Megan Walker — solid

[VAMike23]

I have not been one to lavish MW with praise all that often. I’ve been more of a “show me” type in her case.

That said , while CW was a star tonight , Megan took a YUUUGE step forward with this game. On offense, she was patient while still aggressive. The opposite of her freshman campaign for the most part. I feel like I hear Bill Raftery’s voice in my head, with that little grin: “...judicious!!” She took shots that the defense gave, was confident off the bounce, showed some excellent decion-making in the mid range, and got rid of the ball well when doubled. Precious few errors out there despite heavy minutes

On defense she’s in superb position for the most part vs. Turner , also on Shephard, and fought cleanly on the boards, on 50-50 balls, etc. , winning lots of those little battles—without hearing the announcer speak her name every 5 minutes !

This was a quietly marvelous game that she did not have in her last year. Talk about solid.

Kudos to Miss Walker

 

[HawkHusky]

She's definitely stepped up her game this year. Doesn't have that deer-in-the-headlights look that she had last year. UConn in general looks very mature.

 

[UConn82]

I am very high on MW. She is going to be really, really good.

 

[oldude]

I am very high on MW. She is going to be really, really good.

I think you left out one additional “really”.

 

[HuskyNan]

Tremendous poise tonight. When her shots didn’t fall early she concentrated on rebounding and defense - very mature of her.

I also saw her bodying up the taller Shepard with a lot of success. It looks to me like she’s been working hard in the weight room.

 

[Charliebball]

Walker's MO out of high school was she's good at everything but great at nothing but winning................................many didn't think she deserved the number one spot coming out of high school because she didn't have many spectacular moves...........................she's just rock solid and should continue to improve into a consistent 16 and 8 player by next year.............

 

[oldude]

Walker's MO out of high school was she's good at everything but great at nothing but winning.......many didn't think she deserved the number one spot coming out of high school because she didn't have many spectacular moves.......she's just rock solid and should continue to improve into a consistent 16 and 8 player by next year...

I watched Megan several times in HS when I used to live in Chesterfield, VA. While I generally agree with you, the one thing that Megan could do was take over a game whenever it was necessary, usually be taking the ball and driving to the basket like a freight train and either scoring, getting to the foul line or both.

 

[VAMike23]

Tremendous poise tonight. When her shots didn’t fall early she concentrated on rebounding and defense - very mature of her.

I also saw her bodying up the taller Shepard with a lot of success. It looks to me like she’s been working hard in the weight room.

While her upper body work gets more notice, Megan is clearly very strong in the lower body and was giving the ND bigs some serious, honest D for sure. A bit like Maya in that she plays big among the trees. Not the high wire act of Gabby W but very effective

 

[Bama fan]

I think you left out one additional “really”.

That is precisely what Seth Meyers said!

 

[Charliebball]

I watched Megan several times in HS when I used to live in Chesterfield, VA. While I generally agree with you, the one thing that Megan could do was take over a game whenever it was necessary, usually be taking the ball and driving to the basket like a freight train and either scoring, getting to the foul line or both.

I remember there was a championship game where she scored something like the final 16 points to win the game....................I guess my point is she's not one of these super flashy offensive machines like a Chennedy Carter or Evina Westbrook who I think was her competition that year for top dog.........

 

[UConnCat]

I thought Meg was good. She can play a lot better.

 

[ABCDFE]

Played solid and let the points come when available. This is a type of game Geno lives from his players. Next level will be for her to get aggressive and Dictate play. Really encouraged.

 

[CocoHusky]

Megan had the misfortune (or was fortunate) to play behind 3 AA players in Gabby, Napheesa, & KLS. She has not been needed to take over games like she did in HS. Being a role player & solid contributor can be a very hard adjustment to make once you have learned to take over games. Next year she will be needed to take over games and she has the ability to.

 

[CocoHusky]

I thought Meg was good. She can play a lot better.

Geno in the ND pre-game: Megan is 180 from last year and she only beginning to scratch the surface of the things we expect from her.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I thought Meg was good. She can play a lot better.

As Geno says, Meg has just scratched the surface.

 

[Boreifs]

I draw a strong parallel to Gabby Williams, who by necessity had to play out of position for her entire career and yet became an All-American. Megan, unless something significantly changes, is going to have to be a post player defensively for her entire career, which she probably never envisioned in high school. However, though she will never be the athletic or defensive force that Gabby was, she is a much better shooter. No traditional post player will ever be able to guard her effectively, which gives UConn a dimension that even Gabby could not bring. I can't wait to see what happens in the Baylor game; she will give Cox fits.

 

[oldude]

I draw a strong parallel to Gabby Williams, who by necessity had to play out of position for her entire career and yet became an All-American. Megan, unless something significantly changes, is going to have to be a post player defensively for her entire career, which she probably never envisioned in high school. However, though she will never be the athletic or defensive force that Gabby was, she is a much better shooter. No traditional post player will ever be able to guard her effectively, which gives UConn a dimension that even Gabby could not bring. I can't wait to see what happens in the Baylor game; she will give Cox fits.

I agree. However, I think Megan will likely be matched up with Brown when UConn meets Baylor with Pheesa on Cox. Megan is exceptionally strong and better suited to body Brown away from the basket, much the same as she did with Turner yesterday.

 

[Topdawg]

Megan is becoming a very strong complement to Napheesa. She is often close to a double double and I predict she will get there more consistently by the end of the season.

 

[Shenandoah]

Solid is the perfect word for Megan Walker and the way she played against ND. She filled up the stat sheet, and when you rewatch the game (and we all will!) , notice how many times she is involved in a 50/50, and who ends up on the floor!

 

[paisan]

Megan was the strongest , toughest, inside player on the floor. She reminded me of Tuck.

 

[CMC'72]

I remember there was a championship game where she scored something like the final 16 points to win the game.

It seems to me highly possible that with all the talent on last year's team, and Geno's usual freshman snaggle, Megan did not feel needed, which it seems drives her excellence, as in that game you mention in your post. This year, after much hard work, Megan KNOWS she is not only needed, but crucial to our wins. I see an excellent season with key buckets and stops for a great woman.

 

[huskeynut]

I draw a strong parallel to Gabby Williams, who by necessity had to play out of position for her entire career and yet became an All-American. Megan, unless something significantly changes, is going to have to be a post player defensively for her entire career, which she probably never envisioned in high school. However, though she will never be the athletic or defensive force that Gabby was, she is a much better shooter. No traditional post player will ever be able to guard her effectively, which gives UConn a dimension that even Gabby could not bring. I can't wait to see what happens in the Baylor game; she will give Cox fits.

Spot on boreifs. Prime example of the way Geno & CD & Shea and now Jas develop players over their four years. Lou is another example of the evolution of a player from frosh to senior.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

My favorite play from Meg was in the second half - maybe last quarter - when she worked her way underneath (very underneath) to the left side and got a reverse layup off the floor. The margin for error on a play like that is very, very small. That was a composed, big time play.