Providence Post Game Thread

[Boreifs]

My initial take is that Christyn didn't do anything particularly bad, but she didn't make any plays either. I'm sure Geno will tell her that she has to have a greater impact on the game, not necessarily scoring, but someway, somehow she has to have a greater impact.

The key for her is not how she played today but how she will play next Wednesday. She has to realize that a once in a generation player who plays her position is joining the team next year.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

As to Makurat, it is obvious to me the team flow is much crisper with her on the floor but admittedly I probably look at the game differently than many.

But it hasn't been in the past. Seems that this was the first game in which she made a three before the fourth quarter. Finally made meaningful points.

The team looked awkward with both Edwards and ONO on the floor for the first time starting. But seems more because ONO had a very bad start.

UConn is all about ball movement,hustle, and guard play. That finally started when Griffin came in.

Griffin joins Page and Edwards as the players who are capable of leading the team into the FF. They're the ones who will blend in next year for a truly powerful team.

This year, we're still seeing awkward minutes and plays from Ana, Muhl, McClean, and Westbrook. Thought Westbrook would be more polished than she has been. Improving, but...

 

[HuskyNan]

Same here. I really love how SNY shows UCONN games twice. It gives those who may miss it the first time another chance to see it and gives others another view to scrutinize things we may have missed! Kudos to SNY!

You can watch games thathave already been played on TV by going to the rules linked tacked at the top of the board which houses this link: Welcome to UConn Husky Games!

 

[Littlemin]

But it hasn't been in the past. Seems that this was the first game in which she made a three before the fourth quarter. Finally made meaningful points.

The team looked awkward with both Edwards and ONO on the floor for the first time starting. But seems more because ONO had a very bad start.

UConn is all about ball movement,hustle, and guard play. That finally started when Griffin came in.

Griffin joins Page and Edwards as the players who are capable of leading the team into the FF. They're the ones who will blend in next year for a truly powerful team.

This year, we're still seeing awkward minutes and plays from Ana, Muhl, McClean, and Westbrook. Thought Westbrook would be more polished than she has been. Improving, but...

With all due respect, affecting the flow of the teams offense and scoring points are two distinctly different things.

 

[my2cents]

Watching Paige Bueckers play basketball is like:
Watching Piccasso paint
John and Paul write songs
Tiger Woods ( in his prime) play golf
Tom Brady pass

Just a pleasure!!!

 

[Woof 101]

Just a couple here as everything will be covered as the thread goes on. I think many have got a case of Paigeitis, trying to thread the needle with their passes. While several players had some pretty passes today some were also errant resulting in turn overs. Paige had a couple passes today I think the opponent would even compliment her on.
Trivia.... When was the last time Geno had nine players in a game with double digit minutes?
The box....

Women's Basketball vs UConn on 01/09/21 - Box Score - Providence College Athletics

Providence College Athletics

friars.com

 

[Ozimoto]

Nice for them to get a chance to play a team with some size for a change.

No denying the rough first quarter.

The bench contributed. Offensive production was good after the first quarter. Defense seems to have picked up in intensity. The non starters made the most of the opportunities they were given.

I really want Nika to get a basket. She plays so well otherwise. I think once she gets her first points, she'll relax and improve her scoring.

Lots to like, but lots to work on too.

 

[msf22b]

In how many minutes? I am guessing it was less than 10.

I remember a pre-season thread I commented on...
The idea was that in order to win, UConn needed Christyn and Ono
had to have huge seasons.

I disagreed then and continue to dissent now.
This is a team with a huge amount of talent...
Talent that has yet to be completely integrated; even completely identified.
The schedule (if that how one identifies it) has hardly helped

Better days ...different days ...are yet ahead.

 

[SLY63]

Watching end of 4th quarter play is so much more enjoyable than in a number of past seasons. The talent on this team runs deep.

Completely agree

 

[topogigio]

My take today;
Ono needs to finish better, period. She has developed much better moves. and overall strength, but misses too many close shots, regardless of her defender.
Aubry continues to impress; she misses some close to the basket, but isn't 6'5", and hustles to get her rebound and put it up again - plus she makes her foul shots.
Evina looked real good, slashed to the basket, played good defense, and was aggressive
Glad that Anna said "take this"!, although she got beat on defense quite a bit.
Paige was as Geno said "Paige". This kid is going to be fun for 4 years.
Christyn deserved to sit the bench. Can't be a junior, and perform like that.
Mir was impressive, great effort.
Aaliyah had some moments, but Providence's size seemed to affect her.
Muhl hustled, some good passes. some not good, she has to make a shot, any shot!
Autumn did a great job in the TO huddle, but unless she is hurt, Geno should have given her some mop up time.
We all have too much time on our hands now, and are allowed to be armchair coaches.

 

[GRIFFBIFF20]

Can't wait for Wednesday's "AEH'o vs. Geno" match-up. (wonder what kind of defense Geno is going to draw up for his team to put in front of AEH? [although the primary concern has to be how to slow down Lauren Park-Lane]

 

[RockyMTblue2]

As far as Paige taking more shots, part of the issue is somebody giving her the ball. Once again today the offense would stall and she's on the left or right corner and someone would try to force a play inside .

 

[Twolf]

I remember a pre-season thread I commented on...
The idea was that in order to win, UConn needed Christyn and Ono
had to have huge seasons.

I disagreed then and continue to dissent now.
This is a team with a huge amount of talent...
Talent that has yet to be completely integrated; even completely identified.
The schedule (if that how one identifies it) has hardly helped

Better days ...different days ...are yet ahead.

I agree with 1/2 of your premise. UConn might reach their goals without CW having a huge offensive season, but there is no way I see them becoming one of the elite teams that have a legitimate chance at a title without ONO becoming a dominant #5 player in their lineup. This is not to say CW is not an important piece of the offensive puzzle, but Geno has some potential answers if that doesn’t materialize, but there are no answers if ONO doesn’t become a dominant offensive post player. Is AE a great addition to the interior rotation, yes, but you are not going to win a championship without ONO reaching her potential IMO.

 

[Vowelguy]

The idea was that in order to win, UConn needed Christyn and Ono had to have huge seasons.

I think today kinda proves that point. Aubrey and Paige's day notwithstanding, overall performance was not great. Against a good team this was an L.
Absolutely need Ono & CW to go far.

 

[HopJim]

My interpretation of benching CW: we started incredibly flat, and as a leader of this team, it is her responsibility to help settle the team down. She has played more minutes in a uconn uniform than anyone else. Her attempt at that was to drive into traffic with no clear purpose, turning the ball over. That to me is what prompted her being pulled.

She is capable of being a big time player, but she’s been so inconsistent. She has a bad habit of just floating around the 3 point line and disappears for stretches. It’s a head scratcher for me.

If she doesn’t get more consistent, I won’t be surprised to see players eat into her minutes next year, especially Azzi being able to play the 2.

Would add that while Williams made a few mistakes, the subs all played well enough not to get taken out. Anna made shots and helped put movement back in the offense. One of Aubrey's better games. Who would Geno put Williams back in for?

 

[BobbyJ]

The change to the starting lineup was a bigger reason for the slow start vs the long layoff IMO. Game changed when Aubrey was put in the game to start denying penetration. Before that EVERYONE was getting tortured. Evina was moving well in straight line but lateral was struggling with a noticeable gimp. Paige was really really really good. I see a lot of post for Aubrey for badass award. I could go with co award but if we are going to take these performances from Paige for granted count me out. 14 layups were missed at the basket from 6 different players. I am noticing it takes a while for Evina to get going, probably do to her injury I’m not sure what the solution is.

Against teams like Providence the offense shouldn't be gummed up by indecision, but it is. Bueckers could play 30% faster but the other kids can't. She's stuck in 2nd gear, having to point and wait for movement from some non- freshmen that should know what to do by now. They've still got a lot of season to pick it up and they'd better. If not, there will be PT available for some of those 4 kids coming next year. If they can show they're ready I doubt Auriemma will hold them back.

 

[oldhusky]

I feel sorry for Autumn. With such a big lead, she was the only player who did not get into the game.

She had a more important role, like when Geno in frustration handed her the clipboard and said you do it during one timeout.!

 

[GRIFFBIFF20]

Any threads from the Post Game Conferences yet? (Geno or Players ?)

 

[JellyBean]

My girl, Anna knocking down shots!! 3-5. I love that she was coming off the bench. Shows her ability to adapt and be that team player. Next Woman up mindset. Well done, Anna!!

The starters. Looked okay out there. You could see the indecision out there to start the game. I think more reps together they will get things figured out. Spacing was terrible but that will improve with time together, if Coach stays with this rotation, which I hope he does, especially with Seton Hall coming up. Defensive side...hey the defense is doing what it is supposed to do. They had Providence shooting something like 37% from the field and 25% from 3-point land...hey that is pretty good in my book. Active hands and feet. Take these wins anyway possible. I will have to watch the replay later and chart deflections on the defensive side.

 

[slug25]

But she did get a chance to coach the team. Pretty impressive for a walk-on freshman

It looked to me that she actually started to make some suggestions until CD leaned in.

 

[eebmg]

Paige Presser (short)

 

[Bigpetunia]

Perhaps she's better coming in off the bench, providing instant energy.

Agreed! Way too much is made of the issue of which players start. For anyone who has played this game, or for any astute observer, there is an understanding of the importance of specific "roles" in team success. In that regard, there's no substitute for a player who can come off the bench and provide an instant injection of energy and aggressiveness. On this team, Aubrey is clearly the one who fills that role, though Mir has the clear potential to develop similarly. So I kind of hope that Aubrey never starts...fantastic "sixth man!"

 

[Dokey]

As to Makurat, it is obvious to me the team flow is much crisper with her on the floor but admittedly I probably look at the game differently than many.

You probably see it the same as Geno. She did not start but entered at 4 minute mark and never left, playing 36 minutes, two more than Paige.

 

[oldhusky]

I haven't seen anybody mention it yet, but there was another key strategic difference other than the starting lineup. When Nika and Paige were in the lineup together, he let Nika play the point guard role. In past games it was the opposite.

I think this is a good move. Obviously Paige is the better player and point guard, but because of how many ways she can score, she can be great at either guard position, looked comfortable off the ball, and quickly took advantage of a post up opportunity.

Both Nika and Paige are not just good, but exceptional passers, and both can run the offense very well IMO.
The difference is Nika may struggle as an off guard, while Paige could probably be an All American at either position. Geno wants her to shoot and score more, so maybe playing shooting guard for ten minutes or so when Nika is in helps her game, and even more so for Nika who is way better at PG.

 

[eebmg]

Aubrey Presser

 

[eebmg]

Anna presser (longest one)

 

[Dokey]

My take today;
Ono needs to finish better, period. She has developed much better moves. and overall strength, but misses too many close shots, regardless of her defender.
Aubry continues to impress; she misses some close to the basket, but isn't 6'5", and hustles to get her rebound and put it up again - plus she makes her foul shots.
Evina looked real good, slashed to the basket, played good defense, and was aggressive
Glad that Anna said "take this"!, although she got beat on defense quite a bit.
Paige was as Geno said "Paige". This kid is going to be fun for 4 years.
Christyn deserved to sit the bench. Can't be a junior, and perform like that.
Mir was impressive, great effort.
Aaliyah had some moments, but Providence's size seemed to affect her.
Muhl hustled, some good passes. some not good, she has to make a shot, any shot!
Autumn did a great job in the TO huddle, but unless she is hurt, Geno should have given her some mop up time.
We all have too much time on our hands now, and are allowed to be armchair coaches.

Unlike the rest of the team, virtually no one scored on Anna.

 

[MSGRET]

-what we MIGHT think of Anna differs from Geno thinks. Anna must try to do everything Geno wants in practice.

-the open missed layups has been a multiple year problem

- as brilliant as Bueckers has been, the turnover number has to drop.

-ONO‘s minutes per game continues to be ahead scratcher.

- watching Aubrey play well is an absolute treat.

- the ease in which Paige posted up the shorter guard was scary.

- I am glad he pulled the starters early. Would he have done it against Baylor?

- it looks like the free throw issue was addressed and fixed.

-Mir’s body language has done a 180. I can’t believe how similar she is to Aubrey.

-the posts are too flat footed when receiving entry passes.

- I continue to believe Plath will be factor before her time is up.

Paige had only two turnovers and one of them should not have been counted against her. She had a 2.5 to 1 assists to T/O ratio that should have been higher, but many of the players missed bunnies that would have been more assists for her. She should have at least 20 more assists for the season because of all the missed shots.

 

[GRIFFBIFF20]

Geno's Presser ???

 

[MSGRET]

I feel sorry for Autumn. With such a big lead, she was the only player who did not get into the game.

But she did get to coach for a few minutes.