Michigan Postgame Thread

[Cuango]

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.

You have such little faith, and after only five games! Do you realize one or two great shooting games will significantly improve the team's shooting percentages?! There just isn't a big enough body of work to make such a bold statement..."worst shooting team in years". Wait until at least 12-15 games to draw a conclusion. Sheesh!!!

Agreed! Too many here are acting (typically) like the sky is falling! Let’s take a deep breath! We won, sure we had some breakdowns and disappointments, but somehow, with our two lodestones stepping up, as usual, we dominated, fell apart, righted the ship, and survived! All of that is good! The breakdowns will provide the coaching staff with loads of teaching material! Sarah confirms (to herself, the team, and the coaches) that her all around skills can impact the team in many ways beyond scoring! Azzi confirms (to herself, the team, coaches, and public at large) that she has the “clutch” gene! She can “bring it” when the game is on the line! For the rest of the team, it’s a mixed bag.

However, the bottom line here is that we won and even though there were some hiccups, the team is going to benefit tremendously from this game! Geno and his staff have a plethora of things for the team to work on! Yes, there were a few shall we say, disappointments, but none of them were so bad as to cause a loss of confidence, a blue funk or anything the coaches can’t address right away. Most of the things I’m hearing people fret about are really, if you look at them objectively, merely the expected steps that are typical for a young player attempting to become a functioning cog in the smooth running machine that is UConn, at it’s best!

These kids, no matter what happened in this game, are still the same highly recruited, highly skilled, highly sought after players they were before this “terrible tragedy” of a game! They, just like all the countless Huskies before them, will learn from this experience (good or bad) and eventually, be better for it.

It is very likely, that we will be having this same conversation (meltdown) next year with Olivia, Jovana, and a few holdovers from this year. That’s OK! Remember, we are still undefeated, #1 in the nation, Geno & Co. are still here, and every goal that we had prior to this game, is still attainable, and we just beat one of the best teams in the country! Not only is it not all bad, it’s virtually all good! Go Huskies!

 

[TheGOAT23]

Yeah, Barnes -Arrico and St.Johns was our one blemish of a non ranked team that defeated us years back… strongly believe that’s all she got the Michigan job.

Geno said that he got her that job. 😉😆

 

[SLY63]

Last night I saw 2 equally matched teams.

• One big scorer each
• One secondary scorer each
• One dominant quarter each

Home team won by 3

For UConn

• Zone in H2 killed our offense
• We should have gotten more O-boards against the zone (Serah)
• We need a CONSISTANT 3rd option by March
• I hope I am wrong, but I am not as enamored with Bianca as everyone else
• I think K9 has the potential to raise her game
• Swords on Mich was incredible
• Shade was a little out of control (Some good, lots bad)
• Disappointed in Jana last night, looked overmatched

 

[oldude]

Geno needs to focus every practice on breaking various zone defenses. Every opposing coach, if they have 3 working brain cells, will throw a zone at UConn. UConn needs practice players who can throw zone defenses at the girls.

Last year it was easy. Paige would cut to the FT line, receive the ball and either shoot it, pass it to an open shooter or drive to the basket. I think this year that needs to be Sarah.

 

[victor64]

-By smothering her in a zone, Michigan provided a potential template on how to slow down Strong's scoring.

-UConn got great looks out of the zone, including several mid range looks from players that need to be reliable third and fourth options.

-Players that are accustomed to being supporting actors need to time to get used to being a lead actor. Michigan provided evidence that some of these players need more time to get used to having to make plays.

-Geno wants to play more non league games like this but struggles to find teams that want to play them. Unfortunately, too many teams prefer a cupcake early season schedule (LSU). It is why I respect Jeff Walz. He wants UConn on their schedule.

-Blanca is technically a freshman but with her professional league experience, it is reasonable to expect better decision making than she has sometimes shown.

-Azzi's points were a game saver but she now has 12 turnovers for the year. Some of her passes are head scratchers.

-I thought Geno coached a good game. He used the previous games to explore a number of different lineup combinations. He realized quickly that he could not do that with Michigan so the rotation shrunk.

-It doesn't mean though that I can't second guess some of his decisions. For example, Carol could potentially be effective against a zone especially if she can knock down shots.

-Geno learned a ton about his team which all that he can hope for out of an early season struggle like this.

 

[freshler40]

I am very surprised with the outcome. I thought we would run away with this game. Swords shot out light out and they doubled Strong forcing everyone to score and no one else we did except Azzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzi Swords was unconscienced. expect the unexpected. We will learn from this game. It was a surprise comeback. Geno will fix it and we will be OK We will be fine.

We let up and we will learn from it. Michigan slowed it down and hit some unbelievable shots. This is good for us. We won a game and were tested. We need to make adjustments, and Geno will make it happen.

Our guards needed to move downcourt faster, not allowing Michigan to set up their tough zone. At one point in the late second half, KK went full court and scored. We needed more of that to break the zone and of course better outside shooting by other players.
I don't expect that we will encounter many players like Swords during her amazing efforts during the season. That effort sure was test for the Huskies. Azzie's counters and coolness at the foul line was a classic.

 

[HopJim]

I think Geno is going to have to get Shade and possibly Arnold out the starting line up. Shade in particular just looked lost and tried overcompensating a lot. Arnold also can’t really create in the half court. I’d be interested to see when or if Cheli will be able to play again, that at least offers some length and better shooter.

⁉️

 

[freshler40]

-By smothering her in a zone, Michigan provided a potential template on how to slow down Strong's scoring.

-UConn got great looks out of the zone, including several mid range looks from players that need to be reliable third and fourth options.

-Players that are accustomed to being supporting actors need to time to get used to being a lead actor. Michigan provided evidence that some of these players need more time to get used to having to make plays.

-Geno wants to play more non league games like this but struggles to find teams that want to play them. Unfortunately, too many teams prefer a cupcake early season schedule (LSU). It is why I respect Jeff Walz. He wants UConn on their schedule.

-Blanca is technically a freshman but with her professional league experience, it is reasonable to expect better decision making than she has sometimes shown.

-Azzi's points were a game saver but she now has 12 turnovers for the year. Some of her passes are head scratchers.

-I thought Geno coached a good game. He used the previous games to explore a number of different lineup combinations. He realized quickly that he could not do that with Michigan so the rotation shrunk.

-It doesn't mean though that I can't second guess some of his decisions. For example, Carol could potentially be effective against a zone especially if she can knock down shots.

-Geno learned a ton about his team which all that he can hope for out of an early season struggle like this.

Totally agree with your Carol comments. She would also add some tough rebounding which was very much needed underneath. Our offensive rebounding was lacking perhaps due to playing against a zone. When Strong plays down low we become a force for offensive rebounds. This is a key when our shooting goes cold and Geno did switch Strong to the inside position in the fourth quarter. That helped. Our guards then need to dribble penetrate more before the zone gets fully established.

 

[oldude]

Last night I saw 2 equally matched teams.

• One big scorer each
• One secondary scorer each
• One dominant quarter each

Home team won by 3

For UConn

• Zone in H2 killed our offense
• We should have gotten more O-boards against the zone (Serah)
• We need a CONSISTANT 3rd option by March
• I hope I am wrong, but I am not as enamored with Bianca as everyone else
• I think K9 has the potential to raise her game
• Swords on Mich was incredible
• Shade was a little out of control (Some good, lots bad)
• Disappointed in Jana last night, looked overmatched

A couple comments on your comments. After having a night to “sleep it off” I looked at the stat sheet.

• UConn blew MI out in the 1st qtr and played them even in the 2nd & 4th qtrs.
• MI surprised UConn in the 3rd qtr with a 2-3 matchup zone that I honestly cannot remember ever seeing in WBB. It used to be the mainstay of Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, and it gave a lot of really good teams fits, as it did the Huskies last night.
• Aside from the 3rd qtr implosion, UConn was on pace to score 90 pts, which would have meant a 21 pt MOV.
• UConn struggled to adjust to the zone, but they figured things out soon enough (the next qtr) to survive.
• Geno & UConn will never be surprised by that zone defense again.
• Various Huskies lost their composure and poise at times. Geno & his coaches will break them down and build them back up again.
• Ultimately, great credit to KBA for throwing a curveball at UConn that almost resulted in a stunning upset.

 

[browns]

Last year it was easy. Paige would cut to the FT line, receive the ball and either shoot it, pass it to an open shooter or drive to the basket. I think this year that needs to be Sarah.

After dominating the first quarter with 6 pts 9 boards an 3 blocks Sara was double an triple teamed..as great as Azzi shot the ball she wouldn't have been wide open on a lot of the 3's if it wasn't for all the attention Sara was getting
Michigan was making Sara give the ball up before she got to the free throw line in a lot of instances

 

[jaundicedeye]

We were very lucky to come away with the W. That 3rd Quarter could be considered to be the Worst Quarter of play in UCONN Women's Basketball History. We had Azzi, Sarah, and KK and Michigan didn't. However, no matter how great those 3 were and are, and how they saved our Bacon today, there is no doubt who the single Best Player on the Court was. And that was Michigan's Sword. She was INSANE !!

Yes. There is a question as to who the single best player was. No doubt Syla's performance was great but certainly no better than those by Azzi and Sarah. You really can't disregard the sum total of Sarah's talent and effort in that game because you have been blinded the brilliance of Syla's clutch 3-pt shooting in a close match.

 

[Conndog]

Geno needs to focus every practice on breaking various zone defenses. Every opposing coach, if they have 3 working brain cells, will throw a zone at UConn. UConn needs practice players who can throw zone defenses at the girls.

If UConn limited turnovers better, game wouldn’t have been as close- but Michigan’s tough defense caused some of them. Where UConn needs to improve is: getting other bigs to really contribute, getting another 3-point shooter to score, penetrating and handling zone, and doing better with defensive switching.

 

[Freud12345]

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!

Where was their pressure defense ? Also , was Azzi taken off Swords ? She was guarding her well and giving her a problem I thought

 

[JellyBean]

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

Azzi was money at the line. Cool as the other side of the pillow.

 

[Freud12345]

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

Plays strong on ball defense, too

 

[JellyBean]

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)

Pretty awesome. Thanks for posting the 2024 rankings. Pretty darn impressive and those players are doing well, minus Morgan but that is due to health issues, but we have seen glimpse of what is to come once she gets cleared medically.

 

[freshler40]

With over 5 minutes left azzi made her third 3 pointer of the 4 th quarter giving us an 11 point lead. She never got another shot from the floor. Little effort made to even get her the ball. With 17 sec. Left she made 4 free throws to clinch the game. Maybe do a little more next time to get Azzi a shot or two.

We don't seem to set high picks for Azzi and our double high offense wasn't used effectively. Our guards need to play off this but we seemed to be content to play outside with little cutting to the basket.

 

[Freud12345]

Ash looked like she was trying to get it to Azzi as Michigan was likely to foul. This was another tentative play by someone maybe not wanting the pressure of free throws with the game on the line.

Very true. Never thought of that

 

[Doctor G]

Her threes started falling in the second half finishing with two ridiculous circus shots. My husband also called her Caitlin Clark.

Her threes started falling when Geno took Azzi off of her due to Azzi collecting her second foul (was an effort foul but still a dumb foul). Can’t say I loved this decision since Azzi held her to 2-12 in 1H, but then again it probably saved Azzi’s legs in Q4. With no rest, Sarah was just too tired to close on any of those pick and 3 actions in the fourth. Credit to Swords. She made the open looks the play execution created.

 

[Fore!]

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.

To be fair, Azzi won’t be either. Swords was the 4th ranked player coming out of high school for a reason.

 

[Bald Husky]

Just a few tidbits:

• Sarah played tough throughout, but trying to get her the ball down low to her when she is triple teamed was not smart.
• Azzi came up big in the second half, but missed too many 6-8 footers in the paint.
• Worried about the bench. Allie just can't make a 3 pointer until she shoots at least three or four first. Kayleigh did not play well, but I question why she did not play more.
• I think Geno should have put Caroline in when the team went 8 minutes without scoring.

-Blanca, looked a little off, but again, hardly played.

• We will not win the NC unless we can put down the 3 pointers as we just can't navigate against the Zone.
• I think Geno may be going too far trying to make all these different combinations. The bottom line is, we can't score on most of them. Its time to get the top 8-9 players and make sure they are the ones that will carry us to greatness.
• I am hoping Morgan finally gets healthy because she may be the player that can make a difference in our rotation.
• The good thing is that we won. This game may open some eyes for some of the players, and after this those will be the players that will lead us forward. Like Tennessee last year, hoping that the players will wake up and see that the road won't be easy, but in my opinion, the NC is UConns to lose.

 

[Henry]

We played a very good 1st Q, a horrendous 3rd Q, and did enough in the 2nd and 4th to not lose. Our bench didn't help much at all - so much for our depth. Thankfully Azzi still had enough in the tank to hit those 3s in the 4th.

The TOs were bad. Passing to a player whose double and triple teamed. Throwing to nobody at all. Not UConn basketball.

 

[mauconnfan]

The zone can be tough to play against. I can’t even count how many times I watched teams struggled against Syracuse MBB despite the fact that everyone and their mom KNEW it would be basically the only defense they ran.

Heck even in the earlier game last night once Syracuse WBB switched to it in the second half, Utah struggled to score.

It’s early in the season. Some players are brand new to the college game and are being asked to do a lot. They will learn. I have faith in the coaching staff.

Calhoun had us ripping up the Cuses zone soon after taking over and getting the right players. With shooters it should be easy to rip up they just need to practice against it now.

 

[FanFromMaine]

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

Lutheran has been good since the ‘60s. They used to play Cross every year in New Haven.

 

[Linart]

That sums up my feelings perfectly! I don't know who Ana is but she's hysterical.

 

[Vowelguy]

Last year it was easy. Paige would cut to the FT line, receive the ball and either shoot it, pass it to an open shooter or drive to the basket. I think this year that needs to be Sarah.

You mean losing Paige was a big deal?

 

[Vowelguy]

They won but they got exposed badly tonight. Only Azzi and Strong are capable three point shooters. The rest are bricklayers. This is probably Geno’s worst shooting team in years. Im not so confident about repeat anymore.

Worst shooting in years lmao
Where were you for much of 2019-24?

 

[FanFromMaine]

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.

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.

 

[#1florida]

On the other hand you need to find out what you have in your bench and what rotations and groupings work, earlier in the season, so later in the season and tourney time you know what works and what doesn’t.

In others words IMO now is the time to move things around and move players around.

Maybe against weaker teams. But, this game was up for grabs.

 

[#1florida]

On the other hand you need to find out what you have in your bench and what rotations and groupings work, earlier in the season, so later in the season and tourney time you know what works and what doesn’t.

In others words IMO now is the time to move things around and move players around.

If the game is not on the line. First win the game, move players around against weaker teams.