Memphis Postgame Thread | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Memphis Postgame Thread

oldude said:
We’ve all been talking about, as well as anticipating, the lineup change that appeared to be inevitable: Anna for Kyla. What I’m not sure any of us anticipated was the full impact of Anna’s presence in the starting lineup.

As I indicated in my OP, I was unable to watch the game, but it sounded like UConn ran much of their offense through Anna, who lead the team in a “dime dropping party” tonight. Anna’s presence appears to have transformed the Husky team we’ve watched for much of the season into the Huskies we’ve been used to watching for the past 12 seasons.

It’s just one game, but hopefully a very good sign of things to come, particularly on Monday night in Columbia.
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It was beautiful basketball. You should watch the tape. Anna and Liv's passing were wonderful tonight. The passing was contagious and Aubrey defense and energy are infectious. Olivia, we hoped made some steps in her offense. Meg and Squeaks hit some 3 balls. Cyrstal did whatever had to be done as usual. One of the best plays was when Meg went to set a screen for Cyrstal and instead she faked the screen and play thru to the basket. Bingo pass and a layup.
 
hoopsfan22 said:
That Anna Makurat is gonna be yuuuuuuuge down the stretch! I hope they give Aubrey and Anna 35 minutes a night the rest of the way. We are going to need them bigly in the NCAAs.
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I just read that Anna’s 11 assists were only two short of the UConn record. Too bad she had to sit a while with two early fouls. Who holds record? Sue? Diana?
 
Dokey said:
I just read that Anna’s 11 assists were only two short of the UConn record. Too bad she had to sit a while with two early fouls. Who holds record? Sue? Diana?
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Hey I still can't believe she only scored 2 points. Never mind all the assists!
 
Just want to bring everyone back to earth. Yeah, Liv played great, Chrystin played great, Anna played great, Crystal played great, Molly played great, Adebayo made a 3, and Aubrey made layups. Memphis is not even a mediocre team. It is an inferior team and UConn played great against an inferior team. If they do this on Monday, then they will be back to what UConn is or was.
 
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veryolddog said:
Just want to bring everyone back to earth. Yeah, Liv played great, Chrystin played great, Anna played great, Crystal played great, Molly played great, Adebayo made a 3, and Aubrey made layups. Memphis is not even a mediocre team. It is an inferior team and UConn played great against an inferior team. If they do this on Monday, then they will be back to what UConn is or was.
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I think most BYers know that. They just want to state some positive things after the negative things that were said after the Oregon game.
 
Anna is gonna be a huge contributor next year. Don't know if she starts or not, but just a feeling I get. I think at the end of her four years here she will surprise some people.
 
hoopsfan22 said:
It was announced by UConn. Also, Prince died just to catch you up.
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Please post the announcement, the play-by-play announcer stated that Jamelle was taking over while Jasmine is on leave of absence. The only UConn official announcement that I can find is the one dated 1/31, which says the samething.
 
Anna apparently solved the problem of players not passing to her by passing to the other players; 11 assists. Still has some issues handling the ball under pressure -- source of her second foul. CD seemed to have receded into the background a little bit. That Anna did a lot of the ball handling did not result in more shots for Crystal, but she was second in assists with 8. Probably it was due to Anna's passing skills and energy (since she started instead of Kyla) that UConn women's basketball returned to being a beautiful game in several moments.

Also really great to see CW & MW both regaining their shooting touch, even if (according to Chat) Paige Buecker's high school team could have beaten the Memphis players by 40 pts. Since they gave UConn a hard time in the previous meeting, the team that will play SC next week isn't much better than a high school team. Hopefully we can keep it close like Memphis did in the earlier game. Megan did so well it was suggested that she leave for the WNBA since she won't be getting any better & open up a starting position for Paige next year. Sounds a little off the wall, but according to Geno in his press conference, he started Anna tonight because he always listens to his critics, so maybe he reads the BY and takes the hint & nudges Megan out the door.

Liv was getting all her shots tonight but was hampered by 2 penalties in Q1. Previous Memphis game their big girl scored big. Not this time. Liv had a part in this. Aliyah Boston next week, though. Good luck, Liv!

I was in General Women's Basketball this afternoon reading about SMU. Glad we're getting out of AAC for reasons other than mediocre competition -- don't really want to have anything to do with them. Shows what happens if you really get invested in the winning is the only thing state of mind. I hope every one of our "mediocre" players stay as long as they can, win or lose.
 
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This was a really enjoyable game. I've been lamenting the lack of balletic UConn basketball. The first half was everything I'd been missing.

As has been said, Makurat was in the middle of it all. But the other players have to be doing the right things in order to have it all work. Olivia and Megan both executed the pick-and-roll both with Anna and Crystal. Olivia had some great passes to cutters. Megan found the open shooter a few times.

They also executed very well on the fast break. There were a few times when I think the ball handler would have gone up with an ill-advised shot a few weeks ago, but she passed to the trailer for a much better look.

I would have given them zero chance of defeating South Carolina a few days ago, but now I don't think it's out of the question.
 
hoopsfan22 said:
It was announced on Jan 31 that Jamelle would be taking over as assistant coach for the rest of the year. It's not some day by day or week by week thing. You can believe it's fake news or not, but I'll bet we don't see Lister ever again let alone this season. There's a reason she basically removed all UConn related posts from her social media at the same time we were told she was out due to "illness." I know when I get sick I unfriend all of my friends on social media.
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Here is the announcement from UConn women's basketball website dated 1/31;

Jamelle Elliott To Serve As Assistant Coach on Interim Basis


STORRS, Conn. – UConn assistant women's basketball coach Jasmine Lister has taken a leave of absence from her duties with the team for personal reasons. In her absence, Jamelle Elliott, who served as an assistant coach on Geno Auriemma's staff from 1998-2009, will provide support for the team as an assistant coach.
Lister, who was a graduate assistant for the women's basketball team from 2014-16, is in her second year as an assistant coach for the Huskies.
Elliott, who will begin her new role on February 1, helped the Huskies win national championships as an assistant coach in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2009 and was a standout student-athlete for UConn from 1992-96.
 
hoopsfan22 said:
Anna is gonna be a huge contributor next year. Don't know if she starts or not, but just a feeling I get. I think at the end of her four years here she will surprise some people.
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I wonder if Anna returns to Poland for summer or stays in Storrs.
 
Dokey said:
I wonder if Anna returns to Poland for summer or stays in Storrs.
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I believe that she will stay in Storrs because if I remember correctly Poland did not qualify for the Olympics.
 
After the Baylor game a number of us suggested putting Ania in the point so that Chrystal could be less pressured and score from the 2 position. I certainly didn't expect that scheme to work as well as it did tonight, but boy oh boy! I hope they can carry this forward.
 
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BBallF said:
Anna had 11 of them and some were just spectacular.
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Should have been 14. There were at least 2, but more likely 3, blown layups off great passes. And her passes are on the money, and to where the recipient will be so they can maintain their speed and direction. And we're also seeing how quickly she gets rid of the ball when she spots the open man.
Whoever stated earlier this year that she's "slow mentally and physically" needs to offer an apology because it sure looks as if Geno disagrees with that assessment and Anna is disproving it in spades.
 
[/QUOTE]

The bold can't happen. I hope it doesn't as well.
Watchdog said:
Should have been 14. There were at least 2, but more likely 3, blown layups off great passes. And her passes are on the money, and to where the recipient will be so they can maintain their speed and direction. And we're also seeing how quickly she gets rid of the ball when she spots the open man.
Whoever stated earlier this year that she's "slow mentally and physically" needs to offer an apology because it sure looks as if Geno disagrees with that assessment and Anna is disproving it in spades.
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You don't think she is slow? _ I think she is great for a frosh and you don't need to be fast. DT wasn't fast. Sue Bird wasn't fast. Larry bird wasn't fast. I think AM is slow. But so what? SHe is terrfic for a frosh. I'm not sure how fast Jon Stockton was - but at least later in his career I'm sure he wasn't very fast. But he still was all-time great. AM is playing terrific for a frosh. SO what if she is slow. Her passing is special just like many, many great players. I love love love watching her play.
 
Anna's passing was of course spectacular but I am a bit worried that SC whose guards really have active hands on Defense, will cause alot of trouble with her 1 handed passing style. That will be some test.
 

The bold can't happen. I hope it doesn't as well.


You don't think she is slow? _ I think she is great for a frosh and you don't need to be fast. DT wasn't fast. Sue Bird wasn't fast. Larry bird wasn't fast. I think AM is slow. But so what? SHe is terrfic for a frosh. I'm not sure how fast Jon Stockton was - but at least later in his career I'm sure he wasn't very fast. But he still was all-time great. AM is playing terrific for a frosh. SO what if she is slow. Her passing is special just like many, many great players. I love love love watching her play.
[/QUOTE]

Why direct this stream of vitriol at me?
It should have been easily understood that the "slow" comment I was quoting was from a post by someone else from about a month ago.
 
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Watchdog said:
Why direct this stream of vitriol at me?
It should have been easily understood that the "slow" comment I was quoting was from a post by someone else from about a month ago.
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I didn't know about someone else. I didn't. You're right to go after them if they spoke of mentally and overall the context.
But my post wasn't meant to be vitriol. A good friend of mine outside of here- really good guy -
sort of doesn't like her because she is slow and I thought it possible you and some others don't like her because of it. I love her game. Seems like you do too. Peace from me to you!! :) .
 
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Throwback game. Everyone shined.

Anna is a passing phreak. I cannot get enough of her touch passes. She ignites things.

A word about how being "outbigged" hurts this team so much: when teams are big enough and skilled enough to deny Christyn, Megan and Anna their slashing, driving baskets, it takes both points and momentum from our team. Even if rebounding numbers aren't lopsided, we suffer against big, agile front lines which can defend the drive.
 
jabstep said:
It was beautiful basketball. You should watch the tape. Anna and Liv's passing were wonderful tonight. The passing was contagious and Aubrey defense and energy are infectious. Olivia, we hoped made some steps in her offense. Meg and Squeaks hit some 3 balls. Cyrstal did whatever had to be done as usual. One of the best plays was when Meg went to set a screen for Cyrstal and instead she faked the screen and play thru to the basket. Bingo pass and a layup.
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I just finished watching the replay. I loved that play you referred to with Meg and CD which Meg Culmo called a "slip screen". There was another time later in the game where Meg ran an old fashioned "give and go" with ONO and got fouled on a lay up attempt. I did notice one thing though and it was that the overwhelming majority of the time when Meg sets a screen at the top of the key, the foul line or the foul line extended, she does not "roll" to the basket but rather waits for the "pick and pop". I wonder if that is by design so as not to clog the lane or Meg's choice. Geno yelled at her for not rolling on that one play with Anna where she was at the foul line and just stayed there and Anna's pass just went over her head. I hope she goes to the basket more after she screens from here on in. She is a strong finisher and can also shoot an 8 foot pull up. Favorite play by Megs was the crash offensive board and put back. Favorite pass by Anna, and there were several great ones, was the dish in the air to ONO on the fast break. They just became a lot of fun to watch again. If this is the new team identity we were waiting for, it was well worth the frustration and anxiety. This style of play brings them back into the conversation as a NC contender.
 
EricLA said:
Keep in mind that Uconn played Memphis a few short weeks ago and squeaked out a 12 point win. This was quite the turnaround.

Literally every starter and key reserve contributed in big ways. Olivia and Anna both showed they could play with 2 fouls for extended periods of time. Both had 2 early and Q2 and Olivia didn't pick up her 3rd till midway thru Q4. We showed we are at our best with only a 6 player rotation - starting Anna and bringing Aubrey off the bench.

Anna with 11 assists and 4 steals. She had a few TO's, but she seems to be getting better every game. I said it in the chat, and I will continue to say it all summer till November - she will be a starter next year. The 5th spot will come down to Bueckers or Westbrook.

Aubrey - 6 points, 3 blocks, 10 boards. This girl is a baller! I expect a big sophomore leap as she gets more comfortable understanding how our offense works, and develops a mid range jumper. So much upside. Her defense will be elite before she graduates.

Olivia didn't miss a single shot she took. Megan - 26 and 11. But possibly most important - the invasion of the body snatchers who replaced the old Christyn Williams with a new and improved version - 20 points on 7-12 shooting, and 4-6 from deep.

Probably the most impressive thing to me was the sharing of the ball. Anna seemed to be more of the distributor with Danger playing the 2G (till towards the end of the game when Crystal went off with assists) - off the ball. It worked tremendously. Every game i see improvements from Anna with regards to decision making and actual performance. Can't wait to see her next year as she gets her body in better physical shape so it can do what her brain wants it to.

How about Molly with 10 points? She's a really competent defensive player and on any team not in the top 15 or so, would either be a starter, or key reserve. So happy for her when she has a big game like this.

Happy to see Batouly in. It's clear this will be her last year so I hope she goes out with a bang. It's unclear why Kyla went from a starter to a mop-up reserve. I'd love to hear why - not sure the announcers said...

Overall a great game. Excellent tune up. I hope that they bring the same energy, intensity, and determination to Monday's game at SC. GO UCONN!!!
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Re: Kyla, Geno said that experiment is over. They were getting off to too many slow starts.
 
Call this a practice, not a game, and it showed how UConn needs to play. It’s usually absurd to dwell on what is “wrong” with a 19-2 team but those two losses are seen in light of previous years. We had four top five recruits on the floor. Why aren’t we blowing past other top five teams? What was the missing ingredient? We found the answer to that question Friday night—a teenager from Poland whose bb iq makes her the Einstein of basketball combined with incredible instincts and beautiful passes that allow those four to perform at the level we all knew was in them.

Yes, she had three turnovers to go along with those 11 assists and four steals—that needs repeating, 11 assists, four steals—but one of them was anticipating a player would go where the play required. Sure, she would have had 14 assists if layups had been made but that happens in every game. Not every great pass ends in a basket. Will she repeat that performance? Probably. Geno said he was waiting for her to reach her potential when he took her starting role away early in the season. But remember when all Geno would say was Anna was known in Europe as a shooter.

So did she suddenly discover she could pass with the best? I don’t think so. It was always there. In those first handful of games she led the team in assists. The first moment I saw her I thought she was the one and since then I have directed my primary focus to her in games and while she made freshwoman mistakes, her play only reinforced my initial opinion. We hear a lot about how Paige will come in and revive the program. I’m sure she’s good, defense aside, and I hope she lives up to the hype. If she does, put her on the floor with Anna and Meg, CW and Liv will set UConn scoring records.
 
Dokey said:
I wonder if Anna returns to Poland for summer or stays in Storrs.
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Geno in pregame alluded to her working on her game and weights etc. So he clearly wants her in Storrs. Let her go home for a few weeks and then crush it in Storrs and send her home again late summer. Everybody is happy.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
Geno in pregame alluded to her working on her game and weights etc. So he clearly wants her in Storrs. Let her go home for a few weeks and then crush it in Storrs and send her home again late summer. Everybody is happy.
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Right on. Let’s hope also that her folks can make a trip go U.S. to see her play in person.
 
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