Oregon Post Game Thread

[browns]

Most of the game was really tough to watch..on the other hand Liv was outstanding on both ends against a big Oregon team..Caroline had an off game..her 3 point shot wasn't there.an she had 5 TO's..also as good as she's been people talk about her blocks on defense and at 6'2 she's going to get them but watch all her games and whom ever she's guarding takes her off the dribble and they either get a layup or Caroline fouls them or at times she gets a block.I'm sure they will teach her how to defend but you don't learn it overnight
Evina just doesn't play with any fire and a girl that could really make a difference even without Paige is AE..she's hurting the team just being out there instead of dominating..I recall posts from last year expecting her to be an AA instead she's a shell of herself
CW not playing really hurt..that's 15 points taken from the team..mayb posters will lay off her a little now

 

[CocoHusky]

Paige played against SC and so didn't Christyn, right? Not sure what you are referring to.

@ClifSpliffy was referring to the 0 Minutes for Caroline in the South Carolina game. Sure that's the reason UCONN lost to South Carolina.

 

[Stymie]

He needed guards not another post player. He played 4 forwards and 2 guards today

Again, game was over in the 3rd quarter.
Coulda, shoulda given her some experience.
Some on this board tout her ability for double doubles next year.
REALLY???
HaHaHa

 

[BostonBay]

Game outcome was not a surprise for me. I had Oregon by 12 even w/CW playing! Simply put, the team doesnt have the talent nor the execution needed to beat good teams right now. That might change with a healthy Paige & Azzi, but not now.

Main problem is this team simply cant score consistently in a half-court offense. No cohesion, no timing, lots of confusion. Ono & Dorka are trying to post, but the guards are oblivious to the fact. Other times, the guards are just telegraphing the pass inside, making it so easy to double/triple-team the post, resulting in turnovers. The guards/forwards have no idea when to drive and dish. Finally, the team's last resort are 3-pointers and they are currently NOT a good 3-pointing team! Why keep shooting them?!? For example, why in the world are Dorka & ONO throwing up 3-pointers?!? Makes no sense. So, its a mess right now.

 

[Alydar]

Dorka did not exactly disappear she was open several times and did not get the ball. She became discouraged and then ragged.

+1

There were several plays early where both Juhasz and later Ducharme were wide wide open behind the arc and were ignored. Juhasz waved frantically from the left arc because she was totally uncovered. They got her the ball 10 seconds later when she was defended. She missed but I almost read her lips saying "too late". Ducharme was in the right corner alone twice but the pass went inside to a player who was being doubled by Ducharme's defender. I know they must have heard me scream into the TV.

 

[Boreifs]

UConn actually had more rebounds. As several have pointed out, one can’t beat a team like Oregon without decent shooting from the arc. The turnovers were predictable when there were no subs at the 1-2-3 positions. Dorka probably shouldn’t have played either; hopefully, she won’t have to miss Friday’s game.

 

[rubymae4]

Really tough game to watch. Tonight we felt like other teams feel when they play us. It’s not very fun. I’m sure for the players, it was even tougher to play…and away from home with a long trip ahead.

The team is what it is. It’s not our normal UConn play, but it’s also not normal times. We found out that we aren’t invincible, and that’s okay. The players need our support more than ever right now.

Such a great game by ONO. I saw grit and determination from her. She’s getting it, and is preparing for next year.

People forget that Nika is a very important player for our team. She brings intangibles no one else brings. But players like her work their magic when they are used strategically. When Nika plays the whole game, the opposing team has time to figure her out. If she is played strategically, she can pop in and out and disrupt. Not enough players for her to do that. She just came back from injury, so she’s not at max fitness, and she still did what she could for 40 minutes.

Caroline is a treat. A tough game for her, but I’m sure she will use it to grow.

 

[Brewski]

+1

There were several plays early where both Juhasz and later Ducharme were wide wide open behind the arc and were ignored. Juhasz waved frantically from the left arc because she was totally uncovered. They got her the ball 10 seconds later when she was defended. She missed but I almost read her lips saying "too late". Ducharme was in the right corner alone twice but the pass went inside to a player who was being doubled by Ducharme's defender. I know they must have heard me scream into the TV.

This is incredible! I think you and I watched the same game. Wow!

 

[Centerstream]

@ClifSpliffy was referring to the 0 Minutes for Caroline in the South Carolina game. Sure that's the reason UCONN lost to South Carolina.

I was asking the question about what I bolded in @ClifSpliffy 's post when I was replying, after the cd comment.

 

[VA Huskie]

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.

Nika is a wonderful “complementary” player. Reminds me of early Kelly Farris… who also couldn’t shoot. Nika’s not intended or capable of playing a significant offensive role. She fits perfectly with a team that includes Paige, Azzi, CW and the rest. The current group - unfortunately, not so much.

 

[lsj001]

If you take two starters, both heavily involved in the offense flow and possibly your best on ball defender in CW from any top 20 team you will get similar results. Now throw in and Audrey, you are down three all American type guards and your best defender in AG. Anyone expecting a competitive team needs to analyse what is currently on the sideline and just came back.

 

[phil sampieri]

I may be in the minority here, but I’m not buying that Paige/Azzi/Aubrey/now Christyn’s absences are to blame for this absolutely ghastly showing. And I think part of it is because there are narratives about players that make them seem better than they actually are in terms of output.

For example: we all love Nika; she is a spark plug who cares about winning more than she cares about herself. But technically, Nika simply is not and never has been a good enough PG for a UConn basketball team, particularly on the offensive end. She is unreliable at best from 3, refuses to take it to the hoop, and has generally poor court vision. Evina is the kind on- and off-court leader, but she is streaky and regresses when she is put under pressure, as we’ve seen the past few games. Aaliyah had so much fire in her belly last year, but has looked disengaged, unfocused, and unable to produce over most if not all 13 games this season. A travel on an open layup? It’s absolutely inexcusable. And Dorka opened the season big at the exhibition, and has had a few decent games, but is so in her own head that she can’t get into a flow. With these four in such deep funks, the team is already hampered.

So, injuries matter, yes, but the play of these four has in any event been frankly atrocious and below standard for any UConn program. Why, I don’t know. I suspect Geno has theories and is trying to figure it out himself. And he may well be part of the problem, too. But something has to change with these four, or we are in for a very rocky few weeks.

 

[Florida Fan]

No pure shooters, that want the ball and can get shots off quickly, before the defense collapses. Of the remaining unwounded, Evina comes closest, but she is tentative, and the questions of her physical health persist. We've seen hungry shooters out there but right now we don't have them.

 

[drweo]

Well, yes, but the team couldn’t stop shooting itself in the foot. The early season turnovers reappeared and the shots on offense were rushed and mostly off balance or fade away. Yes, Oregon gets some credit but opponents have been playing a zone defense all season. You’d think the Huskies would have figured it out by now.

Nika, E, and Aaliyah won’t shoot and teammates inexplicably won’t pass the ball to Dorka. Liv was a soldier and Caroline is the only one that can create so Oregon only had to guard the two of them. UConn just made it too easy for Oregon

On edit - do they practice rebounding? I was yelling at the TV for UConn to go to the offensive glass. What’s up with that?

Totally agree!

 

[drweo]

Does that seem to be what others are also seeing?

YES!

 

[boontonbomber]

At the risk of being deluged, I have to confess to being a little dismayed at seeing Fudd laughing on the bench in the middle of a 20 point ass kicking.

I thought I was the only one bothered by that. Not a good look.

 

[Alydar]

For UCONN fans this makes the Tennessee game extremely important if the Huskies want to nab a top 4 seed. Stranger things have happened, but I don't see UCONN beating South Carolina in 10 days, and I'm not sure a resume with best wins being South Florida/Notre Dame can contend for a top 4 seed.

All UConn needs is to win the BET and get into the tournament. If Bueckers comes back and they winn out the committee will make allowences for when she was out and UConn will open at home. So let them be a 5 seed. It don't matter. All that matters right now is waiting for the guards to return. If Bueckers/Fudd are healthy UConn will be in the hunt. I would love to face one seed Tenn in the S16.
If nothing else the one seed who gets UConn will whine like a 2yo having a tantrum. That should be entertaining.

I remember a Vol fan telling me about the year they won the title after losing ten games. I never wanted to experience the injuries but now I'm looking forward to March/April.

 

[Florida Fan]

Totally agree Oregon had a mor talented team on the court.

Not more talented, more confident maybe and better organized IMHO.

 

[Cuango]

Caroline is still a Freshman. I hope she keeps shooting. She won 3 point competitions in high school against top competititon. She's worked hard on getting that shot off quickly. It will fall for her at a good rate soon. Hopefuly when we need it most.

I STILL think we will be fine and even in a good position by the time March hits. Paige and Azzi will provide a lot of help in the 3 point shooting, which is the biggest problem for this team. We will have more depth by then hopefully, with a very strong 7-8 player rotation. The best is yet to be.

You know, I really believe that (even though it is one of the really good things she does) she (Caroline) may be shooting a tad too fast. I think if she can improve her shot selection a little, we will see a dramatic rise in her makes. She’s still acclimating to the size and speed of college players! So glad she is at UConn!

 

[CTisballers]

Have you watched any of the other games that Caroline has been a starter? She carried the offense in every one. Today because of Christyn's unavailability, I think Caroline was putting too much pressure on herself and her 3s were not falling and that also helped her having 5 TOs. But she still led the team in scoring, again.

Yes I’ve seen every single game. Carolina shoots every time she gets the ball lol not complaining about that because she’s basically our only scorer besides CW. But she came in as a 3 point shooter and shooting well under .30%. And again I’m not upset just disappointed of how we playing far as defense, the effort isn’t UConn basketball at all.

 

[phil sampieri]

Nika is a wonderful “complementary” player. Reminds me of early Kelly Farris… who also couldn’t shoot. Nika’s not intended or capable of playing a significant offensive role. She fits perfectly with a team that includes Paige, Azzi, CW and the rest. The current group - unfortunately, not so much.

 

[TeamFirst!]

And it's an extremely dumb horse as well. The whole "play Piath and Amari" against Oregon when you have 4 better forwards available is so ill advised.

 

[Cuango]

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.

Well said! That’s an astute and likely true observation.

 

[Alydar]

The team traveled over 2800+ miles by charter to play a basketball game, after which they'll immediately travel another 2800+ miles to return home. They only have 8 players available, yet coach plays only 6, leaving 2 on the bench.

This after losing the best player in the country, as she was still on the court with 30 seconds remaining in a blowout loss. After which a respected sports science MD offered fatigued hamstrings may have played a significant role.

The team is basically getting its doors blown off for the entire game, while the one sub logs 24 minutes, with no real impact, including a stunning travel on a wide open layup.

I'm confused. If not this game, when?!? Coaching malpractice for me.

PS With Ms. Ralph having moved on, who's coaching the guards?

Marcus Welby.

 

[lsj001]

The bigs are insignificant when you can't attack off the dribble or pass into the post. We are missing our three most talented guards. All three former 1 rated players coming out of high school.

 

[hoophuskee]

This game is meaningless as are all the losses other than NCAA seeding. UCONN is a badly wounded bear that’s lost its claws. A big time strength of this team was going to be their perimeter play with Paige, the hopes that Azzi would be near Paige or at least big-time outside threat, and CW’s slashing. Losing Paige is brutal. And not having Azzi being the threat she was has rocked CW’s slashing game.

Until the outside game is fixed (and it won’t be without Paige and to some extent Azzi), then this team is going to mightily struggle.

A secondary major problem is that when Azzi comes back, not only is she healthy enough to defend, but can they get her open enough? Geno pointed that out early in the year that he has to figure ways to get her open. Azzi hasn't played much in the past 2-3 years. And all this lack of playing time from the team / specific individuals crushes the team’s ability to work on this. Thus, putting the team in a deeper hole.

 

[TeamFirst!]

Yes I’ve seen every single game. Carolina shoots every time she gets the ball lol not complaining about that because she’s basically our only scorer besides CW. But she came in as a 3 point shooter and shooting well under .30%. And again I’m not upset just disappointed of how we playing far as defense, the effort isn’t UConn basketball at all.

Even after today's 1 for 8 for 3 pointers, Caroline's still shooting .316 for 3 point shooting. Again, people are complaining that she's rushing her shot but to a large degree, that is her shot. She practices getting it off quickly. I agree that when she has time she should slow it down some but notice she is the one player we have currently who has stepped up the most against top teams. 24 points against Louisville. 22 points against Oregon. Getting her shot off quickly is important against the top teams. If we can get players back I think this has the makings of a top 4 team still. We should have beaten Louisville, even with Paige out. We wouldn't normally shoot 3-18 against Oregon for 3 pointers. No CW, Paige or Azzi was a big factor.

 

[Slipperman]

starting to feel bad for the seniors as it's looking more and more like they will leave UConn without a single championship. what the h$*l has happened to the womens team the last 6 yrs? there was a time that their bench players could have been considered a top 10 team by themselves. not this group.

 

[oldude]

starting to feel bad for the seniors as it's looking more and more like they will leave UConn without a single championship. what the h$*l has happened to the womens team the last 6 yrs? there was a time that their bench players could have been considered a top 10 team by themselves. not this group.

It happened in 2020 with Crystal.

 

[Rb335]

Nika is a wonderful “complementary” player. Reminds me of early Kelly Farris… who also couldn’t shoot. Nika’s not intended or capable of playing a significant offensive role. She fits perfectly with a team that includes Paige, Azzi, CW and the rest. The current group - unfortunately, not so much.

While I understand the comparison, I think Kelly Faris is often not remembered accurately for her abilities. She improved her outside shot tremendously, from 27% as a freshman to 41% as a senior.

She shot 33.9% from 3 for her career, on 351 attempts. Was 44% from the field and 76% from the free throw line. Not to mention career averages of 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists to 1.8 TO, to go along with 7.2 ppg. Not the best shooter, but far from the worst.

Right now, Nika needs to find her offensive game. She shot better percentages last year, but still was only 38% from the floor. This year is way down from that. She's going to get a lot of minutes until we are at full strength, and we would benefit from her keeping defenses honest.