Notre Dame Postgame Thread

[Bills Fan]

Sometimes reading these post game threads, I feel like I watched a totally different game than some of you.

For whatever reason, the offense is not clicking at the moment. There were moments in both games where no one was moving. The ball was at the logo and everyone was just standing around. Shots were not only off, they were way off. Very unusual.

For those of you who say, "This was a very different Notre Dame team." Go back and look at the January box score and compare the two. Notre Dames's box scores are very similar. UConn's on the other hand is very different. Did Notre Dame's defense get that much better or did UConn's offense get that much worse? Maybe some of both? My eye test says the offense got worse.

Can this change for the next game or 2? ABSOLUTLY! Can 65-70 points win both games? Yes, but it will brutal on us fans.

If we score 65 points against SC look for the next flight back to Hartford. We need to see a 2025 FF, Azzi and a 2024-5 shooting Ash to show up next game.

 

[HuskyNan]

Unlocking this to discuss the game.

Critics of Azzi - this happened all game

 

[fomalhaut]

Unlocking this to discuss the game.

Critics of Azzi - this happened all game

There was another play with a entry pass to Sarah Strong where the defender was holding her so she couldn't reach the ball, causing a turnover instead of a layup.

 

[BRS24]

Almost too many to post, however a number of videos online of UConn players' arms/hands being held, yeah.

 

[BBallF]

What Geno and other coaches (besides Dawn) are complaining about is that the super-regional format and a myriad of related decisions (bouncy balls, new rims, etc.) is not showcasing the best of what the Top 16 teams are capable of — contrary to all those claims of growing the sport.

• Under the current system, it’s akin to taking out shooting efficiency in Dean Oliver’s Four Factors(for winning games) &1, i.e. comparable to early WNBA eras which were snoozefests.
• UConn typically has relatively bad offensive showings during this weekend; coincidence?

&1 Which is what BBallF is saying.

Attached:

• 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament Summary | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
• 2025 Women's NCAA Tournament Summary | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Thank you! It is a different game than the men. You want to grow it? Don't put unnecessary obstacles in the way of these women athletes. It is sexist, discriminatory, and mean spirited. Making them get up at ridiculous hours for press conferences and practices, bringing in new rims and baskets, making them practice in different places than their game, etc. all of which shows no understanding of the game. Everyone responsible for what happened with these rims and balls should be summarily removed from all decision making power.

 

[Zarathustra]

So glad I found this

If K9's buzzer beater at the end of the half was one of
everyone's (and my) favorite highlights.... then this
Yanna Paterson "block" ("put down" in my mind!) was my
at end of the game "wonderful" highlight. I LOVED IT!
I almost jump out of my chair with the double joy of
seeing H.H. foiled and the (for me) "forever" memory
of my girl YANNA finishing with the "We play every minute"...
UCONN's Defensive Intensity...! Go YANNA! GO Defense!!! Z

 

[Zarathustra]

Unlocking this to discuss the game.

Critics of Azzi - this happened all game

The "elevator" got stuck between floors! Thanks for
the video post. It recalled (for me) the IRISH attempt to
"flop" Sarah out of the game with "Faux" fouls and
H.H. looking for every missed shot to be a contact
foul and a trip to the charity stripe. H.H. is a tremendous
talent, but ....

 

[Rowdy831]

Not what I expected this weekend at all. I really expected UConn to look fresh and polished and they were anything but those to things. Azzi really struggled and Sarah played great at times but too many times she didn't get a look on the offense. Defensively they all played really good and Blanca really impressed this weekend.

The good news is I really don't think they will play that way next weekend. Jana played some really good minutes and they will need her against Betts and UCLA. If she can contain her without a lot of help it will allow the others to pester the heck out of the ball handlers which are okay but now great across the board. If they are open they can shoot the ball but I don't expect too many open players.

In the end UConn won without too much anxiety. It is amazing how much talent they have on this team. I would love to see them all play to their ability for one game just to see what they would do to a great team.

 

[JellyBean]

Unlocking this to discuss the game.

Critics of Azzi - this happened all game

Yep. That was happening a lot and sadly, not a lot calls were happening.

 

[Cuango]

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

Please, please, as long as we’re wishing anyway, let’s wish for something a little less stressful! I’m not sure my poor old heart can take two one point wins in the Final Four! Not that I would turn them down of course but, given my druthers, I ‘d much prefer a rewind from last year! However, lest anyone should accuse me of not being a “true” Husky fan, i will accept two one point wins!

 

[Centerstream]

If K9's buzzer beater at the end of the half was one of
everyone's (and my) favorite highlights.... then this
Yanna Paterson "block" ("put down" in my mind!) was my
at end of the game "wonderful" highlight. I LOVED IT!
I almost jump out of my chair with the double joy of
seeing H.H. foiled and the (for me) "forever" memory
of my girl YANNA finishing with the "We play every minute"...
UCONN's Defensive Intensity...! Go YANNA! GO Defense!!! Z

As I posted elsewhere in the thread, to me, what made Yanna's play even more impressive is the fact that Hildago made a steal on Yanna's I'll advised pass. And instead of dribbling out the remaining 5 seconds, attempted the layup. This resulted in Yanna making the Box Score with a TO, Block and Rebound in the same sequence. She never gave up!!!!

 

[TheGOAT23]

Yep. That was happening a lot and sadly, not a lot calls were happening.

The haters will say otherwise. Reminds me of the 2021 game against Baylor when all the haters said that DiJonai was fouled kn her last shot (I see you LeBron). Then all the stills came in showing Baylor players grabbing and pulling Paige and none of them were called fouls. What UCONN players don’t do is flop like a fish out of water (no comment). 🤣

 

[jaundicedeye]

The haters will say otherwise. Reminds me of the 2021 game against Baylor when all the haters said that DiJonai was fouled kn her last shot (I see you LeBron). Then all the stills came in showing Baylor players grabbing and pulling Paige and none of them were called fouls. What UCONN players don’t do is flop like a fish out of water (no comment). 🤣

Fish out of water? More like trained seals!
Did ND ever attempt a lay-up without the shooter going to the floor?

 

[Centerstream]

Fish out of water? More like trained seals!
Did ND ever attempt a lay-up without the shooter going to the floor?

Yup, but it was during warmups. 🤣

 

[ucmiami2]

The other thing people need to remember. This weekend we had two slow down games. Would everyone feel better if the final scores were 91-70 and 88-70? Me - nope, I'm fine with the scores as they were

And if next weekend we score 65 and SC scores what they did last year, we still win by 6! And I don't think SC is any better a team than they were last year, while I think Uconn's defense is better than last year.

 

[1974yankees]

I hope Geno is right that that's their hardest game of the tournament.

Texas looks really good. I am just not impressed with UCLA.

And you never know with SC.

Haven't seen TCU yet but I am watching them now against S.C

 

[YKCornelius]

The other thing people need to remember. This weekend we had two slow down games. Would everyone feel better if the final scores were 91-70 and 88-70? Me - nope, I'm fine with the scores as they were

And if next weekend we score 65 and SC scores what they did last year, we still win by 6! And I don't think SC is any better a team than they were last year, while I think Uconn's defense is better than last year.

ucmiami, I am surprised by your assessment of South Carolina. No doubt in my mind the Gamecocks are significantly improved since last year. Medina Okot size and skills brings a facet that last year's team didn't have, Latson has delivered more offensively than either Fulwiley or Paopao, and every single returning player has contributed a lot more than last year. The team stats reflect an improved team as well: PPG, FG%, 3P%, APG.

Otherwise, I agree with you. The scores are not the important metric. The wins these past two games were quite satisfying from my perch.

 

[HuskyNan]

Ok, I guess we’re not talking about the game anymore.

I tried, folks