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ND Postgame Thread

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I see potential with Jana but it isn’t realized enough yet. Too many open shots for ND, UConn couldn’t defend the high screen except by doubling up on penetrating guard. But, that seemed to always leave someone open, and ND made UConn pay. so, they have to create better defense for that play. UConn only had two offensive threats tonight in Strong and Paige. Wish we saw more of Q, Allie, or Morgan. Didn’t get enough from the bigs tonight either.
 
Some observations:

-As I noted and really everyone knows: Higaldo is a most unusual player with a most unusual motor…Nothing she does should be unexpected

-Notre Dame really beat us up on the boards, especially in the first quarter and especially on the O board…unexpected, at least on this site

-When Sarah picked up her third foul and left in the 2nd quarter, the team was severely lacking in scoring and D…with only Paige left as a reliable scorer.

-There were these moments when the team either lost composure or completely failed to execute…after the first 5 minutes and crucially at the beginning of the 4th quarter.

-It took Paige a bit of time to realize that this game was like a knife fight and she would have to try to win it by herself (almost). She can be a touch passive and we didn’t have the time for her to realize it.

-Notre Dame’s secondary players had a much, much better game than ours…Our theoretical advantage in the post was a myth.

-The advantage in coaching also didn’t materialize…ND had a good idea how to win the game... their players executed, and they seemed (at least today) the more competent team
 
In the end, it was just too much Hidalgo. You can’t play off her because she’ll kill you from the arc. But if you play her tight, she’ll blow by you and either score or kick the ball out to open teammates. WBB will have its hands full trying to figure out how to defend her for the next 3 seasons.
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This! Plus, we have no low post presence at all.
 
Some thoughts

  1. We played against the most dangerous team in the country IMO on their home floor where they were pumped. I can't say I am a fan but Hidalgo played great.
  2. I am continually disappointed by our inability to keep teams off the O glass.
  3. Way too many open 3's for ND. Most because they beat us off the dribble and we had to collapse of their shooters
  4. I am amazed at how smart Sarah plays. She showed great smarts playing with 3 fouls.
  5. We need another shooter on the floor when teams focus on Paige. Shade not scoring really hurt.
  6. The way the game unfolded, the loss of Azzi or someone else showing up to hit 3's was the difference. Against a team with the weapons ND has you need a 3rd option for scoring.
 
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bballnut90 said:
Question: why doesn’t Geno utilize more of a 2 man game approach with Strong and Bueckers? They have the perfect skill set to execute it, and if defense collapses both are strong passers to find the open player. I feel like everything should be running through those 2 offensively rather than Chen/Arnold dribbling so much.
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I don't know, but I'm accustomed to a bit more cutters of the base offense. I don't see it.
 
The loss is disappointing and Notre dame definitely has bragging rights now.

I didn’t think UConn was going undefeated this year. I never thought that. Azzi out and Karlen in from the jump. I did not think that was a good omen.

I will be fine. I haven’t been running my mouth about UConn winning this game or about Paige being the player of the year. The people that have may be in for a rough time on twitter or wherever they are guilty of that behavior.

I see the positives. This was a road game. Our first game of the season. It was a 4 point game going into the fourth quarter. We can add Azzi and Aubrey and our freshmen and sophomores can get better. UConn can get better in time for march.
 
bballnut90 said:
Question: why doesn’t Geno utilize more of a 2 man game approach with Strong and Bueckers? They have the perfect skill set to execute it, and if defense collapses both are strong passers to find the open player. I feel like everything should be running through those 2 offensively rather than Chen/Arnold dribbling so much.
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Kinda agree but did see a stretch in the 4th where this was basically every play. It worked relatively well too. I thought Chen and KK actually played well. Olivia Miles and Hidalgo ar 2 of the best guards in the nation. The three turnovers in a row and the slow start from Paige was tough to overcome. Plus defensively they just were bad on the details.
 
LwrcasefaN said:
I don't know, but I'm accustomed to a bit more cutters of the base offense. I don't see it.
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They were trying to run that more as the game went on but ND anticipated it quite well.
 
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Can't help but notice a bunch of folks that have been infrequent or nonexistent posters here on the UConn WBB forum that were evidently compelled to crawl out of the woodwork tonight in order to trash Geno, the players and the team.

Nice to hear from you.....:rolleyes:
 
scotty0330 said:
You’re delusional or you didn’t see same game we all did
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I watched the game, Notre Dame played extremely well.

This is simple mathematics: Think of the player as a key variable in the team's performance. The player’s presence or absence influences the outcome in different ways, like a variable influences the result of an equation. Saying UConn would have lost with Azzi is a variable error. I respect your opinion but disagree and would appreciate if we stayed away from calling each other delusional especially when you created the fictional narrative to begin with.
 
oldude said:
Can't help but notice a bunch of folks that have been infrequent or nonexistent posters here on the UConn WBB forum that were evidently compelled to crawl out of the woodwork tonight in order to trash Geno, the players and the team.

Nice to hear from you.....:rolleyes:
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I have my criticisms of Geno but aren’t we allowed to criticize? Isn’t that the whole point of the board? I think the key is keeping criticism from becoming overly personal
 
Of course, I'm disappointed that UConn lost, but the better team won tonight. ND was more aggressive, they played tight D, owned the boards, and executed a better game plan. It's easy to complain after a loss, and look for people to blame. HH and King hurt UConn repeatedly, and on the offensive end, UConn lacked cohesion.

I will say that I am disappointed in how Geno coached tonight. He knew coming into the game, ND was going to do everything to disrupt Paige from getting in a flow. Why doesn't he make it easier for her to get the ball where she's in position to be able to execute. Most of her points were a result of her driving to the basket, trying to create her shot. She had few clear looks.

For a top 5 player, Paige certainly gets little love from the refs. On at least 3-4 occasions when attacking the basket, there was much more than incidental contact.

Fortunately, this loss comes early and there's a chance for redemption with USC.
 
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bballnut90 said:
Question: why doesn’t Geno utilize more of a 2 man game approach with Strong and Bueckers? They have the perfect skill set to execute it, and if defense collapses both are strong passers to find the open player. I feel like everything should be running through those 2 offensively rather than Chen/Arnold dribbling so much.
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To answer you’re question re the 2 man game
Imho he stubbornly sticks with a motion offense
That is equal opportunity
I suspect most coaches would have the ball in Paige’s hands to start every possession
I think it’s fair to say that page was a more dominant player as a freshman when she had the ball in her hands all the time
Somehow making paige a forward when she is a
Natural point guard is very odd
And yes, I would put Paige and Sarah, and the two men game on every position
 
oldude said:
Can't help but notice a bunch of folks that have been infrequent or nonexistent posters here on the UConn WBB forum that were evidently compelled to crawl out of the woodwork tonight in order to trash Geno, the players and the team.

Nice to hear from you.....:rolleyes:
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Glad you posted this!!! Appears to be the same situation in the Chat a lot.
 
We need to focus on Hidalgo next time we play them. Stop her and we win. Easier said than done but someone on our team needs to take these things personal. We seem to be recruiting a different type of player these days and we need to not just focus on play but we need some players with attitude. Like a Swin, Asia or Shea. I can name a lot more. They were great players but they were not gonna take any crap. We have very few of those players on our team. Too nice. This is why our Kryptonite will be Notre Dame and South Carolina, not only are they good players but they are tough as a team. Geno needs to look at these things more, our girls while I love all of them, they are too nice. Ice I’m finding out will not be what I expected for this reason only. She has all the talent in the world but you can’t teach heart and toughness. I know it’s one game but we will need a little luck to win the title, mainly avoid these physical teams. We are mostly finess.
 
A big point was Strong getting in foul trouble and ND built their lead. Of course no Azzi either. Strong no in foul trouble things may have been different. Geno needs more athletic scorers. Just think if no injuries Paige Azzi Sarah Caroline and Ice/Jana That lineup cant be beat. Just a thought.
 
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Conndog said:
I see potential with Jana but it isn’t realized enough yet. Too many open shots for ND, UConn couldn’t defend the high screen except by doubling up on penetrating guard. But, that seemed to always leave someone open, and ND made UConn pay. so, they have to create better defense for that play. UConn only had two offensive threats tonight in Strong and Paige. Wish we saw more of Q, Allie, or Morgan. Didn’t get enough from the bigs tonight either.
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Q had a nervous turnover in a brief appearance
 
aceboon said:
Paige/Sarah 1-4 pick and roll would have had both eating all game long and opened things up for others but as we know Geno would rather have Paige off ball and making the game more complicated than it needs to be.
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Exactly. The Huskies looked completely lost on their half-court sets tonight. Countless times they were in a good dribble-drive or outside shooting situation, only to pass it off into something far more disadvantageous. And that's before considering the live ball turnovers that resulted from many of those pass attempts.
 
oldude said:
Can't help but notice a bunch of folks that have been infrequent or nonexistent posters here on the UConn WBB forum that were evidently compelled to crawl out of the woodwork tonight in order to trash Geno, the players and the team.

Nice to hear from you.....:rolleyes:
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Oh yeah. Nothing like an opportunity to be negative as a motivator. Some people live for it.
 
Tonyc said:
A big point was Strong getting in foul trouble and ND built their lead. Of course no Azzi either. Strong no in foul trouble things may have been different. Geno needs more athletic scorers. Just think if no injuries Paige Azzi Sarah Caroline and Ice/Jana That lineup cant be beat. Just a thought.
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Yes is can. You listed a lot of slow players on the defensive end of the floor.
 
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