Jana and Serah question

[Bone Dog]

A number of folks have raised this point, and it’s on my mind often enough — we could well need Jana in the tournament, and she may even be more useful/important to the teams ultimate success than Serah.

This naturally led to the question, have we played a team with a so-called superbig yet this season? I’m not talking about a superstar center, just a really big one. I think the answer is ‘No, we haven’t.’ The final four looks likely to include three teams with superbigs — Betts, Okot and Oldacre. And we might even include Koval on LSU on this group.

I think last season Geno showed pretty clearly that he can defeat such teams with Jana’s help alternating with a smallball lineup. But we only faced one superbig then. This season, Geno doesn’t appear to be all that concerned about this. Should we be?

 

[Centerstream]

A number of folks have raised this point, and it’s on my mind often enough — we could well need Jana in the tournament, and she may even be more useful/important to the teams ultimate success than Serah.

This naturally led to the question, have we played a team with a so-called superbig yet this season? I’m not talking about a superstar center, just a really big one. I think the answer is ‘No, we haven’t.’ The final four looks likely to include three teams with superbigs — Betts, Okot and Oldacre. And we might even include Koval on LSU on this group.

I think last season Geno showed pretty clearly that he can defeat such teams with Jana’s help alternating with a smallball lineup. But we only faced one superbig then. This season, Geno doesn’t appear to be all that concerned about this. Should we be?

My only contribution to this thread is about last year...add Oklahoma's Raegan Beers. How did that turn out?

 

[Bone Dog]

My only contribution to this thread is about last year...add Oklahoma's Raegan Beers. How did that turn out?

That’s a fair question. I didn’t count Reagan because she’s only 6’4” and that’s not usually counted as a superbig. But Jana could be useful in such a matchup.

 

[jabstep]

Yes, Jana could be helpful in contending with Beers. Geno, I think says to himself Beers can't guard Sarah Strong if we go small. Also, Serah Williams can run the court and Beers not so much. In other words if we make the other team bigs run. Run them all game long.

 

[Bigboote]

That’s a fair question. I didn’t count Reagan because she’s only 6’4” and that’s not usually counted as a superbig. But Jana could be useful in such a matchup.

If you’re only talking height, then yes. Florida State Pania Davis is 6-6, started, and had 9 points and 6 rebounds. Ohio State Elsa Lemilaa, 6-6, started and had 2 points, 4 rebounds.

I’d call Beers more super then either of them, as in plays bigger despite lacking a couple of inches.

 

[Geew1992]

He mentioned the Jana was sulking in practice at one point. And we all know he feels about that.

As far as bigs, no I don’t the UConn has faced a big in the nature of beers or betts. Will UConn need her when/if that happens? Honestly, the game vs ucla was the only game she truly showed up up during the tournament.

 

[Ralph]

bigger question I see is they played 28 minutes combined against DePaul, not exactly a strong team, and got 6 fouls. If they keep fouling like this they won't be available if we need them.

 

[meyers7]

Geno can always play Strong and Quinones together for awhile and run them out of the gym.

 

[BobbyJ]

My only contribution to this thread is about last year...add Oklahoma's Raegan Beers. How did that turn out?

Glad you asked. El Alfy and Brady played a combined non-impact 24 min. OK led by 4, 36-32 at the half. The game changed midway thru the 3rd when Auriemma realized they were spinning their wheels offensively playing 4 on 5 and took out El Alfy and went 5-out with Strong at the 5. UConn went on a 16-0 run and the game was under control. They guarded Beers with Strong and an occasional double and she wasn't a real factor after that. That strategy carried them thru the FF and has become GA's default plan. He'll probably play Williams (with El Alfy in Brady's spot as the backup) as long as she's effective in games against 6-4+ bigs (that's why he got her in the portal) and if she's not he'll go back to the Strong small ball group this year too.

 

[JellyBean]

We have not faced any teams with superbigs this season but the way our team defense is playing, and getting better, Jana and Serah will not have to face a superbig on their own. There will be helpside defenders to assist Serah or Jana.

 

[hoopsfan22]

He mentioned the Jana was sulking in practice at one point. And we all know he feels about that.

As far as bigs, no I don’t the UConn has faced a big in the nature of beers or betts. Will UConn need her when/if that happens? Honestly, the game vs ucla was the only game she truly showed up up during the tournament.

She's starting into her 4th year in Storrs and is sulking in practice? You'd think she's seen enough to know that's never a good idea if you want playing time.