Paige & Azzi Back Together Again

[oldude]

Do you remember the day? It was November 11, 2020. The pandemic had delayed the start of the basketball season. College basketball fans in general, and UConn fans in particular, were anxious to get their first look at Paige Bueckers, possibly the most heralded HS player ever. While the start of the season was still a month away, UConn fans were thrilled to see a video from Azzi Fudd, the incredible basketball talent out of DC, who announced she would be joining her BFF at the Basketball Capital of the World. Paige had lobbied Azzi relentlessly to come to UConn. UConn fans were ecstatic at the news.

What followed only heightened expectations. Paige led UConn to the FF while earning every available NPOY award, an unprecedented achievement for a freshman. While Azzi’s HS season was canceled due to Covid, she resurfaced in the summer as one of the stars on the USA U-19 World Championship team. On a team loaded with scorers, Azzi sacrificed much of her scoring to assume the primary PG role, leading everyone in the tournament with a remarkable 3.9 A/TO ratio. The speculation on the BY and elsewhere focused on how many national championships the two superstars would win in their time together at UConn.

Needless to say, the last 3 seasons have not yielded a national championship for UConn WBB. Paige and Azzi have been beset by injuries, surgeries and long rehabs. They have played only a handful of games on the court together. But hope springs eternal. Paige is back for a 5th year and Azzi is once again healthy. All indications are that Paige & Azzi’s strength and fitness have never been better.

So far this season, Paige is playing like the NPOY again. While Azzi has slowly ramped up her game, the play of Paige and Azzi in the Bahamas against a very talented Ole Miss team was cause for celebration. The talented duo shot a combined 19/28 (68%), derailing the Rebels effort to pull off a huge upset. Beyond the two UConn Superstars, the Huskies have a deep and talented roster, and yet another superstar in the making in Sarah Strong.

Against Holy Cross, we all witnessed something we had not seen in 387 days, Paige and Azzi both in the starting lineup together. It wasn’t an earth-shattering performance by either player. It didn’t need to be. This was Sarah’s game. Paige only scored 11 pts, but otherwise had her usual stat-stuffing game. Azzi was fine in her 18 minutes, particularly when you consider that she was dealing with a stomach virus and was questionable to play last night. There are tough games to come when UConn will need both Paige and Azzi to come up BIG.

As a UConn fan, it is difficult not to feel a little cheated by the experiences of the past 3 seasons. But if Paige and Azzi can remain healthy for this one last season together, playing like everyone knows they are capable of, supported by a roster that will only get better, it will be a wonderful season to follow the Huskies. Maybe, just maybe, the basketball gods will finally relent and UConn will be holding up trophy #12 at the end of the season.

 

[oldude]

Of the handful of college games that Paige and Azzi played in together, the most significant was the national championship game in 2022 vs SC. The Gamecocks were the better team on that day, but UConn was truly hampered by injuries and illness. Dorka had broken her wrist in the Elite 8 game vs NC State and was out. Liv had injured her hamstring in the national semifinal vs Stanford and while she played on, she struggled to brace herself against Boston in the low post. E injured her ankle early in the game and was never quite the same. As for Azzi, she was deathly ill. She tried gamely but just didn't have it. Paige soldiered on, seemingly a one-woman effort against a deep and talented SC lineup.

What might have been?

 

[HopJim]

Interesting comments. I have watched every game the past 5+ years and feel that I can make the case that the Paige and Azzi we are seeing today are better versions than in the past. Paige is stronger and is showing ways to apply this to her outstanding all-around game. Azzi has yet to get in full post injury rhythm but has displayed outstanding defense and overall quickness. Both were exceptional in the past so looking forward to how much more they contribute this year once Geno defines a more consistent top 8 (or 9 or whatever).

 

[huskyd]

It appears that our transgenerational dynamic duo sat out last night's game. The (only?) advantage to not seeing the goings on (ie, the game) is that a quick review of the stat sheet shows that the Huskies also didn't show up for at least the first half. Sending Sarah out to play one on five might have given Holy Cross a better shot at a major upset, but I'm not sure they could have scored enough even alone on court.
Seeing the half-time score gave me serious heartburn. I was afraid to check the final tally this morning. Was it possible that UConn had lost (at home!) to some middling Patriot League poseur? Allen Bestwick might have snapped off his twitchy little fingers.
Well, phew, we won by about 30. Geno would have been better to play KK and Ash and throw his two freshmen sharpshooters out as to use his regulars. The kids couldn't have done worse.
History tells us that "these are the times that try men's souls." But why? Why?
From: a fan who doesn't get to see the games. Sorry to be gloomy.

 

[Centerstream]

@huskyd if you had watched the game maybe you would feel different. I did watch it live and never felt that we were in trouble. We had multiple players scoring and doing other things, including Azzi for nearly 3 quarters, while battling a stomach bug. Paige was a little off scoring wise because she was basically being face guarded so she did other things...like being the rebound leader in the 1st quarter and adding some assists. So why should she force the issue, especially when others (Sarah) eventually started to shoot the lights out.
The 2nd half was a thing of beauty and I believe every available player took part.
And I still don't understand why you aren't able to watch the SNY games on the Fox Sports App, but that's for a different thread.
I'm gonna shut up now.

 

[huskeynut]

A few points huskyd - the team was stone cold shooting in the first half. They didn't take bad shots. They clank off the rim a lot. Defense was average and Holy Cross came to play. And kudos to them!!

And yes, Geno was subbing liberally. Working to find the right comos to get things moving.

2nd half was total destruction. Great defensive pressure forced Holy Cross to turn the ball over a lot. Turnovers led to fast breaks. Paige was well defended but Holy Cross could not contain Sarah. Kaitlyn played very well and KK was getting her groove on.

Everobody played and all but one scored.

 

[Scud49]

Kaitlyn played very well and KK was getting her groove on.

Kaitlyn looked very comfortable - loved that.

And KK, when she starts slicing and dicing with those moves to the basket, it's just great - like a big added bonus to the team's offense.

 

[yhun89]

A few points huskyd - the team was stone cold shooting in the first half. They didn't take bad shots. They clank off the rim a lot. Defense was average and Holy Cross came to play. And kudos to them!!

And yes, Geno was subbing liberally. Working to find the right comos to get things moving.

2nd half was total destruction. Great defensive pressure forced Holy Cross to turn the ball over a lot. Turnovers led to fast breaks. Paige was well defended but Holy Cross could not contain Sarah. Kaitlyn played very well and KK was getting her groove on.

Everobody played and all but one scored.

I feel like this is the phrase for the ND game next week. ND post defense was massively exposed against TCU, but their guard defense has always been elite.

I have a feeling Sarah will be dragging Koval or King out to the 3, have them always anticipating where she's cutting, and trying to defend the passing lanes Sarah opens and threads perfectly. And of course, catching her on a well timed steal.

I expect Citron will contain PB around as well as she did last year (Paige had around 13 PTs on bad efficiency). But I don't see any answer for Strong. Correct me if I'm wrong @Dillon77 but Westbeld and Karlen aren't expected back for a while, no?

 

[Next 12]

I don't understand the gloom posters are having about this team and their playing. A 36 point win seems to be respectable at the end of the game. I thought the game was for 40 minutes and a Cliche , the game isn't over until the fat lay sings would apply. After only 7 games ,I am completely satisfied with the progress of this team and I can see their future games.. Win after wins. No matter what I think, I have never posted a poor report about UCONN players. This team will go to the N.C. game and win it with the players they have NOW. Their progress has been astounding up to now and getting better every game. YE OF LITTLE FAITH take heart, the best is yet to come..GO HUSKIES!!!!

 

[SalinasV]

 

[huskyd]

A few points huskyd - the team was stone cold shooting in the first half. They didn't take bad shots. They clank off the rim a lot. Defense was average and Holy Cross came to play. And kudos to them!!

And yes, Geno was subbing liberally. Working to find the right comos to get things moving.

2nd half was total destruction. Great defensive pressure forced Holy Cross to turn the ball over a lot. Turnovers led to fast breaks. Paige was well defended but Holy Cross could not contain Sarah. Kaitlyn played very well and KK was getting her groove on.

Everobody played and all but one scored.

Meant no disrespect; we all love our Huskies and must suffer with them from time to time.
But let's be honest: when has this team put together a full game of quality play? They may (typically) have good first halves, then sink like a rock after halftime. So far they've scrabbled enough to pull games through, but how do you lose leads of 20 points? I'll admit the drama is great but, I for one, would like to see an entire game well played. Of course, we all would.
Now, here's something I thought I would never say: maybe we're subbing too much. Maybe the starters should have to work through bumps w/out attempted rescues (often by putting PB back in).
No one admires Geno's game management more than I, but maybe he finds himself with an abundance of riches and can't resist playing around with them. You know, kid in a toy store.
I'll deny having ever written this . . .

 

[Bone Dog]

when has this team put together a full game of quality play?

I think this is not the most informative version of this question. What I'd ask is which quarter is this team's strongest. So far it hasn't been the 3rd quarter. But the 1st and 4th have tended to be solid. There were years when the Huskies "owned" the 3rd quarter. They'd play tough teams even-up for the 1st half and then blow them off the court in the 3rd and coast to victory in the 4th. Dorka's first season was one of those teams. And there have been years when they blew opponents off the court in the 1st quarter and then coasted the rest of the way. Paige's first season was like this.

As @HuskyNan pointed out, no teams dominate for all 4 quarters, not this season, and frankly I can't think of any team ever that's consistently done that. Now, it's still too early yet to get a sense of this team's personality and when they'll tend to dominate. Things are changing rapidly for them as Azzi just returned, and Aubrey is in the wings and could be ready before the end of the December. And Ayanna and Caroline are ever present possibilities. Any one of these returns will change the shape of this team decisively.

So, for now, I'm content to see that inconsistent as they've been up until now, they have some serious talent and it has sufficed to pull out a win every time.

And a PS about Paige's freshman year team: when they played a marquee matchup in SC, #1 vs #2, they fumbled their way to more or less even, with ice-cold shooting, until midway through the 4th quarter when Paige scored virtually every point and forced an overtime, and then scored virtually every point there, too, and sealed the victory with a preposterous dagger-3 in the closing seconds. That team was dominant most of the season, but was also prone to uncharacteristic games.

 

[BBallF]

Do you remember the day? It was November 11, 2020. The pandemic had delayed the start of the basketball season. College basketball fans in general, and UConn fans in particular, were anxious to get their first look at Paige Bueckers, possibly the most heralded HS player ever. While the start of the season was still a month away, UConn fans were thrilled to see a video from Azzi Fudd, the incredible basketball talent out of DC, who announced she would be joining her BFF at the Basketball Capital of the World. Paige had lobbied Azzi relentlessly to come to UConn. UConn fans were ecstatic at the news.

What followed only heightened expectations. Paige led UConn to the FF while earning every available NPOY award, an unprecedented achievement for a freshman. While Azzi’s HS season was canceled due to Covid, she resurfaced in the summer as one of the stars on the USA U-19 World Championship team. On a team loaded with scorers, Azzi sacrificed much of her scoring to assume the primary PG role, leading everyone in the tournament with a remarkable 3.9 A/TO ratio. The speculation on the BY and elsewhere focused on how many national championships the two superstars would win in their time together at UConn.

Needless to say, the last 3 seasons have not yielded a national championship for UConn WBB. Paige and Azzi have been beset by injuries, surgeries and long rehabs. They have played only a handful of games on the court together. But hope springs eternal. Paige is back for a 5th year and Azzi is once again healthy. All indications are that Paige & Azzi’s strength and fitness have never been better.

So far this season, Paige is playing like the NPOY again. While Azzi has slowly ramped up her game, the play of Paige and Azzi in the Bahamas against a very talented Ole Miss team was cause for celebration. The talented duo shot a combined 19/28 (68%), derailing the Rebels effort to pull off a huge upset. Beyond the two UConn Superstars, the Huskies have a deep and talented roster, and yet another superstar in the making in Sarah Strong.

Against Holy Cross, we all witnessed something we had not seen in 387 days, Paige and Azzi both in the starting lineup together. It wasn’t an earth-shattering performance by either player. It didn’t need to be. This was Sarah’s game. Paige only scored 11 pts, but otherwise had her usual stat-stuffing game. Azzi was fine in her 18 minutes, particularly when you consider that she was dealing with a stomach virus and was questionable to play last night. There are tough games to come when UConn will need both Paige and Azzi to come up BIG.

As a UConn fan, it is difficult not to feel a little cheated by the experiences of the past 3 seasons. But if Paige and Azzi can remain healthy for this one last season together, playing like everyone knows they are capable of, supported by a roster that will only get better, it will be a wonderful season to follow the Huskies. Maybe, just maybe, the basketball gods will finally relent and UConn will be holding up trophy #12 at the end of the season.

It would be a great sports story, capable of being made into a movie one day. Everyone loves the comeback, the heroic overcoming of adversity and the great friendship of two unique athletes. For the record, I don't feel a little cheated by the injuries and them not playing together. I feel incredibly cheated. I never got to see Mickey Mantle before he got hurt either, or Len Bias play with Bird for the Celts, and the list is endless. I am a basketball purist though, and it's why I love our team so I enjoy every moment they are on the court together and wherever that leads to is fine with me.