Overcoming UConn in the FF

[Tonyc]

This is the FF. This is just not another game. All the pre tournament ceremonies can break concentration, and be a distraction. A lot of what was taught during the season will be forgotten when the lights are turned on. A lot of pressure and a lot of hype. Most importantly players are going to have to live up to the hype and perform. It aint easy. UConn and ND have been there. Last season you saw what happened to ND and especially McBride when both undefeated teams faced each other. It will be a tall task for SC against ND they can do it but ND is experienced and SC is not. It should be a great game.

MD has seen UConn and Im sure like many other teams including all teams in the FF UConn is their worse NiteMare . That's a huge advantage for UConn. Ive said UConn is unbeatable and on this stage with what UConn has already done to all 3 teams in the FF is the reason why. The tuffest thing that MD ND and SC have to overcome is their past experience against UConn. All have been beaten badly. All have memories of what happened to them when they played UConn. All opponents have that to overcome that 3 inch basketball court between their ears that reminds them of their past game with UConn, no matter what their coaches say that little court in the back of their minds will be the toughest to overcome and they will have to do it on the biggest stage in WCBB.

UConn will come in with confidence because of how they handled their opponent no matter who they face. That's a huge advantage. All the pregame questions of how will you handle UConn and UConn this and UConn that doesn't help their pregame attitudes. UConn is right where they want to be.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Playing Devil's Advocate:

Maryland comes into this game with their three guard lineup saying we can do what Stanford did. We can beat UConn at their own game. We can out run and outscore them with our guards penetrating to the basket to make easy layups. While UConn is the #1 Scoring offense, most of that was accomplished in a significantly weaker AAC. We're Maryland played in the much tougher B10 Conferences and had the 8th ranked offense. Even though playing in a tougher league we're competitive with UConn in overall shooting percentage and rebound margin. We can stay with UConn and win the game in the last few minutes like we did against the Lady Vols. Besides our Uniforms are better then UConn's.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

One think Maryland has struggled with in the tourney is turnovers. I hope Geno puts on the press every now and then.

 

[Wonkster]

One thing Maryland has struggled with in the tourney is turnovers.

Hey, I've been struggling, too! (especially with raspberry).

 

[Oldbones]

UConn is the nacht mare.

 

[DobbsRover2]

Playing Devil's Advocate:

Maryland comes into this game with their three guard lineup saying we can do what Stanford did. We can beat UConn at their own game. We can out run and outscore them with our guards penetrating to the basket to make easy layups. While UConn is the #1 Scoring offense, most of that was accomplished in a significantly weaker AAC. We're Maryland played in the much tougher B10 Conferences and had the 8th ranked offense. Even though playing in a tougher league we're competitive with UConn in overall shooting percentage and rebound margin. We can stay with UConn and win the game in the last few minutes like we did against the Lady Vols. Besides our Uniforms are better then UConn's.

Except UConn just saw much the same thing against Dayton, and I'm guessing that the Huskies are vaccinated against the three guard flu at this point. Conference play is totally meaningless at this point unless you can point to any other B10 teams that are doing great things, and if a team can only score 58 points (helped by endgame fouls) against a nonthreatening UTenn, I think even a devil's advocate is going to be knocking for entrance at the Pearly Gates before saying something like "They'll somehow score a lot more than that against UConn." That's just silly.

 

[HuskyBandDad]

Except UConn just saw much the same thing against Dayton, and I'm guessing that the Huskies are vaccinated against the three guard flu at this point. Conference play is totally meaningless at this point unless you can point to any other B10 teams that are doing great things, and if a team can only score 58 points (helped by endgame fouls) against a nonthreatening UTenn, I think even a devil's advocate is going to be knocking for entrance at the Pearly Gates before saying something like "They'll somehow score a lot more than that against UConn." That's just silly.

I think the flu is the only thing that can stop UCONN.

 

[baggerbob]

Maryland has a big problem in Jones is their best big, who does she guard? She is going to have problems against Stewie or Tuck, and might spend a lot of time on the bench. If she does Maryland might end up like Louisville 2 years ago.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

UCONN's strength is the same vs all 3 teams at the FF, they have too many talented big people than their opponents! With KML, Stewie, Stokes, Tuck, and Williams it is more talent than anyone else has! They are a match-up nightmare for everyone else! ND has only Turner, MD has only Jones, and even though SoCar has more big bodies they physically and mentally can't compete with UCONN! Each team has talented guard play, so that will be a wash, but no-one can match the Huskies with their big girls! And that's why they'll win big vs any of the 3 opponents!

 

[Buzzyboy]

Playing Devil's Advocate:

Maryland comes into this game with their three guard lineup saying we can do what Stanford did. We can beat UConn at their own game. We can out run and outscore them with our guards penetrating to the basket to make easy layups. While UConn is the #1 Scoring offense, most of that was accomplished in a significantly weaker AAC. We're Maryland played in the much tougher B10 Conferences and had the 8th ranked offense. Even though playing in a tougher league we're competitive with UConn in overall shooting percentage and rebound margin. We can stay with UConn and win the game in the last few minutes like we did against the Lady Vols. Besides our Uniforms are better then UConn's.

Anyone that saw that horrific display of basketball between Tennessee and Maryland would have trouble thinking that Maryland has much of an offense at all. The offensive display I saw was really totally embarrassing and doesn't exemplify any kind of offensive ability.

 

[Tonyc]

Two songs come to mind Welcome to My NiteMare and Dream On.

 

[warbler1055]

Anyone that saw that horrific display of basketball between Tennessee and Maryland would have trouble thinking that Maryland has much of an offense at all. The offensive display I saw was really totally embarrassing and doesn't exemplify any kind of offensive ability.

It was a pain to watch that game. Maryland will be very physical against UConn. They might have a chance if it turns out to be a wrestling match. Referees will be the deciding factor.

 

[Henry]

Playing Devil's Advocate:

Maryland comes into this game with their three guard lineup saying we can do what Stanford did. We can beat UConn at their own game. We can out run and outscore them with our guards penetrating to the basket to make easy layups. While UConn is the #1 Scoring offense, most of that was accomplished in a significantly weaker AAC. We're Maryland played in the much tougher B10 Conferences and had the 8th ranked offense. Even though playing in a tougher league we're competitive with UConn in overall shooting percentage and rebound margin. We can stay with UConn and win the game in the last few minutes like we did against the Lady Vols. Besides our Uniforms are better then UConn's.

UCONN soundly beat South Carolina and Notre Dame and destroyed Texas. I don't think the conference hurts us that much.

 

[Tonyc]

Tonite you will see a mentally tuff UConn team. You will see them become confident as they continue to execute their stuff. MD is young and inexperienced. You will see them come out sky high until UConn settles in. Poise, discipline and execution will be on UConns menu. If tonite MD plays a playground game this will be over early. MD has been playing pretty good team ball. Tonite will be about defense. I am looking forward to seeing how Geno has prepared his team to stop MDs guards. It should be a fun nite. ND and SC will be a battle.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Tonite you will see a mentally tuff UConn team. You will see them become confident as they continue to execute their stuff. MD is young and inexperienced. You will see them come out sky high until UConn settles in. Poise, discipline and execution will be on UConns menu. If tonite MD plays a playground game this will be over early. MD has been playing pretty good team ball. Tonite will be about defense. I am looking forward to seeing how Geno has prepared his team to stop MDs guards. It should be a fun nite. ND and SC will be a battle.

As always, it'll be about UConn stops, as you suggested. It's been talked about here on the Boneyard for a very long time, the key to UConn and their success is their defensive pressure. They change how you play your game and that is often the catalyst for their offense. Great defense very often leads to easy baskets and no one does a better job of making that work for them than does the Huskies.

 

[Tonyc]

MoJeff will be a huge difference in tonites games. Her pressure defense and quickness will put a lot of pressure on MDs guards. For a little water bug she makes a huge difference controlling the offense and pressuring the defense.