Our Sights are on Number 12

[Tonyc]

Just think about what UConn has been through. Injuries are at the top of the list. We had a dream of the Paige and Azzi show a few years ago and more NC's. Injuries stole that dream. The injuries continued to pile up as the seasons progressed to a point where we couldn't field enough players to play a game. Now this season starts and the anticipation is how long before we get healthy again. Well we are healthy again and better than ever.

We struggled the beginning of the season losing to ND and USC. Both games we had our chances however we fell short. Then we went down to Tenn with some hopes and doubts and lost again. With thoughts and concerns looming we were facing @ SC waiting just a few days away. More concerns about what would happen. We wondered when we would start clicking. Then Azzi came back and then Griff came back. We had hope.

So we head to SC and all the announcers predicted UConn would lose. No one gave us a chance. Many fans feared the worse as SC hadn't lost at home in a very long time. The outlook was glim. What if UConn lost again. Meanwhile UConn had showed signs of regaining their poise but they had been inconsistent. Well that would all change as UConn ending SC's home win streak and leaving no doubt. A big surprise for many especially the announcers who predicted a SC win.

Under Geno's tutelage the team had responded. That game has been the turning point to the entire season. It showed we had scoring options. It showed how devastating our defense is. We took everybody by surprise. We attacked a very athletic SC team with confidence. No fears no hesitation. We had 4 players in double figures and Azzi was Azzi. Everybody stepped up and we looked like the team we knew we were suppose to be. We played with a very aggressive, vicious, suffocating defense. We were playing like we were on fire. That has continued and UConn's defense has been nothing short of devastating and UConns defense is a balanced scoring attack. UConn is playing like a well oiled machine.

So now the post season. Ice is back and looking good. Griff is Griff and put on a show on senior nite. Jana is beginning to come into her own. We have depth, we have shooters and scorers and we have confidence. In our last two games Creighton and Marquette both top 25 teams were suffocated asour defense took over. UConn winning both games within a problem, leaving no doubt on how good UConn is. UConn will win the BE tournament, the only question being by how much. UConn is at a new level and peaking. UConn is healthy and a different team then they were. We are still improving and getting better.

Looking ahead to the NCAAs. There are two teams with great offenses. ND and UConn. No other team has an offense like ND and UConn. Both teams have multiple shooters and scorers. Both have more then one go to player. UConn has more depth and a better defense. Over the past few weeks we have seen many of the top 10 teams struggle. A few teams lost to unranked teams. A few have lost a couple of games. While UConn has shown complete dominance.

UConns execution on both sides of the ball is simply magnificent because they are attacking and not hesitating. UConns intensity and energy is running high.

I believe we won't lose another game barring injuries. We have to many players who can score and score alot of points and a defense that keeps opponents for scoring alot of points.

We can handle good defenses because we have good ball handlers. I believe we have eliminated the "what if's" when you think about opponents. Our opponents are now thinking "what if" when they face us. We get into opponents heads and mentally we instill doubt and fear. Opponents can no longer guard one UConn player to slow us down. Opponents can no longer double Paige and not worry about somebody else. Opponents have to play us one on one. Lets face it our defense creates alot of problems for opponents and the number 1 problem is between our opponents ears.

The rankings are coming out today. It will be interesting to see where we are. I know the top conferences have to play each other which could hurt their seeding. To many top teams have shown they are vulnerable over the past couple of weeks. UConn hasnt. I dont wanna hear about a weak BE either. Look at some of the top teams and who they lost too. Look at how they lost. Look at how they played. Now look at UConn and you see a team that Geno has created that looks like a monster.

We are UConn and We Are Back

 

[Bone Dog]

Thanks, @Tonyc. A shot in the arm is good to have right about now. Instead of things falling apart this time of year, as has been the case more often than not in recent years, it looks like things are coming together, especially with the return of Aubrey and Ice.

What the recent games have showed is that defense is the one thing players can control. Shots can fall or not from one game to the next. But defense is just about grit, determination and coordination. And the defense looks very very good right now. It may not be good enough by itself to get us the NC, but without it no NC is possible. I'm confident Paige and Sarah will score as needed. All we need to win it all is for Azzi, Ash, Kaitlyn and KK to find the bottom of the net consistently. This is definitely doable.

edit to add: Holy cr*p! AP just jumped UConn up to #3 ahead of UCLA SC and ND. This is a heady moment.

 

[Huskee11]

UConns execution on both sides of the ball is simply magnificent because they are attacking and not hesitating. UConns intensity and energy is running high.

That's it in a nutshell.

I go to the games and the urgency and intensity is off the charts, way more than earlier in the season.

Paige is hunting shots more. Azzi's new pregame routine has taken the drift out of her game. Chen is more comfortable. Sarah is totally comfortable out there and just makes play after play. And Shade and KK, well they only know one speed.

Players are working as a team but they aren't deferring if they have an opening. That's different.

But the return to the court of Aubrey - well, that is a huge deal. She appears to be fully back, or close to it. No one defends like she does.

 

[Inthepaint]

Things are definitely looking up.
We are healthy and at full strength for the first time in years.
The “if only’s” have been replaced with “nothing to stop us this time”
Expectations are high again
Also means that there will be no excuses
GO HUSKIES!

 

[Rowdy831]

Ice looked good yesterday and so did Aubrey. Those two in my opinion are vital for a shot at number 12 since a couple teams out there can put some size on the floor. Ice can play against taller players and Aubrey might give something up around the basket to taller players on defense but she more than makes up for it with her quickness and ability to glide.

No team in the country has the talent that UConn has for the whole team. I would say they have one player that I don't really trust against top competition but her replacement is as good as they get defensively in the country. They haven't proved they can win a close game yet but with a group like they have they might not even have a close game.

 

[Tonyc]

IMO we are the team to beat. At this point we are not struggling we are peaking at a very high level. Firing on all cylinders we can beat anybody by double digits. We have so many scorers who dont hesitate and dont defer (thats confidence) and our suffocating defense makes us the team to beat....Barring injuries.

 

[BRS24]

There's always another gear at the end of the BE regular season for UConn, and then it ramps up more so during the BET, and then carries to the NCAAT. Geno probably spends 2/3 of the season breaking the team down, harping on what needs to happen, and then there's a change where it's all build up, etc. This year, Geno has a deeper pool of players to use, so there's no concern of fatigue, unlike the last few years.

There's definitely something significantly different about the team after the win over S Carolina. Defense is crisper and edgier, Paige is hunting shots, and even Azzi did that a bit yesterday. Q seemed to be more focused on D, although I lost her a few times when looking for the high puffs. LOL. KK & Ash are continuing their "menace" roles, and Ash is playing with a HUGE chip on her shoulder. Jana is doing less complaining and is moving on from unfortunate plays and calls.

Yesterday, there was also a different positive edge to Ice. She didn't hesitate, she made plays and moved on. As Geno said, with the latest injury (shoulder), she knew what she was missing and worked really hard to get back, unlike her knee injury, where she had no idea what she was missing, so perhaps there was less of an edge with her rehab.

(clearly I'm on a roll using the word edge in this post, MMLOL)

IMO, the variety of lineups that Geno has been using is prep for the NCAAT. Opposing coaches know what he's done, however they won't know what he'll actually do during the games. For instance, yesterday's starting lineup was a nod to the "seniors," with Sarah being the 5th player. Kaitlyn, Paige, and Azzi were outside shooting threats, Sarah was a mix of out and in scoring, and Aubs was on fire with her defense and rebounding. Starting lineup #3 (yes, I track this) of Paige, K, Azzi, Sarah, and Jana provides some stability, and then lets Geno tinker as the game progresses. Our (almost) 5 guard lineup gives us speed and scoring on both the O and D ends.

For any game that had Bueckers (30), Chen (32), Strong (32), Fudd (21), or El Alfy (18) in the lineup, we averaged 82 ppg. Here's what the results of the 3rd and 5th starting lineup looks like including TN, SC, the last 2 games, and our potential BET opponents, Butler or St John's:

 

[jcoton56]

We have the chance to be bad for women’s basketball again! We’re playin with terrific pace, great confidence and unlike the recent past we’re not all beat up and worn to a nub from playin too many minutes all year. Geno has a full toolbox and all sorts of combos and lineups at his disposal. Great job Huskies!

 

[BBallF]

Great post Tony and one of your very best, and, as we all know, the bar is very high. The team is just a sheer pleasure to watch right now after the late season metamorphosis that you have detailed so well. For everyone who has not seen them play live since the South Carolina game, try to make one of the two remaining games at Gampel. Trust me, they are not to be missed.

 

[Bone Dog]

At this point we are not struggling we are peaking at a very high level.

I totally agree. Not many other teams are peaking right now. Not UCLA or ND, not LSU or Tennessee, not UNC or OU or even SC.

By contrast, USC and Texas and TCU appear to be on an upswing, and maybe Duke as well. MD also seems to be hitting their stride and possibly Alabama. These are the teams to watch out for right now. When teams are really feeling that energy, they're hard to beat. And once they've lost it, it's really hard to get back.

 

[huskyd]

Is this the Last Rodeo? Paige is leaving, Azzi may, Aubrey, too. Chen is moving on.
If someone told me in 2016 that UConn might have reached its high-water mark, I would have scoffed. But time has tamped me down. Expectations have fallen short in the last almost decade, and a twelfth title has not happened. I may not live to see the top of the mountain again; neither may Geno.
So: I agree that this is a very fine team, which has had a lot of bad breaks. We seem ready now.
Help me here, guys.

 

[Next 12]

Just think about what UConn has been through. Injuries are at the top of the list. We had a dream of the Paige and Azzi show a few years ago and more NC's. Injuries stole that dream. The injuries continued to pile up as the seasons progressed to a point where we couldn't field enough players to play a game. Now this season starts and the anticipation is how long before we get healthy again. Well we are healthy again and better than ever.

We struggled the beginning of the season losing to ND and USC. Both games we had our chances however we fell short. Then we went down to Tenn with some hopes and doubts and lost again. With thoughts and concerns looming we were facing @ SC waiting just a few days away. More concerns about what would happen. We wondered when we would start clicking. Then Azzi came back and then Griff came back. We had hope.

So we head to SC and all the announcers predicted UConn would lose. No one gave us a chance. Many fans feared the worse as SC hadn't lost at home in a very long time. The outlook was glim. What if UConn lost again. Meanwhile UConn had showed signs of regaining their poise but they had been inconsistent. Well that would all change as UConn ending SC's home win streak and leaving no doubt. A big surprise for many especially the announcers who predicted a SC win.

Under Geno's tutelage the team had responded. That game has been the turning point to the entire season. It showed we had scoring options. It showed how devastating our defense is. We took everybody by surprise. We attacked a very athletic SC team with confidence. No fears no hesitation. We had 4 players in double figures and Azzi was Azzi. Everybody stepped up and we looked like the team we knew we were suppose to be. We played with a very aggressive, vicious, suffocating defense. We were playing like we were on fire. That has continued and UConn's defense has been nothing short of devastating and UConns defense is a balanced scoring attack. UConn is playing like a well oiled machine.

So now the post season. Ice is back and looking good. Griff is Griff and put on a show on senior nite. Jana is beginning to come into her own. We have depth, we have shooters and scorers and we have confidence. In our last two games Creighton and Marquette both top 25 teams were suffocated asour defense took over. UConn winning both games within a problem, leaving no doubt on how good UConn is. UConn will win the BE tournament, the only question being by how much. UConn is at a new level and peaking. UConn is healthy and a different team then they were. We are still improving and getting better.

Looking ahead to the NCAAs. There are two teams with great offenses. ND and UConn. No other team has an offense like ND and UConn. Both teams have multiple shooters and scorers. Both have more then one go to player. UConn has more depth and a better defense. Over the past few weeks we have seen many of the top 10 teams struggle. A few teams lost to unranked teams. A few have lost a couple of games. While UConn has shown complete dominance.

UConns execution on both sides of the ball is simply magnificent because they are attacking and not hesitating. UConns intensity and energy is running high.

I believe we won't lose another game barring injuries. We have to many players who can score and score alot of points and a defense that keeps opponents for scoring alot of points.

We can handle good defenses because we have good ball handlers. I believe we have eliminated the "what if's" when you think about opponents. Our opponents are now thinking "what if" when they face us. We get into opponents heads and mentally we instill doubt and fear. Opponents can no longer guard one UConn player to slow us down. Opponents can no longer double Paige and not worry about somebody else. Opponents have to play us one on one. Lets face it our defense creates alot of problems for opponents and the number 1 problem is between our opponents ears.

The rankings are coming out today. It will be interesting to see where we are. I know the top conferences have to play each other which could hurt their seeding. To many top teams have shown they are vulnerable over the past couple of weeks. UConn hasnt. I dont wanna hear about a weak BE either. Look at some of the top teams and who they lost too. Look at how they lost. Look at how they played. Now look at UConn and you see a team that Geno has created that looks like a monster.

We are UConn and We Tonyc, posting a like was not good enough, so I say, your post was the best I have seen since your last post like this. Full of confidence, hope. achievement and glory for now and the future. As I have said, I have never posted a negative post since I have been on the BY, I can't remember if I have ever seen a negative from you. I ALWAYS look at the possibllities, as anything is possible. This team is one of the BEST that Uconn has ever had and I believe they will go all the way.Some of the other top teams are now tiring and faltering and Uconn is now reaching it's stride. GENO's magic and GENIOUS. Your're one of the best Tonyc. Really enjoy you're posts. GO HUSKIES!!!!!

 

[ABCDFE]

I’m in agreement that this team is playing much better than in the first half of the season. I think our defense is much better, i think KK and Shade are playing well. I think Chen is playing better. I think Jana is playing better. I think having Azzi and Aubrey helps us immensely when we go to a smaller lineup or full court pressure. So im much more optimistic than I was after the Tennessee game for sure.

However, my ONLY concern is we are very vulnerable if most everyone has a bad shooting night, which has happened before. Our defense will keep us in it, but what would give me greater comfort in this teams chances is if we had an inside game and guards that got to the free throw line more. From the Elite Eight on, we have to hope that we play three games in a row where we shoot the way we are capable of.

 

[BfromCT]

In the time since UConn’s magnificent demolishing of South Carolina, something I never expected to see, the team has rolled and has completed an undefeated Big East season. The Huskies are rounding into March Madness shape and the prospects for a Final Four berth are much brighter than they were a month ago. Tonyc, the perpetual optimist posits great things for the Huskies in the tournament and I hope that he is correct.

My half-glass full perspective, however, makes my views more guarded. What will be required for post-season success is the continued high standard of play the team achieved against the Gamecocks.

The team hit, if not exceeded, all the metrics that were needed for an upset. It was solid from 3-point range, got good (and excellent from Fudd) performances from the big three, El Alfy had her best game of the season, and the Huskies got good minutes from Chen, Shade, and Arnold. Shade hitting two three pointers in the first quarter and El Alfy’s offensive production were keys to getting an early lead that was only expanded in the second and third quarters.

The smackdown of South Carolina has pretty much guaranteed that the team will get a no. 2 seed and probably the highest one. A 1 is not out of the question and it all depends on the tournaments. There are six teams seeking the top 4 slots - UCLA, USC, Texas, South Carolina, Notre Dame, and UConn. LSU is probably out of the mix.

Notre Dame has lost two games in the last couple of weeks and is now projected as a 2 seed, but winning the ACC tournament will probably bring the team back to a 1, assuming that one of the SEC or Big Ten team stumbles.

The Final Four and national championship are the eternal goals. It looks as though the final rotation of eight has been established, although the play of Brady against Marquette was encouraging. Jana had her best game of the season and her drive to the basket in the first quarter gave us a hint of her potential. Assuming her game against South Carolina was not a one off, the Huskies need an effective 20 minutes per game from her in order to advance beyond the Sweet Sixteen. Likewise Chen and Shade have to continue to play at their Gamecock game level, Arnold must continue to be disruptive, Griffin must play to her pre-injury standard as she did against Marquette, and the big three have to play well, Bueckers in particular. The team cannot afford any 25% three point shooting games in order to advance.

After having seen the UCLA-USC game last Saturday night, I find it difficult to believe that the Huskies could defeat either one, although I didn’t believe that the team could defeat South Carolina, so what do I know.