for them. That said, I still see an offensively challenged Longhorn team that we now know their game and will handle them.
#4. Baylor....this team worries me the most and I know many on this board are very dismissive of both teams with large front courts as weak against UConn traditionally and dismissive of Kim Mulkey’s coaching. I postulate this to counter those two trains of thoughts:
This BU team plays together better than past renditions and has very good guard play with Kristy Wallace, a strong post passer in LaurenCox, who btw is playing like the #1 HS prospect from 2016. Brown is having a very good year, but she’s not my worry as much as Cohen, Cox, Landrum, Richards and Wallace. Plus I do think Kim has changed ever so slightly after last years media firestorm and her untimely/inappropriate comments. Despite our typical criticisms of her, she is an excellent coach, has 2 NCs and is a Hall of Fame Coach. Her teams run in the Big12 will tell me how worried I should be. Remember, last year WVa beat them.
After these 4, I hate to say it due to superstition, but no one else worries me. Of course, I probably would have said this exact same thing last year, ignoring MSU, so what to I really know...
Have at it and let us know your thoughts.
To me, there are 3 known teams who can disrupt UConn’s “flow” and 1 potential team so to see how these 4 perform here is interesting.
#1. ND knows UConn well, has history and is not intimidated. They have suffered a serious spate of injuries this year and Muffet has been masterful in her coaching to have this team #5 in the country. That said, without Brianna Turner, no true point guard, suspect championship defense and no depth, I don’t think we have to worry too much about them this year. In fact, depending who gets put in their region, ND could have trouble getting to the FF. Kudos to MM and next year, they will be formidable.
#2. Miss State beat UConn last year so obviously they have to be a worry. They should be placed in KC region and should have a fairly easy run to the Final Four. Once there, I have only mild concerns on this team. After McCowan, they don’t have size, their defensive presser is not nearly the same as last year and their depth is suspect. I like our matchups with them as Kia will be on Vivians and a much improved Crystal Dangerfield will be on Morgan William. Morgan, btw needs to use the SEC tournament to reassert her leadership. She is not the same player she was this time a year ago. So I think with Gabby fronting Teira and Z and Pheesa guarding/helping, KLS can handle Blair Schaefer who only shoots 3’s, albeit very well but Lou’s size will stifle her.
#3. Texas played UConn extremely close at home and that game was Texas’ best effort by far. I am not sure they can replicate that and their Conference Tourney play is crucial for them. That said, I still see an offensively challenged Longhorn team that we now know their game and will handle them.
#4. Baylor....this team worries me the most and I know many on this board are very dismissive of both teams with large front courts as weak against UConn traditionally and dismissive of Kim Mulkey’s coaching. I postulate this to counter those two trains of thoughts:
This BU team plays together better than past renditions and has very good guard play with Kristy Wallace, a strong post passer in LaurenCox, who btw is playing like the #1 HS prospect from 2016. Brown is having a very good year, but she’s not my worry as much as Cohen, Cox, Landrum, Richards and Wallace. Plus I do think Kim has changed ever so slightly after last years media firestorm and her untimely/inappropriate comments. Despite our typical criticisms of her, she is an excellent coach, has 2 NCs and is a Hall of Fame Coach. Her teams run in the Big12 will tell me how worried I should be. Remember, last year WVa beat them.
After these 4, I hate to say it due to superstition, but no one else worries me. Of course, I probably would have said this exact same thing last year, ignoring MSU, so what to I really know...
Have at it and let us know your thoughts.
