Iowa Postgame Thread [merged thread]

[RockyMTblue2]

So ...
I am very happy both teams played really well and played their respective games. Was worried and sort of stopped reading all the hype on Paige and Caitlin. But was relieved in the end it was simply Uconn v Iowa.

Uconn plays better defense as we all knew, and Iowa shoots lights out from 3 which we also knew and which kept the game respectable.

I thought the scorers missed a few of Caitlin's assists and did not feel she 'forced things' but she was playing against a very good defense. I didn't think Iowa looked slow - they were quite successful with the drive and dish, getting past Uconn defenders to force the help.

Definitely liked the way the game was called - there were probably 10-15 fouls that 'could have been called' on each team and sometimes are and would have destroyed the flow.

Uconn offense puts pressure on opponents offense - that was what I saw as the game progressed. If you don't keep scoring on every possession you fall further behind. That pressure builds from the first quarter on and eventually the opponent breaks. Iowa played a near perfect 3rd quarter shooting 57%/67%/86% in the quarter and all it did was shave 3 points off a 14 lead - that effort against a Uconn defense playing well is almost impossible to maintain. And they didn't.

My player of the game was Evina - calm cool in the beginning and one rebound short of the triple double - but the whole team play a very good game of basketball today.

Rewatched the game. Evina was magnificent.

 

[VidNick]

Clark’s a shooter, Paige is just a great all-around player. Very Taurasi like.

Strange comment. Taurasi is and always has been a shooter. The 'other' things are secondary to her.

 

[JoePgh]

Regarding Aaliyah, I am fairly sure that she has now scored UConn's first basket in each of the three games in the NCAA tournament thus far. In the last two games, other people took and missed jump shots -- probably because of nerves. Aaliyah's game doesn't rely on precision nearly as much as a jump shooter does. She scores with muscle and intensity more than with pinpoint accuracy -- in golf terms, she is driving rather than putting. That seems to imply that she is likely to score the first UConn basket on a putback or a fastbreak layup. When she scores, it seems to relax her teammates, who then play with fewer nerves.

Regarding Caitlin Clark and her comments after the game, I have several comments:

• First of all, she is a very well-spoken and well-mannered young woman who (like Paige) is a good role model for young girls who play basketball.
• She was very appreciative about her postgame conversation with Geno, and went into a lot of detail about what he told her. I thought she handled that topic particularly well.
• I agree that her comments about how the game was closer than the final score suggested involved a bit of hyperbole, but it was understandable. I think most competitive players would say that after a disappointing loss in a big game, unless it was a 50-point blowout.
• I was more surprised that she was very determined not to admit that UConn was any better on defense, or did anything different, than the teams she faced in the Big 10. I can imagine that Northwestern might have played equally tough defense, but I doubt that any other team did.
• I think that having a Paige - Caitlin rivalry to hype for the next three years will be a good thing for women's basketball, even if (as I expect) UConn is again bad for women's basketball.

Finally, did everyone catch Geno's elaboration of what the Paige poke at the end of the game was all about? I thought it was amusing and revealing. It occurred after Anna hit her second 3-point shot of the game. Geno said that he had told Anna that she had to contribute something to the scoreboard if UConn was going to be successful, and Anna was stressing about that. He was reluctant to play her, but CD and Jamelle convinced him that she would make one or two 3-point shots if he gave her a chance. So he did, and they were right. I guess Paige knew about that, and she was delighted to remind Geno that he was wrong. He said, "Believe me, she never misses a chance to point out when I'm wrong."

I think it is telling that Paige was pointing out specifically that he was wrong in failing to show enough confidence in one of her teammates. That is a very Paige-like thing for her to be concerned about.

 

[VidNick]

She had five assists today, below her average. But first and foremost she is a shooter with incredible range. It’s her claim to fame. If you want to debate who is the better all around player, I say Paige hands down, with 8 assists, 9 rebounds, and 18 points. Maybe Clark had an off night in rebounding and assists.

1st of all, Paige padded her scoring late with two wide open threes. I do not recall seeing her make a single contested shot all day, while missing numerous open shots including an open air ball three.

One game comparisons are not valid. The tournament is showing pretty clearly the big 10 has more good teams than any other conference. The only team Uconn played in the regular season to make it past the 1st round is South Carolina. Clark played in a tougher conference and led Caitlin in PPG, Assists and Rebounds. If her coach teaches her to take advantage of all the opportunities presented by the attention she receives, she will still have the same points on fewer shots and 10 or more assists per game.

 

[Childhood]

Regarding Aaliyah, I am fairly sure that she has now scored UConn's first basket in each of the three games in the NCAA tournament thus far. In the last two games, other people took and missed jump shots -- probably because of nerves. Aaliyah's game doesn't rely on precision nearly as much as a jump shooter does. She scores with muscle and intensity more than with pinpoint accuracy -- in golf terms, she is driving rather than putting. That seems to imply that she is likely to score the first UConn basket on a putback or a fastbreak layup. When she scores, it seems to relax her teammates, who then play with fewer nerves.

Regarding Caitlin Clark and her comments after the game, I have several comments:

• First of all, she is a very well-spoken and well-mannered young woman who (like Paige) is a good role model for young girls who play basketball.
• She was very appreciative about her postgame conversation with Geno, and went into a lot of detail about what he told her. I thought she handled that topic particularly well.
• I agree that her comments about how the game was closer than the final score suggested involved a bit of hyperbole, but it was understandable. I think most competitive players would say that after a disappointing loss in a big game, unless it was a 50-point blowout.
• I was more surprised that she was very determined not to admit that UConn was any better on defense, or did anything different, than the teams she faced in the Big 10. I can imagine that Northwestern might have played equally tough defense, but I doubt that any other team did.
• I think that having a Paige - Caitlin rivalry to hype for the next three years will be a good thing for women's basketball, even if (as I expect) UConn is again bad for women's basketball.

Finally, did everyone catch Geno's elaboration of what the Paige poke at the end of the game was all about? I thought it was amusing and revealing. It occurred after Anna hit her second 3-point shot of the game. Geno said that he had told Anna that she had to contribute something to the scoreboard if UConn was going to be successful, and Anna was stressing about that. He was reluctant to play her, but CD and Jamelle convinced him that she would make one or two 3-point shots if he gave her a chance. So he did, and they were right. I guess Paige knew about that, and she was delighted to remind Geno that he was wrong. He said, "Believe me, she never misses a chance to point out when I'm wrong."

I think it is telling that Paige was pointing out specifically that he was wrong in failing to show enough confidence in one of her teammates. That is a very Paige-like thing for her to be concerned about.

Thank you for your explanation. I'm quite confused on what Geno has mentioned. Now, it sounds you are right.

 

[Childhood]

1st of all, Paige padded her scoring late with two wide open threes.

Padded? sounds a little bit dicredit to Paige. Those 2 three are big shots to me when the lead is from 15 cut to 9.

 

[VidNick]

I was more surprised that she was very determined not to admit that UConn was any better on defense, or did anything different, than the teams she faced in the Big 10. I can imagine that Northwestern might have played equally tough defense, but I doubt that any other team did.

The Big 10 is clearly the best conference in women's basketball this year. For the 1st time ever? Many very good teams and one great team. While making a few ridiculous shots, Clark overall played a dumb game. Had she played smarter and taken what was given to her or Uconn not shot the lights out (for them) from the outside, game would have been in single digits.

 

[pvdoggy]

Padded? sounds a little bit dicredit to Paige. Those 2 three are big shots to me when the lead is from 15 cut to 9.

and I believe both times they were in response to just made 3pt shot by Iowa.

 

[VidNick]

I was surprised that the Iowa Coach had nothing positive to say about the team that just beat her's until the last question, when the reporter really led her into the answer. Even then she was less than a classy loser. Compare that to Geno's remarks where he was complimentary to the Iowa program in a few of his answers. Since the Iowa coach has never been this far before maybe she needs to learn a few lessons from Geno on how to be gracious in defeat.

it's easy to be a great winner, saying all the right things. Since he became a national and international recruiter of talent he has not lost a single game of consequence to a team that was not loaded with talent, size and athleticism. When you have 11 Championships, 9 of them built on the backs of three of the greatest players of all time, its like he said: another championship will not mean that much to me, but it will to these kids.

 

[darkstar1]

So you were just sitting back with your feet up when Anna had everyone who took UConn at -17.5 standing on their feet and cheering.

Yup. 😊 happy as a clam.

 

[mudcat]

A reason you want? How about that this is a UConn fan board and Paige and Caitlin are the two best freshman in the country. Geez, grow up!!!

I don't know why some feel that to be a fan of one team you have to insult or denigrate other teams and/or players. I think you should copy your final sentence 1000 times.

 

[UcMiami]

Can we stop comparing members of our current roster to past UConn greats.

Paige is Paige. She is not Sue or D or anybody else. Aaliyah is Aaliyah. She is not Morgan or any other UConn great. Both players are staking out their own identities. Accept them as they are - two exceptionally talented freshman that we are blessed to have wearing the UConn uniform.

Their complete stories are still be written. Enjoy it. Its going to be one he double hockey sticks of a ride.

I don't think anyone is trying to make Paige be someone she isn't or Aaliyah into Tuck, but one of the wonderful things about sports is the collective history and seeing echos that reverberate into current players and games. The athletes have changed, but people still wax eloquent about DeMagio or Russell or Lobo, or _____. And they see the game as a continuum from peach baskets to final fours. The fact that we have a pantheon of Husky greats in the women's game to compare to our current team members is actually a real positive. When DT came along, all the comparisons were to guys, same with Lauren Jackson - she had a game like _____ guy on that team. Now we have college and pro women to compare our players to. It has happened in every sport for as long as people have recorded the events.

One of the things that I like most about baseball and cricket is that the history is so well recorded and remembered - it is generally where the best sports writers have flourished, the ones who have been able to weave that history into their stories and place a game or a play or a player or a season into historic context.

 

[darkstar1]

Our physical game with Iowa: "Kudos! Refs let them play."
Texas A&M's physical game with Iowa State: "Abomination! ISU got cheated."

All I would like to see from refs is consistency. Refs did not decide this game with inconsistent and bad calls, like those that benefited A&M.

 

[j66kicker]

Strange comment. Taurasi is and always has been a shooter. The 'other' things are secondary to her.

Taurasi is second all-time in assists at UConn, with more assists than Sue, Renee, Crystal, and everyone else except Moriah.

In addition to being the all-time WNBA leader in scoring and 3 point baskets, D is also #4 all-time in assists in the WNBA.

 

[VidNick]

Padded? sounds a little bit dicredit to Paige. Those 2 three are big shots to me when the lead is from 15 cut to 9.

She was wide open. Isn't she supposed to make those shots? Far lesser Iowa players were making those shots. Making an open three is not that hard in the overall scheme of things.

 

[mhshuskies]

The Big 10 is clearly the best conference in women's basketball this year. For the 1st time ever? Many very good teams and one great team. While making a few ridiculous shots, Clark overall played a dumb game. Had she played smarter and taken what was given to her or Uconn not shot the lights out (for them) from the outside, game would have been in single digits.

What if, what if...,the fact was there weren’t any what if’s to happen because UCONN is simply that much of a better team.

 

[nwhoopfan]

D is also #4 all-time in assists in the WNBA

Not for long. Sloot breathing down her neck.

 

[JonathanXIV]

I don't think it's close.

Not yet, but have no doubt that Edwards will get there.

 

[darkstar1]

That would be interesting, I don't think they were ranked at any point his season (I couldn't definitely be wrong about that though).

They are exciting to watch, but unless they improve their defense, I can’t see them as a too 10 team. Whatever regular season succes they may have, the old adage “defense wins championships” holds true.

 

[VidNick]

Taurasi is second all-time in assists at UConn, with more assists than Sue, Renee, Crystal, and everyone else except Moriah.

In addition to being the all-time WNBA leader in scoring and 3 point baskets, D is also #4 all-time in assists in the WNBA.

Was not trying to denigrate Taurasi's overall skills. Still, she is a shooter first. So Clark has more Points, Assists and Rebounds per game than Paige, while playing tougher competition, with less talented teammates. How come she comes up short against Paige in everyone's estimation?

 

[Gurleyman]

and I believe both times they were in response to just made 3pt shot by Iowa.

Those were probably the 2 biggest shots of the game, as it turns out. That was the last Iowa punch that Paige answered. Alas she missed 2 (running bank and wide open 3) on the next possession, which was sort of a “narrative bummer” - had she hit one of those, it would have been a case of Paige daggers putting it away.

Although in exchange for that, Anna got herself a dagger. Good trade.

 

[JonathanXIV]

Was not trying to denigrate Taurasi's overall skills. Still, she is a shooter first. So Clark has more Points, Assists and Rebounds per game than Paige, while playing tougher competition, with less talented teammates. How come she comes up short against Paige in everyone's estimation?

Look beyond the counting stats. Paige is much more efficient. And lead the country in win shares. For a more detailed analysis, look at the analytic thread that was posted today.

 

[my2cents]

How do you know when your team has played a complete and utterly beautiful game......
When a case can be made that each player in the starting lineup can be the "Player of the Game".

 

[darkstar1]

Yeah, at one point Clark even said it could have been more of a 2 to 4 pts game (and later change it to 10). No way that game is ever a 2-4 pts game the way it was going.

Iowa was down 15 at the half. UConn maintained at least a 10 point spread most of the 2nd 1/2 and won by 20. Ballooned score? Game was fun because the offensives are electric, but never seemed in doubt.

 

[UcMiami]

So Clark has more Points, Assists and Rebounds per game than Paige, while playing tougher competition, with less talented teammates. How come she comes up short against Paige in everyone's estimation?

It gets into A/TO territory, and shooting percentages, defense and winning and team performance - not just winning, but style of play - Uconn plays a team style that reduces the chances for spectacular individual totals, anyone can initiate the offense and anyone can end up with the best open shot.

And some people don't think Clark comes up short and most people don't think that there is much space between them.

 

[darkstar1]

Was not trying to denigrate Taurasi's overall skills. Still, she is a shooter first. So Clark has more Points, Assists and Rebounds per game than Paige, while playing tougher competition, with less talented teammates. How come she comes up short against Paige in everyone's estimation?

It’s really very simple. Both are great players, but Clark has the ball in her hands most of the time; high volume. This results in high offensive stats. Paige can do all these things, but plays more as part of a team oriented game, is the best player on her team (of great players), spreads the wealth and justo does more to make her teammates better...resulting in wins. Do you think UConn would not distance itself from the rest of the league if it were in the B1G? The better league argument is irrelevant when it comes to the tournament. It’s about winning and advancing, regardless of conference affiliation.

 

[Childhood]

Win shares is a bogus statistic! The only players that can rack up big win shares are those on teams with the most wins.

Do you know which player is the win share leader in NBA this year?
Nikola Jokic, the leader in ranked 8th team in the conference. No need to be in the best teams but if players contribute good enough they will earn the shares.

 

[VidNick]

t gets into A/TO territory, and shooting percentages, defense and winning and team performance

Yes, of course, its always something else: Turnovers, shooting percentage? PER is a stat that takes all of that into account and Clark is 12% higher than Paige. Now winning and team performance of course: well, it is College sports after all and there is no draft or other means to equalize talent. Therefore, talent can be stockpiled. And in a game with very few really good players, Uconn has a very costly but effective international talent and recruitment program to insure they get way more than their fare share of talent. And at the end of the day, talent wins games.

 

[SoCalCanine]

Yes, of course, its always something else: Turnovers, shooting percentage? PER is a stat that takes all of that into account and Clark is 12% higher than Paige. Now winning and team performance of course: well, it is College sports after all and there is no draft or other means to equalize talent. Therefore, talent can be stockpiled. And in a game with very few really good players, Uconn has a very costly but effective international talent and recruitment program to insure they get way more than their fare share of talent. And at the end of the day, talent wins games.

As we say here on the Boneyard, "Thank you for your interest in Huskies basketball!"

 

[Rb335]

Actually, neither had particularly good games: Bueckers badly missed several open shots and saved her stat line with two wide open three's at the end. Clark played a terrible game strategically. Exluding Clark, Iowa shot 8-17 on three's and 19-39 overall. When they got the ball and were open they made a good percentage of them. Instead of using the double triple coverage to get someone a better shot, Clark took extremely took high difficulty shots and missed too many of them. To me, this is her biggest weakness.

While not her best game, I do hope bueckers continues to knock in open 3s in the 4th quarter. To me those were the shots that really sealed the win, and games from here out are likely going to be close. I don’t see that as saving her stat line, as every minute of the game counts equally. A near triple double as an off game is not so terrible.

agreed on Clark’s shot selection. Could have been way better.