Oregon Post Game Thread

[Cuango]

But Coach has RAVED about Amari multiple times.
I haven’t seen her play enough to form an opinion.
So why the misrepresentation by Geno??
If what you say is true?

Potential! Most of the time hen a coach says things like that about a freshman he/she is referring to their potential.

 

[oldude]

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.

Oregon sat back on defense, basically giving UConn the 3-pt shot from the top of the key because they could. If Paige was running the offense against that Oregon defense she would of had 30.

Maybe a silver lining is that Nika did knock down her last 3 of the game.

 

[victor64]

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

Coco, i agree with most of your stuff but you won't convince me that those two would have done any worse than Edwards.

 

[Alydar]

A friendly tip to all UConn WBB fans outside of the ESPN 97.9 radio broadcast market in Hartford. We can now listen to Bob Joyce’s pre and post-game show, as well as his call of the game. You can’t listen to his shows in line.

They substitute alternative programming for “on-line” listeners during the games. The varsity radio network carries the entire game from start to finish, and it’s free unlike Tune-in. With all due respect, I’d much rather listen to Bob and Debbi than Gary and Kara. Bob also features a portion of Geno‘s post game presser after every game, SNY does not. I’d rather hear Geno’s take on the game rather than Kara’s.

If SNY does not broadcast the game (like today), you get nothing. For those fans in other states, this is great news. I listened to Joyce’s post game show today and loved it.

It's on line if you use Apple or android products but there is no way to listen on my PC any more. The varsity network directs listeners to a download page that has 2 options, Apple or Android. That's rinkydink. Or did UConn get paid to exclude PC connections? This has been offered to PC users for decades and I like to listen to Joyce while watching the game, even if they were off by several seconds. Soon I expect to need a Facebook account to watch games.

 

[donalddoowop]

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.

That does not hold water when those players are playing poorly, and you may need them later in the season. As far behind as UConn was, what would it have hurt?

 

[Conndog]

#15 prospect nationally Hoopgurls 2021
#3 at her position
6’5”
Geno RAVES about her “athleticism”.
Can’t get 1 minute midway through the season in a blowout on an injury riddled team?
Houston , we have a problem?
Poor scouting?
Poor coaching?
Zero development?
What gives?

Someone said to this we needed guards not bigs today, I disagree: for one, we didn't have other guards today, also another big complementing Liz could have gotten effective inside scoring and defense too, not to mention freed up Ono better. I'd like to at least have seen what would have happened if DeBerry of Piath were in today's game

 

[CocoHusky]

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.

Huge difference between having a quick release and rushing a shot. The John Wooden quote is applicable here: Be Quick - But Don't Hurry. Caroline has a very quick release. Tonight Caroline rushed some shots. Rushing a shot sometimes doesn't have anything to do with how fast you get the ball out of your hands it has more to do with the shot clock, how compromised the defense is, and correctly accessing the other options available to you. Caroline rushing a few shots tonight is the least of this teams problems- she might be the only one out there that actually wants to shoot the ball.

 

[Cuango]

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?

Shea deciding to move on has truly impacted us in a very bad way! I knew she would be hard to replace but I guess I may have underestimated just how bad the effect of her leaving would be!

 

[hoophuskee]

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.

Three games in 3 days make the game irrelevant. Other than BE Tourney no NCAA game will be played like that. Not one NCAA Tourney game is played like that.

And it appears Azzi was hurt, doesn't it? She stopped playing immediately after that game. As a UCONN fan you had to know that, didn't you?

So I'm puzzled why you made the post you did,

 

[hoophuskee]

Perhaps. Perhaps, Coach can now get through to Nika that constantly knocking down shots is not an option. It's a necessary requirement.

Her delusions of not need to because the team has great shooters could now be clearly demonstrated for her.

You have a quote from Nika or Geno saying that Nika feels she doesn't need to shoot well from the outside?

 

[Floridaduck]

Proud of Geno and UConn for making the trip and playing the game. I think we all would have preferred two healthy, full roster teams going at it in a prime time WBB spectacular. I thought ONO and Ducharme played very well. MKA is a tough venue for a visiting team anyway but with only one team healthy… it’s rough.

 

[CocoHusky]

Coco, i agree with most of your stuff but you won't convince me that those two would have done any worse than Edwards.

If that is your standard " worse than Edwards" then I'm not even going to waste any energy trying to convince you because you are using the incorrect standard. The proper UCONN WBB standard is and has always been for all players: Can they positively impact this game ? If those players are Amari and Piath and we are talking about the Oregon game this afternoon the answer was a resounding no. Notice that the answer to the question for Piath and Amari has nothing to do with AE and that Oregon is not Xavier.

 

[VA Huskie]

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.

Assuming that Paige comes back and is 80%+ of herself and Azzi comes back and contributes like we hope - I think the committee will look at our last 10 (or so) games with them as a key factor in seeding.

 

[CTisballers]

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.

I agree when Paige and Azzi gets back alongside CW this team still has a chance to win it all and they will. Paige being back will open up so Carolina will shoot better once she can set her feet and have a little more time and having Azzi on the court will also be a major factor. Ima a fan weather they win or lose just hate hearing the haters on Twitter when we do lose

 

[shiverz45]

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.

I hope you are right. SC is winning games, but they are not playing their best basketball.

 

[victor64]

If that is your standard " worse than Edwards" then I'm not even going to waste any energy trying to convince you because you are using the incorrect standard. The proper UCONN WBB standard is and has always been for all players: Can they positively impact this game ? If those players are Amari and Piath and we are talking about the Oregon game this afternoon the answer was a resounding no. Notice that the answer to the question for Piath and Amari has nothing to do with AE and that Oregon is not Xavier.

I disagree totally. Edwards impacted the game in a negative way on both ends of the floor. You are assuming, because it is Oregon that Piath and Amari would have automatically struggled. What is wrong with giving these two some time when everybody but two players on the Huskies played poorly.

 

[BobbyJ]

If that is your standard " worse than Edwards" then I'm not even going to waste any energy trying to convince you because you are using the incorrect standard. The proper UCONN WBB standard is and has always been for all players: Can they positively impact this game ? If those players are Amari and Piath and we are talking about the Oregon game this afternoon the answer was a resounding no. Notice that the answer to the question for Piath and Amari has nothing to do with AE and that Oregon is not Xavier.

They would have had no chance. It would have only hurt whatever confidence they might be building.

 

[VA Huskie]

I guess coach wanted the six players to know how it feels to lose, in front of a hostile crowd. And for each player to acknowledge their role in that loss. And to be on the court against a quality team for forty minutes, rather than Xavier or Butler. He has the rings, so I won't question his motivation.

Here is what I saw;

1. Olivia is battling and working 100%. But that hot shooting we saw from 12-14 feet against Xavier went away. So Oregon could ignore her outside the paint.
2. Dorka is not at Olivia's level. She can be fine against Butler, but she has bad hands and her shot is not dependable.
3. Edwards is a more limited player than any of us imagined. She has no shot. Her contribution is hustle and defense. A decent substitute for limited periods of time. She has few qualities of a true BIG, and fewer still as a wing.
4. Westbrook. I keep thinking " she has lost her passion for the game." Sloppy, slow and not taking charge at all. At her " homecoming."
5. Muhl. She was over-used in this game. Physically not ready to go 100% that long. Not for lack of trying. Hopefully, she'll get her shooting touch back. Because Oregon knew they almost didn't have to guard anyone against a three.
6. Caroline had her worst day on offense. And she wasn't that great with the ball in her hands either. Couldn't buy a shot. But she did not give up and still made plays. A good sign ( if we needed one ). And I know someone is going to tell me she scored 20 or so. Doesn't matter. She was throwing up bricks all day.
7. Coach. I wanted to see Gabriel and DeBerry again, in meaningful minutes. My view was; why not? Maybe their size and fight could shake Oregon up a bit. And it would be good for them to compete against a real team for once. So, I was disappointed. Again, I defer to Geno. His reasons are better than mine.

I can't imagine playing South Carolina in a week of so.

CD did not throw up bricks all day. She did from 3 pt range, but overall shot 10-21, with some being pretty difficult shots that most of our players would not have made. Agree with much of the rest of what you said.

 

[victor64]

They would have had no chance. It would have only hurt whatever confidence they might be building.

No chance? Really? Having them sit for 40 in a a blowout when all but two played poorly is going to help their confidence?

 

[JordyG]

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?

Agreed. During the chat I commented any number of times that Geno really tried everything to beat the zone, just as he did against Creighton, to no avail. He tried reversing the ball, flooding the zone, flash below the nail, step screens, flair screens, and more. Nothing worked. He finally settled on consistently flashing to the foul line, but his forwards couldn't hit that shot nor make timely passes inside. His guards on the other hand couldn't shoot from the outside or make timely passes into the post.

What has gotten into E is a puzzlement. Usually no one need tell guards to shoot, but E has become really hesitant. I kept wondering during the game whether she is hurt or not. Her lack of aggressiveness, poor passing decisions, and poor shooting is, again, a puzzlement.

But this team refused to quit. Utterly. Someone in the chat said the game was 2 against 9, and that about summed it up.

Before the game I said there were three things I wanted to see. E get at least 5 assists, Nika shoot some pull ups, and Caroline go to the rim more than she shot from the outside. I got none of those. C'est la vie.

 

[Cuango]

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

I can see where that could be bothersome but I could also see her laughing after some good thing that had just happened or after a sarcastic remark by Paige or Geno. Not a good look for sure, but not necessarily as bad as it may seem.

 

[ccwarrior]

Geno is still building a championship caliber team and we are good enough to win it now at full health, but we are a couple of pieces away. Ice and Ayanna, more so Ice may be the inal piece. The only thing is once Liv leaves, we may have a hole at center until Amari steps up.

What?

 

[shiverz45]

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.

Can you blame them for whining? Especially if the committee place UConn in Bridgeport.

 

[Cuango]

If that is your standard " worse than Edwards" then I'm not even going to waste any energy trying to convince you because you are using the incorrect standard. The proper UCONN WBB standard is and has always been for all players: Can they positively impact this game ? If those players are Amari and Piath and we are talking about the Oregon game this afternoon the answer was a resounding no. Notice that the answer to the question for Piath and Amari has nothing to do with AE and that Oregon is not Xavier.

I would just add this; there might be another reason beyond them positively impacting this game and that would be whether this game would positively impact them. He obviously felt it would not.

 

[BobbyJ]

I would just add this; there might be another reason beyond them positively impacting this game and that would be whether this game would positively impact them. He obviously felt it would not.

Bingo!

 

[VA Huskie]

Eventually you will learn that all those rankings ( hoopgurlz, blueStar, ESPN) are not worth the paper they’re written on. What you can do against college competition is all that natters. If she could help the team she would be playing. She’s not ready yet. Big usually take longer to develop.

Sometimes they do mean something. Think D, Stewie, Maya, Tina and Paige. Bird was pretty good too.

 

[bballnut90]

Assuming that Paige comes back and is 80%+ of herself and Azzi comes back and contributes like we hope - I think the committee will look at our last 10 (or so) games with them as a key factor in seeding.

I don't think it will help them if all of those 10 games are against DePaul and non-tournament teams. I agree they'll take Paige's return into consideration and overlook today's loss as well as the Georgia Tech game, but even with Paige, the best wins on the year were against Notre Dame (5 seed) and USF (6 seed). I don't see that being enough to warrant a top 4 seed.

 

[bballnut90]

I hope you are right. SC is winning games, but they are not playing their best basketball.

What a trip that would be if UCONN manages to SC on the road with their depleted roster after losing to SC by 16 with all of their key players in the lineup.

 

[Alydar]

Can you blame them for whining? Especially if the committee place UConn in Bridgeport.

Whining is for 2yo's. If you think your team is worthy of a championship then show some class, welcome the challenge and don't talk like you need help to win.

 

[Vowelguy]