UConn has to be able to keep the guards in front and stay out of foul trouble. If they don't, it could be really ugly.
Can't go zone against this iteration of SC. They can shoo the 3-ball. Nika and KK need to stay smart. They both have to be effective and be on the floor for at least 32 minutes each.
Also, I expect SC to be very physical w/Paige.
The one advantage could be Edwards. She needs to stay on the floor as well. SC has depth underneath, but with Kardosa out, I'm not sure if the others have the foot speed.
I think it all comes down to how the game is called. If there are quick whistles or whistles on the last bit of contact, it won't be good for UConn. It's sort of catch-22 for them. They could also get warn down and banged up if the refs let a lot go.
Well, clearly we are big underdogs even with Cardoso not playing. However, lots of things can happen in a basketball game. That’s good because a lot of things are going to have to happen in order for us to pull off the upset! The truth is, we need them to not play their best while we do play our best. If Nika, Ash, and KK can each score 12, Aaliyah 24, and Paige scores 30. I think we have a good chance of winning. Of course, it would help if Ice & Q both scored 8+ as well!I love your optimism, Tony. But I think you are a bit over the top. First, South Carolina has several "BIGS' to replace Cardozo. They are more like 6'4 than 6'7", but they are big, strong, athletes, the likes of which Aaliyah has not been paired up against in any of the Big East games. Paige, as you say, has to be " all world" against South Carolina , and we all know she can do that. However, we also know she has been struggling, and "beat upon" in the last few games. South Carolina will beat on her again. And the" home game atmosphere" may have the referees favoring the gamecocks ( I know, they are paid to be fair and objective ). Nikka can defend anyone and, as you suggest, she needs to hit some threes early. But she added only 7 points against Seton Hall. That is a long distance from what we shall need in Columbia, SC. As for Shade and KK, let's not forget that they are freshmen. And they are not yet reliable as scoring threats ( e.g. KK had zero points against a Seton Hall team that would lose 200-0 against South Carolina ). And don't forget, South Carolina has had several straight recruiting classes which many regard as "the best in the country." So our really good freshmen may be playing against better basketball players than they have seen. Remember what Hidalgo ( Notre Dame ) did to them? Now, let's get to the fatigue /foul trouble factors; UCONN has five players charged with " getting the job done." It is one thing to play 38 minutes each against the Big East, and quite another to do that against South Carolina. We have two players who represent " depth," while SC probably has five. And what do you expect from Ice and Q? They may become really good players in a season or two. But for each positive they add, they also show a negative. So we are a 10th ranked team, depending on three superstars and two solid freshmen. Not much behind them. And South Carolina is twice that. I don't think they will even notice that Cardozo is gone. I certainly hope you are right in your assessment. But I see UCONN beaten by 18 ( and if it is worse, I wont be surprised ). We have three great players. And four "learning and developing" players behind that. That is not enough against the likely undefeated national champions.
I don't know about the Hebrew Bible, but in other iterations of the Bible I'm pretty sure that was Lot. The guy with the salty wife.The is a passage in the Hebrew Bible where Abraham barters with G-d to save the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. If Abraham can find 10 good people, will the Lord save the cities? How about 5 good people?
i feel like your write-up demands similar bargaining. If we do 5 of the things you mention, will that suffice? How about 3???
And what was the outcome of that situation? I feel even if we manage to accomplish three of those tasks that I mention, we lose but it could be a close loss. We just can't get our doors blown off.The is a passage in the Hebrew Bible where Abraham barters with G-d to save the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. If Abraham can find 10 good people, will the Lord save the cities? How about 5 good people?
i feel like your write-up demands similar bargaining. If we do 5 of the things you mention, will that suffice? How about 3???
I would be shocked as well if Coach Staley doesn't pressure us more Sunday. But on the flipside, we could shock the world and play out of our minds! Anything is possible. We will see which players step up and show their "competitive greatness".I see that you and I have been watching the same team and games. I'll be very surprised if Staley doesn't use as many bodies, contact, and as much pressure as she needs to make sure Bueckers doesn't beat her. It'll take career days from the rest to pull this one off.
Their 4th quarter is especially punishing because their depth and substitution keeps them fresh at the end. UConn needs to limit turnovers, forget about trying for the block but concentrate on boxing out for rebounds, which can also help minimize foul trouble. UConn needs all 5 players to box out and look for rebounds. I am okay with a zone if 1) UConn knows how to use one, and 2) if it helps with boxing out and rebounds. SC is relentless with rebounding and second chances- in my opinion, addressing that should be UConn’s first priority.This game is all about SC. If they hit outside shots it's almost over for any team. If they are not shooting well you got a shot.
UConn needs to get up early quick. Make SC play from behind.
I don't know about the Hebrew Bible, but in other iterations of the Bible I'm pretty sure that was Lot. The guy with the salty wife.
To keep this on target, one possibility is that the ball just refuses to go in the basket very often for SCar. We've all seen this happen. It can happen to anyone. That's why the game HAS to be played. It hurts when it happens to UConn.
Well said. If Coach Staley was ruthless, she could run up the score but she has too much respect for Coach G do let the game get out of hand.The only thing that stop this from being 20+ MOV for SC is that Dawn won't embarrass Geno.
Zone could be the kiss and the death. If SC is shooting well, zone will kill you. I would go man to man and make Kitts, Watkins and Feagin beat me. Take Pao Pao out of the game is a must.Their 4th quarter is especially punishing because their depth and substitution keeps them fresh at the end. UConn needs to limit turnovers, forget about trying for the block but concentrate on boxing out for rebounds, which can also help minimize foul trouble. UConn needs all 5 players to box out and look for rebounds. I am okay with a zone if 1) UConn knows how to use one, and 2) if it helps with boxing out and rebounds. SC is relentless with rebounding and second chances- in my opinion, addressing that should be UConn’s first priority.
that's was supposed to be 'annihilated' (blame the computer)just want to point out to all doomsayers that the gamecocks have NOT annulated all their opponents. simple truth.
this doesn't mean that won't be huskies' fate sunday ... but the extreme pessimism here is hard to take.
Got it.I don't know about the Hebrew Bible, but in other iterations of the Bible I'm pretty sure that was Lot. The guy with the salty wife.
To keep this on target, one possibility is that the ball just refuses to go in the basket very often for SCar. We've all seen this happen. It can happen to anyone. That's why the game HAS to be played. It hurts when it happens to UConn.
Thinking astronomically, SC has annulated a few opponents, as in annular eclipse. Some games have been closer than others.that's was supposed to be 'annihilated' (blame the computer)
also, add to 'hard to take': ridiculous, absurd, stupid (blame me)
Go ahead and take all the fun out of it for us.I love your optimism, Tony. But I think you are a bit over the top. First, South Carolina has several "BIGS' to replace Cardozo. They are more like 6'4 than 6'7", but they are big, strong, athletes, the likes of which Aaliyah has not been paired up against in any of the Big East games. Paige, as you say, has to be " all world" against South Carolina , and we all know she can do that. However, we also know she has been struggling, and "beat upon" in the last few games. South Carolina will beat on her again. And the" home game atmosphere" may have the referees favoring the gamecocks ( I know, they are paid to be fair and objective ). Nikka can defend anyone and, as you suggest, she needs to hit some threes early. But she added only 7 points against Seton Hall. That is a long distance from what we shall need in Columbia, SC. As for Shade and KK, let's not forget that they are freshmen. And they are not yet reliable as scoring threats ( e.g. KK had zero points against a Seton Hall team that would lose 200-0 against South Carolina ). And don't forget, South Carolina has had several straight recruiting classes which many regard as "the best in the country." So our really good freshmen may be playing against better basketball players than they have seen. Remember what Hidalgo ( Notre Dame ) did to them? Now, let's get to the fatigue /foul trouble factors; UCONN has five players charged with " getting the job done." It is one thing to play 38 minutes each against the Big East, and quite another to do that against South Carolina. We have two players who represent " depth," while SC probably has five. And what do you expect from Ice and Q? They may become really good players in a season or two. But for each positive they add, they also show a negative. So we are a 10th ranked team, depending on three superstars and two solid freshmen. Not much behind them. And South Carolina is twice that. I don't think they will even notice that Cardozo is gone. I certainly hope you are right in your assessment. But I see UCONN beaten by 18 ( and if it is worse, I wont be surprised ). We have three great players. And four "learning and developing" players behind that. That is not enough against the likely undefeated national champions.
I love your optimism, Tony. But I think you are a bit over the top. First, South Carolina has several "BIGS' to replace Cardozo. They are more like 6'4 than 6'7", but they are big, strong, athletes, the likes of which Aaliyah has not been paired up against in any of the Big East games. Paige, as you say, has to be " all world" against South Carolina , and we all know she can do that. However, we also know she has been struggling, and "beat upon" in the last few games. South Carolina will beat on her again. And the" home game atmosphere" may have the referees favoring the gamecocks ( I know, they are paid to be fair and objective ). Nikka can defend anyone and, as you suggest, she needs to hit some threes early. But she added only 7 points against Seton Hall. That is a long distance from what we shall need in Columbia, SC. As for Shade and KK, let's not forget that they are freshmen. And they are not yet reliable as scoring threats ( e.g. KK had zero points against a Seton Hall team that would lose 200-0 against South Carolina ). And don't forget, South Carolina has had several straight recruiting classes which many regard as "the best in the country." So our really good freshmen may be playing against better basketball players than they have seen. Remember what Hidalgo ( Notre Dame ) did to them? Now, let's get to the fatigue /foul trouble factors; UCONN has five players charged with " getting the job done." It is one thing to play 38 minutes each against the Big East, and quite another to do that against South Carolina. We have two players who represent " depth," while SC probably has five. And what do you expect from Ice and Q? They may become really good players in a season or two. But for each positive they add, they also show a negative. So we are a 10th ranked team, depending on three superstars and two solid freshmen. Not much behind them. And South Carolina is twice that. I don't think they will even notice that Cardozo is gone. I certainly hope you are right in your assessment. But I see UCONN beaten by 18 ( and if it is worse, I wont be surprised ). We have three great players. And four "learning and developing" players behind that. That is not enough against the likely undefeated national champions.
I regard Muhl as a star. Her defense is unsurpassed. Her ability to dish assists, her newfound ability to hit threes, and her grit. But I agree , she is not as obvious as Paige and Edwards.Sort of curious who the third is.
Will seeNo Length. No Depth. No chance.
SC will win by 10 even without the big tree in the middle!
It's a good thought. I do believe they can win. They are a solid unit. And anybody can be beat. So why not uconn.This is a game where the cream will rise to the top. I expect Paige to be Paige. With Cardoso out this will allow UConns guards to dribble drive. Another point Aaliyah will not have to be concerned with 6'7 blocking her shots. She can continue to play confidently and I believe she is to quick for SC's bigs to handle. Paige and Aaliyah can not win the game alone. They will need some help. Everybody else has to score. The dribble drives should be open and our guards are quick enough to cause problems for SC's defense. Now SC's defense may double down on Aaliyah and Paige leaving somebody open. We need to hit those shots and force SC to guard 5 on 5. I would like nothing more at the beginning of the game to have KK and Nika hit a couple of outside shots thus forcing SC to pay attention to them. We will need 5 players scoring to keep SC's defense honest. We must stay out of foul trouble. Wouldnt it be nice to go the first half with no UConn play with more then 2 fouls? I dont expect a blowout like some have mentioned. I expect the score to be in the 60's maybe low 70's. I dont expect miracles, I do expect UConn to play their game well.
This is my short thought on how UConn can beat SC.