After the first few games last year, Crystal looked like a top pg in the nation. But then came her season long battle with shin splints, and we never quite saw the Crystal Dangerfield that we had all hoped for. She was limited in practice and games, and that impacted not only Crystal’s performance but also her teammates who hardly ever practiced with her. Hopefully, with a steady regimen of stretching, ice, compression and possibly some changes in diet, Crystal’s shin splints are a thing of the past.
As for this season, it’s far too soon to draw many conclusions from one game. There were a number of things to like about Sunday’s game vs tOSU and there were a number of things to be concerned about. One conclusion that I will make is that this year, UConn will go as far as Crystal Dangerfield takes them.
While Crystal had a relatively solid game against the Buckeyes, there were several things that stood out to me. Crystal played stronger and was more explosive than last year. She was playing a much more physical game, particularly on defense, which, at 5’6”, can be painful when your face is at the same level as most players elbows.
Crystal was absolutely in control on offense Sunday, much more so than last year. Clearly UConn plans to run this season, and as soon as any of Crystal’s teammates pull down a defensive rebound or secure a turnover, the ball invariably ends up in Crystal’s hands to lead the break, much as it did when Mo was running the show for the Huskies.
In addition to leading the break, Crystal barked out commands to her teammates moving them around the court like chess pieces and displayed a “motor” that the Energizer Bunny would be hard pressed to match. With the ball in her hands, Crystal can beat just about anyone in the country off the dribble. As a result, more so than her teammates, Crystal can get her shot almost any time she wants, like at the end of the game, with the score tied, in a national semifinal.
Crystal has more moves than Allied Van Lines. She put her defender in the “spin cycle” on several explosive drives to the basket Sunday. She can get into the lane for a quick, pull-up jump shot or drop a dime on one of her teammates if a secondary defender rotates after Crystal blows by her primary defender. She has this funky little running one-handed bank shot from either side of the basket, that I’m sure she developed as a youngster playing against much bigger players. Crystal’s 3 from the arc, off the dribble with a 6’4” Buckeye trying to guard her was a thing of beauty.
Yes, this team has two senior AA’s, who have both stepped up as strong leaders this season. But make no mistake about it, on the court this is Crystal’s team. If UConn manages to secure their 12th banner this season, they will depend heavily on their 5’6” pg to lead them to the championship.
