Marquette Postgame Thread

[oldude]

Some thoughts on the Marquette game:

• The Golden Eagles are a physical, well-coached team that plays really hard. This was a nice road win for the Huskies.
• Nika is one BADASS defender with an attitude. She harassed Marquette all game long.
• Paige with a “ho-hum” 30 pts on 12/18 shooting. When she made that reverse layup switching the ball from her left hand to her right hand in mid-air, the entire Marquette bench did a doubletake in amazement.
• Christyn continues to attack the basket effectively, which raises her game to another level.
• Aaliyah picks up her first of what will undoubtedly be multiple purple hearts at UConn.
• UConn has now fielded 6 different starting lineups in, I believe 14 games. This is a rarity for a Geno Auriemma coached team. In part it is the result of some injuries, but it also reflects the depth this team possesses.
• Saylor knocks down the first of what will hopefully be many treys.
• Bring on the Gamecocks!!!

 

[EricSD]

This was my closest prediction game (this year i've been way off more than I've been on). I said 86-60.

Paige freakin' Bueckers. I'm on a campaign for NPOY for her. Not only is her shooting of the 3 insane, she shot 12-18 for the game. Compare her efficiency to ANY other top NPOY candidate, including post players, and I bet her numbers are comparable. IMHO she's the best player in the nation.

Nika freakin' Muhl! 8 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds, 5 steals - if she keeps improving at this pace, she will be 2nd team AA in no time! LOL I do wonder if Paige's heady shooting numbers are a direct result of Nika starting as the PG. But Nika's defense was really good.

I will say this for Christyn - I don't mind that she missed all her 3 point attempts (0-3) because she shot 8-12 and drove a lot and did other types of offense. I don't mean to criticize her, but she's simply NOT a good 3-point shooter. Sure she can be on some nights, but I sure hope the days of "bombs away" are over for her because she's really good when she's dialed in doing other things.

I like Liya and Liv on the floor together. I love that Geno has Aubrey, Liv, Aaliyah and Mir to mix and match. I'm of the opinion that Liya has more potential and is almost a better option than Liv, but Liv tries really hard.

Saylor - YAY! Her first points in a UCONN uniform! good for her!

I thought that even without Anna and Aubrey, this game should not have been close, and it really wasn't. Marquette made some runs, and had it close in the first Q, but UCONN closed out the quarters well for the most part, even Q3 when I thought our defense slipped.

Great prep game for SC coming up. Marquette is good. A tad too physical for my liking tho, but they are well coached and aggressive... Ok let's get SC!!

 

[Kaizen]

Paige 30, CW 18 pts. Paige just unbelievable good.
Finally Saylor hit a three, congrats for her first 3.

 

[veryolddog]

My detailed analysis of this game is: Geno is pleased and so I am pleased with the way that the team played. Nika and Edwards played hard. Paige is great, super great.

 

[King Kong]

Saylor hit her first 3 & P.O.G. Paige got 30. Nika looked great, improving each game. Looks like the Steely determination is Monday ready.

 

[JordyG]

Paige is getting very close to that 60% mark for 3's. That's just astounding.

 

[Vowelguy]

Basically everyone played well. Some better than others of course, but no one had a bad game. Dont think that's happened yet this year.

 

[Charliebball]

Paige is getting very close to that 60% mark for 3's. That's just astounding.

she's still a better passer than she is a shooter..........

 

[oldude]

Paige is getting very close to that 60% mark for 3's. That's just astounding.

59.649123% to be precise

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Paige 30, CW 18 pts. Paige just unbelievable good.
Finally Saylor hit a three, congrats for her first 3.

That 3 for Saylor was fast, so we've seen a little of her value. I liked her defense too.

 

[JordyG]

59.649123% to be precise

I'm a glass half full guy. That is 60% to me.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Saylor hit her first 3 & P.O.G. Paige got 30. Nika looked great, improving each game. Looks like the Steely determination is Monday ready.

Paige was muttering to herself and did a little head shake as she sat. I suspect she wanted to stay in.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Player of the Game: Paige Bueckers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Encouraging to see Anna engaged at the end, giving Nika a big bear hug.

 

[HuskyNan]

Geno was prepping for So Carolina and it seems he found a lineup in which he’s got confidence.

The Gamecocks have seen Liv but they haven’t met Aaliyah Edwards yet. 😎

 

[JordyG]

That 3 for Saylor was fast, so we've seen a little of her value. I liked her defense too.

Saylor like Paige has long arms and the size she's listed is her actual size. She can shoot the three, her early misses notwithstanding. But her defense on the wing is going to be her calling card. She's too big on offense for combo guards and too quick for most wings. She's going to be a handful. And as you see, she gets her shot off quick. I'd like to see her pull up and her dribble drive. By the way, next year you'll see Azzi's power drive is one of the best in WCBB.

 

[cohenzone]

Hopefully Nika is teaching some people that you can’t judge a freshman off a few games after an injury and limited practice. A Rizzotti type warrior. A definite plus.

Paige is ridiculous

 

[AgStatesman]

No more Freshman of the Week for Paige. She HAS to be the Player of the Week. That opens the door for Nika to be Freshman of the Week.

I agree with Paige being National Player of Year. She won't get it, but she deserves it.

Playing on a regular schedule has done a world of good for this team. Geno talked about how he likes the team to look good when they play and they finally are.

 

[bluedevil]

Most importantly we are in first place in the big least er east...

 

[Urshurak]

Solid game against a tough physical Marquette. I am a little concerned about some of the easy easy layups Marquette got.

 

[Bama fan]

Paige makes everyone better says Geno, but Nika makes Paige better. This 1-2 combo is dynamite. Happy for Saylor to get that monkey off her back. Hope AE has her teeth tomorrow. Christyn cutting to basket again.

 

[JordyG]

Paige is probably walking around saying in her head "Only two assists. Boy, I really screwed up tonight".

 

[chrissaran]

Nika impacted the game in every way you can.

 

[JordyG]

Tell you what though. AE is probably going to be playing with a mouth guard for the rest of the season and maybe for the duration of her career.

 

[Kaizen]

Nika is just so confident and gets better and better every game.
I guess I know why Geno uses 2 freshman guards as the starters.

 

[oldude]

Paige is probably walking around saying in her head "Only two assists. Boy, I really screwed up tonight".

She also missed a bunny off a beautiful feed to the basket.

 

[Boreifs]

At least right now, the most effective five on the floor is Nika, Paige, Evina, Alijah and Liv. I would love to see someone do a PER stat analysis when those five were on the floor together. It is no accident that Geno turned to that lineup late in the third quarter when Marquette made a run.

 

[JordyG]

She also missed a bunny off a beautiful feed to the basket.

That too will probably keep her up all night.

 

[freekimchee]

How many points did Lott ended up scoring? I believe it was Nika who had to defend her most of the game.

 

[BostonBay]

Paige did it all - long 3's, great dishes, and a beautiful reverse layup high off the glass - MJ-esque. Few players could even attempt that shot, let alone make it.