Nika Muhl

[Beemer]

In the 6 minutes that NM played, we went from 4 down, to 2 up. That is a 6 pt advantage in 6 minutes, which over a course of a game equates to a 40 pt win. Of course, it would probably not quite happen like that over the course of the game, but it goes to show that NM is not a problem, but instead can be thought of as a catalyst for our team when you consider all facets of the game.

During this 6 minute stretch:

• Backcourt violation on UCF
• Open three from EW- miss.
• NM caused another UCF TO with a terrific steal and then the push and pass to CD which should have been an great assist and an easy 2 - but CD missed the bunny.
• Next possession, NM makes a nice pass into the post to get Dorka to the FT line for 2.
• Then NM causes yet another UCF TO with a tie up of a much stronger, bigger player. NM has directly given us 2 additional possessions in roughly a minute of being in the game.
• PB gives up her dribble too easily but NM handles the soft pressure easily.
• We get another foul on a layup by a fast break take to the basket by CW for 2 more FT.
• Next possession, great pass from NM to Liv for the easy two but....Liv is three seconds in the lane - a silly thing to do as all players do silly things!
• Shot clock violation on UCF - can we give NM some credit for this?
• NM hits a three pointer! ummm. not bad for a girl who can't shoot...anybody got the stats on NM 3 pt shooting this year. my guess is it is close to 35%.
• Then NM makes a silly foul to bail out UCF - but it was an aggressive foul - but ok, silly nonetheless. But, it doesnt hurt us, because we cause yet another shot clock violation - is it coincidence or can we at least give NM some credit for this? No harm on the NM foul.
• Dorka miss on a nice feed from Liv - why does she make it harder than it needs to be?
• NM playing her heart out and gets called for a tacky foul on a good sell job by Sanders. I watched this in slow-mo and couldnt see any foul, but ok NM gets the foul, but Sanders missed both -again no harm!
• NM out of the game.

So thus far, in a matter of a couple minutes, not only do we outscore UCF by 6 points, but we caused several TOs, two of which were caused directly by NM giving us extra possessions and three other UCF TOs which you have to give NM some credit for.

Every single possession NM was in the game, we had a good look or good shot, so the offense was flowing very well. But we miss an easy layup, get a silly shot clock violation on Liv, not to mention EW missing an open three and Dorka losing balance for some reason on a nice entry pass from Liv against a smaller player which should have been another easy two. If we only score on half of those, we go up by at least 6 points for a 10 point differential in 6 minutes of play. Both hustle errors by NM never hurt us.

There are those who will only argue that NM is not the cause of the above good fortune, but she sure does seem to be the direct cause of our good fortune or in the middle of it, which is what a good point guard does. By the way, No TOs from NM either AND the 'deficient' shooter goes 1-1 from 3.

Who can look at this objectively and conclude NM be rewarded for her hard work and sit on the bench the rest of the game?

Yes I know, GA has won a zillion games and has 11 titles and I have none of that on my resume, so who am I to criticize the great one....

This is impressive- I didn't watch the entire game and only got to see some of it on the replay yesterday.

I've said this before- there is something about Nika, she's simply that kind of player who makes her team play better when she's in the lineup. It doesn't matter what her role is, her presence on the court is what counts.

And I agree when you play aggressive defense the way she does, you're going to get called for more fouls than a player who lays back on an opponent.

I get that the fouling can drive Geno nuts but I also think he has to swallow his aversion to it & keep Nika in the lineup. The team is simply better when she's on the floor- they run better & seem more energized and engaged. Honestly it is a good problem for him to have!

 

[Hedge]

In the 6 minutes that NM played, we went from 4 down, to 2 up. That is a 6 pt advantage in 6 minutes, which over a course of a game equates to a 40 pt win. Of course, it would probably not quite happen like that over the course of the game, but it goes to show that NM is not a problem, but instead can be thought of as a catalyst for our team when you consider all facets of the game.

During this 6 minute stretch:

• Backcourt violation on UCF
• Open three from EW- miss.
• NM caused another UCF TO with a terrific steal and then the push and pass to CD which should have been an great assist and an easy 2 - but CD missed the bunny.
• Next possession, NM makes a nice pass into the post to get Dorka to the FT line for 2.
• Then NM causes yet another UCF TO with a tie up of a much stronger, bigger player. NM has directly given us 2 additional possessions in roughly a minute of being in the game.
• PB gives up her dribble too easily but NM handles the soft pressure easily.
• We get another foul on a layup by a fast break take to the basket by CW for 2 more FT.
• Next possession, great pass from NM to Liv for the easy two but....Liv is three seconds in the lane - a silly thing to do as all players do silly things!
• Shot clock violation on UCF - can we give NM some credit for this?
• NM hits a three pointer! ummm. not bad for a girl who can't shoot...anybody got the stats on NM 3 pt shooting this year. my guess is it is close to 35%.
• Then NM makes a silly foul to bail out UCF - but it was an aggressive foul - but ok, silly nonetheless. But, it doesnt hurt us, because we cause yet another shot clock violation - is it coincidence or can we at least give NM some credit for this? No harm on the NM foul.
• Dorka miss on a nice feed from Liv - why does she make it harder than it needs to be?
• NM playing her heart out and gets called for a tacky foul on a good sell job by Sanders. I watched this in slow-mo and couldnt see any foul, but ok NM gets the foul, but Sanders missed both -again no harm!
• NM out of the game.

So thus far, in a matter of a couple minutes, not only do we outscore UCF by 6 points, but we caused several TOs, two of which were caused directly by NM giving us extra possessions and three other UCF TOs which you have to give NM some credit for.

Every single possession NM was in the game, we had a good look or good shot, so the offense was flowing very well. But we miss an easy layup, get a silly shot clock violation on Liv, not to mention EW missing an open three and Dorka losing balance for some reason on a nice entry pass from Liv against a smaller player which should have been another easy two. If we only score on half of those, we go up by at least 6 points for a 10 point differential in 6 minutes of play. Both hustle errors by NM never hurt us.

There are those who will only argue that NM is not the cause of the above good fortune, but she sure does seem to be the direct cause of our good fortune or in the middle of it, which is what a good point guard does. By the way, No TOs from NM either AND the 'deficient' shooter goes 1-1 from 3.

Who can look at this objectively and conclude NM be rewarded for her hard work and sit on the bench the rest of the game?

Yes I know, GA has won a zillion games and has 11 titles and I have none of that on my resume, so who am I to criticize the great one....

I watched the replay last night noting each of the things you did. However when I went to get pen and paper to write it down the second time through the replay my wife gave me "the look" and we changed to The Marvelous Mrs
Maisel. Dodged a bullet.

 

[CocoHusky]

I think Geno was fibbing at the postgame press conference when he said that Nika's fouls were not the reason why she didn't play in the second half. He wasn't asked why Caroline didn't play in the second half, but I think the true reason is her two missed layups.

I think he made the judgment that they were both too amped on this particular night to play smart basketball under pressure. Their first half mistakes were evidence of that. By contrast, the guards who did play (Paige, Azzi, Christyn, and Evina), while not perfect, showed a lot more poise under pressure than Nika and Caroline did.

Some posters here, Nick Pignatello in particular, have commented that UConn was severely disrupted by UCF's full court pressure. There were some misplays by Paige and Azzi, but in general (considering how much the ball was in their hands as they were bringing the ball up), they did remarkably well to maintain possession and maintain composure. The evidence for this is that UConn had only 13 turnovers for the game compared to 20 for UCF, and of those 13, only 4 were live-ball turnovers (shown in the box score as UCF steals). Against that much constant pressure, that is very good ball custody. By the way, without counting, I believe that most of the UConn turnovers were in the first half and many were in the first few minutes, not in crunch time.

I think Geno had good reason to be concerned that if he played either Nika or Caroline in the second half, they were quite likely to make more bonehead plays than the guards that he did play. That might have been dumb fouls, traveling calls, or bad passes.

Of course he isn't going to demoralize those players by saying publicly in the press conference that he didn't have enough confidence in them to let them play the second half. But I will bet that he told them that (or will tell them) at practice or in another non-public forum.

I think it was @UcMiami that pointed out recently that it is normal for Geno to shrink the rotation come tournament time.

Where the hell have you been? Nika has done a great job of not fouling, alot better than some of her teammates. To play the kind of defense that she plays involves getting in someones face and fouls will occur. Even in her 6 minutes she changed the game. Most people on this board can see the contribution she makes, and in my opinion, she is one of our most valuable players. We needed her in this game in the final quarter.

Been right here! That statement is factually and verifiably incorrect.

 

[CocoHusky]

think first two years at point guard at uconn and you will find your answers. IIRC, shooting percentage from 3 was a lot worse than NM. Also another who was a good shooter but couldnt score much due to lack of athleticism, defense was spotty and needed help breaking the press - still one of my fav players. couldnt get off the bench her first two years.

Now if you think NM is a deficient shooter, then what would you call our so-called AA shooting guard who, I think, without checking the percentage, but I'm sure you will, are less (or at least close if not less) from three than NM is this year.

I never called NM deficient, those are your words and mischaracterizing my post as you normally do.

Name the UCONN starting PG that shot a lower percentage than Nika in her first two years of starting for UCONN.
You did not call Nika shooting "deficient"-I did. Nika had the second lowest FG percentage on the team last year and this year she has the lowest FG percentage of all 9 players in the regular rotation. BTW there is another reason Nika cannot be on the floor at the end of close games. She is shooting 33% from foul line.

 

[EdSaid]

This is impressive- I didn't watch the entire game and only got to see some of it on the replay yesterday.

I've said this before- there is something about Nika, she's simply that kind of player who makes her team play better when she's in the lineup. It doesn't matter what her role is, her presence on the court is what counts.

And I agree when you play aggressive defense the way she does, you're going to get called for more fouls than a player who lays back on an opponent.

I get that the fouling can drive Geno nuts but I also think he has to swallow his aversion to it & keep Nika in the lineup. The team is simply better when she's on the floor- they run better & seem more energized and engaged. Honestly it is a good problem for him to have!

You didn't mention the Brad Marchand Affect. Everyone of his team mates love him, opponents, not so much.

Nika, same mold? That's high praise.

 

[Beemer]

You didn't mention the Brad Marchand Affect. Everyone of his team mates love him, opponents, not so much.

Nika, same mold? That's high praise.

Although he plays for my team I don't like his game, he crosses the line into bush league play too often. Nika is aggressive yes but she never crosses the line into bush league nonsense.

 

[jchusky]

You didn't mention the Brad Marchand Affect. Everyone of his team mates love him, opponents, not so much.

Nika, same mold? That's high praise.

idk about you, but I would rather not be compared to a guy who has been suspended 6 times and started licking a player on the ice.

 

[npignatjr]

nothing against ducharme, but fudd is their best player right now, and certainly their best shooter, and she is the reason that they won the other night. a freshman, with the game on the line, swished four free throws - nbn. while others were throwing up bricks - something i know a thing or three about - she was lights out from beyond the arc. now, why ducharme was not put in after ono and ae fouled out, well, that's another story...

Wasn't she 4 for 13? Played against the press scared.

 

[npignatjr]

You can plus-minus all day. Those numbers have meaning (limited) until...the reality of the game at hand bergs for coaches to make decisions. We wouldn't need coaches if all that mattered were numbers. In a defensive battle, possessions are critical. EVERY point is critical. Yes, everyone turns the ball over. BUT, the error for forgiveness margin is a lot less for a one-dimensional player (eg. a defensive specialist) than it is for someone who plays more than defense. For Nika to contribute in a tight game like this...she has to stop the other team from scoring. If she trends away from that role or is less effective, then she has to score points and we all saw the game. She's hesitant to do that at times...even when wide open. If Azzi, Caroline, CW or someone else turns the ball over...they can make up for that because they can put points on the board...and defend. That's what coaches see.

During her time playing UCF scored 2 points. UConn took their first lead, on a Nika3, UConn missed during that time multiple layups. Who stopped UCF from scoring when they back from 14 down?

 

[LwrcasefaN]

During her time playing UCF scored 2 points. UConn took their first lead, on a Nika3, UConn missed during that time multiple layups. Who stopped UCF from scoring when they back from 14 down?

Better offense. I think if UCONN played 4 on 5 the rest of the game...they would have lost. That's the BIG picture. Who would you have taken out? I'm curious. Also, UCF guards were not the problem. It was their bigs. Was Nika going to guard them? No. Look how many files we put on their bigs. THIS game was not a game where Nika would have been most effective. People keep talking about when she was in the game as if she was not out there with 4 other players.

 

[jazz]

Name the UCONN starting PG that shot a lower percentage than Nika in her first two years of starting for UCONN.
You did not call Nika shooting "deficient"-I did. Nika had the second lowest FG percentage on the team last year and this year she has the lowest FG percentage of all 9 players in the regular rotation. BTW there is another reason Nika cannot be on the floor at the end of close games. She is shooting 33% from foul line.

why are you telling me what you said and i said..i already know that but you responded to me and cited deficient as if that was what I intended. So who has the lowest FG percentage and how many FTs has NM shot?? 5-10?

 

[npignatjr]

Name the UCONN starting PG that shot a lower percentage than Nika in her first two years of starting for UCONN.
You did not call Nika shooting "deficient"-I did. Nika had the second lowest FG percentage on the team last year and this year she has the lowest FG percentage of all 9 players in the regular rotation. BTW there is another reason Nika cannot be on the floor at the end of close games. She is shooting 33% from foul line.

This year FT 2-6. Last year 8-11. 3 point % last year 24-70, this year 24-72
Mo Jeff less than 30% 3 or and less than 40% first 2 years.

UConn Huskies 2023-24 Women's College Basketball Stats - ESPN

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[jazz]

I watched the replay last night noting each of the things you did. However when I went to get pen and paper to write it down the second time through the replay my wife gave me "the look" and we changed to The Marvelous Mrs
Maisel. Dodged a bullet.

you live to tell the tale Hedge!

 

[ballerfan]

Name the UCONN starting PG that shot a lower percentage than Nika in her first two years of starting for UCONN.
You did not call Nika shooting "deficient"-I did. Nika had the second lowest FG percentage on the team last year and this year she has the lowest FG percentage of all 9 players in the regular rotation. BTW there is another reason Nika cannot be on the floor at the end of close games. She is shooting 33% from foul line.

Nika has taken only six FTs this year. She's 2 for 6. Not a meaningful sample. But I'm not arguing that she's a good FT shooter.

Someone asked about Nika's 3-point shooting percentage. 33%, the same as last year. But since the Villanova loss, she is 43% from the 3.

Assuming Paige is starting, which I think she will be, the best-case scenario for Nika is being the backup PG and being a primary sub for Azzi and CW. That should give her a lot of minutes. There are times when Geno might want four guards on the floor, for example, Paige, Azzi, CW, and Nika. I like the way the team plays when both Paige and Nika are on the floor.

Nika's minutes will be dictated by the matchups against the opposing team and by how particular players are doing on a given night. Against UCF Geno wanted higher percentage shooters on the floor, so Nika sat on the bench.

 

[jazz]

This is impressive- I didn't watch the entire game and only got to see some of it on the replay yesterday.

I've said this before- there is something about Nika, she's simply that kind of player who makes her team play better when she's in the lineup. It doesn't matter what her role is, her presence on the court is what counts.

And I agree when you play aggressive defense the way she does, you're going to get called for more fouls than a player who lays back on an opponent.

I get that the fouling can drive Geno nuts but I also think he has to swallow his aversion to it & keep Nika in the lineup. The team is simply better when she's on the floor- they run better & seem more energized and engaged. Honestly it is a good problem for him to have!

the worst foul of the game was the one EW had on a three point shooter. GA was very animated on the sideline. Im not sure the last foul on NM was actually a foul either. It looked good to me.

 

[npignatjr]

Better offense. I think if UCONN played 4 on 5 the rest of the game...they would have lost. That's the BIG picture. Who would you have taken out? I'm curious. Also, UCF guards were not the problem. It was their bigs. Was Nika going to guard them? No. Look how many files we put on their bigs. THIS game was not a game where Nika would have been most effective. People keep talking about when she was in the game as if she was not out there with 4 other players.

Evina did what? Their best player guard Battles, also their top scorer. Who played good defense against their guards who led their comeback from 14 down in the 4th quarter?

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Evina did what? Their best player guard Battles, also their top scorer. Who played good defense against their guards who led their comeback from 14 down in the 4th quarter?

Battle was...wait for it...4 of 11. Their guards did not lead the comeback...unless, Smith is a guard. AT least UCF had to guard Evina and not just leave her wide open. As long as I've been watching this team part of their success has been to make their opponents guard all positions.

 

[BobbyJ]

The old phrase is always applicable. "Never mind what they say. Watch what they do".

 

[Rocket009]

During her time playing UCF scored 2 points. UConn took their first lead, on a Nika3, UConn missed during that time multiple layups. Who stopped UCF from scoring when they back from 14 down?

UCF also had their best 2 players on the bench in foul trouble at that time. That may be part of the reason we extended the lead.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

UCF also had their best 2 players on the bench in foul trouble at that time. That may be part of the reason we extended the lead.

It is. The big battle was ferocious. Everybody was fouling out. lol

 

[MSGRET]

Right so for two full season now Nika has not fouled out of a game. She has apparently also failed to receive the message that she needs to be in more control on the court.

So what about the control needs of Liv and AE? they both fouled out, don't you crying about their game. Nika would have stopped the offense of UCF just like she did in the first half of the game.

 

[CocoHusky]

This year FT 2-6. Last year 8-11. 3 point % last year 24-70, this year 24-72
Mo Jeff less than 30% 3 or and less than 40% first 2 years.

UConn Huskies 2023-24 Women's College Basketball Stats - ESPN

Visit ESPN for UConn Huskies live scores, video highlights, and latest news. Find standings and the full 2023-24 season schedule.

www.espn.com

Mo Jefferson WAS NOT the starting PG as a Freshman- nice try though!

 

[CocoHusky]

So what about the control needs of Liv and AE? they both fouled out, don't you crying about their game. Nika would have stopped the offense of UCF just like she did in the first half of the game.

I certainly did "cry" about AE and Liv fouling out. Please try and keep up so I don't have to repeat myself. Criticism of Nika hits different don't it?

What makes you so sure that Nika would get the message in the second half of this game when she has failed to receive the exact same message for almost two full season now. Geno and the staff have been delivering that message ( harness & control your aggression) to Nika since her very first game in a UCONN uniform. The same message is being delivered to ONO for 4 years now and AE for two. This messenger does not like to be ignored.

 

[TCC Kid]

She made her only tried 3 when the team needed it. Paige may be a better option, that's a maybe because it depends on what is required at that moment. My OPINION/take on the situation is: With this intense defense against Uconn (brutal) he may have seen some aggressiveness from Nika he didn't want. Read between the lines..
Caroline missed 2 layups, how many did Dorka, ONO, or Evina miss? Caroline wasn't seeing headlights. If Caroline wasn't injured, it may have been better to give another minute or 5 when they led. She can score, play defense, i.e. is an asset --experience now may pay off later

Maybe Geno is thinking that Paige @ lees than 100% is a better starting option than Nika?