Game Analysis - NCAA - Game 2 - UConn v. Syracuse

[cferraro04]

GENERAL COMMENTS:

Syracuse is 24-8. Their RPI ranking = 46; SoS = 71; Their NET Rating = 39; Their Defensive Rating 86.0; Their defensive ranking is #48th nationally.
UConn is 35-0. Their RPI ranking = 4; Sos = 34; Their NET Rating = 1; Their Defensive Rating 68.5; Their defensive ranking is #1 nationally.

Syracuse is a great rebounding team, averaging 42 per game while their opponent's average 34.4 per game. They average 74.4 points and 5.5 three-pointers. They are somewhat turnover-prone, averaging 20.7 per game. They also average 5.4 blocks per game.

Syracuse is big...will probably start 6'3", 6'3", 6'2", 6'0", and 5'10". UConn may use Jana El-Alfy at the Center in this game. Certainly, we will see Blanca in early and probably get a lot of minutes in this game. They have a veteran starting line-up surrounding freshman Uche Izoje. They will probably start 1 Graduate, 2 Seniors, 1 Junior, and 1 Freshman. Syracuse could have a height advantage in each position.

UConn will need to box out Syracuse from the boards, as the Rebounding differential between the two teams is +4.5 in favor of Syracuse. UConn averages 88.8 points per game while holding its opponents to 50.4 points per game. UConn only turns the ball over 12.7 times per game, but they force their opponents to turn the ball over 24.6 times per game. UConn averages a guady 15.7 steals per game. UConn averages 9.3 three-pointers and 23.6 assists per game. I expect UConn to advance into the Sweet 16 game...let's just hope we don't see a repeat of the physicality that resulted in the Mel Thomas injury years ago.

PLAYER MATCH UPS:

Sareh Williams, 6.4" - Senior Forward v. Journey Thompson, 6'3" - Senior Forward - Journey Thompson averages 3.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, .6 assists, 1.0 steals, and .3 blocks in 17.2 minutes of play each game. Serah averages 7.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, .7 steals, 1.4 blocks in 17.8 minutes per game. While I am not sure if Geno will start Jana El-Alfy in this game...I don't think Serah can be depended on to stop Uche Izoje and I am guessing Geno will stay with the same starting line-up he has used all season. ADVANTAGE - UCONN

Sarah Strong, 6'2" - Sophomore Forward v. Uche Izoje, 6'3" - Freshman Center - Uche is a freshman phenom...but Sarah is the Big East's defensive player of the year. Uche has good size, and Sarah will need to stay out of foul trouble. Uche averages 15.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, .9 steals, and a formidable 2.6 blocks per game. Sarah averages 18.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 3.4 steals, and a respectable 1.6 blocks per game. Sarah also hits 1.6 three-pointers per game. ADVANTAGE - UCONN

Azzi Fudd, 5'11" - Graduate Guard v. Sophie Burrows 6'2" - Junior Guard - Sophie averages 11.3 points, 1.8 three-pointers, 5.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.0 steals, and .9 blocks per game. Azzi averages 17.4 points, 3.0 three-pointers, 2.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.1 steals, and .4 blocks per game. ADVANTAGE - UCONN

Ashlynn Shade, 5'10" - Junior Guard v. Laila Phelia, 6'0" - Senior Guard - Laila averages 13.8 points, 1.4 three-pointers, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 2.0 steals per game. Ashlynn averages 7.9 points, 1.3 three-pointers, 3.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.
ADVANTAGE - EVEN

KK Arnold, 5'9" - Junior Guard v. Dominique Darius, 5'10" - Graduate Guard - Dominique averages 12.6 points, 1.0 three-pointers, 3.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 3.1 turnovers per game. KK 7.5 points, .6 three-pointers, 2.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.8 steals per game.
ADVANTAGE - EVEN

BENCH:

Syracuse will bring 17 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.7 steals, and 1.9 three-pointers off the bench.
UConn will bring 35.6 points, 16.1 rebounds, 3.2 three-pointers, and 6.2 steals off the bench.
ADVANTAGE - UCONN

COACHING:

UConn's coaches will have this team ready. The UConn coaching staff is comfortable in the postseason, having been there every year. UConn was made for this time of the year. ADVANTAGE - UCONN

SCORE:

UCONN - 91
SYRACUSE - 64
MOV - 27

 

[jcoton56]

The Cuse is missing their regular point guard. Expect the Huskies to make life miserable for the replacement.

 

[Topsail]

Felisha is a good coach, I expect this game will be closer than you would think. When she was at Buffalo , I remember that we had to fight hard for a 12 pt win in the NCAA tourney against them.

 

[Ralph]

Darius is supposed to be out with a broken hand from the ACC tourney, so KK goes up against Schmidt. She is 5 -5, but got hot from 3 in opening round. Hopefully KK will drive her nuts.

 

[Horsebrnhil]

Darius is supposed to be out with a broken hand from the ACC tourney, so KK goes up against Schmidt. She is 5 -5, but got hot from 3 in opening round. Hopefully KK will drive her nuts.

THAT is where issue will be. Schmidt will be eaten alive by KK. She is not a pure point guard, and by taking care of her, the Cuse offense will sputter. No, she will not be able to hit those 3's she did against Iowa St. UCONN will throw KK, Ziebel, Ashlynn, even Sarah at her. Uchie did impress me with her game. Good midrange, rebounding, and inside game. Reminds me of Blanca in a way. Emotional factor will be there. Azzi's last home game along with Sarah Williams. It will be.....or should be a better match up, than if they were to have played Iowa St. All in all UCONN 82, Cuse 69

 

[oldude]

Watching Syracuse beat Iowa St yesterday was interesting. For the most part Syracuse was the more athletic team. While the Orange had no answer for Crooks, they could run their offense and pressure the rest of the Cyclone players fairly effectively. That will all change tomorrow.

Izoje had a really nice offensive game yesterday. Crooks was a step slow in guarding her and she hit shot after shot from midrange. Tomorrow she’ll go against some combination of Serah or Sarah, both of whom will be up in her grill, making for a long tough day trying to get off her shot.