MD UConn

[Tonyc]

Well I must say I was very surprised. MD was very physical they were very ruff. At times I was concerned someone would get hurt. To many UConn bodies on the floor. Early on we scored inside. Later we took the ball inside and got pushed, and shoved. MD's physical play is what kept them in the game. Cferraro said it will make MD think they could beat UConn if they were healthly. Well KML was out early and Bria is just coming back from her injury, so you could say the same thing about UConn.

What I didnt like is UConn bodies were flying all over the place and no fouls called. Stef and whoever was guarding her in the middle was pushing her and she ended up on the floor many times and no foul. At one point Stef was fouled by an intentional shove followed by an intentional hard push and Stef turned around and her opponet looked like she was ready for a fight. The ref broke it up. It was heated. A little later a double foul was called to try and cool down the tempers. We need to overcome that by taking it right at them hard and or slowing it down with a pause and fake then go up, then those pushes and shoves will be called.

MD made alot of shots from the corner. If you remember in a couple of other games our opponets had problems scoring and got open in the corner. Something we need to work on. I was very surprised at how good MDs defense was. They are long and quick. With that said we missed alot of shots we shouldve made because of the contact that wasnt being called. BTW this isnt an excuse its an observation. We need to play more physical. Stef and Stewie need to take it to the basket hard and right at their opponet. UConn won dispite KML out of the game and Bria still working her way back from her injury.

MD is a good team. The MD Duke game will be a good one. MD is long and quick. Their defense was much better then I thought. Serveral times UConn took the ball to the hoop only to be blocked out and have to pass the ball out. After the first few minutes MD blocked up the middle which made it hard for UConn to get inside. MD got back on fast breaks denying UConn easy baskets. I wonder how they lost to St Joes. I guess its just one of those things, because I thought they played a great game overall. If they play like they did last nite they could be a FF team.

UConns freshman played like freshman at times last nite. Some misses, playing a little to quick at times, and trying to make plays there werent there. This game came at the right time for UConn. It will be a learning experience as it exposed some of the things we need to work on. UConn can take alot away from this game. It will teach them poise and how to play physical BB. At the beginning of the game when MD had problems with UConns defense and UConn didnt capitalize on it by missing alot of shots IMO from rushing them and not taking it to the basket couldve been costly. MD wasnt ready for UConns pressure and it showed. UConn got the ball into Stef early on and later in the game MD cut that off. Even when UConn did get it to Stef she was bumped and pushed around forceing her to dish it off or take an off balance shot. She needs to be more of a brusier and take it hard at her opponet. Shes stronger then most of her opponets ala Griner Willams and Chiney O.

Overall I was a little surprised we didnt score more. We shot poorly and alot of that had to do with MDs defense. Some of that had to do with us not getting the ball inside, and some of it was we were wide open and just missed. I said to Cferraro before the game. We must have KML Stef and Stewie on the floor without foul trouble. We missed KML tonite and a healthly Bria.

As a team UConn executed well. They didnt panic, they ran their plays. Caroline was a mature leader and played a good game. Bria showed she was still a little rusty but played a great game too handleing the pressure. Stef early on was a monster. We needed Stewie underneath more and not on the perimiter. We need to teach Stewie and Stef to play physical. BB was poised and looked terrific on both sides of the ball. Shes playing with alot of confidence and Ive gotta wonder how many more minutes is she going to get especially with KML doubtful for Thursdays game againest number 6 Penn St. Kelly what more can we say that hasnt already been said. She consistently puts up big numbers and now has turned into a scorer. BB and Kelly are a big lift for UConn.

Overall we didnt shoot the ball well and we found a way to win againest a top 10 team, even though we shot the ball poorly 38% we played and hussled. Our defense won the game for us. We made shots when we had too. We will get better from this game. Weakness's were exposed and now Geno and CD have something to work on while reviewing the tape of the game. Thursdays another big game. I think we as fans were knocked off our peddlestil. At least I was a little bit. Playing physical is something we need to be able to handle and be able to play and it was very apparent tonite. This was a nationally televised game and everybody saw that if you play UCOnn physical you have a chance. That will change at today practice.

 

[Bestiarius]

Let's remember, the game was never really in doubt. We went 4 minutes without scoring, missed 8 straight shots and had 4 turnovers, and we still didn't lose the lead, but then in a flash we were up by double digits. Stuart has the knack of being a tension remover. Whenever things get dicey, she rises, pops a few baskets, and gets things comfortable again. Banks can also dispense Valium to us fans.

Being physical is the double-edged sword known as foul trouble. I believe we were plenty physical, but not in an overt way. You don't cause 26 turnovers without putting on the pressure. We're good enough to avoid the need to get brazenly physical.

Maryland did play the kind of game we should expect from a number 9 team vs #2. Our freshmen have never faced that big a crowd before and some nervousness showed. But 15 steals more than offset those jitters.

This year our defense has consistently caused opponents to take exceptionally long, rushed 3 pointers. So far, these low percentage shots have defied the odds and gone in. I'm confident that this is an anomaly that will not persist.

Perhaps, after this game, we have a few more Kelly Faris converts? Nuff said.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

Well I must say I was very surprised. MD was very physical they were very ruff. At times I was concerned someone would get hurt. To many UConn bodies on the floor. Early on we scored inside. Later we took the ball inside and got pushed, and shoved. MD's physical play is what kept them in the game. Cferraro said it will make MD think they could beat UConn if they were healthly. Well KML was out early and Bria is just coming back from her injury, so you could say the same thing about UConn.

What I didnt like is UConn bodies were flying all over the place and no fouls called. Stef and whoever was guarding her in the middle was pushing her and she ended up on the floor many times and no foul. At one point Stef was fouled by an intentional shove followed by an intentional hard push and Stef turned around and her opponet looked like she was ready for a fight. The ref broke it up. It was heated. A little later a double foul was called to try and cool down the tempers. We need to overcome that by taking it right at them hard and or slowing it down with a pause and fake then go up, then those pushes and shoves will be called.

MD made alot of shots from the corner. If you remember in a couple of other games our opponets had problems scoring and got open in the corner. Something we need to work on. I was very surprised at how good MDs defense was. They are long and quick. With that said we missed alot of shots we shouldve made because of the contact that wasnt being called. BTW this isnt an excuse its an observation. We need to play more physical. Stef and Stewie need to take it to the basket hard and right at their opponet. UConn won dispite KML out of the game and Bria still working her way back from her injury.

MD is a good team. The MD Duke game will be a good one. MD is long and quick. Their defense was much better then I thought. Serveral times UConn took the ball to the hoop only to be blocked out and have to pass the ball out. After the first few minutes MD blocked up the middle which made it hard for UConn to get inside. MD got back on fast breaks denying UConn easy baskets. I wonder how they lost to St Joes. I guess its just one of those things, because I thought they played a great game overall. If they play like they did last nite they could be a FF team.

UConns freshman played like freshman at times last nite. Some misses, playing a little to quick at times, and trying to make plays there werent there. This game came at the right time for UConn. It will be a learning experience as it exposed some of the things we need to work on. UConn can take alot away from this game. It will teach them poise and how to play physical BB. At the beginning of the game when MD had problems with UConns defense and UConn didnt capitalize on it by missing alot of shots IMO from rushing them and not taking it to the basket couldve been costly. MD wasnt ready for UConns pressure and it showed. UConn got the ball into Stef early on and later in the game MD cut that off. Even when UConn did get it to Stef she was bumped and pushed around forceing her to dish it off or take an off balance shot. She needs to be more of a brusier and take it hard at her opponet. Shes stronger then most of her opponets ala Griner Willams and Chiney O.

Overall I was a little surprised we didnt score more. We shot poorly and alot of that had to do with MDs defense. Some of that had to do with us not getting the ball inside, and some of it was we were wide open and just missed. I said to Cferraro before the game. We must have KML Stef and Stewie on the floor without foul trouble. We missed KML tonite and a healthly Bria.

As a team UConn executed well. They didnt panic, they ran their plays. Caroline was a mature leader and played a good game. Bria showed she was still a little rusty but played a great game too handleing the pressure. Stef early on was a monster. We needed Stewie underneath more and not on the perimiter. We need to teach Stewie and Stef to play physical. BB was poised and looked terrific on both sides of the ball. Shes playing with alot of confidence and Ive gotta wonder how many more minutes is she going to get especially with KML doubtful for Thursdays game againest number 6 Penn St. Kelly what more can we say that hasnt already been said. She consistently puts up big numbers and now has turned into a scorer. BB and Kelly are a big lift for UConn.

Overall we didnt shoot the ball well and we found a way to win againest a top 10 team, even though we shot the ball poorly 38% we played and hussled. Our defense won the game for us. We made shots when we had too. We will get better from this game. Weakness's were exposed and now Geno and CD have something to work on while reviewing the tape of the game. Thursdays another big game. I think we as fans were knocked off our peddlestil. At least I was a little bit. Playing physical is something we need to be able to handle and be able to play and it was very apparent tonite. This was a nationally televised game and everybody saw that if you play UCOnn physical you have a chance. That will change at today practice.

Someone has hacked TonyC's pseud and is posting under his name...

Great analysis, BTW, Tony!!

 

[JRRRJ]

Maryland did play the kind of game we should expect from a number 9 team vs #2. Our freshmen have never faced that big a crowd before and some nervousness showed. But 15 steals more than offset those jitters.

This year our defense has consistently caused opponents to take exceptionally long, rushed 3 pointers. So far, these low percentage shots have defied the odds and gone in. I'm confident that this is an anomaly that will not persist.

You & Tony have saved me from writing a longer post about the game: agree with all your points. I particularly agree the opponents can't keep making such a high percentage of these circus shots.

Just a couple of additions:

I hope that Stephanie can overcome the urge to dribble around with the ball at the top of the key. I know she's a great passer from that position, but WHY does a 6'5" player put the ball on the floor there? Why not just hold it, or pass back out to a guard? She's not incompetent, but neither does she have a good handle.

In a number (I saw 3 at least) of the open shots from the wing, the open player was one that Steph left to double up on someone in the paint and was unable to get back to in time.

Bria needs to keep her head up more if she wants to hold onto the point position.

Kudos to the team for gutting through a tough opponent, though I thought it was awfully hard to watch at times.

 

[Icebear]

JRRRJ when those players on the wings are open they need to help Stef by calling for the ball, too. Just like she calls for it in the low post. Communicate, communicate, communicate.

 

[JRRRJ]

JRRRJ when those players on the wings are open they need to help Stef by calling for the ball, too. Just like she calls for it in the low post. Communicate, communicate, communicate.

No, these were some of the many situations when there were no players open in front of her. Good D by MD.

Then she decides to dribble? Sorry, that's wrong.

 

[vtcwbuff]

UConn scored 20% if their points from the FT line. Somebody must have been calling fouls. The game was physical but I thought Dolson was giving as good as she got. Rough play in the post doesn't account for the crappy shooting and all the missed bunnies.

One of the few highlights of the game was when Dolson stuffed a MD player and then gave her some serious stink eye. Anyone else thinking that by the time her career at UConn is over, Dolson may challenge Hayes for the most time on the floor award?

 

[pinotbear]

Nope. Stef is at best, fourth, behind Tiff, Mel, and Ashley Valley.

 

[Icebear]

Nope. Stef is at best, fourth, behind Tiff, Mel, and Ashley Valley.

Don't forget Shea or Jen.

 

[Bestiarius]

Nope. Stef is at best, fourth, behind Tiff, Mel, and Ashley Valley.

But she's first in total distance traveled to the floor.

 

[meyers7]

Someone has hacked TonyC's pseud and is posting under his name...

Great analysis, BTW, Tony!!

I was thinking the same thing. I actually agree with a lot Tony posted. Good job.

 

[meyers7]

One of the few highlights of the game was when Dolson stuffed a MD player and then gave her some serious stink eye.

Unfortunately she followed that up with fouling their best FT shooter on a 3 ptr with, maybe 1 sec left on the shot clock.

 

[Jim]

I hope that Stephanie can overcome the urge to dribble around with the ball at the top of the key. I know she's a great passer from that position, but WHY does a 6'5" player put the ball on the floor there? Why not just hold it, or pass back out to a guard?

The rules of basketball prevent her from just holding it. When the defensive player is applying pressure, a player cannot hold the ball for more than 5 seconds or else it is a turnover. If she has no one to safely pass the ball to, she can take a couple of dribbles, re-establish a new position, and restart the 5 second clock.

 

[arch]

UConn scored 20% if their points from the FT line. Somebody must have been calling fouls.

Actually UConn took only 15 FTs and Dolson/Stewart went to the FT line only 4 times. Maryland actually shot one more FT than UConn (although they were called for 4 more fouls.) They were "letting 'em play."

As an aside, I would have liked to see Geno's reaction to the, IMHO, intentional/flagrant first half foul on Stewart if it had occurd on his end of the court (where he would have sen it.)

 

[speedoo]

No, these were some of the many situations when there were no players open in front of her. Good D by MD.

Then she decides to dribble? Sorry, that's wrong.

It's not wrong if she never turns the ball over and/or the coaches don't tell her not to. How many times have you seen her lose the ball when dribbling?

 

[UConnCat]

I think last night's game was too physical and should have been controlled more by the referees. It's just not pleasing basketball but it's what we're likely to see from UConn opponents down the road. John Altavilla tweeted that the game looked like a B1G football game, or reminded him of a Rutgers-WVA women's basketball game. It needs to change.

Jay Bilas has made the point consistently that men's college basketball is too physical and much more physical than the NBA. Jay thinks that the NCAA should watch NBA basketball and incorporate the freedom of movement initiative that's been implemented in the NBA. I'd like to see the same thing incorporated in to the women's game.

 

[Icebear]

Protecting free movement is a point of emphasis for this season that the officials are not doing well.

 

[semper]

Remember the way they used to hold on to Dee...it used to make me furious. Last night was very tough. It's not supposed to be football.

 

[OneTrickPony]

Unfortunately she followed that up with fouling their best FT shooter on a 3 ptr with, maybe 1 sec left on the shot clock.

Her Shoni Schimmel impression...spot on!

 

[triaddukefan]

Well I must say I was very surprised. MD was very physical they were very ruff. At times I was concerned someone would get hurt. To many UConn bodies on the floor. Early on we scored inside. Later we took the ball inside and got pushed, and shoved. MD's physical play is what kept them in the game. Cferraro said it will make MD think they could beat UConn if they were healthly. Well KML was out early and Bria is just coming back from her injury, so you could say the same thing about UConn.

What I didnt like is UConn bodies were flying all over the place and no fouls called. Stef and whoever was guarding her in the middle was pushing her and she ended up on the floor many times and no foul. At one point Stef was fouled by an intentional shove followed by an intentional hard push and Stef turned around and her opponet looked like she was ready for a fight. The ref broke it up. It was heated. A little later a double foul was called to try and cool down the tempers. We need to overcome that by taking it right at them hard and or slowing it down with a pause and fake then go up, then those pushes and shoves will be called.

Maryland is indeed a physical team... the physicality of last nights game was no surprise to me. Some say that the ACC is a soft league... but MD and GaTech are two tough teams that can battle. (At least the past 3 tech teams.... doubt they are this year). I was at the Wake/Maryland game in the Semis of the ACC last year... and there were quite a few times when I thought a fight was gonna break out between the two teams....... DeVaughn was in the midst of most of the skirmishes.

MD is a good team. The MD Duke game will be a good one. MD is long and quick. Their defense was much better then I thought. Serveral times UConn took the ball to the hoop only to be blocked out and have to pass the ball out. After the first few minutes MD blocked up the middle which made it hard for UConn to get inside. MD got back on fast breaks denying UConn easy baskets. I wonder how they lost to St Joes. I guess its just one of those things, because I thought they played a great game overall. If they play like they did last nite they could be a FF team.
s.

Yes the MD/Duke games will be interesting...... they will have the advantage on the front line... but the Gray/Jones backcourt is going to abuse the Terps..... I dont expect Duke to lose either matchup.

 

[Bigpetunia]

I thought that this game ought to give us some reasons for concern. Tonyc's analysis is pretty much on point. Maryland was very well-coached, especially on defense, and their defensive aggressiveness and physicality got us more rattled than we should have been on several occasions. This point will not be lost on opposing coaches in our big games coming up. Because we lost composure in the face of their pressure, our shooting was subpar and we allowed the game to be closer than it should have been. Breanna turned the ball over several times, something unsurprising from a Freshman experiencing her first game with the kind of physical intimidation that she can expect more of down the road. Morgan also had problems down low and shot poorly. This should be a good learning experience for us...we'll see a lot more of that physicality against teams with much better offensive firepower. On the other hand, well, we've got Kelly Faris, and the competition doesn't!!