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Message: [QUOTE="cferraro04, post: 4456920, member: 267"] I don't agree with your premise, "clearly ND had the starter advantage". To begin with Azzi going down in the first period and only playing non-productive minutes in the second as she was obviously compensating for her injury had an emotional effect on the remaining UConn player's psyche. The entire UConn defense was out of sync as a result. Notre Dame was able to do things offensively that with a healthy Azzi in the line-up they wouldn't have been able to do. For example, Westbeld went 3-5 from three...adjustments will be made and that will not happen again. Neither will UConn allow Miles to take the ball up the middle uncontested the way she did. ND was able to take the ball into the paint and there was little to no weak-side help from UConn because the defensive sets were out of sync. ND shot 61 percent in the first quarter and 69 percent in second quarter that is 65 percent for the first half. And, that is against what is arguably when healthy one of the best defensive teams in the country. Offensively without Azzi lighting it up from three it put a lot of pressure on Lou (who by the way did a great job). It also made it difficult for our big(s) to operate in the paint because with ND daring Aubrey to shoot from the outside and draping themselves over Lou...they were able to pack the middle and make it extremely difficult for Aaliyah. I actually, am not disappointed by their performance against ND. One, I don't expect ND to play as effectively next time around. Two, with Azzi injured, Dorka injured, Aubrey and Caroline (also injured) accounting for 4 points between them that leaves 55 points off the table. UConn will get healthy and ND will not come within 20 points of a healthy UConn team. In closing what if Aubrey and Caroline both scored 10 points each (something they are both capable of doing when a team's defense is spread out trying to deal with all of UConn's weapons)? UConn wins that game. Let's face it...UConn's SOS is number one in the country...they are playing the worst part of their schedule with a depleted team...and they aren't doing so bad. So, in my original game analysis I had a starter advantage for UConn and if UConn is healthy I stand by that all day long. UConn is the better team, their starters are a better starting five and given a second chance I wouldn't bet against UConn. [/QUOTE]

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