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Marquette - UConn Postgame Thread

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I'm going out on a limb here but I think Coach Geno might be in the midst of his finest coaching stretch. I can't ever remember a season with this much adversity to overcome. Kudos to the coaches and team for their superlative performances under fire. Husky Nation salutes your effort and determination.
Yeah, pretty impressive...
But remember, he did say (post-game interview) that
Marquette had a tough game of their own, last night.
The overall fitness of the UConn 6 was pretty impressive this afternoon
 
I’d like to give UConn all the credit for throttling Marquette’s offense. But I think the golden eagles also came out a bit flat all by themselves. And they looked tired for much of the game.

Paige was magnificent and Ice was really good and KK and Ash and Nika did what they needed to. And Q had 5 points!
The post game press conference is all gold.
Paraphrasing what Geno said "We didn't start the way we thought we would. During the season we'd go out aggressive, but we decided we couldn't because of the threat of foul trouble. But, right before the game, Is said let's not change. And that's what they all wanted to do. They just nodded.

Because of that start, it put the pressure on Marquette to make shots. And it's hard to play the entire game like that."
 
Just got home from the game and my impression was that this is the most intentional effort I have ever seen by a UConn squad. Every possession was deliberate to the nth degree. In no case did they allow themselves to be rushed. For the eagles it must have felt like root canal for forty minutes.
 
The most amazing thing to me was we set this defensive record when if anything we should have been the team running out of gas at the end because of our injuries and the short bench. It appears it was just the opposite. Tremendous shout out to the team's conditioning, grit and determination.
 
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I didn't know what to expect with Aaliyah out. Now I and I beleive everybody else knows.

I don't think I have every seen, at least this season, such a dominant defensive game by one team. Marquette was shut off at every turn. Shots were contested. Passing lanes were not there. A lot of errant passes forced. I mean hold a team to 22% shooting for the game. You could see at the start of the 3rd quarter, we were in the heads and they were frustrated. AND, holding them scoreless the entire 4th quarter. We all know Marquette is a very good and well coached team. Amazing.

Start with Paige. OMG - is there anything she can't do???? She shot 11 - 16. How efficient can you get? A POY performance!!

Ice - what a game she played - all 40 minutes. Her defense down low completely limited Karlan and any other player near the basket. Hands up, sliding her feet to get in good position . You couldn't ask for more. And 10 points and 5 boards.

Everybody contributed to this win.

Either Creighton or Seton Hall - bring it on!!
It's either Creighton or Georgetown tomorrow. Georgetown is leading at the half 26-23, so both of these teams may be as tired as UConn is after this game and will have 3 hours less rest.
 
Got to mention that end of the quarter buzzer beater 3 by Paige. Sort of a twisting fall away. Unbelievable. And we have her for another year, also unbelievable..
I believe that was the shot that put the dagger in the back of Marquette. If you watched their players walking back to the bench every one of them had their heads down. It took the air out of their sails and they weren't the same the rest of the game.
 
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I still believe that Paige is the best player in basketball. She went 11-16, 3-5 from 3 scoring 27 pts. in 37 minutes of play. Compare that to Clark's game today where she went 12-29, 5-17 from 3 scoring 34 pts. in 44 minutes of play.
 
Can't find a box score....can someone link it?

I believe our first NCAA game will be either Friday or Saturday March 22/23.
Plenty of rest...plenty of time for Aaliyah to recover....Geno's comments on her return seemed
very hopeful.

Great effort all-round today. KK had one of her best games Saturday...I bet Monday she will be emulating
that one.
 
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Can't find a box score....can someone link it?

I believe our first NCAA game will be either Friday or Saturday March 22/23.
Plenty of rest...plenty of time for Aaliyah to recover....Geno's comments on her return seemed
very hopeful.

Great effort all-round today. KK had one of her best games Saturday...I bet Monday she will be emulating
that one.
 
It was really nice to hear Geno speak so positively about Jana at the end of the postgame interview. He said we’re going to love her. Hopefully there is still a lot of basketball left this season but then it’s going to be quite an offseason speculating about the potential greatness for next season.
 
I realize that it is in the pedigree of players who Geno recruits. But the one quality that stood out in UCONN's freshmen is fearlessness. All four of them play with a confidence that is rare for 1st year players.
We knew about Shade & KK. But any thought that the stage might be too big for Ice was dispelled. Quadence came off the bench and played with no hesitation.
They are still learning on the job, but they won't be afraid in the big moments.
 
I realize that it is in the pedigree of players who Geno recruits. But the one quality that stood out in UCONN's freshmen is fearlessness. All four of them play with a confidence that is rare for 1st year players.
We knew about Shade & KK. But any thought that the stage might be too big for Ice was dispelled. Quadence came off the bench and played with no hesitation.
They are still learning on the job, but they won't be afraid in the big moments.
As Geno has said a few times this season, there isn't anyone coming off the bench to take your place, whether you are playing bad, or make mistakes, so this actually frees up the frosh to just play.
 
More on this later, maybe after the season is over, however, going back to the 18-19 season, UConn has not used a particular lineup for more than 20 times consecutively (18-19). This season, the 4 guard + Liya was used 25 times until today.
 
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I am just proud of how the team continues to come together, like Voltron, and play solid basketball.
Paige continues to be that player. Another efficient game and a stretch of the game where she was just hitting shot, after shot, after shot!

Ice-What a wonderful player and person. To go from only playing inconsistent minutes to playing the whole game and playing very well. Well done, young lady!! Ice was boxing out, took a few push offs that weren't called, played decent defensively, threw some nice passes, rebounded well, and scored when needed. Way to step up, Ice!

Shade-Love her fearlessness. Shade played her butt off out there. Another marathon player. Ashlynn plays huge minutes and made some great stops out there. I love her shooting, but defense is equally impressive. Her footwork and ability to always play the passing lanes or jump (hedge) a screener. Ashlynn's BBall IQ is off the charts.

KK-Did well out there. Her defensive intensity, like Nika, is her fuel and gets the team going. Her drive and dish game has gotten better. She is a force out there.

Nika-What more do we need to say about her that has not already been said? Nika just does it all and I am glad that she is on our team.

Q-She is a solid player off the bench. Scoring and her length on defense is going to be a huge plus going forward. Hopefully she can get some more minutes.

The Team-Great to see the smiles on their faces has they deal with so many adversity. As John Wooden said decades ago "Adversity often produces an unexpected opportunity. Look for it! Appreciate and utilize it! This is difficult to do if you're feeling sorry for yourself because you're faced with adversity." Keep lifting each player up and looking out one another.

Coach G and the Coaching Staff- Hats off to the coaching staff for coaching the players up and game planning so well.

Lastly, Aaliyah. Seeing you on the bench was a joy. Rest up and recover, young lady.

Let's go, UConn!!
 
It was really nice to hear Geno speak so positively about Jana at the end of the postgame interview. He said we’re going to love her. Hopefully there is still a lot of basketball left this season but then it’s going to be quite an offseason speculating about the potential greatness for next season.
Now hold on just one second. Geno’s said this a few times since Jana arrived in Storrs, and I’ve said similar things too. And every time I do people jump down my throat about how we don’t know, and the competition in Egypt was weak, and she’s just a freshman, yada yada yada.

Well, I’m going to say it again, and all you doubters can chalk it up to my irrational exuberance. Jana is going to be awesome. It may take half a season to get going. But once she does, look out D1 WBB! Not only is she the full package of skills, but she is FIERCE!

I love Jana already! And picture her playing with the greatest deepest frontcourt ever assembled! Don’t waste my time moaning about injuries and rehab. After a game like today we must honor our optimism!
 
If there ever was any doubt before, which there should not have been, you saw today the best all-around player in the country who just now is getting back into complete form. Huge shout out also to Ice and to the team defense which was sick.
 
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What a game, not much left to be said about this incredible team’s semifinal performance that hasn’t already been said. @olddude set the stage perfectly like he always does. Kool (aka Paige) and the gang executed the game plan to perfection. What a defensive effort. So proud that these women represent our state with such class and incredible grit. Each and every member of this team exemplifies the best about the sport and sportsmanship. After watching what happened between LSU and South Carolina, makes me appreciate this team even more!
 
A couple thoughts on tonight’s game:
  • In my 30 years as a passionate fan of UConn WBB, I have never been prouder of any Husky team than I was today.
  • Against a talented and experienced Marquette team, UConn suited up just 7 healthy players, 4 of whom were basically freshmen, with a 5th a seldom used sophomore. Add in that UConn had almost no size and there should have been no reasonable expectation that the Huskies could prevail……unless you measure the size of their hearts.
  • UConn has played strong defense all season. But to win the game today, the Huskies had to take their defensive effort to a whole new level, which they did holding Marquette to only 29 pts on 22% shooting.
  • With Paige getting doubled all over the court, other players had to pick up the scoring, and the Huskies got just enough from Paige’s supporting cast to get the win.
  • Yesterday Geno was asked about relying so much on the freshmen. He was philosophical, suggesting, “When you know you’re not going to get pulled after a mistake, because there’s nobody else to put in, you tend to just go out and play.”
  • Ice had the weight of the world on her shoulders today. I was concerned she would be gassed playing so many minutes in place of Aaliyah. During her 40 minutes of PT :eek:, Ice never once slacked off, giving everything she had in her best effort of the year.
  • Yes, we have Paige and they don’t!!! Paige has now played pretty much every position on the floor, including jumping center for the 1st time in her college career, even winning the opening tip. When she hit that highlight reel shot at the end of the 3rd qtr, it was basically GAME OVER!!! It sounds impossible, but Paige played two games today: her game and Aaliyah's game. Paige's unbelievable stat line today: 27 points (11/16), 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 4 blocks, 0 turnovers, 0 fouls. :):cool::rolleyes::D:eek:
  • I suspect that we won’t see Aaliyah on the court again tomorrow, and I’m sure the UConn players are exhausted after an incredible effort today. But I would never bet against this team! :cool:
Totally concur. And a game like that will elevate th confidence of Brady. KK had a biota a down game, but she was brilliant the day before. Ash was steady. And her defense is amazing. Q made a few nice plays and. lost the ball (possibly twice) on freshman indecisiveness. But I love coach saying how much confidence he has in how good Q can become. I do agree that Edwards will not get Dr. clearance to play in the final. I notice that Georgetown, unfortunately, lost a fine player to injury near the end of their win. So there is a bit of balance on the downside for each team. See you at the Casino.
 
The top line shows tremendous sinus rhythm [True Heart], and the bottom line shows what suffocating defense does to the opponents' offensive heart [flatlined for the last 15-ish minutes]. Never have I seen a short handed team give everything they had on defense for fifteen consecutive minutes.

Got to LOVE this edition of the Huskies! All gas, no brakes (and no breaks as well, at least today)!!!
 
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I’d like to give UConn all the credit for throttling Marquette’s offense. But I think the golden eagles also came out a bit flat all by themselves. And they looked tired for much of the game.

Paige was magnificent and Ice was really good and KK and Ash and Nika did what they needed to. And Q had 5 points!
Not arguing -- just a question -- doesn't even need to be answered but Marquette full-knowing they are on the bubble, why would they come out flat knowing UCONN was shorthanded while fighting for their NCAA lives, while having more players available to play?
 
I for one will praise God for all of them being healthy and staying healthy. Got to believe for it before it happens!
This is so true. I am a believer. Who knows what the future holds. But I will not waste an instant of my time worrying about worst case scenarios.
 
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