My thoughts on seeing UCONN live in the 3 games of the AAC

[EricLA]

First, unlike the past at the XL center where I'd see tons of boneyarders, this year was different. It was great to see Phil, Tony, Charlie, and several others, but I didn't get to spend as much time with BY'ers as usual and I missed that. However, I did love how the Mohegan Sun did the whole tourney and thought it was very organized and really well done. The Mohegan is a great place and there were tons of places to eat and hang out between games. Sorry Hartford, I liked it better at the casino... And most importantly, no Ginger announcer with his ..."wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwone shot" comments. UGH! Now onto UCONN...

There were times when UCONN looked like world beaters (mostly the entire first half of each game), and there were times where they looked decidedly less than (mostly the 2nd half of each game). In the RU and L'ville games, UCONN came out of the gates like a house on fire and got up 13-0 and 8-0 in each game.

Fans have noted before that teams can play UCONN even for about 32 minutes (which equates to 8 out of the 10 four minute stretches in each game), but that UCONN normally outplays even the best teams by a wide margin in at least 1 of the 4 minute stretches and this can result in beating a really good team by 15 or so points.

UCONN generally did better than that in the first halves. Their problem came in the 2nd halves. At times during the RU game, they not only looked out of synch, but almost disinterested - lacking passion, intensity, fire, whatever you want to call it. In the 2nd half vs. L'ville, they looked better but just could not pull away in that half. Against Cinci, I don't even know what to make of the 2nd half. Rust maybe?

I'm not sure the last time UCONN put together close to a 40 minute 100% effort and intensity game, but it certainly did not happen during the AAC tourney. HOWEVER, each game was essentially over by half time.

KML - not sure if she's back to 100% physically (stamina, etc), but she's pretty much back in every other way. The kid was her old self and was REALLY active on both ends of the court during the L'ville game. Best I've seen her play in a while.

Dolson - Seemed off in the L'ville game, but certainly a senior leader, an essential cog in the fantastic starting 5, and doing her best impression of Geno scampering out of the way of 2 players thundering towards the sidelines I've ever seen. The crowd went nuts!

Hartley - My ONLY complaint about her game is that on a fast break, she tends to keep the ball all to herself instead of giving it up, and instead of drawing a foul or getting an assist, sometimes turns the ball over. Other than that, she's ridiculous crazy good and not only plays great offense, but great defense as well. She's a 1st team AA in my book.

Jefferson - was very disappointed she wasn't on the all conference team for the tourney. As only a sophomore, I prefer the ball in her hands on offense 100% of the time - far better than anyone else on UCONN, and that's no insult to Hartley or anyone else who engineerss the UCONN train. In one word - she's sensational.

Stewie - what can you say? Some great players take plays off, especially on defense. How many times have we seen great "stars" of other teams attempt a shot on offense, feel they were hacked, complain to the refs, and mail it in on the next defensive possession? Not Stewie. That happened several times during the L'ville game and she sprinted back and instantly got involved in stopping L'ville's offense. And of course the kid is the most gifted player in the country and really should be NPOY, even tho I suspect it will go to Simms, who is also deserving.

Stokes - LOVE this kid right now. All hustle, spending more time in the post on offense actually posting up, and her defense is just terrific. The 5 spot is in great hands next season with her in the fold but she is solid and steady off the bench this season.

Banks - plays terrific defense, and really did a bang up job on Schimmel yesterday, but seems to try too hard and forces things when playing. It almost seems like she's looking over her shoulder and knows that she may sink further on the depth chart to the trio of crazy good guards coming in next season.

Chong - similar to Banks. Seems like she made it past the freshman wall only to sink further down the past few weeks. I mean this as no disrespect to her, but when on the court, she contributes literally zero except to take up a spot amongst the 4 other players. I am rooting for her big time and sincerely hope she works on every facet of her game over the summer because nothing she did in the AAC tourney stood out even a little bit.

I believe Cat pointed out in a thread UCONN better hope their guards don't get into foul trouble in the NCAA's. I tend to agree. While I feel better with Banks out there over Chong, neither is where I'd hoped to see them developmentally, and I hope they find their mojo and steady confidence in the coming weeks. I hope that didn't sound too harsh, but I'm just trying to call it like I see it.

If this team can play for longer stretches like they did in the first half of each of the 3 games, they won't be beat. BUT they failed to put together more than 25 minutes of great UCONN basketball in any of the 3 games of the tourney.

Geno said last year after the ND loss that he felt he didn't do his best coaching and sat the team down and said "I'm going to teach you how to win an NC this year" and he did. I don't think he needs to be that "dramatic" this year with this team, but he does need to refocus them and get them to play much closer to 40 minutes of UCONN basketball IMHO...

 

[msf22b]

Great read Eric; on TV yesterday Banks looked like she might break out her O any second, looked positively dangerous.
But at that point, L'ville's D was way down.
Still…

 

[Icebear]

Super piece, Eric.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Geno was interviewed by Brooke after the game. She asked about the pursuit of perfection. He laughed and said there was room for improvement because they had lulls and made mental mistakes. Obviously, Eric picked up on those.

In a way, it's strange that UConn can look unbeatable for stretches and average for others, but I think that's the nature of 40-minute games. I'm not sure, though, there was as much variation when Maya was on the floor. I think we also need to give credit to the opposition, especially the #3 team in the country.

Sometimes shots don't fall for us, but they do for the other guys, so that can make us look bad. But if we get good shots and the other team makes contested shots, that's okay. I'm happy overall about last night. The 27-10 run, as fun as it was, was not sustainable. I thought we were a little quick and perhaps over-aggressive last night, with a few too many forced passes into traffic and shots a little early in the shot clock, considering we had a 20-point lead. But like Geno, I'm mostly ok with mistakes made out of aggressiveness.

I believe Stewie failed to close out on a 3-point shot and earned a spot on Mr. Auriemma's bench. So even the MOP and possible NPOY has room for improvement.

I think the conference tourney games are odd for several reasons: (1) facing teams you have already beaten twice can cause boredom or lack of focus; (2) coaches may manage minutes, and players may conserve energy in the early games because of the 3 games in 3 days format; and (3) by the third game, fatigue may set in.

I'm optimistic that the rest leading up to the NCAAs plus the every other day format will allow the Huskies to be a little crisper. As Eric noted, no drama is needed this year. I expect the team to look as good as last year's team, which was awesome.

 

[Icebear]

Stewie ran near to a screen and the screener flopped and Stewie turned her attention to the flopper to scold her neglecting Gates who slowly took her time to set and drain a 3 with a distracted Stewie in front of her. A play that never should have happened.

 

[reno tony]

I believe Stewie failed to close out on a 3-point shot and earned a spot on Mr. Auriemma's bench. So even the MOP and possible NPOY has room for improvement.

Instead of setting a pick against Stewie they are trying the new "distraction play" where you fall on the floor and scream she fouled me while the other player takes their three point shot. It worked this time but I doubt it works a second.

6 TO GO TO 9​

 

[Icebear]

Sometimes shots don't fall for us, but they do for the other guys, so that can make us look bad. But if we get good shots and the other team makes contested shots, that's okay. I'm happy overall about last night. The 27-10 run, as fun as it was, was not sustainable. I thought we were a little quick and perhaps over-aggressive last night, with a few too many forced passes into traffic and shots a little early in the shot clock, considering we had a 20-point lead. But like Geno, I'm mostly ok with mistakes made out of aggressiveness.

Yes, I was very frustrated by some of the recklessness in our passes. It was, however, better than the nonchalant passes of some games.

 

[UcMiami]

Nice piece and pretty accurate.
I would say against Cinci Geno really called off the dogs early and started experimenting with line-ups in the first half and by the second half was giving everyone minutes. I think the team picks up on that and loses some focus so I think I give everyone a pass on that.
Rutgers - that first half was magic. The second half I wondered if Geno wasn't interested in making sure it didn't become a true beat down for the good of the AAC and with NCAA selection in mind. Whatever they did in the second half was going to be a let down after the first half.
Louisville - I though for the middle section of the first half Uconn just got a little amped up - they were in Rutgers first half mindset and just started thinking they could do anything - playing a little to fast, trying to make spectacular plays rather than just really good plays which led to 10 turnovers. And again I thought Geno was not unhappy to keep the game in the 20 point range
On Banks - she made a few really good passes and was active offensively in the last game. I thought she played positively but I wish she would be a little more confident with her jump shot.
Chong - pretty much agree. She is in a funk at the moment and looking a little lost - unsure of what to do and when to do it.
I also thought the team missed Jefferson a few times on ball reversal - with her current shooting (another 4-5 effort against Louisville) she really is a viable option and a few too many times she was ignored.

 

[msf22b]

Did anyone notice an open Kaleena being ignored, more than once?

 

[Sonny44]

First, unlike the past at the XL center where I'd see tons of boneyarders, this year was different. It was great to see Phil, Tony, Charlie, and several others, but I didn't get to spend as much time with BY'ers as usual and I missed that. However, I did love how the Mohegan Sun did the whole tourney and thought it was very organized and really well done. The Mohegan is a great place and there were tons of places to eat and hang out between games. Sorry Hartford, I liked it better at the casino... And most importantly, no Ginger announcer with his ..."wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwone shot" comments. UGH! Now onto UCONN...

There were times when UCONN looked like world beaters (mostly the entire first half of each game), and there were times where they looked decidedly less than (mostly the 2nd half of each game). In the RU and L'ville games, UCONN came out of the gates like a house on fire and got up 13-0 and 8-0 in each game.

Fans have noted before that teams can play UCONN even for about 32 minutes (which equates to 8 out of the 10 four minute stretches in each game), but that UCONN normally outplays even the best teams by a wide margin in at least 1 of the 4 minute stretches and this can result in beating a really good team by 15 or so points.

UCONN generally did better than that in the first halves. Their problem came in the 2nd halves. At times during the RU game, they not only looked out of synch, but almost disinterested - lacking passion, intensity, fire, whatever you want to call it. In the 2nd half vs. L'ville, they looked better but just could not pull away in that half. Against Cinci, I don't even know what to make of the 2nd half. Rust maybe?

I'm not sure the last time UCONN put together close to a 40 minute 100% effort and intensity game, but it certainly did not happen during the AAC tourney. HOWEVER, each game was essentially over by half time.

KML - not sure if she's back to 100% physically (stamina, etc), but she's pretty much back in every other way. The kid was her old self and was REALLY active on both ends of the court during the L'ville game. Best I've seen her play in a while.

Dolson - Seemed off in the L'ville game, but certainly a senior leader, an essential cog in the fantastic starting 5, and doing her best impression of Geno scampering out of the way of 2 players thundering towards the sidelines I've ever seen. The crowd went nuts!

Hartley - My ONLY complaint about her game is that on a fast break, she tends to keep the ball all to herself instead of giving it up, and instead of drawing a foul or getting an assist, sometimes turns the ball over. Other than that, she's ridiculous crazy good and not only plays great offense, but great defense as well. She's a 1st team AA in my book.

Jefferson - was very disappointed she wasn't on the all conference team for the tourney. As only a sophomore, I prefer the ball in her hands on offense 100% of the time - far better than anyone else on UCONN, and that's no insult to Hartley or anyone else who engineerss the UCONN train. In one word - she's sensational.

Stewie - what can you say? Some great players take plays off, especially on defense. How many times have we seen great "stars" of other teams attempt a shot on offense, feel they were hacked, complain to the refs, and mail it in on the next defensive possession? Not Stewie. That happened several times during the L'ville game and she sprinted back and instantly got involved in stopping L'ville's offense. And of course the kid is the most gifted player in the country and really should be NPOY, even tho I suspect it will go to Simms, who is also deserving.

Stokes - LOVE this kid right now. All hustle, spending more time in the post on offense actually posting up, and her defense is just terrific. The 5 spot is in great hands next season with her in the fold but she is solid and steady off the bench this season.

Banks - plays terrific defense, and really did a bang up job on Schimmel yesterday, but seems to try too hard and forces things when playing. It almost seems like she's looking over her shoulder and knows that she may sink further on the depth chart to the trio of crazy good guards coming in next season.

Chong - similar to Banks. Seems like she made it past the freshman wall only to sink further down the past few weeks. I mean this as no disrespect to her, but when on the court, she contributes literally zero except to take up a spot amongst the 4 other players. I am rooting for her big time and sincerely hope she works on every facet of her game over the summer because nothing she did in the AAC tourney stood out even a little bit.

I believe Cat pointed out in a thread UCONN better hope their guards don't get into foul trouble in the NCAA's. I tend to agree. While I feel better with Banks out there over Chong, neither is where I'd hoped to see them developmentally, and I hope they find their mojo and steady confidence in the coming weeks. I hope that didn't sound too harsh, but I'm just trying to call it like I see it.

If this team can play for longer stretches like they did in the first half of each of the 3 games, they won't be beat. BUT they failed to put together more than 25 minutes of great UCONN basketball in any of the 3 games of the tourney.

Geno said last year after the ND loss that he felt he didn't do his best coaching and sat the team down and said "I'm going to teach you how to win an NC this year" and he did. I don't think he needs to be that "dramatic" this year with this team, but he does need to refocus them and get them to play much closer to 40 minutes of UCONN basketball IMHO...

I just don't see how any team could keep up that intensity for 40 minutes when after 25 minutes they already have a 25+ point lead. Plus, at that point coach is continuously subbing players in and out.

 

[Uconner1]

Did anyone notice an open Kaleena being ignored, more than once?

YES

 

[Phil]

Walz famously had hit team ignore Tiff's on the perimeter. Happily, she made him pay.

My guess it was a calculated risk.

The scouting report, if it was written by someone who was awake, says Stewie is a big threat, and deserves as much attention as you can afford. You can't double Stewie without slacking off someone. Earlier in the season, you might chance letting Mo alone on the perimeter, but that's no longer an option. UConn's strength on offense is that there is no obvious candidate, but if you have to pick someone, you might hope that KML is still less than 100%, and take your chances.

If you ant to view it as pure numbers, I'd say ignoring KML has an 60% chance of going badly, which normally would mean don't do it. But I'd also say asking anyone to guard Stewie one on one has a 99% chance of going badly, so it may turn out to be the best calculated risk.

 

[Icebear]

That's what Duke thought, Phil!

 

[phil sampieri]

Nice piece and pretty accurate.
I would say against Cinci Geno really called off the dogs early and started experimenting with line-ups in the first half and by the second half was giving everyone minutes. I think the team picks up on that and loses some focus so I think I give everyone a pass on that.
Rutgers - that first half was magic. The second half I wondered if Geno wasn't interested in making sure it didn't become a true beat down for the good of the AAC and with NCAA selection in mind. Whatever they did in the second half was going to be a let down after the first half.
Louisville - I though for the middle section of the first half Uconn just got a little amped up - they were in Rutgers first half mindset and just started thinking they could do anything - playing a little to fast, trying to make spectacular plays rather than just really good plays which led to 10 turnovers. And again I thought Geno was not unhappy to keep the game in the 20 point range
On Banks - she made a few really good passes and was active offensively in the last game. I thought she played positively but I wish she would be a little more confident with her jump shot.
Chong - pretty much agree. She is in a funk at the moment and looking a little lost - unsure of what to do and when to do it.
I also thought the team missed Jefferson a few times on ball reversal - with her current shooting (another 4-5 effort against Louisville) she really is a viable option and a few too many times she was ignored.

You just saved me from wearing my typing finger(singular) couldn't agree more. Was at the Cinn game and Geno didn't seem too angry at the slowdown. In each game in the 2nd half
they pretty much called off the fast break and set up the offense and ran clock. A lot of respect for both opposing coaches.

 

[msf22b]

Did anyone notice an open Kaleena being ignored, more than once?

By the way, I was noting her being ignored by our guards as much as Jeff's defenders

 

[huskeynut]

KML has been left alone in several games since her elbow injury and then the mono thing.

Calculated gamble by the opposition - probably yes. I think teams fear our inside game with Stewie and Stef more than they fear our outside game and the percentages say they are correct. Teams seem to be collapsing into the paint and trying to deny the entry pass to the low post. Let's face it, if Stef and Stewie get the ball down low its almost an automatic 2 or a foul.

And that is why Uconn is so difficult to defend. On any given night, any one of the five starters can burn you for big numbers. You pick your poison and hope your right.

 

[EricLA]

KML has been left alone in several games since her elbow injury and then the mono thing.

Calculated gamble by the opposition - probably yes. I think teams fear our inside game with Stewie and Stef more than they fear our outside game and the percentages say they are correct. Teams seem to be collapsing into the paint and trying to deny the entry pass to the low post. Let's face it, if Stef and Stewie get the ball down low its almost an automatic 2 or a foul.

And that is why Uconn is so difficult to defend. On any given night, any one of the five starters can burn you for big numbers. You pick your poison and hope your right.

Good points. And you are right - there are 5 scorers on any given night for UCONN. Mo Jett still averages just over 10 PPG. and her 3 point % is over 40%. Incredible numbers. In fact, every UCONN starter averages over 10 PPG.

 

[JoePgh]

What I noticed on Monday night is that Louisville was allowing Stef to shoot from 15 feet with no defense at all -- they seemed to be more concerned with guarding the people she might pass to. She stopped taking those shots after it was apparent that Monday was not her night to hit the side of a barn. But on another night, ignoring Stef at 15 feet seems like a probable fatal move -- with a much higher probability that the potion will be delivered than was the case with Tiffany.

I presume that if she had started hitting a few shots from that range, they would have adjusted their defense, and something else would have opened up.