Geno protecting Saniya in the presser

[HuskyNan]

Did our coaches tell Saniya and her teammates to HOLD for the final shot under all circumstances? If not, why not?

Here's a quote from Geno:

And that's when Chong turned the corner off a screen at the foul line. There was still more than 12 seconds left on the game clock. She careened to the hoop off-balance and forced something, a shot that never elevated, an errant pass, something that went wildly out of bounds. The painful irony is, for much of the season, Chong led the nation in assists to turnover ratio.

"That wasn't Plan A," Auriemma said. "There's a kid trying to win the game. We go over that scenario a thousand times. It's the easiest thing to do. Look at the clock. Every day in practice we said, it's usually not the shot you take that makes it, it's the offensive rebound. We just want enough time for that.

"Saniya just tried to make a great play. God bless her. Just impatient a little bit, that's all."

 

[JustinesGuy]

Awful decision by Chong, that said I wish she was coming back next year. She will be missed

 

[Sky ball]

Geno is the greatest basketball coach of all time, no question. But if he has an Achilles heel, it's coaching close games. I believe his record is unbelievably poor. I know the graphic said he is 0-4 in overtime games, now 0-5. Probably because UConn just doesn't play that many close games.

He does not get to coach many close games unfortunately (or fortunately) for experience purposes.

 

[magic]

Honestly , I am just appalled by everyone. Several times in the tourney players on different teams afraid to take " the big shot ". Here you have a player in control of the ball driving to the rim with 12 sec., trying to win the game . The defensive player not only is not set but is angled to the defender . Contact occurs landing both playrrs on the floor. NO CALL. ARE YOU KIDDING ME ? I guess it's ok to swallow the whistle when it's " anyone but uconn " !

 

[GoingPostal]

You can always look back on different plays that might have "cost" you a game. A missed foul shot, breakdown on defense, a turnover. All I know is this team over achieved all year. The only regrets I have are that Tierney an Saniya didn't end their senior season with a NC but their 4 year won/lost record and full participation in a 111 game winning streak is an achievement they can be proud of.

 

[BostonCanuck]

You can always look back on different plays that might have "cost" you a game. A missed foul shot, breakdown on defense, a turnover. All I know is this team over achieved all year. The only regrets I have are that Tierney an Saniya didn't end their senior season with a NC but their 4 year won/lost record and full participation in a 111 game winning streak is an achievement they can be proud of.

One of the best quotes from Geno last night was made in reference to these last two plays (going by memory so I'm paraphrasing): "One play rarely costs you a game. But one play can win you a game."

 

[Henry]

Soniya was definitely pressing in the second half, trying to do things she normally doesn't do. That last play was a poor decision and started too early in the clock. That said, the game was lost due to missed free throws and missed layups around the basket. Napheesa played tight all game and our offense which normally runs through her was stagnant. Mississippi State deserves the credit but with a little more poise we could have won this game. These young women deserve a lot of credit for a great season and should be congratulated.

 

[Papa33]

Did our coaches tell Saniya and her teammates to HOLD for the final shot under all circumstances? If not, why not?

A little late to be asking that quesion, no? Since you already charged Geno with the blame two posts ago.

 

[Papa33]

From the presser, Geno implied that he DOESN'T like to hold for the final shot. He said something to to effect that he doesn't believe a last second shot wins games, but he wanted time for a rebound or a second attempt. Well, he found out that a last second shot can win a game.

I think most coaches would prefer to leave a couple of seconds after the "last" shot attempt for possible tip in or rebound and second shot. But that's it: just a couple of seconds, not more than that.

 

[Roger G]

I see it like some of you others do, she thought she had a lane. If it was an easy layup, that puts all the pressure on MSU to make a basket or lose. Holding for the last shot is not the right strategy if there is an easy bucket. It was simply a judgement error by a player in a pressure filled game trying to make a play. At least she was trying to make a play.

 

[mhshuskies]

Good coaching, not the time to throw any player under the bus. Good job by him.

Yeah, he didn't pull a JPM move.

 

[BlueDogs]

He should. He IMO deserves the blame.

I am not happy at all that Chong has this on her forever. It's a damn shame and should never had happened.

This is not the first time a UConn player did not understand time and score in a tight NCAA Final 4 game. Thinking back to Bria Hartley racing up the Denver court with the shot clock off and turning it over.

Every UConn player should know in a tied game that you always hold for the final shot at the buzzer so the worst you get is Double OT. It's basic stuff. This is not a mistake that should be happening.

You are 100% right and totally wrong. How many times have you seen even great players come up with a brain hiccup in a tight game. It happens. I don't know why and it shouldn't but it does. The minute the ball was in bounded I told my daughter " I don't like this - get the ball to the best playmaker..". Gino could have done better but then again there is no cure to being human other repeated exposure and mastery of fear. They had fear and fear beat them finally but it took 111 game winning streak and and a final four all or nothing moment to break them.

 

[UCFBfan]

And let's give credit to that defender, who was none other than Morgan William. In an instant that open lane was closed, and Saniya didn't recognize the closure quickly enough. That was emblematic of the defensive play that has carried MSU this far and won them this game.

It was this exactly. You could see that Chong saw the opening and immediately went for the basket. It was move I'd hope any of our players would have made, no matter what time was left. She had a step on the defender, the whole MSU team seemed to be on the side guarding the inbound still and she found what looked like an open lane to the basket. Plus, all of MSU's bigs were away from the basket so it looked like an easy lay up. It was just an amazing job by Williams to get over and recover in defense as quick as she did because Chong had her beat originally. By the time she realized her path to the basket was blocked she was too far into her drive to stop. She was out of control, and if anything, was lucky to not get called for a charge.

I agree that it would have been nice to wait longer on the clock but you don't give up what seemed to be an easy lane for the go ahead basket just so you can run more time off the clock.

Also, remember how much we struggled making any baskets in OT and most of the 4th quarter and how we couldn't get an Offensive rebound to save our life. With all that in mind, it was a no brainer that she'd take that open lane and go for the easy layup and the win.

I know that many won't see the realistic viewpoint of the situation and will instead blame Chong for shooting too early and not holding for a last second shot, but I hope she can get over it and know she made the right play.

Congrats to this team for playing as well as they did all season. They surpassed many expectations and were awesome. Miss St just played the better game and had the better game plan last night.

 

[Florida Fan]

She'll remember that last play, but overall she's got nothing to be ashamed about. She's had a great year, and who knows - maybe UConn would have lost already against someone in the season if not for her.

This year she had a knack for contributing when her team needed it the most, and I'd argue that until that last play, she was doing that this game as well.

When Saniya started that drive, the camera angle said it was open. Cat-/quick Morgan closed the gap and Saniya tried to split the defenders, avoiding enough bodies to rule out a foul. She has had the knack to get to the rim in a hurry, but not this time. Thinking maybe to drive in the final nail. This year she contributed significant points and passes in critical moments. A good senior year. Thanks, Saniya.

 

[southie]

Geno handled the press conference perfectly in regards to Soniya's drive.

That being said, even if you practice those last possession plays in practice, it needs to be mentioned again in the huddle when (more or less) a shot should be attempted. I'm very surprised she was the one who had the ball in her hands in that situation; don't think Geno confirmed that the play was designed for her, but perhaps I missed that. Miss. State is a very good defensive team, so I'm surprised that driving to the basket against them in that situation would have been the called play.

 

[chrissaran]

ASweet3781, do you really think Geno did go over the strategy so that everyone understood what to do? Seriously? Even if she had scored, they had a chance to come back down the court. You hold the ball long enough so that you either score or get a put back, or go to another overtime, but you don't shoot early no matter what. Saniya made a mistake. Nothing else needs to be said. They had an incredible year. Hopefully, next year will be even better. Until next year . . .

 

[BroadwayVa]

A lot of posts seem to imply that Saniya lost the game--took the shot too early--took the shot on her own.
Geno's comment: I don't believe in waiting for the last shot--is true; historically he wants to rebound and get a second shot attempt
It was not just generous or protective (true it was) but it is the way he plays the game.
The loss--was cumulative: Miss state great defense, great execution--uconn: foul shooting, terrible team shooting, except KLS who didn't shoot enough yea she was tightly guarded--but when she made up her mind she was free.
Really bright light--Geno trusts Danger and she ran the point with poise, few if any errors.
The greatest ever season of any team any where--undersized, no bench, 4 of five players had minimal game exposure in the previous year
3 all american came out of it--2 freshmen and a soph---36 wins ----ONE loss when everyone expected 4 losses minimum.
Super great--this team deserves a parade---and Uconn fans need to hold their heads high and respect what this group has done.

 

[BroadwayVa]

In defense of Geno, he said in the post game presser they went over that in every practice.

Geno nor Saniya need no defense---Geno coaches different than 99 out of 100 other coaches--he win when 99 others don't
I've seen this "quick" shot a few other times in the past from a geno team in the same situation --it's not one his teams have seen or done regularly. Way too many things came together --size, fouls that restrict defense, poor shooting--and the most of all Miss St shot better than well--and had 14 players (used most) and spread the fouls around which allowed them to band the hell out of uconn
and pressured Uconn well. We've seen Uconn come close this year after being beat up. Hat's off to Mss ST

 

[Waquoit]

Let's be serious. It was a horrible, boneheaded play. Of course it will stay with her forever. C'est la vie.

 

[Paesano]

It was this exactly. You could see that Chong saw the opening and immediately went for the basket. It was move I'd hope any of our players would have made, no matter what time was left. She had a step on the defender, the whole MSU team seemed to be on the side guarding the inbound still and she found what looked like an open lane to the basket. Plus, all of MSU's bigs were away from the basket so it looked like an easy lay up. It was just an amazing job by Williams to get over and recover in defense as quick as she did because Chong had her beat originally. By the time she realized her path to the basket was blocked she was too far into her drive to stop. She was out of control, and if anything, was lucky to not get called for a charge.

I agree that it would have been nice to wait longer on the clock but you don't give up what seemed to be an easy lane for the go ahead basket just so you can run more time off the clock.

Also, remember how much we struggled making any baskets in OT and most of the 4th quarter and how we couldn't get an Offensive rebound to save our life. With all that in mind, it was a no brainer that she'd take that open lane and go for the easy layup and the win.

I know that many won't see the realistic viewpoint of the situation and will instead blame Chong for shooting too early and not holding for a last second shot, but I hope she can get over it and know she made the right play.

Congrats to this team for playing as well as they did all season. They surpassed many expectations and were awesome. Miss St just played the better game and had the better game plan last night.

100% correct!!!

This wasn't Geno's fault (LMAO at Asweet, the armchair coach) nor was it Saniya's. Everyone always takes pride in the intelligence of our players. Because of that, Geno allows them to make reads on the fly. She would have held longer but saw an easy layup and you take an easy layup if it is available. A GREAT defensive hustle play screwed it up. It is just that simple.

If this game was lost anywhere, it was lost on the recruiting trail 4 years ago. We lacked size, which killed us on the boards, and we lacked depth, which led to tired legs and missed free throws. Recruiting is an inexact science and sometimes this happens, even for an ELEVEN TIME CHAMPIONSHIP COACH WHO HAS BROKEN JUST ABOUT EVERY POSSIBLE RECORD!!!!!!!!

 

[Bronx]

Actually what he said is, they go over it in practice and typically they want to have enough time on the clock for a rebound or put back. This may have been the reason Saniya started earlier than most wanted, to leave some time on the clock. Not a fan of such logic.
I was also somewhat surprised by how the entire team, minus Kia who was on the left side, where all on the right side of the court. Very little spacing and a lot of hands and traffic, making Saniya's only move to her left, with not too many passing options.
Can't complain about Geno or the team. It was a team loss, coaches and players. That same team, coaches and players, have been phenomenal all season.

She'll remember that last play, but overall she's got nothing to be ashamed about. She's had a great year, and who knows - maybe UConn would have lost already against someone in the season if not for her.

This year she had a knack for contributing when her team needed it the most, and I'd argue that until that last play, she was doing that this game as well.

One play does not lose a game. Saniya was one of the few huskies that kept us in the game. She played her heart out, as she has all year. Yes, it was a poor decision to start that early on the last possession, but without her play all game, the outcome would have been decided a lot earlier in regulation. I'm proud of what Saniya accomplished this year. She proved how vital she was to the season's success!

 

[Icebear]

I always love the second guessing of people who couldn't get within the scent of Div. 1 lockeroom let alone coach a Div. 1 team wanting believe they can out think a Hall of Fame coach or a college player because in their mind someone has to be blamed. Jeepers, let it go.

 

[ricky]

It was a team loss. Saniya will be ok, though losing her last game is tough. It didn't seem to hold Maya back.

Geno noted the missed FTs, 8 of them. You can't do that in a very close game.

Someone asked if it was possible that there may have been a little choking. Well 8 missed FTs by otherwise good FT shooters tells that story.

 

[Gus Mahler]

If UCONN had to lose, I was glad it was to Miss St as they and Vic were great this year. Congrats to them.

I'm with you there.

 

[Chong-Master]

Let's be serious. It was a horrible, boneheaded play. Of course it will stay with her forever. C'est la vie.

Would like to see you go out there, under that kind of pressure and see what you can do. All of you "Arm Chair Quarterbacks" need to take a chill pill and relax. Saniya Chong, as a leader, saw an opening and took a chance of making a play that could have won game. It didn't work out. Look at her overall game last evening. She, in my opinion, along with Williams played the best for UCONN. Collier and KLS were not on 'their games' at all last evening.

 

[Waquoit]

Would like to see you go out there, under that kind of pressure and see what you can do. All of you "Arm Chair Quarterbacks" need to take a chill pill and relax. Saniya Chong, as a leader, saw an opening and took a chance of making a play that could have won game. It didn't work out. Look at her overall game last evening. She, in my opinion, along with Williams played the best for UCONN. Collier and KLS were not on 'their games' at all last evening.

I think you need to take the pill, CM. I choked in Little League and it's still with me.
And even if Chong does make that shot, MSU had plenty of time to perhaps make a 3 for the win. It was a bad play all around, a true leader has better situational awareness.

 

[bags27]

I think you need to take the pill, CM. I choked in Little League and it's still with me.
And even if Chong does make that shot, MSU had plenty of time to perhaps make a 3 for the win. It was a bad play all around, a true leader has better situational awareness.

Your problem, but maybe not Saniya's.

 

[NHFan]

Let's be serious. It was a horrible, boneheaded play. Of course it will stay with her forever. C'est la vie.

Will just have to agree to disagree with you. She has already attained success many will never see!

 

[osceola48]

It was this exactly. You could see that Chong saw the opening and immediately went for the basket. It was move I'd hope any of our players would have made, no matter what time was left. She had a step on the defender, the whole MSU team seemed to be on the side guarding the inbound still and she found what looked like an open lane to the basket. Plus, all of MSU's bigs were away from the basket so it looked like an easy lay up. It was just an amazing job by Williams to get over and recover in defense as quick as she did because Chong had her beat originally. By the time she realized her path to the basket was blocked she was too far into her drive to stop. She was out of control, and if anything, was lucky to not get called for a charge.

I agree that it would have been nice to wait longer on the clock but you don't give up what seemed to be an easy lane for the go ahead basket just so you can run more time off the clock.

Also, remember how much we struggled making any baskets in OT and most of the 4th quarter and how we couldn't get an Offensive rebound to save our life. With all that in mind, it was a no brainer that she'd take that open lane and go for the easy layup and the win.

I know that many won't see the realistic viewpoint of the situation and will instead blame Chong for shooting too early and not holding for a last second shot, but I hope she can get over it and know she made the right play.

Congrats to this team for playing as well as they did all season. They surpassed many expectations and were awesome. Miss St just played the better game and had the better game plan last night.

Wow, I agree with you 100%! You could not have said this any better! Thanks!

 

[BroadwayVa]

Let's be serious. It was a horrible, boneheaded play. Of course it will stay with her forever. C'est la vie.

Bone head play?? If that shot had gone in and Saniya gotten the foul she should have gotten --Uconn leads--their defense was more than good (I mean Uconn) at the end. If all that worked and Uconn won---brilliant , excellent, play ---
Easy to condemn --when it not you being condemned--
Let US be SERIOUS---this is the time for Uconn fan to cheer the year these kids had--and not look for the negatives
Let Us be SERIOUS-- all the moans and groans --and hindsight--won't make the game a win---accept it --cheer the great year--and move on to next year.
Im proud of the Boneyard fans that congratulated Mss St. Class---just plain class!!