OK, you're Coach Muffet McGraw. What's your game plan? | Page 2 | The Boneyard

OK, you're Coach Muffet McGraw. What's your game plan?

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ericsandiego said:
True but perhaps he meant on the defensive end. I don't recall a guard who was a better defender than Faris in UCONN's history. Maybe Ashley Battle?
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I always admired Kalana Greene's defense, particularly out on the perimeter. Kelly was better against bigger forwards, in traffic and under the boards, but K-Bear was fearsome outside--on a similar level with Kelis Fisher--and she was no slouch in the paint, either.

Lastly, I think she had the same sense of pride and professionalism (so to speak) on the defensive end that Kelly had. Which is saying a lot.
 
HoopsFan21 said:
As much as I like Faris, Nurse has a much higher ceiling. Iff she ends up being another Faris, that would be a disappointment.
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Offensively she is already superior as Faris did not unveil that 3 pt shot until her senior year whereas defensively I would like to see her play more against those tougher opponents. All signs point to her eventually being a better overall player than Faris and that is saying a lot. Watching her develop and play for the next 4 years will be a lot of fun. Just the difference between what she did on the Canada national team and how much more she is doing for UConn is amazing.
 
Wbbfan1 said:
Use my guards to drive to the basket and don't stop. I'm more interested in what Geno and the coaching staff going to do to shut down Jewell Loyd.
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Go back and watch last year's NC game. They didn't seem to have problems stopping her then, as I recall.
 
I expect MM to have her guards driving the lane with more abandon than ever, looking for contact etc. It's totally their M.O. anyway, and this year we're more vulnerable than in years past.

I doubt he'll do much zone, but I wouldn't mine seeing Geno run his 1-3-1 against ND to trap and/or harass the ballhandler. Otherwise you place a lot of demands on the help side, and Stokes has been both brilliant and frustrating in that role. I don't want to see Stewie having to patrol the paint too much as the striped shirts are bound to be whistle-happy with ND penetration. Morgan may surprise me, but I think this is a game where we need Stokes to play her best and play a lot in the middle. I think against top opponents with size, Morgan's best place is not the back of the D. Stokes has to do what we know she can do.

JMHO.
 
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I hope we play well against ND this Sat. This will be a good learning step for our team. As long as we play well and use it as a step in building our identity, I will not be too disappointed if ND wins. It's their home court and we are a young team in terms of replacing our two senior team leaders. Just keep building toward March and I will be happy.
 
With tongue in cheek :rolleyes:, I posit the following ND actions/reactions:

1. Foul
2. Be shocked, shocked that the refs think you would foul
3. Flop
4. Deny flops.
5 Repeat steps 1-4 as needed.

Seriously, I just want us to play as hard as we did against GB. I hope to see the same edge and determination. And may we win! But, if not, 'tis a building process towards March (do you hear an echo, bgillon?? :D )
 
If you look at the box score for the only close game ND has played this season Michigan St shot more free throws then ND and only significant scoring for the Irish came from Loyd, Turner and Allen. Reiner apparently was limited in mins due to fouls.
 
PalPa said:
Or just flopping to the floor as if they had been charged into.
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So you are saying they should use the LeBron flop? That is a pro move that requires a lot of practice..... do you think they can pull it off?
 
I am shocked, shocked at this thread!! Y'all DO realize, don't you, that we play ND on Saturday, and here you are publicizing all this strategy that she can use against us. What are you thinking? This could be considered treasonable activity; giving aid to the enemy. You orta be ashamed!
 
HoopsFan21 said:
As much as I like Faris, Nurse has a much higher ceiling. Iff she ends up being another Faris, that would be a disappointment.
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Amen
 
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reno tony said:
So you are saying they should use the LeBron flop? That is a pro move that requires a lot of practice..... do you think they can pull it off?
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Yes judging from the number of ghost fouls called against us in the ND games, and most games this year, plus the juniors and seniors have had several years of flop training.
 
Remember guys, this is a December game, and an early December game at that. Neither team is fully up-to-speed. Neither coach is apt to play their cards like "there's no tomorrow". I don't think either coach is gonna throw ashes on their forehead if their team loses, so long as the team's play doesn't represent a step backwards.

Not so sure I can say the same thing about the fan bases, tho'...:rolleyes:
 
Rebound, rebound, rebound.

Stay out of foul trouble.

Turnovers.

To me, those are the biggest keys to the game.

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ND is 4th in rebound margin, UConn 17th.

ND is 11th in turnover margin, UConn 44th.

Among all teams in the top 50 in FT percentage, ND is 2nd in total attempts.
 
I think Muffet is going to want Kia sent back to Canada after Saturdays game. Notre Dames big people will have their hands full with Kia, penetrating like a former Notre Dame player, but able to finish+1.
 
CL82 said:
A great question for which I don't have an answer. Who was the last freshman to come in at guard and be such a critical piece so early in her career?
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Kia reminds me of Shea as a freshman in many ways. She has a similar intensity (without the scowl), a high basketball IQ, and she never, ever misses a layup. Kia has a better three at this point, though.

Although Kia has been very special to watch, she's still a freshman and may have a freshman-type game here and there. Kelly never did and maybe Kia won't either, but it wouldn't be shocking if she does.
 
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baggerbob said:
I think Muffet is going to want Kia sent back to Canada after Saturdays game. Notre Dames big people will have their hands full with Kia, penetrating like a former Notre Dame player, but able to finish+1.
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I'm hoping our other Kiah has a big enough impact in this game that Muffet wants to ship her back to Iowa! I think we need her to be a impact player in this game. If she just does what she is capable of doing by rebounding, blocking shots, boxing out and getting a few garbage put back baskets that would be huge.
 
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UConn has to be strong on the glass at both ends. You can see the difference Kiah makes when she's active. She needs to be active on Saturday. Our guards need to keep their guards in front of them. Breanna needs to be Breanna. We won't win if she has an off game shooting.
 
Wbbfan1 said:
Use my guards to drive to the basket and don't stop. I'm more interested in what Geno and the coaching staff going to do to shut down Jewell Loyd.
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May be too soon, but I'd like to see Gabby on her for a bit...
 
Uhuru said:
My guess is that the ND coach will continue with the Flopping Irish tactic. She is probably showing the team film of the Italian national soccer team.
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Mabrey swooned early in the Kansas game and the zebras ignored her...the word may have gotten out...
 
Kibitzer said:
The simple answer (for UConn, of course) is to replicate what worked for Stanford. Manhandle Stewie, put my best defender on KML, then hope that Loyd and Allen can swoop by flatfooted UConn defenders and go unimpeded to the basket. It will be a bonus if the UConn defenders stand motionless as Mabrey spots up for uncontested treys.

But now, upon further review, I notice this new girl, Nurse, and whoever guards her doesn't dare to leave her to double up on Stewie. Same goes for whomever guards that pesky little point guard. Or KML or that other one, Tuck.

Back to the drawing board.
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You wear a red scarf and try and distract Geno from paying attention to the court.

Seriously, if I were her I'd try to slow the game down and make it strictly a half court affair. I might try a box and one with the one focusing on whichever of your players is hot from the outside. If nurse and KML, etc. get hot from the outside then she'll have to switch to man.
 
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cockhrnleghrn said:
You wear a red scarf and try and distract Geno from paying attention to the court.

Seriously, if I were her I'd try to slow the game down and make it strictly a half court affair. I might try a box and one with the one focusing on whichever of your players is hot from the outside. If nurse and KML, etc. get hot from the outside then she'll have to switch to man.
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I would love to hear the rationale on that because it sounds like a terrible idea to me. Notre Dame is at their best when the transition game is going, and they have three bigs that are comfortable handling on the break (Turner, Reimer, Westbeld). I think they want to stop UConn from running and make them work the clock but I think that's just normal defense. As far as Notre Dame can control the pace with their own offense, they should run whenever possible.
 
UConn had a bunch of things exposed against Stanford. Mostly they are things that can be corrected through practice, but by March, less likely in two weeks. For this reason I would not be terribly surprised if ND were to pull off a win by 5-7 points, replicating Tara's game plan. It strikes me as likely that we'll see ND again much later this year, and at the moment I have no idea what the outcome would be.
 
If I am Muffet I play a triangle and 2 against UConn. I would put my best perimeter defender on KML and I would put my best overall defender on Stewart. I pack the paint with the triangle and double down hard on KML and Stewart if they try and post. On offense I would spread the floor in a 4 quarters set and let Loyd or Allen penetrate off the bounce. I would have Turner and Reimer diving and looking for either the pass or rebound off the penetration. The bottom line is that UConn has not proved it can guard the perimeter yet and I would take advantage of that.
 
Orangutan said:
I would love to hear the rationale on that because it sounds like a terrible idea to me. Notre Dame is at their best when the transition game is going, and they have three bigs that are comfortable handling on the break (Turner, Reimer, Westbeld). I think they want to stop UConn from running and make them work the clock but I think that's just normal defense. As far as Notre Dame can control the pace with their own offense, they should run whenever possible.
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I think UCONN has more talent and especially more quickness, so ND would be more likely to win in a half court game. When USC plays at UCONN, we can insert a lineup that can play either way, so I hope the game is up tempo, which would be more enjoyable.
 
sawxfan23 said:
If I am Muffet I play a triangle and 2 against UConn. I would put my best perimeter defender on KML and I would put my best overall defender on Stewart. I pack the paint with the triangle and double down hard on KML and Stewart if they try and post. On offense I would spread the floor in a 4 quarters set and let Loyd or Allen penetrate off the bounce. I would have Turner and Reimer diving and looking for either the pass or rebound off the penetration. The bottom line is that UConn has not proved it can guard the perimeter yet and I would take advantage of that.
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Interesting concept.

Permit a comment about the perpetual conundrum of how to defend the perimeter while still not allowing penetration by the perimeter players. Defend up close and you shut down treys -- but are vulnerable to drives to the basket. OR. . . Give the perimeter shooter space and be vulnerable to a spot-up triple.

Very generally, UConn guards perimeter shooters closely and reliy on help defense to bail them out if their opponent drives past them. (Now you know how our bigs block so many shots.) When guarding wings, UConn defenders overplay their opponent saying, in effect, "You wanna drive to the basket, you gotta go baseline" (where help defense works best).

At least this what I have been seeing.
 
IMO, UCONNis just fine for tis game......They have been tested and this weekend was the final tune up......
 
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