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Message: [QUOTE="Dillon77, post: 2664597, member: 6620"] On Friday evening, I respectfully submit that the Irish will have to: - start off scoring with the Huskies from the get go, particularly from range. In games against UConn away from home, Marina Mabrey does this, often carrying the Irish until Arike Ogunbowale and/or Jackie Young gets in gear. Irish cannot afford to fall behind like they did against Texas A&M. "We're not in Spokane, anymore Toto..." If the shots are falling early, everyone gets confidence. - be careful with the ball. S. Carolina's turnovers against UConn were like giving mulligans to Tiger Woods in his prime. Once again, that's primarily on Mabrey as the de facto "lead" guard, but also Jackie Young (no cross-court passes, Jackie!) and Kat Westbeld's entry passes from the foul line/elbow. - battle the Huskies on 50-50s. In rebounding, put butts on bodies and cut down on UConn's second chances. That also allows the Irish to get into transition, which we do awfully well. On the offensive side, battle hard...might get some put-backs and, even if not successful, can slow down UConn's breaks, which are just as fearsome. On loose balls, tough task because I feel like the Huskies are a team of triathletes and while the Irish are in much better shape than some think, no one is going to accuse Shep or Koko Nelson of running long distances and Kat Westbeld probably couldn't now with her ankle injuries. But just don't give up on the situations. This will fall primarily to Young, Ogunbowale and ...who else...Mabrey. - On defense, It's a bit of a quandry. Would like to go man on your guards, but UConn's bigs -- be it as it may with some -- are so much quicker than the Irish bigs (see comment above). Maybe a bit of both zone and man. If Irish go man, I could see Marina put on Samuelson; renewing a match-up that started at the McDonald's game. - Keep the intensity up and keep it close. Try to get the Huskies thinking (more than) a bit. Lot of this feels like normal, common-sensical which I admit it is. But that's what the Irish have to do to eliminate the "little" things from adding up: a box-out missed here, a sec late for a missed ball that leads to a lay up there. Make an extra pass to free up Mabrey for a 3. Have Jackie slip a box out for a put-back there. Proud of the Irish all season and in this tourney. Admire UConn's performance this season. Let's play ball! [/QUOTE]

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