Oregon Post Game Thread

[freshler40]

We came out well early in the 3rd qtr but quickly turned the ball over several times to put the game out of reach. Really should have refocused the offense to the two hot hands. Much too much nothing passing with our half-court offense. Guards have to do a better job of penetrating, shooting or passing off after doing that. Several players offered no fire, just happy to be out there. We surely missed our other guards.
Rebounds were about even, ONO was a major factor in keeping us in the game. Nice effort by CD but she was doubled team on her dribble and was stripped too many times. Somebody has to set a few picks, I saw none so our 3 pointers were contested. Shooting 3 for 18 from 3 point land is poor indeed. CD needs more picks on her drives.

We also need to make some lay-ups but seem uncomfortable in doing so?????

The floor design in this area is a disaster for concentration purposes, it is way overdone and a confusing surface for opponents.

 

[dogpause]

Olivia is the one player whose improvement from last year really stands out. She's calmer, playing with poise and confidence, and is more patient. Her shooting has improved too. Very proud of her.

 

[UConnCat]

 

[Penn]

At least in this loss we won the 4th quarter with regard to points. Unfortunately, we lost the first three quarters. I also think CW would have made the score at least closer by her defense and offense.

I think we should remember that when Tenn won the 1997 NCAA women’s championship, they had an overall record of 29-10 (23-10 before the tournament). They were a 3rd seed. On their way to winning the title, they beat an undefeated and the favorite to win the title the overall #1 seed Uconn team in the elite 8. If Tenn can do it, I am confident that Uconn with its returning players can also do it since Uconn seems to make it a habit of breaking their existing records.

 

[eebmg]

When Paige and Azzi return, I hope Caroline becomes more judicious in her shot selection. It's okay now, because others are reluctant to shoot, but in the future....

The only thing I don't doubt about this team is that Caroline will integrate well with Azzi and Paige

 

[Centerstream]

I am hoping that this game doesn't take away any confidence that these guys have. This loss will probably take a lot out of the 6 Huskies that played. And then the long plane ride home to think about it. We have been really vocal about avenging last years FF and other games we've lost. Now is the time to step up again. And I don't care if it "just against BE" teams, these guys can and should step up.

I was really pleased that we had Liv and Caroline playing really well today. Like I said in the chat room, it looked to me like Caroline was putting a lot of pressure on herself and was just trying too hard, if that's possible.

 

[UConnCat]

 

[Centerstream]

Edwards and Ferris B took the day off

Ah, well played. Sorry I missed it.

 

[visitingcock]

Question for those who believe UConn will rebound when everyone is back, who was injured for the South Carolina game, that would have made a difference? Saylor and Mir are both gone, and Griffin is out for the season.

“Everyone who was injured for the South Carolina game”????

 

[UConnCat]

 

[mhshuskies]

Just when we thought Dorka had emerged as a major help while waiting out the injury situation, she disappears again.

 

[eebmg]

She will not have double teams charging at her with Paige and/or Azzi, or even Christyn, on the court. She was rushing her shots; her tempo is usually much smoother

Exactamundo.

 

[Centerstream]

The only thing I don't doubt about this team is that Caroline will integrate well with Azzi and Paige

I think it will be Azzi that will have to integrate.

 

[SARG 2011]

Like I mentioned in chat....OR was on the receiving end of some butt whippings when they were shorthanded and they played like a team out to prove why they were ranked in the top 10 at the beginning of the year. Now I was also perplexed when some of the stupid turnovers from early on reared their ugly head and to yet again see folks scared to shoot but at the end of the day even Geno concedes that this team the way it is currently configured can be offensively challenged. I know Geno has a way with words but I don't think he is joking when he says this. I remember being at the UCLA game and it was like once they figured out that they are allowed to score too the game turned for the better. I could see some of them overthinking and trying to get in place all while scoring opportunities came and went. On the bright side, I saw another side of Liv and I think that bodes well going forward.

 

[UConnCat]

 

[eebmg]

Geno is much more direct in his assessment than usual.

 

[Conndog]

Oregon is a decent team and its players are good, but today they looked crisp and well-coached due to bad defense by UConn players. They were often out of position and forgot who they were guarding. It hurt not having a good point guard who can run the offense and set up others. Nika is not that person. Good to see the team persevere and not give up, but this was pretty bad. I was disappointed that Piath and DeBerry couldn't get court time, they must not have had good practices.
So, the defensive effort and lack of understanding of where to be on defense hurt a lot today. Geno? Can't you get them to be in better defensive position? I mean, I understand why the offense isn't productive now, but I'm worried about our defense.

 

[UConnCat]

 

[STLCardinal]

Even though I was edited earlier for saying far, far less than others have said, I'll put something up anyway. I had hoped to see the same resolve Indiana showed last night when they were down two starters, on the road, against a very vocal crowd. I didn't see it. Not from everyone. And it has to be from everyone for it to make a difference when the injured get back. A freshman who doesn't give up on trying to score when her shot isn't falling is good to see. A senior, who can shoot, but doesn't seem to want to, is not good. But I am pleasantly surprised at the physicality Olivia showed and did it all game. Good for her. But in this case, two out of three IS bad.

 

[eebmg]

I think it will be Azzi that will have to integrate.

I see her coming off the bench this year. I think she will have a more gradual development

 

[UConnCat]

 

[jfan]

Time to stop drinking the kool-aid.

Long-time fan, love Storrs, love Geno, love the players – but they ain’t who we thought they were.

Yes they play at Storrs, yes they wear a UConn uniform, yes they’ve had injuries, yes they had a long plane ride – but they are not the Huskies I know from the past decades.

The Huskie culture of play just isn’t evident – defense, mobility, perimeter shooting, minimal fouls, free throws, offense. More telltale is the absence of discipline, this year’s team seems to lack confidence and when the get behind they lose composure and fall apart ending up being thumped rather than a well-played defeat.

Sure things could “turn-around” when all the injuries heal – maybe – but there is a lot of “not very good” out there to change.

Sad to say I’m worrying they won’t get a top 16 seed home game for rounds 1 & 2 in the Tournament and have to play away.

Wish it was better, skeptical it is.

Agree with you completely, especially "there is a lot of not very good out there to change."

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Ducharme is gaining valuable experience and she plays hard and aggressively. However, in this stage of her development, UConn is in trouble relying on her to shoot 20+ times. You can see that she will continue to improve, but I cringe when I watch her rush 3-pt attempts time and time again. She will get better and learn not to force every play.

With the team around her I'm not sure why anyone has a problem with Ducharme taking 20 shots. Who else is supposed to shoot with Williams, Fudd, and Bueckers out? In spite of her missed threes she was still 47% overall. That's much better than, say, Caitlin Clark, either of SC's guards, and equal to Louisville's best player Kianna Smith. That was the best thing to come out of the game, another example of why Ducharme is going to be great. Nelson-Ododa was terrific too considering she was all on her own inside. Had she played like that in the tourney last year UConn probably would've won the title.

 

[genzhusk]

“Everyone who was injured for the South Carolina game”????

@visitingcock chill. the poster is saying that no one was injured during the SC game. so the “everyone is injured” excuses don’t apply. we’ve had our problems before everyone was injured is what they are saying.

 

[bantamlaker]

Completely embarrassing. Liv did well, Caroline trying to do too much.

Perhaps CD noticed that no one other than Liv was stepping up and looking to score. She had 40% of the team’s points. If she didn’t keep firing away this team would not have gotten out of the 40’s. Agree with others who have said that her play has been the high point of the season so far.

 

[eebmg]

Translation.

I can't figure out what my player's see when they make weird TO's and don't cut or screen etc.

I am amazed our defense is as good as it is sometimes.

 

[Centerstream]

Olivia is the one player whose improvement from last year really stands out. She's calmer, playing with poise and confidence, and is more patient. Her shooting has improved too. Very proud of her.

Not tonight. I have never seen Liv so emotional, in a good way. She also showed her displeasure at times. Outstanding game all around today!!!

 

[oldude]

Not much to say. I Couldn’t even watch the second half.
Injuries/Cv suck but I think the team’s problems are deeper.

The possibility of not even getting a top 4 seed/host is on the table.

I agree they missed CW and Paiges. AZZI is a Question mark, Maybe?, Aubrey, another Maybe this one isn't a great scorer so on rebounding, ONO was pretty good. Uconn needs consistent scoring. That's been their big issue for 3 years. A big post helps, but right now ONO is it. Dorka was supposed to be a good to better post, a 3 point threat, a scorer??? What happened? Showing up against Butler and Xavier isn't playing great against Oregon. We, fans often forget the quality of the opponents and think we have arrived. Oregon was a wake up call.
When Paige returns (If 100 percent) will be the difference maker. She carried Uconn on her thin shoulders last year, with minimal help. Uconn NEEDS people that can score all the time (80 percent of the time).

Here’s the thing. Paige makes everyone better. The threat of Paige attacking the basket gives Caroline a little more time to set herself and knock down some of the 3’s she missed tonight. Rather than working her ass off to get position in the low post without getting the ball or getting a bad entry pass late, Liv gets the ball on time and in the right spot every time from Paige. Evina’s game is day and night playing with and without Paige. You just can’t make up for the loss of your NPOY, let along Christyn, Azzi & Aubrey.

 

[CocoHusky]

This game was over in the 3rd quarter
No minutes for Amari?
No minutes for Piath ?
Why doesn’t a “reporter”(?) at the post game presser find out why the hell not?
No glib BS answers.
No avoidance.
Just answer the GD question.

Because you and many here can't handle the truth?
Truth: They are not good enough to be out there!

 

[Cheddie]

Lots of adversity. This game was a gut check. I want to look at the positives.

Liv showed up -- big time. I was really impressed.

CD is a gamer. Her emergence has been the highlight of the season

Nika, love her energy and effort, but she neeeds to give more than 3 points, 2 assists and 4 TO's on offense

Dorka played hard but really struggled on D

AE is my favorite player, but it is remarkable how her play has dropped off this year

Evina, in my mind the biggest disappointment. Since UCLA has disappeared. When we are back at full strength, can't see her getting much PT.

OK - very tough game on the road against a good team shorthanded. UConn kept at it until the end, cutting a likely 20 pt. loss down to a 13 pt. defeat. I agree with much that has been posted, but here are a few other thoughts.

Liv was a real gamer - shot well and led the team in rebounds and assists. But she could have had an even better game, as a number of passes bounced off her hands or were knocked away.

Caroline was the leading scorer, which is deceptive. She had a poor outside shooting game. She was 1-8 from 3pt. range. UConn, as a team, shot 3-18 from three. Yeah, Geno misses Paige, but Azzi could have really helped. The 3-pt. scoring differential was -18 for UConn.

With Geno only playing 6, Nika and Aaliyah can't go scoreless until the late in the 4th Q.