Michigan Postgame Thread

[uconnfan68]

Just enough gas in the tank!

They looked out of condition next to Michigan. And they need work on breaking a zone. Not good for my BP.

 

[stamfordhusky]

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?!!

She certainly stuffed the stat sheet but not quite for 40 minutes. Sat early in the second quarter.

 

[Jaydumo20]

KK saved the game for us when the whole team went cold. Don't ignore the offensive plays she made to keep us ahead. Without her in the game today we would have lost. You can't hypothetically alter that truth.

 

[The Deuce]

Geno’s biggest issue right now is settling on a post player. Serah is athletic but not very physical. Jana is physical but not particularly athletic. Blanca is athletic and physical but undisciplined. If I were Geno, I would consider going back to Jana as the starter and then substitute off her.

Serah is far more skilled than Jana. Geno needs her to become a reliable 3rd option to take stress off Azzi and Sarah.

 

[The Deuce]

If it were not for Swords and Olson, Michigan would have been in a world of hurt.

What's your point? Without Azzi and Sarah, we'd have lost.

 

[The Deuce]

Serah looked like she was lost and couldnt find the ball about half the time. Jana played like her shoes were on the wrong feet. Neither of them hustled after the first quarter. Maybe riding the pine will help that.

I did wonder why Geno put Allie in when we needed a quick tall defender like maybe Blanca in the last minute to deny Swords the shot or play under, so that Sarah could play out on Swords further. But who am I to question the "G.O.A.T"?

Blanca is too foul prone in that situation currently.

 

[Gilford Dog]

I think it is a good idea to give Ziebell every opportunity in the world to figure things out this season. That additional shooting she is meant to provide could really be beneficial.

Agree 100%. This team will be unstoppable if Ziebell develops more confidence and becomes reliable 3 point threat. They’ll be able to pick apart zones and Geno won’t have to rely as much in general on a streaky Ashlynn.

 

[JellyBean]

That 3rd quarter hit hard. Michigan slowed the game down. 4 points? Yikes. It is early in the season and plenty of games left in the season. UConn will figure things out.

Zone offense. UConn will figure that out as well.

Azzi- Huge game. Money at the free-throw line. Salute!!

Sarah Strong- 16/20 and she played the whole game! Salute!!

KK- Her big time 3 pointer. Well done.

The team will be fine.

Those of us in the Big Ten, we should have an exciting season. Michigan is going to make some noise. They got players on the bench who can step in and provide some helps. Michigan is going to be a threat.

 

[JellyBean]

Yikes. @cancontent So much for Coach KBA trying to keep Swords minutes under 30. She played the whole game.

 

[PJCLaw]

She certainly stuffed the stat sheet but not quite for 40 minutes. Sat early in the second quarter.

Check the Box Score again. She played 40 minutes.

 

[hoophuskee]

Can't play Strong, Fudd and KK 40 minutes and not expect a drop-off in defensive intensity. Coaches everywhere know how to give their best players a blow now and then. Why is that such a challenge for UConn coaches? And not the first time UConn has struggled against a zone. You'll probably see teams doing a bit more of that until UConn makes them stop.

You mean those same teams that UCONN has beaten these last 30+ years?

Yeah as they watch UCONN win 12 titles and go to final four after final four, I'm sure they are thrilled that their players are less tired.

 

[Huskee11]

I thought the key play was calling time out with 42 seconds left and a lead that had dwindled to three. Geno drew up a masterful play that got Sarah a layup with 26 seconds left. Up five, 68-63.

We needed Azzi’s foul shots to go in from that point but the most important possession of the game was up to Geno and that is why he is who he is.

On the other hand, I don’t know why we weren’t fouling down the stretch to force them to start the possession over. We only had one foul in the fourth quarter, plenty of fouls to give.

The defensive intensity of the first quarter was in sharp contrast to the tentativeness shown on offense in the second half. Even with that though, there were plenty of open shots created that were simply missed.

I was at the game and what stood out most to me was Sarah’s ability to rebound on the defensive boards in traffic. When there was a crowd under the basket, she almost always came away with it. And they were tough, physical, rip it away type rebounds.

 

[Cuango]

What SC team did Michigan play in what season opener?

View attachment 113478

Last season, I believe.

 

[DEFCONN1]

Geno still trying to figure out the best rotations. I guess it’s still a work in progress. So good job coach. We won !

 

[hookshot]

Geno’s biggest issue right now is settling on a post player. Serah is athletic but not very physical. Jana is physical but not particularly athletic. Blanca is athletic and physical but undisciplined. If I were Geno, I would consider going back to Jana as the starter and then substitute off her.

You'll not see that and it would be hard to watch. Williams keeps her job but needs to close the gap between expectations and current performace. For the foreseeable, the core rotation is 8 with Alli, Jana, Brady added based on special needs (foul trouble, match ups, injury, etc)

 

[DEpup]

I thought the key play was calling time out with 42 seconds left and a lead that had dwindled to three. Geno grew up a masterful play that got Sarah a layup with 26 seconds left. Up five, 68-63.

We needed Azzi’s foul shots to go in from that point but the most important possession of the game was up to Geno and that is why he is who he is.

On the other hand, I don’t know why we weren’t fouling down the stretch to force them to start the possession over. We only had one foul in the fourth quarter, plenty of fouls to give.

The defensive intensity of the first quarter was in sharp contrast to the tentativeness shown on offense in the second half. Even with that though, there were plenty of open shots created that were simply missed.

I was at the game and what stood out most to me was Sarah’s ability to rebound on the defensive boards in traffic. When there was a crowd under the basket, she almost always came away with it. And they were tough, physical, rip it away type rebounds.

I said the same thing! They could have fouled down the clock.

My next thing was why even let Swords get the ball.

 

[hookshot]

If it were not for Swords and Olson, Michigan would have been in a world of hurt.

Somewhat like: if it were not for Fudd and Strong Uconn.....

 

[Basingstoke]

I strikes me that we now have seen a template for what Blanca can grow into offensively: Olivia Olson. Given time and development I can see her grow into a slashing, rebounding, physical 3-level scorer. It may be frustrating, but she's just starting on that road, but, hopefully, tonight's rough outing will serve as inspiration and motivation to become all that she can be.

 

[hookshot]

when was the last time Geno gave up a 20-2 run? ever?

Ask AI

 

[hookshot]

I said the same thing! They could have fouled down the clock.

My next thing was why even let Swords get the ball.

They (Uconn) did use their fouls, just saved them to the end when really needed

 

[Conndog]

Need Olivia Vukosa to enroll early

 

[Stagnant]

Good job by UConn making sure Azzi took all the free throws at the end of the game. We needed all of those points.

 

[MilfordHusky]

As a reminder, Hoopgurlz rankings from 2024:

1. Sarah Strong

2. Jaloni Cambridge (OSU)

4. Syla Swords (Michigan)

7. Allie Ziebell

11. Morgan Cheli

13. Kayleigh Heckel

18. Kendall Dudley (UCLA/Michigan)

19. Imari Berry (Louisville)

20. Olivia Olson (Michigan)

 

[hookshot]

As a reminder, Hoopgurlz rankings from 2024:

1. Sarah Strong

2. Jaloni Cambridge (OSU)

4. Syla Swords (Michigan)

7. Allie Ziebell

11. Morgan Cheli

13. Kayleigh Heckel

18. Kendall Dudley (UCLA/Michigan)

19. Imari Berry (Louisville)

20. Olivia Olson (Michigan)

Wow, 7 of the top 20 in the locker rooms last night at Mohegan

 

[uconnever]

Good game to prepare the team for March.

Need to find a way to rest Fudd and Strong, but that's going to require some depth to score the ball.

Unfortunately we don’t have it hopefully only right now. Shade is unreliable on offense and seems to have leveled off progression wise. Her decision making has been poor this year. And none of the new players were ready for this level of a game. Heckel can’t shoot, Williams plays soft and Blanca who I believe will be a real contributor can’t shoot either. We desperately need Ziebel to become reliable to be elite like we planned. Sarah and Azzi can’t win a title alone. KK needs to make shots also. Those are the two that can change everything, KK and Ziebel, the other three new players need more time, they just haven’t played UConn basketball enough. I hate to say it but I dont think we can count on the new players too much. It may come down to the players that have been here more so. I actually trust them to do better. This is why we need games against teams with elite rosters because we need the new players too much understand how we play teams like this and what it takes. I did expect a little more from the team as a whole but everyone pretty much played how I expected them too at this point. Geno has his hands full if this is all Williams has to give.