Fort Hays State Postgame Thread

[Rb335]

Amazing to finally kick off the new season. 6 of 14 players out injured, feels like the last few years. The team will look increasingly better as the roster returns and the chemistry builds.

This is Paige’s team. She looks primed for first team AA and potentially NPOY. No surprises there, but she looked even better?!

Was surprised to see us not shoot a free throw until very late in the game. And I thought there were too many 3s taken vs attacking the basket.

It’s clear our guard play is our strength, our interior game looked pretty weak. Ice physically looked better, but her play didn’t appear any better. Strong will be a major factor all season. Jana looked a bit lost.

Lots of potential for improvement. And I think having just Azzi and KK back will make a massive difference.

 

[Centerstream]

Has coaching fallen off? Is it recruiting misses—we’re getting the highly ranked but not right ones? How is SC fielding teams where kids are not having developmental bumps?

It's an exhibition game

 

[oldude]

Didn't see the extra muscle on queue. I was hoping to because she needs that to be able to stand the rigors of playing in the paint. That said, she looked very good in the second half.

It’s there. You have to look closely.

 

[DEpup]

My thoughts.

1. Yet again uconn+ can't get their feed together to start a game. Can they just start earlier with some interviews so they can get the technical difficulties handled before the game actually starts?
2. Paige was on point and glad to see she has kept those down low skills she had to learn last year.
3. Q and Chen were nice surprises and Shade is nothing but consistent.
4. The front court is a hot mess. Strong showing nerves, Ice acting like the same old confused out of position Ice, and Jana getting out of her cage as expected.
5. I guess they are saving KK for Thursday.

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

We are soooo lucky to have Chen this year

 

[Stagnant]

Ziebell could have had 20 points. I just think she is a bit streaky sometimes. I remember when she played for USA basketball. She missed approximately 10 3 pointers in a row before she made one.

I want her to keep shooting.

 

[DEFCONN1]

A lot of our fans need to be talked off the ledge. Consider the fact we had only two upper classmen on the floor at any given time and the younger players pretty much still learning the system, I thought this game was a great start. As far as our coaching staff slipping on their recruiting, I think Sarah, Allie and Morgan will disagree and Azzi, KK, Caroline, Jana, Q and Ayana are no slouches either. To infinity and beyond for this team !

 

[Centerstream]

My thoughts.

1. Yet again uconn+ can't get their feed together to start a game. Can they just start earlier with some interviews so they can get the technical difficulties handled before the game actually starts?
2. Paige was on point and glad to see she has kept those down low skills she had to learn last year.
3. Q and Chen were nice surprises and Shade is nothing but consistent.
4. The front court is a hot mess. Strong showing nerves, Ice acting like the same old confused out of position Ice, and Jana getting out of her cage as expected.
5. I guess they are saving KK for Thursday.

I believe that this is the only live game on UConn+ this season. So I wasn't worried about it.

 

[CL82]

Really? We’re going to start this stuff already? Have you ever seen UConn play a “clean” well executed preseason game?

On the other hand, The Boneyard is in full season form

 

[yhun89]

Ziebell could have had 20 points. I just think she is a bit streaky sometimes. I remember when she played for USA basketball. She missed approximately 10 3 pointers in a row before she made one.

I want her to keep shooting.

She's got some insane confidence. Geno could try, but I don't think he can coax any more confidence out her.

 

[jabstep]

Paige was the All American NPOY candidate we expect but maybe even better.

 

[Majic Hands]

I was just happy to see the kids playing.
New players.
New season.

Did I mention I’m really happy that the season has arrived?

 

[Mike72fl]

Ziebell could have had 20 points. I just think she is a bit streaky sometimes. I remember when she played for USA basketball. She missed approximately 10 3 pointers in a row before she made one.

I want her to keep shooting.

Am I the only one who thinks that Ziebell looks like one of the Mabrey sisters at Notre Dame?

 

[yhun89]

I'm really liking sophomore Ash. More aggression (we might see more fouls from her this season), incredibly quick midrange. I laughed when the commentators were saying it defied physics.
Improved 3, improved D. We're going to need a lot from her at the start of this season and I think we're going to get it.

Also really great to see so many of P's shots go in despite the heavy contesting. There was a lot of trouble last year against teams with constant hand in her face when she shot, and the ball just couldn't fall (ND last season). This season it could be a lot different.

Jana had 9 REB in limited PT as well. I honestly didn't realize she grabbed that many. Once her and Strong settle in, we should be closing up those REB margins real good this season.

 

[Bigboote]

Paige, Ash, and Kaitlyn look to be in midseason form. There was some insane ball movement. Ice didn’t play great overall, but if she keeps passing well from the high post, she’ll be fine.

 

[David54]

Anybody find a box score

 

[dabears17]

Anybody find a box score

StatBroadcast Live Stat Feed

 

[sun]

Anybody find a box score

There's also a box score on the NCAA website.

https://www.ncaa.com/game/6381052/boxscore.

 

[Hayven]

Loved what I saw from Strong, Chen, and Shade today. Paige is just amazing. Our post play will be something missing all year. Jana will need time to adjust to the US game, (ie Nika). Ice remains a conundrum. Another forward who wants to shoot from the outside. Paige maybe going back to playing as a forward if the bigs can’t produce

 

[Blueballer]

Anybody find a box score

Women's Basketball vs Fort Hays State on 11/3/2024 - Box Score - University of Connecticut Athletics

The official box score of Women's Basketball vs Fort Hays State on 11/3/2024

uconnhuskies.com

 

[Blueballer]

Loved what I saw from Strong, Chen, and Shade today. Paige is just amazing. Our post play will be something missing all year. Jana will need time to adjust to the US game, (ie Nika). Ice remains a conundrum. Another forward who wants to shoot from the outside. Paige maybe going back to playing as a forward if the bigs can’t produce

That's an interesting take after just ONE exhibition game. Writing off the post play already?

 

[freekimchee]

Am I the only one who thinks that Ziebell looks like one of the Mabrey sisters at Notre Dame?

The way she moves and her build reminds me a lot of Mabrey #2. Not so much Mike or Dara but definitely Marina.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Paige was better than ever. If the raggedness bothered you, recall that our second best player will be back soon and is looking "really, really good."

 

[yhun89]

Loved what I saw from Strong, Chen, and Shade today. Paige is just amazing. Our post play will be something missing all year. Jana will need time to adjust to the US game, (ie Nika). Ice remains a conundrum. Another forward who wants to shoot from the outside. Paige maybe going back to playing as a forward if the bigs can’t produce

The Doom and Gloom mentality has got to stop, it's a preseason game. Everyone has a bit of rust, injured players like El Alfy will have a lot more than others. The post play will come along. It's going to take time, but it will.

 

[BobbyJ]

Somewhat disappointing that we had no one aggressively post up against smaller players.

Agree. Brady wasn't used much in post ups last year, Edwards handled 90% of them. And El Alfy has never had to or learned the footwork. Her HS aged club teams allowed her to basically cruise around the perimeter to get the ball because they had no capable passers. Best hope would be Strong but she's more valuable at the high post with options. UConn had better score a lot in transition or make a lot of 3s.