It hurts to say it, but. . .

[Kibitzer]

. . . my signature line ("Never underestimate the heart of a champion") that used to capture UConn, especially during Diana'a era, must now be attributed to Baylor. They are, after all, the defending champs and last night showed just why they must be favored to do a back-to-back.

Kim Mulkey could be forgiven if she summed up last night's proceedings (and a schedule full of others) by saying, "We have Griner and you don't."

There was only one key moment last night. It heppened when Stef got called for her third foul. From that moment on, the game ceased to be competitive, as Griner went right at Stef, knowing that she didn't dare commit #4. It was pure torture to watch. And the result was inevitable.

I thought we could beat Baylor. I was mistaken. I never expected their defense to be so tenacious, so disruptive. And that, plus the aforementioned big girl, was the difference. Their role players knew their roles and played "best supporting cast" worthy of an Oscar. Our role players often seemed to forget their lines or miss their cues.

Give credit where it is due. Baylor was, last night, the better team. They took our best early punch and showed they have the heart of a champion. And, oh yeah, Kim has Griner and nobody else does. Darn it!

 

[meyers7]

. . . my signature line ("Never underestimate the heart of a champion") that used to capture UConn, especially during Diana'a era, must now be attributed to Baylor. They are, after all, the defending champs and last night showed just why they must be favored to do a back-to-back.

Kim Mulkey could be forgiven if she summed up last night's proceedings (and a schedule full of others) by saying, "We have Griner and you don't."

There was only one key moment last night. It heppened when Stef got called for her third foul. From that moment on, the game ceased to be competitive, as Griner went right at Stef, knowing that she didn't dare commit #4. It was pure torture to watch. And the result was inevitable.

I thought we could beat Baylor. I was mistaken. I never expected their defense to be so tenacious, so disruptive. And that, plus the aforementioned big girl, was the difference. Their role players knew their roles and played "best supporting cast" worthy of an Oscar. Our role players often seemed to forget their lines or miss their cues.

Give credit where it is due. Baylor was, last night, the better team. They took our best early punch and showed they have the heart of a champion. And, oh yeah, Kim has Griner and nobody else does. Darn it!

That's what I was thinking after the game.

Though I think Baylor can be beaten, but it's going to take more than UCONN had last night to do it.

 

[CL82]

Remember this kid?

Well she just played her heart out for forty minutes against the best player in college basketball, taking a horrible pounding in the process. She has pushed herself to mold her body so that she could physically take this punishment.

How about this kid?

26 points, 15 rebounds, 3 blocks.

Leave you signature. Steph and Kalena earned it.

 

[vtcwbuff]

Baylor played great defense to keep the game close and UConn played 3 on 5 for much of the game. I told my wife at halftime that the game was over. UConn's inability to open the lead while Griner was not scoring was the story. Horrible guard play (11 assists and 11 turnovers) stifled the UConn offense.

And then there were the FTs. UConn had 4 points from the line, Baylor had 13.
That sounds like a ND game.

 

[Dove]

Baylor played great defense to keep the game close and UConn played 3 on 5 for much of the game. I told my wife at halftime that the game was over. UConn's inability to open the lead while Griner was not scoring was the story. Horrible guard play (11 assists and 11 turnovers) stifled the UConn offense.

And then there were the FTs. UConn had 4 points from the line, Baylor had 13.
That sounds like a ND game.

It was 2 on 5.

 

[asuwish]

. . . my signature line ("Never underestimate the heart of a champion") that used to capture UConn, especially during Diana'a era, must now be attributed to Baylor. They are, after all, the defending champs and last night showed just why they must be favored to do a back-to-back.

Kim Mulkey could be forgiven if she summed up last night's proceedings (and a schedule full of others) by saying, "We have Griner and you don't."

There was only one key moment last night. It heppened when Stef got called for her third foul. From that moment on, the game ceased to be competitive, as Griner went right at Stef, knowing that she didn't dare commit #4. It was pure torture to watch. And the result was inevitable.

I thought we could beat Baylor. I was mistaken. I never expected their defense to be so tenacious, so disruptive. And that, plus the aforementioned big girl, was the difference. Their role players knew their roles and played "best supporting cast" worthy of an Oscar. Our role players often seemed to forget their lines or miss their cues.

Give credit where it is due. Baylor was, last night, the better team. They took our best early punch and showed they have the heart of a champion. And, oh yeah, Kim has Griner and nobody else does. Darn it!

Great post. Other bigs need to be able to play Griner. Maybe try Tuck Stewart Stokes, or dare I say Buck. Buck has played as good a defense on Griner as anyone. Who cares if she scores, Baylor has role players on the floor who have X job to do. Not everyone needs an all around game. Keeping Dolson fresh, and not sprawled on the ground would be a good thing. Dolson is in much better shape than last year, but even Farris gets a rest. I think I'd like to see Buck and Griner go at it. Everyone has to do their part for us to win. I'm not saying Buck has to play 20 min so Stewart & Stokes long arms and Tucks physical size also need turns at Griner.

 

[VAMike23]

Their role players knew their roles and played "best supporting cast" worthy of an Oscar. Our role players often seemed to forget their lines or miss their cues.

Give credit where it is due. Baylor was, last night, the better team.

The Baylor "supporting cast" did a very nice job indeed. They have experience and savvy to go along with the athleticism now. Solid all-around.

 

[cohenzone]

Baylor played great defense to keep the game close and UConn played 3 on 5 for much of the game. I told my wife at halftime that the game was over. UConn's inability to open the lead while Griner was not scoring was the story. Horrible guard play (11 assists and 11 turnovers) stifled the UConn offense.

And then there were the FTs. UConn had 4 points from the line, Baylor had 13.
That sounds like a ND game.

Well, while some of the foul calls on UConn, especially in the 1st half were awful, the fact is they were going inside all game and we did so rarely. It isn't too surprising that you would get that kind of discrepancy. Among the problems was our guards pretty much never adjusted to everyone being overplayed. Against some teams, that opens the backdoor wide. But they play off Griner very well at both ends and on D she allows them to get away with overplaying. Poor SD. She must still be on oxygen.

As GA pointed out, it was a problem that Brooklyn Pope scored 18 points. I remember when the UConn men played LSU and Shaquille, UConn played that game not to let anyone bur O'Neal hurt us and it worked. He had around 27-28 and nobody else did a thing. OTOH, we sure got some big points out of Tuck even as KML went off.

 

[uconnell]

Great post. Other bigs need to be able to play Griner. Maybe try Tuck Stewart Stokes, or dare I say Buck. Buck has played as good a defense on Griner as anyone. Who cares if she scores, Baylor has role players on the floor who have X job to do. Not everyone needs an all around game. Keeping Dolson fresh, and not sprawled on the ground would be a good thing. Dolson is in much better shape than last year, but even Farris gets a rest. I think I'd like to see Buck and Griner go at it. Everyone has to do their part for us to win. I'm not saying Buck has to play 20 min so Stewart & Stokes long arms and Tucks physical size also need turns at Griner.

I agree about Buck. I was surprised that Geno did not put her in to give Stef a rest.

 

[Icebear]

I agree about Buck. I was surprised that Geno did not put her in to give Stef a rest.

I think Geno was afraid of losing Stef at the hub of the offense.

 

[CCinCT]

. . . my signature line ("Never underestimate the heart of a champion") that used to capture UConn, especially during Diana'a era, must now be attributed to Baylor. They are, after all, the defending champs and last night showed just why they must be favored to do a back-to-back.

Kim Mulkey could be forgiven if she summed up last night's proceedings (and a schedule full of others) by saying, "We have Griner and you don't."

There was only one key moment last night. It heppened when Stef got called for her third foul. From that moment on, the game ceased to be competitive, as Griner went right at Stef, knowing that she didn't dare commit #4. It was pure torture to watch. And the result was inevitable.

I thought we could beat Baylor. I was mistaken. I never expected their defense to be so tenacious, so disruptive. And that, plus the aforementioned big girl, was the difference. Their role players knew their roles and played "best supporting cast" worthy of an Oscar. Our role players often seemed to forget their lines or miss their cues.

Give credit where it is due. Baylor was, last night, the better team. They took our best early punch and showed they have the heart of a champion. And, oh yeah, Kim has Griner and nobody else does. Darn it!

No one will be able to beat Baylor as long as the refs continue to give Griner the ultimate "star" treatment !

 

[cferraro04]

I think I will sum up UConn's problem with Baylor as follows:

Brittany Griner - Sr. Dolson - Jr.

Kimitria Hayden - Sr. KML - So

Jordan Madden - Sr. Kelly Faris - Sr.

Brooklyn Pope - Grad Morgun Tuck - Fr

Odyssey Sims - Jr. Bria Hartley - Jr.

Destiny Williams - Sr. Brianna Stewart - Fr.

Niya Johnson - Fr. Moriah Jefferson - Fr

Mariah Chandler - RS Jr. Kiah Stokes - So.

McKenzie Robertson - Jr. Carolyn Doty - RS Sr

 

[huskybill]

Well, while some of the foul calls on UConn, especially in the 1st half were awful, the fact is they were going inside all game and we did so rarely. It isn't too surprising that you would get that kind of discrepancy. Among the problems was our guards pretty much never adjusted to everyone being overplayed. Against some teams, that opens the backdoor wide. But they play off Griner very well at both ends and on D she allows them to get away with overplaying. Poor SD. She must still be on oxygen.

As GA pointed out, it was a problem that Brooklyn Pope scored 18 points. I remember when the UConn men played LSU and Shaquille, UConn played that game not to let anyone bur O'Neal hurt us and it worked. He had around 27-28 and nobody else did a thing. OTOH, we sure got some big points out of Tuck even as KML went off.

In 2 previous games (with Baylor) against the Huskies, Pope had averaged 4 points and 3 rebounds.

 

[Vowelguy]

Having Stef in the game pulled Griner away from the basket and kept the middle open. It also prevented her from getting out to the wings to challenge jump shots, like we know she can do. If Stef came out that would've vanished. Not to mention Stef was playing good defense.

That said I would've been interested to see Kiah in there just to play physical. But I don't think Geno thinks that way.