Picking Your Poison

[Phillyconn]

For almost all the usual suspects to win a national championship in WBB, one or two key players must come up big offensively. SC (Wilson), MS St (McCowan & Vivians), Baylor (Brown & Cox), Louisville (Durr), tOSU (Mitchell) and Oregon (Ionescu) must have dominant individual efforts from the regionals on through the finals for their teams to win the National Championship. ND is a bit more balanced, with 4 players who are capable of big games on offense.

Then there is UConn. The Huskies have 6 different players who have lead the team in scoring this season: Lou, Pheesa, Kia, Gabby, Crystal & Z. 5 of the 6 are currently averaging double figures, and Crystal at 9.6 ppg would easily be averaging double figures if she wasn’t playing limited minutes due to shin splints, which appear to be limiting her less and less every game.

Having 6 different players who can “go off” on any given night puts enormous pressure on opposing teams who are trying to defend UConn. In the AAC championship game, UConn’s top two scorers, Lou & Pheesa, were having off nights on offense. No problem. Gabby & Z picked up the slack.

Heading into the Big Dance, there are some ominous signs for all of UConn’s opponents. Crystal seems to have regained her shooting touch over the last few games, so defenders can’t play off her. At the same time, they can’t play up on her because Crystal will beat them off the dribble. A few weeks back, Geno commented that if Gabby makes 52% of her jump shots, UConn is unbeatable. Well, Gabby has started to hit her jumper from the high post again.

Then there is Z, the X-factor. In the past few weeks she has asserted herself in the post, with an array of low post moves, as well as becoming a ferocious offensive rebounder. She is also a very good passer who can step out and bury an open jump shot, and even an occasional 3-pointer.

Over the next two weeks, Geno, CD, Shea & Marissa will work their usual magic, and the Huskies will find another gear as they enter the Big Dance. Lou, Pheesa & Kia will undoubtedly sharpen their games and shooting touch. At the same time, UConn’s suffocating defense, lead by two of the best “shut down” defenders in the country will continue to take opposing teams top scorers out of the game.

It’s been said by many announcers. When you play UConn, you pick your poison. Well you can select either hemlock, cyanide, mercury, arsenic, polonium or strychnine, but whichever one you choose, it’s probably gonna kill ya.

I try not to worry but Baylor looks kinda scary. Two shot blocking giants, quick point guard and above average 3 point shooting.

 

[huskyd]

WISE???
Poison hemlock is very similar, with minor differences in the roots and leaves. The root and the liquid it contains is deadly toxic (the rest of the plant is not as poisonous, but will still make you sick), with similar symptoms to those of water hemlock, but death in this case comes because respiratiry paralysis stops the victim from being able to breathe.
"Water hemlock, of which there are five subspecies is deadly within hours if ingested. Symptoms are seizures, rapid heart rate, frothing at the mouth, and respiratory distress. Death comes via a final, horribly long seizure. Poison hemlock is very similar, with minor differences in the roots and leaves. The root and the liquid it contains is deadly toxic (the rest of the plant is not as poisonous, but will still make you sick), with similar symptoms to those of water hemlock, but death in this case comes because respiratory paralysis stops the victim from being able to breathe."

And then there's the ever popular "Spanish Fly." It's supposed to be the chemical cantharides, which can be deadly in even small amounts. The drug "ignites" you from w/in, so you kind of burn up--not to be confused with pizza. Most know Spanish Fly as an aphrodisiac, working wonders as a persuader drug. This is questionable. However, the drug was originally used to sexually stimulate farm animals. So: be careful. You may start out with a babe and wind up with a cow.

, anyone?

 

[oldude]

I try not to worry but Baylor looks kinda scary. Two shot blocking giants, quick point guard and above average 3 point shooting.

I want to see Baylor play a good basketball team outside of the state of TX, before I jump on their bandwagon. They played UCLA in LA and were beaten handily. I know that Cox didn’t play and Mulkey was not running the show, but the Lady Bears are going to have to get by a good team in either KC or Lexington before they have any chance to play the Huskies. I wouldn’t be surprised if Baylor falls short of the FF once again this year.

 

[Carnac]

Great post, as always, oldude. But still fearing the teams with the bigs--esp. Baylor and MissSt.

Agreed (Baylor & MS). IF UConn gets beat, it will be by a team with a BIG/BIGS that they could not contain. IMHO, these two schools present the most serious threat to UConn. UConn will definitely have to play one of them. Depending on how the bracket is set up, they may have to play both of them. This is when Gabby will be needed at full strength for most of the game. Down to the buzzer if the game is close.

 

[oldude]

Agreed (Baylor & MS). IF UConn gets beat, it will be by a team with a BIG/BIGS that they could not contain. IMHO, these two schools present the most serious threat to UConn. UConn will definitely have to play one of them. Depending on how the bracket is set up, they may have to play both of them. This is when Gabby will be needed at full strength for most of the game. Down to the buzzer if the game is close.

Baylor & MS St are both vulnerable as well. To get to UConn, they’ll likely have to play and beat one or more of the following teams: ND, Louisville, SC, Oregon and/or each other.

 

[Carnac]

Great post! Having that many stars and knowing any one of them can take over a game on any given night is what separates UConn!

This is what sets UConn apart. 1-2 of their starters can have an "off" night (Samuelson & Nurse against Cincinnati), and UConn will still prevail. Let 1-2 of an opponent's top scoring leaders be off, and they're doomed. No one else can/will step up.

 

[Bama fan]

I'm not really sure when or where the myth of MSU being softer on D this year got started, but it's just that, a myth. They are allowing 55.7 ppg this year vs 57.4 ppg last year. They're forcing 19.4 TOs pg vs 19.2 TO's pg last year and scoring 23 vs 21 points off TO's pg. FG%'s allowed are similar year over year and the offense is the best in MSU history at 82 ppg, 6 ppg better than last year. This is a better team than last year's team, different but still better. Problem is UConn is better too and that means the Huskies are going to win 80%+ of the games they play vs. even the best of the rest. We all just have to hope for a perfect storm like MSU got last year.

In many ways Morgan hasn't been the same, but she's been extremely efficient with the ball with 153 assists vs 37 TO's. Her ability to run a very strong offense with minuscule TO's is overlooked by many, but is extremely important to this team's success. She hasn't forgotten how to score and I won't be surprised if she comes up big somewhere in the NCAAT.

Good points. But we all do not have to hope for the perfect storm like MSU got last year. But otherwise good luck in your march toward runner up status. And I still hate your cowbells! Glad you are here on the Boneyard though.

 

[Bama fan]

And then there's the ever popular "Spanish Fly." It's supposed to be the chemical cantharides, which can be deadly in even small amounts. The drug "ignites" you from w/in, so you kind of burn up--not to be confused with pizza. Most know Spanish Fly as an aphrodisiac, working wonders as a persuader drug. This is questionable. However, the drug was originally used to sexually stimulate farm animals. So: be careful. You may start out with a babe and wind up with a cow.

, anyone?

That might be okay for Texas fans. They are longhorns,right?

 

[Carnac]

Love this post oldude. What UConn is doing in a nutshell is working you to death. When you have the ball, there are no easy passes and very few easy shot attempts. You have to start your offense much further from the goal and a high percentage look is rare. Then on defense, they make you guard the entire floor; and that is when you are not desperately trying to stop transition. So you are not just physically exhausted, but you are mentally ground down. Finally you simply can't duplicate it in practice. All that discipline, conditioning and skill unleashed with remorseless precision. It never stops or takes a play off because they just don't know how any more. Go huskies!

Excellent observation!! You could also call this organized chaos. Nothing scares a team more than for UConn to begin the game with a mini run of 6-8 points forcing the opposition to call a time out to stop the bleeding. They simply wear you down and frustrate you almost to the point of exhaustion.

Shutting you down and turning you over on your end, and fast breaking you with layups and bunnies on their end. If UConn can get up on you by double digits in the first quarter, you're playing catch up the remainder of the game. That tactic and approach has worked well for UConn of late. I hope it continues.

 

[Carnac]

Baylor & MS St are both vulnerable as well. To get to UConn, they’ll likely have to play and beat one or more of the following teams: ND, Louisville, SC, Oregon and/or each other.

THAT is what I'm hoping for. The starting 5 will be admonished by Geno and his staff that they may have to play 38-40 minutes in each of the last 3 games. They'll be ready. They'll be up for the challenge. That's exactly why they came to UConn.

A look back.....................In the 2010-2011 season - Injuries to several players caused UConn to play with a 6 player rotation the 2nd half of the season after Samarie Walker left the team at the Christmas break to transfer to Kentucky. Lorin Dixon was the 6th man. UConn made it all the way to the final four losing to Notre Dame 72-63 in the semi final game.

If THAT team could go from January to the first week in April using only 6 players, this team can go 6 games with 7 players standing on their head. It can be done!! Geno earned his money that year. He did some hellacious coaching THAT season.

 

[LoTrader]

Baylor & MS St are both vulnerable as well. To get to UConn, they’ll likely have to play and beat one or more of the following teams: ND, Louisville, SC, Oregon and/or each other.

There are even other teams before ND, Louisville, SC, Oregon that Baylor & MSU would have to play & beat. I agree with an earlier poster about judging Baylor after playing a quality team outside of their conference. There are many this year that could end up in their bracket.

 

[oldude]

There are even other teams before ND, Louisville, SC, Oregon that Baylor & MSU would have to play & beat. I agree with an earlier poster about judging Baylor after playing a quality team outside of their conference. There are many this year that could end up in their bracket.

I am reminded of the Big 3’s senior year when I was concerned about a number of teams, including Baylor, none of which made it to the FF. At the FF, UConn was joined by OR St, Wash & Syracuse. It was basically a walk in the park for UConn.

 

[Carnac]

I am reminded of the Big 3’s senior year when I was concerned about a number of teams, including Baylor, none of which made it to the FF. At the FF, UConn was joined by OR St, Wash & Syracuse. It was basically a walk in the park for UConn.

That's right OD. Everyone knew going in to that final weekend, that none of the other FF teams had a prayer of beating UConn. That old mangy sway back dark horse rose up and bucked 'em right out of the tournament. The strange thing about dark horses is that you never see them coming until it's too late.

 

[IWearShoes]

There are even other teams before ND, Louisville, SC, Oregon that Baylor & MSU would have to play & beat. I agree with an earlier poster about judging Baylor after playing a quality team outside of their conference. There are many this year that could end up in their bracket.

I will be very surprised if MSU has any trouble getting out of Starkville and into the Sweet 16. After that it's game on. I just hope for an easier path than last year. They played the highest possible seed in every round and closed with Washington, Baylor, UConn and SC. That's a gauntlet, especially with two OT games.

 

[DefenseBB]

I think you dismiss both MSU and Oregon too quickly. Both are skilled at all the starting postions and to say "their skills are deficient to UConn" assumes they don't play up to their utmost skill while and one or more of our Huskies don't have a poor outing. Not a defensible assumption -- these would be tough games. Also note that Notre Dame is not included in this discussion only because we generally concede they have 4 troublesome offensive players -- that would be a tough game as well.

Finally, "only KLS can create her own shot"? What about Gabby's slashes with both her left & right hand? What about Pheesa's midrange jumpers & fadeaways?

On the Oregon “snub” as you interpreted, I think they are probably where they belong in the ranking, 6th, 7th or 8th. I have seen them 5 times this year and Sabrina is absolutely deserving ng of her accolades, I am not as impressed with Heberd, Bando, Sabally, McGuire to hold up a full orchestrated offensive game. They lack speed and committed defense. I definitely see a tiering of the top teams so if you feel I disparaged them as a threat, I am sorry but I really don’t think they are a threat.

As far as MSU, I was shocked at how poor MCCowan performed against Wilson and in the 4 games of theirs I have seen this year, she has disappeared at times. As noted by our MSU colleague, it is Vivians who is the Alpha on that team. They are good as 32-1 demonstrates but their defense is not as stifling as last year and they are not as deep, plus we have a very mobile and lithe Center in Z who Teira will have a hard time against.

I am ABSOLUTELY standing by the comment that KLS is the only one who can create her own shot. Geno stated it, I have watched this team all year and firmly believe it. Z would be the next best bet with her height and moves. Gabby’s Outside shot is too suspect, Pheesa against big bigs like the 6’7 McCown or Brown and the 6’4 Cox will have some issues as she’s has shown. She does possess a developing outside shot but that is not consistent yet. As evidence go and look at the Texas game with their bigs: Gabby 7 point, Pheesa 9 points.

Thanks for your input but I still think MY order of concern is #1 Baylor a distant #2 is ND close behind is MSU at #3, big Gap then Texas/Louisville then Oregon and then the field.

 

[nwhoopfan]

On the Oregon “snub” as you interpreted, I think they are probably where they belong in the ranking, 6th, 7th or 8th. I have seen them 5 times this year and Sabrina is absolutely deserving ng of her accolades, I am not as impressed with Heberd, Bando, Sabally, McGuire to hold up a full orchestrated offensive game.

You can't really talk about Oregon without mentioning Cazorla. She's nearly as important to them as Ionescu is. Also while Hebard rarely scores from more than 5 feet from the bucket, she's extremely effective at doing just that. Most teams were unable to stop her, even though they knew exactly what to expect. The 33 straight field goals over a 3 game stretch and #4 in the nation in FG% (65.9) is fairly impressive I'd say.

 

[Oldbones]

When you play UConn, you pick your poison. Well you can select either hemlock, cyanide, mercury, arsenic, polonium or strychnine, but whichever one you choose, it’s probably gonna kill ya.

Or Iocane powder.

 

[nwhoopfan]

"Inconceivable."

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I just watched (belatedly) the TX vs Baylor Big 12 Title game where Baylor won 77 -69!
Alexis Morris, Kalani Brown & Lauren Cox had to play 40 minutes to get the victory! Baylor had only 6 players play significant minutes!
If Baylor has to play UCONN and has to repeat this game plan they will not win! They can't have their BIGS and PG, no matter how tall or talented, play 40 minutes vs the athletic and conditioned Huskies! Gabby, Pheesa, Azura, KLS, plus maybe Megan and Batouly will run their bigs into the ground taking their legs away by the 4th quarter! And Kia and Crystal Dangerfield will wear out Morris both offensively and defensively by the 4th quarter also as she plays on fumes!
UCONN's ungodly pace of the game and athletic superiority at 7/8 positions will hold sway over Baylor!
If UCONN plays TX again it will be no repeat of the close game the first time! They will win by 20 or more!
And with Miss St. UCONN will not let them dictate the pace of the game again and not self-destruct at the end like they did in last year's semi's!
Oregon is too young to play a complete game necessary to win!
SoCar, L'ville and ND as previously shown have no shot to beat UCONN!
If healthy, the only team that can upset the Huskies this time around is the Huskies themselves!

 

[Cornell Lt]

The key (IMHO), when/if UConn is matched up with a team with very good bigs, is that Uconn will wear them out by running up and down the court. When they played Texas you saw a much different team in the second half then you did in the first half. Cox was noticeably fatigued in the second half which resulted in foul trouble. I watched a few Baylor games this year, and as good as Brown is, she will have a hard time staying fresh with a faster tempo game. However, if the game slows down, then big advantage to Baylor on the inside. Same thing with Miss State and their bigs.

 

[Bama fan]

"Inconceivable."

I don't think that means what you think it means!

 

[LoTrader]

You can't really talk about Oregon without mentioning Cazorla. She's nearly as important to them as Ionescu is. Also while Hebard rarely scores from more than 5 feet from the bucket, she's extremely effective at doing just that. Most teams were unable to stop her, even though they knew exactly what to expect. The 33 straight field goals over a 3 game stretch and #4 in the nation in FG% (65.9) is fairly impressive I'd say.

So many forget Matai--why? I guess it would be like leaving Crystal out of a conversation about the great UCONN team. Ducks are far less impactful without Matai on the court. She is a force, and yes, she would hold up against the UCONN pressure defense. Matai is that good--best PG in the PAC12 without question. This all coming from an OSU Beaver fan.

 

[wallman]

Not I. Both her and Heard are the key to OR. However, OR has trouble with defensive pressure. UCLA should have won the game and blew it because we cannot finish but it showed that when we attacked the OR defense we got what we wanted. Our problem was that we didn't do it enough SMH.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Not I. Both her and Heard are the key to OR. However, OR has trouble with defensive pressure. UCLA should have won the game and blew it because we cannot finish but it showed that when we attacked the OR defense we got what we wanted. Our problem was that we didn't do it enough SMH.

All 3 games were close, but Oregon beat UCLA 3 times this season. Found a way to win each time. That's not a fluke. Also 2-0 against USC who probably applies even more defensive pressure than UCLA does.

 

[LoTrader]

Not I. Both her and Heard are the key to OR. However, OR has trouble with defensive pressure. UCLA should have won the game and blew it because we cannot finish but it showed that when we attacked the OR defense we got what we wanted. Our problem was that we didn't do it enough SMH.

BTW, what team wouldn't have trouble with both UCLA or USC pressure. I haven't seen any other WCBB teams this year that can put as much pressure on another team just trying to get the ball over the half court? I'm sure there are a few other WCBB Teams that press as well (LSU comes to mind), but there are not many.

 

[oldude]

BTW, what team wouldn't have trouble with both UCLA or USC pressure. I haven't seen any other WCBB teams this year that can put as much pressure on another team just trying to get the ball over the half court? I'm sure there are a few other WCBB Teams that press as well (LSU comes to mind), but there are not many.

UConn does not press all the time, but they like to occasionally put on either a man or zone press to speed up an opposing team. When the Huskies have pressed this season, they have been extremely effective forcing TO’s and bad shots.

 

[jonson]

Not I. Both her and Heard are the key to OR. However, OR has trouble with defensive pressure. UCLA should have won the game and blew it because we cannot finish but it showed that when we attacked the OR defense we got what we wanted. Our problem was that we didn't do it enough SMH.

Anyone can engage in this kind of hypothetical (I know I do), and it's particularly difficult to resist the "ifs" and "should have wons" after a tough loss. But, as reasonable as statements like this may seem--couldn't I say that the game wouldn't have been close if Oregon had shot its normal percentage from the field or from the line?--in the end they don't matter. What did matter was Oregon's ability (and UCLA's inability) to handle a different kind of pressure: the pressure that attends a close game in the closing minutes. Oregon ended the Pac 12 semifinal on a 10-0 run. A fluke? Don't think so, since the score in overtime for the UCLA/Oregon game in Eugene was 11-4 in favor of Oregon, and--even further back--Oregon outscored UCLA 12-2 during the last 2 minutes+ when they played in Los Angeles, going from one point behind to a 9 point win in the process.

UCLA has an extraordinarily gifted senior point guard, an almost as talented 6'4" senior forward whose athleticism is second only to Gabby's, and at least 4 other players whom Hoopgurlz ranked among the top 15 prospects the year each of them landed at Westwood. I don't think that any other Pac 12 team has a roster with those credentials, and it is no accident that the Bruins were picked to win the conference this year. They should also be a shoe-in for the "pick your poison" label that is the starting point for this thread. But they didn't and they're not. Instead, they tend to resemble the alternative: a team that is too dependent upon one or two great players. In a conference in which the teams ahead of, or tied with, the Bruins in this year's final standings have found success (in my view) by creating a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts, UCLA seems to have gone in the opposite direction.

 

[CMC'72]

That said, I don't see any way MSU is competitive with UConn without strong games from the two stars.

 

[Psyjaxx]

WISE???
Poison hemlock is very similar, with minor differences in the roots and leaves. The root and the liquid it contains is deadly toxic (the rest of the plant is not as poisonous, but will still make you sick), with similar symptoms to those of water hemlock, but death in this case comes because respiratiry paralysis stops the victim from being able to breathe.
"Water hemlock, of which there are five subspecies is deadly within hours if ingested. Symptoms are seizures, rapid heart rate, frothing at the mouth, and respiratory distress. Death comes via a final, horribly long seizure. Poison hemlock is very similar, with minor differences in the roots and leaves. The root and the liquid it contains is deadly toxic (the rest of the plant is not as poisonous, but will still make you sick), with similar symptoms to those of water hemlock, but death in this case comes because respiratory paralysis stops the victim from being able to breathe."

WISE - refers to Socrates, that great Greek philospher of antiquity, who took hemlock (rather than face execution, potentially). WISE is a humorous juxtaposition to the taking of hemlock. Sometimes it's easy to miss the forest for the trees.

 

[SVCBeercats]

WISE - refers to Socrates, that great Greek philospher of antiquity, who took hemlock (rather than face execution, potentially). WISE is a humorous juxtaposition to the taking of hemlock. Sometimes it's easy to miss the forest for the trees.

You are in politics as a "Spin Meister." Correct?! Of course!