Marquette Postgame Thread

[Conndog]

Azzi definitely has moments of getting beat off the dribble, but I’m surprised with how many blocks, steals, jump balls she manages to get. She’s not as bad on defense as I initially thought and she doesn’t really foul. Really solid fundamentals, just needs to be a little quicker.

She is still getting used to the speed and better athletes at the college level. While it's true that she does get beat sometimes, I've seen her hold good position at other times too, so I'm confident she'll become more consistent with her defense. And

 

[MilfordHusky]

And. Michigan lost again to a very ordinary Northwestern team.

Without Brown again.

 

[jdote33]

its kinda funny. After the road DePaul game, I was like Caroline really plays well with Dorka, they got great chemistry. Then after the Tennessee game, i say the same thing about Dorka and Aaliyah and how they play well together. After this game Azzi and Dorka. Finally I've come to the conclusion that Dorka is a really good team player/facilitator. Really happy she had such a big weekend. lol. I do want to say, that Dorka and Evina play well together. Like, EW actually has had some great passes to Dorka to get her easy looks.

 

[npignatjr]

It takes TEAM offense to free up open shooters, like Marquette in the first half and Villanova the other day. UConn isn't getting Azzi open for jumpers. She has to create off the dribble. Which we know now, she can do. Then the J's open up.
I challenge BY historians now to make historical comparisons to UConn shooters of yesteryear. KLS- pure shooter with length but could not create her own shot, ever. KML- pure shooter, had MM there to open everything up, create her own shot?

What team have you watched? KLS over 2000 points unable to ever create? KML played with MM? Azzi many open shots.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Just an image for now:

Wallpaper worthy!

 

[MD#12Fan]

Wallpaper worthy!

I'm trying to teach my kids here in Alaska how to shoot. Gunna distribute this picture.

 

[npignatjr]

Without Brown again.

Ok, 1 starter, ho hum. The loss hopefully matters to seeding

 

[HuskyNan]

Did anyone notice the Huskies had 6 turnovers, zero in the second half? They also shot 50% from three with with Christyn shooting “worst” at 40%

 

[BobbyJ]

It takes TEAM offense to free up open shooters, like Marquette in the first half and Villanova the other day. UConn isn't getting Azzi open for jumpers. She has to create off the dribble. Which we know now, she can do. Then the J's open up.
I challenge BY historians now to make historical comparisons to UConn shooters of yesteryear. KLS- pure shooter with length but could not create her own shot, ever. KML- pure shooter, had MM there to open everything up, create her own shot?

Moore played with KML? I can see you’ve followed UConn pretty closely for a long time.

 

[Centerstream]

Did anyone notice the Huskies had 6 turnover, zero in the second half? They also shot 50% from with with Christyn shooting “worst” at 40%

I did notice but for some reason I thought that we had 5 at the half. But I believe you! I am probably confusing seeing the 5 at some point in the first half and didn't look at the half time stats closely enough.

 

[Fore!]

Azzi definitely has moments of getting beat off the dribble, but I’m surprised with how many blocks, steals, jump balls she manages to get. She’s not as bad on defense as I initially thought and she doesn’t really foul. Really solid fundamentals, just needs to be a little quicker.

I have to believe her early season defensive deficiencies were directly attributable to her foot injury.

 

[Gus Mahler]

THINK FOULs---Uconn saved those fouls with the easy shot MQ got. The last 3 games Geno held them from playing great D because he could not play with 4 players and everyone else on the bench. Injuries kills most teams, Geno has masked much of the issues.

A skill of which he is a master. A big part of the reason he has won 11 championships and about 1100 games. Few if any coaches are as good at exploiting his teams' strengths and masking their weaknesses.

 

[BBallF]

I think she lost her cool and focus when she was arm locked with a MU player, and that player spun and IMHO threw her around and she went into another MU player and AE got called for the foul. Soon afterwards, there might have been some words between AE and another player, and maybe she just needed to refocus from the bench. Who knows.

She was off offensively and defensively. Not focused or intense enough and she looked tired to me. I don't think it was one play at all. She seems to have difficulty putting two good games together in a row. I think a lot has to do with energy, physical and mental.

 

[MD#12Fan]

Moore played with KML? I can see you’ve followed UConn pretty closely for a long time.

oops

 

[Gus Mahler]

Evina!! Lady E. Mama E. She has been crushing it lately. Today was just another example of how she has embraced whatever role that is thrown her way. 70% shooting. 70%!! Also, she was active on defense. Active hands, feet, and voice. Great work, Evina!!

Let the word go forth, to friend and foe alike: Evina is BACK, baby!!

 

[uconnfan68]

She is still getting used to the speed and better athletes at the college level. While it's true that she does get beat sometimes, I've seen her hold good position at other times too, so I'm confident she'll become more consistent with her defense. And

She was getting beat a lot early in the year, but we had no idea she was still hurt. She is much better now. Very high IQ on the floor.

 

[ABCDFE]

Glad to see that Azzi is silencing her critics on this board............first she was a one-dimensional offensive player who couldn't get her own shot or drive to the basket and second, she couldn't play any defense.......frankly, as far as I'm concerned, she hasn't even hit her stride yet..........if she can remain healthy there's much more to come........

I think we can see now how much that injury in the early part of the season hampered her ability to play at her best. What I see now is what some of the posters, who've seen her play in H.S. have said, quick feet, good on defense and stronger than you'd expect. Countless times I have been surprised that she's able to get the rebound, snatch balls away and have quick reaction to help on defense. This is all in addition to her amazing shooting ability.

I also want to point out that many posters continue to use the early loss against SC as a game where we were at full strength. Gotta believe Azzi, Nika, and probably Dorka were not fully healthy. Caroline was still not at the point of development as to where she is today.

 

[STLCardinal]

When Geno goes over the film of this game with the team, I hope he calls attention of the screens they set. I’m not certain they were all legit, but they freed each other up a lot. Once we set better screens we can really become scary. Especially freeing Azzi up.

And use a screen properly. There are so many illegal screens called against every team I watch because nobody rubs off the screen or they move before it's set which makes the screener lean into the defender. A screen is not worth the dust on a dragon's butt if you don't use it properly.

 

[HopJim]

A few follow up comments:
-Assuming Paige comes back, who would you want in the playoffs more than:
-Fudd and Williams at guard
-Paige at point guard with Nika backing her up
-Dorka and ONO at dual posts with Edwards as primary sub
-Caroline and Evina as first off the bench
-Other than Boston and whoever she plays with, not too many combos on other teams I would take against any of these twosomes. As brutal as this year has been, no one will want to play this team.
-After watching Azzi drive and move with the ball, I wonder if she is the best ball handler on the current team.
-I believe it has been five games, all gritty, close performances, where Evina has come off the bench when UConn was struggling and immediately made a 3. Have not checked, but also believe Evina made a 3 and/or a steal for a layup in 4th quarter each game as well.
-When Dorka started the year with her thumb and hand taped, I did not understand why Geno recruited her. Apologies. Now that she can grip the ball, very smooth and diverse player. I just hope her great play of late doesn't make her a top 5 draft choice.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Fox deserves high praise for their broadcast team doing such a great job, they knew every detail about the players, their last games & struggles with injuries.

I agree. Christy Winters-Scott is quite good (and an Azzi fan). I notice that her daughter is a freshman on the Georgetown team.

 

[LarryLegend]

went back to Fox Now app and rewatched the 4th quarter. Christyn Williams played some terrific defense

 

[HopJim]

I notice no mention of Edwards. She seemed too tired to play her game.

Have to defend Edwards a bit. Not one of her best games but not one of her worst. Strong rebounding, good defense, solid picks. Few points but can't think of anyone on the team I would have put in instead of her. I suspect many of the Marquette players will think about her as they ice their bruises.

 

[Gus Mahler]

JMO:
1) Nika can score zero and I still want her out there
2) Geno should get down on his knees every day and say 3 Hail Marys that Evina Westbrook decided to come back
3) Edwards seems to be working through some things, the consistency isnt there yet but she is sticking with it

Amen, Brother!

 

[HopJim]

its kinda funny. After the road DePaul game, I was like Caroline really plays well with Dorka, they got great chemistry. Then after the Tennessee game, i say the same thing about Dorka and Aaliyah and how they play well together. After this game Azzi and Dorka. Finally I've come to the conclusion that Dorka is a really good team player/facilitator. Really happy she had such a big weekend. lol. I do want to say, that Dorka and Evina play well together. Like, EW actually has had some great passes to Dorka to get her easy looks.

For years, I have been yelling at the TV that UConn needs to have a motion offense that has constant cuts and runs around picks. We have it now with virtually every player part of the motion. Very fun to watch. Assuming Paige comes back, could be special.

 

[LarryLegend]

Have to defend Edwards a bit. Not one of her best games but not one of her worst. Strong rebounding, good defense, solid picks. Few points but can't think of anyone on the team I would have put in instead of her. I suspect many of the Marquette players will think about her as they ice their bruises.

agreed