Louisville Postgame Thread (merged)

[Bone Dog]

I agree with the comparison to Maya. The main difference I see is speed down the court. Maya could run with Aubrey. Sarah isn’t there… yet. But Sarah understands body positioning and how to run so as to prevent quicker defenders from getting past her on the break. And with those long snakey arms she doesn’t need to get past every defender, even in low post moves. Her arms will find a way.

I also love the aplomb with which she’ll just launch a three in transition or as soon as she’s got an opening. The more she does that, the more opponents have to fear it, and that will open up lots of other opportunities. It’s already happening. There’s a sort of regress: if you want to prevent that transition three pointer from Sarah, maybe you don’t take certain shots at the other end. Teams may start editing their offense out of fear of the transition this or that play might lead to. Like corner threes might seem too dangerous because of the likely long rebound on a miss.

And remember how Geno worried a few weeks back about who would lead when Paige was off the court? I think that question has been answered.

 

[Majic Hands]

Chen was adjusting for a while. It’s natural for her to look a bit lost early in the season.

Especially when Chen said at Princeton they ran plays not the see and react structure at UConn.

Hearing that my expectations really went down.

Having said that I think she is accounting very well for herself.

 

[browns]

I wondered this as well. But as Jeff W said in the presser, their number one goal was to stop Paige. Sarah and others can go off in large part because the opposing defense is double-playing her. Paige was off last night when she did shoot. I trust the coaches will figure out how to spring her more often from some of these defensive schemes.

Maybe..during the game Geno asked "how are we going to get Paige going" or something like that

 

[browns]

!00%. That is the only true comparison.

The last few games I also was thinking how Sara reminds me of MM...evrything she does is so smooth and effortless

 

[Zarathustra]

I think there's an APB out on Paige's offense since she returned from the Bahamas. For the second game in a row, she's looked out of sorts on the offensive end, tentative, almost lethargic. Thankfully, her game is more evolved, and she contributes in so many other ways. If teams want to take her out of UConn's scheme, they'll have to pay for it by giving ample shooting room to Sarah, Azzi, and Ashlynn.

Unlike last year, UConn has 2 new elite scoring options with Sarah & Azzi. It says something about UConn's NC potential when Paige looked like the 4th scoring option last night and 4th best UConn player.

I feel ND will play tighter defense against UConn, particularly at home, and hopefully we'll see a return of a more aggressive Bueckers, similar to her play against NC & Ole Miss.

As the comment has been made many times: "Paige make everyone else a
better player". Paige is savvy enough to know if teams focus on her the
"many" other opportunities open up for her teammates. (AZZI, SARAH,
and ASH). As Paige says:
"We love one another" = it makes for wonderful and winning basketball!

 

[browns]

Not even close imo. It's Paige. Unless Hidlago outplays her head-to-head. Paige has equalled her frosh year with junior year. What she did last year was off-the-charts getting that team to FF. It's just that Clark was also off-the-charts. And so far she has been amazing this year. There's a reason why the Lousivile coach set up his defense in the manner he did. It's due ot their scouting in which they see she is such an amazing scorer that they will live with others getting open shots. ND probably won't do this - so we'll see.

All the geat ones get double teamed..Geno mentioned in the Holy Cross game the Paige tends to stand around when she does'nt have the ball in her hands
I doubt ND will double team her..they will put Citron on her who pretty much shut down Paige last year

 

[Surly1]

crap /... paige's shot has been off, so suddenly she's a mediocre player???!!!!!

i think we stick with her.

That is a pretty liberal interpretation. No where did I mention or imply that Paige is mediocre. On the contrary, she usurped Sue Bird as my favorite player, so I have nothing but love and admiration for Paige..

Everyone can have an off-shooting night. It happens. However, Paige has faced double teams since 9th grade & has been the focal point for almost every team she's played against. After the HC game, I expected Paige to come out like gangbusters in front of a national audience. Even when her shot is off, she has an arsenal of ways to score, rather than rely on 3-pt shots when they're not dropping, particularly the pull-up 15 ft jumper.

Of course teams feel shutting down Paige is their best chance at beating UConn, but that strategy may soon be discarded when you have Sarah, Azzi and last night's version of Ashlynn aggressively looking for her shot, operating at such a high efficiency.

Thankfully, the ND game is Thursday. I can't think of another team to pull out a vintage performance from Paige, other than USC & SC.

 

[Rb335]

Louisville drops to 5-4, and Uconn made them look pretty pedestrian. Interested to look back at the end of the season to see what Louisville accomplishes, and gauge just how vintage of a Uconn beat down this was.

The trio of Paige, Azzi and Sarah has championship potential. All three have that ability to score in spurts and break open a game. Having three players like that is a massive luxury. Sarah appears to have found the three ball and it’s opened the game up for her entirely. I can’t believe I’m saying it, but she could blossom into our best player by March.

Excited to see the troops face ND. This feels like our first step up to that top 10 type competition. Hoping to see them execute well, and will be keeping an eye on how Paige rebounds from this two game stretch.

 

[JellyBean]

Good morning, Yard Family!! Great day of basketball capped off with a huge UConn win over Louisville! First off, like the rest of the Yard family, I am sending Azzi prayers on her knee. Praying that it is nothing too serious and that she has the confidence and support she needs, which we all know she has that and more. On to the game!

This was the kind of game a lot of us were talking about over the summer months. Where we saw the talent and the options, if everyone was healthy, of what could become a dangerous team. FOLKS! We got options!! That, again, if everyone stays healthy, will make us lethal as heck. Everyone wanted Paige to talk 20 shots. We saw, and glad that Paige does not have that mindset, of what happens when the team depends on one player as the primary option. Sarah gives us another option. Her confidence is huge. She had several plays where she just would not be denied. I was worried about the physicality and how she would respond. She responded like a senior! Like she been there and done that before. We all know and have seen how players, especially freshmen, shy away from the trash talking and the physical play of players. Sarah ain't soft. She brought it and that just gives us another option out on the floor.

Paige-What a marvelous person. She could have made and forced shots up when she was 0 for whatever but she read the room. She understands the game on a deeper level than a lot of us. It is not always about her. That pass on the wing to Azzi, was a thing of beauty. But Paige understood the game and let the others shine. We all know Paige is going to bounce back. It is Paige. We all love her and those shoes! Holy smokes! Those are niiiiceee!!

Azzi- I am hoping that all is well with her and her knee. She played a wonderfully out there. Her shot after the knee situation, Kobe like. Whoever called the timeout to get her off the court, Thank you! I hope all is well with her and her knee.

Ashlynn- She is awesome!! Her confidence was on full display! For me, the shot making is awesome, but I love the way she handled the physical play well and that speaks volumes. Way to go, Ashlynn!!

Ice- My favorite player. She, like Ashlynn, handled the physical play well, had some nice plays on both ends of the floor, and handled her business out there. Well done, Ice!

Jana! Oooowee!! She is going to be nice as the season progresses. Her footwork is only going to get better. She had some nice plays as well and she did not back down from the physical play of Louisville's players. They pushed and shoved, and she gave it right back! I love it!

Chen! I love her!! OMG!! She is crafty as heck! Great player and I love that she is rocking the UConn uniform. Great game. Like Paige, she reads the room well. She ain't out there forcing shots. She takes what the situation allows and goes with the flow. That ankle breaker....Well done!

KK- Like, Chen, is solid. Her shots did not fall last night but I was glad that she was still in attack mode on both ends of the floor. She will have off nights but her attitude and hustle will allow her to get back into the groove again. Keep your head up, KK.

Morgan, Allie, and Q- I love when they were on the floor against the Louisville starters. A great chance for them to experience the pace of the game and what is needed. Sure, in practice you are going at a certain speed. We all know that practice speed is different than actual game speed. This is only going to help them and their confidence.

Coach G and the coaching staff- Well done! Great use of minutes for all players.

 

[HuskyNan]

Regarding KK last night - her shot was off but I watched her on defense and she was doing a great job of bumping the Louisville point guard and making her life miserable. There was only one time it was really obvious but the zebras can’t call all of the fouls in a physical game like last night’s. And, yes, UConn was just as physical as Louisville but IMO in better shape. Cochran was sucking wind while shooting free throws in the first quarter. I thought the Huskies looked bigger, as in more muscular, and in better shape.

i love that Sarah had the most minutes at 26:25, Paige at 26:00 and Jana at 21:01.

 

[ERWUC65]

Paige gets double teamed and Sarah takes up the point. Sarah, Azzi and Ash take up the slack - kudos to those three for their strong play. A genius Geno move! While Ice remains solid in her role, I think we all are wondering if there is more. Like Ice, Chen also remains solid in her role, perhaps not the PG here like at Princeton. Jana working hard and I think the skills are there but struggling with the pace in the more difficult games. KK a bit of a disappointment when she was the PG directing the team in the 4th quarter. Morgan still one of our best options off the bench, shows a inate maturity in her play. Q still a work in progress, need to show some stability in her play and finally Allie just hasn't had enough playing time to exhibit her wares.

 

[Bone Dog]

I'm not quite on the Kaitlyn bandwagon yet. I like the skills she brings to the game. But she still makes the mistakes I'd have hoped she'd have gotten past, like picking up her dribble at bad times, or wasting the shot clock dribbling around the perimeter. It doesn't happen too often, so I guess progress is being made. I just want to see more.

 

[PacoSwede]

Really relieved and more positive about the season after the team put up that score against Louisville. I hope it charged the team up too.

and, u think it might put a bit of fear in the Irish's noggins?

 

[Stagnant]

Rewatching it. I think we should have called a timeout way quicker when Azzi had her scare. Paige tried to foul. And she looked pretty upset when she eventually got the ball and called timeout herself.

 

[PacoSwede]

Regarding KK last night - her shot was off but I watched her on defense and she was doing a great job of bumping the Louisville point guard and making her life miserable. There was only one time it was really obvious but the zebras can’t call all of the fouls in a physical game like last night’s. And, yes, UConn was just as physical as Louisville but IMO in better shape. Cochran was sucking wind while shooting free throws in the first quarter. I thought the Huskies looked bigger, as in more muscular, and in better shape.

i love that Sarah had the most minutes at 26:25, Paige at 26:00 and Jana at 21:01.

but they saw fit to tack the phantom fouls on Jana. odd.

 

[MooseJaw]

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!!!!!

Next 12 take a deep breath, let it out, relax. Something I had to do last night. While the score wasn't close there were a few times we had to gasp and hold our breath. I hope you are taking the time to enjoy the games while they are in progress. Easy to do after the game is over, when we can sit back and reflect. Would love to sit with you and a couple other BY's and watch a game. I enjoy your posts.

 

[Longtime fan]

-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.

As "Q" is a favorite of mine, I have to be objective. Yes, she got plenty of court time, and worked hard every minute. But she plays out of control. She made a brilliant lay up which had her teammates jumping for joy on the bench. Then, she throws a pass away and has the ball stolen out of her hands. She can't seem to get open for her trademark three and doesn't have much else to offer. She has to watch and learn from AZZI who can find ( create ) scoring opportunities when the three isn't available. I think Morgan is clearly ahead of her, and Allie will sneak by her soon enough. I'm not sure how you keep her ( "Q" ) playing fast, yet slow her down at the same time. But court time will help. Blowouts have her name on it .

 

[Longtime fan]

Rewatching it. I think we should have called a timeout way quicker when Azzi had her scare. Paige tried to foul. And she looked pretty upset when she eventually got the ball and called timeout herself.

Two reasons ( three ) for optimism on AZZI: 1. She hit a three after the contact 2. She was smiling on the bench near the end of the game; 3. We have heard nomad news.

 

[MooseJaw]

Morgan Cheli continues to impress me, especially with her intensity and defense.

She reminds me of Nika Muhl per her energy.

Early on her she fouled a bit, last couple outings better.

I've been to a couple games in person and she looks bigger than her listed 6 2".

For someone of that size she hustles and gets to her positions and scambles for the ball.

I think we have several "developing stories" that the fans will love, Morgan will be one I watch.

I'm with you, Capt. Morgan makes me smile. That girl makes me sit up and take notice, a monster on D and a pleasant surprise with the ball. I can wait for her to be big time. She hustles like few other players this tear, any team. Please give Allie a few more minutes, she needs to unleash her laser shots.

 

[MSGRET]

I'm with you, Capt. Morgan makes me smile. That girl makes me sit up and take notice, a monster on D and a pleasant surprise with the ball. I can wait for her to be big time. She hustles like few other players this tear, any team. Please give Allie a few more minutes, she needs to unleash her laser shots.

I believe that Allie and the rest of the bench will get plenty of minutes after UConn gets a break when they play Georgetown between the 4 ranked teams and then during BE play till they travel TN.

 

[Majic Hands]

Last night I saw what I’ve always enjoyed watching when UConn is doing UConn things.

Consistently throughout the game when our opponent shuts down our option 1, option 2 delivers. If option 2 is stopped option 3 gets it done ect.

When the whole orchestra is in tune and our opponents are feeling good because they are holding down options 1-3 option 4 or 5 makes an uncontested layup or unconsciously knocks down a 3 and you see the game drain out of our antagonist.

Ya, that causes me to be happy.

PS. Azzi is more than I thought. By a lot. Just-Say-N

 

[Jewels]

Two reasons ( three ) for optimism on AZZI: 1. She hit a three after the contact 2. She was smiling on the bench near the end of the game; 3. We have heard nomad news.

The other to mention there was no ice pack involved when she returned to the bench and she was moving around in a normal fashion. It was late when game ended but enjoyed the Barclays Center and the challenge of finding the right subway line to get back to Grand Central. The 4 line was not operating and the Grand Central shuttle from Times Square was not operating.

 

[boontonbomber]

Paige is making a case for Dallas to draft someone else #1. Very clever!

 

[Centerstream]

As "Q" is a favorite of mine, I have to be objective. Yes, she got plenty of court time, and worked hard every minute. But she plays out of control. She made a brilliant lay up which had her teammates jumping for joy on the bench. Then, she throws a pass away and has the ball stolen out of her hands. She can't seem to get open for her trademark three and doesn't have much else to offer. She has to watch and learn from AZZI who can find ( create ) scoring opportunities when the three isn't available. I think Morgan is clearly ahead of her, and Allie will sneak by her soon enough. I'm not sure how you keep her ( "Q" ) playing fast, yet slow her down at the same time. But court time will help. Blowouts have her name on it .

Another thing about Qadence that caught my eye watching it live was the number of times that she left the player she was responsible for in the corner. Her player on at least two occasions, possibly others, was able to receive a pass and make a wide open 3 while Qadence was flying towards her, but too late.
She has done this multiple times this season...
I really hope that she still gets meaningful minutes and improves upon her game.

 

[Majic Hands]

Paige is making a case for Dallas to draft someone else #1. Very clever!

My wife asked me last night if Paige could be trying not to be the #1 pick coming out of college.

 

[dtbtbtb]

Few thoughts:
*I was at the game and the majority of fans were UConn fans. Nice!
*First time to see a game at Barclays. A very nice arena but seemed somehow dark.
*The first game was a strange one. The TN coach was subbing players in and out as if she was paid by the number of subbing she did. I don't think I've ever seen so much subbing in one game. I assume she did that to keep the non-stop pressure but i don't see how you can have any offensive rhythm with it. And indeed, TN was all about 1 on one play with very limited passing or assists. The key for TN was that they are very athletic and on the other hand Iowa is anything but...I was very disappointed by Iowa. L. Olsen is by far their best player but even she had some weird turnovers. Iowa had 30 turnovers in the game and despite shooting much better then TN, our rebound TN and out Assist TN, they still lost.
*The second game had way more energy than the first and it was clearly the main event.
*The UConn team were wearing the new Paige shoes. The shoes look great.
*The first quarter was a masterclass in offense and defense. 28-10 after 1 against a ranked team....
*I thought the refs were terrible. They called some ticky tack fouls and on the other hand didn't call some very physical play. IMO, Louisville should have been called for at least 10 more fouls.
*Sarah: wow, what a player! can do it all and truly reminds me of Maya. Clearly not as athletic, but that strong body and the ability to get her shot off whenever she wants as well as the variety of moves around the basket and the amazing basketball instincts. Sky is the limit for Sarah.
*Azzi: had an amazing game till she got injured. She showed the whole package of skills. Not only a 3-point shooter but a complete player. I hope she is ok and the injury was only a scare. There are not many players in WBB that deserve to have a complete season more than Azzi.
*Paige: struggled with her shooting from spots that she usually makes the shots and was clearly frustrated with it but didn't let it impact her complete game with defense, rebounds and assists. The pass to Azzi for the 3 was beautiful because Paige didn't pass it to Azzi, she passed it to where Azzi will be and Azzi got there to catch the pass and release her perfect looking shot for nothing but net.
*Ash: was very aggressive and had a great game. This is the Ash we need every game!
*Ice: noticeably better than last year. Ha d a pretty good game against a very physical Louisville team.
*Chen: it seems to me that she got to know her role on this team, Does not force anything and takes the shots which are open for her. Her change over that put the Louisville player on her behind was sweet.
*Jana: a warrior. It's easy to see the incredible potential she's got. the refs were swallowing their whistle when she was hammered under the basket and called some phantom fouls on her but she continued playing hard.
*Morgan: A player who i believe will be part of the rotation as she does so many different things well.
*KK: probably my only disappointment because she does not show improvement on offense. On defense she is great and she runs the team well but does not show any kind of reliable shot.
*Allie: did ok but needs to show more, especially on defense.
*Q: had a great finish for the out of this world pass by Sarah, still looks somewhat confused out there.
All in all a great game for UConn against a ranked team on a great stage and on national TV.

 

[Zarathustra]

I'm with you, Capt. Morgan makes me smile. That girl makes me sit up and take notice, a monster on D and a pleasant surprise with the ball. I can wait for her to be big time. She hustles like few other players this tear, any team. Please give Allie a few more minutes, she needs to unleash her laser shots.

I've been part the Morgan Cheli "fan club" since I watched her / Archbishop Mitty in
those H.S. tournaments last holiday season (December 2023 and
January 2024.) Imagine: four full years of Morgan and Sarah!! nice!!

 

[Bigboote]

I watched the game this afternoon. I wasn’t expecting this much of a beatdown, it was really impressive. The big thing is that this is the same Louisville team that was close to even in rebounding with the top rebounding team in the nation a few nights ago. Uconn outrebounded them by 24.

As with others, really enjoying Morgan’s minutes.

 

[dtbtbtb]

Any link to Jeff's press conference after the game?

 

[Boreifs]

Last night I saw what I’ve always enjoyed watching when UConn is doing UConn things.

Consistently throughout the game when our opponent shuts down our option 1, option 2 delivers. If option 2 is stopped option 3 gets it done ect.

When the whole orchestra is in tune and our opponents are feeling good because they are holding down options 1-3 option 4 or 5 makes an uncontested layup or unconsciously knocks down a 3 and you see the game drain out of our antagonist.

Ya, that causes me to be happy.

PS. Azzi is more than I thought. By a lot. Just-Say-N

As an orchestral veteran of almost 50 years, please drop the references. There is absolutely no similarity between a basketball team and an orchestra. Thank you.