Huskies vs. USF Game Thread

[Gus Mahler]

What I saw tonight from Queen Napheesa was scary. She's got drives to the basket from way out on the perimeter? She's going to casually, effortlessly sink threes from wherever she happens to be? Blocking shots with two hands a la Dolson? At 6'1"?

She's an angel who can ball!!

 

[donalddoowop]

She's being very humble but I saw her a lot in AAU and high school and she used the glass plenty.

Sluconn, where did you watch her high school games? Were they local or the national games they played and have you watched any of Incarnate Word's games this season? I mentioned last season that she had the same kind of inside game Gabby has but you said she was not as effective as Gabby. I believe she has proven she has just as effective an inside game. I saw almost all of her local game and she always played inside. I think I saw her shoot from mid range less than 10 times in three years and never saw her shoot a three. She must have done it in the national and AAU games. If you saw her locally, we may have been at the same games.

 

[VAMike23]

Geno used to accuse Swin Cash of missing layups and put-backs on purpose in order to pad her rebounding stats.

I thought that was the line he used on Tina..! (Knowing Geno, it could have been both )

 

[Mdoggie]

What I saw tonight from Queen Napheesa was scary. She's got drives to the basket from way out on the perimeter? She's going to casually, effortlessly sink threes from wherever she happens to be? Blocking shots with two hands a la Dolson? At 6'1"?

She's an angel who can ball!!

Coach Brian Crichlow said...... y'all know the rest lol.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Sluconn, where did you watch her high school games? Were they local or the national games they played and have you watched any of Incarnate Word's games this season?

They were local telecasts, small public channels for games usually around Thanksgiving in Webster Groves or during the playoffs in Columbia.

And you're right that she rarely took anything outside 10 feet in high school, mostly, I think, because she didn't have to.

 

[HopJim]

Her shots have been flat and short. Tired legs? Opponents are physical with her and that takes a toll

Tired legs are ok. With all the foot/ankle issues, hoping there is not a repeat on the stress fracture. KLS likely one of the highest minutes per game in US (as all starters are experiencing).

 

[HopJim]

Observations from the Oregon State guy. First time seeing UCONN (and without Kia Nurse):

1. UCONN has to be guarded at the NBA 3-point line (just incredible shooters). You must also fight through screens & don't switch as Gabby & Napheesa will just dump it to the other player
2. UCONN players don't hold the ball, that ball is constantly on the move (very impressive)
3. Without tall UCONN players, rebounding was pretty darn good (great boxing out, and, very quick jumpers)
4. Napheesa? is crazy good. Have to have tall & quick defensive player/players to slow her down to have any chance against UCONN
5. UCONN is just relentless, no give up in any player

Now the observed "potential" chinks in the armor that is UCONN

1. USF was able to penetrate on UCONN multiple times. A tall, solid rebounding team could get 2nd shots (assuming the penetrating player got a shot off). I imagine that would not have happened had Kia Nurse been in the rotation
2. I saw many instances where USF beat UCONN down the court after a rebound/turnover
3. Said by many of you on a different thread, that foul trouble could be problematic

Having said all of that, I don't see any team beating UCONN

Hate seeing virtually every team driving on UConn. While we seem to shut down top teams just when needed, suspect spreading floor and penetrating will become the primary offense for our completion in playoffs.