Oregon Postgame Thread

[ocoandasoc]

A few thoughts:
-Believe we can beat the Ducks with a different offense and at least a few players making shots.
-Anna wide open numerous times and not getting ball. What's up?
-Geno totally out coached. Don't care how many championships he has won, keeping Griffin in game when she was getting abused at both ends tough to see.
-While I remain a big Griffin fan, she was exposed tonight. Against another athletic player, she showed no offense. When she got ball, defense backed up. Tough to watch.
-Would suggest we develop a Plan B offense to use against the tough defensive teams. Counting on making 3's every game not looking like the answer against teams like Oregon.

Get real. If he takes out Griffin, who does he put in? Oregon had five offensive threats and solid defenders out there. UConn could barely match up with three of them. All five of Oregon's starters had double figures. Ionescu had fewer than the other four. They didn't have a bench point or rebound. Ododa got eaten up by Hebard who had three times the points and twice the rebounds. Makurat had 13 points but probably allowed 20 as they'd blow by her and hit a 10-12 footer before Ododa could come out. Graves started milking the clock near the end of the third quarter or the final score might have been worse.

Sure, if Williams and Walker make more shots it's a more competitive game. But between now and late March I don't think Ododa and Griffin will improve much, and Makurat and Irwin won't get any faster. Oregon shot pretty close to their average tonight, and their offensive scheme, good passing, and quick-release shooters get them good looks. I think Oregon would win this matchup nine times out of ten. The Huskies chances to make another Final Four will best be served if they don't get sent to the Portland Regional.

 

[Plebe]

Further, the defense was not so bad. Oregon was held well below their season average and if UConn had gotten better offensive output from some of their stars, some of the comments made here would not have been made, including mine.

I am going to pick at this one. Oregon had 44 at the half, just above their average of 86.8 ppg, and 64 after 3Q. The fourth quarter was the only one where Oregon scored significantly below their average, and by then the game felt out of reach.

 

[my2cents]

I get a kick on how people comment on the game of basketball. Shots either go in or they don't...when they go in you are great, and when they don't you are terrible...neither is true.
My comments would be:
Slow to switch and cover on defense, too many layups by Oregon
Oregon knocked the ball out of our hands , have to be stronger with the ball
Our 4 guard lineup gave up too many offensive rebounds
Aubrey needs work on offense but mostly played good defense.
Thought Megan got clobbered numerous times while shooting no calls

Losses are not the end of the world, plenty of things to work on.

 

[CTBballfan243]

My courtside comments were deleted and I understand that I started to become a little "game threadish"... sorry.
Observations from 4 rows up, center court:
a. UCONN played hard once they got over initial shock,
b. A lot of very questionable calls and no calls
- Ionescu is a quality player, but her use of her left arm when driving or dribbling around offensive end would make some NFL and NCAA running backs proud. Never called.
C. UCONN had many shots half way down and come out...uncanny
d. ONO battled under the basket all night. She was beaten constantly...rarely called
e. If UCONN could make the chippy shots, a whole different game.
F. Danger continues to be a team leader. She face guarded Ionescu in early part of game and really frustrated her... 6 pts at half.

From my view, If Oregon and UConn played 10 times, Oregon would win a minimum of 8 games. Oregon is a far superior team.

 

[vtcwbuff]

I saw what I saw. Oregon plays like UConn use to play. Great team! UConn needs to really learn from this loss, but it may be too late in the season. AAC is not going to challenge this team but it may provide an area where they can really practice. Who the hell knows at this point.

Exactly what I said to my wife while we were watching the game.

 

[SVCBeercats]

A few thoughts:

-Anna wide open numerous times and not getting ball. What's up? Yeah, I've been noticing this for more than a few games. Won't happen next year with Paige.
-Geno totally out coached. Don't care how many championships he has won, keeping Griffin in game when she was getting abused at both ends tough to see. Perhaps he was getting Aubrey some trial by fire time to get her ready for the NCAA tourney. A loss now is not as important as a loss at tourney time.
-While I remain a big Griffin fan, she was exposed tonight. Against another athletic player, she showed no offense. When she got ball, defense backed up. Tough to watch. Again I think Geno is making an investment in Aubrey hoping for a good ROI in March.
-Would suggest we develop a Plan B offense to use against the tough defensive teams. Counting on making 3's every game not looking like the answer against teams like Oregon. Does this team have a plan B skill level now?

 

[Florida Fan]

Trying to match layups with jumpshots is/was a losing proposition. Congrats to Oregon. They looked like a well-oiled machine reminiscent of past UConn teams.

One of these nights, Makurat starts, maybe Griffin. Aubrey and Ono have to come to the gym and get fed balls for reliable fifteen footers. Ono has improved as has Anna and Griffin can be a force. Let those five or six play together in practice and improve their chemistry, then it all doesn't fall on three veteran players to carry the load. It's possible Geno is saving his best athletes for a surprise on an unwary late season opponent.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

From my view, If Oregon and UConn played 10 times, Oregon would win a minimum of 8 games. Oregon is a far superior team.

Ok... where did I make that kind of comparison??? I was sharing what I observed from this game and being there.

 

[Centerstream]

Maybe it is just me but our 2 losses were against the preseason #1 and 2 teams.
Man, we suck.

 

[VA Blue Dog]

Be it high post pick and roll or low post feed the end result was 44 to 14 points in paint. Oregon had a good layup drill. Although she played better than Baylor Liv has to step up but that may be problematic for now against elite teams. Aubrey has to learn to finish a play and protect the ball on a layup.

 

[eebmg]

Jamelle probably wants to get back to her day job.

 

[wbball novice]

What struck me, and something I didn't really grasp until the 2 teams met head to head, is that the Oregon starters (and probably the bench as well) is, with the exception of Moore, bigger than UConn's starters -- with the exception of ONO. And the Oregon starters have long arms as well & they used them to disrupt UConn passes The other interesting thing is that, unlike Tenn's bigs, Oregon's bigger players are fast and relentless. Sabrina is pretty much a known quantity, & she wasn't having -- and didn't need -- one of her spectacular games.

Crystal played full on until Q4, when she ran out of gas; even missed free throws. She's a treasure & can't be appreciated enough. But Oregon's Moore played outstanding point; better than her usual if the ESPN commentators were correct. Oregon used its assets and their good training & experience to play excellent defense, but Crystal's efficiency indicated that Megan and Christyn are still in an offensive slump not due entirely to the Ducks' defense. CW was handicapped by illness & that the size & quickness of Oregon players frustrated her usually strong offensive contribution, layups -- this happened with Crystal as well. But I didn't see anything notably "cringeworthy" in her passes, despite the fast pace. This also had an impact on Griffin as well -- she was able to disrupt Oregon offense but couldn't finish -- the Duck players were as fast as she was, and they could foul or block her at will since she has had a poor FT percentage so far. Not sure if the coaches knew how best to use ONO; looked like they were trying different substitutions to see if anything worked. Anna managed to make some helpful 3s, a lot better offensive performance than her previous outing. It could be she could have scored more 3s if she had been the target of more passes (she was pretty close to Crystal in efficiency) but she had the tendency to stand around waiting for a pass rather than moving more, I thought. Maybe this had something to do with it.

Good news is that Ionescu, Hebard (one of my favorite Oregon players), and Moore won't be around next year. They probably felt the same way about Katie Lou and Napheesa. I don't know if Boley is graduating, but she chose a fine time to get her 3 pt shooting zeroed in this evening. In other games I've seen she rode the bench quite a bit because of her erratic shooting. Will they be as good with just Sabaly, who, admittedly, is very very good.

I know too little about the game to have any suggestions for improving player performance.

 

[mmeade258]

Geno is currently in a tough spot.

Aubrey is great defensively but then she steals the ball then travels.

ONO is really good if she taps into her talent and becomes a threat inside that would cause the defense to trap and should could kick it out to Walker, Williams, Markurat, Irwin or Dangerfield who can nail the 3.

I feel Uconn still has a chance at a championship in 2020. they're still learning and growing. Against Baylor we shot poorly.

Against Oregon we shot poorly. Not really a huge if but IF Uconn makes their shots that they ALWAYS make... this team is literally unstoppable..

I think they look at their opponents and get cold feet.

Due time it will all make sense

2021 Champions
2022 Champions
2023 Champions
2024 Champions

Somebody bookmark this post . #BleedBlue

 

[CTBballfan243]

Maybe it is just me but our 2 losses were against the preseason #1 and 2 teams.
Man, we suck.

I agree with you 100%. No shame in losing to teams that a better than you. And in fairness, UConn might be ranked a little higher than warranted. Probably belong more in the 7-8 slot.

 

[vtcwbuff]

Extremely disappointing performance. I look at Walker and Williams and find it hard to believe they were the #1 recruits coming out of high school. I expected a breakout season from Williams but she seems to have regressed from last year. She could very well lose her starting position next season if she doesn’t get her act together. Walker does not seem to play well against the elite teams. The long and short of it is at this point UConn is not a final four team. They have a lot of work to do.

And it's not because they are not getting the shots. They just don't go in. Both Walker (3-16) and Williams (2-9) were awful tonight. Walker and Williams need to look in the mirror and ask themselves XXX? Had they played to their season averages UConn would have won the game instead of suffering a double digit embarassment on their home court.
Not only is the Gampel win streak broken but UConn will not make the final four. They are just not good enough. This team reminds me of the dark times post Taurasi.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I am going to pick at this one. Oregon had 44 at the half, just above their average of 86.8 ppg, and 64 after 3Q. The fourth quarter was the only one where Oregon scored significantly below their average, and by then the game felt out of reach.

I thought they started running shot clock WAY too soon, the majority of the 4th quarter. Predictably led to many empty possessions. UConn didn't make much hay with it though.

 

[Figurehead]

Any post game comments from Geno yet?

 

[CocoHusky]

What difference does it make if she was wide open? Dangerfield was dribbling into trouble and lost the ball, passing to an open teammate was the right thing to do. Sometimes a player has to go with what is instead of what should be. Also, was Liv playing so bad that she needed to sit so much? Walker needed to sit some. If anyone else was having such a bad offensive game she would have been replaced. Further, the defense was not so bad. Oregon was held well below their season average and if UConn had gotten better offensive output from some of their stars, some of the comments made here would not have been made, including mine.

The difference it makes is that it throws the other 4 players out of whack and brings a defender to a place on the floor that is not advantageous to the offense. In short if Anna is not occupying the corner then Oregon doesn't have to guard that side of the floor. Additionally Anna best spot on the floor for shooting is the corner. If a UCONN player wants to go with what is instead of the play is that is called they are at the wrong school. I get that Anna was trying to make something happen. At UCONN you don't do that by free lancing. Anna might have to learn that the hard way. If Crystal or any other player on the floor allows Anna to free lance by passing her the ball in a spot she is not supposed to be it is that player that Geno will hold accountable. This is the reason Kyla is starting instead of Aubrey or Anna- the offense efficiency of the other 4 players.
I can't explain the subs by Geno tonight he tried something and it did not work. The way this game played out I also don't think you bench one of your shooters for having a bad shooting night, just kind of hope they get hot.

 

[msf22b]

With all respect, those rankings were 2-4 years ago and totally irrelevant now.

Totally irrelevant is a bit of an exaggeration.
When all is done, I imagine that the basic topic will become one, much examined.
Do Walker and Williams college careers (to date) resemble what was imagined for them?
Perhaps not.

Surely they are hampered by a lack of a strong rebounder and garbage collector power forward.
Surely the are hampered by an inexperienced post who has doubts about whether she wants to bang inside.
Surely they are hampered by adequate subs to give them a meaningful break.

But that's the team plus Anna's polish and Aubrey's potential. Aubrey did some wonderful things tonight, but often on the same sequence managed to hand it back to the visitors.

Surely the fact that a bunch of the Oregon kids have been together for four years and is well coached, helps them. And that they were ranked lower and developed into the machine we saw tonight is a tribute to all.

But it is becoming apparent and really has been for some time, that our #1's never really became UConn #1s...there's still a bit of time this season for that to change but seemingly the die is cast.

Next season should be very interesting from the perspective of playing time.

 

[ocoandasoc]

Liv was not in foul trouble this game and seemed to me to be competing hard. Would someone please explain why she was on the bench so much when Oregon was scoring inside so easily ?

Sure. She had some fouls. Hebard was eating her lunch. She wasn't coming out on the jump shooters giving them easy uncontested 10-12 footers, her passing was poor.

 

[pvdoggy]

Now you know how the other teams feel facing Uconn during the Stewie era.

 

[Figurehead]

Geno Auriemma: "Hebard and Sabally are too good for us. We don’t have anyone at that level. And we certainly didn’t have anyone at that level tonight.”

 

[CTBballfan243]

Posting this totally unclassy tweet Oregon posted via their athletic department. A lot of these teams consider beating us as their national championship. I hope their program isn’t celebrating this accomplishment too early and can back this up with a title.

What is unclassy about their tweet? They’re excited they won. Good for them.

 

[ocoandasoc]

Oregon was the better team tonight. UConn can play better and we have the ability, if players are on, to be in the final 4.

Not meant to b a nic picking comment, but Oregon is a champ at moving screens, which the refs don't seem to call. Or is that just me thinking that?

No. The refs let 'em play tonight, for sure. And they only called the most obvious illegal screens. But like Geno always says, you have to adjust to the way the refs are calling the game. UConn didn't.

 

[Charliebball]

I think it's pretty clear that Oregon and Baylor are two of the best if not the two best teams teams in the country and both were just too talented and deep for an undersized, thin benched UConn team.............the only way UConn competes is by shooting lights out and that just didn't happen...............with the right seeding it's still possible for UConn to reach the final four but it's going to be really tough unless their stars play to their potential..............

 

[pvdoggy]

What is unclassy about their tweet? They’re excited they won. Good for them.

Not just the tweet, hit play, I don't think he appreciates the Duck pounding the Husky symbol Just a guess.

 

[HuskyNan]

Not just the tweet, hit play, I don't think he appreciates the Duck pounding the Husky symbol Just a guess.

UConn fans are agitated enough without bringing that stuff to the Boneyard.

 

[Najee76]

We're not ready for Primetime people...like Geno says, "No we know what other teams feel like." It'll get better, just not this year. Go Huskies!

 

[Sonny44]

Megan and Williams didn't show up for Baylor, Tennessee and now Oregon!

Yes, did you see the poster regarding her in big games? Reminds me of Tif.
Not to say the loss was her fault we lost; it was a team embarrassment.

 

[Plebe]

Not just the tweet, hit play, I don't think he appreciates the Duck pounding the Husky symbol Just a guess.

Here's an idea. Let's take it as a compliment that teams think it's a big deal to beat us. I'd much rather have that than the alternative scenario where blowing out UConn at Gampel is a ho-hum thing.

(Not directed at you specifically; more to the people who would be bothered by such a thing.)