Game Analysis - UConn vs Arkansas

[jabstep]

didn't get to finish when it posted so. She drives exclusively right. She will hit the 3 ball if left wide open. I think we Will play man and zone and possibly a press. Keep mixing it up until something works.

 

[Carnac]

I thought you would throw stats at me and I'm aware of them.

ever notice how many players that averages 25 a game aren't first team AA? stats dont tell the whole story. Otherwise, we could just look at stats and the box scores and we could select AA without ever watching a game. Stats tell a story no doubt but not the whole story. AG impacts the game beyond the stats.

I'd like to see how AG would perform with a dominate player like Boston next to her.

Me too.

 

[Carnac]

Does anybody know if Paige will play tomorrow?

I don't believe her status for tomorrow has been announced yet. That will probably be a "game time" decision.

 

[hoophuskee]

Yeah, but you can hedge in man 2 man to stop penetration, impossible to do in a zone.

There is not one-way to defend a quicker team. Did you see the last title game for men - UCONN-vs Kentucky? UCONN was killing Ky's man-to-man defense. Ky went zone and helped turn the momentum of the game. While they lost ofc- when they were in a man-to-man they were getting crushed. Sometimes you just aren't quick enough in a man-to-man to hedge effectively.

 

[CocoHusky]

I think we will be playing an extended matchup zone .. I don't think we can guard them man-to-man .. we'll see, eh?

Uhm.. you realize that a matchup zone is essentially man to man on the ball and zone away from the ball right. So if we can't guard man to man why in the Haties would UCONN go to a match up zone and then extend it? Is that what they do on Long Island? Eh?

 

[Jingo]

Uhm.. you realize that a matchup zone is essentially man to man on the ball and zone away from the ball right. So if we can't guard man to man why in the Haties would UCONN go to a match up zone and then extend it? Is that what they do on Long Island? Eh?

Yes, I think we will play a matchup zone, extending out on Slocum&Ramiriz[so the can't launch a trey] and backing off of Dungee&Daniels [so they can't dribble-penetrate] .. the zone will keep Liv out of foul trouble, eh?

 

[Cuango]

I thought you would throw stats at me and I'm aware of them.

ever notice how many players that averages 25 a game aren't first team AA? stats dont tell the whole story. Otherwise, we could just look at stats and the box scores and we could select AA without ever watching a game. Stats tell a story no doubt but not the whole story. AG impacts the game beyond the stats.

I'd like to see how AG would perform with a dominate player like Boston next to her.

Not to be argumentative, but I cannot believe that there are (or have ever been) many players who averaged 25 a game that were not all American! First of all, there are not many players who average 25 points, let alone whether they are all Americans.

Me too.

 

[jazz]

Not to be argumentative, but I cannot believe that there are (or have ever been) many players who averaged 25 a game that were not all American! First of all, there are not many players who average 25 points, let alone whether they are all Americans.

I got my GA hat on with hyperbole!! 20 pts a game anyway... but my point is that those with the most points don't always make first team AA (not just AA but First Team AA).

 

[HopJim]

She's going to get her touches and shots if you play man.

She's prone to forcing the issue, so if you can defender her with a little size and bring over a shot influencer for help, she's prone to getting very inefficient.

I think they are more dangerous when more players that Dungee are chipping in. So getting her into tunnel vision mode is probably a good result if you can bother her.

Good assessment. Playing man rarely works against Dungee and the Arkansas team. Few guards can keep Dungee from driving - she is a bull driving to basket so foot speed alone not the answer. A zone is one of the only ways to protect Nika if Geno chooses to give her major minutes.

 

[Tonyc]

Alot of analysis and great ideas on how to beat Ark. It comes down to we play defense and they dont. We will be able to score alot of points underneath because they dont play defense. We have bigs and they dont and our bigs should get alot of touches which will do 1 of 2 things. Alow our bigs to score or pass out to an open team mate. We should kill them on the boards too. We need to be patient and play our game and we win by double digits. They dont turn the ball over much and they usually shoot over 40% from the trey.

 

[hjoerring]

UConn has the number one defense partly because they have played against what appear to be some of the most offensively challenged teams in D1 basketball............this will be a good test to see if they can stick with some talented and experienced offensive players.....

Why not go all the way with this logic. I'll help: Uconn scores a lot of points because they play defensively challenged teams; they win a lot of games because they play cupcakes; they have won a lot of championships because the good teams get upset leaving them/Uconn to reap the benefits.

I'm trying my best to imagine a post-Covid-19 boneyard. When we start making sense again.

 

[CocoHusky]

Yes, I think we will play a matchup zone, extending out on Slocum & Ramiriz [so the can't launch a trey] and backing off of Dungee&Daniels [so they can't dribble-penetrate] .. the zone will keep Liv out of foul trouble, eh?

That is not a matchup zone! Eh? Didn't you go over this when you were coaching at CTK. John Chaney match up zone used to give team fits come tournament time. Here is an added bonus Calapari dribble drive offense was what he basically came up with to counter Chaney's matchup zone when Calapari was coaching at UMass. Hint: There are a lot of dribble drive concepts in that Arkansas offense that would make playing a match up zone problematic. Geno got this!

 

[meyers7]

Yes it is possible Liv is a top 5 center but she may not be as well. Saying she is top 5 sounds impressive, but even if she is, there is a MASSIVE difference between her and Boston. Also Boston has a consistent outside shot and I think they could run a good high low with AG posting up. Teams would have to put their biggest big on Boston and AG would feast on the second big with the room in the middle that would exist with Boston on the team.

You don't think teams already put their biggest big on ONO? And Griffin hasn't already been "feasting" off the second big??

I think and maybe I'm a bit off, but over the last 4-5 games AG is close to averaging a double double. There were at least 4-5 games earlier in the year, which is to say about half the games played, where she hardly scored - like 4 points. Against poor competition too so it isnt like she couldn't have....

She must be at 15 plus points over the last 4-5 games and that includes a down game against TN. Her rebounds may be just short of 10 per game over that time frame, but that would be because of the 4 (IIRC) that she had at TN. Look at the last 4-5 games. She must be at or close to a double double over that span. I'm really looking forward to seeing what she can do going forward. She will need a consistent jumper to be AA though.

Little bit.

Griffin over past 5 games is at 12.4/6. Which is really good. But not quite double/double.

 

[Ron and Vida]

I could do without Caroline Peck though...

I think vowelguy agrees with you

 

[Charliebball]

Why not go all the way with this logic. I'll help: Uconn scores a lot of points because they play defensively challenged teams; they win a lot of games because they play cupcakes; they have won a lot of championships because the good teams get upset leaving them/Uconn to reap the benefits.

I'm trying my best to imagine a post-Covid-19 boneyard. When we start making sense again.

talking about this year's team and their problematic schedule due to cancellations against competitive teams that makes their defense look statistically better than it is...........if you asked Geno if UConn had the best defense in the country what do you think he'd say?

 

[Vowelguy]

I could do without Caroline Peck though...

Yes but I think she’s improved the last couple of years.
be grateful it’s not Holly Warlick. Oof.

 

[CocoHusky]

talking about this year's team and their problematic schedule due to cancellations against competitive teams that makes their defense look statistically better than it is...........if you asked Geno if UConn had the best defense in the country what do you think he'd say?

Geno would probably say he had little control over the schedule played this far, he's glad they are #1, & there is always room for improvement. To your point though if UCONN wasn't #1 defensively after playing this schedule Geno would be very concerned.

 

[browns]

No AG is not an AA candidate..she is very athletic but a good basketball player..not great..to think she can shut down Dungee is foolish..Dungee IS one of the best players in the nation..if AG covers her man to man AG will be on the bench with 3 fouls in the first half..some people make AG to be a shut down defender..well Ashley Battle she isn't

AG would be an AA candidate if she played more although she is getting more minutes with AM out. I expect her to get something like 12 and 8 from here on out. If she can get something like that in big games as well, she could be AA herself. I think she has been an under-utilised and under-rated player.

This match-up with #15 Arkansas will present a different challenge than what #25 Tennessee presented to UConn. I believe this match-up challenge is actually more to UConn's liking in that while a back-court like Arkansas, which arguably could be the best back-court in the country is a difficult challenge it plays more favorably into UConn's strengths than Tennessee's size challenge. I believe teams that are as long as TN will always present a very young team like UConn a very difficult challenge.

Arkansas presents a double challenge to UConn because they are an extremely mature team starting 4 seniors, three of which are red shirt (5th year) seniors and a sophomore...while UConn starts three juniors (one of which is a red shirt 4th year) junior, one sophomore and one freshman.

Arkansas' tallest starter is 6'1...this should give UConn an advantage in the middle and I would expect UConn to pound the ball into the middle giving Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Aubrey Griffin a lot of opportunities to get their hands on the ball. Arkansas will rely on their speed to get the ball up fast and try and exploit the transition game.

UConn and Arkansas have one common opponent Tennessee. Arkansas was able to put up 83 points against Tennessee while UConn only put up 67 points. Given the fact that UConn players played under their season averages and Tennessee's size as well as the fact that the game was played away in front of a hostile crowd (albeit small) may have played a role in the low score. I don't know what to make of the differences displayed in their only common opponent.

I should add what I believe the outcome will be...UConn 81; Arkansas 74

Taylah Thomas vs Olivia Nelson-Ododa - This match-up pits 6'1" Taylah against 6'5" Olivia. Taylah hasn't proven to be an offensive threat so, I expect a huge advantage to go to Olivia. Evynn Barnum will split time with Taylah but together their point total don't equal Oliva's offensive output... With Olivia's height advantage I would look to her having a very productive game. ADVANTAGE UCONN

Chelsea Dungee vs Aubrey Griffin - Chelsea is a scoring machine but, given Aubrey's athleticism and her offensive effectiveness in the past 3-4 games...I do not think the difference will be that noticeable. In fact, Aubrey's defensive ability might prove to be challenging to Chelsea and she may be held below her season's average. EVEN

Destiny Slocum vs Christyn Williams - This is a great match-up. Destiny averages 15.2 points per game and 4.8 rebounds while Christyn Williams is averaging 15.6 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per game...they are technically the same player...however, Christyn has been of late embracing her role as the defacto leader of her team. I expect this match-up to a great defensive match-up...with each player trying to keep the other in front of them. I expect that UConn's pass first offense will play well in the half court while Arkansas's transition game will play well for them. In this match-up I will give a SLIGHT EDGE TO UCONN

Amber Ramirez vs Evina Westbrook - These players are statistically evenly matched with Evina being a little bit better rebounder. However, I think Evina is now beginning to round out into game shape. And I am looking for Evina to edge out her opponent in both offensive output and defensive effort. ADVANTAGE UCONN

Makayla Daniels vs Paige Bueckers - The battle of the underclassman...Sophomore vs Freshman. Thus far Paige has been having a better season statistically than Makayla. I am not sure how recovered Paige will be in this game or even if she will play. If she does play I expect Paige to win this match-up....if Nika Muhl is playing in her place then I would expect Makayla will win this match-up. So, for the time being I am assuming that Paige gets the start. ADVANTAGE UCONN

Coaching - ADVANTAGE UCONN

Intangibles / Location, etc. - Once again UConn is on the Road - ADVANTAGE ARKANSAS

Seriously? Dungee vs Griffin you have even..Dungee is one of the best guards in the nation..If Aubrey guards her she'll be on the bench with 3 fouls in the first half..AG is not Ashley Battle.

 

[Charliebball]

Geno would probably say he had little control over the schedule played this far, he's glad they are #1, & there is always room for improvement. To your point though if UCONN wasn't #1 defensively after playing this schedule Geno would be very concerned.

could be but I think he might also use an eight letter word beginning with b and ending in t........

 

[browns]

Let's hope it doesn't come down to a free throw contest..When Arkansas beat Baylor they shot 39 free throws..39!! an made 30 of them..and we know how Uconn shoots from the charity stripe

 

[Bliss]

UConn Game Sold Out

Arkansas has reached the socially distanced sell out threshold for its game against UConn tomorrow, announced this evening. The Hogs will play the game in front of 4,200 fans tomorrow night at 5 p.m. inside Bud Walton Arena, the largest crowd to witness a women's basketball game so far this season.

arkansasrazorbacks.com

Courtney Lyle and Carolyn Peck on the call

I really enjoy Courtney but Peck not so much.

 

[CocoHusky]

No AG is not an AA candidate..she is very athletic but a good basketball player..not great..to think she can shut down Dungee is foolish..Dungee IS one of the best players in the nation..if AG covers her man to man AG will be on the bench with 3 fouls in the first half..some people make AG to be a shut down defender..well Ashley Battle she isn't
Seriously? Dungee vs Griffin you have even..Dungee is one of the best guards in the nation..If Aubrey guards her she'll be on the bench with 3 fouls in the first half..AG is not Ashley Battle.

She's not Ashley Battle but she is the closest thing this team has until Saylor becomes game ready. I don't envision a better matchup for UCONN than Aubrey on Dungee. That's not to say Aubrey will ultimately win the matchup but again she's the best we got. That shut down lingo is a little over the top. Contain, hold below averages, or keep from getting on a hot streak are much more attainable goals for defense on Dungee and Aubrey is more than capable of doing this. If any UCONN starter (not just Aubrey) gets in foul trouble we are in for a long night. Trouble is defined two fouls in the first half not three.

 

[Skeets]

could be but I think he might also use an eight letter word beginning with b and ending in t........

I'll buy a vowel...

 

[thatguyed]

Massey has us -10 which seems like a lot not knowing if Paige can/will play. Does Massey take injuries into account somehow or is it pure stats?

 

[jazz]

No AG is not an AA candidate..she is very athletic but a good basketball player..not great..to think she can shut down Dungee is foolish..Dungee IS one of the best players in the nation..if AG covers her man to man AG will be on the bench with 3 fouls in the first half..some people make AG to be a shut down defender..well Ashley Battle she isn't



Seriously? Dungee vs Griffin you have even..Dungee is one of the best guards in the nation..If Aubrey guards her she'll be on the bench with 3 fouls in the first half..AG is not Ashley Battle.

I've noticed that AG over-plays guards from 25 ft from the basket and sometimes gets beat...maybe 3-4 times a game. I can see AG overplaying a wing or post but a guard who is quick is not quite right to me. She still doesn't get beat badly but still gets beat. Not sure if it is by GA's design for her to be on the ball so far from the basket, but if so, and she is matched up with Dungee and she very well could be, she will get beat more than usual.