Predicting South Carolina-UConn: Who wins? Does a lack of depth catch up with the Huskies?

[SVCBeercats]

South Carolina-UConn predictions: Who wins the NCAA title game rematch?

Can the Huskies, who have dealt with injury and illness all season, overcome Aliyah Boston and the No. 1 Gamecocks, who have the best depth in the country?

www.espn.com

Charlie Creme:
"The Gamecocks have 11 players in the regular rotation who are averaging double-figure minutes per game."
"No team in the country is better at wearing down an opponent than South Carolina. UConn might be talented enough to overcome its lack of depth against anyone except the Gamecocks."
M.A. Voepel:
"Sometimes depth is an overrated thing in basketball, but in this case the contrast between the teams is stark. South Carolina brings Kamilla Cardoso, Laeticia Amihere, Raven Johnson, Bree Hall and Ashlyn Watkins all off the bench. That's how much talent (and actually, there is even more) coach Dawn Staley has"
Alexa Philippou:
"Yes, UConn has eight available players, but its three reserves would be the last ones off the bench if the team were healthy. Against Providence, that trio played a combined 27 minutes and finished with one point, one assist and zero rebounds."

 

[faithfulfan]

SC wins by less than 10, if UCONN scores well from the outside, and holds their own inside, if not SC wins by 20!
If Azzi and Caroline come back in time for the NCAA's, that's another story!
Next year with a healthy Paige, and the rest all returning except Dorka and Lou, UCONN is preseason #1!

 

[Sonny44]

You could be right on, or worse.

 

[#12in21]

Maybe we have a secret weapon:

The goddess Nika is a myth​

The story of the goddess Nicky, preserved until today, says that this winged girl decided to support Zeus in the war with the Titans, which lasted for many generations, only with her help, the Thunderer managed to overthrow the ruler of Kronos......The goddess Nika is a legend about courage and ability to overcome the enemy even in desperate situations, a symbol of victory of the strongest in spirit.

Nika Greek meaning: Victory; useful; bringer of victory​

 

[huskyharry]

Huskies wear down after playing tough
SC 78
UConn 63

 

[Tonyc]

UConn 67
SC 62

UConns energy runs wild. Nika and Aubrey have great games.

 

[Cuango]

Aaliyah has her first 30 point game, Nika with 10+ dimes, Dorka and Aubrey with a double double, and Lou goes 8/10 from three! Ayanna off the bench with double digit rebounds. If you are going to dream, dream big? None of that though, is impossible! Flying is, supposedly, but if all that happens, I’m gonna be walking on air!
UConn 86
SC 67

 

[Bone Dog]

If we lose by single digits, it’s a moral victory. If we win — omg — it will be celebrated for years and by every former Husky lucky enough to see it! [cue Henry V “band of brothers” speech.]

 

[meyers7]

Maybe we have a secret weapon:

The goddess Nika is a myth​

The story of the goddess Nicky, preserved until today, says that this winged girl decided to support Zeus in the war with the Titans, which lasted for many generations, only with her help, the Thunderer managed to overthrow the ruler of Kronos......The goddess Nika is a legend about courage and ability to overcome the enemy even in desperate situations, a symbol of victory of the strongest in spirit.

Nika Greek meaning: Victory; useful; bringer of victory​

Unfortunately Muhl is Slavic though.

Slavic meaning: Belongs to God

 

[Longtime fan]

South Carolina-UConn predictions: Who wins the NCAA title game rematch?

Can the Huskies, who have dealt with injury and illness all season, overcome Aliyah Boston and the No. 1 Gamecocks, who have the best depth in the country?

www.espn.com

Charlie Creme:
"The Gamecocks have 11 players in the regular rotation who are averaging double-figure minutes per game."
"No team in the country is better at wearing down an opponent than South Carolina. UConn might be talented enough to overcome its lack of depth against anyone except the Gamecocks."
M.A. Voepel:
"Sometimes depth is an overrated thing in basketball, but in this case the contrast between the teams is stark. South Carolina brings Kamilla Cardoso, Laeticia Amihere, Raven Johnson, Bree Hall and Ashlyn Watkins all off the bench. That's how much talent (and actually, there is even more) coach Dawn Staley has"
Alexa Philippou:
"Yes, UConn has eight available players, but its three reserves would be the last ones off the bench if the team were healthy. Against Providence, that trio played a combined 27 minutes and finished with one point, one assist and zero rebounds."

All who have responded here are correct. UCONN has no chance at all to win this game. The starting five will hang tough, but having each played 20 really tough minutes in the first two quarters, they will begin to wear down. Lou will be guarded by better players than have guarded her all year, and she will struggle. Nika may be a wild card scorer, but they have a great defensive point guard. Edwards will bang heroically with Boston, but Boston is bigger and will wear her down. Aubrey is as athletic as anyone, and can shine if she plays with confidence. Dorka will be outclassed. If we are trailing by as few as 6 points at the end of the first half, I'll be amazed. Our reserves will be of no help , and they wont be used unless one of our starters has too many fouls or is too beat up to continue. Patterson may get 5 minutes where she is told to stand in one place and bump into people.

 

[HuskylnSC]

I'm deeply concerned that the second half will look like sheep to the slaughter. I felt they could hardly walk out of the gym Wednesday. I think our ladies are fantastic, but schedule and injuries are too much to overcome. SC will rejoice in the onslaught and pour it on to embarrass UConn nation. (but UConn nation knows the game that matters is still to come)

 

[Bone Dog]

Unfortunately Muhl is Slavic though.

Slavic meaning: Belongs to God

One possible etymology of Croat is xurvāt, which probably means “the guardians.” That suits Nika pretty well: the one who guards.

 

[Oracle9]

I guess with all I've been reading I'm going another route. I believe they can overcome. That's it, no analysis just my faith in the team.

 

[reelfan]

UCONN has 75 points siting on the bench !!!!!!!!!!
THAT is the difference maker.

 

[#12in21]

Actually, there are 26 of our 49 points from the last meeting sitting on the bench (Paige 14, Azzi 3, Caroline 9). Odds are good we get better than 10 from Aaliyah/Nika this go around coupled with solid contributions from Aubrey, Lou and Dorka. In the NC game, 26 of their points came from Destiny Henderson, who has departed (which matches the point production of our injured players on the bench). Returning that leaves, 11 points each from Boston and Cooke - with the other 16 of their points spread over 7 of the other 12 players that saw action. Not a huge mountain to climb for our guys (if our starters can stay on the floor) to reduce SC's output from last game and increase ours enough to get the W!

 

[baggerbob]

Actually, there are 26 of our 49 points from the last meeting sitting on the bench (Paige 14, Azzi 3, Caroline 9). Odds are good we get better than 10 from Aaliyah/Nika this go around coupled with solid contributions from Aubrey, Lou and Dorka. In the NC game, 26 of their points came from Destiny Henderson, who has departed (which matches the point production of our injured players on the bench). Returning that leaves, 11 points each from Boston and Cooke - with the other 16 of their points spread over 7 of the other 12 players that saw action. Not a huge mountain to climb for our guys (if our starters can stay on the floor) to reduce SC's output from last game and increase ours enough to get the W!

This game really is meaningless, with a short bench against the number 1 team, the only thing Uconn should be concerned with is keeping the current players healthy.
The real game would be in the tournament.

 

[HuskyNan]

UCONN has 75 points siting on the bench !!!!!!!!!!
THAT is the difference maker.

Every time someone says “points on the bench” the total goes up 5 points.

Azzi, 17.9 points
Caroline, 8.6
Paige, 18 (UConn career average)
Ice, ?? Maybe 10

Total 54.5 points

Makes no sense to add 54 to the current team’s scoring average because Lou would be playing less with Paige and Azzi in and Dorka would play less with Ice in. The “points on the bench” makes no sense in a real game

 

[baggerbob]

Every time someone says “points on the bench” the total goes up 5 points.

Azzi, 17.9 points
Caroline, 8.6
Paige, 18 (UConn career average)
Ice, ?? Maybe 10

Total 54.5 points

Makes no sense to add 54 to the current team’s scoring average because Lou would be playing less with Paige and Azzi in and Dorka would play less with Ice in. The “points on the bench” makes no sense in a real game

Great post, and if this team had that kind of depth, those players wouldn't score as much because they would play a lot less minutes.