Game Analysis - Game 24 - UConn vs Tennessee

[Puppy Love]

Why?? Just why??

Uuuummm, wrong thread?

 

[Geew1992]

Uuuummm, wrong thread?

Yup

 

[Huskee11]

It may still be a little early in the recovery process, but I would love to see Aubrey get some minutes and make a difference.

I remember being at the XL Center for the game against Tennessee on January 23, 2020, over five years ago. About six weeks later, the season would be shut down due to Covid.

A 60-45 victory, and IMHO the star of the game was first year Aubrey Griffin with 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and FIVE steals in 23 minutes of play off the bench. She was all over the court.

She outplayed opponents that included Jordan Horston, Rae Burrell and Rennia Davis.

Her teammates were Crystal, Olivia, Christyn, Megan Walker, Kyla Irwin, and Anna Makurat. Only seven players played.

This game shapes up as the type she typically excels in.

 

[huskyd]

Let's make this simple. UConn is 6th ranked, UT is 19th. We'd better win this one or . . .

 

[oldude]

It may still be a little early in the recovery process, but I would love to see Aubrey get some minutes and make a difference.

I remember being at the XL Center for the game against Tennessee on January 23, 2020, over five years ago. About six weeks later, the season would be shut down due to Covid.

A 60-45 victory, and IMHO the star of the game was first year Aubrey Griffin with 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and FIVE steals in 23 minutes of play off the bench. She was all over the court.

She outplayed opponents that included Jordan Horston, Rae Burrell and Rennia Davis.

Her teammates were Crystal, Olivia, Christyn, Megan Walker, Kyla Irwin, and Anna Makurat. Only seven players played.

This game shapes up as the type she typically excels in.

Reading the tea leaves, UConn had 3 players meet with the press ahead of the game with TN: Paige, Azzi & Aubrey. All have performed well vs TN in the past. Coincidence? I think not……

 

[Geew1992]

Reading the tea leaves, UConn had 3 players meet with the press ahead of the game with TN: Paige, Azzi & Aubrey. All have performed well vs TN in the past. Coincidence? I think not……

Who else on the team has played against Tennessee?

 

[oldude]

Who else on the team has played against Tennessee?

The only other player currently on the roster that has seen any PT against TN is Ayanna in the game 2 seasons ago.

 

[Geew1992]

The only other player currently on the roster that has seen any PT against TN is Ayanna in the game 2 seasons ago.

I’m thinking that’s why they were interviewed

 

[Huskee11]

As noted earlier, Azzi has played against Tennessee - she had a huge game at XL on February 6, 2022. 25 points including 7 for 9 from three. 75-56 win.

 

[Bone Dog]

As noted earlier, Azzi has played against Tennessee - she had a huge game at XL on February 6, 2022. 25 points including 7 for 9 from three. 75-56 win.

Awesome game! Practically a ‘statement’ 3rd quarter from Nika, and then Azzi slammed the door shut in the 4th.

 

[Zarathustra]

I decided to check in on the LADY VOL NATIONAL BLOG.
A rather balanced set of comments. The Pre-Game Pressers
with H.C. Kim Caldwell and Jewel Spear were enthusiastic and
refreshing. From my calculations their (TENN fans) prognostications
were trending with TENN winning by 3.5 to 4.5 points. (One
outlier of TENN by +15.). I saw that the MASSY RATING was
76 - 72: UCONN. The big things that I took away from the
Pressers was that TENN dug themselves a big hole against
Missouri (early foul trouble by guards "Kaiya" and "Samara")
and that the Lady Vols CAME BACK strong, and they toughed
it out to win in the fourth.
So, all the BONEYARDER'S Comments are ON TARGET: We need
to start strong, limit turnovers, and play an "EVERYBODY EATS" (team basketball)
game for 40 minutes. Defense and rebounding with a
breakout game or two!!, GO HUSKIES!!!
P.S. When the Lady Vols fans picked UCONN to win, the winning
margin of victory is about + 8 for UCONN, only one big
outlier score of - 16, i.e. UCONN 88 -62. Interesting stuff.

 

[Cornell Lt]

Who else on the team has played against Tennessee?

No one on the current UConn roster has played this version of Tennessee. The revolving line change substitution pattern, the full court press and jacking up 30+ threes will be new to UConn.

 

[oldude]

No one on the current UConn roster has played this version of Tennessee. The revolving line change substitution pattern, the full court press and jacking up 30+ threes will be new to UConn.

Not only haven’t they played this version of TN, but the Lady Vol roster has no less than 11 transfers. So in effect, this is an almost entirely different TN team.

 

[Bone Dog]

No one on the current UConn roster has played this version of Tennessee. The revolving line change substitution pattern, the full court press and jacking up 30+ threes will be new to UConn.

I wonder if it will feel a bit like the Jackson St game from last season. They were a tall, athletic team that had dominated a weak conference with an aggressive defense, a deep rotation, and an undisciplined, playground-style offense. Paige engineered a decisive thumping, and we led by 27 midway through the 4th quarter, though they closed the gap to 22 on the strength of three 3 pointers by T. Boler. As a whole, that game followed the pattern folks have been recommending for this one: we opened up a 22-8 lead after the 1st q, and led 49-28 at halftime.

Paige, of course, was tremendous on that day with 28 pts 11 rebounds 7 assists and 3 steals for a double-double. But Ash was also awesome with 26 pts 6 rebounds 2 steals and hit 5-11 from 3, and Aaliyah had 20 pts and Nika added 7 pts and 7 assists. And though Ice didn't score, she contributed 5 rebounds 4 assists and 2 blocks in 22 mins. In other words, it was classic UConn basketball -- tough defense, lots of steals and even more assists (23 assists on 34 made baskets).

As you suggested elsewhere, playing UConn basketball is the best way forward.

Of course, the SEC is a much tougher conference than the SWAC. But several here have suggested that a lot of Tennessee's wins and stats come from a weak OOC schedule. Against the stronger SEC competition, they have not produced the same numbers.

 

[PacoSwede]

Awesome game! Practically a ‘statement’ 3rd quarter from Nika, and then Azzi slammed the door shut in the 4th.

connolly and gauer on their podcast today were uneasy about tonight because something (undefined) is missing on the team. my thought is that nika muhl in the past provided what they were talking about. is that right?

 

[oldude]

connolly and gauer on their podcast today were uneasy about tonight because something (undefined) is missing on the team. my thought is that nika muhl in the past provided what they were talking about. is that right?

No, it’s not Nika. It’s someone in the post who can bang, rebound and score, like Aaliyah. UConn has the best group of guards and wings in the country. But the Huskies will need solid defense and rebounding from Jana, Ice and Aubrey tonight.