Its not a good Morning

[Tonyc]

Im not feeling good this morning. A bunch of stuff happened in last nites game. In a game like this we needed somebody to step up. ND had Hall step up. She had 16 pts and 12 rebounds. Some of our inexperience showed at different points in the game. ND had underclassman hit some unexpected shots. Sarah in early foul trouble hurt us. We lost her scoring rebounding and her presence. We needed her on the floor. ND had no one in foul trouble. Sarah is a key for us and those 3 fouls hurt. ND made 11 foul shots we made 3. ND had 3 scorers we had 2. With that said KK and Kaitlyn showed some positive offensive signs. We were in this game. We made a comeback when Sarah was back on the floor. Thats a good thing. Alot went right for ND and not alot went right for UConn. The biggest difference is ND was able to step up in critical moments just like UConn has done in many prior games but they didnt tonite.

We will learn from this experience. One thing good about failing, you learn from what you did wrong and improve on it. Thats called progress.

The atmosphere was an eye opener for some of our players who have never experienced a game like this. BB is a team game and we lost as a team. As good as we have been playing we werent that great last nite and without Azzi and Sarah on the bench we needed some one to step up. ND is good and UConn is good. Alot of things contributed to our loss and what hurts me is we came close a few times and couldnt make it happen. We needed more scorers and we didnt have them last nite. This game will be used as a measuring stick, We know where we are and we know what we have to do to get to where we wanna be. When you look at ND you have to wonder how they lost to Utah and TCU.

So now we look forward to Azzi and The Griff coming about hopefully soon. Having them should help alot and we have to get our underclassman up to speed. We are still a team coming back from injuries and inexperience. We will be back soon.

 

[yhun89]

Not sure if ref complaints are allowed, but Paige has the worst whistle ever. Literally got clobbered by King on that rebound, on the replay King tackles her to the ground, and nothing was called. The announcers were praising King on her offensive rebound. 3 people grabbing her on the drive, nothing called.

That isn't why we lost, but that was shameful officiating.

The entire team was too passive. Why didn't we just really hammer it in on Koval and King? Why didn't we box out? Where on earth were the adjustments?

 

[BostonCanuck]

With due respect, Geno absolutely needs to find his voice with the officials about the bad calls and no-calls that systemically plague his team in big games. He should have called it out directly after the officiating debacle that was last seasons national semi-final game, but he chose not to. That's not the choice a certain WNBA coach and her players made when confronted with a similar situation in this year's championship finals.

But instead, Geno continues to dance around the issue with the kind of light sarcasm he used in last night's post-game presser when asked about Paige. Therefore, I fear that the problem is going to persist.

 

[HuskieDawg]

Last night ND was better, it just isn’t more complicated than that. The could have happened, should have happened to me is just explaining down that for a game ND took it to us. Remember ND was also without two key players who are still injured and Miles was out for large stretches of the game, which to me balanced out Sarah getting in foul trouble. Outside of our freshman, of which Sarah was amazing, every player on our roster has played in big games like this. ND simply had more players step up.

Not the end of the world, but something to figure out. I still believe Paige should be bringing the ball up court versus being the off guard and having to work really hard to get open, but then what do you do with Chen or even KK. It’s a little bit of an imperfect lineup against top teams I think, something that will get figured out as the season goes on.

Having Shade take the next step and become more consistent offensively would be a big help. Having Ice and Jana begin to assert themselves more defensively would absolutely help. Tweaking the offensive sets in certain situations based on what the defense is doing might help.

We are firmly planted as a top team in the country and just need to keep improving as the season goes on which I have no doubt we wil.

 

[cancontent]

With due respect, Geno absolutely needs to find his voice with the officials about the bad calls and no-calls that systemically plague his team in big games. He should have called it out directly after the officiating debacle thay was last seasons national semi-final game, but he chose not to. That's not the choice a certain WNBA coach and her players made when confronted with a similar situation in this year's championship finals.

But instead, Geno continues to dance around the issue with the kind of light sarcasm he used in last night's post-game presser when asked about Paige Therefore, I fear the problem is going to persist.

I don't get this post. He's been vocal about bad calls in the past when he feels that it's unfair to UConn. His comments about Paige didn't come across as sarcasm but more of an acknowledgement that Paige tried to force the issue a bit much. If he really thought the reffing was bad, he would have said something. Coach Auriemma isn't getting soft in that area.

 

[HuskyNan]

With due respect, Geno absolutely needs to find his voice with the officials about the bad calls and no-calls that systemically plague his team in big games. He should have called it out directly after the officiating debacle that was last seasons national semi-final game, but he chose not to. That's not the choice a certain WNBA coach and her players made when confronted with a similar situation in this year's championship finals.

But instead, Geno continues to dance around the issue with the kind of light sarcasm he used in last night's post-game presser when asked about Paige. Therefore, I fear that the problem is going to persist.

Louisville got fined $20,000 after Jeff Walz criticized the refs last February. I'm guessing UConn is expecting some decorum from its coaches rather than pay out fines

Louisville's Walz reprimanded for ripping officials

The ACC on Tuesday reprimanded Louisville women's basketball coach Jeff Walz and issued a $20,000 institutional fine for violating the league's sportsmanship policy with his criticism of officials after the Cardinals' 73-72 loss at Syracuse on Sunday.

www.espn.com

 

[TRest]

Strong played 35 minutes so her foul trouble ultimately didnt have that much of an effect. ND wants to beat UConn's brains in and plays accordingly, only Geno seems to understand that while the players wilt under the spotlight once again.

 

[donalddoowop]

ND lost to two teams that are not as talented as UConn. Explain that.

 

[OldSchooler]

I thought one of the few silver linings last night was indispensable Sarah's discipline in playing the entire 3rd Q without picking up her 4th PF.

 

[WiseWillie]

With due respect, Geno absolutely needs to find his voice with the officials about the bad calls and no-calls that systemically plague his team in big games. He should have called it out directly after the officiating debacle that was last seasons national semi-final game, but he chose not to. That's not the choice a certain WNBA coach and her players made when confronted with a similar situation in this year's championship finals.

But instead, Geno continues to dance around the issue with the kind of light sarcasm he used in last night's post-game presser when asked about Paige. Therefore, I fear that the problem is going to persist.

Anybody getting a little tired of Geno's sarcastic comments in pressers? That's him for sure and he's certainly earned the right after 40 years and 11 NC's but after last night's disappointing game it's getting really old and really not necessary.

 

[Scoe]

ND lost to two teams that are not as talented as UConn. Explain that.

It’s possible to get better from losses, hopefully that will be the case with us.

 

[yhun89]

With due respect, Geno absolutely needs to find his voice with the officials about the bad calls and no-calls that systemically plague his team in big games. He should have called it out directly after the officiating debacle that was last seasons national semi-final game, but he chose not to. That's not the choice a certain WNBA coach and her players made when confronted with a similar situation in this year's championship finals.

But instead, Geno continues to dance around the issue with the kind of light sarcasm he used in last night's post-game presser when asked about Paige. Therefore, I fear that the problem is going to persist.

He's gotten mad at a ref before. Received a technical when LLS was here. He threw a water bottle across the court because she was getting hacked with no calls.

That tech probably cost us the game. 2 points plus the ball back in crunch time. Momentum shift. (MOV for SC was something like 4 points in the end?) He doesn't want a repeat of that.

 

[Galaxyshooter]

As much as we have guards who shoot and score, the game of basketball is won when you have bigs who can score and rebound..look at all of Uconn's championships. All the teams that have won had bigs were the stars of the team or reliable contributors to the team and played a pivotal role in their team winning. It's no coincidence that Uconn struggled after Sarah got in foul trouble and played better in the 3rd quarter when she was available, but she's a freshman, we need Ice to Step up and be a strong rebounder and consistent scorer. We didn't win our first chip until Lobo came after that despite all the wings and guards we've had, we won because we had rebounders and scorers we could rely on like Cash, Williams, Moore, Crocket, Charles, Dolson, Tuck, and Pheesa we need Ice and hopefully Patterson as forwards who can rebound and score as that inside presence...sure ND had guards that did their thing, and so do we but their bigs manhandled us on the boards and punished us with their scoring. I didn't expect an undefeated season, but I'll be looking at how much we have improved after this game and the ones coming up against IS and the Trojans, My expectations are that when we play Carolina (At home, I might add), I expect us to win and be better suited for battle in March and hopefully we'll meet ND again but this time both teams at full strength and for the chip hopefully our bigs Sarah, Patterson, Jana and, Ice will be a formidable and productive presence.

 

[AnonChoice]

ND lost to two teams that are not as talented as UConn. Explain that.

Extra motivation to beat UConn, I guess. ND shot, what, 67% from three last night -- they certainly don't do that every game -- and UConn was under 20%, and they don't do that every game, either. Normal numbers are far more balanced. Not having Azzi really hurt, with everybody else's three's not falling. And possibly the psychological blow for the team of, yet again for the millionth time, having a key player out with injury for a big game.

 

[Plebe]

ND lost to two teams that are not as talented as UConn. Explain that.

I actually do have a hypothesis. The engine that drives ND is named Hannah, and Hannah gets a great deal of her energy from the crowd, whether friendly or hostile. Put her and her teammates in a small, sparsely attended gym on a small Caribbean island, it's a very different setting and the energy level isn't the same. Not at all saying she's the reason they lost those two games, but I do think it's a factor.

 

[Rowdy831]

ND lost to two teams that are not as talented as UConn. Explain that.

They had better guard play? Uconn has guards who aren't great defenders and the players ND has a are very good offensive players.

 

[yhun89]

They had better guard play? Uconn has guards who aren't great defenders and the players ND has a are very good offensive players.

Thank goodness we have Blanca and Kelis coming next year.

 

[Centerstream]

Thank goodness we have Blanca and Kelis coming next year.

Really? Playing the "next year" card?
Didn't posters say the same thing last season, and the year before and the year...? How original. Jeesh.

 

[Blakeon18]

Blanca? At the moment she is still a question mark...no? A spring signing...a la Sarah? Hope so.
Geno has not talked about her game so far...a clear 'sign' she hasn't 'signed' yet.

 

[EricLA]

A lot of things to chew on, but bottom line, generally UCONN does not recruit athletes. And the ones we have are injured. So we have a lot of solid to very good to great high IQ bb players, but I suspect we will struggle against teams with athletic and good guards (ND), or athletic and good forwards (SC), etc. I'm not sure what other teams out there are built like that - having great athletes who can't score won't help you...

 

[Majic Hands]

If the kids learn from last night. . . It’s all good.

I’ve not checked the stats yet but “I” wasn’t disappointed with Jana, ice, Morgan. . . Actually any of the kids.

What I’m concerned about:

It seems like Ash misses shots early in big games and quits attacking on offense.

Our open uncontested shots don’t seem to be close. If we can’t hit open uncontested 3’s why not take two steps forward and shoot a shot we can hit?

That we leave shooters standing in the corners all alone. By the time we get there the ball is already on the way.

I’m hoping they bring injured players back a little slower. I’m thinking that kids just work a little harder in games than practice. Perhaps they’re suffering setbacks because the haven’t really built up the muscles, tendons, other connective tissues and have scar tissue to deal with. From a massage therapists prospective. You may be ready for full contact practice and games. Maybe not 15-20 minutes right out of the gate.

This may be what it looks like when you’re playing 8-10 players not 6-7. I think the payoff will be showing up around tournament time.

Boy! I wish we’d won but the kids on ND earned the win. No, I don’t much care for the postering, but Paige does it as well.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

As soon as I saw Dee Kantor I knew it was not going to be a good night for UCONN. There were a number of times when Paige was obviously fouled and there was no calls. ND played a great game and they looked sharp. Of course had Kantor and the other officials called all the fouls... I do believe the outcome could have been different. Regardless it is a December Day and the sun still came up in the morning. Lets hope for a better outcome in March/April......

 

[yhun89]

Really? Playing the "next year" card?
Didn't posters say the same thing last season, and the year before and the year...? How original. Jeesh.

…

I was just responding to someone remarking our poor guard defense. I brought up that next year, we’re bringing in two defensive guards. In no way did I infer that “Oh my god, with them, we’ll win it all!”or anything even close to that. I’m not playing the “next year” card of “with these players, #12 is ours.”

Simply just stating that next year, we will likely have better defense from guards.

 

[HuskyNan]

Im not feeling good this morning. A bunch of stuff happened in last nites game. In a game like this we needed somebody to step up. ND had Hall step up. She had 16 pts and 12 rebounds. Some of our inexperience showed at different points in the game. ND had underclassman hit some unexpected shots. Sarah in early foul trouble hurt us. We lost her scoring rebounding and her presence. We needed her on the floor. ND had no one in foul trouble. Sarah is a key for us and those 3 fouls hurt. ND made 11 foul shots we made 3. ND had 3 scorers we had 2. With that said KK and Kaitlyn showed some positive offensive signs. We were in this game. We made a comeback when Sarah was back on the floor. Thats a good thing. Alot went right for ND and not alot went right for UConn. The biggest difference is ND was able to step up in critical moments just like UConn has done in many prior games but they didnt tonite.

We will learn from this experience. One thing good about failing, you learn from what you did wrong and improve on it. Thats called progress.

The atmosphere was an eye opener for some of our players who have never experienced a game like this. BB is a team game and we lost as a team. As good as we have been playing we werent that great last nite and without Azzi and Sarah on the bench we needed some one to step up. ND is good and UConn is good. Alot of things contributed to our loss and what hurts me is we came close a few times and couldnt make it happen. We needed more scorers and we didnt have them last nite. This game will be used as a measuring stick, We know where we are and we know what we have to do to get to where we wanna be. When you look at ND you have to wonder how they lost to Utah and TCU.

So now we look forward to Azzi and The Griff coming about hopefully soon. Having them should help alot and we have to get our underclassman up to speed. We are still a team coming back from injuries and inexperience. We will be back soon.

My friend, the Huskies lost an out of conference road game in December. It's not the end of the world.

Geno has spoken many times about trying to play as many different types of offenses and defenses as he could during the regular season in order to prepare the team for post-season tournaments. It was important to play ND to get experience with their type of play, of which they may be the best in the country. There are 8 Husky freshmen and sophomores to season and prepare for what's coming and sometimes getting figuratively slapped upside the head wakes the young or immature players to the fact that no one is scared of the UConn jersey any more and that players will need to earn - or hopefully, seize - their victories.

I hate to see you so dispirited and hope to see Optimus Prime back ASAP.