Has Breanna Turned A Corner?

[JoePgh]

Today Breanna Stewart had a 4-for-15 shooting percentage, similar to her worst games last year. I believe she had 4 points at halftime.

Last year, when she was shooting like that, her entire game would have been either bad or invisible. Today, by contrast, she continued to be a force on the boards, and continued to go into the paint aggressively on offense even if she couldn't make her layups. As a result, she got fouled a lot, and (despite some iffy 4-for-7 free throw shooting) made the contribution that she is supposed to make to the offense when her jump shots aren't falling.

As a result, she had a real impact on the game despite a very forgettable shooting day.

That would seem to represent a confirmation that she has advanced in maturity since last year. If her "bad" games are like this and her good games are like the one against Cal, we have nothing to worry about as far as her consistency is concerned.

Somewhat unrelated observation: UConn took 25 3-point shots today (making 5), and KML took only 4 of them. That is nearly 40% of UConn's total shots. Jamelle's team defended well against the inside game, but that seems like a level of 3-point shot attempts that is excessive and should not be repeated, especially against more offensively talented opponents.

 

[msf22b]

Without going back and analyzing each game, there is the marked perception that her better games have been against top-25 teams and her lesser games have been against unranked opponents.

While not exactly worrying, not exactly the best of trends with regard Geno's approach to the game.

 

[Sonny44]

Without going back and analyzing each game, there is the marked perception that her better games have been against top-25 teams and her lesser games have been against unranked opponents.

While not exactly worrying, not exactly the best of trends with regard Geno's approach to the game.

I think that it takes the toughest teams to bring out the best in her.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Without going back and analyzing each game, there is the marked perception that her better games have been against top-25 teams and her lesser games have been against unranked opponents.

While not exactly worrying, not exactly the best of trends with regard Geno's approach to the game.

If I had to choose, I'd rather she show up in the games we actually have a chance to lose.

Contrast this to last year, where she was atrocious in our biggest regular season games and serious questions about her mental toughness were levied.

I strongly prefer the rap against her to be that she loses focus in meaningless games than that she chokes in big games.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I believe she turned a corner. After some post-game pizza last Sunday, I ran into Stewie outside MSG. She and friends/family were walking down 31st Street. I believe she turned the corner onto 8th Avenue.

 

[ctkaiser]

Today Breanna Stewart had a 4-for-15 shooting percentage, similar to her worst games last year. I believe she had 4 points at halftime.

Last year, when she was shooting like that, her entire game would have been either bad or invisible. Today, by contrast, she continued to be a force on the boards, and continued to go into the paint aggressively on offense even if she couldn't make her layups. As a result, she got fouled a lot, and (despite some iffy 4-for-7 free throw shooting) made the contribution that she is supposed to make to the offense when her jump shots aren't falling.

As a result, she had a real impact on the game despite a very forgettable shooting day.

That would seem to represent a confirmation that she has advanced in maturity since last year. If her "bad" games are like this and her good games are like the one against Cal, we have nothing to worry about as far as her consistency is concerned.

Somewhat unrelated observation: UConn took 25 3-point shots today (making 5), and KML took only 4 of them. That is nearly 40% of UConn's total shots. Jamelle's team defended well against the inside game, but that seems like a level of 3-point shot attempts that is excessive and should not be repeated, especially against more offensively talented opponents.

I agree she played hard and there appeared to be a number of times she was fouled on offense without getting calls so you can say she played through adversity and displayed maturity that was not there last year. I don't know that I would say she turned the corner. I'm not sure I even know what turning the corner is for her considering her vast talent and how much she has improved already over last year. She was a force on the boards and rebounded well. The whole team I thought played poorly and I kept hoping they would attempt to feed the post more when the outside shots were not falling. Stefanie was posted up numerous times without anybody giving her the ball. I would like to see this team develop a nice high low with Breanna feeding Stefanie. This game presents the scenario where they can lose to a good team. KML out with three fouls in the first half, poor outside shooting, quick shots early in the shot clock and not enough attempts at going inside. Also many missed layups. I think we can probably chalk it up to a combination of some rust with no game since last Sunday and winter break. Hopefully once they start playing two or three times a week in league action they will revert to form.

 

[UcMiami]

I do think she is showing marked improvement in her game this year. She has always had a bit of a deferential attitude to her play in HS and USA basketball and to some degree at Uconn - only really turning it on when her team is in difficulty. I think her intensity/aggressiveness and her willingness to lead from the opening tap is much higher this year than last and her activity outside of shooting has been much better as well. She is getting better at passing and being active off the ball, and her rebounding is also stronger. I think part of the '20 shots' Geno talked about is trying to improve her aggressive mind set - she can be a little passive on the court at times, but to get 20 shots (a mark I don't think Geno really expects consistently) she would need to start shooting early and often.

 

[meyers7]

. I think part of the '20 shots' Geno talked about is trying to improve her aggressive mind set - she can be a little passive on the court at times, but to get 20 shots (a mark I don't think Geno really expects consistently) she would need to start shooting early and often.

Very well put.

 

[caramel]

Breanna turned the big corner last year during the tournament.Now,she faces a small corner here and there,and has learned to overcome them quickly.This young lady not only has the talent,but the desire to get better,and the coach that she trusts in to get better.Hard to tell she is only a sophomore most of this season.Even harder to imagine what her ceiling will be with a basketball and a rim.

 

[Zorro]

I think mebbe she turned the corner last March. I think Muffet and Jeff think so too. And wish she hadn't!

 

[stamfordhusky]

Today Breanna Stewart had a 4-for-15 shooting percentage, similar to her worst games last year. I believe she had 4 points at halftime.

Last year, when she was shooting like that, her entire game would have been either bad or invisible. Today, by contrast, she continued to be a force on the boards, and continued to go into the paint aggressively on offense even if she couldn't make her layups. As a result, she got fouled a lot, and (despite some iffy 4-for-7 free throw shooting) made the contribution that she is supposed to make to the offense when her jump shots aren't falling.

As a result, she had a real impact on the game despite a very forgettable shooting day.

She clearly has gotten better, both the latter part of last year and this year - but I think you overstate how her offense affected the rest of her game last year. While not good every game, she did have a number of games earlier last year where her shooting pct and/or ability to get shots was not good, yet she impacted the game in other ways. For example, against Notre Dame she shot 5-17 but grabbed 9 rebounds and blocked 6 shots. Or against DePaul, she was 4-8 (9 points) but also had 9 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block. Against Providence, she shot 4-11 but also made 5 free throws and grabbed 10 rebounds. Or against Penn State, she was only 1-3 but made 5 FT's and had 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I'm thinking that the uber-athletic kid that ND recruited may have as well. After all, her name is Brianna Turner.