Houston Postgame Thread

[Boreifs]

And that brings up the required Geno bashing...I really think that Kyla should have played more in the 4th quarter. We were working our way to a 40 point win and there she was again on the bench .

Seriously, all in all, an outing that should be good for us going forward. Everyone played, no one got hurt and even the bench stayed engaged. Looking forward to watching the replay tonight or tomorrow.

Kyla was on the bench so that Makurat and Griffin could get more minutes. Would you sub her in for a guard?! Position still matters. She is, after all, one of the starters.

 

[Centerstream]

Kyla was on the bench so that Makurat and Griffin could get more minutes. Would you sub her in for a guard?! Position still matters. She is, after all, one of the starters.

One word about the first part of my post: sarcasm

 

[Longtime fan]

Look at the box score---Houston played Uconn EVEN in the 2nd Quarter ---Aubrey made a layup.

I pointed out that she has mastered lay-ups. I want outside shots...even 8 footers.

 

[Longtime fan]

Did you notice that Houston, as bad as they were, played Uconn even in the 2nd Qtr-- 19/19
Baylor Uconn won the first, lost the second, close the 3rd, blew out in the 4th.

Yes. That is pretty disgraceful. Even our" A" team played with little consistency. They are perfect for 10 minutes, and then barely average for the next 10. I would like to see Gene go " off the charts." Specifically, play the bench players for most of the AAC games...win or lose. Who cares about some meaningless
record ( e.g. Undefeated in the AAC)? If The NFL champions beat a high school team 1 million times straight...is that a meaningful accomplishment? Let our starters play the first quarter, and 50% of the third quarter. That's it. Win or lose. Make it a real " development "program. And I haven't even had a cocktail yet. Seriously when we play teams like Houston , and it is 25-2 at the end of the first quarter, what do we learn? Who can watch?

 

[Fairfield Fan]

I think that Griffin may be the most talented player on the team- bar none. She has displayed moments of dazzling brilliance. She may lack confidence, and she certainly was awkward several times (two travels?). But on the other hand, she's the most exciting player on the team. And often she is the most aggressive player on the team as well.

Wonder whether she'll blossom into a full-fledged first team All American next year? She could.

 

[Biff]

Yes. That is pretty disgraceful.

Really? That is the word you want to use? Unbelievable.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

The stats on Griffin are revealing. In 18 minutes, she pulled down 5 offensive rebounds. So she is in there fighting for the ball. 5 points and 7 rebounds in total, tying for the team lead (and as many as 6'5" ONO in virtually the same minutes on the court). But then again, she committed 4 turnovers. That's the awkward part.

 

[Dokey]

I think that Griffin may be the most talented player on the team- bar none. She has displayed moments of dazzling brilliance. She may lack confidence, and she certainly was awkward several times (two travels?). But on the other hand, she's the most exciting player on the team. And often she is the most aggressive player on the team as well.

Wonder whether she'll blossom into a full-fledged first team All American next year? She could.

Seriously? Meg and Christyn are miles better and more exciting because they can actually make the plays. Rushing in when there are better options isn’t aggressive. I think with Aubrey people see the player they want to see. With work, study and practice, she can contribute, perhaps even approach Christyn but...

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Geno answers the mystery about Evelyn early on in the post-game presser today:

 

[hoophuskee]

I think that Griffin may be the most talented player on the team- bar none. She has displayed moments of dazzling brilliance. She may lack confidence, and she certainly was awkward several times (two travels?). But on the other hand, she's the most exciting player on the team. And often she is the most aggressive player on the team as well.

Wonder whether she'll blossom into a full-fledged first team All American next year? She could.

don't see it.

 

[CocoHusky]

Griffin is also for real but that doesn't translate into freshman minutes. Edwards has the tools and attitude to be great but transitioning into UConn's system is tough on a freshman. And I thought that UConn did a pretty good job guarding Cox down low.

Edwards spent time with the Canadian senior national team which will make her better prepared than the Typical US HS recruit. Cox did not spend much time down low on offense, it was Smith that UCONN had no answer for down low during the last 4 minutes of the game.

 

[Calbysdad]

Congrats to CD on the win. I heard Geno was fired after the Baylor game. Glad she got off to a good start.

This made me laugh!

 

[BostonBay]

The stats on Griffin are revealing. In 18 minutes, she pulled down 5 offensive rebounds. So she is in there fighting for the ball. 5 points and 7 rebounds in total, tying for the team lead (and as many as 6'5" ONO in virtually the same minutes on the court). But then again, she committed 4 turnovers. That's the awkward part.

Aubrey has the same problem as ONO. She doesnt disguise or protect the ball very well. On her shots, she starts low so it can easily be blocked or stripped. I would hope these can be fixed with coaching, but I havent seen an improvement yet.

 

[Calbysdad]

Aubrey has the same problem as ONO. She doesnt disguise or protect the ball very well. On her shots, she starts low so it can easily be blocked or stripped. I would hope these can be fixed with coaching, but I havent seen an improvement yet.

Agree but, man, she shows some incredible potential at times.

 

[CocoHusky]

The stats on Griffin are revealing. In 18 minutes, she pulled down 5 offensive rebounds. So she is in there fighting for the ball. 5 points and 7 rebounds in total, tying for the team lead (and as many as 6'5" ONO in virtually the same minutes on the court). But then again, she committed 4 turnovers. That's the awkward part.

Equally revealing when watching Aubrey is that she does not know the UCONN offense.

 

[hart2hart]

I enjoyed the game. Even though the competition wasn’t Top 25 the team looked
much more crisp.......I bet they wished they had the Baylor game back. At least the 4th
quarter. Real nice to see Anna make the threes. Wish she would drive to the basket like we saw in the exhibition games.

 

[donalddoowop]

Equally revealing when watching Aubrey is that she does not know the UCONN offense.

True, like most freshmen at the first half of their freshman season at UConn. Gabby, Collier, CD and so many more took awhile to learn the offense. I believe all the incoming freshmen will have their troubles as well.

 

[psconn]

Just watched the game for the first time. In the waning minutes of the 4th, Meghan Culmo mentioned that Houston had lost their leading scorer due to [I think she said} mental illness. Did I hear right? Seems like an odd thing to say... anyone know the back story?

 

[Tonyc]

Liked what I saw against Houston . Mak shooting the treys and driving opening up the the outside shot. Griff doing what she does. Kyla needs to shoot more. Liv making moves to the basket. Yeah Houston isnt a top team but the point is we are making changes. We need to make layups and that means not rushing them. Taking a second to get set and shoot them. Mak Griff and Kyla must shoot the ball more because they can score. Over the next two weeks I think we see alot of that. Mak and Kyla when they get hot can lite it up. Both are very good 3 pt shooters. I cant see us losing to Tenn. Tenn finds ways to lose big games and this one is in CT. Live must take the ball strong to the basket as does Griff and everybody else and draw fouls. Too many times we seemed afraid when we got close to the basket because of Baylors height. Take it at em and get fouled.

 

[oldude]

Just watched the game for the first time. In the waning minutes of the 4th, Meghan Culmo mentioned that Houston had lost their leading scorer due to [I think she said} mental illness. Did I hear right? Seems like an odd thing to say... anyone know the back story?

The player in question is Jasmyne Harris. Last season she played the first half vs UConn and then the coach sat her down for the 2nd half. Subsequently, she was suspended for the remainder of the season while she supposedly dealt with some “personal issues.”

Harris was allowed back on the team this year after going through counseling, completing community service projects along with several other requirements established by Coach Hughey. She started the first 5 games for Houston and was their leading scorer. But once again, she was suspended from the team, without comment from the University.

 

[Carnac]

Geno answers the mystery about Evelyn early on in the post-game presser today:

Every boneyard poster should watch this post game presser. Geno gives his “state of the team” observations and his point of view on some things (players) some posters don’t understand and are concerned about.

 

[JPT333]

Kyla Irwin with 3 reb, 3 ast, & 0 pts. Gotta do better than that as a starter, especially against a lesser opponent like Houston. She looks lost out there more often than not.

 

[Centerstream]

Yes. That is pretty disgraceful. Even our" A" team played with little consistency. They are perfect for 10 minutes, and then barely average for the next 10. I would like to see Gene go " off the charts." Specifically, play the bench players for most of the AAC games...win or lose. Who cares about some meaningless
record ( e.g. Undefeated in the AAC)? If The NFL champions beat a high school team 1 million times straight...is that a meaningful accomplishment? Let our starters play the first quarter, and 50% of the third quarter. That's it. Win or lose. Make it a real " development "program. And I haven't even had a cocktail yet. Seriously when we play teams like Houston , and it is 25-2 at the end of the first quarter, what do we learn? Who can watch?

Really???? One word "asinine". But your opinion is just as meaningful and correct as anyone else's is.
But I guess any of us Keyboard Coaches can propose what the G.O.A.T. coach should have done and should do, no matter how they may sound to others.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Kyla Irwin with 3 reb, 3 ast, & 0 pts. Gotta do better than that as a starter, especially against a lesser opponent like Houston. She looks lost out there more often than not.

So you think Geno just keeps her out there for 30 minutes for no good reason?

 

[eebmg]

Kyla Irwin with 3 reb, 3 ast, & 0 pts. Gotta do better than that as a starter, especially against a lesser opponent like Houston. She looks lost out there more often than not.

Lost? By all accounts. she knows everything about where she and her teammates should be.Unduly passive is far more accurate.

 

[HopJim]

Kyla was on the bench so that Makurat and Griffin could get more minutes. Would you sub her in for a guard?! Position still matters. She is, after all, one of the starters.

With a 30-40 point lead, would not have any of the top 4 starters in, particularly the last 5-8 minutes. Having Williams play the point is OK, but Molly needs experience with this as well. Particularly against poor competition, the play gets sloppy and too much risk of injury.

 

[HopJim]

Kyla Irwin with 3 reb, 3 ast, & 0 pts. Gotta do better than that as a starter, especially against a lesser opponent like Houston. She looks lost out there more often than not.

Kyla's impact goes well beyond stats. This being said, her current production coincides with her "big game" and the result - unfortunately now other teams are guarding her. Kyla's offensive potential is limited and she is not big enough or athletic enough to be a solid defender against at top "big."

 

[CocoHusky]

Kyla's impact goes well beyond stats. This being said, her current production coincides with her "big game" and the result - unfortunately now other teams are guarding her. Kyla's offensive potential is limited and she is not big enough or athletic enough to be a solid defender against at top "big."

Other teams are not guarding Kyla and Baylor certainly did not. Kyla’s game has become way too depended on her making that first shot. If she makes that first shot she becomes confident and energized. A miss results in her becoming invisible and UCONN playing 4 against 5. Ironically Kyla’s first miss in the Baylor game was a layup, which is entirely within her control.

 

[oldude]

Other teams are not guarding Kyla and Baylor certainly did not. Kyla’s game has become way too depended on her making that first shot. If she makes that first shot she becomes confident and energized. A miss results in her becoming invisible and UCONN playing 4 against 5. Ironically Kyla’s first miss in the Baylor game was a layup, which is entirely within her control.

Kyla is not really a high volume shooter, nor does she have a shooter’s mentality, i.e. no conscience. She’s only going to take 3-5 shots per game under most circumstances.

A high volume shooter will typically shoot themselves out of a cold shooting spell. Through the years I’ve watched players like DT, Maya, KML & Lou come out, miss their first 5 or so shots, only to heat up later in the game because they just keep shooting the ball.

With that thought in mind, it was good to see Anna jack up 9x3’s yesterday. While she only made 3, it can only help UConn to have another player on the floor with a shooter’s mindset.

 

[Boreifs]

With a 30-40 point lead, would not have any of the top 4 starters in, particularly the last 5-8 minutes. Having Williams play the point is OK, but Molly needs experience with this as well. Particularly against poor competition, the play gets sloppy and too much risk of injury.

Geno made a big deal about working on cohesion with his bench players. He only has three guards, so playing someone out of position is certainly not going to achieve that goal. Makurat can certainly play guard, but he seems to want her at the three. This is where not having Westbrook this year really hurts this team, since she is essentially a combo guard.