Marquette Post-Game Thread

[EricLA]

Some had predicted a pretty hefty win. I thought it would be closer (ie. 20 point MOV) given that Marquette is fighting for their NCAA lives. Very glad the "others" were right!!

Bit of a low scoring first half for us, even tho we shot 50%. But our D was stifling. We played some really good team D, and our switching was really good. We came out slow in Q1 and the same in Q3. Not sure why that happens. Then we went on a 15-2 run after Marquette scored the first 7 points of Q3.

• Evina - might be her best game in a long while. She did a lot of good things, but most importantly perhaps, came in at the start of both Q1 and Q3 - when we were playing lackluster, and made things happen. Real leadership, and led by example. Gave the team what they needed. Seemed like Nika and Christyn struggled in Q1, but when Evina came in, BAM. Offense, steals, and rebounds. She seems to be more consistent of late and not nearly as streaky. She is my POG.
• Olivia - can't overstate how important she is for us. We lost the Villanova game without her (and Caroline). Seems like some have been down on her - maybe because she's not Aaliyah Boston - but she does so many good things for us. Passing, rebounding, blocking shots, assists, etc. Still does the tomahawk chop at times, but she gives us a lot. She hasn't relied on her fade away for a while now. She attacks the basket thru contact. She led the team in assists tonight. By a lot.
• Edwards - I found it interesting that she got the starting nod over Dorka. How blessed are we to have such diverse and solid post players? They all do different things well and all bring something unique to the court. Olivia and Liya were really solid overall.
• Azzi - just love watching her play. She really does remind me of Steph Curry.
• Dorka - didn't score a lot or fill up the stats sheet, but she sure battled hard. I am so glad she chose to come to UCONN.
• I loved that even against one of the better BE teams, Geno put in Amari and Piath. Marquette is a really solid team. Geno has said in the past he never wants to put a player in a position where they could fail (ie. put a walk in even in a big win but against a good team who has all their starters in). I'm hoping he's gaining confidence in them and they continue to improve and thrive.
• Hope Amari's ankle tweak is fine...

Bottom line, I think Geno will be very happy with the win. He's a perfectionist and will look thru the game tape with the team and find things to improve on, but it felt to me like we strung together stronger, more consistent good play over longer stretches. I'm hoping that's because of the plethora of healthy bodies back, and the consistency they are finding with each other. I didn't think Marquette had a shot at making the NCAA's, but they had to come in thinking "we need to beat them like 'Nova did and maybe we have a shot". We won every quarter, by a solid margin, and it was a fun game to watch!

 

[oldude]

Some thoughts on the Marquette game:

• If I am correct, tonight’s starting five for the Huskies (Liv, Christyn, Aaliyah, Nika & Azzi) is yet another different starting lineup this season. Not sure if it’s # 10 or #11? Unlike past lineups, this iteration had nothing to do with injury or illness.
• It seems like I’ve said this before, but when Evina enters the game off the bench, she really settles down the Huskies.
• I absolutely loved UConn’s defense tonight. The Huskies pressured the ball in the backcourt, hedged aggressively on all Marquette screens and made it extremely difficult for the Golden Eagles to run their offense. Holding Marquette to only 38 pts on 35% shooting with 22 turnovers, against a good Marquette team, was the best defensive effort by the Huskies this season.
• Unfortunately, the start of the second half was one of those interludes we’ve seen from time to time as Marquette went on a 7-0 run. The solution? Run a play to get Azzi a shot in the corner and then get Evina into the game. Game over!!!
• Marquette did everything they could to keep Azzi from going off again. It worked for a while, but in the 2nd half she found some space, and proved that you may be able to contain her for a time, but you cannot stop her.
• This was Evina’s best game ever as a UConn Husky imo. She absolutely filled up the stat sheet with 17 pts on 6/8 shooting, 5 rebounds, an assist and 3 steals. But it was her poised leadership that made all the difference tonight.
• Really nice game by Liv tonight. UConn's half-court offense runs so much better through Liv at the high post. Her screening and passing is exceptional.
• I know the ultimate prize for UConn fans is a national championship, but this BE regular season championship tonight has been hard-earned and very much worth celebrating.

 

[Kaizen]

Good win special Evina with 17 pts and 5 rebs (all DREB)

 

[LarryLegend]

couple of borderline plays by Marquette. Hope Dorka is OK.

 

[Newfie]

Sad Dorka missed the trophy pictures. Wonder if she lost a tooth or something? Hopefully she’s ok.

 

[Littlemin]

Just absolutely superb suffocating team defense, very impressive.

 

[Calbysdad]

She attacks the basket thru contact.

This has been such a pleasant improvement this season - especially the second half

Azzi - just love watching her play. She really does remind me of Steph Curry

When she moves, she moves very well. I see her, at times, stuck in a spot without moving....

 

[Happydad745]

Westbrook is emerging as a needed team leader...something we need until Paige returns and beyond. Everybody played hard, but at times looked like an accident waiting to happen. 30 point win looked much better than the last time we played Marquette. I hope Dorka is ok.

​

 

[Carnac]

Just absolutely superb suffocating team defense, very impressive.

Yes, they held a good Marquette team to less than 40 points.

 

[oldude]

Sad Dorka missed the trophy pictures. Wonder if she lost a tooth or something? Hopefully she’s ok.

It looked like she caught a karate chop to the face. Hope we're not talking concussion protocol

 

[TCC Kid]

Some thoughts on the Marquette game:

• If I am correct, tonight’s starting five for the Huskies (Liv, Christyn, Aaliyah, Nika & Azzi) is yet another different starting lineup this season. Not sure if it’s # 10 or #11? Unlike past lineups, this iteration had nothing to do with injury or illness.
• It seems like I’ve said this before, but when Evina enters the game off the bench, she really settles down the Huskies.
• I absolutely loved UConn’s defense tonight. The Huskies pressured the ball in the backcourt, hedged aggressively on all Marquette screens and made it extremely difficult for the Golden Eagles to run their offense. Holding Marquette to only 38 pts on 35% shooting with 22 turnovers, against a good Marquette team, was the best defensive effort by the Huskies this season.
• Unfortunately, the start of the second half was one of those interludes we’ve seen from time to time as Marquette went on a 7-0 run. The solution? Run a play to get Azzi a shot in the corner and then get Evina into the game. Game over!!!
• Marquette did everything they could to keep Azzi from going off again. It worked for a while, but in the 2nd half she found some space, and proved that you may be able to contain her for a time, but you cannot stop her.
• This was Evina’s best game ever as a UConn Husky imo. She absolutely filled up the stat sheet with 17 pts on 6/8 shooting, 5 rebounds, an assist and 3 steals. But it was her poised leadership that made all the difference tonight.
• Really nice game by Liv tonight. UConn's half-court offense runs so much better through Liv at the high post. Her screening and passing is exceptional.
• I know the ultimate prize for UConn fans is a national championship, but this BE regular season championship tonight has been hard-earned and very much worth celebrating.

Yet another nice analysis. Nice reporting. Thanks.
Uconn and Geno deserve great praise they were knocked for a loop with Paige being out and the team and Geno climbed out and ended the season where Paige set them up last fall. Thanks be to Caroline who carried them until AZZI hit her stride. Then the entire team Nika, Amari, Gabriel, Dorka, Edwards, how could I forget Eviina, CW, ONO, et all got to places no one expected them to be on this day---BE Champions. Great effort. Every team tried to foul them out of the game, every team tried to out physical them. I'm more than proud. I'd adopt Nika and MUhl if they'd let me.

 

[Centerstream]

Sad Dorka missed the trophy pictures. Wonder if she lost a tooth or something? Hopefully she’s ok.

That's what I was thinking too, maybe she lost a tooth when she caught that accidental forearm to her face

 

[Calbysdad]

It looked like she caught a karate chop to the face. Hope we're not talking concussion protocol

Or, at least, another speculation thread regarding concussions

 

[CocoHusky]

We only have two games left in the season Evina has earned the right to start both games not just on Senior Night against Providence.

 

[Stymie]

Dorka a MAJOR defensive presence tonight.

 

[Tonyc]

Weak side up again was un-be-leave-able. Great passing again. Patience poise and taking what we were given. We're coming together folks and we're doin it at the right time. We will only get better as the tournaments start and Paige comes back.

 

[JellyBean]

Great win. Just a joy to watch this team battle each game. Like everyone is saying, this team is putting everything together at the right time. I love the balanced attack. Evina had her shot falling tonight. Has to be one of her better games. I am just happy for her. Aaliyah is being more assertive each game. Looks like her confidence is back, which is going to a huge plus going forward.

Love how Azzi just let the game come to her. Marquette was doing everything they could limit her touches, but Azzi was patient and just let the action come to her and she did not disappoint.

The rest of the team played very well. That defense is looking real good. Great win, UConn!!

 

[Calbysdad]

We only have two games left in the season Evina has earned the right to start both games not just on Senior Night against Providence.

Completely agree but there is some clout being the almighty 6th player...some players do embrace the role.

Gotta run USWNT on!!

 

[darkstar1]

It looked like she caught a karate chop to the face. Hope we're not talking concussion protocol

Looked like elbow to mouth.

 

[housekeys]

Defense. It is all about defense. We only go as far as our defense takes us.

Offensively we have playmakers, shot makers, and depth. In short, if we are mentally tough to limit turnovers, we have it all.

Defensively what do we have? That is the question. Do we have defensive "stoppers" to neutralize the other team's best offensive weapon? Can we neutralize Boston, of SC? Siegrist of 'Nova? K. Clark? Jones, Belibi, Brink? Ramirez? etc.

In the South Carolina game, even with UConn scoring just 3 points in the 4th quarter; defensively holding them to less than 57 points the whole game, means we would have won! Think about that. We could not do it early in the year. Can we do it now?

 

[jabstep]

Dorka a MAJOR defensive presence tonight.

She certainly has learned the jump out switch and the double team off it. We are a good defensive team right now.

 

[CTtoSanDiego]

I am enjoying watching a couple of people on the Boneyard jockey for being the first person to start the post game thread. Long posts, clearly written before the game ends...
My "expert" observations:
I am so glad Evina seems to be out of her earlier funk. She was clearly the best player on the floor tonight. I don't know why she disappeared for so long, but I'm so glad she is back! I wonder if Geno will start her soon. Maybe it will be a "if it isn't broke, don't fix it."
Our defense tonight was awesome. Great hedging, great switching, great anticipation. Defense wins championships, so this is good.
Liv was great again. Love to see her being aggressive down low. I hope she will continue to do it against bigger foes.
I love Caroline... love her confidence, her fearlessness, but as I've said before, she doesn't need to shoot every time she touches the ball. She is going to be a good one, but her shot selection is not good. And her rushing things often leads to turnovers.
Loved seeing Azzi going to the basket, since her shot was not falling. A nothing first half, but a pretty good second one.
I wish CW would stop disappearing in some games.. her inconsistency is baffling. So much talent... some great games, some where I shake my head.
AE keeps working hard, so good things should happen.
Nika, Nika, Nika.... what on earth was that second foul with less than two minutes gone in the first quarter. Love her intensity, but she needs to couple it with some smarts.
Dorka continues to work hard every game. Some nights her shots fall, some nights they don't. But consistent hard work is great to see.
Paige????

 

[BBallF]

Evina had a tremendous all around game. She was clearly the best player on the court. I thought the big key was the trap defense by the guards putting pressure on them and slowing up their offense. Once they were in their half court sets, our team defense was the best of the season in parts according to Geno. I hope we use this defense from here on in. Once Paige comes back we will have yet another smart defender at the guard position.

I think Caroline is still getting her groove back and that Azzi had an important game because she had to drive to get going and you see how well she finishes. Doing that helps her all around confidence but also shows her how she can get it done when the outside shot isn't falling. She can score at a lightning pace and we may need that when we get deep in the tourney.

All in all a solid win fueled by February defense and a very workable 8 man rotation.

 

[Sargassoc]

Does anyone know who the refs were tonight? Or where I can find out?

 

[HuskyNan]

Does anyone know who the refs were tonight? Or where I can find out?

REFEREESPualani Spurlock-Welsh, Karen Preato, Joseph Vaszily