Marquette Postgame Thread

[HopJim]

Ice took one such midrange shot from the baseline, when the shot clock was running out, with perfect form that hit nothing but net. In a subsequent possession, she took another midrange shot from the foul line after thinking about it for a second or two. The shot was flat and clanked off the rim.

So apparently, Ice can hit that shot, so long as she doesn’t think about it…….

I happened to watch some older UConn videos and Edwards in her first two years reminded me a bit of Ice, at least in her reluctance to shoot from the outside. At that point in her career, Edwards made most of her points near the basket. Not sure what motivated her but as her confidence increased, so did her FG %. Geno seems to communicate to his players with many overt and subtle ways so it will be interesting to see how his feedback helps Ice develop.

 

[oldude]

Good
- We won, easily, against a "decent" team.
-We had 4 players in double figures, nice balanced scoring.
-100% from the FT line
-22 assists vs 5 TOs, outstanding!

• Great defense 32%/14% and forced 21 TOs
• undefeated in 2025

Bad

• still not shooting great 42%/33%
• got outrebounded again 41-33.

Overall, pretty good game. Still stuff to work on.

Wonder if we could use Strong on the tip of a diamond press?

Strong
Fudd Chen
Bueckers
El Alfy

That point position on the diamond press is key. While Sarah has exceptionally quick hands, I don’t really see her in that role. Paige has filled that spot in the past and she’s OK. But the best UConn player to man the point on the diamond press is Aubrey, “the human octopus.” Aubrey’s combination of length and athleticism is incredibly challenging for opponents trying to break the diamond press. I can not wait to see Aubrey back on the court and healthy.

 

[WiseWillie]

Funny that Geno and CD were just recently feted for 40 years of excellence, winningest and most accomplished in the sport, HOFers both, with what is considered the premier women’s basketball program for 40+ years of the NCAAT.

• Aaand … UConn, under Geno, has always been in the Big East or the AAC.

The sausage-making for developing Geno’s typically excellent postseason team this year — always difficult and few besides Geno has a yearly knack for it — is a lot more transparent (producing some fan angst &1) this year because of the inexperience of most of the available roster at the start of the year.

That said, Geno had curious halftime statements in the Marquette game:

• He was pleased with the team finding open shots and remarked that sooner or later most of them would fall;
• He complained to his team in the huddle that their defense was better in practice.

Imo, taking cognizance of the past 14 games:

• Practices are now translating into games for some aspects of the desired postseason team;
• These aspects include the halfcourt game, the 4-guard offense and the press;
• Geno’s remark on defense above implies that some aspects (probably including Jana’s post play) are developing well in practice but for some reason is not automatically translating full time in games;
• One can go through the roster and see that almost all available players are developing well and have already exhibited flashes of brilliance;
• Efficient aggression in all aspects is just a matter of time.

With 14 games down, there are 9 games before the TN game and then 2 more games before the SC game.

• Plenty of time for Geno and CD;
• Azzi and Aubrey should be rounding to form for these games.

&1 Unfortunately, the vagaries of UConn’s scheduling circumstances produces early aptitude tests — and some fans confuse them for midterm tests for this UConn team’s postseason fitness — which they are not, especially for this young team.

Re: Jana not playing like she does in practice.

Has anyone thought that the reason for the disparity is because Jana is still trying to get used to the touch fouls that are called in our basketball versus what she has been brought up playing in Europe. Her hesitancy might be afraid of fouling?

If you look at the way she is called for fouls her expression says it all. She just is trying to get acclimated. You can tell she gets frustrated but is determined to improve to the type of positioning required to not be called for what she considers normal but here she thinks are ridiculous touch fouls. Many times after she is called for a foul I would have to agree. Let's not forget that she has only played in a few games in the U.S. I really like her spunk and personality. Watching her when she is on the bench she is one of the most supportive and enthusiastic teammates. It will come. She just needs more time on the court. She will make it I am certain - and maybe she might even get the refs from concentrating on her every move.

 

[Basingstoke]

Re: Jana not playing like she does in practice.

Has anyone thought that the reason for the disparity is because Jana is still trying to get used to the touch fouls that are called in our basketball versus what she has been brought up playing in Europe. Her hesitancy might be afraid of fouling?

If you look at the way she is called for fouls her expression says it all. She just is trying to get acclimated. You can tell she gets frustrated but is determined to improve to the type of positioning required to not be called for what she considers normal but here she thinks are ridiculous touch fouls. Many times after she is called for a foul I would have to agree. Let's not forget that she has only played in a few games in the U.S. I really like her spunk and personality. Watching her when she is on the bench she is one of the most supportive and enthusiastic teammates. It will come. She just needs more time on the court. She will make it I am certain - and maybe she might even get the refs from concentrating on her every move.

I think you make a good point regarding Jana's hesitancy. I'd also suggest that having to still think in the moment about what her place and responsibilities are within the context of specific offensive and defensive situations further contributes to her hesitancy.
For me, the bottom line is that these things are fixable, and I'm confident that we'll see the positive results more and more with each passing game.

 

[WiseWillie]

If you look at all the guards, perhaps with KK the one exception, they are not playing at their best. Even Paige has had some off games. Not unusual with all the lines ups Geno is experimenting with, something he has had little experience with in recent history. While not urgent this time of year, my main concern is that the feedback Geno is getting from league games may not be transferable to top 10 competition. As we say, "In Geno we trust."

Yes, it's what I call the NCQ ("nerves and confidence quotient") when we meet up with one of the better top 10 teams that is our nemesis. Usually it rears its ugly head in the 1st half like with USC and takes a while for us to shake it off and start playing our game like we can and should like the 2nd half of the USC game. I want to see that NCQ factor to be missing when we meet TN and hopefully SC. We are good and we need to have the swagger and confidence that we can beat anybody, anytime.

 

[WiseWillie]

I think it is that small ball lineup we saw when Jana came out of the game in the 4th. KK/Chen, Shade, Azzi, Paige, Sarah. Imo, that is the lineup Geno is going to turn to right now when he wants to win a game.

I think KK instead of Chen as she brings more defense when needed in the 4th but you are right that the rest seems to be what Geno feels best when the game is close in the 4th since that gives us not only the best defense capabilities but also scoring and foul shooting which in a very close game can be the difference in winning or losing.

 

[Ozimoto]

That was a better performance than the Providence game. The shots still are not falling as anticipated (this is not, as of yet, a consistently good shooting team) but the offensive flow and ball movement was better. KK, Kaitlyn, and Jana had good games. This was a good game to build on.

 

[meyers7]

That point position on the diamond press is key. While Sarah has exceptionally quick hands, I don’t really see her in that role. Paige has filled that spot in the past and she’s OK. But the best UConn player to man the point on the diamond press is Aubrey, “the human octopus.” Aubrey’s combination of length and athleticism is incredibly challenging for opponents trying to break the diamond press. I can not wait to see Aubrey back on the court and healthy.

Ok, but Griffin isn't available now. So....Strong. I think Bueckers would do better anticipating in the back of the diamond.

Actually a really nice pressing team (I think) would be

Griffin
Shade Arnold
Bueckers
Strong

Anyway would be fun to see how that worked. Granted, it may not work that great offensively, but just as a pressing group, create some turnovers, fast break stuff.

 

[Bald Husky]

Ice took one such midrange shot from the baseline, when the shot clock was running out, with perfect form that hit nothing but net. In a subsequent possession, she took another midrange shot from the foul line after thinking about it for a second or two. The shot was flat and clanked off the rim.

So apparently, Ice can hit that shot, so long as she doesn’t think about it…….

My point OD was not that she can't hit the shot, but she refuses to take the shot. I know she is at the high post to distribute, but if she is wide open she has to pull the trigger.

 

[oldude]

My point OD was not that she can't hit the shot, but she refuses to take the shot. I know she is at the high post to distribute, but if she is wide open she has to pull the trigger.

My point was that she took two of those shots yesterday going 1/2. She and Jana both have the ability to make that shot consistently if open. They lack confidence and it’s the job of the coaching staff to fix it, if possible. It starts in practice and hopefully translates into game situations.

As another BY’er mentioned, Aaliyah had some of the same issues consistently making that midrange jumper. But she figured it out. So let’s hope that Ice and/or Jana can figure it out as well.

 

[Bills Fan]

What's with Morgan having her fingers taped together?

I asked about that in post #55, but never got even a hint of an answer.

 

[huskeynut]

I think you make a good point regarding Jana's hesitancy. I'd also suggest that having to still think in the moment about what her place and responsibilities are within the context of specific offensive and defensive situations further contributes to her hesitancy.
For me, the bottom line is that these things are fixable, and I'm confident that we'll see the positive results more and more with each passing game.

Read and react combined with muscle memory is what we are seeing wiith Jana..

Jan is not at the point where she is on auto pilot. There is still a thought process she is going thru on the court. This is to be expected. She has only played 13 games at the highest level of D1 basketball. It will improve but no one can determine the time table except Jana. We each have an internal clock that controls our learning and development.

 

[BRS24]

Read and react combined with muscle memory is what we are seeing wiith Jana..

Jan is not at the point where she is on auto pilot. There is still a thought process she is going thru on the court. This is to be expected. She has only played 13 games at the highest level of D1 basketball. It will improve but no one can determine the time table except Jana. We each have an internal clock that controls our learning and development.

100% this. Also, I just posted an article about Jana in a new thread here.

 

[HuskyNan]

My point was that she took two of those shots yesterday going 1/2. She and Jana both have the ability to make that shot consistently if open. They lack confidence and it’s the job of the coaching staff to fix it, if possible. It starts in practice and hopefully translates into game situations.

As another BY’er mentioned, Aaliyah had some of the same issues consistently making that midrange jumper. But she figured it out. So let’s hope that Ice and/or Jana can figure it out as well.

How is Ice's sophomore season different from Aaliyah's? This game is from mid-Dec of Aaliyah's sophomore year. By then, she'd lost her starting position. In this game, she enters about 13:45.

It's interesting how this game was played with 3 wings, 2 power forwards, and a center.

 

[hoophuskee]

My point was that she took two of those shots yesterday going 1/2. She and Jana both have the ability to make that shot consistently if open. They lack confidence and it’s the job of the coaching staff to fix it, if possible. It starts in practice and hopefully translates into game situations.

As another BY’er mentioned, Aaliyah had some of the same issues consistently making that midrange jumper. But she figured it out. So let’s hope that Ice and/or Jana can figure it out as well.

Experience matters. AE wasn't a threat outside the paint until her jr year. AJones back in the day was inconsistent until her sr year. No one should throw out Ice. This year she is still young. We can talk tough all we want but the fact remains she's young.

 

[Longtime fan]

-The commitment to full court pressure is showing dividends. The ball pressure made it difficult for Marquette to get into their half court offense. By the end of the year, the press could be a weapon in a similar way that Ohio State uses theirs.

-Jana was obviously better. Still taking way too long to get her shot off. I love the team’s willingness to feed her when she is open on the post.

-Marquette had 21 TOs compared to just 5 for UConn. UConn had 22 assists on 28 baskets. Perfect 12 for12 from the line. Sometimes stats do tell the story.

-Azzi is 6 for 24 from the floor the last two games. She is getting great looks. Shots just aren’t falling. How can you tell her not to shoot?

-Maybe KK’s family can travel with the team. She played really well.

AZZI has to shoot and get her confidence back. Otherwise, she is just another decent guard. Lots of players, including the kid from Canada playing for Marquette yesterday, can shoot threes as well as AXZZI is now. ASH is another. And, likely, both Morgan and Alli once they get comfortable. If AZZI doesn't return to her legendary status, we can't win the NC.

 

[Tonyc]

Jana and Ice need to be looking for that shot. The hesitate because theyre not looking to take it theyre looking to pass or run a play . They both need to become threats to score and them the defense will come out to guard them.

 

[reelfan]

KK proved she can score. Now prove it every game.

 

[oldude]

Experience matters. AE wasn't a threat outside the paint until her jr year. AJones back in the day was inconsistent until her sr year. No one should throw out Ice. This year she is still young. We can talk tough all we want but the fact remains she's young.

My point exactly.

 

[WiseWillie]

AZZI has to shoot and get her confidence back. Otherwise, she is just another decent guard. Lots of players, including the kid from Canada playing for Marquette yesterday, can shoot threes as well as AXZZI is now. ASH is another. And, likely, both Morgan and Alli once they get comfortable. If AZZI doesn't return to her legendary status, we can't win the NC.

Azzi seems to be pushing a little too much on her 3's. She wants and surely is told by the coaches to keep trying but it would seem better for her to dribble pass her defender and pull up for a 12-15 footer or if open drive to the basket for a lay-up and/or foul. Nothing like scoring to build confidence. Once she has the rhythm back for being on the floor she can intersperse 3's in her arsenal. But right now she just seems too out of sync and can contribute in many other ways other than just trying to shoot 3's.

 

[uconnever]

Experience matters. AE wasn't a threat outside the paint until her jr year. AJones back in the day was inconsistent until her sr year. No one should throw out Ice. This year she is still young. We can talk tough all we want but the fact remains she's young.

No one is throwing her out, she has it all and will be a very good player for us one day. The problem is, we have a national championship contender now, we need her her to contribute to make it that much easier. Her shots look great to me but they just aren’t falling. Maybe they will, but I think she’s confused on what exactly her role is and she’s trying to do too much. Or she just hasn’t figured out what works for her in college yet. She will but I sure hope it’s this year. I do have more confidence in Jana joining the party first.