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.

 

[Zarathustra]

Paige has left the building and it is time to turn the page/Paige. I’m tired of hearing that if only we still had Paige then ………..

We have Sarah and Azzi and a "pack" of wonderful HUSKIES! go TEAM!

 

[CL82]

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.

I think we're quibbling over definitions. It's deep, but it's just not ready for top level competition, yet.

 

[cancontent]

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.

That's not how the appeal works though. If Coach Barnes-Arico wasn't successful they would have been assessed a technical. In this situation, risking a free throw may not have been a bad trade off had the call been upheld.

 

[Zonepress]

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

i would diagree on at least 2 of the late 3 kk got picked
and the other uconn player i believe SS just stayed
back and allowed the open 3
kudos to swords for making the difficult shot
i

 

[Topdawg]

Wow, what a game! I had the pleasure of being in the arena. Rather than repeat what others have said, here are my thoughts on the path forward.

1. Focus on building a third and fourth scoring option. Michigan did a good job of forcing the ball to players who were reluctant to drive or shoot. As the clock wound down, they sent multiple defenders to limit Sara and Azzi.

2. Our perimeter defense needs to improve to match our transition defense. I though Azzi did a great job on the perimeter. There were several instances where the play moved away from Azzi, and a shooter got open in switches that involved a big and one of our other guards. Michigan shot 38% from 3 (12/32). We shot 33% (10/30). Hard to limit the logo 3s unless we get a Nika like defender. We can limit the other 3s.

3. Rim protection and rebounding needs to get to a higher level. While Sarah helped us win the rebounding battle overall, Michigan had more offensive boards and more shots at basket. When we have a small lineup, we need a better rebounding strategy.

4. Bench needs meaningful playing time in upcoming games to gain fluency and play to its strengths. Bench contributed 15% of the minutes and 7% of the points. It also contributed 24% of the turnovers and 38% of the fouls.

We are early in the season. This game was a good test and learning opportunity. The team has lots to work on and they will. I look forward to a healthy and exciting season!

 

[Hayven]

My nephew texted me after the game and said “UConn can be beat.” And he is right. Michigan exposed how to defend us. Play a zone that will collapse on SS in the paint. Azzi will get hers but outside that, we have no other offensive options. Excellent opposing guards have been our Achilles heel, the past few years.

Granted it’s still early in the season, so I’ll give grace to Serah Williams…until the new year. If she’s still getting 2 rebounds a game then, with 8 points, Geno may as well move Blanca or K9 in the starting lineup permanently for her.
The guards need to work on their 3 point shooting. Because a game like yesterday would not go well against UCLA or LSU.

K9 and Blanca were not shooting great but I don’t get why he didn’t play them more. Especially when michigan slowed the pace of play down. Those two would have picked up the team’s pace.

But props to Michigan. If they can get a post presence in the next two years, and keep Swords and Olson, they’re a title contender

 

[Zonepress]

Officiating was great except for the clearly incorrect out of bounds call that cost Michigan a possession.

they also missed on the offensive foul called on AS
late in q-3 the michigan player had positin but her back
foot was clearly in the circle
big play at the tine

 

[ec33]

The bench strength is misleading. It looks like we have two benches. One that can play against top ten teams and one that can’t. Last night was a clear example of the latter

A key to this season is going to be about the development and trust earned by a few key individuals.

Top most is Serah. It would be very nice if she could become a factor and not the first person Geno is looking to pull in order to try other combinations.

Obviously, making Blanca a a consistent contributor that can be relied on would have alleviate all the pressure on Azzi and Sarah.

I don't see where Ash and KK have fully separated from Allie and K9 from a talent standpoint, but both play with greater confidence and like they have Geno's trust. Over the course of the season, it will be important for the coach to give Allie and K9 a chance to become confident in their own play and earn that trust. It would be a nice luxury to go two deep at those two guard positions and hope that they all don't come up empty all that often.

 

[cancontent]

they also missed on the offensive foul called on AS
late in q-3 the michigan player had positin but her back
foot was clearly in the circle
big play at the tine

The defensive circle no longer applies to the women's game as of last season. That was a valid charge call.

 

[Zonepress]

That's a myopic view because, while that may be true, how many rebounds, assists and steals did she have during that same period of time. Who else was rebounding if not her?

true but the 2 lazy passes that led to tirnovers
losing her man on an out of bounds play and not
hedging on Swords were surprising

 

[Longtime fan]

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!

I have to jump in here because this was a huge game.

It is clear we have two superstars and a fine supporting cast, waiting to break free. Michigan has to be given a huge amount of credit. I didn't keep count, but it looked as though 5-7 kids were their rotation. And they were at least as fast and energetic as UCONN was. Swords is unreal. Her entire game, especially the shots from distance, was brilliant. First team AA style.

Idle comments:

. Did Sarah just wear out or did Michigan find a way to take her out of the game ( sort of)? She was brilliant in every aspect of the game, but I kept hoping for more offense from her in the second half.
. AZZI stood up tall when it became clear she had to do so. Both draining threes to match Michigan, and hitting 100% (?) from the free throw line, with the game on the line.
. KK was a fine point guard all day. Made good decisions and finally drained a key three, when it was clear Michigan was going to let her be free to do so.
. ASH played solid basketball and matched the hustle of Michigan. Her shooting was inconsistent. Hot early, then not much. Even her 10 footers deserted her. A couple of her passes ( particularly the one that allowed Michigan to intercept and get off a desperate three at the end) were lazy...not crisp...not well thought out. Unlike ASH.
. Blanca was pretty good in her first stint on the court. She made plays on both sides of the ball. She did make some mistakes, which caused coach to sit her down. I would say this: she needs to figure out what to do when she doesn't have the ball in her hand, or is defending it. We do need her to emerge as a reliable star by March.
. Allie was kind of quiet today, though she did some good work on defense and in her passing game to open shooters. She needs to hit her first shot to gain confidence. And she needs to do so in big games like this. It isn't the same if she hits 6 threes against Xavier.
. Williams made enough good plays to keep us optimistic. Time should help her develop further. A great defensive block and ( at least one ) professional move to the hoop. Also, a brilliant feed to Sarah who was under the basket for a key score. But outside shot still awaits and rebounding is a work in progress. I am not sure how good the BIGS she was playing against are, but they did a pretty nice job of defending and rebounding.
. Heckel was a firebrand on defense, as always. Her outside and intermediate shot deserted her today. But her work attacking the hoop is jaw dropping. Highlight reel stuff
. It is almost impossible to believe that Michigan held UCONN to 4 points in the third quarter. 4 points in 10 minutes. Scary.

Hard to believe the team plays again tomorrow ( Utah). But good for conditioning.

 

[dcheng021]

It is early in the season still but it feels like we know what we will be getting each night from Azzi, Sarah, and KK, the regular season will be about figuring out what we can consistently expect from everyone else.