Potential turning into Expectations

[Bone Dog]

Here's the deal with Hidalgo. She's quicker than most opponents she encounters. This means she can guard up close with impunity. The usual formula is if you guard close, the opponent blows past, and if you protect against this by backing off, they shoot or pass over you. But Hannah doesn't care if you blow past her because she's quick enough to catch up and is actually in a better position (in the blind spot) to force a turnover.

Also, not that many steals occur directly by playing close. But the intimidation factor from guarding close often causes hasty passes that lead to steals by others. And of the players who are good at face-up steals (not coming from behind steals) Hannah is good, but so are Azzi and KK, and Sarah. And most of UConn's and ND's steals come from disrupting the passing lanes.

To play ND means protecting against Hannah's come-from-behind steals. This is her specialty, lagging off her assignment to get a steal on a double team. This means it's really important to anticipate the double team and pass to the player she's left open -- and this is not easy to do. It also means forcing an isolation with her on a bigger guard, like Paige or Azzi or Morgan. Hannah is vulnerable in those situations. You can see it in the USC game with TVO.

Finally, the entire team has to be up on the scout. Hannah and Olivia are right-hand dominant scorers. Kaitlyn and KK and Azzi and Paige and Ash have to make them go left. The same is also true of Juju, by the way. However, Hannah can beat the first line of defense going left and then go right to score against the post players -- she did this a few times against USC. Everyone has to know the scout, not just the guards.

 

[DefenseBB]

I thought the game was sloppy. A little out of control at times. NDs guards did most of the scoring and USCs defense just wasn’t there. Paige Azzi and Sarah should put UConn over the top.

I am glad the old, happy and positive TonyC is back but I completely disagree with this assessment of ND. While out-maneuvering Lindsay Gottlieb in tactics is not complicated, Niele Ivey has proven to be a "master tactician" in game planning. Let me say that again- Niele Ivey is a master tactician in game planning. We lost last year to ND 82-67 after having a 12 point lead in the 2nd quarter, in 2022-23 We lost 74-60 in another game not really that close.

Simply put, we have no one to keep up with Hannah Hidalgo. Frankly, this is where KK should be given the role simply to try to make Hannah work hard on both ends of the floor. Kaitlyn Chen was built to play against the mid-major type teams of FDU, BU and even USF but against the P4 competition, she's simply not fast enough nor a good enough outside shooter. As we saw yesterday, Citron played against Juju for most of the game and did a good job of containing her during the critical parts of the game. I expect to see Citron on Paige which means we need all the others to step up and hit big shots-that means Ash, Sarah, Ice, Jana, Azzi, KK and Kaitlyn. The difference with Citron guarding Paige vs. Juju is Paige can pass but we can't miss those open jumpers like we have been. They need to fall for us to compete.

I am optimistic as Ice has been better on Defense so she can help Sarah neutralize both Koval and King but we need offense from both and we need Azzi to contain Miles.

Do not take this ND squad lightly which is what I fear threads like this continue to do. Similarly to the over-exuberance of averaging 90 points per game, we need a dose (and a heavy dose) of reality that we will have to play up to our capabilities and far better than we have played to this point in the season. Geno and his staff also need check, double check and triple review their game plan for whatever contingencies are needed to counter Niele Ivey's plans. We are 0-2 the last two years vs. ND so....and don't give me the "we have been injured" as ND has had similar injury issues. Good teams find a way to compete, great teams find a way to win. Just don't lose by double digits like we have each of the past 2 years. Consider this a warning shot across the bow from a season ticket holder and an annual donor to the team (I am not some missive scribing token fan).

 

[DefenseBB]

I certainly agree with three of those! I’m not quite sold on UCLA though. I guess we’ll have a better idea after today’s matchup! I think Texas is better than UCLA at present and don’t see that changing for the rest of this season. I think Booker is better than anyone on UCLA and I like Harmon over Rice as well! Of course, I am hoping to sit down to a hot plate of crow this evening after the SC vs UCLA game but I think it‘s much more likely to be a ham sandwich. Anyway, onwards and upwards! Go Huskies!

I made this comment yesterday during the game to two other BYers, "Ivey plays chess and Gottlieb doesn't even play checkers, more like tiddlywinks" and I would add in Close, Collen from Baylor and Coach Yo from Ole Miss into that category. They have recruited well, built talented programs (like Gottlieb has assembled) but when it comes to evolving the team from Nov to March and actually coaching x's and o's, I am not impressed. The lack of true success in either their conference tournaments of the NCAAT is my proof of this gap.

Booker had a great freshman year at Texas and she had the ball in her hands 90% of the time but this years squad will need her to make everyone better, can she do that-maybe, maybe not. Kiki Rice is a really good play and Betts if better than any post Texas can heap into the fray by far (yes Taylor Jones as a 5th year looks good but Betts is better). The issue as I noted is Vic knows how to scheme a game and Cori does not. Regarding today's game, I think SC wins against UCLA as they have physicality to intimidate the Bruins and their coaching staff (UCLA) will not be able to adjust on the fly as it were.

 

[ERWUC65]

I am glad the old, happy and positive TonyC is back but I completely disagree with this assessment of ND. While out-maneuvering Lindsay Gottlieb in tactics is not complicated, Niele Ivey has proven to be a "master tactician" in game planning. Let me say that again- Niele Ivey is a master tactician in game planning. We lost last year to ND 82-67 after having a 12 point lead in the 2nd quarter, in 2022-23 We lost 74-60 in another game not really that close.

Simply put, we have no one to keep up with Hannah Hidalgo. Frankly, this is where KK should be given the role simply to try to make Hannah work hard on both ends of the floor. Kaitlyn Chen was built to play against the mid-major type teams of FDU, BU and even USF but against the P4 competition, she's simply not fast enough nor a good enough outside shooter. As we saw yesterday, Citron played against Juju for most of the game and did a good job of containing her during the critical parts of the game. I expect to see Citron on Paige which means we need all the others to step up and hit big shots-that means Ash, Sarah, Ice, Jana, Azzi, KK and Kaitlyn. The difference with Citron guarding Paige vs. Juju is Paige can pass but we can't miss those open jumpers like we have been. They need to fall for us to compete.

I am optimistic as Ice has been better on Defense so she can help Sarah neutralize both Koval and King but we need offense from both and we need Azzi to contain Miles.

Do not take this ND squad lightly which is what I fear threads like this continue to do. Similarly to the over-exuberance of averaging 90 points per game, we need a dose (and a heavy dose) of reality that we will have to play up to our capabilities and far better than we have played to this point in the season. Geno and his staff also need check, double check and triple review their game plan for whatever contingencies are needed to counter Niele Ivey's plans. We are 0-2 the last two years vs. ND so....and don't give me the "we have been injured" as ND has had similar injury issues. Good teams find a way to compete, great teams find a way to win. Just don't lose by double digits like we have each of the past 2 years. Consider this a warning shot across the bow from a season ticket holder and an annual donor to the team (I am not some missive scribing token fan).

No one who seriously follows Women's basketball would take ND lightly, but after watching the USC game they definitely need to be considered the team to beat this year. Now, it's just one game and it's early, but another take is that USC has some visible deficiencies (coaching, Juju iso), that make them reachable.

 

[AmeriConn]

Looking at Sarah's numbers per another thread and knowing what Paige and Azzi can do, well to me it appears we could be unbeatable this season. We still have a few players ready to come back from injuries and our newbies who are progressing in the UConn system really well. I gotta tell ya Im excited just thinking about how good we are and how good we're going to be down the road. For the next few games I think we have the players who can carry us until everybody else is up to speed. This team is one of the most talented teams UConn has assembled. We only gonna get better as the season goes on.

Some big games coming up are ND Iowa St USC and SC. They are all on TV this weekend
Today Saturday at 4pm on NBC is NDUSC
Tomorrow Sunday at 3pm is Iowa St/Drake
Tomorrow Sunday at 4pm is SC/UCLA on FS1

We can get an early look and they are gonna be some great games.

Notre Dame looked unbelievable against USC yesterday

 

[my2cents]

Notre Dame looked unbelievable against USC yesterday

20 turnovers, I didn't think they looked good at all.

 

[AmeriConn]

20 turnovers, I didn't think they looked good at all.

They were always in control of the 3rd ranked team in the nation. Just imagine when they lower the turnovers. They have a lot of fire power in their quick guards.

 

[Bone Dog]

I made this comment yesterday during the game to two other BYers, "Ivey plays chess and Gottlieb doesn't even play checkers, more like tiddlywinks" and I would add in Close, Collen from Baylor and Coach Yo from Ole Miss into that category. They have recruited well, built talented programs (like Gottlieb has assembled) but when it comes to evolving the team from Nov to March and actually coaching x's and o's, I am not impressed. The lack of true success in either their conference tournaments of the NCAAT is my proof of this gap.

Booker had a great freshman year at Texas and she had the ball in her hands 90% of the time but this years squad will need her to make everyone better, can she do that-maybe, maybe not. Kiki Rice is a really good play and Betts if better than any post Texas can heap into the fray by far (yes Taylor Jones as a 5th year looks good but Betts is better). The issue as I noted is Vic knows how to scheme a game and Cori does not. Regarding today's game, I think SC wins against UCLA as they have physicality to intimidate the Bruins and their coaching staff (UCLA) will not be able to adjust on the fly as it were.

This is my read too. Though I might not include Collen in this list, or maybe I would. She's been thwarted in the tournament every year, but she also has had a smallish team each year. Though that's down to her, too.

 

[hoophuskee]

I am glad the old, happy and positive TonyC is back but I completely disagree with this assessment of ND. While out-maneuvering Lindsay Gottlieb in tactics is not complicated, Niele Ivey has proven to be a "master tactician" in game planning. Let me say that again- Niele Ivey is a master tactician in game planning. We lost last year to ND 82-67 after having a 12 point lead in the 2nd quarter, in 2022-23 We lost 74-60 in another game not really that close.

Simply put, we have no one to keep up with Hannah Hidalgo. Frankly, this is where KK should be given the role simply to try to make Hannah work hard on both ends of the floor. Kaitlyn Chen was built to play against the mid-major type teams of FDU, BU and even USF but against the P4 competition, she's simply not fast enough nor a good enough outside shooter. As we saw yesterday, Citron played against Juju for most of the game and did a good job of containing her during the critical parts of the game. I expect to see Citron on Paige which means we need all the others to step up and hit big shots-that means Ash, Sarah, Ice, Jana, Azzi, KK and Kaitlyn. The difference with Citron guarding Paige vs. Juju is Paige can pass but we can't miss those open jumpers like we have been. They need to fall for us to compete.

I am optimistic as Ice has been better on Defense so she can help Sarah neutralize both Koval and King but we need offense from both and we need Azzi to contain Miles.

Do not take this ND squad lightly which is what I fear threads like this continue to do. Similarly to the over-exuberance of averaging 90 points per game, we need a dose (and a heavy dose) of reality that we will have to play up to our capabilities and far better than we have played to this point in the season. Geno and his staff also need check, double check and triple review their game plan for whatever contingencies are needed to counter Niele Ivey's plans. We are 0-2 the last two years vs. ND so....and don't give me the "we have been injured" as ND has had similar injury issues. Good teams find a way to compete, great teams find a way to win. Just don't lose by double digits like we have each of the past 2 years. Consider this a warning shot across the bow from a season ticket holder and an annual donor to the team (I am not some missive scribing token fan).

We have been injured. There is no way no way no way ND's injuries compared to ours from 2 years ago. It's not even close.
And if you think last year Paige was the same player early in year as late in the year, then imo that's wrong too.

I agree ND is a beast. A team to be feared in a respectful way but let's not go overboard now by equating their injuries with ours in terms of impact. Also, I just want to remind everyone that Caroline Ducharme was regarded as a higher rated recruit than Olivia Miles. And we did see Caroline taking over the team as the number 1 option over players like Williams, Evina, and Edwards as a frosh before she got hurt

With that said, ND is beast.

 

[PacoSwede]

Do not take this ND squad lightly ... we will have to play up to our capabilities

ahhh ... there's the rub ... always what we hope for, always the danger zone

 

[DefenseBB]

This is my read too. Though I might not include Collen in this list, or maybe I would. She's been thwarted in the tournament every year, but she also has had a smallish team each year. Though that's down to her, too.

What? She inherited a Maserati and is driving around town in it like it’s a Honda Civic. She has underachieved EVERY year she’s been there. Tell me about ONE signature win that she has had and then juxtapose it against all the bad loses. I mean, seriously, she’s not a good coach. She is Holly Warlick part 2 slowly eroding a quality program by bringing in talent but having no idea how to utilize it into a highly functioning team.
She definitely belongs in this group.

 

[Bone Dog]

She inherited a Maserati

You probably know Baylor better than I do. Maybe it was a Maserati in her first year, but other than Egbo and Smith, she had Fontleroy, Asbery, Andrews and Bickle for the next two years. They were 28-7 in 21-22 and lost in the second round to SDSU, who had one of their best teams. In the regular season, they beat Iowa State and Texas twice and lost to MD (ranked #3 at the time), and eventually lost to Texas in a third meeting in the Big12 tournament. The following year, without Egbo and Smith, the went 20-13 and split the season series with Texas and Iowa St. They eventually lost to UConn in the second round of the tournament. And last season they went 26-8 and beat VA Tech (without Kitley) in the second round and lost in the third round to USC.

I'm not sure this record fully bears out your criticism of Collen. Is she a great in-game strategist? Is she a great player development coach? My sense is that she missed her chance with Smith and Egbo that first season. On the other hand, she seems to have helped Andrews and Bickle develop. I haven't heard the gossip about her, if there is any, but Holly Warlick produced a pretty toxic atmosphere at Tennessee. I haven't heard anything remotely like that about Collen. Players seem to want to stay with her.

 

[Bigboote]

Well, Collen's #18 Bears just dropped one to Indiana. I've always liked Nicki, but I am rapidly coming over to DefenseBB's way of thinking.

 

[MSGRET]

You probably know Baylor better than I do. Maybe it was a Maserati in her first year, but other than Egbo and Smith, she had Fontleroy, Asbery, Andrews and Bickle for the next two years. They were 28-7 in 21-22 and lost in the second round to SDSU, who had one of their best teams. In the regular season, they beat Iowa State and Texas twice and lost to MD (ranked #3 at the time), and eventually lost to Texas in a third meeting in the Big12 tournament. The following year, without Egbo and Smith, the went 20-13 and split the season series with Texas and Iowa St. They eventually lost to UConn in the second round of the tournament. And last season they went 26-8 and beat VA Tech (without Kitley) in the second round and lost in the third round to USC.

I'm not sure this record fully bears out your criticism of Collen. Is she a great in-game strategist? Is she a great player development coach? My sense is that she missed her chance with Smith and Egbo that first season. On the other hand, she seems to have helped Andrews and Bickle develop. I haven't heard the gossip about her, if there is any, but Holly Warlick produced a pretty toxic atmosphere at Tennessee. I haven't heard anything remotely like that about Collen. Players seem to want to stay with her.

Baylor is currently 4-2, with the two losses being against teams that are currently rated #21 Oregon and #22 Indiana according to Massey Ratings. While their four wins are against teams that are currently rated below the top 150. They were #275 Incarnate Ward, #285 East Texas A&M, #151 Texas A&M Corpus Christi and #199 Southern Miss. They only have five games left before Conference play, one is against a team that is currently in the Top 75 and that is #67 UNLV. Their other four games are against teams rated #335 New Orleans, #165 Louisiana Tech, #342 Texas Southern and #289 Utah Tech.

She is just following in the footsteps of Kim after she left for the job at LSU, which Kim is still doing playing patsy's before the Conference games begin. Kim will have at most only 4 games against teams that are in the Top 75 in Massey Ratings before Conference play. They are #64 Washington and most likely #20 NC State in the Baha Pink Flamingo Championship, #9 Stanford and #69 Seton Hall. All of her games that she has played and the other remaining games have been or will be against teams rated between 110 and 345.

 

[Cuango]

What? She inherited a Maserati and is driving around town in it like it’s a Honda Civic. She has underachieved EVERY year she’s been there. Tell me about ONE signature win that she has had and then juxtapose it against all the bad loses. I mean, seriously, she’s not a good coach. She is Holly Warlick part 2 slowly eroding a quality program by bringing in talent but having no idea how to utilize it into a highly functioning team.
She definitely belongs in this group.

Whoa! I think comparing her to Holly is a bridge too far! Yes, she is not a great coach and has let that team erode down to being pretty average but she’s still better than Holly!

 

[jabstep]

We will need our great coaches to coach well besides our players shooting well to beat both Notre Dame and UCLA.
1. When we play Notre Dame whoever Hidalgo is guarding becomes the 2 and not the 1. Keep her away from the ball. That will take away one of their advantages.
2. Koval setting picks for their Rice and Hildago. That to me is going to be a problem. She sets a mean screen and the guards are good at working off her. I dont think our bigs are quick enough on the switch unless Geno maybe plays Sarah on Koval.
3. We need Azzi to round into her bad self.
4 Where does our offense come from after Paige, Azzi, and Sarah? Jana, Ice, Chen or I think Q has the size and shooting ability to get in that mix.
It is a great matchup problem for both teams.

Against UCLA the main issue is Betts and her ability if doubled or tripled to pass out to the 3-point shooters. Gardiner when I saw her play for Oregon State I said to myself boy can that girl shoot and yesterday I noticed how well she also passed into the post as she did with Beers last year. She is a great addition. Rice has also adapted her game from just slashing to the hoop to a 3-point threat as well. She is still very strong and quick. Jones well you just can't leave her wide open or she can hurt you.

As I see it, to beat one or both of these teams, we need others besides Paige, Azzi, and Sarah to step up in the scoring department. Geno l did an amazing job of getting us to the final 4 last year with our defense and a game we should have won against Iowa. He has his work cut out for him this year as well. Isn't it great to be a Husky Fan and have fantastic games besides the Big East to watch and talk about?

 

[yhun89]

Against Notre Dame my primary (and just about only) concern is, can Chen take care of the ball vs Hidalgo? Of course, if that appears to be an issue, Arnold is available and might be a better option on both offense and defense.

Arnold is the better option. Chen was incredibly shaky at UNC with the ball. Prime stealing for HH.

Arnold had more control, and is the player who can best match (not fully) Hannah's speed and intensity.

Should Aubrey return, her intensity on D might be good enough to try and contain HH. We didn't;t have her last year against Hannah, so who knows how she would've done. But she's our fastest, most athletic defender.

 

[yhun89]

We will need our great coaches to coach well besides our players shooting well to beat both Notre Dame and UCLA.
1. When we play Notre Dame whoever Hidalgo is guarding becomes the 2 and not the 1. Keep her away from the ball. That will take away one of their advantages.
2. Koval setting picks for their Rice and Hildago. That to me is going to be a problem. She sets a mean screen and the guards are good at working off her. I dont think our bigs are quick enough on the switch unless Geno maybe plays Sarah on Koval.
3. We need Azzi to round into her bad self.
4 Where does our offense come from after Paige, Azzi, and Sarah? Jana, Ice, Chen or I think Q has the size and shooting ability to get in that mix.
It is a great matchup problem for both teams.

Against UCLA the main issue is Betts and her ability if doubled or tripled to pass out to the 3-point shooters. Gardiner when I saw her play for Oregon State I said to myself boy can that girl shoot and yesterday I noticed how well she also passed into the post as she did with Beers last year. She is a great addition. Rice has also adapted her game from just slashing to the hoop to a 3-point threat as well. She is still very strong and quick. Jones well you just can't leave her wide open or she can hurt you.

As I see it, to beat one or both of these teams, we need others besides Paige, Azzi, and Sarah to step up in the scoring department. Geno l did an amazing job of getting us to the final 4 last year with our defense and a game we should have won against Iowa. He has his work cut out for him this year as well. Isn't it great to be a Husky Fan and have fantastic games besides the Big East to watch and talk about?

ND post play did not look unstoppable. Sarah should have a feast down there.

Ice has looked solid defensively. Offensively is a bit of a problem.

 

[Conndog]

Jana improving on defense will be critical to beating UCLA; she simply can’t foul out. Job #1 for her is to stay between Betts and the basket, and she has to grab rebounds. If she tries to front her to deny a pass, UCLA will just pass over her; no need to double-team but just cover everyone else. UCLA killed SC with their shooting (as well as with great switching defense)- UConn can’t leave anyone open, which is what’ll happen is they double on Betts. To the eye test, UCLA looks like the most complete and best team to me (haven’t seen ND yet). UConn will improve on defense and rebounding when Aubrey returns, but I’m optimistic about Morgan Cheli and Q too (and Ayana if healthy).

 

[Husky fanatic]

Will UCLA’s Finnish product become a finished product? Where did she come from? When Barker is coming off the bench you know you’re loaded. The Eye test right now says UCLA is the biggest threat moving forward. Notre Dame is also annoyingly(Hidalgo) good .

 

[Bone Dog]

I don’t want to forget that Kaitlyn had a great game against UCLA last season, kept the game close and almost engineered an upset. She has a competitor’s heart when it comes to big games. She may not be a defensive stopper for Hidalgo, but she played well against Rice and Osborne.

Defending Hidalgo Miles and Citron is a team project. Part of the problem last season is that the team was unprepared to stop Hannah going to her right. Few teams have been able to do this so far. That’s the challenge, as much for Geno as for the team.

 

[jabstep]

ND post play did not look unstoppable. Sarah should have a feast down there.

Ice has looked solid defensively. Offensively is a bit of a problem.