Michigan Postgame Thread

[Stagnant]

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.

 

[HuskyNan]

I have to say, I’m glad they pulled it out. I still have PTSD from the men’s game on Wednesday when they lost after holding a lead at the half. It was another top 10 matchup and eerily similar to tonight’s game

 

[Vowelguy]

Big 2
CT 9-21 from 2 / 7-14 from 3
MI 7-21 from 2 / 10-22 from 3

Rest of team
CT 7-18 / 3-16
MI 7-20 / 2-10

 

[Urshurak]

Ugly ugly ugly second half. However, they pulled it out. This will be a good reality check and learning opportunity for them. They will greatly benefit from this. Geno has lots to work on. Lots and lots.

Shade, just, man…..

 

[Aluminny69]

UConn's supporting cast, sans Strong and Fudd, are not quite ready for prime time. Looked nervous. 3-pt shooting, Azzi 7 for 12, rest of Team 3 for 18. Azzi and Sarah 47 points, rest of team 25 points.

 

[Basingstoke]

Wow! What a game.
Lots of teaching material for Geno after this one (but, best of all, it comes in a win).
Props to Michigan - a very, very good and well-coached team with their own Azzi in Swords and a terrifically talented lunchpail player in Olson.
A great 3rd quarter for the Wolverines coupled with disastrous play by the Huskies.
Azzi was clutch and Sarah was a tremendous force on the boards, on D and in assisting her teammates.
Unfortunately, they were the only 2 players that had to be aggressively defended. Of note, to me, was a moment in the 4th quarter when Kayleigh passed up an open 3 and then threw a pass which was intercepted. She was not the only one to be tentative or overly deferential, though it was nice to see KK continue to shoot 3's until she made one.
The team really seemed like they played very tight on offense in the second half, missing layups badly and constantly front-rimming easy shots (in addition to their many turnovers - and inability to turn Michigan over).
Well, they survived and can definitely improve, individually and as a team.
The iron man awards go to Sarah and Azzi (40 & 39 minutes respectively) - something, that Geno has to find a way to avoid in future big games.
I look forward to sighs of relief, a lot of soul-searching and a tremendous performance against Utah on Sunday.

 

[SLY63]

When Michigan went to a zone our offense disappeared. We are going to see a lot of zone the rest of the year

 

[Next 12]

Uconn was challenged and we came out on top. 5 down and 32 more to go. Michigan is for real and they have a shot to win their conference. Swords is a shooter and did her best. but came up short. AZZI was as cool as can be making her foul shots. The rest of the schedule will only make Uconn better as the team gels into the power house they will become. GO HUSKIES!!!!!

 

[JBK]

Some thoughts on the Michigan game:

• Michigan is a very good, well coached team that plays hard. During the 1st half it looked as if UConn would blow them out of the gym. But they fought their way back into the game in the 2nd half and gave UConn a real scare.
• A lot of interesting numbers in the 1st qtr. Sarah’s 9 rebounds were extremely impressive. But my favorite numbers: MI was 2/20 (10%).
• Every game, Sarah does something amazing. Tonight it was her steal and ridiculous length of the court pass to Ash for an assist, while lying on her back. But it was her lunchpail effort on the boards that keyed UConn's win today. She had a career high 20 rebounds.
• This may sound absurd. But it felt like Azzi had a relatively quiet 1st half until I realized she dropped 18 on the Wolverines. But her biggest shots were the 3's she dropped in the 4th qtr that were desperately needed by the Huskies.
• UConn’s offensive execution continues to be inconsistent. At times they look unstoppable and at times they struggle to execute. The 3rd qtr tonight was particularly brutal. When was the last time UConn was outscored 18-4 in a qtr?
• MIchigan's 2-3 matchup zone gave UConn fits, and Syla Swords is absolutely unconcious.
• Some big shots by KK and Sarah down the stretch along with Azzi's clutch FT's provided the Huskies with just enough to pull the game out.
• Surprised to learn that UConn and MI have never played each other. It’s been 29 years since UConn lost to a 1st time opponent……and fortunately it didn’t happen tonight.
• Bring on the Utes!

Christine reidi at LuhI in Long Island NY is building some high school program. Swords and Heckal tonight.
Swords was unbelievable—
None of her current team is going to UConn and they are all top 5 recruits.
We have work to do this year if we to go undefeated

 

[funkraider]

A zone defense exposes us because, on the whole, we have not shot the ball well this season. Our easy transition buckets masks that but if teams are going to pack it in, we're going to have to make some outside shots. (other than Sarah and Azzi!!!)

 

[TheGOAT23]

That was my takeaway. We looked like a team really dependent on two players. This feels a bit like a loss.

But it just shows we shouldn’t get cocky. And we need to improve. This was a good early season test. That’s why Geno schedules these games. And honestly, we could have folded after the third quarter. But we didn’t.

We, the fans, may get cocky, but I highly doubt that the team gets cocky. I’m in agreement with everything else that you said. On to the next game.

 

[Vowelguy]

She played the whole 40 minutes and still stuffed the stat sheet, per usual. What did else you expect from her when she got 20 rebounds and a double double?!!

there was a 13 mins stretch where she scored 0 points; I was hoping for more from the best player in the country

 

[Stagnant]

That was a nightmare turnover for Ash at the end of the game. I am glad for her that it turned out to be a meaningless one.

 

[Conndog]

UConn outscored in both Q3 and Q4. Hope during season Williams, Ice and Jana become inside forces. In chat, someone said KK needs to work on pull-up jump shot- yes! Don’t know stat, but UConn must have been out rebounded. And last, watching Swords hitting shot after shot is how it must feel for other teams when Azzi is cooking. Swords is fantastic!

 

[Aluminny69]

When Michigan went to a zone our offense disappeared. We are going to see a lot of zone the rest of the year

In the first quarter, Michigan missed a lot of shots, which led to UConn fast breaks. When Michigan started making their shots, they could then set up their defense.

 

[oldude]

When Michigan went to a zone our offense disappeared. We are going to see a lot of zone the rest of the year

Not everyone plays a matchup 2-3 zone. It’s very difficult to play. MI ran it exceptionally well. I don’t know that we will see that type of zone again.

 

[cellocgg]

Disappointed with the attendance

 

[DEpup]

So Sarah and Azzi are true stars!

Will the rebounding Serah reveal herself?? How many times did smaller MI players get the rebound on her? When is she going to be able to play starter minutes?

So Blanca is a freshman in college.... Looked like a deer caught in headlights most of the game. I guess it had to happen at some point.

Jana got her shot and blew it. I wished we had Ice available. She would have brought the temperature down and settled things at the high post. Pun intended

What could this team be if Shade's shot could get consistent. When she is scoring, they are cooking.

I think a little more Kayleigh time with the other 4 starters would have been good.

Anyway, there are 13 women that need to take a look at themselves in the mirror and 2 women in need of an ice bath.

 

[maple]

What SC team did Michigan play in what season opener?

View attachment 113478

OP said it was LAST season.

 

[Conndog]

Other than Strong, our bigs need to play big, block out, move to the ball more. Much too much standing around. We lacked quickness under the hoop. Seems like they played UConn basketball better than us with complete desire on their part. Great effort by both teams and good for Women's basketball!

I think Geno decided to go mainly with small ball- it worked in first half but not second.

 

[TheGOAT23]

Maybe... Azzi's 3pt shots were mostly open, Swords' 3pt shots were much tougher.

Is this diving or gymnastics (degree of difficulty)? Just kidding. 😆
Swords is the real deal.

 

[Conndog]

So Sarah and Azzi are true stars!

Will the rebounding Serah reveal herself?? How many times did smaller MI players get the rebound on her? When is she going to be able to play starter minutes?

So Blanca is a freshman in college.... Looked like a deer caught in headlights most of the game. I guess it had to happen at some point.

Jana got her shot and blew it. I wished we had Ice available. She would have brought the temperature down and settled things at the high post. Pun intended

What could this team be if Shade's shot could get consistent. When she is scoring, they are cooking.

I think a little more Kayleigh time with the other 4 starters would have been good.

Anyway, there are 13 women that need to take a look at themselves in the mirror and 2 women in need of an ice bath.

Kayleigh had a tough night shooting but had that nice layup +1.

 

[1974yankees]

When I read some pre-game posts, I sometimes had to shake my head. At times, UConn fans forget the days of intimidating opponents with just the name on the jersey are long gone. Other teams have great coaches and players now and games won’t always be a cakewalk.

Maybe that's true but this could have easily been a 30 point victory. When they were up by 20 I was saying they might win by 40 lol...Then the 3rd quarter happened.

All in all this was a great win and the bottom line is that Uconn is only going to get a LOT better come January and February.

I won't go on the "Michigan is a great team" bandwagon because it's only November. It's only our 4th game out of about 40....

Our kids haven't had the chance to gel as a unit yet. It takes time. But I like what I see for the most part.

Azzi is becoming a star. This is the player we were all waiting for before the injuries... What she did last year and this year will put her on that wall of fame.

I love KK. The reason this kid starts is because she makes things happen. Sure her offensive game is not there yet but everything else she does helps win ballgames...

Sarah is Maya 2.0..

20 something rebounds. That's Dennis Rodman territory.

I think we are eventually going to be back to intimidated teams because of the name on our jerseys lol.. It just takes time.

The other thing I liked is that our kids did NOT give up. That is a huge characteristic of Championship caliber teams. Sure Michigan hung in there but we won.

 

[CTrefugee]

1. We need more from the newcomers.
2. Did Jana set a record for greatest distance from the ball when fouling?
3. Sarah Strong is unreal.
4. Azzi has no heartbeat. (Geno said that about Berube when asked who he would pick to shoot end of game free throws)

 

[HuskyNan]

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.

These are Swords’ stats from last year. She’s a big game player