ctchamps
We are UConn!! 6 >>>1!
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2011
- Messages
- 17,271
- Reaction Score
- 43,448
NG had an outstanding game on offense and probably his worse game on defense. He left open Smotrycz three times and UConn was burned for nine points. He gambled on a steal which allowed Smotrycz to get inside position for a two. A+ game on offense D game on defense. Overall the positive outweighs the negative because we all know his defensive abilities. Should make quick adjustment. If he continues to assert himself on offense like he did this game, this team will be incredible by the end of the season.
RB had a much better game than I thought. He had a two-three minute stretch where he was really shaky handling the ball resulting in turnovers. But the rest of the game he was very much under control. And that includes his defense where he managed to stay in front of his players far better than I remembered watching the game live. He and Bazz have quick hands. He missed shots that he normally makes with more consistency. What I liked is his shots were under control. All were taken within the flow of the game.
DD played a much better game than I thought. His decision making was very good. He varied his game and had a couple of floaters gone in he would have had a great game. Rebounding was not an issue for me. Where NG was burned four times by Smotryz DD was only burned once where he failed to stay anywhere's near Smotryz. In doing this however, he was always far from the basket and therefore rebounding had to be the focus of other players. And that bodes well for UConn because other players stepped up when one of the teams best rebounders was forced to play on the perimeter. Bodes particularly well given Maryland is an excellent rebounding team. There is one other factor about DD's game that I'll address when I discuss reffing.
The one major flaw I observe in this game was missed defensive assignments when a player subbed in. TS, LK and NG completely lost where there player was on the court when running back for defense on the first defensive play when they were subbed in. It resulted in 9 points. This is something the coaches need to work on with their players.
Refereeing was far better than I thought. Every foul called on UConn was either valid or valid enough not to complain imo and that includes the technical. The beauty of the DVR is checking the play in slow motion. I don't believe Bazz was taunting, but he was talking and smiling while looking in the direction of Wells and the ref who called the tech. I will give the benefit of the doubt on this one to the ref.
I thought this was a well officiated game except for one glaring exception - the lack of calls on Smotryz. He was manhandling DD all game. It that was Jeff A playing I believe Smotrycz would have ended up on his behind. During the major MD run DD did a spin move and was called for traveling. Watch the tapes and observe how Smotrycz had his left arm draped over DD's shoulder which forced the travel. The entire game Smotrycz was doing moving screens far more egregious than the one NG got called for. The worst was when he set a screen for Faust against RB in which he moves into RB's back. In football it would have been called for a block to the back. RB could easily have been hurt on that play. There were many other plays in which Smotryz was actually grabbing and lifting DD out of the circle. All in all I felt he, of all the Maryland players should have fouled out.
I feel that either DD or KO should have been more assertive with the refs about Smotryz play. I know KW or SN would make sure to talk to the refs about it. And I'm sure JC would have gotten a technical regarding it. We'll see what the staff does in the future after breaking down tape.
RB had a much better game than I thought. He had a two-three minute stretch where he was really shaky handling the ball resulting in turnovers. But the rest of the game he was very much under control. And that includes his defense where he managed to stay in front of his players far better than I remembered watching the game live. He and Bazz have quick hands. He missed shots that he normally makes with more consistency. What I liked is his shots were under control. All were taken within the flow of the game.
DD played a much better game than I thought. His decision making was very good. He varied his game and had a couple of floaters gone in he would have had a great game. Rebounding was not an issue for me. Where NG was burned four times by Smotryz DD was only burned once where he failed to stay anywhere's near Smotryz. In doing this however, he was always far from the basket and therefore rebounding had to be the focus of other players. And that bodes well for UConn because other players stepped up when one of the teams best rebounders was forced to play on the perimeter. Bodes particularly well given Maryland is an excellent rebounding team. There is one other factor about DD's game that I'll address when I discuss reffing.
The one major flaw I observe in this game was missed defensive assignments when a player subbed in. TS, LK and NG completely lost where there player was on the court when running back for defense on the first defensive play when they were subbed in. It resulted in 9 points. This is something the coaches need to work on with their players.
Refereeing was far better than I thought. Every foul called on UConn was either valid or valid enough not to complain imo and that includes the technical. The beauty of the DVR is checking the play in slow motion. I don't believe Bazz was taunting, but he was talking and smiling while looking in the direction of Wells and the ref who called the tech. I will give the benefit of the doubt on this one to the ref.
I thought this was a well officiated game except for one glaring exception - the lack of calls on Smotryz. He was manhandling DD all game. It that was Jeff A playing I believe Smotrycz would have ended up on his behind. During the major MD run DD did a spin move and was called for traveling. Watch the tapes and observe how Smotrycz had his left arm draped over DD's shoulder which forced the travel. The entire game Smotrycz was doing moving screens far more egregious than the one NG got called for. The worst was when he set a screen for Faust against RB in which he moves into RB's back. In football it would have been called for a block to the back. RB could easily have been hurt on that play. There were many other plays in which Smotryz was actually grabbing and lifting DD out of the circle. All in all I felt he, of all the Maryland players should have fouled out.
I feel that either DD or KO should have been more assertive with the refs about Smotryz play. I know KW or SN would make sure to talk to the refs about it. And I'm sure JC would have gotten a technical regarding it. We'll see what the staff does in the future after breaking down tape.