Houston Postgame Thread

[oldude]

Some thoughts on the Houston game:

• The Cougars weren’t expected to provide much of a challenge, and they certainly didn’t. On the other hand, Geno wanted to see several signs of continued improvement and consistency from the Huskies and, for the most part, I think he did.
• UConn continues to play relentless defense. The Huskies have now held every team they’ve played since the 1st of the year under 60 pts, with the exception of the top 3 teams in the nation, and even those teams were held to double-digits below their season average.
• On offense the team demonstrated excellent movement off the ball as well as excellent movement of the ball, racking up 24 assists on 37 baskets.
• Liv appeared to be fully recovered from her illness as well as the elbow to the face courtesy of UCF. She continues to be one of the better posts in the country. If she would only stop “fly-swatting” shots.
• Megan played BIG yet again and Crystal was in her SHOWTIME mode. While Christyn didn’t necessarily light it up shooting the ball, she played tough defense as usual (4 steals) and she attacked the basket throughout the game.
• Finally, Anna has gone from “0 for America” to one of the more dangerous shooters in WBB. Aubrey continues to have an impact whenever she enters a game. Add in some solid minutes from Kyla and it appears UConn may go 6-7 deep for the Big Dance. That may not seem like much, but no team that’s won or challenged for a national championship recently has gone much deeper than 6-7 during the big games in March.

 

[Discograd]

Cannot agree CW did much to show she is out of her funk. The team needs more from her to get to the FF

 

[Kaizen]

Great game, all 5 starters scored double digit points.
Another Anna's great performance with 16 pts and Megan 21 pts 9 rebs.

 

[Blueballer]

Good write-up Oldude. 5 players in double digits. 19 points off the bench in a 52 point win on the road. Great day!!

 

[hoopsfan22]

Player of the Game: Megan Walker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Carnac]

Some thoughts on the Houston game:

• The Cougars weren’t expected to provide much of a challenge, and they certainly didn’t. On the other hand, Geno wanted to see several signs of continued improvement and consistency from the Huskies and, for the most part, I think he did.
• UConn continues to play relentless defense. The Huskies have now held every team they’ve played since the 1st of the year under 60 pts, with the exception of the top 3 teams in the nation, and even those teams were held to double-digits below their season average.
• On offense the team demonstrated excellent movement off the ball as well as excellent movement of the ball, racking up 24 assists on 37 baskets.
• Liv appeared to be fully recovered from her illness as well as the elbow to the face courtesy of UCF. She continues to be one of the better posts in the country. If she would only stop “fly-swatting” shots.
• Megan played BIG yet again and Crystal was in her SHOWTIME mode. While Christyn didn’t necessarily light it up shooting the ball, she played tough defense as usual (4 steals) and she attacked the basket throughout the game.
• Finally, Anna has gone from “0 for America” to one of the more dangerous shooters in WBB. Aubrey continues to have an impact whenever she enters a game. Add in some solid minutes from Kyla and it appears UConn may go 6-7 deep for the Big Dance. That may not seem like much, but no team that’s won or challenged for a national championship recently has gone much deeper than 6-7 during the big games in March.

Like Geno, I like what I saw out there today. You know it's a good day when ALL of your starters score in double figures (see box score below). A piece of Anna's luggage got lost during her flight to America while changing planes. It had her jump shot in it. Luckily it was found after a couple of months and delivered to her by the airline. Thank goodness. We remember at the beginning of the year when she was "0 for America". Thank goodness that ship has sailed.

Think how good she's going to be the next 3 years. When she's in rhythm, she's unstoppable. She can knock down 3-4 shots in a row with ease. I expect Anna to have an "exceptional" tournament. Can't wait for the brackets to be revealed in 2 weeks. The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship bracket will be revealed at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 16. ESPN will televise the announcement.

Games start with the first round on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21. First and second round games will be played at campus sites. Regionals will be at Dallas, Texas; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Greenville, S.C. and Portland, Ore. This year's Women's Division 1 final four will be in New Orleans at the Smoothie King Center on Friday April 3, and Sunday April 5.

 

[Dokey]

Player of the Game: Megan Walker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You could almost write that line before the game—any game—starts.

 

[bantamlaker]

Last 4 games Anna has scored 16, 20, 17 and 18. I doubt many of us would have predicted that at the start of the season. Let’s hope she can keep it up.

 

[Dokey]

A piece of Anna's luggage got lost during her flight to America. It had her jump shot in it. It was found and delivered to her by the airline. Thank goodness. Think how good she's going to be the next 3 years. When she in rhythm, she's unstoppable.

Watch her smiling and laughing on bench, sitting because she did her job and was not needed, a very confident player with three shots: a three point shot, an off the dribble jump, and a drive to the basket. Makes you think things might be different against Baylor et al next time out. You know she will make a difference for next three years. She had “only” three steals but had deflections and a punch out that really should have been called an assist.

 

[Husky fanatic]

Overall it was an enjoyable game. CW’s shot went in hiding again today but her overall effort was good. Anna was a tad off as well. Just didn’t get the excited vibe today even though it was an easy game. Olivia with the outside shot today

 

[pspr11]

I see a different look on all their faces!

 

[FanHam]

The stat that got my attention was 15 steals in the first half.

That is a passel of pilfers!

 

[Dokey]

The stat that got my attention was 15 steals in the first half

Me too, plus disruptions.

 

[eebmg]

The amount of movement was really exceptional. Even when some of the plays did not click, it was not because of any stagnating offense. It finally is looking like UConn ball. And with Liv getting more comfortable to 15 feet which opens up more passing lanes, cant wait for the Tournaments.

Also AG looked good and her FT's are now cutting the net dead center.

 

[oldude]

The stat that got my attention was 15 steals in the first half

Yes, the UConn press in the first qtr was ferocious. Imagine how many steals the Huskies might have racked up if they had maintained the press beyond 1 qtr?

 

[huskeynut]

The evolution of this team continues. Passing game continues to improve - 24 assists. Player movement continues to improve. Defense is getting to the shut down level - 18 steals, 49 rebounds.

Olivia continues to improve. She had some nice moves early on. Her ability to hit the foul line shot will make her a more potent scoring threat as well as opening up the lane for others. Anna was absolutely solid again today. Her ability to drive and finish cannot be underestimated.

Great job by CD to pass Sue on the all time assist list. Meg continues to be Meg.

Very good minutes by Kyla and Aubrey. They need to continue to contribute.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

In the post game chit chat Meghan made quite a deal about Anna's unfreshman like court sense. Very true.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Macerate makes all the difference. And Griffin is turning in great, yet limited, minutes.

But need to make those lay-ups: missed 7 for the game, and 6 in the first half. We were playing Houston. For the Big Dance, we need to make those.

 

[wbball novice]

After a slow start ... no, wait.

For the first 3Qs the game was moving so fast, it was hard to focus on individuals. Bench got 19 pts -- pretty good even if the club didn't break 100. Oddly, UConn had more PFs than Houston (14/10). Some of those fouls were caused by diving to the floor for the ball, so in a way, sort of a positive. If any weaknesses this afternoon maybe UConn team's layup fails, and where Houston scored 2 pts in Q1 in the previous game, they scored 7 this afternoon in the same quarter Whatever happened to the defense? .... Oh yeah, chewed up Houston like a power mower, and was the reason UConn was scoring from the beginning. Some noteworthy "ball doesn't touch the floor" moments; plus Meg helping CD to break Bird's assist stat.

Two things I noticed at the beginning: Anna Mak's 3 pt shooting (anyone still think team isn't passing to Anna?) & Christyn Williams steals & defense. CW's rebounds not bad either. Nice to see CD's assists leading the team (7) with ONO second (5), evidence she may be getting shipshape (Geno sounded a little better as well). Some of Liv's shots were far from the basket; no reason to question her judgment this afternoon. Kyla contributed assists (4) and regained her shooting touch (7 pts on 3/5). One of the things I almost didn't notice was Megan being her consistent self: 9/15 shooting, with 3/6 3 pointers, 9 rbs, 3 assts, 4 stls. Cp. CW's shooting efficiency at 4/11 FG with 0-4 3pt (and one noteworthy airball) -- not yet in Anna's groove. On the other hand, she seems to have regained her FT shooting accuracy, and she was able to score pretty consistently with transition baskets. Nice to see Aubrey making her FTs today.

Credit to Houston for not giving up; fighting to the end.

 

[wbball novice]

PS: Thanks to SNY for their coverage during the season. Glad they'll be back. Sad ESPN won't be covering any UConn games during the regular season.

 

[Dokey]

After a slow start ... no, wait.

For the first 3Qs the game was moving so fast, it was hard to focus on individuals. Bench got 19 pts -- pretty good even if the club didn't break 100. Oddly, UConn had more PFs than Houston (14/10). Some of those fouls were caused by diving to the floor for the ball, so in a way, sort of a positive. If any weaknesses this afternoon maybe UConn team's layup fails, and where Houston scored 2 pts in Q1 in the previous game, they scored 7 this afternoon in the same quarter Whatever happened to the defense? .... Oh yeah, chewed up Houston like a power mower, and was the reason UConn was scoring from the beginning. Some noteworthy "ball doesn't touch the floor" moments; plus Meg helping CD to break Bird's assist stat.

Two things I noticed at the beginning: Anna Mak's 3 pt shooting (anyone still think team isn't passing to Anna?) & Christyn Williams steals & defense. CW's rebounds not bad either. Nice to see CD's assists leading the team (7) with ONO second (5), evidence she may be getting shipshape (Geno sounded a little better as well). Some of Liv's shots were far from the basket; no reason to question her judgment this afternoon. Kyla contributed assists (4) and regained her shooting touch (7 pts on 3/5). One of the things I almost didn't notice was Megan being her consistent self: 9/15 shooting, with 3/6 3 pointers, 9 rbs, 3 assts, 4 stls. Cp. CW's shooting efficiency at 4/11 FG with 0-4 3pt (and one noteworthy airball) -- not yet in Anna's groove. On the other hand, she seems to have regained her FT shooting accuracy, and she was able to score pretty consistently with transition baskets. Nice to see Aubrey making her FTs today.

Cr

Yes, making tree throws might be an indication Aubrey is gaining confidence in her shooting. She still feels terrified to take a shot more than a couple of feet from the basket which means opposition is playing five on four at offensive end. If she can make a three or a 15 foot jumper, it would make all the difference. Sometimes turning the light on is just a matter of finding the light switch.

 

[Steelerone]

Like Geno, I like what I saw out there today. A piece of Anna's luggage got lost during her flight to America while changing planes. It had her jump shot in it. Luckily it was found after a couple of months and delivered to her by the airline. Thank goodness. We remember at the beinning of the year when she was "0 for America". Thank goodness that ship has sailed.

Think how good she's going to be the next 3 years. When she's in rhythm, she's unstoppable. She can knock down 3-4 shots in a row with ease. I expect Anna to have an "exceptional" tournament. Can't wait for the brackets to be revealed in 2 weeks. The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship bracket will be revealed at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 16. ESPN will televise the announcement.

Games start with the first round on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21. First and second round games will be played at campus sites. Regionals will be at Dallas, Texas; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Greenville, S.C. and Portland, Ore. This year's Women's Division 1 final four will be in New Orleans at the Smoothie King Center on Friday April 3, and Sunday April 5.

View attachment 51368

Great analogy on the found suitcase Carnac.

 

[Steelerone]

Watch her smiling and laughing on bench, sitting because she did her job and was not needed, a very confident player with three shots: a three point shot, an off the dribble jump, and a drive to the basket. Makes you think things might be different against Baylor et al next time out. You know she will make a difference for next three years. She had “only” three steals but had deflections and a punch out that really should have been called an assist.

Great point Dokey. The talent pool at the top is so very equal that in the final analysis it comes down to the mental part of the game and I think that is true in basketball more than other team sports.

 

[schmendrick]

I marvel at how quiet and fluid Anna's game is. Her 3-point shot is silken, her passes are dimes. A basketball player.