Gabby Starting Today's Game

[Zorro]

Do we have a box on the game?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

After the game, Auriemma said Boykin would miss the Ohio State game and likely would be out for at least two more weeks because of her ailment.

"She's just not physically ready," Auriemma said.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Boxscore:

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/w-baskbl/stats/2015-2016/ex02.html

 

[Kaizen]

Allow me to remind you one more time that Maria C. once missed 31 three-pointers in a row. KLS is going to be just fine.

3 pts, Stewie is 0/5, KLS is 2/10. May be the weather is wrong.
Anyway I am happy for Gabby and Napheesa,

 

[rvwsleep]

Of course you don't want to make an enormous deal of the shooting from one or two games. That said, the distance isn't an issue for KLS. She routinely hit from even further back in high school. Again, I think the fact that nearly all the shots she has taken in two games are threes is more telling than her low percentage. That has to and will at some point change, but if she's going to take only threes she has to hit them at a much higher clip to play against good teams, imo.

If memory serves me correctly, KML stayed outside almost exclusively her freshman year. It was only when she was an upperclassman that she would post anyone up. KLS will follow a similar path, IMO. She will get accustomed to the speed and physicality of the college game. She never lifted weights before and this is the area that I think will improve the most.
She's a legitimate 6'3" and has unlimited range. When she settles in we will all look back and say "I remember when ahe couldn't ..." in astonishment because of the playing level she's achieved.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

If memory serves me correctly, KML stayed outside almost exclusively her freshman year. It was only when she was an upperclassman that she would post anyone up. KLS will follow a similar path, IMO.

Just checked. KML's three attempts as a percentage of all her field goal attempts by year were:

Fr: 51%
So: 52%
Jr: 53%
Sr: 63%


In two exhibition games KLS has taken 22 shots, 19 of them three pointers. That's 86%.

 

[Rixxx]

I do want to point out that KLS played effective switching defense today. Also, her assists to mostly Collier were evidence of her participation in the offensive system. I also liked that she was on the floor chasing 50-50 balls.
On offense, she reminded me at times of a younger Kiah S. as she looked to pass immediately upon receiving a pass. That sort of decreased in the second half, as she had a purpose to assist on baskets (see Collier above).
Not being a shooter or a sniper, I chose not to speak on her three point efforts. I just wish she would be more active earlier in the game and not resemble her sister Bonnie. Just saying....
I can't wait to see her grow over the next segment of her basketball career.

 

[Kibitzer]

After the game, Auriemma said Boykin would miss the Ohio State game and likely would be out for at least two more weeks because of her ailment.

"She's just not physically ready," Auriemma said.

Has any consideration been given for Boykin to red shirt this season? Anybody know (beside Geno and Rosemary)?

 

[rvwsleep]

Just checked. KML's three attempts as a percentage of all her field goal attempts by year were:

Fr: 51%
So: 52%
Jr: 53%
Sr: 63%


In two exhibition games KLS has taken 22 shots, 19 of them three pointers. That's 86%.

Evidently, me memory doesn't serve me very well.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Evidently, me memory doesn't serve me very well.

It felt that way to me to some extent too. Amazingly, her 3-pt attempts per game were basically identical each of her four years.

 

[hoophuskee]

KLS hasn't been able to throw it in the ocean yet. Think her shooting is going to be more hit-and-miss than KML's, and not just based on these two games.

Gonna be very interesting to see the minutes distribution against Ohio St.

You said - not just based on these 2 games KLS shooting is going to be more "hit-and-miss" - and "not just based on these 2 games."

Then based on what if not these two games?

I'm not sure what your statements mean. Geno has said he was supremely impressed with the frosh- so that included KLS. SO what is going to be so "interesting" about KLS's minutes? Instead of getting 20 she gets 16?

And I'm not sure what you mean by "more hit-an-miss." You mean KLS won't be the greatest shooter in UCONN History but maybe 2nd or 3rd?

 

[Boreifs]

Do you think Geno would be wasting valuable GAME time to KLS if he didn't see better in practice?? I suggest in the Ohio St game you will see, depending on score, Stewie, Jefferson, Nurse, Gabby, Tuck with Collier and KLS doing some subbing in that order. Elmark wasn't bad today she hit 1 for 2 threes, I didn't see the game so I can't comment on her defense.
But this is one game I'm not champing at the bite to see streaming. Gabby and Collier seem to have proven the belief in them. But Ohio St will give us a better indication of their true value. If Gabby's numbers are as we have seen/minute I'll apologize for not believing.

I did see the game; actually the first one I've seen in person, which for basketball is so much, much better. It goes without saying that Courtney is not as athletic as her teammates, but she does see the floor very well. All three assists were on passes that not many young college players are capable of making. She knows when to skip pass and when to rotate, a skill that the coaches will certainly find endearing. As for KLS, no one should worry about her missing threes; the arc on her shots is just about perfect and they will be going in sooner than later. She is also remarkably athletic for her size and build and like Courtney sees the floor very well. I would not be at all surprised to see her used in the high post more frequently by the end of the season; a 6'3" guard who can shoot, pass and drive would be devastating in that position against a match-up zone.

 

[hoophuskee]

Of course you don't want to make an enormous deal of the shooting from one or two games. That said, the distance isn't an issue for KLS. She routinely hit from even further back in high school. Again, I think the fact that nearly all the shots she has taken in two games are threes is more telling than her low percentage. That has to and will at some point change, but if she's going to take only threes she has to hit them at a much higher clip to play against good teams, imo.

I don't agree regarding distance. Distance is ALWAYS a factor. Because DT and Sue Bird hit shots from halfcourt doesn't mean distance doesn't matter and they should then put the halfcourt shot in their repertoire.

Secondly taking so many 3's is a "problem." But one which we probably all expected which the coach won't tolerate. With that said- frosh do have weaknesses which the coaching staff will consider, as Geno put it, "the worst in America." The staff will work on it, in which as season progresses we would expect KLS to be a beast, right?

I'm looking forward to seeing Gabby play vs an elite team and having to go against their size. I thought last year she struggled when having to go against quality opponent and elite size. I'm pretty excited as well about the defense however in terms of pressing.

 

[Boreifs]

I don't agree regarding distance. Distance is ALWAYS a factor. Because DT and Sue Bird hit shots from halfcourt doesn't mean distance doesn't matter and they should then put the halfcourt shot in their repertoire.

Secondly taking so many 3's is a "problem." But one which we probably all expected which the coach won't tolerate. With that said- frosh do have weaknesses which the coaching staff will consider, as Geno put it, "the worst in America." The staff will work on it, in which as season progresses we would expect KLS to be a beast, right?

I'm looking forward to seeing Gabby play vs an elite team and having to go against their size. I thought last year she struggled when having to go against quality opponent and elite size. I'm pretty excited as well about the defense however in terms of pressing.

She will be playing the three on defense. How many teams have elite size at the three?

 

[JoePgh]

I am sure that Lou would not have taken all the 3-point shots that she took if the coaches had not told her to do that. It is a sensible thing to do -- the only way to cure the jitters is to "just do it". And all the shots were open and within her normal range -- she was making them in the U17 tournament with amazing regularity. The accuracy will come -- she just has to wait for the college game to slow down for her.

It probably doesn't make sense for her to play extended minutes against good competition unless she is hitting a reasonable percentage (say 30-35%) of 3's. So maybe she won't see more than 12-15 minutes against Ohio State.

Her defense (by which I mean skill, definitely not effort) is still an issue. She was working hard today, and her agility was not a problem against Vanguard, but it would be a problem against a pretty good Division I small forward, let alone an elite one. It is true that very few teams have 6-3 at small forward on defense, but there is a reason for that, and it applies to this case: players of that size usually do not have the lateral mobility to guard a quick and evasive wing. Gabby and even Napheesa would be much more capable of playing as a defensive small forward than Lou would be at this point, based on my observation.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

You said - not just based on these 2 games KLS shooting is going to be more "hit-and-miss" - and "not just based on these 2 games."

Then based on what if not these two games?

I'm not sure what your statements mean. Geno has said he was supremely impressed with the frosh- so that included KLS. SO what is going to be so "interesting" about KLS's minutes? Instead of getting 20 she gets 16?

And I'm not sure what you mean by "more hit-an-miss." You mean KLS won't be the greatest shooter in UCONN History but maybe 2nd or 3rd?

Based on watching her elsewhere as well. Don't think she's going to have the consistency that KML had, but that's my guess. We shall see.

As far as minutes are concerned, I didn't single out KLS' minutes. Was referring to the entire team distribution.

 

[Huskies Rule]

My absolute favorite part of the game... seeing Morgan out there playing 27 minutes, after she played only 12 first half minutes then sat the rest of the Lubbock game.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I don't agree regarding distance. Distance is ALWAYS a factor. Because DT and Sue Bird hit shots from halfcourt doesn't mean distance doesn't matter and they should then put the halfcourt shot in their repertoire.

There's a difference between a halfcourt shot and 22-foot three. She voluntarily shot and made from that far back and further with Mater Dei and Team USA. Today she was 2-10 from three with the further line, last week she was 2-9 with the regular line. I just don't think distance can be blamed.

The staff will work on it, in which as season progresses we would expect KLS to be a beast, right?

Hopefully. Nurse was pretty much ready to work within the UConn offense right away last year. The early games make me doubt KLS will be.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Recap:

 

[hoophuskee]

Based on watching her elsewhere as well. Don't think she's going to have the consistency that KML had, but that's my guess. We shall see.

As far as minutes are concerned, I didn't single out KLS' minutes. Was referring to the entire team distribution.

What made you think she wasn't as good of a shooter in high school than that of KML? I thought I've read the coach said she shoots just as well?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

What made you think she wasn't as good of a shooter in high school than that of KML? I thought I've read the coach said she shoots just as well?

I'm saying more inconsistent. It's been a pretty big pattern at several levels the last year plus. She's apt to go 7-7 or 9-10 from three, or 2-10 like today. A lot of fluctuating in her 3-pt results, huge games or clunkers.

 

[hoophuskee]

There's a difference between a halfcourt shot and 22-foot three. She voluntarily shot and made from that far back and further with Mater Dei and Team USA. Today she was 2-10 from three with the further line, last week she was 2-9 with the regular line. I just don't think distance can be blamed.



Hopefully. Nurse was pretty much ready to work within the UConn offense right away last year. The early games make me doubt KLS will be.

I think you're wrong about distance. I think distance and the ball definitely can play a factor. Distance always does. Whether it id in this case obviolusy can't be certain- but distance does matter.

Secondly, you speak of what great range she has had and how she nailed shots here- but the other post you seem to suggest her high school number's showed you she wasn't as good as KML as a shooter. SO basically she has unlimted range but you know now she can't be as good of a shooter as KML despite the fact you saw her drill so well for Mater Dei and Team USA?

If I look at TEAM USA stats they both look tremendous. Per below here are stats for both: I just don't see the difference that you see. Granted I haven't seen near as much as you, but the games we saw together at Mater Dei- I thought both you and I thought she was tremendous.

http://archive.usab.com/bios/mosqueda-lewis_kaleena.html

http://www.usab.com/basketball/players/womens/s/samuelson-katie-lou.aspx

And I'm not sure I understand your point about Nurse. She was 1-5 in her two exhibition games from 3.

 

[hoophuskee]

I'm saying more inconsistent. It's been a pretty big pattern at several levels the last year plus. She's apt to go 7-7 or 9-10 from three, or 2-10 like today. A lot of fluctuating in her 3-pt results, huge games or clunkers.

Team USA that wasn't the case. So you are only identifying these two games. What stats you got from High School? I've given you Team USA and they look even. Where is the inconsistencies other than these two games?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Team USA that wasn't the case. So you are only identifying these two games. What stats you got from High School? I've given you Team USA and they look even. Where is the inconsistencies other than these two games?

There were plenty of instances like that in high school, a few of the games were linked here last year. She was 7-8 in one game, then had a terrible state semi and final. And it was like that for her with the U-18 team. She was 6-7 from three in the semi-finals, then struggled in the gold medal game.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I think you're wrong about distance. I think distance and the ball definitely can play a factor. Distance always does. Whether it id in this case obviolusy can't be certain- but distance does matter.

Again, first game 2-9 with the regular line. If today's issue was distance and the ball what was the previous game's? She just shot poorly for whatever reason.

SO basically she has unlimted range but you know now she can't be as good of a shooter as KML despite the fact you saw her drill so well for Mater Dei and Team USA?

I said not as consistent, game by game. She has more highs and lows from what I've seen.

And I'm not sure I understand your point about Nurse. She was 1-5 in her two exhibition games from 3.

I wasn't referring to Nurse's 3-point shooting or just her performances in exhibition games. Nurse was easily more comfortable in the offense than KLS is at this point. She made plays off the dribble and from mid-range. No hesitation. KLS has looked unsure of what to do and has taken 3 0f 22 shots inside the arc thus far.