Perspective - Article from Arkansas fan site

[Bald Husky]

Arkansas was an excellent opening day opponent. I would like to see them become part of our OOC regulars. Arkansas is not a cupcake.

I agree with what you said, as we may need them to help teach our players defense. Taking in account all of LY and this game we just played, our two worst defensive games were against Arkansas. Maybe we can learn something from the game films, so I agree that we should try to set up a home and home with them. I believe that program will get better and become a contender in the SEC on a yearly basis. The more SEC teams we play each year the better. We should also look at Texas A&M and Georgia.

 

[Carnac]

I agree with what you said, as we may need them to help teach our players defense. Taking in account all of LY and this game we just played, our two worst defensive games were against Arkansas. Maybe we can learn something from the game films, so I agree that we should try to set up a home and home with them. I believe that program will get better and become a contender in the SEC on a yearly basis. The more SEC teams we play each year the better. We should also look at Texas A&M and Georgia.

I’d look at Texas too. Vic Schaefer is putting a very competitive team together in Austin. With Mulkey gone and Gary Blair retiring at Texas A&M after this season, Schaefer just might become the “Don Vito Corleone“ of the state of Texas, allowing him to have the pick of the litter of the elite talent the longhorn state produces every year.

So far, Texas beat New Orleans by 95 points, and Stanford by 5. Very interested to see how they fair against Tennessee (in Knoxville) in 5 days (Nov 21) 1:00 pm ET ESPN. Tennessee is currently ranked #16.

 

[eebmg]

Arkansas was an excellent opening day opponent. I would like to see them become part of our OOC regulars. Arkansas is not a cupcake.

Better than bring motivational speakers to Storr's

 

[Cornell Lt]

I’d look at Texas too. Vic Schaefer is putting a very competitive team together in Austin. With Mulkey gone and Gary Blair retiring at Texas A&M after this season, Schaefer just might become the “Don Vito Corleone“ of the state of Texas, allowing him to have the pick of the litter of the elite talent the longhorn state produces every year.

So far, Texas beat New Orleans by 95 points, and Stanford by 5. Very interested to see how they fair against Tennessee (in Knoxville) in 5 days (Nov 21) 1:00 pm ET ESPN. Tennessee is currently ranked #16.

The way Tennessee is playing, Texas will win by 50

 

[Carnac]

I'm sorry but I just have a different take on it. To me it's not about seeing what individual players do after a certain number of games. It's about the defense being played by the team. They looked like they didn't know how to play it. It's about not a single charge taken against a team that drives at all costs. It's about the other team's offensive rebounds when they were greatly outsized.

Like Geno said the team forgot their defense back in Storrs. The defense just has to be so much better as a team to win it all. Otherwise a team that plays great defense and has a great day shooting can beat us. Sure it's early and we won, but we didn't win the way most of us wanted to, by shutting them down, not by outscoring them. Geno has a lot of work to do.

My comments were directed at individual players, NOT the team. Individual players make up the team, and a 5 man unit on the floor at any given time. We know what the retuning players can do and what we'll get from them. I need a 4-5 game sample size to see what the freshmen and Dorka can do within the structure of our team, that is playing the type of offense and defense that Geno wants. Nika did not look like the Nika we saw at the end of the season last year. Aaliyah did not look like her old self either. Dorka failed to impress. I'm not going to make judgements from 1 game.

I agree that THE TEAM needs to play and execute better as a unit. Several times Azzi got beat and her man went by her to the basket where Liv did not stop her or pick her up. When Azzi's man got by her, she should have run directly into Liv, our rim protector. Liv didn't make any attempt to stop her. The player scored an easy lay up. I think Liv was afraid of picking up another foul.

That is what I mean by the starters and upperclassmen have to help or carry the newbies until they get their "sea legs." THAT will not happen in 1 game. Azzi and everyone else have to have confidence that if they get beat, Liv or whoever is guarding the paint has their back. That's the case in women's and men's basketball.

I was a post player. My guys knew that if they got beat, I'd pick up their man. THAT was my job. I'm either going to stop him, make him pass it, or shoot a shot he doesn't want to shoot. He's NOT getting a free pass to the rim. You don't have to block every shot. If you can make the payer change their shot, you've done your job. Liv has to guard the rim, and do it WITHOUT fouling. I saw her fly swat at a shot during the game (smh). Still has not learned after 3 years that fly swatting will put you on the bench with fouls.

Using that technique, you will almost surely foul the shooter. You NEVER try to block a shot while the ball is still in the player's hand. If you miss it, you're going to hit his hand and foul him. You aim for where the ball will be AFTER it leaves his hand. If you time it correctly like Paige did on her block, you don't foul the player, and you live to player another possession.

My first concern is ALWAYS to win the game. Second, that the team play good "in your face" defense, and hold the competition to 59 points or less. Any team is only as good as its weakest link. If the unit contains a player that can't keep their man in from of them, they are going to be exploited every time down the court. If you have a player that can't shoot free throws, that player is a liability late in a close game that may be decided by free throws. Remember, a player DOES NOT have to have the ball to get fouled. You can grab a player and get the ref's attention to get the foul called. We use to do it, and I've seen it done many times. Most refs will not call an intentional foul in that case, even though they should. It's perfectly OK if you don't agree with my view point. I appreciate your response.

 

[MSGRET]

Azzi defense needs a lot of work. She was getting beat and giving up on plays.

At the beginning of last season both Paige and Nika had problems keeping players in front of them and let the player have easy lay-ups or fouled them. At the end of the season they were very much improved. I see Azzi growing into that type of player with the tutelage from the coaching staff.

 

[HuskyNan]

Arkansas drastically underachieved last year and gave inconsistent efforts. His team beat both UCONN and Baylor, but finished only 6th in the SEC, lost in the first round of the SEC tournament to Ole Miss and lost to Wright State in the NCAA tournament.

He's a solid coach but I wouldn't consider him one of the better coaches in the country, nor would I call him underrated--he gets a lot of love from posters. I will say that I do think Arkansas will be dangerous and they could be a better team this year without a "me first" personality like Chelsea Dungee leading the team. Lots of young talent and his kids played hard yesterday, even if UCONN was steadily in control the whole way.

Sort of a streaky team with some good talent that will make opponents work for a win.

 

[BBallF]

My comments were directed at individual players, NOT the team. Individual players make up the team, and a 5 man unit on the floor at any given time. We know what the retuning players can do and what we'll get from them. I need a 4-5 game sample size to see what the freshmen and Dorka can do within the structure of our team, that is playing the type of offense and defense that Geno wants. Nika did not look like the Nika we saw at the end of the season last year. Aaliyah did not look like her old self either. Dorka failed to impress. I'm not going to make judgements from 1 game.

I agree that THE TEAM needs to play and execute better as a unit. Several times Azzi got beat and her man went by her to the basket where Liv did not stop her or pick her up. When Azzi's man got by her, she should have run directly into Liv, our rim protector. Liv didn't make any attempt to stop her. The player scored an easy lay up. I think Liv was afraid of picking up another foul.

That is what I mean by the starters and upperclassmen have to help or carry the newbies until they get their "sea legs." THAT will not happen in 1 game. Azzi and everyone else have to have confidence that if they get beat, Liv or whoever is guarding the paint has their back. That's the case in women's and men's basketball.

I was a post player. My guys knew that if they got beat, I'd pick up their man. THAT was my job. I'm either going to stop him, make him pass it, or shoot a shot he doesn't want to shoot. He's NOT getting a free pass to the rim. You don't have to block every shot. If you can make the payer change their shot, you've done your job. Liv has to guard the rim, and do it WITHOUT fouling. I saw her fly swat at a shot during the game (smh). Still has not learned after 3 years that fly swatting will put you on the bench with fouls.

Using that technique, you will almost surely foul the shooter. You NEVER try to block a shot while the ball is still in the player's hand. If you miss it, you're going to hit his hand and foul him. You aim for where the ball will be AFTER it leaves his hand. If you time it correctly like Paige did on her block, you don't foul the player, and you live to player another possession.

My first concern is ALWAYS to win the game. Second, that the team play good "in your face" defense, and hold the competition to 59 points or less. Any team is only as good as its weakest link. If the unit contains a player that can't keep their man in from of them, they are going to be exploited every time down the court. If you have a player that can't shoot free throws, that player is a liability late in a close game that may be decided by free throws. Remember, a player DOES NOT have to have the ball to get fouled. You can grab a player and get the ref's attention to get the foul called. We use to do it, and I've seen it done many times. Most refs will not call an intentional foul in that case, even though they should. It's perfectly OK if you don't agree with my view point. I appreciate your response.

I actually agree with everything you said above. I was a guard and was always lucky to have good/great post players on my high school and college teams. My perspective was that Sunday it looked like, as a team, AAU defense. I found a disturbing similarity on Sunday to the defense we played last year against the same Arkansas team and against Arizona. Nobody beat anyone to the spot. No charges against a team that drives more than it does anything else. Poor boxing out. The defense was mostly retreat defense and backing up which is doomed against a driving team. If you take a charge or try to take one that offensive player will have that in their head the next time down. Plus, if your man gets past you on this team, you couldn't be more correct about Liv. Once that arm comes down in the swat it's a called foul whether it is or not.

We are going to score a lot of points this year but until I see a lock down, you ain't getting the ball, physical defense, I worry about the FF again. You can only outscore teams so many times. A bad shooting night by you and a great shooting night by them and it's over. The greatest teams ever in college, men and women, were also great defensive teams. Great defense allows you to win when your offense is only so-so. I guarantee you see a different defensive team against MinnieSnowda on Saturday..

 

[Carnac]

I actually agree with everything you said above. I was a guard and was always lucky to have good/great post players on my high school and college teams. My perspective was that Sunday it looked like, as a team, AAU defense. I found a disturbing similarity on Sunday to the defense we played last year against the same Arkansas team and against Arizona. Nobody beat anyone to the spot. No charges against a team that drives more than it does anything else. Poor boxing out. The defense was mostly retreat defense and backing up which is doomed against a driving team. If you take a charge or try to take one that offensive player will have that in their head the next time down. Plus, if your man gets past you on this team, you couldn't be more correct about Liv. Once that arm comes down in the swat it's a called foul whether it is or not.

We are going to score a lot of points this year but until I see a lock down, you ain't getting the ball, physical defense, I worry about the FF again. You can only outscore teams so many times. A bad shooting night by you and a great shooting night by them and it's over. The greatest teams ever in college, men and women, were also great defensive teams. Great defense allows you to win when your offense is only so-so. I guarantee you see a different defensive team against MinnieSnowda on Saturday..

I agree 1000% with these comments. I watched the game again yesterday. I was appalled at some of the "matador" defense we played. On two occasions, I saw our post player casually STEP BACK out of the way of a Arkansas player driving to the basket (and both scored).
At the next time out when those players came to the bench, Geno was livid, as he should have been.

Even Jamelle Elliot was voicing her displeasure at the players. Our players had to be in fear of picking up another foul, but you can't retreat in the paint like that and just give up an uncontested basket, regardless of the score. We won, but Geno WAS NOT happy with the defensive display we played Sunday. Not everyone played poorly. Some of our girls played some defense.

The first two things I'm going to look for Saturday from our team:
1. A fast start. Jump on Minnesota early fast and hard. Insert foot on their neck and keep it there....... tip to buzzer.
2. Lock down in your face defense. No concessions. Challenge EVERYTHING!!! Play like you're the # 2 ranked team in the country.

 

[Carnac]

At the beginning of last season both Paige and Nika had problems keeping players in front of them and let the player have easy lay-ups or fouled them. At the end of the season they were very much improved. I see Azzi growing into that type of player with the tutelage from the coaching staff.

Sunday, I saw a couple of our newbies give up on their man as they were going around them. That can't happen. Geno should show the team what real man to man defense looks like.

All he has to do is show them clips of Kia Nurse and/or Moriah Jefferson sticking to their man throughout a play. Crystal Dangerfield became an elite lock-down defensive player in her junior year also. It took Saniya Chong 3 years to learn how to stay in front of her man to Geno's satisfaction.

We'll se how long it takes. Our opponents scout us too. They know (watch film of our latest game) who can do what, who is a liability, and who can be taken advantage of. I expect Minnesota to do a lot of driving to the basket until (unless) we prove to them that we can defend the paint. That might take a quarter. It might take a half, or it might not happen at all.

 

[MSGRET]

Sunday, I saw a couple of our newbies give up on their man as they were going around them. That can't happen. Geno should show the team what real man to man defense looks like.

All he has to do is show them clips of Kia Nurse and/or Moriah Jefferson sticking to their man throughout a play. Crystal Dangerfield became an elite lock-down defensive player in her junior year also. It took Saniya Chong 3 years to learn how to stay in front of her man to Geno's satisfaction. We'll se how long it takes Azzi.

It will be less than 3 years, I think she will come around sometime before we play in SC. Maybe even sooner.

 

[Carnac]

It will be less than 3 years, I think she will come around sometime before we play in SC. Maybe even sooner.

She has to. We can't wait THAT long!!!

 

[MD#12Fan]

Sunday, I saw a couple of our newbies give up on their man as they were going around them. Geno should show the team what real man to man defense looks like. All he has to do is show them clips of Kia Nurse or Moriah Jefferson sticking to their man throughout a play. Crystal Dangerfield became an elite lock-down defensive player in her junior year also. It took Saniya Chong 3 years to learn how to stay in front of her man to Geno's satisfaction. We'll se how long it takes Azzi.

Yes,
how about man-to-man on a ballhandler being akin to a boxer. The player has to figure out what works for them. 2 things that cannot happen is, playing so far off that you give up an open jumper and allowing the ballhandler to go by you. There is a wide "in-between" these 2 scenarios. Nika "solved" her problems last year by crowding the ball-handler. I would argue that it not only helped her but gave the team a real boost with her pressure out front. Paige has length and great anticipation, so she has learned (she probably figured it out in 10 minutes) to keep the ballhandler in front of her and get in the passing lanes for steals and also closeout on shooters. IMO Azzi will have to back off a step or two. She'll have to really concentrate on closeouts and like Paige, use her court sense to make an impact defensively. (kind of like what Diana does at age 40)

 

[MooseJaw]

Azzi defense needs a lot of work. She was getting beat and giving up on plays.

I disagree about Azzi giving up. No way, take the time to relook at the game. Azzi's footwork was very bad, she had her feet flat on the court, often almost touching each of them together. She was unable to shift and follow the offensive player. There was no give up that I saw, just bad defensive fundamentals. She got beat, and beat badly at times, nothing that the coaches can't help Azzi correct. I hope we see better from her next game.

 

[Carnac]

Yes,
how about man-to-man on a ballhandler being akin to a boxer. The player has to figure out what works for them. 2 things that cannot happen is, playing so far off that you give up an open jumper and allowing the ballhandler to go by you. There is a wide "in-between" these 2 scenarios. Nika "solved" her problems last year by crowding the ball-handler. I would argue that it not only helped her but gave the team a real boost with her pressure out front. Paige has length and great anticipation, so she has learned (she probably figured it out in 10 minutes) to keep the ballhandler in front of her and get in the passing lanes for steals and also closeout on shooters. IMO Azzi will have to back off a step or two. She'll have to really concentrate on closeouts and like Paige, use her court sense to make an impact defensively. (kind of like what Diana does at age 40)

From your lips to Azzi's ears. Azzi has a very high BB IQ. It won't take her long to adjust to Geno's style of play. She already knows what her weaknesses are. I expect her to adjust and correct those challenges very very soon.

 

[JoePgh]

Sunday, I saw a couple of our newbies give up on their man as they were going around them. That can't happen. Geno should show the team what real man to man defense looks like.

I saw two such plays in yesterday's game: one by Liv when she had 3 fouls and one by Aaliyah when she had 4 fouls. In both cases, they were deliberately trying not to risk getting yet another foul by contesting the shot.

Sometimes, when you are in foul trouble, it is better to concede 2 points than to take yourself out of the game, particularly if there is no one behind you on the bench who can carry your load.

When Geno yelled at Aaliyah, he obviously thought that she could have done more to contest the shot (like getting her hands up vertically) with minimal risk of getting a foul call. But at that point in the game, I think he was willing to have her foul out if that is what happened. But neither Liv nor Aaliyah were just giving up because they were too lazy to play defense.

 

[CTisballers]

I disagree about Azzi giving up. No way, take the time to relook at the game. Azzi's footwork was very bad, she had her feet flat on the court, often almost touching each of them together. She was unable to shift and follow the offensive player. There was no give up that I saw, just bad defensive fundamentals. She got beat, and beat badly at times, nothing that the coaches can't help Azzi correct. I hope we see better from her next game.

2nd half and this happened a couple times
Ramirez drove right her and she stop and look as if she wanted help but realize there was no one there to help which wasn’t her fault. I think it was Dorka who was late on the play. But her body frame her defense the way she moves (a little quicker tho) heck even shoots reminds me of KML

 

[Carnac]

I saw two such plays in yesterday's game: one by Liv when she had 3 fouls and one by Aaliyah when she had 4 fouls. In both cases, they were deliberately trying not to risk getting yet another foul by contesting the shot.

Sometimes, when you are in foul trouble, it is better to concede 2 points than to take yourself out of the game, particularly if there is no one behind you on the bench who can carry your load.

When Geno yelled at Aaliyah, he obviously thought that she could have done more to contest the shot (like getting her hands up vertically) with minimal risk of getting a foul call. But at that point in the game, I think he was willing to have her foul out if that is what happened. But neither Liv nor Aaliyah were just giving up because they were too lazy to play defense.

THAT was the play I was referring to.

 

[Carnac]

2nd half and this happened a couple times
Ramirez drove right her and she stop and look as if she wanted help but realize there was no one there to help which wasn’t her fault. I think it was Dorka who was late on the play. But her body frame her defense the way she moves (a little quicker tho) heck even shoots reminds me of KML

That is EXACTLY what I meant when I said: "at times, the upperclassmen will have to carry the newbies until they get their sea-legs." If you get beat and your man goes around you to the basket, somebody on your team has got to have your back and pick that man up. That's not an unreasonable expectation.

 

[MD#12Fan]

From your lips to Azzi's ears. Azzi has a very high BB IQ. It won't take her long to adjust to Geno's style of play. She already knows what her weaknesses are. I expect her to adjust and correct those challenges very very soon.

Wishing it too!
Trouble for me is that this stuff we're talking about is fundamental. Do you know if she played mostly zone in HS and/or AAU?
And, as I said in another thread, man-to-man fundamentals are things good programs practice from day 1 on. He can't do anything remotely sophisticated until they can at least do basic things like keep a ballhandler in front, or box out, or slide over to help, or challenge a shot. I'm always wanting UConn to press. (crickets on that so far)

 

[Cornell Lt]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with utilizing different defenses. I get a sense that most people don't take kindly to a zone defense being utilized by UConn. If your talent is such that man to man defense is a problem (staying in front of your opponent) , then a switch to zone could/should be considered.

 

[MD#12Fan]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with utilizing different defenses. I get a sense that most people don't take kindly to a zone defense being utilized by UConn. If your talent is such that man to man defense is a problem (staying in front of your opponent) , then a switch to zone could/should be considered.

In the late 70's it was in vogue for the better teams to switch defenses in order to keep opponents off balance. May have only been for a couple of possessions but if the strategy got you a couple of stops, rushed shots, turnovers, it was well worth it. I remember thinking about the transition from a full-court trapping defense back to a zone and even back to man, if you were smart.
I think Bobby Knight only believed in man and Coach K for most of his career only believed in man. ( is it one of those "real men....things", like real kayaking requires no skeg or rudder)
Here in Alaska, they only play zone in the villages. I'm going to shock the world by playing man. It is better for player development to play man.
What do you think about that guy in Syracuse? Funny how they always make a run in February and March.

 

[BBallF]

In the late 70's it was in vogue for the better teams to switch defenses in order to keep opponents off balance. May have only been for a couple of possessions but if the strategy got you a couple of stops, rushed shots, turnovers, it was well worth it. I remember thinking about the transition from a full-court trapping defense back to a zone and even back to man, if you were smart.
I think Bobby Knight only believed in man and Coach K for most of his career only believed in man. ( is it one of those "real men....things", like real kayaking requires no skeg or rudder)
Here in Alaska, they only play zone in the villages. I'm going to shock the world by playing man. It is better for player development to play man.
What do you think about that guy in Syracuse? Funny how they always make a run in February and Ma

There is just so much accuracy in this thread that I didn't know where to reply to so I picked the end. To take the last point first, Syracuse runs a 2-3 match up zone that is extremely well executed and teams that don't see it because it is almost always man to man during the regular season have great difficulties in the Big Dance. The weakness is in the middle but nobody regularly gets it there because it is usually the second, not first pass that gets in.

Many of the high school teams here in Jersey play their version of the 2-3 but that is because the kids either weren't taught man to man, can't play it, or the coach somehow feels it is easier to teach or a better defense. It's not when played that way. I have seen first hand how fundamentals are not even taught anymore, especially on defense. We all know you play defense first with your feet. If you lose that battle, you lose the war. If your feet don't give you a charge or a go no farther position your arms can't do it without fouling. If you don't beat your man to the spot you will get beat period.

Yes, it was a lot of "matador" defense. Go past my cape (me) and I let you go. I was upset with our guards and then our bigs for not picking up. He has a lot of work to do because it is both individual and team defense that has to be reworked. There was a reason why Dungee got 37 against us last year and MacDonald hurt us so much in the FF. You can't let somebody drive past you into the lane and try to defend when you are either backing up or at their side. Take a charge or try too. It sends a message. Too bad if you pick up fouls. We just have to be tougher on that end of the court.

Yes, foot on the throat but on both defense and offense and don't let up - ever. We have 10 or 11 players that can play that way if they realize that is the way to stay on the court or get PT. Offense wins games, defense wins... you all know this. Let's all see if this improves Sunday so that our mini subscription to FloHoops is worth it.

 

[Fossil]

Mike Neighbors is a smart guy. I think he recognized that he was behind the eight ball as soon as UConn got off to a 17-2 lead. I’m not saying he didn’t think there was a chance, but I think he also knew that UConn could put there foot on the gas pedal at anytime, and Arkansas was going to be limited in their ability to respond.

I’m sorry but I disagree that UConn had another gear in that game. Other than Gino playing the Biggs in foul trouble and going with the starting five the subs were struggling to score Azzi Caroline Nika. The Connecticut offense was good not great and the defense was bad not poor. A slightly better team and UConn would have had a much more difficult time.

 

[Carnac]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with utilizing different defenses. I get a sense that most people don't take kindly to a zone defense being utilized by UConn. If your talent is such that man to man defense is a problem (staying in front of your opponent) , then a switch to zone could/should be considered.

All coaches have to make adjustments on the fly. Sometimes you have to throw the game plan out the window and coach from your experience and instincts. While you're at it, you can throw convention out the door too. You pull out all the stops, and use everything and everyone at your disposal. If your man to man is not effective (their players are quicker that yours), then YOU MUST go to a zone. The best coaches in basketball all have the ability (and timing) to make the correct adjustments at the right time during a game.

How many times have we seen coaches make adjustments at halftime of a game they are behind in, that turns the game around in the 2nd half, and they win?

 

[D J B]

I saw two such plays in yesterday's game: one by Liv when she had 3 fouls and one by Aaliyah when she had 4 fouls. In both cases, they were deliberately trying not to risk getting yet another foul by contesting the shot.

Sometimes, when you are in foul trouble, it is better to concede 2 points than to take yourself out of the game, particularly if there is no one behind you on the bench who can carry your load.

When Geno yelled at Aaliyah, he obviously thought that she could have done more to contest the shot (like getting her hands up vertically) with minimal risk of getting a foul call. But at that point in the game, I think he was willing to have her foul out if that is what happened. But neither Liv nor Aaliyah were just giving up because they were too lazy to play defense.

That is called a learning opportunity, and I can almost guarantee that Aaliyah will not forget it, nor will she feel bitter towards Geno. Sooner or later she has to learn when to foul, and when not to. Last year, she could accumulate four fouls in a heartbeat. This year it's taking her a bit longer.

 

[MD#12Fan]

There is just so much accuracy in this thread that I didn't know where to reply to so I picked the end. To take the last point first, Syracuse runs a 2-3 match up zone that is extremely well executed and teams that don't see it because it is almost always man to man during the regular season have great difficulties in the Big Dance. The weakness is in the middle but nobody regularly gets it there because it is usually the second, not first pass that gets in.

Many of the high school teams here in Jersey play their version of the 2-3 but that is because the kids either weren't taught man to man, can't play it, or the coach somehow feels it is easier to teach or a better defense. It's not when played that way. I have seen first hand how fundamentals are not even taught anymore, especially on defense. We all know you play defense first with your feet. If you lose that battle, you lose the war. If your feet don't give you a charge or a go no farther position your arms can't do it without fouling. If you don't beat your man to the spot you will get beat period.

Yes, it was a lot of "matador" defense. Go past my cape (me) and I let you go. I was upset with our guards and then our bigs for not picking up. He has a lot of work to do because it is both individual and team defense that has to be reworked. There was a reason why Dungee got 37 against us last year and MacDonald hurt us so much in the FF. You can't let somebody drive past you into the lane and try to defend when you are either backing up or at their side. Take a charge or try too. It sends a message. Too bad if you pick up fouls. We just have to be tougher on that end of the court.

Yes, foot on the throat but on both defense and offense and don't let up - ever. We have 10 or 11 players that can play that way if they realize that is the way to stay on the court or get PT. Offense wins games, defense wins... you all know this. Let's all see if this improves Sunday so that our mini subscription to FloHoops is worth it.

Super post!
I don’t want to go overboard about Nika, but when she was playing well, I thought our team D was at its best. It starts with pressure on the ball and she gave us that. Then the entry pass is tougher and so on. Aubrey contributes in that way too. Paige is always gunna be like Larry or Diana, heady players that can get in the passing lanes, not on the ball defenders. Not sure where else that can come from. Maybe this team has to pack it in.

 

[Alydar]

I’d look at Texas too. Vic Schaefer is putting a very competitive team together in Austin. With Mulkey gone and Gary Blair retiring at Texas A&M after this season, Schaefer just might become the “Don Vito Corleone“ of the state of Texas, allowing him to have the pick of the litter of the elite talent the longhorn state produces every year.

So far, Texas beat New Orleans by 95 points, and Stanford by 5. Very interested to see how they fair against Tennessee (in Knoxville) in 5 days (Nov 21) 1:00 pm ET ESPN. Tennessee is currently ranked #16.

I'll take the under. Two tough defensive teams and not one good offense between them.

 

[oldude]

I’m sorry but I disagree that UConn had another gear in that game. Other than Gino playing the Biggs in foul trouble and going with the starting five the subs were struggling to score Azzi Caroline Nika. The Connecticut offense was good not great and the defense was bad not poor. A slightly better team and UConn would have had a much more difficult time.

There is always room for improvement. You may not be happy with a 15 point win against a good team where UConn shot 57% while holding the Razorbacks to 38%. But I am, and I’ve watched UConn enough to know the Huskies will only get better under Geno and his staff.

 

[HuskyNan]

I’m sorry but I disagree that UConn had another gear in that game. Other than Gino playing the Biggs in foul trouble and going with the starting five the subs were struggling to score Azzi Caroline Nika. The Connecticut offense was good not great and the defense was bad not poor. A slightly better team and UConn would have had a much more difficult time.

Why do people do this, imagine scenarios of games that never happened in order to make a win look worse? This makes me a little crazy.

UConn beat a good Arkansas team by double digits, 15 points, in a somewhat sloppy game with meager defense. Can they get better? Yes. Will they get better? Yes, but being human beings, different players will improve at different rates and in different ways. Why some people expect a team to be in mid-season form in the first game of the season is beyond me.