Ft Hays State Postgame Thread

[Heytherego]

 

[CL82]

CW is CW has team high 20pts and 6 rebs.
Edwards is unstoppable.
Azzi is some nervous but I can see she will be a big scorer later.
Surprisingly Mir and Piath can contribute some points.

I’ve been saying expect a big year for CW. Having so many people able to hit deep jumpers prevents people from packing the paint. That really helps Christyn who has a very quick first step and can finish at the rim.

 

[quavik]

It was just so THRILLING to finally watch them play an opponent! Considering this was the first game of the season, I was impressed with the team's flow - reminded me of some of the great teams of yesteryear. Also, i thought Dorka was just awesome in the paint. She gave us strength in an area that has been missing in awhile. And what about Azzi's first three shots! It was a pleasure to watch the game.

 

[hoopsfan22]

It was just so THRILLING to finally watch them play an opponent! Considering this was the first game of the season, I was impressed with the team's flow - reminded me of some of the great teams of yesteryear. Also, i thought Dorka was just awesome in the paint. She gave us strength in an area that has been missing in awhile. And what about Azzi's first three shots! It was a pleasure to watch the game.

Second game. First game was BC.

 

[jaydee602]

No Saylor & no Aubrey. Are they injured or does Geno have too many pieces to fit into a game?

 

[Bigboote]

Saylor was in a boot; not sure why. I so look forward to seeing her healthy. (What we saw from Caroline today is what Saylor is capable of when healthy.) Some of my takeaways:

Kudos to Ft Hays State. I think they could beat a lot of DI teams. They played hard and executed well. They stuck with their game plan even when totally overmatched. They got at least two UConn bigs in foul trouble.

Early on, Olivia looked as though she’d matured quite a bit. She showed really good patience and footwork scoring a couple of baskets. Then she started looking like her old self – picked up her second foul 20 feet from the basket, traveled, picked up her third foul before halftime. All against a D2 team without much size.

UConn didn’t fall apart when Paige left the game for a long stretch in the first half.

Juhasz looked pretty much as I expected, but she may have found her stroke again. The form on her jumpers looked much better than last year. Great footwork.

I had never seen Ducharme in anything but highlight reels. She is the complete package. I don't care about her scoring; she played GREAT defense and made some great passes.

Nika is so much fun to watch -- she certainly looked healthy to me.

I hope Paige isn't really injured.

 

[Argonaut]

Very impressed with her. A hungry ball player.

Dare we say… she was… Hungary.

 

[Shorty Dee]

What was the final score.

100 - 47.

 

[Shorty Dee]

100 - 47.

Correction: 111 - 47

 

[Kaizen]

Correction: 111 - 47

Yes, StatMonitr Stat Feed

 

[hoophuskee]

I know I'll get a "we're doomed" for this, which is so lame, but whatever.....but I harped on this last season.

We can't go 6-13 from the FT line in S16 and beyond. This could be the achilles heel of winning it all. They've got to clean that up.

The same with the talk of Dorka. I love her. Love her!

But she can't be a miserable f/t shooter. If she is- then she can't be a weapon. She can be okay but not a weapon. She was miserable f/t shooter at Ohio State. This isn't "Ohio State." UCONN is out for being among top teams - not just "to be close." Every possession counts- including every f/t.

Just hard to figure out. She drills a 3, hits a 17 footer, but her only f/t clanks - and I means clanks off the back of the rim. No big deal this early and ofc only 1 f/t but definitely need to keep an eye on.

And it appears Liv and CWill still struggle to shoot. Can't believe I heard Meg include Liv as a good shooter. And to further that say "she is going to take a lot of 15 footers this year." I screamed "No!! Please no!!!"

 

[ucbart]

This post was not worthy of a “we’re doomed.“

LOL-Last year we shot really bad from the FT line in a BE blowout and I got it twice, so please sit this one out. I know what I'm talking about from experience.

 

[quavik]

hoopsfsan: Second game. First game was BC.

I stand corrected, thank-you!

 

[Childhood]

Dorka is really really impressive. Finish strong with the rim and can shot everywhere.
Azzi could do more than a shooter. She deserved more touches on the ball. Not agressive enough.
Caroline Ducharme is agressive on the play and not afraid body contact. She also had great off ball movement as Paige. I like it.
Paige is unselfish teammate and I hope she is okay with her shoulder.

Lastly, the FT is the problem.

 

[Aluminny69]

Pregame, Geno said the three point shooters were streaky shooters. That was evident already.

 

[eebmg]

My, my, my...we have a lot to look forward to. I was impressed with EVERYONE!
Really looking forward to watching the replay!!!

Absolutely.

Not one player had any Deer in headlights and I am in love with how Caroline (I refuse Caroline Ducharme) plays. Perpetual movement. Fights \hard on defense and in the post. Her shots are the last thing I worry about.

 

[SVCBeercats]

Big surprises in my mind are Dorka and Caroline Ducharme.

Why? Every time Geno spoke of the team he rained kudos all over Dorka and Caroline? Remember Dorka, as a sophomore and a junior, was on the Big Ten first team and as a freshman she was on the second team. My surprise was Caroline's nerves (I suppose) and a terrible start. Fortunately she righted herself and finished quite well. Others have expressed the same sentiment. Just curious! Not a challenge!

 

[hoopsfan22]

The second team looked pretty good. I think 49 bench points today.

 

[oldude]

Why? Every time Geno spoke of the team he rained kudos all over Dorka and Caroline? Remember Dorka, as a sophomore and a junior, was on the Big Ten first team and as a freshman she was on the second team. My surprise was Caroline's nerves (I suppose) and a terrible start. Fortunately she righted herself and finished quite well.

Caroline was certainly amped up. That 3 at the buzzer sailed completely over the basket. She settled down in the 2nd half and played well.

 

[Aluminny69]

Those Pundits who predicted Paige will not get POY awards this year may well be right. It is evident she may not get or need to get the gaudy numbers she got last year. Even though Paige will still be an important part of the team, Awards voters typically follow the numbers, and it looks like Paige's number will be down this season. I believe this means more to the fans than it does to Paige.

 

[Stymie]

Also saw some flash from Mir.
Was happy to see that.
Love love love her athleticism.

 

[hoophuskee]

Azzi could do more than a shooter. She deserved more touches on the ball. Not agressive enough.


Lastly, the FT is the problem.

I usually hate hate hate the idea of losing games. Especially a coach suggesting it. There is a thread on here that had a quote from Geno that it would be a benefit maybe to lose a couple of games. I see now with Azzi she is similar to Paige. content to let the game flow. Paige sort of changed during the Ark game. I wonder if it would take for something like that for Azzi to feel like she needs to do more. Heck she was 3-6 from 3- and one was in then rattled out. Anyhow 50% from 3 is equivalent to 75% from 2. I agree with you Azzi I want to see more aggressive but not sure she will until after something like a loss.

In regards to the potential f/t problem, unfortunately is due to the players most apt to get fouled are the players that will struggle most at the ft line.

 

[SVCBeercats]

Dorka – better than anticipated. To my eyes, she’s the most complete post player on the team. A wide variety of post moves, better mid-range and deep shooting than Liv or Liya, and solid defense as well. Really liking her game a lot.

Why? Every time Geno spoke of the team he rained kudos all over Dorka? Remember Dorka, as a sophomore and a junior, was on the Big Ten first team and as a freshman she was on the second team. Others have expressed the same sentiment. Maybe relative to Dorka I wear my rose colored glasses.

 

[SLY63]

Not a sky is falling post, but next week will tell a lot more about everyone. ARK size and athleticism will be an order of magnitude higher the Ft Hays.

 

[oldude]

Those Pundits who predicted Paige will not get POY awards this year may well be right. It is evident she may not get or need to get the gaudy numbers she got last year. Even though Paige will still be an important part of the team, Awards voters typically follow the numbers, and it looks like Paige's number will be down this season. I believe this means more to the fans than it does to Paige.

Beg to differ. Stewie was the NPOY in both her jr & sr years, and she didn’t lead the NCAA in any statistical category. But she was the best player on the best team. If UConn runs the gauntlet undefeated, Paige has an excellent chance to be NPOY again.