ND UConn thoughts (merged thread)

[JonathanXIV]

sos.. figures the 1 top ten team they can't beat is ND. they've had UConn's number since like 2010 or so. when will UC learn to reverse the fortunes? this ND dominance is getting ridiculous.

ND dominance? We’re you sleeping the last two years?

 

[scotty0330]

I'm sorry but I think that Geno should have intentionally gotten a technical foul within minutes after Azzi's injury. The refs were letting ND get too physical and the foul that Miles did on Nika should have been a flagrant 2 with Miles being forced to leave. Nika could have been seriously injured, but I guess ND always gets away with that in South Bend.

Umm no. Flagrant 2 is a punch. That was the Furthest thing from a flagrant 2…get real..

 

[BB Dawg]

The game was won with ND energy and their size down low. Amari should have been in the game a lot earlier. ND played smart and laid off all non 3 point shooters for Uconn.

 

[HuskyNan]

The game was won with ND energy and their size down low. Amari should have been in the game a lot earlier. ND played smart and laid off all non 3 point shooters for Uconn.

Amari couldn’t defend in the post. She wants to play on the perimeter.

 

[Rixxx]

Let's face it, UConn had no answer for Miles.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Have rarely seen a team so unprepared for another. All week, myself and others commented on how predictable Miles was, always going right and using her long arms to shoot layups. Allowing her to do this from the start of the game is a mystery. We also knew ND would faceguard Fudd, yet there were few plays to get her open. While I fully expect UConn to win if they play again, seeing the predictable offensive and defensive play of ND and not have Huskies ready to play was disappointing.

I would have liked to see Fudd switched to playing some point guard this game. Especially, since they wanted to faceguard and also make Miles play more on ball defense against an offensive threat. Nika is pass first. TBH I think after Azzi left, the rest of the game was an offensive experiment on what combos worked and which would never work.

 

[CTBballfan243]

Have rarely seen a team so unprepared for another. All week, myself and others commented on how predictable Miles was, always going right and using her long arms to shoot layups. Allowing her to do this from the start of the game is a mystery. We also knew ND would faceguard Fudd, yet there were few plays to get her open. While I fully expect UConn to win if they play again, seeing the predictable offensive and defensive play of ND and not have Huskies ready to play was disappointing.

This isn’t the final four. It’s an early season game. uConn tried to make Miles go left. ND just shot lights out today. Tip your hat and get ready for the next game. Geno won’t loose any sleep over this game. UConn played hard and fought back and got themselves back into the game. The fight in UConn was good to see. ND just played better today. it’s one game and your can’t win them all. UConn will be ok.

 

[npignatjr]

Going forward any discussion of Aubrey staying in the starting lineup when Dorka is healthy is over. In fact her position of the first forward to come off the bench should be in jeopardy. If Azzi is not hurt too bad. Watching the game the difference in apparent improvement from their HS years competing between Aubrey and Sonia is striking.

 

[Littlemin]

Let's face it, UConn had no answer for Miles.

True to an extent, but they had no answers on defense period. ND shot 56% from the floor and coincidentally, so did Miles. She got them off and running big time with 13 in the 1st qtr but Uconn was only down 5 at the end of the qtr. ND broke the game open in the 2nd qtr and Miles only had 2, and 2 in the 3rd. She got 4 in the 4th for her total of 21, so after her 13, she got 8 the last 3 quarters, with 4 assists and 5 TOs. In my estimation, her start certainly set ND up nicely but so did their defense. Muhl’s 2 3’s were UConn’s only points almost 6 1/2 minutes into the game when Senechal hit a 3.
From 18-13, Uconn went almost 5 full minutes in the 2nd qtr scoring only 2 points, and were still only down 8 when Senechal hit a 3 at the 5:16 mark to make the score 26-18. But ND then ended the half on a 15-6 run to go up 17. Uconn had a shot to get back in at 49-44 and the ball but ND ended the 3rd on a 9-2 run to get the lead back to 12. Uconn never got closer than 10 in the 4th.

 

[socal613ws]

I wasn't surprised Uconn lost, I think it's safe to say the players who were on the court ND was more experienced. And they were going to come out strong after a bad loss.

 

[hoophuskee]

ND vs UCONN Thoughts:

UCONN loses Azzi Fudd after just 13 minutes. (While already losing Bueckers for the year and Ice) playing away from Home. Guess what? More than likely they are gonna lose. It's that simple.

 

[Dynastic]

Amari couldn’t defend in the post. She wants to play on the perimeter.

This is a puzzling issue (DeBerry), play or not play (geno)… something hasn’t happended to allow her to be on the court. We shot poorly and our “bigs” were thinking about TIkTok.

 

[uconnever]

Going forward any discussion of Aubrey staying in the starting lineup when Dorka is healthy is over. In fact her position of the first forward to come off the bench should be in jeopardy. If Azzi is not hurt too bad. Watching the game the difference in apparent improvement from their HS years competing between Aubrey and Sonia is striking.

Sonia didn’t do much today either, I hardly noticed her.

 

[uconnever]

No one we have can guard Miles and Ebo is too big and strong for anyone we have. We have to have a good game plan to beat them because one on one we can’t guard those two and that’s a problem. We don t match up well with them, but we can beat them.

 

[npignatjr]

Sonia didn’t do much today either, I hardly noticed her.

10 pts, 4-7 shooting 4 assists 6 rebounds

 

[CocoHusky]

This is a puzzling issue (DeBerry), play or not play (geno)… something hasn’t happended to allow her to be on the court. We shot poorly and our “bigs” were thinking about TIkTok.

It is really not that puzzling. It is this simple: UCONN is down two post players in Ice and Dorka, that means opportunity is knocking for Amari. Amari is not answering the door. Amari didn't answer the door last year either when Liv when down during conference play or when Dorka went down in the NCAA tournament.. Opportunity is very impatient and will quietly go knocking on a different door. Ayanna had no problem answering her knock this year and Caroline answered her knock last year.

 

[wingsfan055]

To say that you UConn was undersized today is an understatement. There were plays where AG at 6 ft 1 in was playing center. AE is a strong 6'3 but the rest of the UConn team was undersized it appeared at almost every position. Notre Dame had at least three or four players that seem to own the paint the whole game that were bigger and physically stronger than their matchup. What's worrisome was not just the fact that UConn was undersized but also was slower than Notre Dame.

 

[CocoHusky]

Sonia didn’t do much today either, I hardly noticed her.

Did you watch the game? Sonia was aggressively face guarding Azzi from the jump. That set the ND Defensive tone for the entire game because Azzi only got 2 FGA in the 13 minutes she did play.

 

[jaydee602]

Do you think UCONN will drop in the polls? Does Ohio State or Indiana have a strong enough resume to jump over them? Or does UCONN's #1 strength of schedule keep them at #3 after losing to a 7th ranked team?
I can see ND elevate into the top 5, but not higher than that....for now.

 

[BB Dawg]

Amari couldn’t defend in the post. She wants to play on the perimeter.

I give you that. But she would have played D and drained some of her shots...She would have helped today

 

[BB Dawg]

It is really not that puzzling. It is this simple: UCONN is down two post players in Ice and Dorka, that means opportunity is knocking for Amari. Amari is not answering the door. Amari didn't answer the door last year either when Liv when down during conference play or when Dorka went down in the NCAA tournament.. Opportunity is very impatient and will quietly go knocking on a different door. Ayanna had no problem answering her knock this year and Caroline answered her knock last year.

The makeup of the team was offensively challenged today

 

[BobbyJ]

To say that you UConn was undersized today is an understatement. There were plays where AG at 6 ft 1 in was playing center. AE is a strong 6'3 but the rest of the UConn team was undersized it appeared at almost every position. Notre Dame had at least three or four players that seem to own the paint the whole game that were bigger and physically stronger than their matchup. What's worrisome was not just the fact that UConn was undersized but also was slower than Notre Dame.

Maryland beat ND with a 6-3 Miller and 6-2 Sellers playing as wings. They're no bigger than UConn.

 

[Valleyfan]

This isn’t the final four. It’s an early season game. uConn tried to make Miles go left. ND just shot lights out today. Tip your hat and get ready for the next game. Geno won’t loose any sleep over this game. UConn played hard and fought back and got themselves back into the game. The fight in UConn was good to see. ND just played better today. it’s one game and your can’t win them all. UConn will be ok.

While I agree about the early season game, Geno should lose sleep over this game. He and the team need to learn from their mistakes - especially the energy level from the outset. They need to create shots for their shooters. I’m a big fan of both Nika and Aubrey, but I admire what ND did - leave them open and see if those 2 beat you.

 

[Inthepaint]

It is really not that puzzling. It is this simple: UCONN is down two post players in Ice and Dorka, that means opportunity is knocking for Amari. Amari is not answering the door. Amari didn't answer the door last year either when Liv when down during conference play or when Dorka went down in the NCAA tournament.. Opportunity is very impatient and will quietly go knocking on a different door. Ayanna had no problem answering her knock this year and Caroline answered her knock last year.

Agreed.
Just to be clear, I don’t like agreeing. I just can’t seem to give up hoping that some sort of light bulb is going to go on over Amari’s
head and she’ll start fulfilling her potential and providing some badly needed inside play.
True, in order for her to perform she needs to be on the floor instead of cheerleading and high-fiving after other people hit 3’s, but she has to use the minutes she is getting to show you-know-who that more minutes for Amari will translate into positive results for the cause.
Hitting a couple of outside shots is nice, but it’s doubtful that our size challenged situation calls for an oversized shooting guard.
I have liked Amari’s potential (there’s that word again) since she came aboard and will continue to hope.

 

[CocoHusky]

Do you think UCONN will drop in the polls? Does Ohio State or Indiana have a strong enough resume to jump over them? Or does UCONN's #1 strength of schedule keep them at #3 after losing to a 7th ranked team?
I can see ND elevate into the top 5, but not higher than that....for now.

The polls are the least of the teams concerns right now. Yes UCONN will drop in the polls. When you are ranked #3 and lose to the #7 team that decisively you will drop-that just how it works.

 

[Conndog]

Notre Dame was the better team. Hard to adjust on the fly when your best player is injured early in the game. Aubrey was cold but that isn’t too surprising. UConn’s defense was poor- time after time ND found the open player when UConn tried to switch or double-team, and credit to ND, they made their shots. Was hoping for something from Caroline but never saw her with such a crappy game. Too many turnovers from our point guard too. ND is tough, played well, put great defensive pressure on us, took UConn completely out of their game- what did we have, one fast break?- and it just was ugly. If you are going to lose, might as well lose big! But the big questions for me are- is Azzi okay? What the heck was wrong with our 6’2 guard/forward? When can Dorka get back into the line-up?

Our team of injured players could be ranked in top 3 squads- Paige, Azzi, Dorka, Ice, pick a name out of the hat for #5- that would be a scary team to face.

 

[Plebe]

Do you think UCONN will drop in the polls? Does Ohio State or Indiana have a strong enough resume to jump over them? Or does UCONN's #1 strength of schedule keep them at #3 after losing to a 7th ranked team?
I can see ND elevate into the top 5, but not higher than that....for now.

Yes, UConn will drop in the polls.

 

[TeamFirst!]

Citron shut down Azzi. She had a solid game.

 

[jaydee602]

Yes, UConn will drop in the polls.

Thought so, especially since #5 Indiana & #4 Ohio State had successful weeks with the Hoosiers blowing out #6 North Carolina.

 

[Littlemin]

Notre Dame was the better team. Hard to adjust on the fly when your best player is injured early in the game. Aubrey was cold but that isn’t too surprising. UConn’s defense was poor- time after time ND found the open player when UConn tried to switch or double-team, and credit to ND, they made their shots. Was hoping for something from Caroline but never saw her with such a crappy game. Too many turnovers from our point guard too. ND is tough, played well, put great defensive pressure on us, took UConn completely out of their game- what did we have, one fast break?- and it just was ugly. If you are going to lose, might as well lose big! But the big questions for me are- is Azzi okay? What the heck was wrong with our 6’2 guard/forward? When can Dorka get back into the line-up?

Our team of injured players could be ranked in top 3 squads- Paige, Azzi, Dorka, Ice, pick a name out of the hat for #5- that would be a scary team to face.

Maybe you ought to just hold off your rooting until your “scary team to face“ takes the court. God, the horrors of actually losing a college basketball game on the road to a nationally ranked team coming off a loss.
Especially with a nameless “point guard” with the “too many turnovers“ and Caroline, who I am sure is more concerned with her disappointing you with her “crappy game“ than the physical issues she is bravely trying to play through. I sometimes wonder if some people even realize these are very much human beings out there.