ND Postgame Thread

[maple]

The womens basketball landscape has changed over the last decade. There are more top level players coming out of high school and the coaching has gotten better. The days when one or two teams dominated because of superior players and coaching is over. The are just more teams that can knock off the top teams on any given night. When teams are closer in talent it results in the outcome being influenced by teams that have the better shooting nights. Even the best players have off nights. Not playing in a top conference has not allowed UConn to experience being knocked of under those conditions very often. It allowed them to win even when having poor shooting nights.

We were in the AAC for what, 3 years under Stewart? And somehow we found a way to win 3 titles. And even in the following years we’ve managed to get to the FF (and 1 title game) except once in a particularly injury ravaged season. And we were hardly blown out in those FF games, some of them came from incredible buzzer beaters.

Plus LSU plays nothing but cupcakes in non-conference and still manages to be successful under Mulkey in conference games (and in the tourney).

Playing in a tough conference helps, but it’s hardly a requirement.

 

[Conndog]

I wonder if against ND Sarah should have spent more time around the basket instead of mainly setting up high. Yes she can hit the outside shot pretty well, but at 6’2 she has good hands, good footwork and a variety of offensive moves. She might have gotten the ND bigs in foul trouble or helped with rebounding. Also, I can’t wait to see Azzi and Aubrey back playing again.

 

[toadfoot]

With Azzi and Aubrey this matchup is a coin flip. Without them ND right now is the better team.

 

[uconnfan68]

I wonder if against ND Sarah should have spent more time around the basket instead of mainly setting up high. Yes she can hit the outside shot pretty well, but at 6’2 she has good hands, good footwork and a variety of offensive moves. She might have gotten the ND bigs in foul trouble or helped with rebounding. Also, I can’t wait to see Azzi and Aubrey back playing again.

The problem is that we can’t get the ball inside very easily. I see cutters going through, but the passers aren’t ready. Don’t know if that’s no recognition, fear of mistakes, or they can’t see over defenders. I think that’s also an argument for Paige to be that distributor. The others have a harder time getting their shots if needed.

 

[Plebe]

With Azzi and Aubrey this matchup is a coin flip. Without them ND right now is the better team.

What about when ND gets Westbeld back and Karlen is fully healthy?

 

[bballnut90]

What about when ND gets Westbeld back and Karlen is fully healthy?

Would be an awesome matchup if all 4 of those players are back healthy come tournament time

 

[AzzisBraids]

What about when ND gets Westbeld back and Karlen is fully healthy?

The UConn gets Caroline back and we get another show.

 

[Zarathustra]

Shade seems to disappear when the lights are brightest.

Sorry - we need a little levity

That was VERY GOOD.... However, I do feel sorry for the young lady who
was "in the shade" ... with so many family members and friends in attendance.

 

[Zarathustra]

Agreed

I kinda feel the opposite. I actually don't think she taunts her opponents that much. I feel most of the stuff she does is to get herself going and the crowd going. She seems to just totally be into the moment, lost in the game. Athletes always call the court or field an escape, it truly looks like that for her. Trust me I hated it was against UConn. If she was in a player's face or visibly talking crazy to the team, I would feel a lot different.

You must be a fan of Angel Reese. In a contrast of styles... note
the emotion of Sarah Strong after a big play. There are Stoics and
there are, well, "non-stoics". Who was the Cynic (Greek for "dog")
who replied when Alexander the Great ask of him "what can I do
for you?" The reply: "Get out of my sunlight". Some always need
the spotlight shining in one direction. Different strokes for different folks.
Then I remember watching AZZI with a smile to her teammates after a
three-pointer shot.... nothing in a taunt there... just the satisfaction of a well
executed (and may I add, beautiful) shot.

 

[Zarathustra]

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.

Maybe Paige, in her quote about H.H., was quoting scripture: Love your enemies?