Louisville Post-Game Thread

[rt bb fan]

I agree about the starters. Our starting five look good and I don't think there is a better starting five out there. But when you sub, and even Geno has to at some point, yikes. I like the starting five being roughly the same height, 4 of the 5 can shoot the 3, they can all defend, spacing tends to very good, everyone is fast enough to run the fast break, or cut for back doors, etc. When they sub in Z everything is disrupted.

I agree when Z comes in everything is disrupted, she brings no continuity to what the team is doing. The flow of the game changes. It's too bad MW got sick, because she was fitting in with the team. Now she gone back to where she was at the beginning of the season, to bad,

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Shout out to Kia: "Thanks to the suffocating defense by UConn’s Kia Nurse, national player of the year candidate Asia Durr did not score her first points until 5:49 remained in the first half. By that point UConn already led by 18 points." UConn women strike quickly, take down No. 4 Louisville

 

[NEforceUConn]

One flaw is there is no spark or instant offense coming in off the bench. At times I thought MW would bring this and I do hope she develops more over the next month. She has shown she can hit the 3 ball. Z on the other hand can be a spark given the right matchup (ie like the Texas game).

In second half we missed shots that we normally make and as others have pointed out CD was not CD.

 

[BostonCanuck]

I agree when Z comes in everything is disrupted, she brings no continuity to what the team is doing. The flow of the game changes. It's too bad MW got sick, because she was fitting in with the team. Now she gone back to where she was at the beginning of the season, to bad,

Azura has to stop picking up those quick and undisciplined fouls when defending close to the basket. Right now I feel that Z is best utilized later in games when starters get fatigued or in foul trouble, or to maintain scoring momentum when bench check into the game in numbers. But having her is such a gift; I would take her on the floor at any time over the version of Natalie Butler we had last year.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

Funny, but that's not how games are decided.

When I was in college, we were losing the Homecoming game (football) 29-0 at the half. Final score was 29-6 and the coach told everyone we won the second half. Funny, but we still lost.

 

[Centerstream]

Good for Jeff. He made adjustments.

Not all games are decided in the 2nd half or the 4th quarter. Some games are decided in the first half or, like tonight, in the 1st quarter. When the game was being decided Jeff's team didn't make shots and turned the ball over.

A month ago UConn was down 10 in the 1st quarter to an inspired Texas team in front of a raucous crowd. That game could have been decided in the 1st quarter had UConn not made plays and made shots to keep it close. That's what winning teams do.

I couldn't agree more...

 

[huskies29]

I thought it was a moral victory for Louisville. UConn looked like they should have won by much more, but basically put the brakes on in the second half for whatever reason. Seemed like the energy was sucked out of them. Maybe they were surprised at how easily it seemed in the beginning. I think the coach of Louisville will use this to prepare for the next meeting possibly in the final four.

I think Louisville has to be thinking how they couldn't beat U conn with mediocre games from crystal, stevens and pheesa with Megan a non factor tonight. Not like to happen again if they meet.

 

[snlMINAJ]

anyone know the song they play at the beginning of the 4th quarter?

 

[wallman]

My humble opinion. You just blasted Louisville in the first quarter, game over. Basically, they couldn't guard you and they couldn't play against you. I can see why Geno slows the game down as why kill your players when it's basically impossible for Louisville to come back enough to make it a game. This by the way with subpar games from a couple of your players. What it showed me about Louisville is that they were better and tougher with Marya Moore. I don't get why Walz allows Durr to coast and only play when she wants some buckets. Hines Allen IMO is their best player, she works hard on both ends, sets screens for her teammates and looks to pass.

 

[Centerstream]

I agree when Z comes in everything is disrupted, she brings no continuity to what the team is doing. The flow of the game changes. It's too bad MW got sick, because she was fitting in with the team. Now she gone back to where she was at the beginning of the season, to bad,

I wonder why they run the same offensive sets when Z is on the court. What I mean is, why does she have to go to the wing or the top of the key when running the offense. It just confuses me but I really do know that Geno knows what the heck he is doing and it is up to Z to make the offensive flow work...and maybe not put up long distance jumpers just cause she is "open".

 

[Centerstream]

I thought it was a moral victory for Louisville. UConn looked like they should have won by much more, but basically put the brakes on in the second half for whatever reason. Seemed like the energy was sucked out of them. Maybe they were surprised at how easily it seemed in the beginning. I think the coach of Louisville will use this to prepare for the next meeting possibly in the final four.

Is there a moral victory NC? Just remember that three or four of our players had sub par offensive games all 4 quarters and yet we got the victory that counts. Maybe the Louisville coach will see this when he reviews the tape too.

 

[eebmg]

We will not have the air of invincibility we had in our 4 peat period against the top 5 teams. That is clear. It will be a battle to win the NC this year. I had hopes that Z might be as good (or nearly as good) as stewie but I think this is too much to ask and the talent level continues to rise in the top 4-5 programs. We should be favored but the gap is getting smaller.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

I thought it was a moral victory for Louisville. UConn looked like they should have won by much more, but basically put the brakes on in the second half for whatever reason. Seemed like the energy was sucked out of them. Maybe they were surprised at how easily it seemed in the beginning. I think the coach of Louisville will use this to prepare for the next meeting possibly in the final four.

The thing about a "moral victory" is that it's still recorded under the LOSS column in the Team's record.

Sure Louisville will learn something from this game, but so will UConn...including that they took way to many unnecessary shots in the 2nd half! Some one posted that Z should have to wear a dog shock collar that goes off when she wanders outside the 3 point line....she wasn't really close, and when she's out there she isn't using 6'6" to get the offensive rebound and put back. Too many second half 3 attempts by people not named Lou... why?? Gabby is dynamite near the back board, but didn't hit many (if any of her top of the key jumpers. Run offense in the 2nd half like you did in the 1st...and get the open layup or short jumper. and if that doesn't work, don't hand the ball to Lou 1 or 2 ft from you with 1 second left on the shot clock expecting her to throw up a prayer!

 

[buddy]

Is there a moral victory NC? Just remember that three or four of our players had sub par offensive games all 4 quarters and yet we got the victory that counts. Maybe the Louisville coach will see this when he reviews the tape too.

I believe that the coach of Louisville knew that it was a long shot for them to win. Their goal was to learn and keep things respectable...and they did!

 

[boontonbomber]

Stevens had 8 points and 4 rebounds in the 4th quarter.

 

[MSGRET]

Looks like our 3 shooters were pretty much all off.

All except Lou, she was 3 for 6 in the first half and in the second half she was 1 for 3 with the 2 misses coming of bad time management and she had to hoist them up with the clock expiring. Both times she hit the rim. It looked like the team forgot that she was on the court in the 3rd and 4th quarters.

 

[eebmg]

Stevens had 8 points and 4 rebounds in the 4th quarter.

To be honest, with the play of Z earlier in the game, I thought she would (and should) be tethered to the bench. I am glad Geno kept his cool and allowed her to play through the bad game and really ran plays to give her as many easy shots as possible. If she was yanked, it could have set her back mentally before the tournament.

 

[Bretski]

The new Gampel ceiling looks great.

You home coaches might need to take it down a notch no one in the crowd was an worried about the score/margin as you guys were. It was never in doubt. And as much as it's easier to just turn on the TV, I gotta say, it looks so much better in person

Play of the game was me catching the cheese covered pretzel bite I almost dropped on the girl in front of me.

 

[the Q]

When your biggest complaints are:

- Collier and z need to stay near the basket

- very end of quarter defense was abysmal

And

- nurse is still doing that unnecessary scoop on layups that has caused her to miss bunnies in the past....

You know your team played really well

Too many jumpers in the second half, and they went cold, but that’s gonna happen at times. Shutting down Louisville’s O was more impressive.

 

[Mlb0814]

Yep. If you can't stop her, and not too many teams can, punch her in the eyeball.

I loved the dance moves they did on Lou in the first half; nothing like a nice hold and then release to have her twirl around the middle of the floor with no call. I believe she spoke to the ref about it. Ridiculous.

 

[boontonbomber]

somebody help me out here: besides hoisting up lots of shots, what else is so good about Asia Durr's game? I saw very little ballhandling, passing( 2 assists in 40 minutes), rebounding. certainly can shoot, but ????? I looked at her season stats, and she has almost as many turnovers as assists. not even in the same ballpark as Samuelson.

 

[Mlb0814]

somebody help me out here: besides hoisting up lots of shots, what else is so good about Asia Durr's game? I saw very little ballhandling, passing( 2 assists in 40 minutes), rebounding. certainly can shoot, but ????? I looked at her season stats, and she has almost as many turnovers as assists. not even in the same ballpark as Samuelson.

It seems like Wilson is the heavy favorite for POY though she hasn’t shown up in any big game and Lou has every time. How is Wilson the favorite?

 

[mhshuskies]

UConn clearly took their foot off the gas.... I wonder if that was on purpose.

Or an unconscious let down. Meg got some minutes and Crystal took long breaks in the 4th.

 

[BigBird]

From my “oh by the way” department, the first charging call against Lou was totally bogus. I re-watched in slo-mo and frame-by-frame. The defender did not have either foot planted and slid to a position that was almost in front of Lou. Almost. Another peculiar call from Dee Duh Ref, who was five feet away.

 

[HoopsFan21]

It seems like Wilson is the heavy favorite for POY though she hasn’t shown up in any big game and Lou has every time. How is Wilson the favorite?

That's what I said in the game thread. There's more than just stats. Showing up in big games has to count for something.

 

[Shorty Dee]

Congratulations UConn Huskies!! Congratulations Chris "C.D." Dailey!! Chris Dailey has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and it is well deserved!! What a game. Kia held Durr scoreless for a while, and when she loss her Gabby was there. Gabby is truly amazing. Lou is a baller, but she might want to think about a mask, her face is taking a pounding. I love the chemistry of this team. Napheesa is a very quiet scorer, you think she isn't doing anything, and you look up, she has scored in double figures on a team . The only complaints are Azura need to stop shooting 3's, and she need to become a beast taking her shot at the rim.

 

[mhshuskies]

Any post game press conference?

 

[j66kicker]

Any post game press conference?

 

[mhshuskies]

Thanks!

 

[Los24]

Your points are well taken but Kia usually has the tougher assignment, chasing the opponent's best shooter all over the floor all game long, which may explain why her offensive production suffers. However, the remaining four on the floor are all shooters and don't ordinarily require her points so this is rarely an issue. Kia simply does her job as a defender, which becomes her primary role on the floor. She played great tonight and wasn't personally responsible for many of Durr's points, which came when she was either on the bench or after she had switched off to another player on defense.

I hear you. My comment was that Gabby contributes in more ways defensively. However you bring up an interesting point. I ask if Durr scores her avg 20 but Kia only scores 4 instead her avg 14/15 is that a great game? While she had 4 dimes, she also had only 1 rebound, 0 steals and lead with 3 fouls. When the team is in half court offense, which they were quite a bit, she is not guarding Durr. Lou still has to play defense even if she drops 26.

Don't get me wrong I appreciate Kia's game (and her grit and style) but great players are two way. It seems many times she has a tough assignment she scores in low single digits. Gabby, especially last year, had many tough matchups against bigs but she not only handled the assignment she also contributed in many other ways was my point. I just think its an interesting perspective to consider when evaluating all these conversations about AA and NPOY awards.