Jim Fuller: Samuelson saves her best for last in UConn win

[Kaizen]

There was part of Geno Auriemma who strongly considered letting Katie Lou Samuelson watch the entire second half from the bench after an uneventful showing in limited first-half action.

However, with some of his assistant coaches suggesting he give the reigning national high school player of the year another chance to show what she could do, Auriemma summoned Samuelson off the bench.
What followed might have been the most important eight-minute stretch of Samuelson's brief tenure with the Huskies.

Yes, Samuelson did drain a pair of 3-pointers including a crucial one just 25 seconds after a hard-charging DePaul team pulled within five points. But more importantly to Auriemma and the other coaches, Samuelson did more than display her outside shooting touch. She helped the Huskies break DePaul's press, played solid defense and also had a rebound and steal as the Huskies finished strong for an 86-70 victory on Wednesday night.

http://elmcitytoeaglevillenhr.blogspot.com/

 

[VAMike23]

On Stewie's 40 minutes:
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So when last night's game came to an end and I was given a final box score, one of the first numbers to jump out at me was the 40 minutes Stewart played. Before the DePaul game she had played the entire game just once in a regular season game and that came against Notre Dame when she was a freshman.

"I just couldn't see myself taking her out," Auriemma said. "There was just too much chaos going on out there, we needed somebody who could help us everywhere on the floor. She inbounded the ball, dribbled the ball up the floor, scored down low, hit a 3, made a good pass to somebody. When you have Stewie in the game, it is like having three players on the floor because she can do so many things. By taking her out I was scared that we would lose a little bit of that cohesiveness that she gives us."
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I have to say that playing 40 minutes in THAT game at THAT pace while also being the clear go-to player the whole time is simply amazing. AMAZING!

 

[MilfordHusky]

This is part of why Stewie is so special:

"If she hands out four assists in Saturday's game, she will become the first Division I women's basketball player with 300 blocked shots and assists."

 

[Orangutan]

That three after DePaul pulled within 5 was the key play of the game for me.

It seemed like Geno just couldn't find anyone he was satisfied with to put alongside Jefferson, Nurse, Tuck, and Stewart. It seemed like maybe he was going to bench KLS the whole game, which I thought would have been a bad call since none of the others were making the difference.

Not exactly sure what it was (confidence? determination?) but KLS just looked different when she game in for that last stint. She didn't look like a freshman. She was choosing smart passes and defending intelligently. I was impressed. It's not going out on a limb since she was such a highly-rated recruit but I remain convinced she will be an All-American and perhaps an NPOY candidate in her sophomore year. She grew up a lot last night. It will be interesting to see if she can carry it forward.

 

[MilfordHusky]

That three after DePaul pulled within 5 was the key play of the game for me.

It seemed like Geno just couldn't find anyone he was satisfied with to put alongside Jefferson, Nurse, Tuck, and Stewart. It seemed like maybe he was going to bench KLS the whole game, which I thought would have been a bad call since none of the others were making the difference.

Not exactly sure what it was (confidence? determination?) but KLS just looked different when she game in for that last stint. She didn't look like a freshman. She was choosing smart passes and defending intelligently. I was impressed. It's not going out on a limb since she was such a highly-rated recruit but I remain convinced she will be an All-American and perhaps an NPOY candidate in her sophomore year. She grew up a lot last night. It will be interesting to see if she can carry it forward.

If Lou is a strong NPOY candidate next year, I really like our chances.

 

[UConnCat]

That three after DePaul pulled within 5 was the key play of the game for me.

It seemed like Geno just couldn't find anyone he was satisfied with to put alongside Jefferson, Nurse, Tuck, and Stewart. It seemed like maybe he was going to bench KLS the whole game, which I thought would have been a bad call since none of the others were making the difference.

Not exactly sure what it was (confidence? determination?) but KLS just looked different when she game in for that last stint. She didn't look like a freshman. She was choosing smart passes and defending intelligently. I was impressed. It's not going out on a limb since she was such a highly-rated recruit but I remain convinced she will be an All-American and perhaps an NPOY candidate in her sophomore year. She grew up a lot last night. It will be interesting to see if she can carry it forward.

Agree with everything in your post. I also think Lou's size and length helped with the traps. Throwing over the traps worked better than dribbling threw them.

 

[BroadwayVa]

That three after DePaul pulled within 5 was the key play of the game for me.

It seemed like Geno just couldn't find anyone he was satisfied with to put alongside Jefferson, Nurse, Tuck, and Stewart. It seemed like maybe he was going to bench KLS the whole game, which I thought would have been a bad call since none of the others were making the difference.

Not exactly sure what it was (confidence? determination?) but KLS just looked different when she game in for that last stint. She didn't look like a freshman. She was choosing smart passes and defending intelligently. I was impressed. It's not going out on a limb since she was such a highly-rated recruit but I remain convinced she will be an All-American and perhaps an NPOY candidate in her sophomore year. She grew up a lot last night. It will be interesting to see if she can carry it forward.

NPOY??? REALLY??? I can't think of Katie Lou as the second coming of DT--but MAYBE!! She has had 2 impressive performances in 4 game (of the regular season). Her potential is as high as you want to go. She has court sense, a nose for rebounds, handles the ball like a small guard, passes a well as most on this team, and defends exceptionally well for a freshman. I could say most of this for Collier too. Poor Geno the immigrant kid who is now stuck with 2 dozen golden BB sneaker in his mouth (not a golden spoon). Orangutan--Everything you say about Katie Lou is what I saw--if her confidence remains as high as the Depaul game--look out.

 

[Orangutan]

Agree with everything in your post. I also think Lou's size and length helped with the traps. Throwing over the traps worked better than dribbling threw them.

Yes, she had one in the 1st half where she fed Stewart (I think?) for an easy basket that was particularly eye-catching. When she holds the ball up high, it's like passes coming from a sentry tower.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Yes, she had one in the 1st half where she fed Stewart (I think?) for an easy basket that was particularly eye-catching. When she holds the ball up high, it's like passes coming from a sentry tower.

If this kid's confidence holds high--can you imagine her and Stewie playing at a very high level. I love the way the kid drives to the basket, takes a charge, her short jumper is accurate, can't remember her missing a lay up--she brought the ball up court at least twice alone---did I say--I liKe Katie Lou.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

On Stewie's 40 minutes:
---------------------------------------
So when last night's game came to an end and I was given a final box score, one of the first numbers to jump out at me was the 40 minutes Stewart played. Before the DePaul game she had played the entire game just once in a regular season game and that came against Notre Dame when she was a freshman.

"I just couldn't see myself taking her out," Auriemma said. "There was just too much chaos going on out there, we needed somebody who could help us everywhere on the floor. She inbounded the ball, dribbled the ball up the floor, scored down low, hit a 3, made a good pass to somebody. When you have Stewie in the game, it is like having three players on the floor because she can do so many things. By taking her out I was scared that we would lose a little bit of that cohesiveness that she gives us."
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I have to say that playing 40 minutes in THAT game at THAT pace while also being the clear go-to player the whole time is simply amazing. AMAZING!

Has Geno just released "We have Diana and you don't" Version 2.0?

 

[RegisteredUconn]

I hate to even think it because I like Gabby so much but did KLS just enter the starting rotation? And some writer, can't remember who, called her a guard! Holy carp!

 

[Gus Mahler]

I hate to even think it because I like Gabby so much but did KLS just enter the starting rotation? And some writer, can't remember who, called her a guard! Holy carp!

I found it interesting that in those pre-season 1-on-1 interviews of the three freshmen she introduced herself as a guard.

 

[Hongster]

KLS was impressive last night, I liked what I saw but best of all is she has that scorer mentality, she has good vision of the game on both ends. She will be tough.

 

[HoopsFan21]

When was the last time we won a title without two #1 recruits? Was it DT's last one?

 

[Go/huskies]

When was the last time we won a title without two #1 recruits? Was it DT's last one?

DT played alongside Ann Strother.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I really like it when Stewie and Lou work together.

Lou can look at Stewie and see her own future.

 

[Aluminny69]

DT played alongside Ann Strother.

Ann Strother was a questionable #1 recruit. Seimone Augustus was clearly the best in her class. But even Nicole Wolff got some #1 awards.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Has Geno just released "We have Diana and you don't" Version 2.0?

Has Geno just released "We have Diana and you don't" Version 2.0?

I'm not sure exactly what Geno said, but he had to be thinking that about Maya. She was 150-4, with illness or injury contributing to 3 of the 4 losses. She won 90 in a row and never lost in the State of Connecticut. Not even Diana or Stewie can make those claims. After she left, Geno said it would take SIX players to replace her. Well, that other #23--our first recruit from Mater Dei--wasn't six players, but she could shoot like no one else.

 

[boontonbomber]

A round of applause for the assistants who spoke up to get Lou into the game. Maybe will give them confidence to speak up more often. Though I was glad to see her back in the game, she was subbed in for Saniya, which looked like a quick yank after Saniya had a turnover. I just don't like those quick yanks after a mistake. I thought that Saniya had a decent game.