Marquette postgame thread | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Marquette postgame thread

Centerstream said:
I thought that we would be in for a treat having Meg as the analyst...but I was wrong. John Fanta seems to want to talk about anything else but what's happening on the court. I looked at the live stats at some point in the 3rd quarter and Jana had 3 fouls and Forbes had 4. I remember hearing Forbes getting her second but I missed the other two and at least 2 of Jana’s.
About the game, we were pretty awesome especially for a Senior Day game.
The things that stuck out to me: 1) the number of 5 second inbounding calls and 2) the number of times that Marquette had to take a shot with less than 5 seconds on the clock. Unfortunately a couple of those desperation shots went in.

All of the seniors teammates in tears during the festivities. Heartbreaking because I was doing the same thing. :(
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As for John Fanta he is from the school of women basketball broadcasters where you feel that the game is not interesting enough so you mouth your way through it. Really missed Allan Bestwick.
 
David54 said:
Aubrey was fantastic.the whole team looks different when she’s on the court.
Ice looked really good too that was the most aggressive I’ve seen her.
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That's exactly right. The two biggest developments today were Aubrey and Ice. The team starts faster because of AG's defense and you can press with her and not give up a position when you do. By the time she came out of the game the first time, it was over. I realize that Geno was bringing her along due to the injury but it's crystal clear that she should start. You can always go with size and power in subs.

As for Ice, she looked faster, leaner, more self assured and that back hand layup was gorgeous not to mention a confident 3. She just looked

I think Jana needs a whole summer of footwork, toning, eye-hand drills, and some quicker put back moves. She did not play well today and I'm hoping it is just a freshman dip or mini wall and that she will be a different player ala South Carolina in the post season. How many freshmen centers are finished products when they arrive anyway? We live in a different world though right now than we did yesterday with Aubrey and Ice, to paraphrase a famous line from Draft Day, so there is not the same pressure on her. She can come in and bang, mix it up, get a couple of layups and boards. take up space and be on her way.
 
BBallF said:
As for John Fanta he is from the school of women basketball broadcasters where you feel that the game is not interesting enough so you mouth your way through it. Really missed Allan Bestwick.
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I thought Fanta may have misrepresented something as well. I believe Geno indicated he usually wants to know by the end of the Big East Tournament a player's intentions to stay or go. It is still Azzi's decision, however, and while she may try to make that decision within Geno's desired time frame, she doesn't have to, and when she tells him, she doesn't have to make it public either.

That decision, particularly if it was to depart, could be a distraction for her and the team during the most important period to maintain your focus on this season. My main point is telling Geno and making her decision public are possibly two different things. Fanta said we will know after the Big East tournament, as if it was certain. Maybe that is how it goes down, but unless he was told that specifically by Azzi and that she would make that decision public, I think he might have assumed too much.
 
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EricLA said:
First off, great season by Marquette. They were picked something like 9th or 10th in the league and have had a really good season. Now on to UConn...

Always bittersweet - senior day - and I hope Azzi decides to come back no matter what happens this season, but we will see.
  • Really liked Aubrey starting. To be honest, Jana will be really good, but Aubrey is better right now. More athletic, better defender, better scorer, better FT shooter, everything. I'd love to see Geno start Aubrey going forward.
  • Really nice games by Paige and Sarah as usual. Off shooting game for Azzi, but her defense is top notch.
  • So great seeing Ice back and playing well. I was worried that she'd be rusty, but she seemed really good! Didn't miss a beat on offense and her defense was really solid.
  • Kind of quiet game for Ash and KK on offense, but Ash is just so tough and KK a beast on defense.
  • Really great seeing Carol getting in, but she has a LOT of work to do to get back to any sort of semblance she was as a player before her injuries. I think it's great for her to get her feet wet this season, and then have the whole summer to come back next year hopefully gangbusters!!!
Overall a really solid effort, especially Q's 1 and 3. Our defense CONTINUES to be elite. I love having enough players to put the full court press on almost all the time. Impressed with Marquette's new coach.
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Regarding Aubrey, this may have been just a senior game decision, but Sarah/Aubrey is our best possible big combo, even though they are not that big. It might have a secondary benefit as well because Jana and Ice could be 5/4 backups, with Ice getting to play more as a 4 which is probably her more natural position anyway.
 
I was at the game. There are "sellouts" and there are real sellouts. This was a real sellout - a handful of seats behind the Marquette bench (presumably their allocation) empty, otherwise every seat taken. And virtually everyone was in their seat well before tipoff.

Rousing welcome for Nika when the PA announcer recognized her and the video scoreboard showed her and sister Hana. I miss Nika.

It was a pretty wild beginning. Back and forth. At about the five minute mark I noticed the scoreboard had UConn credited with 7 steals and Marquette 4. The shooting percentages on both sides were pretty gaudy. A couple of uncharacteristic bad passes by Sarah. Lots of possessions, lots of scoring. ringing up 31 was pretty special against a decent Marquette team. (Forbes would look good in a UConn uniform, by the way.)

There was a lot to like about this game. The intensity, aggressiveness, and confidence from the beginning was noticeable. I don't recall ever seeing so many five second violations. Must have been at least four or five.

If there had been any slight hesitancy to Aubrey's game up until now, that is no longer there. She was all over the place and is great around the hoop. With her in the lineup, the other team has no safety valve to pass to when they are in trouble. She should be 100% for the NCAAs and that is a very big deal. They are laying off of her, daring to shoot. I say, shoot it Aubrey, make them defend you and then blow by them.

Ice looked really good out there, Jana didn't rush it on her layups, Paige was aggressively hunting shots, everything just seemed in sync. KK and Ash were all over the court defending. Azzi had a bit of an off day shooting but I was glad that she was not drifting into the background but was aggressively looking for her shot and that she took 13 shots. They will drop. The team as a whole is playing its best basketball of the season and having twelve players available is a luxury we have not had in many seasons.

Feel bad for Morgan but she was in a cast on Thursday and was in a walking boot today, so that is good. Still with crutches, but hopefully making progress.

I was watching from a distance in the second level so I could not see the postgame senior ceremony in the same detail that was available on television. From my perspective, the words I would use to describe it are classy, somewhat subdued, and respectful. Virtually no one left early (the traffic out was horrible). The video tributes to the players were very well done. I have a great deal of appreciation for this group and for being able to watch them play.

Last game at my current seats as there are Gampel (and XL) renovations occurring and the season seating will totally change, with a "lottery" to occur this spring. Hopefully things will work out. I will miss our neighbors who have sat next to us for the last few years.
 
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oldhusky said:
Regarding Aubrey, this may have been just a senior game decision, but Sarah/Aubrey is our best possible big combo, even though they are not that big. It might have a secondary benefit as well because Jana and Ice could be 5/4 backups, with Ice getting to play more as a 4 which is probably her more natural position anyway.
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Amen brother! For my taste Sarah and Aubrey are by far the most effective inside players.
 
oldhusky said:
I thought Fanta may have misrepresented something as well. I believe Geno indicated he usually wants to know by the end of the Big East Tournament a player's intentions to stay or go. It is still Azzi's decision, however, and while she may try to make that decision within Geno's desired time frame, she doesn't have to, and when she tells him, she doesn't have to make it public either.

That decision, particularly if it was to depart, could be a distraction for her and the team during the most important period to maintain your focus on this season. My main point is telling Geno and making her decision public are possibly two different things. Fanta said we will know after the Big East tournament, as if it was certain. Maybe that is how it goes down, but unless he was told that specifically by Azzi and that she would make that decision public, I think he might have assumed too much.
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Agree. What right does he have to say that unless she told him, which I sincerely doubt.
 
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Huskee11 said:
I was at the game. There are "sellouts" and there are real sellouts. This was a real sellout - a handful of seats behind the Marquette bench (presumably their allocation) empty, otherwise every seat taken. And virtually everyone was in their seat well before tipoff.

Rousing welcome for Nika when the PA announcer recognized her and the video scoreboard showed her and sister Hana. I miss Nika.

It was a pretty wild beginning. Back and forth. At about the five minute mark I noticed the scoreboard had UConn credited with 7 steals and Marquette 4. The shooting percentages on both sides were pretty gaudy. A couple of uncharacteristic bad passes by Sarah. Lots of possessions, lots of scoring. ringing up 31 was pretty special against a decent Marquette team. (Forbes would look good in a UConn uniform, by the way.)

There was a lot to like about this game. The intensity, aggressiveness, and confidence from the beginning was noticeable. I don't recall ever seeing so many five second violations. Must have been at least four or five.

If there had been any slight hesitancy to Aubrey's game up until now, that is no longer there. She was all over the place and is great around the hoop. With her in the lineup, the other team has no safety valve to pass to when they are in trouble. She should be 100% for the NCAAs and that is a very big deal. They are laying off of her, daring to shoot. I say, shoot it Aubrey, make them defend you and then blow by them.

Ice looked really good out there, Jana didn't rush it on her layups, Paige was aggressively hunting shots, everything just seemed in sync. KK and Ash were all over the court defending. Azzi had a bit of an off day shooting but I was glad that she was not drifting into the background but was aggressively looking for her shot and that she took 13 shots. They will drop. The team as a whole is playing its best basketball of the season and having twelve players available is a luxury we have not had in many seasons.

Feel bad for Morgan but she was in a cast on Thursday and was in a walking boot today, so that is good. Still with crutches, but hopefully making progress.

I was watching from a distance in the second level so I could not see the postgame senior ceremony in the same detail that was available on television. From my perspective, the words I would use to describe it are classy, somewhat subdued, and respectful. Virtually no one left early (the traffic out was horrible). The video tributes to the players were very well done. I have a great deal of appreciation for this group and for being able to watch them play.

Last game at my current seats as there are Gampel (and XL) renovations occurring and the season seating will totally change, with a "lottery" to occur this spring. Hopefully things will work out. I will miss our neighbors who have sat next to us for the last few years.
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Nice post. I always appreciate the perspective of someone who is there. It is a different experience altogether than watching it on TV. I will be there during the NCAAs and can't wait.
 
A few observations from someone who only saw it on TV.
  • The defensive and offensive effort in the 1st quarter was outstanding. There was some slight drop off in the later quarters and a few too many TOs. But that opening was amazing.
  • Aubrey was impressive. I hope she's really back and can sustain this level of athleticism through both tournaments. She forced TOs, crashed boards, got putbacks, and made good cuts.
  • Paige and Sarah can do pretty much whatever they want on the court. Yes, there were a few miscues. But there were also a lot of really crisp plays and excellent reads.
  • I liked what I saw of Jana -- 3 for 3 for 6 pts in 13 mins. Also 4 fouls. But what I mainly noticed was the glimmer of the beast in the low post she was in high school. No more mincing moves. Also, she read what the ball handlers were doing and responded well. Her defensive lapses are till a problem. But that's a manageable problem, especially with Ice and Sara and Aubrey available. Meg had a great comment on one needless foul: "You're 6'5", just occupy the baseline with your arms up and be big." This is a bit of wisdom she'll come to soon enough.
  • If I had to guess, on the strength of this performance, Azzi is returning. Her defense is excellent, but her offensive production comes and goes. This is as much about the problem of sharing the shot opportunities as it is about consistency. If she comes back, she'll be the focus of the offense that Paige is now, and she'll have a resumé that will get her a better lottery position.
  • Ice looked really good on the court again. She moved well, handled the ball well, and even drove the lane for a score at one point. She's back just in time.
Something else occurred to me, while watching the other games on today and last night: UConn can beat any of the top teams, or lose to them. No team is safe from Paige & Co. Our defense is at least as good as ND's or USC's or SC's, and our offense is best in the nation when Azzi is hitting.
 
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We are lucky to be Huskie fans. The players are so endearing. The organization is complete Class.
We watched a total offensive and defensive orchestration today. ( Against a well coached capable team).
And then Nika is at the broadcast table!
So much fun, so much to appreciate.
 
Loved everything about the game. Loved the seniors showing the youngsters the Husky way! While we still have a ways to go this season, will miss these seniors. Loved seeing the emotion of their teammates during the ceremony. Would have loved to see carol’s three go in, would have completed the day. Well done!
 
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Building on Old Husky's comment:

Geno usually starts seniors whether bench or starters in this game and the results (especially if the ceremony is before the game) is often not pretty.

So starting Aubrey may have been tradition...but the results ...against a good sized but not huge team was eye opening; perhaps indicating the best current starting lineup.

I'm sure that AG's and Ice's success puts a buzz into the mind of the staff.

Whether he sticks to his traditional lineup or switches will be only apparent next weekend...Why advertise it?
He won't. and probably no one will ask.
They should.
 
Bone Dog said:
A few observations from someone who only saw it on TV.
  • The defensive and offensive effort in the 1st quarter was outstanding. There was some slight drop off in the later quarters and a few too many TOs. But that opening was amazing.
  • Aubrey was impressive. I hope she's really back and can sustain this level of athleticism through both tournaments. She forced TOs, crashed boards, got putbacks, and made good cuts.
  • Paige and Sarah can do pretty much whatever they want on the court. Yes, there were a few miscues. But there were also a lot of really crisp plays and excellent reads.
  • I liked what I saw of Jana -- 3 for 3 for 6 pts in 13 mins. Also 4 fouls. But what I mainly noticed was the glimmer of the beast in the low post she was in high school. No more mincing moves. Also, she read what the ball handlers were doing and responded well. Her defensive lapses are till a problem. But that's a manageable problem, especially with Ice and Sara and Aubrey available. Meg had a great comment on one needless foul: "You're 6'5", just occupy the baseline with your arms up and be big." This is a bit of wisdom she'll come to soon enough.
  • If I had to guess, on the strength of this performance, Azzi is returning. Her defense is excellent, but her offensive production comes and goes. This is as much about the problem of sharing the shot opportunities as it is about consistency. If she comes back, she'll be the focus of the offense that Paige is now, and she'll have a resumé that will get her a better lottery position.
  • Ice looked really good on the court again. She moved well, handled the ball well, and even drove the lane for a score at one point. She's back just in time.
Something else occurred to me, while watching the other games on today and last night: UConn can beat any of the top teams, or lose to them. No team is safe from Paige & Co. Our defense is at least as good as ND's or USC's or SC's, and our offense is best in the nation when Azzi is hitting.
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So the question is what happens in the inevitable game when we are having an off shooting might. To me, the difference between now and the ND, USC or Tennessee game is that our defense is probably 25% better and that can make all the difference.
 
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Nice touch by Nika wearing 5. I had some difficulty with the game. It was full of good performances. The problem was it was Paige's last in our gym. And a second I don't think I have ever voiced. Paige wasn't playing point guard. When she played point I got to see more of her wonderful indiidual and team skills. Watching her weave through a seemingly hypnotized defense and dish it off or drop it. To me she is the best point guard who has ever played the game. I wonder if she'll settle back there at the next level. Damn I'll miss her mucho.
 
March Paige is in full effect. KK was a battery pack. Azzi's shooting is coming back around but her defense is so underrated. Ice Brady has decided she's had enough and looks like the player we all know she can be. Shade's shot looks pure. Strong is Freshman of the Year and Aubrey has afforded this team the dirty work that was missing by cleaning up the glass and bailing them out when plays break down.

Out of all the top teams, UConn has the most talent and potential, every other team should want them far away from their region
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
Nice touch by Nika wearing 5. I had some difficulty with the game. It was full of good performances. The problem was it was Paige's last in our gym. And a second I don't think I have ever voiced. Paige wasn't playing point guard. When she played point I got to see more of her wonderful indiidual and team skills. Watching her weave through a seemingly hypnotized defense and dish it off or drop it. To me she is the best point guard who has ever played the game. I wonder if she'll settle back there at the next level. Damn I'll miss her mucho.
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Paige has two more games in Gampel, the first and second round of the NCAAs.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
Nice touch by Nika wearing 5. I had some difficulty with the game. It was full of good performances. The problem was it was Paige's last in our gym. And a second I don't think I have ever voiced. Paige wasn't playing point guard. When she played point I got to see more of her wonderful indiidual and team skills. Watching her weave through a seemingly hypnotized defense and dish it off or drop it. To me she is the best point guard who has ever played the game. I wonder if she'll settle back there at the next level. Damn I'll miss her mucho.
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The best that ever played the game,? Sorry right now she's not even close to being as good as C.C
or Sabrina or Chelsea Gray for that matter.. going back she's better than Bird? No way
 
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