Louisville Postgame Thread (merged)

[oldude]

Some thoughts on the Louisville game:

• Another good test and a really good win for the Huskies vs longtime rival Louisville.
• It was wonderful to see Azzi bury the first shot of the game from the arc, and then just keep on draining shots while she was in the game. It was terrible to see Azzi hurt her knee again and have to come out of the game. Let’s do ourselves a big favor and not speculate on the injury until we know for sure.
• Having Ashlynn to step into the lineup for Azzi is a great comfort. Today she came off the bench looking for her shot and knocking it down throughput the game.
• OK, who had UConn up 28-10 at the end of the 1st qtr, with Paige scoreless?
• For the 2nd game in a row, when Paige attempts to run a high screen and role, she’s getting doubled. While that gets the ball out of Paige’s hands, Azzi, Sarah and the rest of the Huskies have a lot more room to operate with all the attention on Paige.
• Sarah continues to dazzle all of us with her brilliant all-around game. She is just a freshman…right?
• UConn’s DEFENSE was suffocating, holding the Cardinals to 25% from the field and 20% from the arc, while the Huskies shot 53% and 39% respectively.
• Paige and many of her teammates sporting the new Nike GT Hustles....
• Next stop is South Bend. The Irish are dealing with a lot of injuries, but they have an outstanding backcourt. These are the games you live for when you’re a UConn WBB fan!!!

 

[victor64]

-LOVE that they wore the shoes. They look great.

-Maybe just wishful thinking but I didn’t see Azzi twist her knee.. No matter what, her luck is terrible.

-I know UConn is noted for their unselfishness but their ability to take away the other team’s best scorer is equally as impressive.

-great to see Ash look for her shot more.

-the announcers barely mentioned Sarah’s impact prior to the game. It didn’t take long to remedy that. If she keeps playing like this, she will not only be freshman of the year but also an All-American.

-Louisville thought they could run with UConn. Prior opponents have shown that the only chance is to slow the game down.

-49 in the first half with no FGs from Paige.. What are the odds?

-I an saddened that defending dribble penetration has deteriorated into slap, reach, bump and push knowing that the refs aren’t going to call all the fouls. Paige gets killed on her drives every game.

-KK needs to knock down a three. Her confidence is wavering.

-Geno is increasing the minutes of the four guard look with Sarah as the “5”.

-Long stretch for Q. She is slowly getting it. Happy for her

A brilliant performance hopefully not overshadowed by Azzi’s knee injury.

 

[oldude]

Hard to believe you can feel bad after a 33-point win over a good Louisville team.
Fingers crossed.

 

[Next 12]

UCONN beat Louisville 86-52. They led from beginning to end. 3 players in double figures, Sarah with 21 and 9 rebounds, Azzi with 18 points and Ashlynn with 13 points. The rebounding was outstanding and the defense was also. Tonight was the game I have been waiting for as it shows how much Uconn had progressed. GO FRESHMEN!!! GO SOPHOMORES!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!

 

[oldude]

Some thoughts on the Louisville game;

• Another good test and a really good win for the Huskies vs longtime rival Louisville.
• It was wonderful to see Azzi bury the first shot of the game from the arc, and then just keep on draining shots while she was in the game. It was terrible to see Azzi hurt her knee again and have to come out of the game. Let’s do ourselves a big favor and not speculate on the injury until we know for sure.
• Having Ashlynn to step in to the lineup for Azzi is a great comfort. Today she came off the bench looking for her shot and knocking it down throughput the game.
• OK, who had UConn up 28-10 at the end of the 1st qtr, with Paige scoreless?
• For the 2nd game in a row, when Paige attempts to run a high screen and role, she’s getting doubled. While that gets the ball out of Paige’s hands, Azzi, Sarah and the rest of the Huskies have a lot more room to operate with all the attention on Paige.
• Sarah continues to dazzle all of us with her brilliant all-around game. She is just a freshman…right?
• UConn’s DEFENSE was suffocating, holding the Cardinals to 26% from the field and 22% from the arc, while the Huskies shot 52% and 38% respectively.
• Next stop is South Bend. The Irish are dealing with a lot of injuries, but they have an outstanding backcourt. These are the games you live for when you’re a UConn WBB fan!!!

 

[RoadMaster]

I leave this to the night owls..

 

[Bone Dog]

Where are you @oldude? Here's a thread for tonight's game.

First half: Louisville double teamed Paige the entire time, with several unwhistled muggings and Paige engineered a 25 point lead 49-24. Sarah scored 16, Azzi scored 13, and Ash scored 9, and they looked dominating doing it. Ash shot 4-4 and 1-2 from 3. Sarah shot 6-8 and 2-4 from 3, and Azzi opened the scoring with a 3 and finished shooting 5-8 and 3-5 from 3, including a corner 3 to close out the half.

Second half: Paige opened the 3rd quarter by scoring 5 quick points because she’s not being double teamed the whole time and when she is double teamed, she finds Azzi for an open 3. But then Azzi tweaks her right knee and leaves the floor at the 6:40 mark. At this point she has 18 points, on 6-10 shooting, 6 rebounds and 4-7 from 3 and 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Fortunately, Sarah and Paige & Co didn’t slow down, ending by outscoring them 23-9. And the score was 72-33. The 4th quarter was mostly the reserves. Ball movement suffered a bit, as did the defense and Louisville made the score a bit more respectable. The one thing that became clear is how far from prime time the reserves currently are. They could score and make plays, but it didn’t look like UConn basketball for much of the quarter. The main bright spot in the quarter was that Jana showed she can score in the low post even through double teams and chuck up airballs from 3.

 

[EricLA]

Hell of a game. Much huger beatdown than I ever expected.

First and foremost, thoughts and prayers for Azzi. Her face did not look good at the time but.. she was back on the bench later in the game. No idea what to read into any of it but really praying for that kid...

Sarah - just wow. Don't have enough words. I continue to be in awe of her game. There are #1 recruits and then there are #1 RECRUITS. I think Sarah could well be one of those very special ones.

And Ashlynn had a terrific game too. She needs to be able to score to be helpful IMHO and she did in a bunch of ways.

Tons of assists, epic beatdown, everyone played, everyone contributed. The bench looked pretty average at best, in general, but L'ville had all their starters in late, and everyone battled hard, even if it was fumbly and sloppy at times...

Paige had another really rough night scoring. Shout out to Jana though. And I thought Morgan did some nice things out there...

 

[Happydad745]

Strong looks like a Junior....Azzi is a gem and Shade is pushing to be a starter. Paige is having some shooting issues, at least in the last 2 games, but she could have had a triple double if she had played in the 4th quarter. It is hard to be underrated at #2, but Louisville might be over at #22. Great game and fun to watch.

 

[Bone Dog]

 

[donalddoowop]

One air ball, not air balls.

 

[Stagnant]

The game was great. Obviously Strong was incredible and is probably a lock for big east player of the week.

I also want to praise Shade for responding off the bench and having a good game.

I do have a complaint though. I thought Geno should have played Morgan in the second quarter. I think she has earned meaningful cameos in the big games.

 

[ec33]

First and foremost, thoughts and prayers for Azzi. Her face did not look good at the time but.. she was back on the bench later in the game. No idea what to read into any of it but really praying for that kid...

Hopefully "just" some PTSD from prior injuries. I know there are a few things with which I have a difficulty assessing the severity of in the moment and she certainly has had more than her share of traumatic injuries to her knees in the past.

We will have to wait and see.

 

[Tonyc]

UConn came out on fire and the fire did not go out. First things first. Praying for Azzi. God Bless that girl. This is the game we've been waiting for for almost 3 years. We still need to get a few more players healthy. We looked almost unbeatable. Some fans are thinking can we do this at ND. Yes we can unless the refs let ND beat us up like they did in their game against Texas. We have to many weapons,

This game sent a message that UConn is that good. To be up by what was it 40 pts against a ranked team is like the ole days. You can see the difference with an almost healthy UConn team compared to last season or the past few seasons. The Big 3 are for real. Paige is a great distributor and being double teamed finding her open team mate and getting rebounds and making plays and and and...... She knows how to win.

I can only dream and imagine where UConn as a team will be in a few more weeks and again in March. The key is to stay healthy.

 

[DEpup]

Another stat that just shows the stark difference from last year. They played a ranked team, won big, and no one had more than 26 minutes!

 

[Hayven]

Is there no post-game press conference? I would love to hear what he says about Azzi

 

[SallyH]

I was surprised at how fast Azzi is. Wow. I sure hope she's all right. Poor kid can't seem to catch a break.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

My highlights...

• 
  
• Chen with the ankle breaker
• 
  
• Strong bounce pass to Q on the break.
• 
  
• Azzi abusing a Louisville guard with the dribble on the baseline and reverse finish. She's been in the gym!

 

[Next 12]

It was a clinic, pure and simple. The domination the first half was mind blowing. SARAH IS the real deal as advertised. I don't have TV, I watch the game on ESPN game play. I did not know AZZI got hurt. Hope it's nothing serious. Her 18 points was what she should have every night. ASHLYNNJ came around with 13 points and every one else held their own in the game. Statistically we destroyed Louisville, especially in rebounds.I saw much to like in this game and I believe UCONN will be even better games to come. Can't wait for Notre Dame. That will be our so-called first test and I believe we will win going away. This team has so much potential that can't be overlooked. This is UCONN's year. GO FRESHMEN!!!! GO SOPHOMORES!!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!!

 

[huskeynut]

Very good game for UConn, for the most part.

Message to other teams, double team Paige at your own peril. Azzi, Sarah and Ash can torch you. Very good game for all three. Happy to see Ash finding her game. Her mid range jumper is deadly.

Like the team wearing the Paige designed kicks.

Hope Azzi is okay. Very hard to tell from the replay what happened.

 

[REB1094]

Are we sure Sarah Strong isn’t our best player right now? Lmao

 

[Hayven]

 

[ConnManFan]

Are we sure Sarah Strong isn’t our best player right now? Lmao

An argument could easily be made she is. I think my hypothesis is that if any 2 of the big 3 have good games the team will win that night. If all 3 play well, no one in the country would be within 12.

 

[Next 12]

This was a typical UCONN win for the team we have. Believe me, it will only get better.UCONN was playing the game the only way they know how. Take care of business early and let the freshmen get a taste of UCONN BB. I have the highest hope I have ever had about this team and what I believe they will accomplish. GO FRESHMEN!!!! GO SOPHOMORES!!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!! Pray for AZZI./

 

[MilfordHusky]

We've been waiting a long time to see the Paige and Azzi Show. What we now have is the Paige and Azzi plus Sarah Show!

Best wishes and love to my local girl. I hope Azzi's knee is ok!!!