Game Analysis - Game 4 -UConn vs Ohio State

[cferraro04]

GENERAL COMMENTS:

Ohio State will start Elsa Lemmila, 6'6" - R-So—center; 6'4"Kylee Kitts, 6'4 - " R-Fr. - forward; Chance Gray, 5'9" - senior - guard; Kennedy Cambridge, 5'8" R-Jr - guard; Jaloni Cambridge, 5'7" So. - guard (1 freshman, 2 sophomores, 1 Junior, and 1 senior). Elsa Lemmila brings a big 6'6" frame to the floor. She is from Finland and is a prolific shot blocker. She gets back fairly well on defense. Rounding out the front court is 6'4" Kylee Kitts. Kylee is perfectly capable of a double-double on any given night. Kylee is a great rebounder and can step out and shoot the three. In Ohio State's back court, we have Chance Grey, a 5'9 Senior who ESPN ranked number 7 and was the Ohio State Gatorade Player of the year. She started her WCBB journey at Oregon for her freshman and sophomore years. She is the team's 2nd-highest scorer and is a pretty good three-point shooter. Also in Ohio State's back court is 5'8 Kennedy Cambridge, R-Jr. guard. Kennedy started her college career at Kentucky, playing in 19 games. Kennedy was the 36th ESPN rank guard in the nation and the 52nd overall recruit coming out of high school. Rounding out the starting five is Jaloni Cambridge, a 5'7" guard. Jaloni was ranked #2 overall in the nation in the class of 2024. She was a McDonald's All-American and was named Florida's Gatorade Player of the Year and the Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year in her junior year. As a freshman, Jaloni led Ohio State with nine 20-point games and had a 31-point game in her first game at Ohio State against Cleveland State. Her career high was 33 points against Michigan State. This team gets after it on defense; they have size, and they can score the basketball, and they start 3 players ESPN ranked, 2, 7, and 52.

MATCH-UPS:

Serah Williams - 6'4" Senior Forward vs Elsa Lemmila - 6'6" R-Sophomore Center - Serah will need to show her defensive skills and keep Elsa off the glass and contain her. Elsa has not yet shown that she is an offensive threat as she averages 5.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. She is a fairly good shot blocker, averaging 1.5 blocks per game. Sarah has shown signs of a successful adjustment to UConn's style of basketball, and she has thus far in the season faced better competition than Elsa. Serah averages 7.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1 block per game.
ADVANTAGE - UCONN

Sarah Strong - 6'2" Sophomore Forward vs Kylee Kitts - 6'4" R-Freshman Guard/Forward - Kylee is a tall player who can play both the guard and forward positions and while that is a plus it shouldn't make much of a difference with Sarah Strong defending her as Sarah is perfectly capable of playing all five positions on the floor and is extremely efficient at either position. Kylee averages 5.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1.5 blocks per game. Kylee will have her hands full with Player of the Year candidate Sarah Strong. Sarah leads the team with a 17.7 point average (which has been skewed downward as a result of playing minimal minutes against lesser competition, namely Loyola-Chicago). Sarah also averages 7.3 rebounds, 4.33 assists, 2.7 steals, and 2.3 blocks. She is also averaging 1.0 three-pointers per game. ADVANTAGE - UCONN

Azzi Fudd - 5'11 Graduate Guard vs Chance Gray - 5'9" Senior Guard - Chance is Ohio State's 2nd most efficient scorer as she averages 15.5 points per game. She is also shooting the three-ball at 1.5 per game. Chance chips in with 4 rebounds per game. Azzi will have an All-American season this year. She is off to a great start, averaging 17.3 points, 4.12 three-pointers, 2.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.7 steals per game on limited minutes. I believe Chance will do her best defending against Azzi, but at the end of the day, I do not think Chance will be successful in denying Azzi from having a good game. ADVANTAGE - UCONN

Ashlynn Shade - 5'10" Junior Guard vs Kennedy Cambridge - 5'8" R-Junior Guard - Kennedy has thus far been successful in being Ohio State's stat stuffer. So far this season, she has averaged 6.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 5 steals, and 1 block per game. It appears that Ashynn is beginning to find her rhythm. She is currently averaging 5.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Ashlynn has not shot the ball very well from deep, but we all know she is somewhat of a streaky shooter, and she can hit threes in bunches. If Ashlynn were to break back into her usual form, then I do not doubt that she could prevail at this position; however, at her current rate of production, I have to go the other way. Additionally, Ashlynn may have some turnover problems in this game as Kennedy is a master thief... ADVANTAGE - OHIO STATE

KK Arnold - 5'9" Junior Guard vs Jaloni Cambridge - 5'7" Sophomore Guard - This should be a tough assignment for KK. Containing Jaloni may not be possible, however, if anyone could do it, KK can. Jaloni is Ohio's most prolific player. Jaloni averages 20.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. KK is playing some of her best basketball, averaging 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. This game will be a real test for our backcourt. As Ohio brings 3 pretty good guards to the floor. ADVANTAGE - OHIO STATE

BENCH:

Ohio State has a pretty good bench. They bring balanced scoring and rebounds off the bench, and they have fairly good size on the bench as well. Ohio State brings 36 points, 23.5 rebounds, 7 assists, 4.5 steals, and 4.5 three-pointers off the bench. UConn, on the other hand, brings 37.1 points, 19.6 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 6.3 steals, and 2.6 three-pointers off the bench. Ohio's bench would appear to have a slight advantage, but with UConn playing at home, players just now starting to get their sea-legs, I am going to call this one: ADVANTAGE - EVEN

COACHING:

Ohio State has a great coaching staff in Kevin McGuff and crew; however, they will be matched up against the best coaching staff in women's college basketball. ADVANTAGE - UCONN

INTANGIBLES:

This is essentially a home game for the Huskies. We have Sarah and Azzi, and they don't. ADVANTAGE - UCONN

SCORE:

UCONN - 87
OHIO STATE - 69
MOV - 18

 

[Bone Dog]

Great analysis, Sensei. Thanks again! This is likely to be the most competitive game yet.

It’s not easy to figure what tOSU’s rotation actually is yet. In the first two games, McGuff played 11, and ten of them got double figure minutes. The thing is, those were not competitive games. If he wants to run his usual pressing D, he’ll have to play the same deep bench against UConn. But this will be a much more competitive game against a team with numerous unflappable ball handlers. I think this is likely to mean that McGuff won’t like subbing in for his starting backcourt for long. Their fatigue is likely to be exacerbated by the depth of Geno’s backcourt.

Sarah Azzi KK Kayleigh Ash Blanca simply are not pressable. If Geno plays small ball, I think this game will quickly be out of reach. This might mean McGuff will try to play his bigs for longer. But that means no sustained press. It also means substantial minutes for Serah Jana Carol and Allie which is even more bad news for tOSU. The problem for McGuff is that he can’t out run UConn, but neither can he out-muscle them.

 

[oldude]

One of the intriguing matchups tomorrow will be Kayleigh against Jaloni Cambridge. Two years ago the 2 HS stars matched up in what was billed as the national HS championship between Kayleigh’s Long Island Lutheran and Cambridge’s Monteverde Academy. Both players were spectacular, trading baskets for much of the game until Cambridge hit a buzzer beater to win the epic battle between the 2 HS powerhouses.

 

[DEFCONN1]

Great write up on the Ohio State game. I’d also like to add that after looking at the box scores of OSU’s first two games, they sent their opponents to the free throw line 45 times. Hopefully we get some of that and do some free throw shooting at practice. I am also looking forward to K9, Cambridge matchup. GO HUSKIES

 

[Basingstoke]

Great write up on the Ohio State game. I’d also like to add that after looking at the box scores of OSU’s first two games, they sent their opponents to the free throw line 45 times. Hopefully we get some of that and did some free throw shooting at practice. I am also looking forward to K9, Cambridge matchup. GO HUSKIES

If this occurs, it's likely a very good thing for the Huskies as, thusfar, our free throw shooting has been very good (though few and far between).

 

[Bone Dog]

By the way, is Kylee Kitts the little sister of SC’s Chloe Kitts?

 

[GoUconn7961]

I will be in the stands tomorrow. My first game in years. Can’t wait!

 

[huskyd]

GENERAL COMMENTS:

Ohio State will start Elsa Lemmila, 6'6" - R-So—center; 6'4"Kylee Kitts, 6'4 - " R-Fr. - forward; Chance Gray, 5'9" - senior - guard; Kennedy Cambridge, 5'8" R-Jr - guard; Jaloni Cambridge, 5'7" So. - guard (1 freshman, 2 sophomores, 1 Junior, and 1 senior). Elsa Lemmila brings a big 6'6" frame to the floor. She is from Finland and is a prolific shot blocker. She gets back fairly well on defense. Rounding out the front court is 6'4" Kylee Kitts. Kylee is perfectly capable of a double-double on any given night. Kylee is a great rebounder and can step out and shoot the three. In Ohio State's back court, we have Chance Grey, a 5'9 Senior who ESPN ranked number 7 and was the Ohio State Gatorade Player of the year. She started her WCBB journey at Oregon for her freshman and sophomore years. She is the team's 2nd-highest scorer and is a pretty good three-point shooter. Also in Ohio State's back court is 5'8 Kennedy Cambridge, R-Jr. guard. Kennedy started her college career at Kentucky, playing in 19 games. Kennedy was the 36th ESPN rank guard in the nation and the 52nd overall recruit coming out of high school. Rounding out the starting five is Jaloni Cambridge, a 5'7" guard. Jaloni was ranked #2 overall in the nation in the class of 2024. She was a McDonald's All-American and was named Florida's Gatorade Player of the Year and the Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year in her junior year. As a freshman, Jaloni led Ohio State with nine 20-point games and had a 31-point game in her first game at Ohio State against Cleveland State. Her career high was 33 points against Michigan State. This team gets after it on defense; they have size, and they can score the basketball, and they start 3 players ESPN ranked, 2, 7, and 52.

MATCH-UPS:

Serah Williams - 6'4" Senior Forward vs Elsa Lemmila - 6'6" R-Sophomore Center - Serah will need to show her defensive skills and keep Elsa off the glass and contain her. Elsa has not yet shown that she is an offensive threat as she averages 5.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. She is a fairly good shot blocker, averaging 1.5 blocks per game. Sarah has shown signs of a successful adjustment to UConn's style of basketball, and she has thus far in the season faced better competition than Elsa. Serah averages 7.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1 block per game.
ADVANTAGE - UCONN

Sarah Strong - 6'2" Sophomore Forward vs Kylee Kitts - 6'4" R-Freshman Guard/Forward - Kylee is a tall player who can play both the guard and forward positions and while that is a plus it shouldn't make much of a difference with Sarah Strong defending her as Sarah is perfectly capable of playing all five positions on the floor and is extremely efficient at either position. Kylee averages 5.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1.5 blocks per game. Kylee will have her hands full with Player of the Year candidate Sarah Strong. Sarah leads the team with a 17.7 point average (which has been skewed downward as a result of playing minimal minutes against lesser competition, namely Loyola-Chicago). Sarah also averages 7.3 rebounds, 4.33 assists, 2.7 steals, and 2.3 blocks. She is also averaging 1.0 three-pointers per game. ADVANTAGE - UCONN

Azzi Fudd - 5'11 Graduate Guard vs Chance Gray - 5'9" Senior Guard - Chance is Ohio State's 2nd most efficient scorer as she averages 15.5 points per game. She is also shooting the three-ball at 1.5 per game. Chance chips in with 4 rebounds per game. Azzi will have an All-American season this year. She is off to a great start, averaging 17.3 points, 4.12 three-pointers, 2.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.7 steals per game on limited minutes. I believe Chance will do her best defending against Azzi, but at the end of the day, I do not think Chance will be successful in denying Azzi from having a good game. ADVANTAGE - UCONN

Ashlynn Shade - 5'10" Junior Guard vs Kennedy Cambridge - 5'8" R-Junior Guard - Kennedy has thus far been successful in being Ohio State's stat stuffer. So far this season, she has averaged 6.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 5 steals, and 1 block per game. It appears that Ashynn is beginning to find her rhythm. She is currently averaging 5.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Ashlynn has not shot the ball very well from deep, but we all know she is somewhat of a streaky shooter, and she can hit threes in bunches. If Ashlynn were to break back into her usual form, then I do not doubt that she could prevail at this position; however, at her current rate of production, I have to go the other way. Additionally, Ashlynn may have some turnover problems in this game as Kennedy is a master thief... ADVANTAGE - OHIO STATE

KK Arnold - 5'9" Junior Guard vs Jaloni Cambridge - 5'7" Sophomore Guard - This should be a tough assignment for KK. Containing Jaloni may not be possible, however, if anyone could do it, KK can. Jaloni is Ohio's most prolific player. Jaloni averages 20.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. KK is playing some of her best basketball, averaging 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. This game will be a real test for our backcourt. As Ohio brings 3 pretty good guards to the floor. ADVANTAGE - OHIO STATE

BENCH:

Ohio State has a pretty good bench. They bring balanced scoring and rebounds off the bench, and they have fairly good size on the bench as well. Ohio State brings 36 points, 23.5 rebounds, 7 assists, 4.5 steals, and 4.5 three-pointers off the bench. UConn, on the other hand, brings 37.1 points, 19.6 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 6.3 steals, and 2.6 three-pointers off the bench. Ohio's bench would appear to have a slight advantage, but with UConn playing at home, players just now starting to get their sea-legs, I am going to call this one: ADVANTAGE - EVEN

COACHING:

Ohio State has a great coaching staff in Kevin McGuff and crew; however, they will be matched up against the best coaching staff in women's college basketball. ADVANTAGE - UCONN

INTANGIBLES:

This is essentially a home game for the Huskies. We have Sarah and Azzi, and they don't. ADVANTAGE - UCONN

SCORE:

UCONN - 87
OHIO STATE - 69
MOV - 18

When I mentioned Ohio State earlier in the schedule discussions, that team was pooh-pahd. Now it sounds as if UConn will have some work to do to subdue these guys.
Of course, we have to switch to Peacock for some unfathomable reason to watch this game. Ugh. You might as well stay signed in to Peacock because on Dec. 17 we play Marquette and on Dec. 31 we ring in the New Yeark with another BE foe at Providence.
After those 3 Peacockers, you can drop the Bird until a Jan 25 tussle with Seton Hall, keep it so as not to miss Xavier on Jan. 28. After that game you should stay with Peacock for 2 thrillers in Feb. against more BE teams. Not much of a pocketbook hit, so long as the BE games aren't too borring. At the end we'll be playing the cheerleaders. I'm guessing the BE title games will be on the networks.
Today YouTube Live announced it has re-upped with ABC and ESPN. If you've been using Hulu for the ESPN games, you can drop it and return to YouTube (at a $20 for a one-month discount if you keep your subscription), but Hulu will probably remain as cheap or cheaper than YouTube even with the 20 bucks off. So: if you like your Hulu, keep it and drop YouTube asap (ie, when your subscription ends).
*I prepared this comment using AI entirely, so I'm not responsible for it. Frankly, I don't even understand it.

 

[FanSince17]

If this occurs, it's likely a very good thing for the Huskies as, thusfar, our free throw shooting has been very good (though few and far between).

My thought is that it is a reflection of physicality. Physicality without necessary fundamental skills equals fouls.
Remember (sorry) when we were afraid of an opponents physicality? Remember (sorry) the Arizona game? They essentially stopped our motion offense. It felt like they had a roster of 6'2" athletes. (+ Aari McDonald, who killed us)
Oops, now UConn is that kind of athletic team. Sarah seems oblivious to physical play.
When was the last time UConn was affected by pressure defense. Um, SC in the championship game when Fulwiley deflected the pass by Ice that led to a layup and a Geno TO. (Oh well, we scored the next 8 points. Lead from 10-18.)
Can't wait for Sunday.

 

[FanSince17]

When I mentioned Ohio State earlier in the schedule discussions, that team was pooh-pahd. Now it sounds as if UConn will have some work to do to subdue these guys.
Of course, we have to switch to Peacock for some unfathomable reason to watch this game. Ugh. You might as well stay signed in to Peacock because on Dec. 17 we play Marquette and on Dec. 31 we ring in the New Yeark with another BE foe at Providence.
After those 3 Peacockers, you can drop the Bird until a Jan 25 tussle with Seton Hall, keep it so as not to miss Xavier on Jan. 28. After that game you should stay with Peacock for 2 thrillers in Feb. against more BE teams. Not much of a pocketbook hit, so long as the BE games aren't too borring. At the end we'll be playing the cheerleaders. I'm guessing the BE title games will be on the networks.
Today YouTube Live announced it has re-upped with ABC and ESPN. If you've been using Hulu for the ESPN games, you can drop it and return to YouTube (at a $20 for a one-month discount if you keep your subscription), but Hulu will probably remain as cheap or cheaper than YouTube even with the 20 bucks off. So: if you like your Hulu, keep it and drop YouTube asap (ie, when your subscription ends).
*I prepared this comment using AI entirely, so I'm not responsible for it. Frankly, I don't even understand it.

Sorry, I know it's a free country.
Isn't there a humongous thread about Peacock? It's like a disease, spreading through the BY.
Please figure out the best way for you to get the streaming service and enjoy the games. Hasn't Sunday night football, which is a great production, been on Peacock for years? Ugh

 

[broooce]

By the way, is Kylee Kitts the little sister of SC’s Chloe Kitts?

Yes, and they have one more younger sister still in HS I think. Kylee started her career at Florida before transferring to OSU.

 

[Centerstream]

Of course, we have to switch to Peacock for some unfathomable reason to watch this game. Ugh. You might as well stay signed in to Peacock because on Dec. 17 we play Marquette and on Dec. 31 we ring in the New Yeark with another BE foe at Providence.
After those 3 Peacockers, you can drop the Bird until a Jan 25 tussle with Seton Hall, keep it so as not to miss Xavier on Jan. 28. After that game you should stay with Peacock for 2 thrillers in Feb. against more BE teams. Not much of a pocketbook hit, so long as the BE games aren't too borring. At the end we'll be playing the cheerleaders. I'm guessing the BE title games will be on the networks.

As of now, all of the Big East/Peacock media announcements have stated that the entire BE WBB Tournament will be streamed on Peacock.
I believe that on the Men’s side, Peacock will not be streaming the BE Championship game but I am not 100% positive about the Men’s side.

 

[Ralph]

They may have decent stats looking at totals, but their shooting percentages against 2 not great teams are low. Under 45% shooting, under 25% from 3, under 68% from free throw line. I would expect us to keep them lower than the first two teams they played. Of course, that likely means they will shoot 45% from the 3 or better. We seem to bring that out for too many teams.

 

[fomalhaut]

One of the intriguing matchups tomorrow will be Kayleigh against Jaloni Cambridge. Two years ago the 2 HS stars matched up in what was billed as the national HS championship between Kayleigh’s Long Island Lutheran and Cambridge’s Monteverde Academy. Both players were spectacular, trading baskets for much of the game until Cambridge hit a buzzer beater to win the epic battle between the 2 HS powerhouses.

If Heckel can go toe-to-toe with Ohio State's best player, it's a good sign, since Connecticut has a big advantage in some of the other matchups.

 

[Dugway]

I always appreciate this thread. Gives me a head start on what players the opponent has to be watching for. As far as “Advantage” goes; I don’t know that I understand how this is derived?

Case in point: I just don’t see how any team in NCAAW Basketball has an “Even” bench to that of the UConn Huskies.

Statistically, … , points scored against whoever they played against, … ; putting all that aside! Nobody is deeper off the bench than UConn.

 

[Centerstream]

I looked at the box score of Ohio State's last game against Bellarmine. Bellarmine scored 0 points in the first quarter, OSU scored 26. Interesting.
Has UConn ever had a game and held our opponent scoreless in the first quarter? In any quarter?

 

[FanSince17]

I always appreciate this thread. Gives me a head start on what players the opponent has to be watching for. As far as “Advantage” goes; I don’t know that I understand how this is derived?

Case in point: I just don’t see how any team in NCAAW Basketball has an “Even” bench to that of the UConn Huskies.

Statistically, … , points scored against whoever they played against, … ; putting all that aside! Nobody is deeper off the bench than UConn.

Just thought of this: Our stats may suck all year because we're playing more guys with our deeper bench. Azzi and Sarah only averaging 17 a game. To use a BY phrase, "It is what it is"
This ain't pro-baseball where a player gets a Cy Young with 10 wins.
Last year: assist to turnover- #1 in nation (?)
field goal %- #1 right?

 

[Jackcatscal]

Sorry, I know it's a free country.
Isn't there a humongous thread about Peacock? It's like a disease, spreading through the BY.
Please figure out the best way for you to get the streaming service and enjoy the games. Hasn't Sunday night football, which is a great production, been on Peacock for years? Ugh

I found I can get Peacock for free through my Spectrum account. And I can see the channel on both Roku and Amazon Firestick.

 

[Zarathustra]

I found I can get Peacock for free through my Spectrum account. And I can see the channel on both Roku and Amazon Firestick.

My Spectrum account has come through this year....Very nice
not to listen to the radio.... and then watch for the whole game
later.

 

[SVCBeercats]

Elsa Lemmilä may surprise in this game. After watching her in several videos I think she will test Williams.​

 

[SVCBeercats]

By the way, is Kylee Kitts the little sister of SC’s Chloe Kitts?

https://www.sportskeeda.com/college-basketball/news-south-carolina-s-chloe-kitts-reacts-sister-kylee-kitts-signs-ohio-state

 

[BBallF]

One of the intriguing matchups tomorrow will be Kayleigh against Jaloni Cambridge. Two years ago the 2 HS stars matched up in what was billed as the national HS championship between Kayleigh’s Long Island Lutheran and Cambridge’s Monteverde Academy. Both players were spectacular, trading baskets for much of the game until Cambridge hit a buzzer beater to win the epic battle between the 2 HS powerhouses.

So it's payback time for Kayleigh too in addition to Azzi, Carol and Ay. I wish Nike was going to the game.

 

[Gael]

I really don't know what to expect because there are some weaknesses and unknowns as of yet in UConn's half court offense.

I agree with Geno's Loyola presser comments to the effect that because the team gotten so many points off turnovers in the first three games, the effectiveness of the half court offense is sort of unproven. And half court offense will be crucial against teams that doesn't commit turnovers and can defuse UConn's fast break.

Important components of half court offense are effective low post scoring, three-point shooting, and drawing and making free throws. UConn needs to show improvement in all three of these areas.

Strong is very effective as a low post scorer, but she's best employed as an elite tool from all over the court. Serah and Jana have not yet been models of elegant and efficient low post scoring. Also, the guards need more experience in making effective post passes to Serah and Jana.

Three-point shooting is crucial to the half court offense especially against zones. The team so far is shooting 28.6%, which is 221st in the nation. No starter other than Azzi is above 40%. Ash is at 8.3%. Caroline at 2-4 and Blanca at 1-2 actually have the highest 3FG%. Last season, UConn was 6th in the nation at 38.2%. This game can be the start of more potent scoring from the arc.

Finally, I'm unsure about UConn's ability with regard to free throws, which players mainly draw by making aggressive moves in traffic. So far, UConn is doing great at making FTs; they are 4th in the nation at 85.2%. However, the team lacks in drawing FTs—only 27 thus far, which is 354th in the nation (out of 363 teams). This is the game where the post players should make aggressive scoring moves in the low paint—and either make the shots or draw fouls in the process—and for the guards and wings aggressively to drive into traffic holes—and either make the shots or draw fouls in the process. And, then, continue hitting the FTs.

I'm not going to lay out Ohio State's statistics in these categories, other than to say their stats show strengths and lots of weaknesses.

Overall, I expect UConn to win, but because the half court offense has yet to be tested, I cautiously expect a closer MOV than many are predicting here.

Here's hoping the Huskies blow my cautions to the wind and the Buckeyes off the court.

 

[Dogdude]

Elsa Lemmilä may surprise in this game. After watching her in several videos I think she will test Williams.​

Umm, yeah..she's good. Impressive highlight reel.

 

[JRRRJ]

I really don't know what to expect because there are some weaknesses and unknowns as of yet in UConn's half court offense.

I agree with Geno's Loyola presser comments to the effect that because the team gotten so many points off turnovers in the first three games, the effectiveness of the half court offense is sort of unproven. And half court offense will be crucial against teams that doesn't commit turnovers and can defuse UConn's fast break.

Important components of half court offense are effective low post scoring, three-point shooting, and drawing and making free throws. UConn needs to show improvement in all three of these areas.

Strong is very effective as a low post scorer, but she's best employed as an elite tool from all over the court. Serah and Jana have not yet been models of elegant and efficient low post scoring. Also, the guards need more experience in making effective post passes to Serah and Jana.

Three-point shooting is crucial to the half court offense especially against zones. The team so far is shooting 28.6%, which is 221st in the nation. No starter other than Azzi is above 40%. Ash is at 8.3%. Caroline at 2-4 and Blanca at 1-2 actually have the highest 3FG%. Last season, UConn was 6th in the nation at 38.2%. This game can be the start of more potent scoring from the arc.

Finally, I'm unsure about UConn's ability with regard to free throws, which players mainly draw by making aggressive moves in traffic. So far, UConn is doing great at making FTs; they are 4th in the nation at 85.2%. However, the team lacks in drawing FTs—only 27 thus far, which is 354th in the nation (out of 363 teams). This is the game where the post players should make aggressive scoring moves in the low paint—and either make the shots or draw fouls in the process—and for the guards and wings aggressively to drive into traffic holes—and either make the shots or draw fouls in the process. And, then, continue hitting the FTs.

I'm not going to lay out Ohio State's statistics in these categories, other than to say their stats show strengths and lots of weaknesses.

Overall, I expect UConn to win, but because the half court offense has yet to be tested, I cautiously expect a closer MOV than many are predicting here.

Here's hoping the Huskies blow my cautions to the wind and the Buckeyes off the court.

If you eliminate the Louisville 4-for-26, the Huskies are shooting 37.6% from 3, not far from their 38.2% of last year and more than likely where they'll be when it's said & done.