Just Thinkin

[Tonyc]

Well last nite USC @ home beat number 1 UCLA. Juju when off for 38pts and USC with a solid defense USC won. Juju had a good nite however the box score shows neither team shot the ball well. UCLA had 20 TOs which hurt. When I look at UConn with their great shooters I can only believe we will win @ SC. We have a good D as does SC. We have better shooters imo. This is a big test for UConn. We finally have Azzi back and she looks healthy especially after the last game and a half. Griff is still not 100% but did look good in her last game. This game will be a big test and very telling where we are as a team and on the road again. Ive noticed many of the upsets of the top teams have been on the road. Unfortunately we will be on the road Sunday in another hostile environment. I look at the environment as another obstacle to overcome that will make us better and test our fortitude as well as our mental stamina. IMO we can not use injuries as a crutch. We have key injuries however we have Azzi and Griff back and we have something to prove. This is the exact game to prove it.

This is a game where are Big 3 need to rise to the top of their games and intimidate our opponents. We need to dominate the game with our execution, energy and poise. I already had my post mentioning a winning attitude and focusing on execution which will allow us to let the opportunities happen and not think or force them to happen. Geno will have us ready and prepared. SC lost their last game @ Texas. They most likely are not happy however we need to instill early that we will control the game and play it at our tempo while not letting their aggressive work against us.

We have the shooters to dominate. We have to play to our potential. I think we have learned to do that now. As hard and as tuff as it will be in SC we have what it takes this time.

You Gotta Believe. My ole saying which never gets old "There are two types of players in the world. Those who think they can and those who think they cant....and theyre both right. " Let do this.

 

[Basingstoke]

As usual, I greatly appreciate your posts, but I must add 1 correction: last night SC demolished Florida, so will not be going into the UCONN game directly after a loss.

 

[ERWUC65]

Well last nite USC @ home beat number 1 UCLA. Juju when off for 38pts and USC with a solid defense USC won. Juju had a good nite however the box score shows neither team shot the ball well. UCLA had 20 TOs which hurt. When I look at UConn with their great shooters I can only believe we will win @ SC. We have a good D as does SC. We have better shooters imo. This is a big test for UConn. We finally have Azzi back and she looks healthy especially after the last game and a half. Griff is still not 100% but did look good in her last game. This game will be a big test and very telling where we are as a team and on the road again. Ive noticed many of the upsets of the top teams have been on the road. Unfortunately we will be on the road Sunday in another hostile environment. I look at the environment as another obstacle to overcome that will make us better and test our fortitude as well as our mental stamina. IMO we can not use injuries as a crutch. We have key injuries however we have Azzi and Griff back and we have something to prove. This is the exact game to prove it.

This is a game where are Big 3 need to rise to the top of their games and intimidate our opponents. We need to dominate the game with our execution, energy and poise. I already had my post mentioning a winning attitude and focusing on execution which will allow us to let the opportunities happen and not think or force them to happen. Geno will have us ready and prepared. SC lost their last game @ Tenn. They most likely are not happy however we need to instill early that we will control the game and play it at our tempo while not letting their aggressive work against us.

We have the shooters to dominate. We have to play to our potential. I think we have learned to do that now. As hard and as tuff as it will be in SC we have what it takes this time.

You Gotta Believe. My ole saying which never gets old "There are two types of players in the world. Those who think they can and those who think they cant....and theyre both right. " Let do this.

I watched the game and now would put USC in the same category as LSU & TN, teams that rely on their athleticism and play fast break and one-on-one basketball. One difference being USC is single player dominant with a small rotation vs the others with more of a hockey style mass substitution game. UCLA, SC and ND play more traditional basketball with half court sets although again rely on speed and quickness with UCLA having special size in Betts. You have to marvel at how many good players there are out there now and how these 6 teams have amassed such talent this year. As we approach the tournament, it becomes more obvious how difficult it will be to make the FF considering the depth of competition in the league.

 

[Huskee11]

UConn has to stay out of foul trouble, get open shots, and hit open shots and layups. SC can get into foul trouble and shoot poorly, and still win. Stated differently, they have a greater margin for error. We need all three of our top players to play aggressively and fearlessly.

 

[Blond D.]

Were gonna need more than our top 3 players to play aggressively and fearlessly. We need who ever is on the floor at any given time to play hard, fast and pissed off.
I believe if we're hitting our 3's and our inside shots, we will win. BUT we have to play tenacious D too.

oh, and SC is lucky that WE are coming off a win instead of a loss.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

I will always pull for the Huskies...regardless of opponent. I am tired of Dawn's constant chatter about how her team is disrespected (by everyone)...how her freshman (who is it again??) deserves to be considered as a front runner for Freshman of the Year along with Sarah....despite the fact that Sarah's stats are far and away better than the SC Freshee. Dawn sounds like Angel Reese complaining that she deserved the WNBA ROTY over Caitlin Clark...laughable.

This will NOT be an easy game for either Team. UCONN's performance in the last game (albeit against a weaker team than SC) showed what they can do. Geno's general "calling out" of the Team after the Tennessee loss (some say directed at Paige, but I disagree...I believe it was a general call for everyone to pick it up) had the desired effect. Azzi undoubtedly elevated her game...and the rest played more motivated and energetic. I believe SC will enter the game "overconfident" based on the words of their own Head Coach...and their own "swagger"... When UCONN gives them a figurative "punch in the teeth" early in the game, Dawn will start yelling at the Referees (maybe to the point of earning a Technical Foul or two), and then she will yell at the Team about how disappointed she is...and so on. She will get the signature Dawn scowl on her face that the TV announcers will constantly remark about....and it will be "over."

 

[AmeriConn]

We are a 6 cylinder vehicle that needs to be running all all 6 in order to compete with the top 4 teams. We've only been running on 3 or 4 cylinders to date. Come on Huskies, I know we can do it!! Dig deep and show the basketball world what you're made of. We're cheering you on!!!!!

 

[EricLA]

The issue is that the team has yet to put together a solid offensive and defensive performance in a big game.

• Against ND, Paige had 25, Sarah 14, Azzi was out, and KK had 10 but we gave up 29 points to Hidalgo and ND shot 56% from 3. We shot 18%
• Against USC, both Paige and Sarah had 22 (no Azzi), but USC shot 56% from 3 while we shot 26%
• Against UNC (a close win), Paige had 29, Sarah 14 (no Azzi) and we shot 24% from 3
• Against Creighton (a close-ish win) Paige had 22, Sarah 26, and Azzi played 34 minutes scoring 4 points. Oh and we shot 20% from 3 while Creighton shot 33%
• Against Tennessee, Paige had 14, Sarah 18, Azzi 10, and we shot 25% from 3.

The main reoccurring theme in all the losses and close wins is that our 3 point shooting sucked, to put it mildly. People were thrilled and excited as we romped thru the big east shooting over 50% most nights from 3, but in a "tough" game, even tho we get open shots, we miss over and over.

We can give up a lot of points to an opposing player or 2, but in general, we get little production from our bench (KK has been much better lately), and with our crap 3 %, we aren't able to pull out the wins. So against overmatched teams, we look great, but that's to be expected. Against good teams, our defense gives up way to many 3's, and that's mostly been the difference.

Our margin for error this year is mostly very small, and a LOT of things need to go right for us to win - much more so than in other years where we were more dominant.

Sarah has averaged 5 PPG the last 2 games and has been a total non-factor. If she's hit the freshman wall, another 5 point game will not cut it against SC. Same for Azzi. Great that she "broke out" for a career high against Samson Johnson, but she needs to bring that against top teams. SC will be another good test of playing a superior athletic team. Our rebounding has been really bad the last few games - too little blocking out, being a step slow, etc. giving up too many O-boards.

We will see if this team can put it all together.

 

[JellyBean]

As usual, I greatly appreciate your posts, but I must add 1 correction: last night SC demolished Florida, so will not be going into the UCONN game directly after a loss.

True but Florida ain't UConn. Ya Gotta Believe

#FacingtheGiants.

 

[JellyBean]

@Tonyc as always with the right message. "Ya Gotta Believe!" The UConn players, those that are healthy and semi-healthy, gotta believe in & trust themselves out there. I like our chances in this game. Let's go, UConn!!

 

[DennieEddy]

As usual, I greatly appreciate your posts, but I must add 1 correction: last night SC demolished Florida, so will not be going into the UCONN game directly after a loss.

University of Southern California played UCLA, not South Carolina.

 

[Plebe]

Hope truly does spring eternal.

(Also, it's bad enough we lost to Tennessee, let's not also give them undue credit for beating SC. That was Texas that SC lost to.)

 

[Skeets]

The issue is that the team has yet to put together a solid offensive and defensive performance in a big game.

• Against ND, Paige had 25, Sarah 14, Azzi was out, and KK had 10 but we gave up 29 points to Hidalgo and ND shot 56% from 3. We shot 18%
• Against USC, both Paige and Sarah had 22 (no Azzi), but USC shot 56% from 3 while we shot 26%
• Against UNC (a close win), Paige had 29, Sarah 14 (no Azzi) and we shot 24% from 3
• Against Creighton (a close-ish win) Paige had 22, Sarah 26, and Azzi played 34 minutes scoring 4 points. Oh and we shot 20% from 3 while Creighton shot 33%
• Against Tennessee, Paige had 14, Sarah 18, Azzi 10, and we shot 25% from 3.

The main reoccurring theme in all the losses and close wins is that our 3 point shooting sucked, to put it mildly. People were thrilled and excited as we romped thru the big east shooting over 50% most nights from 3, but in a "tough" game, even tho we get open shots, we miss over and over.

We can give up a lot of points to an opposing player or 2, but in general, we get little production from our bench (KK has been much better lately), and with our crap 3 %, we aren't able to pull out the wins. So against overmatched teams, we look great, but that's to be expected. Against good teams, our defense gives up way to many 3's, and that's mostly been the difference.

Our margin for error this year is mostly very small, and a LOT of things need to go right for us to win - much more so than in other years where we were more dominant.

Sarah has averaged 5 PPG the last 2 games and has been a total non-factor. If she's hit the freshman wall, another 5 point game will not cut it against SC. Same for Azzi. Great that she "broke out" for a career high against Samson Johnson, but she needs to bring that against top teams. SC will be another good test of playing a superior athletic team. Our rebounding has been really bad the last few games - too little blocking out, being a step slow, etc. giving up too many O-boards.

We will see if this team can put it all together.

She had a career high against Samson Johnson? Was this in practice?

 

[DrummerDee]

Well last nite USC @ home beat number 1 UCLA. Juju when off for 38pts and USC with a solid defense USC won. Juju had a good nite however the box score shows neither team shot the ball well. UCLA had 20 TOs which hurt. When I look at UConn with their great shooters I can only believe we will win @ SC. We have a good D as does SC. We have better shooters imo. This is a big test for UConn. We finally have Azzi back and she looks healthy especially after the last game and a half. Griff is still not 100% but did look good in her last game. This game will be a big test and very telling where we are as a team and on the road again. Ive noticed many of the upsets of the top teams have been on the road. Unfortunately we will be on the road Sunday in another hostile environment. I look at the environment as another obstacle to overcome that will make us better and test our fortitude as well as our mental stamina. IMO we can not use injuries as a crutch. We have key injuries however we have Azzi and Griff back and we have something to prove. This is the exact game to prove it.

This is a game where are Big 3 need to rise to the top of their games and intimidate our opponents. We need to dominate the game with our execution, energy and poise. I already had my post mentioning a winning attitude and focusing on execution which will allow us to let the opportunities happen and not think or force them to happen. Geno will have us ready and prepared. SC lost their last game @ Tenn. They most likely are not happy however we need to instill early that we will control the game and play it at our tempo while not letting their aggressive work against us.

We have the shooters to dominate. We have to play to our potential. I think we have learned to do that now. As hard and as tuff as it will be in SC we have what it takes this time.

You Gotta Believe. My ole saying which never gets old "There are two types of players in the world. Those who think they can and those who think they cant....and theyre both right. " Let do this.

SC lost to TN?? When?

 

[Rowdy831]

I think in games with two good teams the team that can create mismatches has the advantage. With UConn they have the big 3 which is as good as any three any team out there can put on the court. The issue as I see it is UConn doesn't create any mismatches with the small lineup which is pretty much what they have more than half the game.

The solution is replace the fourth guard (KC) with a player that creates match up issues which in itself will cause the defense to have to help which gives the big 3 more room to operate. Sometimes your best five players on the court don't make your best team and I think right now Uconn isn't playing its best team and it really shows up against the better teams.

Can UConn beat SC? Absulutely, but it will happen if they can play Jana for more than half the game which gives them a mismatch in the post, and Aubrey having a big game too. Second chance points against a smaller team like SC is a battle UConn will have to win and if they go with 4 guards and Sarah they basically have one rebounder on the floor and that is a huge plus for SC.

 

[MSGRET]

University of Southern California played UCLA, not South Carolina.

Read his statement, he was talking about SC beating Florida, he said nothing about USC.

 

[EricLA]

She had a career high against Samson Johnson? Was this in practice?

LOL what if i said "SJU"?

 

[Longtime fan]

Well last nite USC @ home beat number 1 UCLA. Juju when off for 38pts and USC with a solid defense USC won. Juju had a good nite however the box score shows neither team shot the ball well. UCLA had 20 TOs which hurt. When I look at UConn with their great shooters I can only believe we will win @ SC. We have a good D as does SC. We have better shooters imo. This is a big test for UConn. We finally have Azzi back and she looks healthy especially after the last game and a half. Griff is still not 100% but did look good in her last game. This game will be a big test and very telling where we are as a team and on the road again. Ive noticed many of the upsets of the top teams have been on the road. Unfortunately we will be on the road Sunday in another hostile environment. I look at the environment as another obstacle to overcome that will make us better and test our fortitude as well as our mental stamina. IMO we can not use injuries as a crutch. We have key injuries however we have Azzi and Griff back and we have something to prove. This is the exact game to prove it.

This is a game where are Big 3 need to rise to the top of their games and intimidate our opponents. We need to dominate the game with our execution, energy and poise. I already had my post mentioning a winning attitude and focusing on execution which will allow us to let the opportunities happen and not think or force them to happen. Geno will have us ready and prepared. SC lost their last game @ Texas. They most likely are not happy however we need to instill early that we will control the game and play it at our tempo while not letting their aggressive work against us.

We have the shooters to dominate. We have to play to our potential. I think we have learned to do that now. As hard and as tuff as it will be in SC we have what it takes this time.

You Gotta Believe. My ole saying which never gets old "There are two types of players in the world. Those who think they can and those who think they cant....and theyre both right. " Let do this.

You can argue that our defense is as good ( though I am not so certain it is ), but we are still weak in the post. We will play Sarah and four guards for most of the game. Ice is out and so is Cheli. Aubrey will fill in for both. Jana doesn't give us anything yet. Therefore, I don't think it reasonable to believe UCONN can win this one. But I would not have bet on USC beating CLA either. Let's hope we can show some grit and toughness. We can't get off to a bad start, either.

 

[visitingcock]

LOL what if i said "SJU"?

Tejas beat SCar.
U$C beat UCLA.

Who is UT?

 

[DennieEddy]

Read his statement, he was talking about SC beating Florida, he said nothing about USC.

I guess technically, both schools are officially "USC", so my thought when we're talking about "top rank" WBB schools that both have a definitive history with UConn, a distinction would have cleared it up.

Sorry...

 

[visitingcock]

I guess technically, both schools are officially "USC", so my thought when we're talking about "top rank" WBB schools that both have a definitive history with UConn, a distinction would have cleared it up.

Sorry...

U$C
SCar

No confusion

 

[DennieEddy]

U$C
SCar

No confusion

Now that is confusing.