oldude
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While I have been to many UConn games through the years, I attended my first conference tournament over this past weekend. As with any game, you can see a lot more in person than on tv. I have a few observations and thoughts to share:
Paige doesn’t need to shoot more – I think there has been an underlying sentiment by many that Paige needs to take 20-25+ shots per game like CC or JuJu. But Paige is not CC or JuJu. She reads the game as well as anyone I’ve ever seen and provides exactly what UConn needs exactly when they need it. Often that entails distributing the basketball and getting her teammates involved. But as everyone could see during the 2nd qtr against a surprisingly competitive Villanova team, once the Wildcats took a lead, Paige took over the game on offense, scoring 12 points in 6 minutes.
Paige had 21 points at the half and could have easily scored 40 if she wanted to. But in the second half she reverted to distributing the ball as UConn steadily pulled away, while finishing with just 23 points for the game. Afterwards, Geno was asked if he told Paige she needed to score? He chuckled and said he only makes suggestions to Paige and then she does whatever she wants to. But in this instance, Geno specifically stated he never said a thing to Paige. She just knew that she had to step up, and she did!
Sarah is one of the best rebounders I have ever seen – Sarah put up a remarkable 3 double-doubles in 3 days, and she had more tips, steals and blocks than anyone. But it was her rebounding that I was most impressed with. She does all the little things necessary to be a great rebounder.
It starts by reading where a shot will come off the rim, quickly moving to that spot and establishing strong position. Sarah doesn’t get tangled up trying to box out opponents but employs subtle leverage using her arms, shoulder and hips to create space. She is explosively quick off the floor, snatching contested rebounds with either hand or both and then securing the ball firmly. On defensive rebounds she quickly gets the ball to an outlet guard in transition. On offensive rebounds she immediately explodes back up with the ball for a layup.
UConn’s offensive movement and flow is breathtaking to watch - UConn’s motion offense has been a thing of beauty for years. But this year it’s at another level. In past years, on occasion, the Huskies struggled with offensive flow and the ball got “stuck.” That doesn’t happen with this team. There is a constant flow of screens, back door cuts, flashing out to the arc and 2-man games that is mind-boggling for opponents to defend. The Huskies really push transition basketball off missed or made shots, frequently getting layups or great looks before the defense has a chance to set up.
The best thing about UConn’s offense is that regardless of who is in the game, offensive movement and execution never appears to falter. Paige, Kaitlyn & KK are barking out instructions like traffic cops during rush hour, and everyone on the floor knows where they are supposed to be and what they are supposed to be doing.
UConn’s defense is connected and relentless – You’ve all heard that, “Defense wins championships” and “Defense travels.” For UConn to win #12, undoubtedly DEFENSE will play a critical part. The word the players and coaches frequently use to describe UConn’s defense is “Connected,” and it’s readily apparent that this team is connected on defense. The players call out screens, make split second decisions to fight over screens or switch, perform secondary switches seamlessly to get Bigs on Bigs, pressure all over the court and get their hands on more steals, blocks and tipped balls than you can count.
The Huskies played great defense throughout the tournament. But during the 1st qtr of the championship game against a very good Creighton team, UConn found another gear and played a relentless, stifling defense that must have made the Blue Jays feel like they were playing 5 against 10. UConn forced 7 turnovers and probably had another half dozen tipped balls, while racing to a 27-11 lead. Creighton eventually stopped the bleeding and was only outscored by 4 points the rest of the game. But the damage was done and the game was effectively over after the 1st qtr.
Geno has become a mad scientist when it comes to substitutions – Over the past few years, injuries have severely limited UConn’s ability to substitute. But even during past seasons when UConn had depth, Geno frequently went with his starting lineup for the entire 1st and 3rd qtrs. This year all that has changed. Geno has real depth, using a 9-player rotation (assuming Aubrey is back) that he mixes and matches like a mad scientist, depending on game situations.
While we do not want to confuse Geno and UConn with Kim Caldwell and the hockey line changes at TN, the number and frequency of different lineups that Geno rolled out during the tournament were dizzying. The starting 5 has been relatively stable ever since Jana was inserted as the starting center. But 4-5 minutes into the 1st qtr, Geno goes small bringing in Ash and/or KK for Jana and/or Kaitlyn. After that, anything goes. The one constant is usually Paige playing the most minutes while orchestrating whatever ensemble Geno puts on the court. At times, Geno had both Kaitlyn & KK on the court in a pg-heavy lineup. At other times he went BIG with both Jana and Ice on the court together. All these changes force opponents to constantly adapt to different lineups which is not a very easy thing to do.
Are Jana and Ice ready? – We all know that for UConn to win #12, the Huskies will inevitably have to beat teams with dominant post players: UCLA, TX, TCU, OK, etc. Jana and Ice have both improved during the season, and there are times when they do things on the court that make you believe they can battle inside with any Big in the nation. But there are also head-scratching plays that make you wonder if they are ready for the battles to come. I guess we will all know when we know.
One related element is whether Aubrey will be healthy and ready to go for UConn during the Big Dance. Aubrey’s experience and athleticism is a game changer for the Huskies that will add to their ability to compete with big frontlines.
The Big East gets a bad rap – Much has been made of the suggestion that, as a conference, the Big East does not have the overall talent and depth of the power conferences, and that is probably the case. But the Big East does have excellent coaches who run some of the most complex offensive and defensive schemes anywhere in the country. Big East rosters are full of tough, smart kids, who compete hard, even when they are facing the UConn Huskies.
UConn has more work to do preparing for the challenge of dealing with the multiple looks and actions of a Big East team than many of the opponents they will face in the Big Dance. For that reason, three straight games in three days against well-coached teams that play hard all the time is absolutely a benefit to the Huskies entering the Big Dance.
So those are my observations and thoughts as UConn prepares for the challenge of the NCAA Tournament. What do you guys think? As always, I welcome the input, wit and wisdom of my fellow Boneyarders.
Paige doesn’t need to shoot more – I think there has been an underlying sentiment by many that Paige needs to take 20-25+ shots per game like CC or JuJu. But Paige is not CC or JuJu. She reads the game as well as anyone I’ve ever seen and provides exactly what UConn needs exactly when they need it. Often that entails distributing the basketball and getting her teammates involved. But as everyone could see during the 2nd qtr against a surprisingly competitive Villanova team, once the Wildcats took a lead, Paige took over the game on offense, scoring 12 points in 6 minutes.
Paige had 21 points at the half and could have easily scored 40 if she wanted to. But in the second half she reverted to distributing the ball as UConn steadily pulled away, while finishing with just 23 points for the game. Afterwards, Geno was asked if he told Paige she needed to score? He chuckled and said he only makes suggestions to Paige and then she does whatever she wants to. But in this instance, Geno specifically stated he never said a thing to Paige. She just knew that she had to step up, and she did!
Sarah is one of the best rebounders I have ever seen – Sarah put up a remarkable 3 double-doubles in 3 days, and she had more tips, steals and blocks than anyone. But it was her rebounding that I was most impressed with. She does all the little things necessary to be a great rebounder.
It starts by reading where a shot will come off the rim, quickly moving to that spot and establishing strong position. Sarah doesn’t get tangled up trying to box out opponents but employs subtle leverage using her arms, shoulder and hips to create space. She is explosively quick off the floor, snatching contested rebounds with either hand or both and then securing the ball firmly. On defensive rebounds she quickly gets the ball to an outlet guard in transition. On offensive rebounds she immediately explodes back up with the ball for a layup.
UConn’s offensive movement and flow is breathtaking to watch - UConn’s motion offense has been a thing of beauty for years. But this year it’s at another level. In past years, on occasion, the Huskies struggled with offensive flow and the ball got “stuck.” That doesn’t happen with this team. There is a constant flow of screens, back door cuts, flashing out to the arc and 2-man games that is mind-boggling for opponents to defend. The Huskies really push transition basketball off missed or made shots, frequently getting layups or great looks before the defense has a chance to set up.
The best thing about UConn’s offense is that regardless of who is in the game, offensive movement and execution never appears to falter. Paige, Kaitlyn & KK are barking out instructions like traffic cops during rush hour, and everyone on the floor knows where they are supposed to be and what they are supposed to be doing.
UConn’s defense is connected and relentless – You’ve all heard that, “Defense wins championships” and “Defense travels.” For UConn to win #12, undoubtedly DEFENSE will play a critical part. The word the players and coaches frequently use to describe UConn’s defense is “Connected,” and it’s readily apparent that this team is connected on defense. The players call out screens, make split second decisions to fight over screens or switch, perform secondary switches seamlessly to get Bigs on Bigs, pressure all over the court and get their hands on more steals, blocks and tipped balls than you can count.
The Huskies played great defense throughout the tournament. But during the 1st qtr of the championship game against a very good Creighton team, UConn found another gear and played a relentless, stifling defense that must have made the Blue Jays feel like they were playing 5 against 10. UConn forced 7 turnovers and probably had another half dozen tipped balls, while racing to a 27-11 lead. Creighton eventually stopped the bleeding and was only outscored by 4 points the rest of the game. But the damage was done and the game was effectively over after the 1st qtr.
Geno has become a mad scientist when it comes to substitutions – Over the past few years, injuries have severely limited UConn’s ability to substitute. But even during past seasons when UConn had depth, Geno frequently went with his starting lineup for the entire 1st and 3rd qtrs. This year all that has changed. Geno has real depth, using a 9-player rotation (assuming Aubrey is back) that he mixes and matches like a mad scientist, depending on game situations.
While we do not want to confuse Geno and UConn with Kim Caldwell and the hockey line changes at TN, the number and frequency of different lineups that Geno rolled out during the tournament were dizzying. The starting 5 has been relatively stable ever since Jana was inserted as the starting center. But 4-5 minutes into the 1st qtr, Geno goes small bringing in Ash and/or KK for Jana and/or Kaitlyn. After that, anything goes. The one constant is usually Paige playing the most minutes while orchestrating whatever ensemble Geno puts on the court. At times, Geno had both Kaitlyn & KK on the court in a pg-heavy lineup. At other times he went BIG with both Jana and Ice on the court together. All these changes force opponents to constantly adapt to different lineups which is not a very easy thing to do.
Are Jana and Ice ready? – We all know that for UConn to win #12, the Huskies will inevitably have to beat teams with dominant post players: UCLA, TX, TCU, OK, etc. Jana and Ice have both improved during the season, and there are times when they do things on the court that make you believe they can battle inside with any Big in the nation. But there are also head-scratching plays that make you wonder if they are ready for the battles to come. I guess we will all know when we know.
One related element is whether Aubrey will be healthy and ready to go for UConn during the Big Dance. Aubrey’s experience and athleticism is a game changer for the Huskies that will add to their ability to compete with big frontlines.
The Big East gets a bad rap – Much has been made of the suggestion that, as a conference, the Big East does not have the overall talent and depth of the power conferences, and that is probably the case. But the Big East does have excellent coaches who run some of the most complex offensive and defensive schemes anywhere in the country. Big East rosters are full of tough, smart kids, who compete hard, even when they are facing the UConn Huskies.
UConn has more work to do preparing for the challenge of dealing with the multiple looks and actions of a Big East team than many of the opponents they will face in the Big Dance. For that reason, three straight games in three days against well-coached teams that play hard all the time is absolutely a benefit to the Huskies entering the Big Dance.
So those are my observations and thoughts as UConn prepares for the challenge of the NCAA Tournament. What do you guys think? As always, I welcome the input, wit and wisdom of my fellow Boneyarders.