Notre Dame Postgame Thread

[HopJim]

For the Huskies to claim the next 2 games Azzi needs to step it up. Today she played flat footed and very tentative. The girl can throw a switch and have a monster game next time up. I pray she does.

Would agree this was not Azzi's best game but would also submit that in some ways she outplayed Hidalgo. Azzi was always in control, particularly in the 2nd half where she frequently had to handle the ball. Was doubled most of the time when on offense and had to run through some horrid picks while on defense but she was always in position. She made sure the ball stayed in motion, did well when she attacked the basket one on one, and played great defense the entire game. Hidalgo is special due to her energy and constant movement but often tried to get a foul by driving and throwing herself a the defender. Some times it went in but in this game she was often out of control. On defense, perhaps due to her small size, she gets away with alot of hacking. UConn consistently increased their lead throughout the game while ND went up and down often due to Hidalgo trying to do too much.

 

[HopJim]

KK I understand because she has always been able to drive, but only started shooting longer balls this year. But Shade has surprised me. She’s capable of hitting all the shots she’s taken in the past few games, and her shot just looks off.

Alot of shots from all the games and from both sides looked off.

 

[HopJim]

In the last 3 games Ashlynn is averaging 25 minutes per game but is only averaging 3.3 pts on 17% (4 for 23) shooting including 0% (0 for 11) on 3-pointers. How can she turn this around? We can’t have more of the same if we want to get no. 13.

👎

 

[HopJim]

She made the wisest decision of her young life last April. I love her grit and her flash. May the confetti rain down on her and her teammates.

While Blanca has made great improvement in every aspect of her performance, I am even more impressed by K9's growth this year. In the beginning of the season, at times I wondered why Geno signed her. Appeared a step slow on defense with inconsistent offensive skills. Today, most use words like "tenatious" and "whirling dervich," to discribe her. Geno trusts her which is a big badge of honor for a UConn player.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Like others have said UConn needs KK and Ash to contribute on scoring. But I’m glad that they are still doing other things to help.

Atleast Shade shoots the ball

 

[HopJim]

Great defense on HH. She shot maybe 38% for the game. Ash on her early and KK later. They both did their job. I would guess it is harder to score when you trying to lock down the best PG in the country. Both did well in other facets of the game: rebounds from Ash, I think 1 TO between them and some steals and assists.

Now they do need to score a bit more. They been in this funk for a while now, so I expect them to come out of it soon. Hopefully, teams look at the tape, lag off of Ash and KK and both make them pay with big threes.

Genius move by GA to move HH out of the middle of the court when on defense by sending the player she is guarding to the corner and then letting SS bring the ball up. HH is so dangerous on defense getting steals, especially as the game gets into the 3rd and 4th.

I wonder sometimes if there is anything about this game of BB that GA does not think of and prepare for. It may sound like a little thing, but sometimes little things win games and that is what your coach is for. I know everybody is aware, but when I see GA do things like this, it reminds me what an incredible coach he is and how lucky we are go have him.

While I have often felt that UConn would benefit from 1-2 younger asst. coaches, my guess is that these nuggets of gold come from Geno AND his staff. Alot of experience on that bench.

 

[DaddyChoc]

I did not like this game. I did like the outcome. For two games now, they won. But to me they did not look like the UConn team of this season. Yes, their opponents come out with intensity especially during the tournament. In the last two games something for me has been missing which has made these games scary. Very nice to see people who come off of the bench that make such a big impact on offense as well as defense. I am lucky. I get to see the team play in another final four and perhaps for another championship.

They aren’t playing cupcakes right now so a 15-20pt win is what we must settle for.

 

[boontonbomber]

Would agree this was not Azzi's best game but would also submit that in some ways she outplayed Hidalgo. Azzi was always in control, particularly in the 2nd half where she frequently had to handle the ball. Was doubled most of the time when on offense and had to run through some horrid picks while on defense but she was always in position. She made sure the ball stayed in motion, did well when she attacked the basket one on one, and played great defense the entire game. Hidalgo is special due to her energy and constant movement but often tried to get a foul by driving and throwing herself a the defender. Some times it went in but in this game she was often out of control. On defense, perhaps due to her small size, she gets away with alot of hacking. UConn consistently increased their lead throughout the game while ND went up and down often due to Hidalgo trying to do too much.

Not sure what game you were watching.

 

[HuskyNan]

They aren’t playing cupcakes right now so a 15-20pt win is what we must settle for.

Amazing to me some people don’t see that.

 

[donalddoowop]

While I agree about the “carping”, your contention that we have just “played the two toughest opponents we will face in this tournament” is simply astounding! Texas, UCLA, and/or South Carolina would all likely beat those two teams by double digits and Michigan probably would as well! (They beat them by 39 earlier this season) I realize ND has gotten better but I’m not sure they are 39 points better!

No, both these games were tough (for various reasons) and Hannah was truly scary but it is a virtual certainty that we are going to have to beat two of UCLA, South Carolina, Texas (Michigan does have a puncher’s chance) in order to win #13! Regardless of which two it is though,
there is zero doubt that both those games will involve “tougher” opponents than the two we just played in Fort Worth!

As for your contention that “We have too much talent for most… (all?) teams.” even it that were true (debatable) there are numerous examples of less “talented” teams beating teams with vastly superior talent. Villanova/Georgetown, Iowa/South Carolina, Harvard/Stanford etc….! Make no mistake, we will need to play at the highest level next weekend if we are to win #13! Sure, we can do it, but it’s certainly not a lock!

IMO, this is an outstanding post and very true. How could anyone with basketball knowledge think that the last two teams UConn beat are better than the teams UConn still has to face. I have doubts about UConn winning it all because of what you stated, they have to play at their highest level and unless three or four players play like they did during the regular season, they won't play at their highest level. Of the four number one seeds I think SC and Texas are playing to their potential. One other thing, as far as the rims are concerned, they did not seem to bother Blanca, Strong, or HH.

 

[Phil]

They aren’t playing cupcakes right now so a 15-20pt win is what we must settle for.

I'm still astonished that the ESPN line was something like 29 points. Massey had UConn by 14.5 and ended up being 18 so I'd say Massey had the better model. I am not unaware that UConn beat Notre Dame by a lot earlier in the year but it also watch them play and there is no question they are a much better team than the team we beat so badly earlier in the year. Part of that is the return of KK Bransford but they also seem to have their act together. Our 18 point win was a major win not a shortcoming

 

[ERWUC65]

Wow thank you so much for this. I'm a big Ashlynn fan, to me she is almost the (healthy) reincarnation of Shea in her toughness and loyalty and all-around bad-ass vibe. I'm seeing so much negativity toward her (with some absolutely hateful posts) and it's really frustrating. As a coach myself, I would kill to have players with her attitude and tenacity playing for me.

No excuse for the hateful posts, but a lot of comments about Ash's recent performances come from those (including me) who thought she was a good player, great on defense, spotty on offense, but not an AA candidate. Maybe a better word would be streaky and as such she is capable for one of those great shooting games in the next two because we desperately need another shooter.

 

[Zarathustra]

But, but, but…they didn’t score! Geno should replace them immediately!

REGARDING KK and Ash's "low" scoring .... I just added another
"W" to the season's win total...... 38-0... IMHO That's makes
this UCONN Team "PERFECT"... Well done KK and Ash!

 

[Zarathustra]

They aren’t playing cupcakes right now so a 15-20pt win is what we must settle for.

Yes, but I will be SO happy with even a one- point win... How about two
of them next weekend!

 

[uconnfan68]

Yes, but I will be SO happy with even a one- point win... How about two
of them next weekend!

Save the 1 point victories for the guys. I want 40.

 

[Zarathustra]

Save the 1 point victories for the guys. I want 40.

May you get your wish!

 

[Bigboote]

They aren’t playing cupcakes right now so a 15-20pt win is what we must settle for.

I suspect some people might see a "6" by Notre Dame and forget that had just defeated the 2 and 3 seeds. They were playing way better than a typical 6 seed.

 

[Zarathustra]

While Blanca has made great improvement in every aspect of her performance, I am even more impressed by K9's growth this year. In the beginning of the season, at times I wondered why Geno signed her. Appeared a step slow on defense with inconsistent offensive skills. Today, most use words like "tenatious" and "whirling dervich," to discribe her. Geno trusts her which is a big badge of honor for a UConn player.

If you thought that K9 appeared "slow" at the beginning of this season
then check out the "slow"? Jovana Popovic highlight videos on Jovana's
"recruiting" thread (at the top of the BONEYARD home page). Jovana,
IMHO, is not only "fast", but she is also "quick" ("fast-twitch" muscle fibers).
I have Jovana's highlights on my "favorites" menu... watch her weave
through those Spanish "Bigs"!!! We will both have to find new
adjectives to describe the combined UCONN guard play next season!
Jovana is so "cool" she puts the "POP" in Popsicle! (well, I tried!)

 

[Pharos]

We're starting the call that "The Kayleigh Shot" and we expect at least one per game. Lotta fun.

 

[Pharos]

I think (for once) that the various carping (above) is
overdone...

Tough opponent
Tough Pressure
A competitive game

The various opposing coaches have put in great plans
to attempt to disrupt our offense. and have each succeeded to some extent

I believe that we’ve played the 2 toughest opponents that we will meet in the tournament.

I’m very pleased with this win

As I’ve noted in posts throughout the season
We have just too much talent for most…(all?) teams

While Blanca has made great improvement in every aspect of her performance, I am even more impressed by K9's growth this year. In the beginning of the season, at times I wondered why Geno signed her. Appeared a step slow on defense with inconsistent offensive skills. Today, most use words like "tenatious" and "whirling dervich," to discribe her. Geno trusts her which is a big badge of honor for a UConn player.

Watch The Kayleigh Shot again and watch how fast she got up to get into defensive position. Impressive.