Looking forward to Monday | The Boneyard

Looking forward to Monday

Tonyc

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All the games have been fun to watch. UConn now pretty healthy showed what their defense can do to good teams. Paige is simply unbelievable. With all their weapons UConn is really tuff. Paige took over yesterday and Im hoping that she gets more support on Monday nite. I think she will.

UConns defense has turned into a buzz saw. Uconns defense is lethal. There isnt any defense like it. Their offense is loaded. Geno has molded this team into nothing short of a run away locomotive. With that said I expect Monday I expect a USC team without Juju to try and control the pace. If UConn gets off to a fast start it could be over quickly. Dont get me wrong USC is a very good team and looked really good yesterday. Without Juju UConns defense can focus on everybody else. I dont see USCs defense holding UConn in check.

We've got the defense and the ball handlers and we've got the Terror Twins.

Thinking back to early season we knew what we had and it was just a question of when and if everybody got healthy. Well we're pretty much there now. Yesterday proved that even on a off shooting nite we have someone who can step up. I really believe in this team and Im hoping Griff and Caroline see some playtime
 
Don't forget the thicket of naysayers telling us optimism was morally wrong. Us fans also had to contend with that.
Morally wrong? Hardly. But saying other teams are "scared" of us, and that we will steamroll thru the tourney? THAT I disagree with. Oklahoma was hardly scared. We were down because shots weren't falling, but also because Oklahoma played really well (I mean 24 points against us in Q2? WOW). I hardly think they jumped out to an 8-0 lead, fought back after we took the lead, and led at halftime happened because they were "scared".

I'm not as optimistic as my good friend Tony - not now, not ever :D, but I do think that UConn is the most complete team in the tourney, and being healthy is letting us (and the rest of WCBB fans) see just how good and dangerous a UConn team is that can fire on all cylinders. If we don't hit our shots, like in the first half vs. Oklahoma, anyone left in the tourney can knock us out. But if we play solid, and continue with our tenacious defense, I like our chances! All you gotta do is win by 1 (more, or course, is way better for my nerves)...!
 
Paige will lead us to the Promised Land. Mark it down. Chisel it in marble. Sky write it. Put the sign on I 84 already. It's happening. Put it in lights.

You feelin' it? I'm feelin' it. You feelin' it?
 
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USC barely beat UConn at the XL back on 12/21 72-70. That game was Azzi's first game back she played 8 minutes and went 0-4, while USC had JuJu who scored 25 points in 38 minutes of play. Azzi is now playing over 28 minutes a game averaging 18 points, while JuJu is out. KiKi Iriafan is their best player now and she has had one breakout game scoring 36 points against Mississippi St, her other two games she has scored 13 and 7 points while averaging 32 minutes a game.

Both UConn and USC are completely different teams then the 12/21 game. UConn is both an offensive and defensive juggernaut now then the one that USC beat by two points, while USC is not as lethal as the one that beat the Huskies.
 
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I want UConn to keep winning (who doesn’t on this forum), and yes it’s one game at a time, but I’m going to jump ahead and say, if they make it to the championship game, I feel UCLA is the strongest and toughest opponent for them. They are really tall! Lots of good shooters too. Not sure how to handle Betts without double teaming her, but definitely UConn needs to shoot well if they meet, limit turnovers (the Bruins don’t put a lot of pressure on the ball), and somehow do respectable job with rebounds.
 
USC barely beat UConn at the XL back on 12/21 72-70. That game was Azzi's first game back she played 8 minutes and went 0-4, while USC had JuJu who scored 25 points in 38 minutes of play. Azzi is now playing over 28 minutes a game averaging 18 points, while JuJu is out. KiKi Iriafan is their best player now and she has had one breakout game scoring 36 points against Mississippi St, her other two games she has scored 13 and 7 points while averaging 32 minutes a game.

Both UConn and USC are completely different teams then the 12/21 game. UConn is both an offensive and defensive juggernaut now then the one that USC beat by two points, while USC is not as lethal as the one that beat the Huskies.
Since Azzi scored 28 against SC she had 1 game where she scored 27(Ark.St) the other 9 games she has averaged a little over 11 poins a game..not exactly a juggernut
 
With 31 straight sweet 16s, 15/16 recent final fours, and 11 titles, Tony has usually been right.:D

If you followed Tony's investment advice and bet on UConn to make final 4, you would have a nice retirement plan.

One game at a time though. USC will be new crowd fave, as 'JuJu less underdog.'

We just witnessed with frontcourt of Marshall & Iriafen, and backcourt of Heckel, Smith, Howell &TVO, they are still a very good conventional team.

Still a good matchup for UConn. Tenacious D vs guards, and more experienced UConn frontcourt, now playing better D than in early season game.
 
Defense wins championships. UConn is playing their best defense this season and in a while. Go big or go small, the defense keeps the pressure on. KK and Ash come in and crank up the intensity. I don't see a let up .

USC is a good team. But they can't replace JuJu's 23+ point average.

Right now UConn is the hot team. SC struggles with Duke. UCLA couldn't put LSU away.

Go Huskies!!!
 
Wouldn't the Huskies play UCLA in the Semi-final game and either SC or TX/TCU in the Final?
 
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I’m just struck by how uninspired the other teams looked. SC barely squeaked past Duke in a game that could have gone either way. And UCLA looked awful for long stretches and wouldn’t have won if LSU hadn’t looked even worse. I don’t know what to expect from Texas-TCU, but I suspect the matchups are more in our favor against TCU. And we already know how to beat SC. We might not be able to do it again, but there’s no mysteries there. Same goes for USC. The only team where it’s hard to see the path to victory with any clarity is UCLA. But they looked eminently beatable today.

What I’m getting at is if we beat USC and UCLA, I think we’d have to be the favorite to win against whoever comes out of the other side of the bracket.
 
Defense wins championships. UConn is playing their best defense this season and in a while. Go big or go small, the defense keeps the pressure on. KK and Ash come in and crank up the intensity. I don't see a let up .

USC is a good team. But they can't replace JuJu's 23+ point average.

Right now UConn is the hot team. SC struggles with Duke. UCLA couldn't put LSU away.

Go Huskies!!!
Like to see a little more balance tomorrow. More from KK and Azzi, Sarah will be Sarah again, Ash will continue being Ash and maybe a little something from Ice and Aubrey. And, of course, great games from Paige and Kaitlyn, our senior leaders.
 
As usual I agree with Tonyc. Uconn has the defense and offense to handle the rest of the way to the NC. PAIGE is their inspiration and the whole team believes in her. Paige believes in the whole team. An unbeatable combination. As the saying goes " time will tell" and in a few more day there won't be any more discussion necessary.IT'S POSSIBLE AND I BELIEVE!!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!!!
 
Like to see a little more balance tomorrow. More from KK and Azzi, Sarah will be Sarah again, Ash will continue being Ash and maybe a little something from Ice and Aubrey. And, of course, great games from Paige and Kaitlyn, our senior leaders.
I understand your point.

The game will determine who steps up to the plate. How will USC try to defend UConn, specifically Paige and Sarah.

Your reference to balance refers to scoring I assume. Scoring is only one part of the team game. Defense, rebounding and setting screens for Paige and others are all part the game balance. UConn showed that against Oklahoma.
 
I don't know about you guys, but this will be me all day.

Scared Chewing Gum GIF
 
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I’m just struck by how uninspired the other teams looked. SC barely squeaked past Duke in a game that could have gone either way. And UCLA looked awful for long stretches and wouldn’t have won if LSU hadn’t looked even worse. I don’t know what to expect from Texas-TCU, but I suspect the matchups are more in our favor against TCU. And we already know how to beat SC. We might not be able to do it again, but there’s no mysteries there. Same goes for USC. The only team where it’s hard to see the path to victory with any clarity is UCLA. But they looked eminently beatable today.

What I’m getting at is if we beat USC and UCLA, I think we’d have to be the favorite to win against whoever comes out of the other side of the bracket.
Yeah, but LSU made up for their loss with Coach Mulkey asking a student reporter, "How many Final Fours you play in?"
 
I want UConn to keep winning (who doesn’t on this forum), and yes it’s one game at a time, but I’m going to jump ahead and say, if they make it to the championship game, I feel UCLA is the strongest and toughest opponent for them. They are really tall! Lots of good shooters too. Not sure how to handle Betts without double teaming her, but definitely UConn needs to shoot well if they meet, limit turnovers (the Bruins don’t put a lot of pressure on the ball), and somehow do respectable job with rebounds.
If they get to the championship game they will have already beaten ucla.
 
I'm nervous about this one...
Their freshman are unpredictable (and talented)
I don't know how you put together a game plan.
 
I'm nervous about this one...
Their freshman are unpredictable (and talented)
I don't know how you put together a game plan.
Humility is a good thing.
We should still have the revenge factor on our side but no doubt USC will be very fired up and they have talent. Can’t overlook this game because we are doomed, DOOMED for sure!
 
I'm nervous about this one...
Their freshman are unpredictable (and talented)
I don't know how you put together a game plan.
You just make sure their game plan doesn’t work:)
 
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I'm nervous about this one...
Their freshman are unpredictable (and talented)
I don't know how you put together a game plan.
Actually, not that hard as USC becomes a very good 'standard team'.

2 posts, 1 scorer Iriafen 1 worker bee, Marshall.

3 guards Nika Muhl at point with Heckel, a slashing guard and + defender in Smith, and a great shooter in Howell. All 3 talented, but inexperienced freshmen.

4th guard super sr TVO provides calm, but has had a surprisingly quiet season.

JuJu was a one person unique wrecking crew, but this version of USC is more like an even better Creighton team.

I hope USC does play well!...but I trust UConn coaches will have a game plan.

Update: Those 4 USC guards have a combined 7 points at half on 2-13 shooting. Go Huskies!
 
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Paige will lead us to the Promised Land. Mark it down. Chisel it in marble. Sky write it. Put the sign on I 84 already. It's happening. Put it in lights.

You feelin' it? I'm feelin' it. You feelin' it?
Do you realize UConn plays UCLA next in the FF? The only team they have lost to is USC. Winning won't be as easy as you make it sound.
 
Actually, not that hard as USC becomes a very good 'standard team'.
1 worker bee, Marshall.



Update: Those 4 USC guards have a combined 7 points at half on 2-13 shooting. Go Huskies!
Update that "worker bee" ended up with a double double 23/15
 

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