Louisville Postgame Thread

[oldhusky]

Disappointing but overall compared to expectations, not too bad. The seniors tried, but couldn't provide much help. At this level against a ranked team, they struggle when they need to be a go to player instead of a fit on a very good team.

With Caroline the only available player teams really have to worry about beyond the arc, they can pack in the defense and take away many of the easy baskets inside. That inside production is also hampered by our two best passers being out. Everything on offense is just harder with the players we have left.

I also think we run out of gas in the fourth quarter playing only 6. I don't think it is a toughness issue, rather a fatigue issue. Geno's choice is playing people he doesn't want to, or have gassed overworked players down the stretch, complicated by the only unused players being bigs, when the guards are the ones that need a blow.

It is what it is until some players return, but the team looked much better adjusting to their redefined roles after a week of practices.

 

[Huskie02]

Started strong- 2 quick fouls- sat down and lost her mojo.

Im surprised she didn’t foul out. This has been her m.o. since her freshman year. I really have not seen any significant improvement.

 

[Scud49]

I also said that the game would be most important for Caroline who was fantastic...better and better as the game went on...does she not remind me of Dave Debusschere (perhaps some of you are too young to remember his game)

Love that comparison, very astute and spot on.

 

[TeamFirst!]

Louisville overperformed today. I think we are on track. On another day this could well have been a win. Louisville was 8-15 from the 3 point line, over 50%.

 

[boontonbomber]

Completely agree with Caroline's on court awareness and fearlessness. But even with everyone healthy, she would have broken into the rotation based on her practice results. The ND game when Paige and Nika were still available shows that. Geno just does not have patience when players look lost on the court.

Let this be a lesson to Geno.

 

[Stinger92860]

When Azzi, Nika, and Paige return the minutes need to come from CW. No way CD does not start going forward.

 

[baggerbob]

ScheteSo, as I said...it was a game...an early-season game against a very good team
and although we put the fear of god into them, with very good play at times,
they had more at the end.

I also said that the game would be most important for Caroline who was fantastic...better and better as the game went on...does she not remind me of Dave Debusschere (perhaps some of you are too young to remember his game)
She is always looking to get to the basket...can't remember in recent times a UConn player who does that. D improving, rebounds, not afraid.

Dorka, the other player on my watch list had a solid game but not s spectacular as the last....

To me, rather than who stepped up...a better question is ...Who didn't?
I'm not going to sit around right after he game, pointing fingers...

I'll bet that when Geno took Evina out for an extended rest in the 2nd half, there was a physical reason...She's a bit delicate...there is so much you can ask her to do.

But i will say this...If Paige, Azzi and Nika come back strong...Christyn's playing time may be substantially reduced as we compete for higher honors in March.

You got a like for mentioning Dave Debusschere, truly one of the most underated glue players in NBA history.
Anything a team needed he did. Guarded the best player, rebounded, got a key score, steal ,block, or make a great pass.

 

[Hayven]

overall disappointed. When Azzi and Nika get back, Geno needs to have a shorter leash on C. He needs to stop relying on her because she’s a senior. She certainly does not play like it’s her last season.
I’m over the 6 player rotation again. Amari needs to get more playing time. Let her work through the freshman woes.
I assumed Paige would sit out the season. But with how Geno manages the team and playing time, she will play in February.

 

[Jumpy Radar]

The Edwards/Nelson/Dorka/Williams/Ducharme combo worked well. Westbrook was lost .. Williams is a sad Husky. She never really developed into a force ...

CW has been the same since coming to UCONN. 1-3 eyepoping games a season then average, mediocre, to poor the rest of the way. As a longtime Husky fan I was quite pleased with the spunk shown by CD, she is special. I can't wait to see how she and Paige along with Azzi and Nika all blend together once all the wounds heal. This senior class is a disappointment for me so far, but I am hopeful that we will pull it together and make some noise come tournament time! Until then GO HUSKIES!

 

[oldude]

I also said that the game would be most important for Caroline who was fantastic...better and better as the game went on...does she not remind me of Dave Debusschere (perhaps some of you are too young to remember his game)
She is always looking to get to the basket...can't remember in recent times a UConn player who does that. D improving, rebounds, not afraid.

I didn't know that Caroline also plays baseball....

 

[hoopsfan22]

The difference in the game was LVille shot over 53% from 3. I thought we played hard and we played with guts. We need CW and Evina to find a way to score. When they do thats when we get better. Hoping the holiday break does the team well and Nika and Azzi come back 100% healthy and 100% on the court.

Yep. Hard to beat a team that is that hot from distance when you're missing Paige's 20 points of offense. Louisville misses a couple of those threes and we squeak out a win.

 

[Carnac]

Our leaders are not quite playing up to par, players still doing magic tricks. They’re not making enough plays. Not capitalizing on opponent’s turn overs, and losing steam and energy in the 4 th quarter. What’s the answer for this year and next? Can Geno find help via the transfer portal, or perhaps a JC transfer? Does he need to consider those options?

Looking ahead……do we lose a conference game this year, or will it be another clean sweep?

 

[Littlemin]

The difference in the game was LVille shot over 53% from 3. I thought we played hard and we played with guts. We need CW and Evina to find a way to score. When they do thats when we get better. Hoping the holiday break does the team well and Nika and Azzi come back 100% healthy and 100% on the court.

With all due respect the difference in the game was 3 seniors shooting 9 for 28, 0 for 5 from 3 (all Westbrook), with 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 9 TO’s. Really not a big play from any of them in the 4th, at least not one I remember.

 

[eebmg]

Caroline continues to look like KLS to me in many tangible ways.

 

[uconnever]

Haven’t read any of the posts here as I just finished watching the game. First I believe we will get better and be a final four team. Ok I was a big believer that this was Williams big year and that she would lead us. I was wrong, her not getting involved immensely during the 4th quarter is totally unacceptable. Great player to have as a piece to the team but not an alpha like I thought she had finally grown into. Reminds me of Charde Houston in that regard, just inconsistent and just seems to lose focus and not assert her will on the game when needed. I believe she has what it takes, but what I believe doesn’t matter. We can’t rely on her in my opinion. The biggest surprise for me was Evian’s POOR decisions ALL GAME. Play after play she just missed open players or threw off target passes. I love her as an all around guard and is an awesome player but she can’t run our team all by herself. Her section making was terrible today. I would have said that win or lose. The team as a whole sometimes makes poor decisions and as is, we don’t have what it takes against the top ten teams. To win against the better teams, Geno is going to have to rely on his coaching more because we’re not good enough talent wise to pull off the wins. We are barely a top ten team in my opinion. The ladies that are injured can’t come back soon enough.

 

[SallyH]

While every loss stings, I think the opportunity for other to step up will pay off toward the end of the season if we ever get back to a full roster

 

[pk1234]

Ducharme is going to be an All-American. A superstar. 2 full years with her, Paige and Fudd will be insane.

Ducharme is starting to remind me a bit of Ashley Joens, who is one of the best players in the country right now. But even bigger and possibly a better shooter at least now as a Freshman. Just a restless worker on both ends, specifically on the offensive end whether it be with the ball or without the ball. She's a bucket.

Honestly, for the future, rather lose and have her go off than win a close game where we are carried by CW and EW.

 

[eebmg]

overall disappointed. When Azzi and Nika get back, Geno needs to have a shorter leash on C. He needs to stop relying on her because she’s a senior. She certainly does not play like it’s her last season.
I’m over the 6 player rotation again. Amari needs to get more playing time. Let her work through the freshman woes.
I assumed Paige would sit out the season. But with how Geno manages the team and playing time, she will play in February.

Her shooting on one leg in practice convinces me.

 

[oldhusky]

Taking the long view, the emergence of CD as a clutch, gutsy player is much more important than a close loss by a shorthanded squad and terrible games by CW and EW. When Paige and Azzi and Nika return, CD may just be the additional spark we need to go all the way.

With CD looking like a very good starting 3 next year, with Paige and Azzi at the 1 & 2, I am liking the likely guard starters next year. I believe they will be better than the combination of Paige, Christyn and Evina largely because you replace two mediocre three point shooters with two good/great ones, which should also open it up for the bigs inside.

 

[Stymie]

overall disappointed. When Azzi and Nika get back, Geno needs to have a shorter leash on C. He needs to stop relying on her because she’s a senior. She certainly does not play like it’s her last season.
I’m over the 6 player rotation again. Amari needs to get more playing time. Let her work through the freshman woes.
I assumed Paige would sit out the season. But with how Geno manages the team and playing time, she will play in February.

On Amari.
Coach touts her after practices.
Great footwork- great back to basket player- incredible potential.
Game time - he ghosts her.
Is he blowing smoke?
Can she swim?
Throw her in the damn pool.

 

[victor64]

If CW is the projected tenth pick in the 2022 WNBA draft, it is a really weak crop of potential prospects.

 

[Rixxx]

Caroline continues to look like KLS to me in many tangible ways.

Perhaps KLS as a sophmore.

 

[ABCDFE]

CW looked lost out there again. I think Geno needs to have another heart-to-heart talk with her.....

It’s been four years now. I think if it takes a heart to heart every year I believe that something is lacking. I like CW a lot, but she doesn’t have the bball IQ that allows you to play better when your offense isn’t working. And her offense is so up and down that you can’t count on her because her shooting is so streaky. So the only think I can say is that we need to accept that CW is at best a third option on offense and will succeed only when she is not counted on to carry a large offensive burden. My hope is that once Azzi and Paige come back and with Caroline ballin and Dorka playing well. We will have enough offense. Then with Nika and Aubrey we will have key pieces to strategically play personnel on defense.

 

[baggerbob]

I didn't know that Caroline also plays baseball....

You got a like for remembering that he played both sports.

 

[Hayven]

On Amari.
Coach touts her after practices.
Great footwork- great back to basket player- incredible potential.
Game time - he ghosts her.
Is he blowing smoke?
Can she swim?
Throw her in the damn pool.

Blowing smoke. He said C had a great week of practice earlier this week and now look how that turned out

 

[irsh4242]

I’m sorry to say this. But as someone who has watched this programmed for 32+ plus years thai loss is on the staff. The players and staff won that half. Walz and staff responded in that second half. Geno and and staff should have changed at the end of tbe 3rd and they didn’t. I was at the game in persons at Mohegan. So statements are my own and I stand by them.

No matter what let’s go huskies you have the talent!

 

[boontonbomber]

Van Lith the player of the game? I guess they feel a need to give it to the winning team, but quite clear who the best player on the floor was, at least IMHO.

 

[UcMiami]

In some ways the seniors remind me of Turner, Strother, and Moore - really good players, but complementary players that needed to follow and not lead.

 

[topogigio]

To misuse a quote from John Lewis, this was a "good" loss. The future looks bright with Caroline and Dorka, plus Edwards is starting to look like the player of last year. Evina is being asked to do a lot, and I believe it is taking a toll. UConn played just about the entire 2nd half with only four players on the court. I'm sorry, CW was basically a no show after the break. How she can look so good at times, and lost at other times is a mystery? Either coaches have figured out how to defend her, or her head has betrayed her skills. Dorka works very hard to get good positioning, but they are not getting the ball to her at the right time. Olivia needs to do more heavy lifting (in the game, not in the gym). The holiday break will serve them well, and hopefully some of the troops will have returned. I have no doubt if Paige is back at 50% by the end of February. This will be a final 4 team.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Her shooting on one leg in practice convinces me.

I was shocked that just days after surgery she's out there hopping around on one foot shooting. She definitely plans on being back this season.