ND Postgame Thread

[Huskyfan63]

We need more players like Hidalgo on our team. I knew we were going to lose tonight, and their guards (Hidalgo especially) were going to eat us alive.

We just look really soft sometimes. I'm not saying our girls aren't competitive, but when you see how Hidalgo plays, with the fire and intensity she has to go along with her talent... you just feel like that's something we are missing.

I seem to remember Taurasi punching some orange padding under the basket while playing the Vols at their place. Give me that fire any day of the week!

You make it seem like this was a 30 point beat down or something. Perhaps not losing track of Hidalgo for open 3 pointers might have closed the gap a bit.

 

[Stagnant]

I wish Cheli had gotten more of a chance this game. But Geno just doesn’t view her at that level right now I guess.

 

[Zonepress]

I think these two teams have the best rosters in the country, particularly when fully healthy (may get a little argument yet from SC, and USC), so they likely meet again in March when it counts. As a road game without their second high scorer, Uconn did not play badly, despite a little quit right at the end. Ash shooting all blanks, made Azzi's absence all the more impactful. Uconn defense was decent in the middle but struggled to get out on the corner shooters. Paige made tough shots all night but missed a couple of wide open 3s that would really have helped, and passed at the rim when better to try and finish and get fouled. Refs were not awful, despite the two ticky tacky ones on Strong that hurt and a couple where they swallowed their whistle on our end. Brady, Chen and KK all played pretty well. Strong played well in her first high pressure road game. Jana works hard but still not the high impact player we were expecting at one point. Worthwhile getting Chelli and Q out there a couple minutes for no particular benefit. but when they meet again it will be an 8 on 8 game with the 4 on 4 battle at the perimeter even at best. So it is the match up of the bigs that may determine things and ND has 4 pretty darn good bigs. An elite ND home team played the way you would expect at home tonight. they won't shoot that well on a neutral court, but can our young front court improve enough to match ND when it counts

Seems like a combination of playing Paige as a forward, guard pressure to get the ball into Paige's hands and poorly set picks and use of picks with pick and roll possibilities only being run once.

That’s how I saw it as well

 

[Zonepress]

We lost by 11 last night. A neutral court isn't going to make up 11 points. ND is just the superior team. Tip your hat to them. We should be used to losing by now given our 3-8 record against ND and South Carolina over the past five seasons. They've beaten three top five teams in their first ten games of the season. The game really didn't feel all that close after the first quarter TBH. Once ND got up 9-10 points before the intermission, it felt like the game was over because even with the UConn runs, all they were doing was closing the gap until ND went on their next run. This game felt like so many of these over the last near decade since the Big Three left town.

U are correct records don’t lie
Diagree on game bring over at half time

To only be down for starting the fourth quarter against a really good team on the road. I think the team was actually a pretty good position.
The two bad passes to start the fourth quarter
Put the lead to 8 and that was it

 

[oldude]

For those BY’ers who don’t like Hidalgo’s exuberance on the court. It’s worth noting that Paige, our own demonstrative superstar, praised Hidalgo after the game last night for her, “energy and attitude.”

I am old enough to fondly remember DT jawing away with opposing players, fans, coaches and officials throughout her 4 years at UConn. I remember most fondly a game against Duke before a packed house at Cameron Indoor Arena. The Cameron Crazies were on DT all game long, starting with warmups.

In that game, DT was magnificent and highly demonstrative. When Geno mercifully took her out of the game in the 4th qtr, with UConn up BIG, DT turned to the Cameron Crazies, put her hand up to her ear as if to talk on a phone and yelled out, “Call me,” in one last parting shot at Duke’s fans.

 

[Zonepress]

OK, here goes. I know I will get a lot of dislikes for this post, but after the debacle last night something has to change. I am a huge fan of Geno, but at this point I believe he is mismanaging this team. First, Paige has to resume her spot as the point guard. She has to be the one to bring the ball up the court. Paige is a great passer, and her ability to scan the floor for opportunities for her teammates is second to none. This also will give her the opportunity to create her own shot as we know she can do very well. Second, Geno has said many times in the past how exceptional Jana is. Well, she has made a few good plays, but she has no impact because she hardly plays. We will need her in March, but if she doesn't get more playing time than she will be worthless for us at that time. Third, we need Azzi back. Every fall we talk about all the great shooters we have, but every year we stink at 3 point shooting. We have nobody, and I mean nobody that can consistently knock down 3's, even Paige. I thought that since nothing was falling that he would put in Allie, after all, she may be our best 3 point shooter. Fourth, defense. I am so sick of watching the other team consistently throw down 3 point shots, uncontested ones at that.
Fifth, consistentcy. Ash, OMG, how can she go from one game to another and have a complete change in her game. I love this girl, but I am highly disappointed in her performance of late, except for Louisville.
Bottom line, Paige cannot do it alone, and if Geno has to put Paige back as the floor general, then that's what he should do.
Before I end this, I have a question about something that I can't figure out, and this drives me crazy. In the flow of the half court offence, players are getting the ball at the 3 point line, but they all dribble towards the paint and kick it out. Thats fine, but that player, as well every player forward does the same thing. What is supposed to happen here, why doesn't somebody take the shot instead of dribbling to the middle where quite often they turn the ball over. I'm sorry, but even though this was a tough opponent, I was very upset about how the offence was running. Also, because the supporting cast did not do well, social media is blaming this on Paige. I just hope Geno and the staff can get it together and change something, as our offence is the same as it was 15 years ago. Going to stop now as I'm giving myself a headache, and have to chill somewhere right now.

Regarding your last comments regarding the offense
the offiense seems very scripted a post player who can finish around the rim is definitely a problem

 

[BRS24]

UConn's lack of killer instinct on full display in loss to Notre Dame

While the Huskies did enough to keep it close, the Fighting Irish came up with every momentum-swinging play.

www.uconnwbbweekly.com

Article is behind paywall, however here are a few things where I agree.

That can all be fixed. It’s never been a secret that this UConn team is a work in progress with so many new faces along with all the key pieces returning from injury. In reality, the Huskies haven’t looked all that convincing this season outside of a blowout win over Louisville last Saturday. ​

​

There’s a lot of time until March. The shots will eventually fall. They can learn to rebound better. The defense can improve. None of those problems should cause any real worry. ​

​

The most concerning part about the loss had nothing to do with Xs and Os or anything that appears on the stat sheet. Instead, UConn’s lack of a killer instinct was on full display.​

​

As Auriemma often tells his team, there are tests throughout the regular season but the NCAA Tournament is the final exam.​

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Seems like this board is always talking about the players that aren’t available. No doubt Fudd would have helped but they don’t win the game with her. Irish are too fast and actually have some talent in post unlike UConn and you end up with a double digit loss

Not only Fudd, but Ash barely played at all. We could have used both players offense. I think a lineup of Paige, Azzi, Ash, Ice, and Sarah, could’ve been much tougher for ND to defend. All the madcap willy-nilly dribbling in the 2nd half I saw by UConn without actually looking to score, might’ve been one reason I saw us going to the charity stripe only once. The refs didn’t help us either, when Paige was hacked a few times.

 

[Bigboote]

Dee Kantner was pretty much invisible tonite.

Wasn’t she right in the picture when King splashed Paige from the third rope? (I dunno that it was Kantner, but there was definitely a ref about six feet from them when it happened.)

 

[Martin84]

This was a big opportunity for ash and all her family and friends were attending. Feel bad that she could not deliver. No Azzi - No Ash -
No 3 point shooters. Wish we gave the freshman a few minutes Aly ? I hear she can shoot

Cheli passes up open shots every game.

 

[Bigboote]

Oh how I wish those coaches would get players out of the game before they pick up that 3rd foul in the 1st half.

It’s one thing if it’s Paige, but Sarah is a freshman. As good as she is, I can’t fathom leaving a freshman in her 10th college game in with two fouls halfway through the second quarter.

 

[Ozimoto]

Not going to win many games shooting under 20% from the arc.

 

[hookshot]

Ice has improve a lot. I almost eat my former words. However, in Big games, she reverts. Jana, needs more PT time. Teach in practice, learn in games.
Ashlynn is a very good scorer. Azzi, has a great game then 4 nearly nothing---I like Fudd, when she's hitting these is no stopping her. Ashlynn, is an all around scorer and player. She too scores in streaks and her body takes the punishment and keeps on--going on. A player on the floor is worth 50 on the bench.
I LOVE IT--MUFFET HAS GENO'S NUMBER, were the headlines--then the NC came and UConn beat them by 18--the exact total of all the losses that year to ND.
ND played a great game, has greater talent (I choked on that), in situations better coached. Yet Geno wins more FF' s and NC's. I think I stay with Geno.

Ice actually had a pretty decent game. Ash is currently more the mystery in big games but will get there eventually (maybe not this year). Jana has a lot of work to do yet but hopefully will get there. Her playing time will have to be earned, particularly when Aubry returns.

 

[yhun89]

Just as I thought, without Azzi, ND could collapse their defense on whoever they wanted. Without a proper floor spacer, we had no other weapon against them.

We'll learn from this, we'll get Azzi and Aubrey back. We'll be prepared for March. We lost a lot of ranked games last season, yet still made it to a FF.

 

[HopJim]

Not too concerned. If you gave me a bet on UConn missing this many 3's, I could make alot of money. I would probably do some side bets on Shade, Strong, and Fudd all personally making more 3's than the entire team did last night.

 

[hookshot]

Not only Fudd, but Ash barely played at all. We could have used both players offense. I think a lineup of Paige, Azzi, Ash, Ice, and Sarah, could’ve been much tougher for ND to defend. All the madcap willy-nilly dribbling in the 2nd half I saw by UConn without actually looking to score, might’ve been one reason I saw us going to the charity stripe only once. The refs didn’t help us either, when Paige was hacked a few times.

Ash barely played for obvious reasons, clearly not her night, but lets not write her off yet, Diana had a couple of stinkers also

 

[WiseWillie]

Seems like a combination of playing Paige as a forward, guard pressure to get the ball into Paige's hands and poorly set picks and use of picks with pick and roll possibilities only being run once.

So reading through most of the post-game contributions ,were we completely outplayed? (yes, definitely it seems right from the tipoff) - and out coached (?). Let's see: ND coaching strategy Get one of the UConn star players in foul trouble early to neutralize her scoring and rebounding capabilities. Mission accomplished in 1st half. Next, face guard and completely harass the next star player by doing whatever it takes - holding, pushing, anything - to keep her from getting the ball and when she's able to free herself disrupting her shots. Mission accomplished. Set strong picks side hip thrushes and legs opened well beyond shoulder length (Look again at the foul called in last year's FF) for your star guard to run around and be open to take a 3 or pass off to the open player on the wing. Mission accomplished.

Mid-game adjustments by UConn to counter? Bring in some untested bench players. Other?

OK, it's early but #12 ain't gonna to be a slam dunk as projected on this forum as there are several major weaknesses against top 5-10 teams that will need to be addressed and corrected before Feb/Mar. Good luck, Huskies. We're all in your corner.

 

[hjoerring]

I would like to see in big game match-ups, Paige in the role she played in the NC St overtime classic. Put the ball in your best player's hands, and let her do her magic. It worked for Iowa & CC. It seems to be working for ND & HH, and USC intends to live or die with JuJu.

I'm not a fan of this. Also, this has never been Uconn style of play--thankfully. Indeed, the general lesson here is that we need for than Paige's one-on-one. And it is also not true for the ND's guards. Both teams play a passing game. They are just more active and relentless than us. Also, Citron has been one of my favorite players both in offense and defense.

 

[VaConnFan11]

1. This UConn team is slow
2. Perimeter Defense is not good (see #1)
3. No lockdown defender (see #1)
4. Fast break points are almost non-existent (see #1 , #2 & #3)

Perception is a funny thing. I see posters referencing the large number of missed 3's last night. When in reality they only missed 13. In 6 of the previous 8 games, UConn missed 13 or more 3's. In 2 of those games, they missed over 20.

Looking over the analytics of the game (Bart Torvick), the defense was the issue.

 

[WiseWillie]

OK, here goes. I know I will get a lot of dislikes for this post, but after the debacle last night something has to change. I am a huge fan of Geno, but at this point I believe he is mismanaging this team. First, Paige has to resume her spot as the point guard. She has to be the one to bring the ball up the court. Paige is a great passer, and her ability to scan the floor for opportunities for her teammates is second to none. This also will give her the opportunity to create her own shot as we know she can do very well. Second, Geno has said many times in the past how exceptional Jana is. Well, she has made a few good plays, but she has no impact because she hardly plays. We will need her in March, but if she doesn't get more playing time than she will be worthless for us at that time. Third, we need Azzi back. Every fall we talk about all the great shooters we have, but every year we stink at 3 point shooting. We have nobody, and I mean nobody that can consistently knock down 3's, even Paige. I thought that since nothing was falling that he would put in Allie, after all, she may be our best 3 point shooter. Fourth, defense. I am so sick of watching the other team consistently throw down 3 point shots, uncontested ones at that.
Fifth, consistentcy. Ash, OMG, how can she go from one game to another and have a complete change in her game. I love this girl, but I am highly disappointed in her performance of late, except for Louisville.
Bottom line, Paige cannot do it alone, and if Geno has to put Paige back as the floor general, then that's what he should do.
Before I end this, I have a question about something that I can't figure out, and this drives me crazy. In the flow of the half court offence, players are getting the ball at the 3 point line, but they all dribble towards the paint and kick it out. Thats fine, but that player, as well every player forward does the same thing. What is supposed to happen here, why doesn't somebody take the shot instead of dribbling to the middle where quite often they turn the ball over. I'm sorry, but even though this was a tough opponent, I was very upset about how the offence was running. Also, because the supporting cast did not do well, social media is blaming this on Paige. I just hope Geno and the staff can get it together and change something, as our offence is the same as it was 15 years ago. Going to stop now as I'm giving myself a headache, and have to chill somewhere right now.

There will be disagreements on this forum (that's what we do) but I have to agree with every one of your comments especially the driving into the paint, inability to finish and kicking it back out to an unprepared player who has to hoist up a quick, unbalanced 3 (that clanks). Very frustrating. Mid-game adjustments? None that were recognizable or successful.

 

[cancontent]

Please forgive me but I forgot the following in a previous post.
I'm very old fashioned and not a fan of the modern celebrate ME/look at me of the present generation!
I don't like the present NFL and NBA because of this!
Many players in all sports have the attitude to celebrate EVERY play no matter how trivial! Just do your job and move on!
After thinking it over I would like to see the ball, late in close games, in Paige's hands so she can dictate the pace and style of the game can go to! NOT the whole game but when necessary!
HH had the ball in her hands 90% of the time, so does JuJu and other great players!
Let Paige create for herself or teammates!

You see it as that where others see it they're having fun and expressing themselves. It's perception and you're entitled to your viewpoint. However if you listen to these athletes talk a lot of them talk about it's about having fun and celebrating their team mates.

 

[VAUConnFan]

Seems to me UCONN fans tolerated similar behavior from Diana. Let's not be hypocritical. Want to do something about it, then find a way to defend her.

Exactly.
I need to find a similar quote from Shannon Sharpe.

 

[Rb335]

Something interesting is that Paige scored 25, Hidalgo 29. Not much difference there. But Paige’s 25 after Q1 felt like this steady stream of 2 point shots. None really came in bunches and none from 3. Hidalgos came on many 3s and I think two times had back to back 3s. Her scoring was spaced out, more in spurts, but her shots came every time Uconn was making a run. It’s interesting how both players scored a similar amount, but hidalgos points felt bigger impact.

I get people want more from Paige, but she scored 25. If she has this mystical gear she’s not tapping into, are we expecting her to score 35 ever game?

 

[Just.A.Fan]

I'll stick to my guns on this, UConn still doesn't have a killer on the team. Someone who wants to punch and keep on punching. Someone who wants the other team to cry (metaphorically, of course). The only one I've seen like that since Stewie was Gabby and she didn't have the surrounding cast for it. All these kids are way too nice.

And I'm not talking poor sportsmanship. There's a difference between that and being a killer on the court.

I think you are grossly and unfairly overlooking Paige in this regard. When it's necessary (and it definitely was last night) she fights 'til the bitter end to bring home a victory. She is as much a "killer" as UConn has ever had.

 

[Rowdy831]

The better coached team won tonight. ND found what was working and they kept running it and UConn had no answer. You can't have your help get so deep in the lane that they can't get back to defend their player and that happened quite a bit last night. HH is good, but really her and Miles could score at will last night and that was more on the defensive plan.

UConn has success every time they drove the middle of the lane but refused to to it until ND made adjustments. I also think UConn is NOT a good three point shooting team yet they continue to hoist them up whether they are falling or not. In my opinion the defense played too soft and UConn needed to go big and shut down the lane on one end and score from it on the other.

This game isn't the end of the road for UConn for sure. It is a very difficult match up for a team that has bigger but slower guard play and until they feel comfortable playing a big line up it will be tough. Good news is they match up better with some other teams ranked near the top and the next time they play ND they will have Azzi.