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Message: [QUOTE="EricLA, post: 4727805, member: 26"] It's an exhibition game and obviously things to work on very early in the season. But a bunch of things stood out to me... [LIST] [*]The camera work and quality was excellent. Kudos to whoever organized that so we could enjoy an exhibition game in a foreign country. [*]Would like to see this team press A LOT. They have the numbers and athleticism. [*]Some really good ball movement and passing - also moving without the ball to get open. [*]There will be NO lack of hustle or taking plays off this season by anyone on the team. [*]The team missed some bunnies after some nice offense was run - obviously a bit rusty and lacking cohesion (NOT a criticism - it's game 2 of exhibition season - just an observation). [*]Defensively as well - need to get better about help side defense. Again something that will come in time as chemistry and familiarity grows. [*]Not surprisingly, the chemistry between Nika, Liya, Azzi and Aubrey is quite good even this early in pre-season [*]A lot of defense WITH fouling. Need to clean that up. [*]UCONN fans watching are SO knowledgeable. Pretty active in cheering etc. but also when someone was playing really well and then got subbed for - gave them a nice round of applause. They SEE all of that. I'm sure the players appreciated the support. [*]The all star team lacked any real shooters or scorers, but they did play solid defense that made the team work hard on offense. Q3 they made a bunch of 3's including some bankers. They looked better in half 2 and drained a TON of 3's... [/LIST] Some individual observations (starters listed first) [LIST] [*]Aubrey - really hoping she puts it ALL together this year consistently. She can be really good. Probably the most impressive player on the fast break grabbing tough passes in traffic and scoring in traffic. Notwithstanding who "scored", she impressed me the most of anyone for her all around game on offense and defense. [*]Azzi - shot was off in the 1st half, but I ALWAYS expect any shot she takes to go in. Seemed to "only" be a spot up 3-point shooter this game, but if that's what defenses give her, better for UCONN. [*]Nika - things run really smoothly when she's on the floor. Had some nice high-low post passes especially to Liya. And she sees the floor so well. Loved seeing her PUMPED after making an assist - reminds me of her comment that "when i score, 1 person is happy. when I assist, 2 people are happy". Drained a few wide open 3's. Great to see her looking for her shot when it's there. [*]Qadence - long and lanky. Going to be a matchup problem for guards or wings. Didn't show much scoring prowess, till Q4, but I saw she was the leading scorer in game 3 so good for her!! [*]Liya - looks to have picked up where she left off last season. Missed some bunnies, but gets great position in the post. One play she absolutely steamrolled an opponent and I actually laughed out loud - thinking "how was that not a foul"?? [*]Ashlynn - strong and intense. And physical. Reminds me a bit of a very young Shea Ralph. Does a bit of everything. [*]Ice - runs the floor very well and is active. She moves better than most players of her size. But does need some conditioning. IMHO I'd like to see her spend more time in the post and less time roaming around the perimeter. She did post up a few times, got great position, backed her defender down, and scored. More please! [*]KK - sheesh - how was this kid not ranked 2 or 3 in her class??? Got some steals that I don't think most other players could have gotten. Her eye-hand coordination to steal without fouling was impressive. HOWEVER she's a much better scoring guard than point guard (in this game anyway). Several ill-timed passes that just missed the teammate. [*]Ines - plays like she belongs. But on a team filled with great guards... gonna be hard for her to carve out consistent PT. [/LIST] Bottom line a nice effort against an overmatched team. Everyone played, everyone got devent minutes, everyone contributed, no one was injured. Can't ask for any more than that!! [/QUOTE]

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