ESPN Article on Paige and Uconn

[browns]

'Everybody eats': UConn still finding ways to win without Paige Bueckers at her best

Since she returned from injury, Paige Bueckers hasn't been the same transcendent player she was last season. UConn has learned to win no matter who's on the floor.

www.espn.com

 

[msf22b]

The dilemma wth "Everybody eats," is that as has been discussed to death on his forum; Nika, and Caroline were afterthoughts in the 2nd half, and the contribution of E is not mentioned in the article.

A Paige centric piece is not illuminating a this time, perhaps gains viewers, but does not provide wisdom (at least to discerning UConn fans)

 

[browns]

The dilemma wth "Everybody eats," is that as has been discussed to death on his forum; Nika, and Caroline were afterthoughts in the 2nd half, and the contribution of E is not mentioned in the article.

A Paige centric piece is not illuminating a this time, perhaps gains viewers, but does not provide wisdom (at least to discerning UConn fans)

I think Uconn fans would be interested to know what ESPN 's Alexa Philippo has to say

 

[BostonCanuck]

"Paige is another example that you're only as good as your teammates," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said at the time. "You're only as good as the team around you. You're going to have to have players who are that good, who rise above it. Arizona proved that for sure."

UConn's offense will need to remain balanced. The Huskies' three-big rotation (senior Olivia Nelson-Ododa, sophomore Aaliyah Edwards and Juhász, a graduate transfer) hasn't been stellar to start the tournament, and was mostly missing in action offensively against UCF, scoring just 10 points in the paint against the Knights' physical post players. That trio will need to offer more productivity inside to take pressure off the guards.

Through the adversity of losing Bueckers and seven others to injury or illness at some point this season, they had to learn how to win no matter who's on the floor. Now, without Bueckers at 100%, they have a shot on making true on that statement on the biggest of stages -- as long as everybody eats.

 

[#12in21]

https://theuconnblog.com/2022/3/24/22992942/uconn-huskies-womens-basketball-weekly-as-sweet-sixteen-approaches-the-rotation-is-still-uncertain?utm_campaign=danielvconnolly&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter…

See link to article above: re: rotation uncertainty

I for one am hoping we get back to the nine person rotation and ride it right through the championship game. With each game I also hope to see Paige take a few more shots and see them fall through the net. The great thing is that this is a very different team around her than pre injury this season or post season last year. She doesn't have to carry this team on her back she can just be the player that assures the win. There are eight other players on this team whose combined gifts can get us to the win. If everything gells we can be the last team standing at the final whistle and cut down the nets!. But one game at a time - take care of Indiana on Saturday with solid contributions from 'all nine starters'.

 

[f1f1ferrari]

I think that if Paige isn't 100% (and not likely to be the rest of the way), they should go back to the starting lineup they used in the Big East tourney and have Paige come off the bench. The flow of the game was much smoother and seemed to be much more effective. To me, anyway.

 

[Ouremblem]

I just have a feeling when we play SC or Stanford that CD is going to matter quite a bit. A big can’t chase her around the 3 point line and she does box out taller players pretty well. Her all round game is pretty good. I remember KLS struggling and then lighting up Louisville in Albany. You never know which shot in which game will totally turn things around.

 

[my2cents]

Garbage article. Paige is physically 100% per all reports. Geno's comments about how she Paige is not the same player, IMO, has been taken way out of context.
The comparison to last year makes no sense because we have added lots of pieces where the scoring can be spread around. Fudd is a pretty good option.
Because of that UCONN doesn't need Paige to shoot 26 times.
However, if we are using the last game as our example, Paige shot 45% for the game, the team, less than 30%. Yet, Paige is the one that is not right?
Let's highlight that she missed two shots at the end of the game, one was a rush job as the time expired, and the other three went in and out......OMG Paige is human.
Some guy posted that Paige is not a great player anymore , just good, because she missed that last shot, lol. I pointed out to him that if she declared for the WNBA draft tomorrow she would be the number 1 pick ( which he agreed), but she is still just merely good because I am using her past performances as an example, and the coach said she is only good. Ridiculous.
Paige has way more options to pass to, and she is not interested in scoring points, just winning and lets hope that continues regardless of which Paige shows up.

 

[CL82]

The dilemma wth "Everybody eats," is that as has been discussed to death on his forum; Nika, and Caroline were afterthoughts in the 2nd half, and the contribution of E is not mentioned in the article.

Do you actually believe that Gino wasn’t aware of them on the bench? Because that seems unlikely to me. Far more likely, in my opinion, is that he looked at the matchups and choose the players he felt gave him the greatest advantage on the floor against UCF. That is consistent with what Geno said in his press conference, of course, perhaps he isn’t quite as “discerning” a UConn basketball fan as you are.

 

[jchusky]

I just have a feeling when we play SC or Stanford that CD is going to matter quite a bit. A big can’t chase her around the 3 point line and she does box out taller players pretty well. Her all round game is pretty good. I remember KLS struggling and then lighting up Louisville in Albany. You never know which shot in which game will totally turn things around.

how about beating Indiana and Nc st before there is even a discussion about SC and Stanford.

 

[browns]

Garbage article. Paige is physically 100% per all reports. Geno's comments about how she Paige is not the same player, IMO, has been taken way out of context.
The comparison to last year makes no sense because we have added lots of pieces where the scoring can be spread around. Fudd is a pretty good option.
Because of that UCONN doesn't need Paige to shoot 26 times.
However, if we are using the last game as our example, Paige shot 45% for the game, the team, less than 30%. Yet, Paige is the one that is not right?
Let's highlight that she missed two shots at the end of the game, one was a rush job as the time expired, and the other three went in and out......OMG Paige is human.
Some guy posted that Paige is not a great player anymore , just good, because she missed that last shot, lol. I pointed out to him that if she declared for the WNBA draft tomorrow she would be the number 1 pick ( which he agreed), but she is still just merely good because I am using her past performances as an example, and the coach said she is only good. Ridiculous.
Paige has way more options to pass to, and she is not interested in scoring points, just winning and lets hope that continues regardless of which Paige shows up.

I guess you should be the coach seeing you know more than him

 

[my2cents]

I guess you should be the coach seeing you know more than him

Where did I say I know more than the coach?

 

[hoopsfan22]

Garbage article. Paige is physically 100% per all reports. Geno's comments about how she Paige is not the same player, IMO, has been taken way out of context.
The comparison to last year makes no sense because we have added lots of pieces where the scoring can be spread around. Fudd is a pretty good option.
Because of that UCONN doesn't need Paige to shoot 26 times.
However, if we are using the last game as our example, Paige shot 45% for the game, the team, less than 30%. Yet, Paige is the one that is not right?
Let's highlight that she missed two shots at the end of the game, one was a rush job as the time expired, and the other three went in and out......OMG Paige is human.
Some guy posted that Paige is not a great player anymore , just good, because she missed that last shot, lol. I pointed out to him that if she declared for the WNBA draft tomorrow she would be the number 1 pick ( which he agreed), but she is still just merely good because I am using her past performances as an example, and the coach said she is only good. Ridiculous.
Paige has way more options to pass to, and she is not interested in scoring points, just winning and lets hope that continues regardless of which Paige shows up.

Yes they do. 52 points isn't going to get it done against the remaining tough opponents, and if Paige isn't a threat to score, then she's just a less healthy version of Nika without the tight defense.

 

[dogpause]

The dilemma wth "Everybody eats," is that as has been discussed to death on his forum; Nika, and Caroline were afterthoughts in the 2nd half, and the contribution of E is not mentioned in the article.

A Paige centric piece is not illuminating a this time, perhaps gains viewers, but does not provide wisdom (at least to discerning UConn fans)

This is a silly criticsim IMO. You want to dicate the percentage of articles that can feature Paige, or charge a cover by insisting on the inclusion of Evina, or someone else who in your opinion has not been give equal attention?

 

[my2cents]

Yes they do. 52 points isn't going to get it done against the remaining tough opponents, and if Paige isn't a threat to score, then she's just a less healthy version of Nika without the tight defense.

Geno always says that he has a plan before the game starts and then he has to react to the actual game that is going on. If our offense is so bad that he needs Paige to shoot 26 times, then he has to tell her that.
My point is that last year, where we came up short, Paige needed to shoot a lot. The biggest difference between last year and this year, Azzi Fudd. Fudd is a generational shooter that takes some of the scoring pressure off Paige, not replace it.
Having a lot of weapons is a good thing going into a game.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Geno always says that he has a plan before the game starts and then he has to react to the actual game that is going on. If our offense is so bad that he needs Paige to shoot 26 times, then he has to tell her that.
My point is that last year, where we came up short, Paige needed to shoot a lot. The biggest difference between last year and this year, Azzi Fudd. Fudd is a generational shooter that takes some of the scoring pressure off Paige, not replace it.
Having a lot of weapons is a good thing going into a game.

Azzi Fudd averages 12 pts and shoots at a 48% clip. That puts her outside of the top 250 in scoring and just inside the top 100 for FG%. Doesn't seem generational if there are hundreds of kids better statistically.

 

[my2cents]

Azzi Fudd averages 12 pts and shoots at a 48% clip. That puts her outside of the top 250 in scoring and just inside the top 100 for FG%. Doesn't seem generational if there are hundreds of kids better statistically.

and how many of those 100's of better kids, made 4 clutch threes, key foul shots against the number 1 defense in the country, during the most watched game on TV in years, and help their team go to their 28th straight sweet sixteen?

 

[jchusky]

and how many of those 100's of better kids, made 4 clutch threes, key foul shots against the number 1 defense in the country, during the most watched game on TV in years, and help their team go to their 28th straight sweet sixteen?

can't pick and choose, she went 4-13 that is nothing other teams are fearing.

 

[BobbyJ]

Azzi Fudd averages 12 pts and shoots at a 48% clip. That puts her outside of the top 250 in scoring and just inside the top 100 for FG%. Doesn't seem generational if there are hundreds of kids better statistically.

Call every coach in the country and ask them if they'd want her on their team tomorrow and see what you get for answers.

 

[AzzisBraids]

Azzi Fudd averages 12 pts and shoots at a 48% clip. That puts her outside of the top 250 in scoring and just inside the top 100 for FG%. Doesn't seem generational if there are hundreds of kids better statistically

No UConn player will ever have eye popping stats because of the way they play so that's first thing first. Second, if you look at statistics alone then Caitlin Clark would be the ideal candidate but she's not in the tournament. Judge players based on their impact instead of comparative stats.

Azzi is a generational player and that's just a fact. She's a freshman leading her team (UConn, mind you....) in scoring in clutch NCAA games. Find me that player in the current field to compare to?

 

[warbler1055]

It is the British prime minister Benjamin Disraeli who is famously credited with the phrase: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics" but the expression has been around almost as long as the word statistics (first coined in 1749 for those wondering).

 

[StanFan]

Azzi is a generational player and that's just a fact. She's a freshman leading her team (UConn, mind you....) in scoring in clutch NCAA games. Find me that player in the current field to compare to?

Just in the current field I would say what Rori Harmon, Olivia Miles and Sonia Citron have been doing this year example are both more impressive. On performance to date (a hard comp since she missed time), I would put Azzi a tier down from those with players like Sellers etc. (of teams in the field)

 

[jchusky]

No UConn player will ever have eye popping stats because of the way they play so that's first thing first. Second, if you look at statistics alone then Caitlin Clark would be the ideal candidate but she's not in the tournament. Judge players based on their impact instead of comparative stats.

Azzi is a generational player and that's just a fact. She's a freshman leading her team (UConn, mind you....) in scoring in clutch NCAA games. Find me that player in the current field to compare to?

how many top recruits does Clark have on her team? real easy to say Azzi has done well when she has 6-7 top 10 recruits by her side. Ridiculous how ppl try to discredit Clark because she chose to stay home and build something special in her home state.

 

[sweetspot]

Azzi Fudd averages 12 pts and shoots at a 48% clip. That puts her outside of the top 250 in scoring and just inside the top 100 for FG%. Doesn't seem generational if there are hundreds of kids better statistically.

This is such an antiquated way of thinking about basketball.

Here's how Fudd stacks up to some ALL-AMERICAN scorers this year in effective field goal %, which takes into account the value of 3s.

Fudd: 61.2%
M. Siegrist: 54.4%
C. Clark: 52.4%
R. Howard: 51.2%
A. Joens: 49.5%
K. Pointer: 46.4%

Bueckers is at 61.1% this season (small sample size) and was at 59.9% last season.

 

[darkstar1]

how many top recruits does Clark have on her team? real easy to say Azzi has done well when she has 6-7 top 10 recruits by her side. Ridiculous how ppl try to discredit Clark because she chose to stay home and build something special in her home state.

I would say quite opposite. Put Clark on a team with great players where she didn’t have to do it all and she’d be just as good a player,but her stats would definitely suffer…or the team would suffer. Put Azzi on Iowa…who knows what her stats would be.