Ole Miss Postgame thread (merged)

[Jewels]

Yanna will most likely play next Tuesday against Holy Cross . Let's reserve judgment until she and Aubrey are in the mix. At that point Uonn will have a 10-player rotation.

Any one know why she was back in a shoulder sling again tonight?

 

[ConnManFan]

Frankly, Q did not play well against Oregon state. I would have been surprised to see her tonight.

It looks to me like Q is so eager to please that she is almost hyperactive. If she would take a breath and let the game come to her she might really blossom quickly.

 

[Heytherego]

Any one know why she was back in a shoulder sling again tonight?

Geno said in the post game presser that she ran into something at practice and it’s a minor setback

 

[hoophuskee]

Muhl and Edwards were on the court with them last year. Muhl, Edwards, and Paige commanded the lions share of attention. It was a lot easier to be a complimentary piece last year.

This is a totally different team. Look at Shade’s stats in the last several big games:

Shade tonight - 2 points
North Carolina - 3 points
Iowa - 5 points
USC - 5 points
Duke - 0 points

KK is averaging only 3 points per game this season.

I think it is fair to take a look at this and have some concerns.

Noen of the players not named Piage are the potential offensive player that Azzi is. Then the more attention she'll garner will give all others more open looks. It's only a matter of time now that offenses may have to start game planning Azzi too.

 

[Blue Huskie]

Fast athletic guards, and big strong posts have been UConn kryptonite in recent years.

Ole Miss gave us the chance to deal with the guards. Great prep for ND and the new Tenn.

Azzi and Jana got rolling. Jana, 8 pts 9 rebounds for the fake double double and 100% fg vs a power 4 tourney team. Azzi 18 clutch points.

Sarah will keep her green light from 3. She pulls defenders out from under the basket.

Chen, KK and Ash were simply swallowed up by the Miss guards. They need more experience with that type of athlete. This is where Azzi's experience and talent is so important.

Fast athletic guards, and big strong posts are kryptonite for EVERYBODY

 

[Stagnant]

So hoophuskee, it’s time to move Azzi into the starting lineup. Isn’t it?

 

[hookshot]

Yanna will most likely play next Tuesday against Holy Cross . Let's reserve judgment until she and

 

[ThisJustIn]

I thought I saw somewhere that Ash took a blow to the ribs last game. Can anyone confirm?

I believe CD: Sarah should continue shooting 3's.

This is a super young team playing against vets in their 6th game.

Clearly we're DOOOOOMED!

 

[hoophuskee]

So hoophuskee, it’s time to move Azzi into the starting lineup. Isn’t it?

As a fan I say yes for sure. But I realize their might be still a minute restriction. If she played 28 today maybe 20 - 25 next game but within next few absolutely.

You think so too?

 

[ERWUC65]

On a typical UConn team KK and Ash are role players and I think Geno is trying to force them and Chen into roles they just aren't ready to handle.

I like KK and Ash off the bench in mostly defensive spots as they are well conditioned, fast and disruptive. Ash is a good spot up shooter with time, but without the slash and drive of Azzi. I am most hoping for Chen to step up as we need a PG to allow Paige to move about to the 2 and 3 to shoot and distribute and run the team.

 

[Stagnant]

If I am reading the stats right, I think strong is 8-32 from 3 this year. That’s pretty rough. I remember as a freshman Caroline seemed to lose confidence in her shot and she was dealing with her concussion issues. But she seemed to never really lose her green light.

So, if we think Sarah Strong can shoot it… she should keep shooting it. We need someone to take those shots. Only 3-14 as a team tonight from behind the arc.

 

[Charliebball]

Muhl and Edwards were on the court with them last year. Muhl, Edwards, and Paige commanded the lions share of attention. It was a lot easier to be a complimentary piece last year.

This is a totally different team. Look at Shade’s stats in the last several big games:

Shade tonight - 2 points
North Carolina - 3 points
Iowa - 5 points
USC - 5 points
Duke - 0 points

KK is averaging only 3 points per game this season.

I think it is fair to take a look at this and have some concerns.

I think both players are still works in progress and the only way they will improve is by playing them.........when Azzi is 100% fit and Aubrey Griffen is ready to play, they will take minutes from Shade and KK but UConn needs their contributions this year just as they did last year.....

 

[David54]

Since starting 0 for 10 on her threes Sarah is 8 for 17. Keep shooting sarah

Azzis is shooting 12% on her threes. Should she stop shooting them?

 

[ERWUC65]

Yes those two proved last year that they were incapable of playing basketball at a high level.......it's a shame UConn didn't make it into the NCAA tournament because of their lousy play........I think they should just sit out for the rest of this season so that doesn't happen again........

The level of play this year in the league is going to be a considerable measure above last year - just look at the games so far and the players skill sets. And they are all stacked on the top 10-15 teams. Last year you could name 5 top players, now there are least 20 -25 and lots of 5th year seniors, grad students, etc. We will need everyone at their best and those who start and those who come in off the bench will all play an important part. The pace will be high and depth and conditioning will be the key to get thru the 30+ games and the tournament.

 

[NYFan]

Geno said in the post game presser that she ran into something at practice and it’s a minor setback

Probably Jana...

 

[Bone Dog]

Geno played 8 tonight. i suspect this is the rotation we’ll see in the important games. Paige Azzi Sarah Ice Jana Ash KK and Kaitlyn. It’s possible he’ll add Aubrey and Ayanna to it when they come back. But I doubt we’ll see Q Allie or Morgan outside of conference play.

This is the group who needs to get the most minutes playing together.

 

[stamfordhusky]

Easy to be super critical of this game. I don't want to ever contribute to hyperbole so I'll just say, this was the worst win in the entire history of the program. What happened to tough players with killer instinct. We haven't seen anyone like that since Stewwie left. Is it Geno's coaching style in his older years? Has he grown soft so the team has become soft? No reason at all that this wasnt a 35 plus point win.

Sarah is now 8 for 32 from 3. How many games until you are what your shooting percentage says you are? Just maybe being the second leading scorer and assister while leading the team in steals, blocks and rebounds is good enough?

Mighty small sample size, to say the least. Steph Curry had several streaks last year where he shot worse than 8–32 over a series of games. Would you have ordered him to stop shooting threes? If Strong is still hitting 25% in January, then it might be time to make a judgment. But certainly not now.

Before anyone distorts what I’m saying, I’m not suggesting that Sarah Strong is the second coming of Steph Curry when it comes to shooting from behind the arc.

 

[JellyBean]

For me, this was a great win for UConn. When the game got down to 3-4 points. The team rose to the occasion and took command and asserted themselves again. The did not panic. Like Paige said in the presser, basketball is a game of runs. You have to stop those runs at some point and go on a run yourself, which they did both. It is a young season. We good.

 

[PacoSwede]

Q not played by Geno; not mentioned in the game posts. Is she lost forever?

morgan and allie saw no action also

 

[Dugway]

U r correct playing big against n dame would be pretty foolish

Do you think that it might be time to start Azzi then? And if so, Fudd in lieu of which of the previous starters?

 

[Stagnant]

I also think it is time to put Fudd into the starting lineup. The game against holy cross should be a bench game theoretically. Put fudd in as a starter. Get it over with. And you can probably play her for 20 minutes or less in that particular game.

Fudd should start over shade.

 

[Twolf]

My initial thought for this team was once Azzi came back you would need to insert her for Chen and bring Jana in for Ash. Tonight UConn was the better team and when they were big gave Ole Miss a look they couldn't defend. Going forward I expect Ash and KK to come off the bench to spell Paige or Azzi and unfortunately Chen will move down the line a ways.

If Geno continues to try to play small ball they will have serious problems and one of them will be in a couple weeks when they play ND. I love the way Sarah plays and I love her ability to catch the ball. Her skills coupled with her size make her a mismatch that forces the other team to make a choice. Azzi and Paige will be amazing but it is time to take off the training wheels and let them go.

Notre Dame is playing a two point guard offense with Miles and Hidalgo along with another guard in Citron. If you want serious problems try matching up with the lineup you’re suggesting. I take it you’re putting Paige and Azzi on the two point guards and Strong on Citron. At the stage Azzi is at in her comeback there is no way you want her having to have to defend a point guard unless it’s a ball screen switch or her legs will be gone and even a casual fan knows you are going to need her offensive best to win. KK will be an important weapon on the defensive end because the engine that drives ND’s offense is the playmaking of those two point guards, and you will need a defender that can keep either of the two in front of them. JMO

 

[ERWUC65]

Do you think that it might be time to start Azzi then? And if so, Fudd in lieu of which of the previous starters?

Going to depend on the competition and it will most likely be in for Ash. I still like starting Ash and letting her improve her skill set. She is already the fittest, fastest defender and a good spot up shooter if given enough time, but struggles to read and anticipate in a fast motion game. When Azzi is finally all back, she is on a level with Paige in abilities and will start in the real tough games (ND, SC).

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

That was a nice educational 6th game.

• UConn played better than expected in the first half (though the 3 ball wasn’t dropping);
• The third period is something Geno and CD probably hoped for (in a weird way) — a great preparation for ND #0;
• What matters is the UConn fought back and it wasn’t just Paige (29 pts);
• Azzi (18 pts, 28 mins) has re-emerged (probably sooner than many hoped and by necessity), and Jana played her most focused game;
• Sarah and Ice played well for a half; other players were serviceable; others were less so — good to experience this now.

Kaitlyn, Azzi, Paige, Sarah and Jana would probably emerge as the starting five with a few more games.

• Post-feeds to Jana still seem to be problematic; but Jana’s most effective offensive sets thus far are comparable to what UConn had with Aaliyah (mid-range jumpers and drives);
• Options will improve for Jana and Ice when the 3-pt efficiency returns.

Note: Azzi played point guard in the half court sets a lot in the 4th quarter.

#0: It is a simulation of what UConn should expect:

• with many Hannah Hidalgo type defensive pests on the floor,
• when the referees swallow their whistles — allowing the game to be reduced to playground basketball,
• when UConn’s offense freezes up (a snowballing comedy of errors arising from complacency, some asleep players, too much harried dribbling, turnovers leading to the invigoration of Ole Miss’ almost bully defense);
• when the opponent seems to be making shots that heretofore eluded them (60%, 28 pts in the 3rd quarter).

 

[Stagnant]

I agree that KK is important against Notre Dame.

 

[dtbtbtb]

Few Thoughts:
in the decisive minutes during the 4th quarter, Geno went with Paige, Azzi, Sarah, Jana and KC. It seems to me that those 5 are the ones he trusts the most.
It was interesting for me that when the teams warmed-up before the game Ole Miss spent the first few minutes on defensive drills...i don't think i saw something like this before.
First half was a s good as we could expect with Paige and Sarah controlling the offence, the team playing great defense and Ole Miss missing everything.
The third quarter was scary as Ole Miss started hitting all kinds of shots while UConn seemed in a disarray. But here comes Azzi to save the day.
The 4th quarter was more like it with good defense and offense by UConn.
Paige: had way too many turnovers but what a player. Can do everything on the basketball court. Clearly the best player in this tournament and fully justified MVP.
Azzi: it was good to be reminded how great of a player is Azzi. No trace of limitations of movement. Crafty, strong, great handles, great defense and those moves around the basket. wow.
Sarah: missing a lot of 3's but you want her to continue shooting them as sooner or later they will fall. Great first half, not so great second half but the fouls called on her did seem to impact her.
Jana: loved the way she played. Strong, physical, going for the boards on both offense and defense, making her lay ups. Need to improve her free throws but this kind of performance against a veteran physical team of athletes, bodes real well for the future.
Ice: struggled some against the physicality of Ole Miss. and i really don't like her shooting 3's but what do i know.
Chen: was basically in control and didn't take any bad shots.
KK: good on defense but what will be with those forays to the basket which she very rarely finishes with a basket?
Ash: Somewhat of a disappointing game. Works hard but seems confused at times.
All in all, a good win against a quality opponent. I saw the game where Ole Miss played against BC and they absolutely destroyed them.
Hopefully Geno starts Paige, Azzi, Sarah, Jana and Chen the next game.

 

[jdote33]

I watched the first half headed home for the holidays and thought I was going to watch a boring second half. I did see an Azzi post game thumbnail so I was pretty sure they won. But wow, I was pretty surprised by the second half. But I enjoyed it. After all this is the same ole miss team that was really close to beating the current number 1 team in the country in UCLA. I'm really happy for Azzi. Just a really good game from her. I feel like half the three she's missed this season are in the cylinder but spin out. She was the stabilizer when things got out of control in the 3rd. And it may be just because it's been awhile since watching her but she looks quick. I agree with some of the post to an extent on kk, kc, and ash. I actually don't think they are playing particularly bad but I just don't think they are doing enough to make an impact. It's a catch 22, only so much shots to go around and I feel each is deferring to Paige which is not necessarily a bad thing. But KC shooting 1 shot in 27 minutes is pretty wild. There is no way Allie Z is shooting 1 time in 27 minutes and she's a freshman. I feel like kk is concentrating on defending and bringing the energy which is admirable for a player who might've played her best game in the final 4 last year. I think Ash, somewhat similar to KC is just having a hard time finding her offense, like where her shots are going to come from. I thought her bucket in this game was beautiful. Sarah Strong said in one of her preseason interviews it's a unique team cuz the bigs can handle and shoot and the guards can post. I think Ash needs to take advantage of those type of semi post opportunities.Paige was good but she did have some rough turnovers. She hit some big shots, really in various key moments.

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[Boreifs]

If Aubrey were available, Yanna would have a hard time cracking a10 player rotation

How do you know that? She played injured her entire Freshman year. No one on this site has any idea how she will play.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Paige of course looked great. Azzi is back! I thought Jana was also super important and gave some really great minutes.
I’ve not been impressed with Shade, at all. Once Azzi is fully back she really needs to slide into that starting spot. Against the two ranked teams so far, Shade has a combined 5 points, going 2-7 (.29%), 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 turnovers in 48 minutes. That’s not going to cut it.

Heytherego- - -Shade had been hurt in the Oregon State game!
Her hip and leg they said!
So she might have still been feeling the effects!

 

[CONN78SEJ]

The biggest take away from Azzi's performance was the fact that she got most all her points without attempting 3's. This is huge. We know she can be lethal from the 3 pt line. If she continues to show off her 2 pt game, defending her will be nearly impossible. Teams won't be able to send defenders darting to the 3 pt line without risking Azzi going by them. I can only guess, but I am sure the coaching staff reminded her that she is not a one dimensional player. Great job by them. Let's hope she continues to wow us with her 2 pt game. The 3's will get easier too.

Azzi’s first step is lethal, even against the quick defenders that Ole Miss had. With Fudd and Bueckers on the floor at the same time, they’re gonna be tough to guard for any team.