GAME THREAD:Oklahoma

[j66kicker]

1. Will someone please identify Geno's first team players. I can see that they are sitting in front on Geno's right. I will appreciate if their names are attached to their pictures.
2. Some UConn staff is also there. There names too will be appreciated. (I can recognize Culmo, Wolters, Ralph, Lawlor and a few more)
3. Who is the person behind Batouly with her face hidden?
4. And the ponytail holding the balloon looking behind.
5. When Pat, Tara or Hatchell won their 1000 victory, who appeared in the celebratory picture?

4. Ann Strother

On TV during the celebration I saw @Phil with a large "1000" sign, his head sticking through one of the "0's"

 

[donalddoowop]

Tough team this Okla. This is a ranked team and will be again when all is said and done.

 

[Zinethar]

To me the problem in this game was the constant whistles. It had to be almost impossible to get any rhythm going. Constant distraction. Called tons of ticky-tak/phantom calls but then seemingly missing blatant ones. To my eyes just a horribly officiated game. Both ways.Was there even one series not interrupted?

 

[donalddoowop]

If you had watched them as many times as I have, you would be very surprised at how well they played. This is another situation where a team gets up for UCONN and plays out of their mind. Don't be surprised if they look bad their next game unless they are finally reaching their potential. They have problems playing well an entire game.

 

[CL82]

TLaw was in the house. Blow it up! Some interesting expressions ...and people.

​

"I am so mad that they didn't let me bring my camera!"​

 

[bags27]

View attachment 27047
I am so mad that they didn't let me bring my camera!​

Reasonably tight security. my wife couldn't bring her bottle of water in.

 

[j66kicker]

I think I know. I've felt this for awhile now. The best player doesn't start and the returning players are having a tough time with her in practice. It's also throwing the chemistry they built last year off. Hate to say it, but Z is far and away our best player. As good as Gabby and Pheesa are, one or both of them know they shouldn't be starting. Probably feels awkward for them. Personally I feel this is why they both have not started out on fire like last year.

Z is obviously good enough to be a starter. Quite a dilemma, because so are Gabby & Pheesa. IMO you have to think really hard before you decide not to start returning All Americans. I think Gabby & Pheesa did all right tonight for players who maybe shouldn't be starting. Gabby led the team in rebounds AND assists (in only 24 minutes), and Pheesa led the team in scoring while also pulling down 9 rebounds. So which one would you sit?

 

[Carnac]

If you had watched them as many times as I have, you would be very surprised at how well they played. This is another situation where a team gets up for UCONN and plays out of their mind. Don't be surprised if they look bad their next game unless they are finally reaching their potential. They have problems playing well an entire game.

Agreed. OU definitely played up to their competition tonight. Let's see if they play this well their next game.

 

[uconnever]

Z is obviously good enough to be a starter. Quite a dilemma, because so are Gabby & Pheesa. IMO you have to think really hard before you decide not to start returning All Americans. I think Gabby & Pheesa did all right tonight for players who maybe shouldn't be starting. Gabby led the team in rebounds AND assists (in only 24 minutes), and Pheesa led the team in scoring while also pulling down 9 rebounds. So which one would you sit?

I would not sit either one, I believe the coach is doing the right thing. I just think for the players it may be awkward and maybe has shaken their confidence. It will just take some time for them to settle into the way things will be this year. I personally think they will be fine.

 

[HuskyNan]

Two things. Where's CD's hideous orange jacket? And why is she on the back row in that big old group photo? You know if she hadn't been here every squeaky shoe on hardwood step of the way 1K wins would still be a long way off.

The jacket is for HOF honorees.

 

[HuskyNan]

The refs had a horrible night. Both teams suffered, and maybe UConn more, not because of the number of calls, but because they feed off on momentum which the refs were constantly breaking. Really, really terrible tonight.

Gotta disagree with you. The game was very physical and the refs kept things from getting out of hand.

 

[HuskyNan]

Z is obviously good enough to be a starter. Quite a dilemma, because so are Gabby & Pheesa. IMO you have to think really hard before you decide not to start returning All Americans. I think Gabby & Pheesa did all right tonight for players who maybe shouldn't be starting. Gabby led the team in rebounds AND assists (in only 24 minutes), and Pheesa led the team in scoring while also pulling down 9 rebounds. So which one would you sit?

Geno will never sit a senior unless she's injured or is a complete liability to the team.

I disagree on the premise that Z should start over both. She is still learning the defense and often fouls because of it. It would be a disaster to have her stuck on the bench because of fouls in a tight game. Also, she is an instant shot of energy off the bench. The opponent plays hard for 7-10 minutes and starts to fatigue then in comes Z, all 6-6 of her. It would have to be demoralizing.

 

[eebmg]

The jacket is for HOF honorees.

I bet Geno was thinking of saying "Orange, Orange?, Can I get another color?"

 

[Intpseeker]

If you had watched them as many times as I have, you would be very surprised at how well they played. This is another situation where a team gets up for UCONN and plays out of their mind. Don't be surprised if they look bad their next game unless they are finally reaching their potential. They have problems playing well an entire game.

I'm glad this was brought up.

Over the decades, how many times has UConn played a team that hasn't had a great season and then we sit and watch and think, 'This is a pretty good team. How did they lose __ games?' Then when you check how they are doing later in the season, they just lost to The Little Sisters of the Poor.

It validates your point that some teams bring their best against UConn, but if I were their coach, I'd be wicked po'd, because they just proved they could play at a particular level and then, not so much.

 

[eebmg]

I'm glad this was brought up.

Over the decades, how many times has UConn played a team that hasn't had a great season and then we sit and watch and think, 'This is a pretty good team. How did they lose __ games?' Then when you check how they are doing later in the season, they just lost to The Little Sisters of the Poor.

It validates your point that some teams bring their best against UConn, but if I were their coach, I'd be wicked po'd, because they just proved they could play at a particular level and then, not so much.

Their next game is TX so they may lose even if they play a good game but I think OK will definitely benefit over the long run.

 

[HopJim]

I would not sit either one, I believe the coach is doing the right thing. I just think for the players it may be awkward and maybe has shaken their confidence. It will just take some time for them to settle into the way things will be this year. I personally think they will be fine.

This game was a perfect example why with Z UConn can play several different styles. When their lead was cut to 7, Geno sat Crystal and whet with a big lineup and pounded ball down low. Next thing you knew, lead up over 20. One system does not fit all games-who cares who is in as long as we go all the way.

 

[chrissaran]

A very uneven performance. Oklahoma came to play. They deserve a lot of credit. As has been said many times, UConn gets everyone's best shot. Credit the team for rising to the occasion with another win. I laughed when the announcers said Oklahoma was tired. UConn makes everyone look tired. Gabby didn't shoot well; however, 10 rebounds and 8 assists is a great night's work in her limited minutes. Katie Lou was the epitome of an uneven night. Great moments mixed with not so great moments. On to Toronto and Duquesne.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I'm glad this was brought up.

Over the decades, how many times has UConn played a team that hasn't had a great season and then we sit and watch and think, 'This is a pretty good team. How did they lose __ games?' Then when you check how they are doing later in the season, they just lost to The Little Sisters of the Poor.

It validates your point that some teams bring their best against UConn, but if I were their coach, I'd be wicked po'd, because they just proved they could play at a particular level and then, not so much.

Intpseeker- - -I agree! This is what separates UCONN from everyone else! A lot of teams pick and chose which games "they'll show up for" and which games they'll cake by! The coaching staff makes darn sure the players "show up" for every game!

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I had to rewrite this as my 1st attempt was taken down.

I have to say this, I wish there was a law that if UCON WBB fans make comments during the games they should be sentenced to 20 years in Leavenworth!
God people wait till the game is over then comment! negative chatter about players and coaches then UCONN wins by 20+ points!
I got back from the game around 10pm, showered and sat down to look at the BONEYARD, first mistake! I started at page 1 through all 14 pages of hate, discontent, disbelief, and overall I thought I was reading about an 8th grade game!
How did Geno & CD win 1,000 games! They really are miracle workers to have even won 1 game with the players that have gone through the program, especially this years players!
BE FANS NOT CRITICS! Give the players and coaches a break, PLEASE!
They don't try to screw up to upset you, they are human and make mistakes or get tired or are sick/injured, and stuff happens!
Enough PLEASE!

 

[BigBird]

I feel 'ya Vikes, but the purpose of the game thread is to replicate, to an extent, the kinds of discussions that take place among the fans who actually are attending the game. Or, it substitutes for that chatter that goes down when we watch our favorite team with our friends in the living room. Insisting that we should not form opinions until the game is over just isn't realistic.

Sometimes, people lose their self-control and yell absurd things at their TV (I plead guilty). And people sometimes lose their self-control and post absurd things in the game thread. "Fan" is still a morph of "fanatic."

But I strongly dislike some of the ill-conceived venom directed at our team as much as you do.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I think what upsets me most is the majority of people with their ultra negative comments, at the end of the game apologize for those comments, then the next game it is a repeat performance.

 

[HopJim]

A very uneven performance. Oklahoma came to play. They deserve a lot of credit. As has been said many times, UConn gets everyone's best shot. Credit the team for rising to the occasion with another win. I laughed when the announcers said Oklahoma was tired. UConn makes everyone look tired. Gabby didn't shoot well; however, 10 rebounds and 8 assists is a great night's work in her limited minutes. Katie Lou was the epitome of an uneven night. Great moments mixed with not so great moments. On to Toronto and Duquesne.

Have to agree to disagree. Katie Lou hit big shots when it counted (7 points in what seemed like 2 minutes when they put OK away), passed well, and was active all over court. Some seem to evaluate her solely on how many shots she makes but Geno's comments indicates he is in another camp. She just came back from a foot injury and missed a few defensive assignments, but no accident Geno kept her in 99% of game.
If you looked at the general body type of the OK post players, didn't appear any had spent any time with the weights or strength training. They slowed down throughout game - more a comment regarding the physical fitness of the UConn players. We sometimes take the improvements all, especially Katie Lou and Crystal, have made.

 

[pvdoggy]

Have to agree to disagree. Katie Lou hit big shots when it counted (7 points in what seemed like 2 minutes when they put OK away), passed well, and was active all over court. Some seem to evaluate her solely on how many shots she makes but Geno's comments indicates he is in another camp. She just came back from a foot injury and missed a few defensive assignments, but no accident Geno kept her in 99% of game.
If you looked at the general body type of the OK post players, didn't appear any had spent any time with the weights or strength training. They slowed down throughout game - more a comment regarding the physical fitness of the UConn players. We sometimes take the improvements all, especially Katie Lou and Crystal, have made.

There is a reason Lou came to UConn. She has become SOOOOO much better of a basketball player now than when she came in. Imagine what Stevens would have been like if she had gone to UConn from day 1. Wow!

 

[HuskyNan]

I think what upsets me most is the majority of people with their ultra negative comments, at the end of the game apologize for those comments, then the next game it is a repeat performance.

A game thread is a stream of consciousness thing. People type whatever plans he’s through their minds at the time. Folks that get irate at such stuff should skip the game threads