Michigan Postgame Thread

[Topdawg]

First time ever saying this:

UConn attendance was disappointing for a h game against a ranked foe.

More positively: Azzi looked like a first rounder tonight.

A few factors could have impacted the attendance. This was not quite a home game. The location is far enough from campus and the ticket prices high enough that students are deterred from attending. Also, it is Thanksgiving week and many students head home.

 

[BobbyJ]

So many shots came up short, I'm inclined to believe it was too many minutes for the starters. Sara does so much for us. I can see how it's hard to take her off the court, but 40 minutes, especially with a team that's as deep as this one is, will only diminish her effectiveness and wear her down over the course of the season. I'd like to give her at least a couple minute break per half, probably with Blanca.

Unfortunately against quality opponents, Auriemma doesn't share this belief of the fans that this is a deep roster. It's wishful thinking on the fan's part. He knows what he has. If he thought the bench could handle Michigan's level of competition, they would have played more. None of them did anything to make him keep them on the floor, he had to get them off. Four of them shot 2-10 with 5 fouls and 4 TOs in a combined 30 min.

 

[WiseWillie]

When i saw Serah in Annapolis, she played like a 4 more than a 5. I expect CD is teaching her about life in the pivot and she will learn to use her athleticism better.

True, but Serah is in her last year of college ball and learning to strategically become something that she has never been looks to certainly be something she is not very comfortable in assuming. Jana can and has in the FF play the 5 position much better. Maybe they were on the floor together last night but I didn't notice if the combo Jana as the 5, Serah 4, Sarah 3, Azzi 2 and KK 1 was used.

 

[Centerstream]

I do want to say. I think we got unlucky. I don’t think Syla will be in that kind of a zone most nights. Because those were very difficult shots.

Look at the Box Score from Michigan's game against Binghamton on Tuesday. Pretty nice warmup for how they played UConn.

 

[BobbyJ]

Never heard that pillow expression before (why not?) but certainly sums up Azzi at crucial moments. She was the "go to" player when it was needed last night.

He borrowed it from the late, great ESPN anchor Stuart Scott.

 

[martyn]

Once again, UConn's kryptonite turns out to be a zone defense. Their execution isn't crisp enough yet to reliably break a zone. It will come, but we're not there yet. And opponents perimeter shooting is another weakness. Syla Swords hit 8-14 from 3 including some really clutch shots down the stretch. Azzi did too, so it's not like we're the only team who can be beaten from the perimeter.

Swords 8 for 14 wasn't due to weak perimeter defense. It was due strictly to her.

 

[WiseWillie]

Unfortunately against quality opponents, Auriemma doesn't share this belief of the fans that this is a deep roster. It's wishful thinking on the fan's part. He knows what he has. If he thought the bench could handle Michigan's level of competition, they would have played more. None of them did anything to make him keep them on the floor, he had to get them off. Four of them shot 2-10 with 5 fouls and 4 TOs in a combined 30 min.

Plus we all should know that Geno does not let any player off the bench who doesn't make an immediate contribution stay very long on the floor. They will get called up and if they do what he wants them to do at that particular point in the game - whether it's scoring, defending or rebounding - they will stay out there. If not, they will quickly be back on the bench. You will get your minute(s) to produce. If you don't then it's next man up. Plus by now he knows his 6-8 roster despite all of the fans' thoughts on it. We saw it last night. The rest will see playing time when BE play starts or if a blowout.

 

[CL82]

Unfortunately against quality opponents, Auriemma doesn't share this belief of the fans that this is a deep roster. It's wishful thinking on the fan's part. He knows what he has. If he thought the bench could handle Michigan's level of competition, they would have played more. None of them did anything to make him keep them on the floor, he had to get them off. Four of them shot 2-10 with 5 fouls and 4 TOs in a combined 30 min.

Well, he has said that this is the deepest team he's ever had, so unless you think he's lying, you may be mistaken.

Keep in mind that a lot of that depth is still very new to the team. At this moment in time, Geno went with proven commodities. That doesn't mean the team doesn't have depth, that means the depth is young and will need time to understand their roles in the UConn system.

 

[jaydee602]

Was surprised Coach Barnes-Arico didn't ask for it to be reviewed. That's allowed now this season.

I was surprised as well. She probably didn't want to lose a timeout if the call was upheld

 

[fomalhaut]

Was surprised Coach Barnes-Arico didn't ask for it to be reviewed. That's allowed now this season.

I've always felt that if an out-of-bounds was close enough to require a review they should simply use the possession arrow.

 

[fomalhaut]

I was surprised as well. She probably didn't want to lose a timeout if the call was upheld

Yes. She ran out of timeouts at the end (last possession) and it would have been worse if she had lost an extra one.

 

[BobbyJ]

Well, he has said that this is the deepest team he's ever had, so unless you think he's lying, you may be mistaken.

Keep in mind that a lot of that depth is still very new to the team. At this moment in time, Geno went with proven commodities. That doesn't mean the team doesn't have depth, that means the depth is young and will need time to understand their roles in the UConn system.

He said it’s potentially the best he’s had. But obviously he doesn’t think it is yet. As I’ve said before, he’ll never intentionally risk losing a game for developmental purposes no matter what part of the schedule it’s in or what he says in an interview. So this isn’t a deep roster yet.

 

[choochoo]

Swords 8 for 14 wasn't due to weak perimeter defense. It was due strictly to her.

Page was the ultimate zone breaker with her drive and pull up jumper in the lane. Azzi and the rest of the team need to do that more. I think Ash tried as did Sarah but both were off from the lane. Had a few of those fell it would not have been as close. Don't know what is going on with Ashleys shooting but i hope she figures it out soon.