Marquette Postgame Thread | Page 6 | The Boneyard

Marquette Postgame Thread

Three of Azzi’s 3s were off an extra pass from Allie; we don’t need her to be a scorer every game, we just need her to make the right decisions, and she did that most of the game tonight. There seems to be an impression that’s she’s not doing her “job” if she’s not taking 10 shots a game.
 
Nothing general comments to make. One thing I noticed early on is that Azzi and Ashlynn were switching between guarding players who were 6-1 and 5-6. I can see how that would throw one off.
 
I haven’t read every post in the thread yet, so apologies if I’m a bit repetitive.

Marquette played their game and gave their A+ best effort to try and hang with (or even beat) UConn. And UConn did not have one of their best games. We looked off at times, especially Sarah in the 2nd half. That will happen sometimes. I was pleased to see how many times defensive efforts lead to UConn runs to keep the game out of reach.

Not every game will be pretty. As someone who’s been watching the Olympics every day, even the best athletes in the world can be off their game for “no reason”. It’s a team effort and like Azzi said in the post game, someone on this team is always stepping up when needed to put the spark back into the game.

Although no one on UConn would ever admit it, I’m sure some of them are already mentally subconsciously looking ahead a bit to the post season as we creep closer to March.
 
A few observations. Despite some subpar play, never felt game was in doubt. Weak side help was inconsistent on several switches. Team moved much better with 4 guards. If the NCAA aficionados are watching the game, I don’t see how Marquette is left out of March madness.
 
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Although no one on UConn would ever admit it, I’m sure some of them are already mentally subconsciously looking ahead a bit to the post season as we creep closer to March.
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Let me put it another way….The last couple of games they’ve seemed a bit bored at times…The BE coaches, no slouches, having had the advantage of an earlier game…have put in their most advantage plan…not enough to get a win, perhaps, but more than adequate to annoy a UConn team a bit under the weather…perhaps more than a bit (I’m in my 3rd week of recovering from a virus).

Resulting in quite a lackluster game
The question is: Is the mediocrity they displayed today catchy?…Unlikely knowing the leadership and coaches.
 
Sarah was dragging, no doubt. Her shots were short, and she even airballed at the start of the 3rd quarter. That's usually a sign of tired legs. She adjusted after that miss. The team looks tired and it's not from a tough schedule. Hugh expectations are stressful but the obvious factor is the intensity of their practices. Geno is a master at getting his team to peak at the right time.
That said, without a healthy Sarah and Blanca it's going to be tough to beat the top teams in the tournament.
 
oldude said:
We can all acknowledge that this was not UConn’s best game without running around like Chicken Little yelling out that “the sky is falling.” That’s the part that gets to me. I’m not saying that you do so. But a number of BY’ers go there immediately after a less than perfect game by the Huskies.

I point out in my postgame thread that Sarah’s 1st half was her “worst shooting half I’d ever seen.” That was an absolutely “realistic” assessment. If I were Chicken Little I might go on to say, “If she shoots like that the rest of the season UConn has no chance to win championship #13.”

UConn is the greatest program in the history of WBB. Geno is the greatest coach in the history of WBB. This roster is the most talented in the nation. I’m exceedingly optimistic this year, regardless of the way today’s game played out.

Oh by the way. UConn won today.
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I love your posts on this thread. Great job.

The team has it's best player their clear PF / center best rebounder clearly under the weather for several consecutive games.
Thiri 3rd best player, their only significant backup pf out for several consecutive games too.

Yeah - no kidding we are getting beat on the boards. Allie and Ashey are not rebounding power forwards. Hardly the type of lineup we are going to use much vs Texas etc.
 
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bkart1978 said:
Three of Azzi’s 3s were off an extra pass from Allie; we don’t need her to be a scorer every game, we just need her to make the right decisions, and she did that most of the game tonight. There seems to be an impression that’s she’s not doing her “job” if she’s not taking 10 shots a game.
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She is a shooter, that's why UConn recruited her. When she is put into the game, along with Azzi Sarah, and Ashlynn (for example), they are there to shoot and score. If they shoot and score, they aren't making an assist, but someone else probably is. Why do you think that she tries her best to get behind the arc and shoot or drive the lane.
BTW...those were the only assists she got.
 
I think this game reinforced that this is Azzi's team, that she provides the senior leadership, and when the team really needs a playmaker, she's the one that steps up. Just as she did it in the NCAAT last year, she's the one that takes charge on the floor to get it done.
It's not about leading in all of the stats, it's about leadership and getting it done during crunch time.
When the team needs to find a way to win she gets it done.
I'm not talking about after the game is already in the bag.
I'm talking about how she takes care of business to put the game in the bag.
She has my vote for team MVP.
 
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browns said:
Uconn has a real problem at the center position,Never mind UCLA,Texas .S.C. but other teams they may play that have just a decent center and Uconn could be in trouble..Jana and Williams just aren't getting it done..Getting outrebounded by 13 today was terrible
Allie played 20 mins and was a non factor
First half was the worst half I've seen Sarah play but the second half she scored at will
Thankfully the "D" was terrific most of the game
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They have another problem too. I think they need a third shooter who can take the pressure off of Azzi & Sarah, and stop defenses from doubling on them during games. It will be very important during March madness. Last year they had Paige, Sarah, and Azzi. I don't know why Ash seems to have lost her shot. She is terrific on defense but misses to many shots. Allie is not a good defender and KK is not a shooter.
 
Bone Dog said:
Exactly. And if anyone wants to be reminded of close games in Milwaukee from previous seasons, here’s a great one from 2022. It was back and forth for 3 1/2 quarters until Azzi and Evina slammed the door on Marquette. Midway through the 4th, Evina came to the sideline for a timeout and said “they’re gassed.” Then she and Azzi ran away with the game.

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I was at that game! I got a selfie with Paige and KK!
 
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I'd just like to follow the few fans that realize that UConn needs a game like this to test the team and make them dig deep to pull out a victory!
There are obvious problems with the players that we are not privy to!
When they win every game by 30+ points it doesn't teach anything, but a ugly game like this makes them figure out what needs to be done to pull it out!
We have some scrappy girls who don't like to play this way but won't give in and can fight back!
Take the win and move on!
Hopefully the unknown problems get healed and the team is up to par ASAP!
 
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