Mercer Postgame Thread

[Plebe]

How about giving Mercer some credit? They’re nationally ranked #12 in FG% defense

FIELD-GOAL PERCENTAGE DEFENSE

Last updated March 19, 2022 - Through games March 18, 2022

RANK	TEAM	GM	OPP FG	OPP FGA	OPP FG%
1	South Carolina	32	623	1920	32.4
2	UCF	28	477	1431	33.3
3	Liberty	32	579	1707	33.9
4	Tennessee	31	678	1996	34.0
5	Norfolk St.	29	530	1553	34.1
6	Stanford	32	641	1848	34.7
7	Jackson St.	29	638	1833	34.8
8	Princeton	28	508	1455	34.9
9	North Carolina	29	596	1707	34.9
10	Dayton	32	650	1860	34.9
11	Howard	31	643	1836	35.0
12	Mercer	29	593	1686	35.2
13	UC Davis	28	586	1665	35.2
14	UConn	30	610	1732	35.2
15	Charlotte	31	651	1842	35.3
16	SFA	32	629	1777	35.4
17	Montana	30	655	1847	35.5
18	Towson	32	723	2036	35.5

I'd like to think that playing against a relatively strong defense (for a 15 seed especially) will serve us well in case we have to face UCF.

 

[Mdoggie]

I get exasperated with people picking apart a 45 point win

I get exasperated with the use of the word need.

 

[BRS24]

So, today was the 11th different starting lineup, the 14th change. Since Paige's return in the St. John's game, we've averaged 81.5 ppg, 30 oppg. It will be interesting to see if Geno stays with this lineup thru the tourney.

 

[jaundicedeye]

I understand the rust after 10 day bust as big as they won, I really don't think they played well. I was hoping to see most of what was seen during the BET. Hey, A Win is a Win!!! Monday should be better, more fluid and hopefully more dominating!!!

More dominating than 45 pt. MOV!? Give us a break. Mercer has been making their bones as a defensive team, you know. Sheeesh.

Its simple, this is not just any basketball team, this is UConn. We don't practice until we get it right, we practice until we cannot get it wrong. We are totally spoiled, but that is what we expect. I think we can easy go and root for a player who is not that good, like the bench going wild for a walk-on's 3 pointer at the the very end of the championship game. But for most of our players, they are really really talented and we expect them to do it all better. They expect if of themselves also. A win is ok for the national championship game. For every other game, playing really well is part of getting better for the next game. Playing just ok and winning is not ok.

Ralph, there are always things to improve upon but please do not call their first round 45 pt. win, with excellent effort from everyone, after a 10-day layoff anything but a very good win.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Good win but 15 turnovers and 58% FT needs against a 15 seed needs to get cleaned up.

15 turnovers. 8 missed free throws. Edwards and ONO combined for 5 turnovers and 4 fouls in 44 minutes, scoring just 13 points. That won't cut it against NC State.

 

[topogigio]

Geno's most difficult job is getting everyone enough minutes. Caroline just does so many things while she's in there, score, rebound, pass, block shots. hustle, it's hard to keep her on the bench for a long time. Problem is, who is going to sit? Dorka, I believe has been out performing Liv for the better part of the last month or so. She goes after rebounds, and hits the floor on loose balls, I don't like her on the bench for a long time. Evina's defense and scoring was stellar. Paige, Paige and Azzi, Azzi. Great game overall, and very good problem for a coach to have.

 

[ABCDFE]

"Caroline - same for her. 2-6 from 3 - just stop with the shooting. "

I agree with most of your comments but there's possibly going to come an important moment in one of these games when Ducharme will be called upon to make a three-point shot.........the only way she's getting her confidence back on that shot is to just keep on shooting......

Totally agree. Further in the tournament, they will defend and try to wear down Paige and Azzi. And CWill can be an inconsistent shooter so to me Caroline and Evina are the keys to those games.

 

[LarryLegend]

Geno's most difficult job is getting everyone enough minutes. Caroline just does so many things while she's in there, score, rebound, pass, block shots. hustle, it's hard to keep her on the bench for a long time. Problem is, who is going to sit? Dorka, I believe has been out performing Liv for the better part of the last month or so. She goes after rebounds, and hits the floor on loose balls, I don't like her on the bench for a long time. Evina's defense and scoring was stellar. Paige, Paige and Azzi, Azzi. Great game overall, and very good problem for a coach to have.

and consider what a miracle it is that nobody complains about not getting their points

 

[Carnac]

UConn had 11 days off. I think it's a little too optimistic to think they are going to resume play without gathering a little rust and their timing being off. This was the perfect opponent to shake off the rust, and get back in sync with each other.

 

[HuskyNan]

don't you know you can't be objective or they call you a "non fan".

No one has said that to you. You’re just complaining because people disagree with you

 

[Kat]

I really liked the sustained defensive effort that was made in this game against a quick, aggressive team. Also liked that they were mixing it up underneath and going to the basket more which opens up the outside shooting game. Lots of energy from everyone. A very good first step in this tournament.

 

[UcMiami]

That game was painful, LOL. Imagine, Maya, Tina, and Renee scoring 12 points in the first half. Stanford with 20, had to be the worst half of basketball in the history of the FF.

Pretty sure it is the record for worst half of basketball for the whole tournament as far as combined score for both teams. It was terrible! Thought K State and Wa State might challenge through the first quarter today, but they both reached double figures in the 2nd quarter to blow past the 32 point mark.

 

[Bama fan]

Going forward the missed bunnies, turnovers and poor free throw percentage will become an issue as the competition increases. Today it didn’t matter but tomorrow it just might

I get your point, but we will be okay tomorrow.

 

[housekeys]

How about giving Mercer some credit? They’re nationally ranked #12 in FG% defense

FIELD-GOAL PERCENTAGE DEFENSE

Last updated March 19, 2022 - Through games March 18, 2022

RANK	TEAM	GM	OPP FG	OPP FGA	OPP FG%
1	South Carolina	32	623	1920	32.4
2	UCF	28	477	1431	33.3
3	Liberty	32	579	1707	33.9
4	Tennessee	31	678	1996	34.0
5	Norfolk St.	29	530	1553	34.1
6	Stanford	32	641	1848	34.7
7	Jackson St.	29	638	1833	34.8
8	Princeton	28	508	1455	34.9
9	North Carolina	29	596	1707	34.9
10	Dayton	32	650	1860	34.9
11	Howard	31	643	1836	35.0
12	Mercer	29	593	1686	35.2
13	UC Davis	28	586	1665	35.2
14	UConn	30	610	1732	35.2
15	Charlotte	31	651	1842	35.3
16	SFA	32	629	1777	35.4
17	Montana	30	655	1847	35.5
18	Towson	32	723	2036	35.5

Did not know that, but you could see Mercer is no push over. Credit to them for sure. Mercer was just what the doctor ordered for preparing UConn for what will be tough competition going forward. I bet Geno is happy about who we played and how we did. Of course, Geno knows it can always be better.

 

[cordarone]

NC State only beat 16 seed Longwood by 28 points and allowed them to score 30 more points than Mercer. That's enough to cut it against the Huskies, amirite?

 

[hoophuskee]

Terrific game. UCONN has so many answers. The question will always be do they have enough time as they advance for continuous cohesion when they get punched in the mouth.

And in regards to Mercer, man did I love Titus! I'm more appreciative of offense but I do love tenacious defensive players. It's been such a bummer without Aubrey. I hate to sound wimpy but Aubrey and a player like Titus play with such "grace" defensively.

 

[UcMiami]

I was impressed with Titus - she shot poorly but played great defense (5 steals) and moved well on offense, could see her getting a WNBA chance. She also missed her back court mate for the second half. Tough luck on that injury for Neal-Tysor.

 

[hoophuskee]

I can't believe people are complaining about this game????

 

[BRS24]

Hubby - Ducharme 3pt attempts still going long.
Me - the last one was "short", so she's gonna make the next one
(she did)

 

[hoophuskee]

It's not complain, it's a review of which areas need to be improved. SIMPLE : Cut down mental mistakes of miss FT and miss bunny !

Not sure a college team can be as perfect game-to-game as you want them to be.

 

[BlueSkyGLW]

If UConn scores a minimum of 83 pts in ever game they play during the tournament, as they did today, the Huskies will win the national championship.

They did this against an undersized, 15th seed, right? Will they be able to do that against taller, better athletes the way they played on offense today?

You're asking for a really big IF....to constantly score 83 against an increasingly better set of teams....aren't you? From your past analysis of this team, I know that you are simply happy they won BIG against Mercer. So, let's hope the kinks are out after this game.

Fine, we're all happy they advanced.....now, let's see they take care of business in an increasingly efficient way to reach their ambitions and take us along with them in their euphoria! NC #12

 

[huskeynut]

Despite the critics and couch coaches , good game by the ladies. Soild win.

As to the turnovers, the fouls, the shooting percentage anything else you can throw into the mix, there is no perfect team out there and that includes NC State, Stamford, SC and Louisville.

Some of you need to give credit to teams that come out and fight and don't quit.

Defense played well against a scrappy team.

 

[oldude]

They did this against an undersized, 15th seed, right? Will they be able to do that against taller, better athletes the way they played on offense today?

You're asking for a really big IF....to constantly score 83 against an increasingly better set of teams....aren't you? From your past analysis of this team, I know that you are simply happy they won BIG against Mercer. So, let's hope the kinks are out after this game.

Fine, we're all happy they advanced.....now, let's see they take care of business in an increasingly efficient way to reach their ambitions and take us along with them in their euphoria!

Always respect your opponent. I don’t care that Mercer was a 15 seed. In past years they’ve given fits to big time programs like Iowa & UGA. The Bears are a talented and well coached team.

 

[SARG 2011]

And Stanford's offensive isn't very good either. Is that the point you're making?

Noting that Stanford who has been touted by many as up there with SC as the best in fact shot 44.6% playing a 16 seed is the point I'm making.

 

[Bigboote]

Looking ahead....
IMO UConn needs Nika in the starting lineup. She sets the tone defensively. Right out of the gates the opponent runs into a wall. I know, who sits. Could you go small, with one post? With big time pressure full-court, in the passing lanes, and close outs, couldn't a small group with one post rebound? Set the tone, then sub in bigs as needed. Just a thought. BTW IMO all the bigs are playing good.
Hey, Geno has to get Azzi more shots. She's got to get 15 shots. That's a sure 20. This offense isn't getting her enough looks.
More dribble drive pitch with Azzi finding the open spot. Boom

The first few minutes of this game, it seemed to me that the intensity just wasn't there. I thought it really ramped up when Nika came in. I'm not saying she should start, but I do think she needs to continue to sub in early.

I love how this team can show the opponents very different looks.

After watching UConn, I marvel at teams like Indiana and Princeton making their bunnies.