Expectations for Today

[Tonyc]

Well we heard Blanca Gandy and Morgan are still unavailable. I feel as a team we were playing at times a little bit to fast. Thus we shot poorly from trey. Searh was a little to fast underneath kinda rushing her attempts. Those shots will fall as she adjusts to UConns play. Poise in both areas is something Im looking for today.

Geno mentioned trying to get more players more minutes which means some players will get less minutes. Im looking forward to seeing how those players getting more minutes look, Allie and Kelis especially. We need more outside shooters. Jana Yana and Ice Im looking for their improvement.

Maintaining and improving from the top 8. Heckel and KK showed and impressed us alot against a good team. Maintaining and improving on their first game will be a huge confidence builder.

We were up 28 and were looking really good then we seemed to let up and take it for granted and LVille came back. We need to keep our foot on the gas and not let up. Im looking for that today. When you think about it and look at a 28 pt lead against a top 20 team at a neutral site and we shot poorly from trey makes you wonder how good we are gonna be.

Today Im looking for improvement individually and as a team. We will continue to get better as the season moves forward. We will also get healthier as the season moves forward. I expect the unexpected..meaning Geno will still be experimenting with lineups and creating competition amongst his players. With that said I am not expecting us to win by 40 pts but I am expecting to see development in those areas we were lacking against LVille.

This group of players are really really good. We have so many weapons at every position. On D were are intimidating. That has an effect on opponents. They know what to expect and cant adjust to it when they face it. So a win today and we move forward continuing to build chemistry and momentum.

Winning at UConn is a habit no matter what it takes This team has the fire to burn through the season.

 

[ec33]

I expect the 3's will fall today and that will allow for fewer minutes from Azzi and Sarah -- and thus more minutes for Allie when things are kind of in the balance. Then emptying the bench to allow other people out there.

Not worried about Serah yet. It should come, even if not today.

 

[EricLA]

Playing too fast? No. Even Geno said that we moved the ball well and got good shots. Not sure why you think we played too fast. The team wasn't out of control and literally only 8 TO's for the entire game. Too fast wasn't the problem. To quote Geno "4-1000 from 3" was the problem LOL. Nice sound bite Geno!

I would LIKE to see Sarah and Azzi NOT play 38 minutes. I'd like to see more minutes from Jana, Ice, and Allie. If game 1 told us anything. Geno has a core 9 (likely core 10 when Blanca returns) and what I hope is that he continues to tweak the rotations to work on improving certain groups on the floor and create more cohesion within the core lineups he wants to use. So I totally agree with you there!

But I disagree with getting Kelis, Ayanna and Caroline time with the core group. I may be wrong, but if game 1 showed us anything, those guys won't play until we get to teams we blow out by 40-50+. There are so many new parts that putting the end of bench players in with with the core group will be more disruptive than helpful. Geno said as much when he talked about his core 8-10.

Improve the confidence of those who have played well, and improvements from those who did not. Baby steps, right?!!!

 

[ec33]

I would LIKE to see Sarah and Azzi NOT play 38 minutes. I'd like to see more minutes from Jana, Ice, and Allie. If game 1 told us anything. Geno has a core 9 (likely core 10 when Blanca returns) and what I hope is that he continues to tweak the rotations to work on improving certain groups on the floor and create more cohesion within the core lineups he wants to use.

Finding the combination is going to be interesting to watch if he wants to go beyond the core (which may or may not include Allie depending on her ability to knock down 3's or contribute enough when not making 3's).

I do think pace of play may be a factor in this. Sarah and Azzi can play at any pace -- and when it is slow, the game has to run through them and then they score or the team scores off cuts to the basket (K9 against Louisville) or passes into the center).

But speeding up is where I think where most of the team will thrive. Serah seems fast for a center. The PGs are all quick. Ash has a nose for the ball and has a high BB IQ so can take advantage of space. Blanca's athleticism should allow her to find the faster pace/helter-skelter easier for her to thrive in as she adjusts to the States. And even though Allie is personally fast, I think a high pace will allow her to find herself unguarded at the 3-point line and be able to knock down shots.

In more concise fashion: I agree, They need to play faster and make the game appear frantic -- while still player their brand of basketball.

 

[BBallF]

So what is Geno doing? He is pressing in the first half, it is a perfect fit for this team. Then he is looking for combinations in the second half for the half court game. Not just on offense, also on defense. He is trying to find his best team, his combinations, his trick offenses and defenses. What point guard works best with what bigs? Who is my third best scorer? What combination defends the best in half court? Fun to watch. A healthy Blanca and Morgan changes everything too potentially.

 

[jeff30189]

Is it now a requirement that to play the center position at UConn you have to miss every tip-in, put-back, bunny and layup? It's really a thing. Three bigs who can't shoot. No wonder Geno likes to go with a small line up with Sarah Strong as the lone big.

 

[Dove]

Late to this post. I expect a victory by a comfortable margin. Nothing crazy to predict. Fudd and Strong will be the stars.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

EricLA: But I disagree with getting Kelis, Ayanna and Caroline time with the core group. I may be wrong, but if game 1 showed us anything, those guys won't play until we get to teams we blow out by 40-50+. There are so many new parts that putting the end of bench players in with with the core group will be more disruptive than helpful. Geno said as much when he talked about his core 8-10.

I think you're being hard on those 3!
They showed vs FSU that they bring certain skills that add to the team's success!
Remember it's only the 2nd game! They're going to improve by leaps and bounds as they get more playing experience!
I think Caroline, especially will regain some of her old magic!